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Истината, воденичен камък и морето

Истината, воденичен камък и морето

В сряда, 25 юни 2008 г., върховният съд на САЩ реши, че не е законно да се екзекутира някой за изнасилване на дете. Заключава се, че екзекуцията e жестоко и необичайно наказание и като такова е противоконституционно.

Няма да коментирам дали решението им е правилно, но когато го чух, първото нещо, което ми дойде на ум, бяха думите на Исус:

„… който приеме едно такова детенце в Мое име, Мен приема. А който съблазни едно от тези малките, които вярват в Мен, за него би било по-добре да се окачеше на врата му воденичен камък, и да потънеше в морските дълбочини” (Матей 18:5-6).

Чудили ли сте се някога защо Исус е използвал толкова силни думи за нараняването на малки деца? В лекцията ми „Възстановяване от сексуално малтретиране” обяснявам какво се случва в мозъка на детето, когато се злоупотребява с него, и се изследват начините да се излекува такава травма. Ако искате да чуете споменатата лекция (на англисйки език, в MP3 формат), кликнете върху тази връзка: Recovering from Sexual Abuse.

Накратко, в детството мозъкът се развива бързо. Активните неврони се запазват, невронните вериги се разширяват, неактивните неврони се изтриват и неактивните системи се разграждат. Невронните вериги на мозъка се променят чрез опит, образование и среда. Децата, с които е злоупотребявано, имат не само психологически увреждания, както и деформации на самооценката, а често и по-развити центрове на тревожност, в допълнение към по-лошото развитие на центровете, които обработват емоциите и успокояват нервната система. Това води до каскада от хормонални и възпалителни реакции в целия организъм и децата, които са жертви на сексуална злоупотреба, израстват с по-висока заболеваемост. Накрая, поради увреждането, повишения страх, несигурността и неспособността да се доверяват, на жертвите на насилие им е по-трудно да влязат в интимни отношения – отношения, изискващи откритост и доверие. Това включва и връзката им с Бога. Много жертви на насилие растат със страх от Бога, с гняв и недоверие към Него, но добрата новина е, че щетите могат да бъдат обратими, мозъчните вериги могат да бъдат подобрени, доверието може да бъде преживяно и мирът – да бъде намерен.

Горното описва, съвсем накратко, някои от последствията, които остават, и защо злоупотребата в детството е толкова опустошителна. Но това не обяснява защо Исус казва, че би било по-добре да се удавиш в океана, отколкото да нараниш дете. Повечето хора, с които съм разговарял, вярват, че Исус заплашва да нанесе тежка болка и страдание на насилниците на деца, но това ли наистина е казал?

Имам много пациенти, които като деца са претърпели насилие от родителите си. По време на процеса на изцеление мнозина желаят родителите им просто да признаят това, което са направили, да поискат прошка от тях или по някакъв начин да осъзнаят своето прегрешение. За съжаление те обикновено не го правят. Питам моите пациенти: „Какво ще се случи в ума на майка ти или в сърцето на баща ти, ако те признаят тежкото насилие, което са извършили над теб? С какво трябва да се справят? Ще има ли вина, срам, разкаяние, отвращение и омраза към себе си?

Ето една истина, която казвам на пациентите си: „Никога не можеш да избегнеш истината. Можеш само да забавиш деня, в който ще се изправиш пред нея“. Можем да се справим с истината за себе си, за собствената си житейска история, за своя характер и грешки тук и сега; и чрез Божията благодат да преживеем прощението, изцелението, възстановяването и в крайна сметка да влезем във вечния живот. Или можем да забавим изправянето пред истината, да я отхвърлим, да я отричаме, да обвиняваме другите… Но ако сега не се занимаем с нея, един ден, когато Христос се върне, всеки човек ще трябва се изправи лице в лице с крайнатa, чистата, цялостната истина. Какво ще бъде в този ден за такива майки и бащи да погледнат в „огледалото“ на пълната истина и да видят себе си такива, каквито са в действителност, без самоизмама, без лъжи и заблуди? Какво ли ще бъде за такъв човек да има пълното съзнание за това, което неговите действия са причинили на детето му? Какво би било тази истина да се разкрие пред съзнанието му пред цялата Вселена? Ако бяхте един от онези неизцелени от Бог и неспасени насилници, не бихте ли предпочели да се удавите в морето, отколкото да изпитате душевната мъка, която ще преживеете в този ден?

Никога не можем да избегнем истината! Можем само да забавим деня, в който ще се изправим пред нея…

 

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Testimony 18

The Healing the Mind DVD set tarted me on a journey that has changed my relationship with our loving God more significantly than any other study, and brought me to your book and Bible study podcasts, which I now listen to daily, thanks to the availability of archived content on your site and on iTunes.

Anonymous

 

Testimony 37

Hearing Dr. Jennings’ presentations in person came at a pivotal moment in my spiritual journey that began about nine months ago, when the fault lines inherent in my belief system began to crack under questions that most reasonable people end up asking about God and His nature. These were questions I couldn’t find answers to, and they shook my faith. I was unable let it go any longer and be satisfied. My Christian experience became distant. I was afraid; the fear in me rose like thorns, pushing me away from Jesus. And then someone heard my questions and introduced me to this ministry, and my life has totally changed.

I can tell you that this new, “present truth” message is far grander and life-changing than when I shifted from being an agnostic and then a nominal Christian. It has radically altered my worldview, because it reveals a God that makes sense. It is a revolution. I believe that Dr. Jennings’ message is the final message that must go to the world. If any message could be called “righteousness by faith,” as abused as that term is by the right and the left, this is that message, because Jennings’ biblical message identifies a God who is different, whose character isn’t an impossible contradiction.

I walk this path now without fear. I see people differently, and the Holy Spirit burns in my heart. Many call Dr. Jennings’ message false and compromising, but it isn’t false, because I’ve seen the fruits within my mind and body. It is not compromising, because in this message is the only road to holiness that makes any sense. No longer do I behold a pagan god who is always angry and suspicious. Instead, I behold a God who is freeing and loving, always working for our good, and giving me every reason to love my enemy even to my own death, just as Jesus pleads with us. God is good.

Anthony L., CA, USA

 

Testimony 23

I would just like to add my voice to the many people who, I believe, must have contacted you to express their appreciation for the “Healing the Mind” DVDs. I’ve been listening to your Bible study class discussions for many years and I’ve been personally blessed by your research and teaching about the character of God.

L. G., Oakland, MI, USA

 

Testimony 12

I have been really blessed reading your response to the various questions on your site.

K.C., OH, USA

 

Testimony 57

You have helped make sense of thirty two years of confusion. The material you freely provide reorganized so much of my life into such a beautiful pattern that has always been hinted at from within, but misguided with my training and what I was experiencing externally. My filipno parents, who were converted from Catholicism to SDA, were sincere and did their best to raise me the right way and I have deep respect for them. However, being immigrants and not understanding the language made for a difficult transition as I was growing up, which also applied to my spiritual growth as I learned the patterns of religion. I have been listening to as many bible study classes and reading blog posts as my time in a work truck will allow, searching for the practical applications of where spirituality and reality meet, and I thank you for helping me find that. You have helped me reach a point in which I can truly say that I love God, that I believe He loves me, and, like David, I delight in His law. God bless.

Emmanuel V., Calgary, AB Canada

Testimony 62

I would like to express my thanks to the C&R team for creating a platform from which people can learn to trust in God and grow. My life is a witness to the effectiveness of this ministry. Without believing the truth about God as you have shown, I don’t know what my life would be like. I had given up on God helping me with certain sins – it was all useless. Given that the scripture is clear and God is so good, how could I have betrayed him so many times? I was a yo-yo christian; spinning up and down. My faith and enthusiasm was driven by discoveries/threats that prophecy is about to be fulfilled. But when I watched your “Healing the Mind” seminar, it was like a light finally went on. I could see God had no plan to hurt me, the danger came from sin, and that He is working to protect me and strengthen me. Thank you for allowing God to use you. The message God gave C&R saved my life!

Antony N. – Hobart, Australia

 

Testimony 73

I have been truly blessed by your blogs and other resources. They have helped me to see things in a much brighter light and to reason things out better. Thank you so much for your ministry. Whenever I have the opportunity I pass along your material to my friends.

R. Noseworthy, Newfoundland, Canada

Testimony 71

When I was 9 years old, I remember setting at our devotional table with a hunger and thirst for God that wanted more, deeper, BETTER. I can remember literally crying and pounding on the table, “I know these teachers didn’t mean to give us error. They taught what THEY had been TAUGHT, but didn’t ANYBODY READ THE BOOK?!?!?” It mattered to me then. It mattered to me as a teenager. It matters now as I teach bible classes. It didn’t have to be so hard as I watched so many give up and lay God’s great plan and gift of salvation aside as being “impossible.” Then, a friend sent me a link to Come And Reason’s website. I grew excited. YES! FINALLY! Then another friend told me to stay away, saying her son had just broken up with a girl because she was involved with Come And Reason and that “Tim Jennings preaches a false gospel.” But, AFTER many years of developing an authentic and, dare I say FUN relationship with Jesus, through the Holy Spirit I see this message has been around a LONG time, since the apostle Paul, Ellen White, Graham Maxwell, Ray Foucher, and yourself (though I admit, you’ve made me back up, rewind and replay the clips, and get out my well-worn Bible on a few things.) I’m so thankful I have found LIGHT during these DARK days. I am not alone.

Vicki DiNitto

Testimony 60

Just watched watched lesson 10 in the 1st quarter 2021 bible study classs on Isaiah. I want to thank you for your intellectual spirituality; it’s not an oxymoron! From the point of view of a teacher I also enjoy seeing how much personal pleasure you clearly take in not just tasting, but feasting on God’s word – it reminds me of Jeremiah not being able to hold it in! It makes me smile that your cup is so full and overflowing that you make it to Tuesday’s lesson (on a good day). It just goes to show the richness of God’s Word.

God bless the Come and Reason Team from our church here in Great Britain.

Andrew H., Great Britain

 

Testimony 2

I continue to enjoy your lessons every week. The more that I research your conclusions, the more I am convinced that the Holy Spirit has lead you to distill out the essence of human redemption. Thank you for your courageous stand for the truth.

S. G., TX, USA

 

Testimony 33

I was invited over a friend’s house to see the “God and Your Brain” seminar today. I became [a christian] 36 years ago at the age of 19, but have struggled with the concept of God taking His ‘pound of flesh’ out on His Son to be appeased. Wow. Your seminar has been an incredible revelation and breath of reason and fresh air! I have your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” and it is SO eye opening. Finally, after 36 years enlightenment has come! Praise the Good Lord! What can I say, but that the Real Gospel is truly “Good News!” Thank you for your efforts in giving the Gospel a clear sound!

Paul C.,  Springfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 26

Your teachings about our heavenly Father have changed my life. Thank you sooooooo very very much! I know He’s doing some serious healing in my heart and life and I look forward to each new day to learn something new about Him and to just hear you speak about Him. Thank you, forever.

Nancy S.

 

Testimony 25

I just want to say thank you so much for your conversations via YouTube. I regularly tune in to your lectures, “Let’s Talk” sessions, and many others. Through these I’ve found greater depth and meaning to God’s word. Thanks for all that you do and please continue. I’m currently working in the middle of Silicon Valley at Stanford University. I feel like God really has me in the right place right now and I’m sensing that your teachings might be part of it.

B. F., Silicon Valley, CA, USA

 

Testimony 27

Your teachings about our heavenly Father have changed my life. Thank you sooooooo very very much! I know He’s doing some serious healing in my heart and life and I look forward to each new day to learn something new about Him and to just hear you speak about Him. Thank you, forever.

Nancy S.

 

Testimony 54

I had a lot of pressure, as a pastor’s kid, to conform and be “good.” I was good at being “good.” I thought my life was going along well until it all started falling apart and I could not figure out why! In my search for “why is this happening to me, God?” I came across your book, “Could it be this Simple,” and God started revealing to me the many distortions I held about His character, His principles, and how He has designed His universe to operate. I remember thinking, “Wow, I have had this all backwards.” I was happy and angry all at the same time. Happy to have the light of truth break through the darkness, revealing a wonderful, beautiful way of understanding God and His plan for His children, and angry, because I felt deceived and cheated by the church, my family, and myself!

My heart thrills when I listen to your bible study lessons. Literally I have gone from death to life. It is a journey I look forward to every day, as God reveals areas this distortion affects. Praise GOD! I will ever be grateful to God for this ministry and your cooperation with the Spirit!

Karen S., Portal, AZ, USA