What? We are on a Podcast?

I was recently asked to participate on a podcast telling a little about my experience with religion and the institutional church.

Religion Free Ministry contacted me and said they would like to do a brief interview and I gladly accepted.

It was an interesting experience but went smoothly and was easy to do. It is not long but gives an idea of where I came from and why I left the church system.

It is listed on the Jesus Unfiltered Podcast entitled Done with Religion?

If you are interested in listening sometime, you can hear the podcast at the following link:

http://www.religionfreeministry.com/008-done-with-religion-unity-and-living-outside-institutional-religion-feat-jim-gordon/

Just Be Yourself

by Jim Gordon

It seems we hear a lot about change and becoming a better person in the way we live and believe. We often hear from some christian people about judgment and condemnation of others because they do not live the way they think the bible says.

I think it is time we accept people for who they are beginning with ourselves. We need to remember that we are all made in the image of God. The bible says God saw all that he had made and it was good!

Rather than judge someone and tell them they need to change, why not do what Jesus said to do. Love God and love one another. We do not always agree but it is not up to us to tell people what they need to do or how they should live. Accept one another for who they are.

Rather than worry about what everyone else thinks just be yourself, accept yourself. Do not let anyone say you do not matter or make you feel like you need to be someone you are not.

You are not a mistake. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. God created you and loves you just as you are.

Of course, we all want to better ourselves in this life but as far as the real you, whether gay or straight, white or black, male or female we are unconditionally loved and accepted by God.

There are a good many of his followers out there that feel the same way. Ignore those who judge and condemn, they will only bring you down. Move on and seek out those who will love you with the unconditional love of God and who will accept you just as you are.

How Do We Know When God Speaks Or Guides Us?

by Mike Edwards

It isn’t always easy to believe in an invisible God; it isn’t always easy to know how an inaudible God is speaking or guiding us. If God was more visible or audible, wouldn’t our spiritual journey be easier? Jesus established a 24-7 relationship with twelve men and they struggled to believe everything that came out of Jesus’ mouth. Today, God’s awing or overpowering presence may only lead to fearful obligations to obey. I am convinced the road traveled of learning and reflecting better leads to lasting convictions. Maybe God speaks to us in non-dramatic ways out of love!

We are right to look for God’s direction through God’s spirit.

It is reasonable to imagine that since God is invisible that God’s Spirit resides in us and somehow guides us. There is rightly an emphasis in Christian circles that God guides up by their Spirit as opposed to the Bible (i.e. Holy Spirit). When Jesus was leaving this earth, He said the Spirit not some Book such as the Bible guides us in truth (Jn. 14:16-17; 16:13). How do we discern such guidance?

We have more freedom than we realize if God truly created genuine freedom.

We often seek God’s voice in important decisions such as career or marriage. It is natural to think an all-knowing, powerful God has special insights into future outcomes to avoid problems, but creating freedom requires an undetermined future. To say God knows the future suggests a predetermined future which makes freedom nonsensical. God can’t tell you if the person you want to marry won’t end up betraying you or the job you take won’t end up being phased out. God is in life with us. We are free to make our own decisions while being open to the Spirit’s influence to act in the best interest of not just ourselves but others.

Doesn’t God mainly guide through influence?

The example a parent sets, than direct commands, is often how best to guide children to make wise decisions. Doesn’t the Spirit mostly speak through influencing? We know the Spirit’s influence when we have thoughts to be the perfect partner, parent, or friend we desire to be deep down despite our constant failures. We know the Spirit’s influence when we recognize violence begets violence and respond non-violently. We know the Spirit’s influence when we have wronged someone, we quickly confess and make amends. That just isn’t always natural. All we have to do is being open to the Spirit’s influence.

Isn’t the Spirit’s voice only human impressions or thoughts so we can never be certain?

I mentioned Jesus left this earth saying we would be guided by God’s Spirit in discerning Truth (Jn. 16:13). Jesus didn’t seem overly concern that Truth requires discernment. Jesus didn’t spell out what those specific Truths are. Which decision to make depends on individual circumstances. What may be best for one person about their marriage may not be best for another person. Relax, there is practically universal agreement on most moral matters. Criminals don’t defend their murderous actions; they deny they committed such actions. Certainty when it comes to politics or God has only led to justifying verbal or physical violence in the name of God or morality. Keep an open mind to what God is like!

Dwelling within the Presence of God

by Dennis Wade, Guest Blogger 

I loved the article by Jose Bosque, ‘12 Steps toFreedom from the Religious System’ and wish that everyone could have an opportunity to read it.

As a child I had a very strong sense of dwelling within the presence of God. I knew that He was always with me, and the only reason I ever sought to be alone with Him was so that I could hear Him better, without the distraction of other people. I needed no special place to be in His presence, as He was always with me.

It was only later when I began to attend church that I began to feel a separation between myself and God, for all of the reasons mentioned in this article. I can honestly say that it was there in church that I “learned” all of the false lies about not being good enough for God, about having to appease Him by having the “correct doctrines”, and that I was only in the presence of God when I was within that building.

There are many more lies and untruths that I learned there, and they all worked to eventually lead me to the mistaken idea that there was no place anymore for God in my life.

I spent many years trying to live without God, because I thought that “living with God” meant having to return to church.

But I could never escape that “Indwelling Presence”, and God continued to work in my life to restore my sense of His being with me.

Finally, through the teachings of a few modern theologians and teachers who were themselves liberated from the narrow confines of “Churchianity”, I have been restored to an even deeper sense of dwelling in His presence.

It is correct to say that when we have a true relationship with the Indwelling Christ every moment becomes sacred and spiritual, and every action becomes an action of worship and service!