Do any of you learn by experience, also known as experiential learning (EXL) according to my quick google search? When asked how I learn, I’ve always just said, “I learn hands-on”. Click “hands-on learner” to see more about experiential education.
So apparently ‘hands-on learning‘ is a form of ‘experiential learning‘, but there is so much more information to delve deeper through the links provided above. Check’em out!
I can hear spring blowing in by the power of the wind. I wonder if I stepped outside the wind would launch me out of my present state of confusion…into clarity. It’s weird when you have this overwhelming ambition to work in the Spirit of God as called to preach the gospel and make disciples, having been given this vision to see the condition of the world for the purpose of the cure, but feel it pointless. “Am I missing something?” I wonder. Lets put it to the test.
I’ve given brief background to my conversion story in previous posts so I won’t burden you. The question that pricks is, “why me?”. Why have I heard the gospel and believe it so true that I’m willing to do whatever necessary to preach it for the salvation of the world? Is it that the potential of this message contains the power to save the world and convert every soul from death to life?
keep reading“What!? No.” I know what you’re thinking, but I’m not trolling you. And remember, even though I don’t follow Jesus … keep loving people like He did and treat them as you want to be treated. Don’t try and scroll down to see what my aim is here. Does it surprise you? I mean…
I think John L. Cooper said it best—
“More and more of our outspoken leaders or influencers who were once “faces” of the faith are falling away. And at the same time they are being very vocal and bold about it.” (link)
And it only makes sense according to the Christian Post—
“Back in the 1930s, only 5% of Americans did not identify with any religion. In 1990 that number had risen to 8%, a modest increase after more than half a century.
But these last years have brought a dramatic change. By 2008, the number of Americans not identifying with any religion had risen to 12%, and by 2012, it had risen to 20%, with the number among millennials around 30%.” (link)
So this should not come as a surprise to you if it does. Especially if you’ve read how dark my previous post was. I mean, come on. I’ve been in the pits of unquenchable fire and suffering. I guess now the question is whether I truly EVER followed after Jesus? Some might think that my believing was in vain and only wanted something to gain. That I NEVER truly believed.
I would disagree and counter you misunderstand the enlightenment of your own faith or have not been enlightened to the truth of the gospel altogether. Just because you read that I don’t follow after Jesus does not mean that I wasn’t enlightened by the truth of the gospel, see I still know the truth and that is what should make this statement alarming.
The real question is—
Can the person turned away from their faith in Christ re-enter the Christian faith?
Sense we are talking about me because I’m selfish. The answer to that question for me is “no” because in my case I’ve confessed to taste the heavenly gift that made me a partaker of the Holy Spirit. So it is impossible for me to be renewed again to repentance since I again crucify to myself the Son of God and put Him to open shame. Don’t believe me, check out Hebrews chapter 6 in your Bible.
It is the Holy Spirit through the inspired words of the Bible that speak with authority … I’m just a messenger.
That is what happened to Judas Iscariot. Judas held onto his thievery at heart, did not confess this sin. To do this leaves the “believer” (by association) in this case, Judas Iscariot, vulnerable to Satan’s influence (John 12:4-6) and ultimate possession. This is why it is so important for professing Christians to not sell their soul for the cost of their sin not confessed.
38 John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me. 40 For he who is not against us is for us. 41 For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward. (Mark 9)
49 John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name; and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow along with us.” 50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is ]for you.” (Luke 9)
I’ll confess that I used this title to especially peak the interest of those who thought they knew me to catch them like a fish. Because it’s the kind of friend I am, it’s what I do, that’s my humor and getting a rise out of my friends is quite fun, I admit. Not with the intention of destruction of course, then there would be an issue.
I wasn’t lying about not following Jesus, but I do follow after Jesus with all my heart, soul, strength, and mind. So brothers and sisters in the faith, don’t hinder me just because I’m not following after the style of gospel in you. Don’t hinder me just because you think there are enough christian resources out there for me to get plugged into one without having to startup a recourse of my own. Don’t hinder me…
In Love.
Nathan Dooley
"NOT WITH INK" 