Welcome, Amanda!

Yes, this is still an active blog site, and we're glad you found us.

For a blog with more frequent new ideas and threads, check out http://extoots.blogspot.com. Free and friends are fabulous at keeping it interesting there :)

I keep this blog available for anyone who wants to check out the old posts here or start any new conversations. I'll happily move a topic up front to a new thread if there are things that people want to discuss. My intent for this site was to be here if folks need support-- something I didn't have at the beginning of my journey away from the OALC. It has helped me so much to have others who have been through it to talk to.

So to all who visit, don't let the date on the newest thread fool you-- No matter how far back that date is, we're still here for you.

God's love, peace, and blessings to you all.

Hello to all...

Hope everyone is enjoying a safe, happy, and healthy summer. There's always a listening ear or two here if anyone wants to talk.

Free2bme-- Folks are wondering where you've gone. Please drop us a line and let us know you're ok!

How many?

As I was looking over lots of posts, both here and at "extoots", I started feeling an overwhelming sadness. A person posted, very hurried and afraid of getting caught by her husband. Another post stated "I know what I need to do; I've known it all along. Knowing what's right and doing what's right are two different things. I know what's right. It's so hard to act on it when I feel like I have no support."

My sadness comes in wondering HOW MANY?   How many people are in the OALC (and other Laestadian churches), having these doubts, but not able to speak to anyone about them? Could I ever have had the strength to leave without the support of my spouse, let alone if my spouse was against   it? How would I have dealt with the guilt of knowing my children would suffer like me if I didn't have the strength to leave? How many   are struggling with these issues with no support?

My prayer for all of them, however many, is that they will look to Jesus Christ for their answers. Open the Bible and read. Let the Holy Spirit work in you through the Word. And know that there are MANY   of us here praying for you, willing to listen to you and support you. Please know that you are not alone. My heart aches for you all, and I am praying for you.

Many Blessings to you all this Christmas season and always!

We all know how busy life is, especially around the holidays!

When there's a new post, I receive an email to inform me. However it doesn't tell me which post it's under, and finding it can be time consuming.

I've left all the pages and comments intact, but have the comment function available only on the most recent 3 posts. Please feel free to cut and paste whichever parts you need when commenting on an older topic. If it's a topic you want revisited, I can move it back up front.

Christ's Love and Peace to you all!

We're here for you...

oalc-doubter said...

I am a long time oalc member with doubts, and am searching for answers. I find myself questioning many of the teachings . So much of it appears to be about appearances, manner of dress, unnecessary rules, etc., instead of what is in your heart. I feel I am being judged by some members, and even shunned by others. I have family and friends in the church, and the thought of someday leaving is very troubling. I would appreciate any comments from those who have been where I am now. Thanks.......
8/29/2006 11:06 PM

Welcome, hp3!

Wanted to move a post up front so it will be seen from hp3--

" I have spent many days reading through all the different conversations here. My head is swimming, my heart is beating fast. I dont know where to start. I have left a few short comments on other links, but there is always so much more. After I first found this site, I journaled 8 pages in one night, to help sort out my momories, thoughts and emotions. And of course reading my bible! I left the OACL in my early 20's. It has been a long, yet absolutely wonderful, struggle to understand the differences in what I was taught and what the bible says. I believe that as with everything in life, it is a life journey, not a destination, and I will continue to pray, read and learn until I die. Well I guess before I get going too far, I want to make sure someone is out there? I left a post asking to start a new conversation so it will not be so hard to track down a post within a conversation strain, and keep the recent posts readlily available. I dont really want to just journal to myself :)I look forward to conversing with others who have the unique background of having left a cult, and survived. I have worked through many issues, but again, as with life, there always lingering 'stuff'I guess I will start by continuing to check this site to see if there is anyone else out there as of late? "

We're here hp3! I'd love to hear some of your journal...

"I once was lost..."

Hello, and God's Peace & Blessings to you all!

I wanted to paste a few previous posts that address something that is always in the back of my mind about having left the OALC. It saddens me that those still there now see me as "a lost soul". They have no concept of what it's like for those that have left to find Christ. They see this site as a work of evil intent on drawing them away from "Christianity".

God knows my heart and intentions. I post because of His love, and my hopes to share it with others.



"Anonymous said...
I am so sad and sickened by this work of evil.Out of curiousity, I went looking for this site as I had heard it existed but I didn't expect to be so...I don't even know the word. My hands are shaking. I think of all the ones seeking for the truth, salvation that come upon this site which feeds them such evil and attempts to create doubt. All of you out there, please do not listen to these people, I know who they are and with all my heart I'm warning you to stay away from this site.If you have questions, concerns, please come to our church and talk to somebody. I and everybody else will welcome you with open arms!
12/08/2005 4:29 PM

Anonymous said...
We all know who they are, Anon above me. It is interesting to see how much your own words can be twisted right around. Everyone but them can see the devil at its best.
1/24/2006 4:24 PM

Anonymous said...
Yes, Anon. Pray for them that they can see what God has handed over on a silver platter. That they don't need to explain anything, it's shown in the light surrounding His flock. May the door of His mercy be open; and may they find it before it's too late.
3/21/2006 8:50 AM

Anonymous said...
To the 3 anons above--I pray for you, sincerely, that you will read His WORD, and really open your heart to it. I left the OALC because CHRIST called me out. I now attend a church that goes by the Bible alone, and have never known Christ better. I see Him in the love in my congregation-- not just their love for me and others there, but in their service to the church to spread the Gospel. I'm not saying that I'm now at the "right" church-- just that it's centered on God's Word.
I see what God has handed to me and all believers "on a silver platter"; the difference is, I know He didn't hand the platter to the OALC and tell them that anyone who's meant to have it will eventually find it there.
I pray that you will open your heart and listen to Christ. He's not the one telling you to avoid those outside the OALC. He's the one telling you to read His Word, and finally find Him. He's not the one telling you to stay huddled together, protecting your own soul's salvation in case the end is near. He's the one saying that you already know His love and gospel, now go spread it to others before the end comes.
I understand why you speak to us that have left the way you do. You are responding the way you've learned to your whole life. And it's hard to accept that what you have always heard may not be the truth. But I didn't run away from Christ and what He handed to me on a silver platter when I left the OALC... I ran straight to Him. "




I pray that God will guide me, and help me show others that my faith and trust is in Him. I didn't leave Christ behind when I left the OALC; I learned how to better follow Him. And I keep learning...