am i alone?

Shalom,

I consider myself to be a God fearing person, and I try to live within the Covenant YHWH made with the Hebrews at Mt Sinai. At the same time, I continually find myself examining my self and my motives as to things I do and say. I also continually question my condition with YHWH and whether I am in His good graces or not. Personally I consider this to be a healthy mindset, one of self examination. While at the same time, it seems to me that many God fearing people seem to continually justify their actions, seemingly sure as to their condition with God and their sureness of being in His good graces.

I was taught many erroneous things by people in power concerning "religion" and biblical beliefs, some due to their own ignorance, and others possibly due to their not wanting to lose any power over others. I see this also from governments. Governments, just as religious powers, often will go to great lengths to justify their actions, considering the end justifies the means.

Well, if it is healthy for me as an individual to constantly be examining myself and my motives, then shouldn't I expect the same from whatever government I live under? Or should I just accept their justifications and that they are telling me the truth?

Personally, I think that any individual or nation who considers itself "exceptional" and above self examination to be very dangerous.

Sincerely,
Tom

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Permalink Reply by Leo333 on September 17, 2011 at 8:00pm

Dear Tom,

You are so not alone. Until very recently, I felt the same. It is not unusual for there to be difficulty for an arrogant/prideful teacher to see their students surpass their knowledge, but dont take it too hard. It was the journey that has lead u to truth. It is true, one must self-evaluate,but it also causes us not too act. If your motives help others and defeats evil, God will be certain to convict you, but not chastize. How else do children learn? Read IDF discussion, vegetable wars and Abrahan Hoshua Qoute. I do not think it is coincidence. I do not agree with the current administration. If it is for the greater good? We all need to be thinking more globally. My advice is to listen to your heart. The Holy Spririt has been moving thru this site. This confirms so many things and it is no coindence you wrote what you did when you did. One more has been recognized. Peace be with you. God has a plan. He is gathering his people. The foolish fear God as if he doesnot know our hearts. He is LOVE. He is our refuge. Pslam 23 and 91. Even King David new not to put a servant down to his master. All of our plans will be established." He knew us before we were knitted in our mothers womb, He knew the day we would be born and the day we will die." all will stumble into the kingdom. Do you think the unrighteous question themselves? Free will can be both gift and curse. The spirit is strong when the flesh is weak. When we suffer, He suffers. I only fear that He will see that I fail him, because I am no Job or Jonah, I pray He has not expected that of me. But I do not fear God or death. May God soon reveal your path. Peace be with you and may your identity be made known to you as well as to us all. His wish is that none shall perish, but He allows choice.Chose the narrow path. You are in good company.

Leo333

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Permalink Reply by Leo333 on September 18, 2011 at 12:16am

Has anyone, I am sure there is, heard the story of the doctor and the black smith? And the allegory, is if u have no wolves in your life then u r no sheep. And that which bends and can withstand the fire/testing, will result into a refined and precious piece, not on the scrap heap. As the doctor who professed no faith and had no problems, questioned the faithful blacksmith who had so many problems. The refiner's gold. Peace be with you. He is faithful.

Leo333

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Permalink Reply by Tom Moniz on September 20, 2011 at 4:48pm

Thank you Leo and Victor for sharing your thoughts.

Sincerely,
Tom

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Permalink Reply by rimmon 24 on October 14, 2011 at 9:03pm

Tom, i agree with what all 3 of you said. it is said that the world looks at us the true believers and doers of torah as the outsiders. but the road is narrow and few find it. so we must examine ourselves before we are judged so as to know we are living righteously. shalom. YHWH never said it would be easy to set ourselves apart from the world and to be seperate.

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Permalink Reply by Leo333 on October 18, 2011 at 8:59am

As those of us who are feeling the "call", no truer words can be spoken as to living set apart. Tom, you have now recieved confirmation by three witnesses to chose the narrow path. It is difficult and testing to have what is not righteous pulled from us, let your self evaluation be led by God. Tom, please let us hear from you soon. You have been lifted up in prayer. Peace be with you all as you all are blessings to me in our pursuit of the truth.

Leo 333

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Permalink Reply by Tom Moniz on October 29, 2011 at 7:23am

Shalom and thank you Leo, Rimmon and Vic for the kind words. I can be a little slow at times, but i finally seem to have figured out why what I wrote was so misleading. The web is an international forum, and the "exceptionalism" I was referring to is americanism, taking for granted everyone is american, duh. YHWH seems to have had me on the boat for a while now, and I have no plans of jumping back into the waters, at least not today :-)

May you and all the beloveds of YHWH enjoy Shabbat!

Sincerly,

Tom

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Permalink Reply by Leo333 on November 1, 2011 at 10:33pm

Tom , So glad to hear you have not jumped ship! But He did not say we could not rock the boat! As true believers we are living in such turbulent and dangerous times. I have been often finding myself reading and/or being led to 1Kings. Rimmon is positively correct, it is not easy, with pain He often leads us to Him, When we find ourselves, we tend to find Him because He dwells in us. We will be the ones they may throw rocks and insults and be referred to as the finatics when "we" KNOW despite our current anguish, we are the blessed. May He keep us all. Peace. This America is not the America that our forefathers spilt their blood. There is only one very minute difference between socialism and communism. I am learning that when my heart is being led and I am being harshly judged by others, it is when the spirit is moving and it is my measure of the effectiveness of the good works I am set upon doing. I would rather be an outsider than a coward. May G-d's hand be upon us all as He leads guides and directs our steps, may we truly hear as He continues to keep us in His care.

leo 333