Rise out of the Ashes of GCX (Reposted with music video)

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[Janet Easson Martin]

 

Rise Out of the Ashes of GCx
And Go After your Lost Dreams

"You who dwell in the dust, wake up and shout for joy."

(Isaiah 26:19)

Gather up those dreams you've laid down or thrown away.  If you're still breathing it's not too late to go after them.  God wants those who love him in every field and all kinds of ventures.  He is often the one who put those passions, dreams and desires in our souls to bless us and others.  He knows the GOOD PLANS he has for you.  We will shine His DELIGHTFUL light by our good deeds THERE (with those who may never attend a church) and glorify our Heavenly Father.

I had just graduated with a professional degree from a university when caught up in GCx.  I felt conflicted about pursuing it and being the best I could be at it because I was pressured to pursue building up the church organization.  I was strongly influenced to create relationships with others with the primary goal of bringing them to the group.  My worth was almost entirely tied up in this pursuit.  People unfortunately became projects to achieve a certain approved status among the leaders and "more mature" members.  I was constantly juggling who to call or visit or do something for, primarily, with this goal in mind.  Yes, we did encourage each other out of the goodness of God's grace; but that seemed to get left behind somewhere along the way.  Needless to say, I didn't give any time or effort outside my workday to think about or consider where I or God wanted to go with this gifting and passion.  I thought and was told devoted Christians gave them up from the many erroneous and out of context messages about "what's in your heart".  I was actually unchallenged and bored in my soul and didn't even know it, because I was so busy "serving" the elders and their families and working on projects to propel the group into greater spiritual status.  Makes me tired just recalling it.

Today, in my 50's, I am actually pursuing a former dream and passion.  It is a field some Christians might consider "worldly" (because it's far from being a missionary in Angola), but I believe it is truly a desire God put in my heart to take up again (and to help finance my son through college).  Walking in the Spirit Jesus can minister to people I work with and for.  And I have such a joy in doing it.  As I pray for the desires of my client's hearts to be fulfilled through my mind and hands, I trust they can see God's love and light in me.

So, pick up your broken or lost dreams that God has placed upon your heart and let him use them in this world.  There is much kingdom work to be done and you may be the only person who can minister to others in your God-given unique way.  Don't throw your dreams away.  Let the Spirit DANCE within you again.

 Start by shaking off the dust and ashes of GCX.  GOD said over and over and over again "Do not fear because I am with you".

"Shake off your dust;

Rise up, sit enthroned, O Jerusalem.

Free yourself from the chains around your neck.

O captive Daughter of Zion."

(Isaiah 52:2)

[See comments posted below for video link.]

[Huldah]

Thank you, Janet, for this lovely piece of encouragement.

I, too, am in my 50's now. It had always bothered me that I left Solid Rock with my education uncompleted, so I went back to college in my 40's and got, not one, but two undergraduate degrees. God is so good!

I wish you every success with your commercial/professional endeavors. The Christian witness is sorely needed in every walk of life. I'm sure you're a great blessing to many in your chosen field.

[Janet Easson Martin]

Huldah,

Sorry for the late reply. Thank you very much for the encouragement. What's interesting is that the people who came from Columbus, Ohio to start the GCX group I was indoctrinated into at the University of Maryland didn't mention too much about NOT FINISHING COLLEGE. (At least, not to my knowledge.) I knew some of them went to Ohio State, but didn't comprehend that so many quit. I certainly don't shame them because they were doing what they were erroneously and manipulatively persuaded by the GCX leadership was the 'offering or tribute they should make' to be TRULY PLEASING to God. This was one of the groups' "divine" offerings to reach the world FALSELY TAUGHT by the elders, some of whom are STILL elders teaching in this organization TODAY!

What was the fruit of that "revelational" GCX teaching?

Lots of poverty, disappointment, low self-esteem, increased dependence on others to meet your needs (maybe that's why there were 3 elders for 30 members then) , loss of promotion, salary, wasting parents or own money spent on education, sinful pride and judgement that other collegiate believers were not as dedicated. [I'm not saying you can't get a decent job without a college degree. But, if you have to pay back a loan you'd never use, that could set you back a bit, and give you cause for regret.]

At the time,  I'm guessing this "surrendering college" was a very emotional and guilt-ridden push to show your devotion to God, to prove you were a worthy disciple.  To WHO?  Who do they think they are?  They sure acted as all knowing in this "Divine" DEMAND.

Recently, I heard something VERY TELLING by Beth Moore during her message at a COLOUR Conference in Sydney. She said (I'm paraphrasing her):  

'Sometimes it's hard to tell if a bible preacher or teacher is Full of The Spirit,
or Full of Themselves UNTIL you LOOK AT THE FRUIT that resulted' (from their teaching)

Here we are!  Our "spiritual abuse scars" BEAR WITNESS HERE. This site is all about the RESULTS of a HISTORY of Prideful & Abusive teaching from the GCX organization. Testimony after testimony after testimony of the WOUNDED, ABUSED, and RAVAGED sheep. (They may not teach this particular "tribute to God" as much anymore, but they have put new mandates in their place, as we have heard testified on this site.)

Thanks for letting me ramble,
Janet

[Janet Easson Martin]

By the way, there is a great live video song performed at the COLOUR Conference in Sydney (which I mentioned above) that speaks to me of the dreams and visions God personally and individually puts in OUR hearts, and can remind us to pick up those God-size dreams again.

Here's the link to rekindle what you were created for:


Oceans (Where Feet may fail) Live CYW13 - Hillsong UNITED ...
▶ 7:42▶ 7:42

www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLqTZ07ja7g

May 31, 2013 - Uploaded by hillsongunitedTV
A Live version of Oceans (where feet may fail) at Colour Conference Sydney 2013. Buy Zion ...



Here is a clip from the lyrics that seems applicable to us:

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior

[Janet Easson Martin]

Huldah,

How self-absorbed and rude of me. I just skipped right over your fantastic accomplishment of going back to college after having left in the middle so many years ago. On top of that - earning TWO degrees. Thanks for being an inspiration to us in not giving up, especially when we might think it's too late.

Janet

[Huldah]

No apology necessary, Janet! But thank you for your congratulations & encouragement. I, too, need to be reminded (often) that it's not too late to do what God would have us do, especially in areas of prayer.

[Angel]

God bless you all you saints! I 'm here because I have friends that have consequences of this wrong teaching but I personally don't know to much about the whole situation. I am even encourage to get a counseling degree because I want to help all those with PTSD. We have to pray a lot for this wounded warriors that might be out there somewhere ,my heart is hurting just reading some of your posts  . I pray that The Lord bring His surpassing peace to their souls and provides for all their needs. I pray everyday for all those that were abused in the past . And I am sure that The Lord will open the gates of heavens for them! He does  not forget His children. [ The Parable of the Wandering Sheep ] “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. Mathew 18: 10
I love you in the name of Jesus ! Have a bless day

[Janet Easson Martin]

Angel,

Your love and concern makes my eyes water.  Thank you. Thank you sooo much.


Janet

[Angel]

Yes, my dear sister The Lord is with you all, and take courage and pursue your dreams, I know somebody who is working hard in his law degree now and he is in his sixties, age is experience!!! . By the way he was part of this movement in the past .
Jeremiah 29:11New International Version (NIV)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

God bless you all dear saints!!

[pvitartas]

Cool.  I went to law school briefly at age 57...which was just two years ago. Presently I'm working on another teacher licensure.

During Solid Rock days, I was encouraged to drop out of OSU in '76, which I did.  I returned to OSU shortly before leaving SR in 1978.  I finished my bachelor's in '82.