Some Explanation

After some of my last posts, I received a mixed response. It made me realize I should elaborate on some things. Here is one of the responses I got (I've left out names for their privacy), along with my response to them:

Hi Tara,
 Your last blog had some crazy stuff in it and really sounds like you might be conflicted in several areas in your life. I hope you are using the Bible as your ultimate guide and remember that the Lord doesn't want us to be totally emotionally driven and be thrown about like waves in the sea James 1:5 states "if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all generously and without reproach and it will be given to them. v6. But he must ask in faith without any doubting for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind." I guess I got from your blog that you aren't sure of your authority and that everyone and their doctrine points to God. God was clear with that though when he said I AM the one and only true God, I AM THE WAY, TRUTH and LIFE. NOT ALL RELIGIONS TEACH THAT!  There was just a lot going on in that blog and I just want you to know that I am bothered by the fact that you are struggling with your foundation. You have Christ and the Bible and all the answers are there!
I am going through a study on James for the second time and It's a very applicable book of the Bible and very straight forward about how Christians need to be living their lives. The Bible is so clear on most everything we deal with, sure some stuff might be grey but not much. I just pray that you are clearly reading and looking to the Bible for your direction in this time of discovery in your life. I also pray for protection for you and your family that Satan doesn't move in in areas that you are unsure or are struggling with.
 
My Response:

Know that this letter comes to you in love, and that it is with a tender voice, not a judgmental or offended one. That is one downside to e-mail, we assume the tone.

About my blogs: they are a very small snippet of what's going on in my heart and I apologize for not elaborating. You are right however, that I no longer have my foundation in Christianity, but now have it solely in Christ. I no longer possess a doctrine, because I desire to follow God, not a religion. I know how that looks, but I don't care. I have never been more intimate with God. I am willing to follow him anywhere, regardless of what beliefs I have to let go of. My desire is relationship with him and my compass is love, not the Bible. Even the verse you quoted in James says to ask the Lord, and so I am. The Lord reveals the Bible to me, not the other way around. If I am honest in saying that I am fallible, instead of being prideful and unwilling to change, put it to my credit, for the Lord is a gracious God. I have made mistakes and wavered, but I have sought the Lord with all my heart.

Also, know that I am not saying all religions are right, but that all religions are wrong, including Christianity, and Atheism, and whatever else there is out there. Religion is man designed, not God designed. It is man run, not God run. I believe that none of us has a full understanding of who God is, but that God meets us where we are and calls us to Him. He calls, we respond. As long as we respond to Him, he can continue to reveal Himself to us. When we stop responding, or get blocked by a certain belief system we're not willing to let go of, then we cease to know any more about God...yet he loves us still. So, if none of us has a full understanding, how can we say that God is not meeting people with a different understanding than ourselves? It is ridiculous to think that. You do realize that other religions think the exact same thing about Christians. I sat and listened to my Mormon friend give me the EXACT arguments against Christianity that Christians use against them. The exact ones, wording and everything! The Lord is calling us into intimacy, not religion. I believe the Lord meets us where we are, and if we follow Him, we will eventually let go of our religion and seek only him. I also believe the Bible teaches this, yet we have a funny way of interpreting it to say what we all want it to say, don't we? So, I don't consider it a reliable source, in and of itself. I do, however, consider the Holy Spirit extremely reliable, as She seems to be able to make anything and everything about Jesus. She really loves Him. It's amazing really. And She has shown me so many wonderful things in the Bible. None of it interpreted the way I thought it was supposed to. Actually, when interpreted by her, there's a lot less need for "blind faith," or "Grey areas" as things actually start to make sense... well, in a Kingdom way. Anyhow, I'm so glad you challenged me, because it really shows me how much you care about me. I would honestly be somewhat offended if Christians weren't fighting for my soul.

So, fear not, the Lord is with me.

Tara