“How burdensome it must be for someone to try to live a life that is impossible to live without the Holy Spirit.” That’s a word compassion and very touching.
Your lifestyle should draw, not convict, your words should sound welcoming with love while speaking always the truth. Conviction comes from God's Spirit and the word of truth... but your ways and words, the more you draw unto Christ, the more others should see as they draw closer to you. God is the only one who can convict; men can only condemn. Blessings to all... rather believe or none believer. Love you anyway.
Jackie is right. I grew up in a Christian household. Although I believed God growing up, when I was faced with a major challenge, I walked away from God, thinking I will do things my way. Four years ago, the life I chose overwhelmed me and I felt if I stayed there, I will die. I crued out to God and He saved me. Since then, you can never tell me anything about God not being trustworthy. He is the rock of my life, that decision changed my life completely.
I have been saying this for a minute now! All the offensive behavior has GOT to go! Jesus out here telling people: "Stop what you doing and follow me" is kinda salty. We don't need to add anything to that. lol
I felt it when Preston said to have compassion for people who leave. I had seasons in my life where I was on the brink of leaving because Christianity was painful to me. My legalism meant that even though everyone knew me as a "fruitful" Christian, I was constantly afraid of God's wrath. I also struggled with incredible doubt because I'm naturally cynical. Thinking about it reminds me that it's all by grace man. Only Jesus keeps me standing and leads me to see more sweetness in Him every day.
This is me. Pentecostal Pastor's first-born daughter... the fear.. the shame... for so long... I left the faith as a result of the shame I felt simply for deciding to leave for college...spiraled into deep depression for about 5 yrs... until I sought therapy and went back to Church (a different church from where my Dad pastored)... nothing can separate us from His love...period. anyway... I thank you for sharing sis.
You have no idea sis how I relate to what you said concerning the fear of God's wrath. Unlike you though, I struggled with sexual sin and it increased my guilt to a point of despair. Long story short, I was able to (re) discovering God's active goodness towards sinners, addicts, etc. It offers a lot of joy and freedom. Thanks for sharing that!
I left Islam and brought over the legalism with me and it really rocked my faith during the first two years. I've been a Christian for four years now, but not fully until about two years ago. I have still have seasons of doubt and fear of God's wrath but reminding myself of Jesus' love, grace, etc helps so I don't try salvation through works
This was so good and encouraging! My husband walked away from the faith almost 3 years ago after public declaration of his faith in Jesus. Imagine how hard it is to get up Sunday morning and go to church for the past 3 years with your kids and their father doesn’t go. And it is a heart issue…it’s not about the excuses I’ve heard that “the Bible was written by a white man” or “Jesus isn’t real” or “blacks were brainwashed to believe these lies.” The truth is his mom died when he was 5 and if God is so good and who He says He is, why did He let that happen.” It is a heart issue. I will continue to pray that God is able to heal his heart and finish what He started.
I praying that for you. After living glonger I can truly see how people turn away bc life is so difficult and hard for alot of people and life experiences make it extremely harder. I agree with the compassion issue for those who turn away yet there are.some who just wan that they want. We have to b discerning
This was encouraging as a person currently experiencing some type of shift in my faith. I'm also unclear why I feel this way, but this message convicted me; pray for me. Edit: I appreciate you all for covering me in prayer and your encouragement.
Sis. God loves you so much that He knew that you’d be in this season and so he had these two speak under His authority just to let you know that. On your WORST DAYS He’s still with you. I’m reminded of the fact that the day that Adam and Eve disobeyed HE STILL SHOWED UP IN THE GARDEN.. ready to communicate just as usual. He knew what happened but He was more concerned for then knowing that even when the Enemy causes the inner me to disobey He NEVER STOPS LOVING US. Even now He just wants to communicate with you. He wants you to know He’s right there with you.
I LOVE Preston’s perspective on not giving biblical language to someone who doesn’t believe the Bible. As someone who struggles with faith and validity of the Bible, I can say I get a lot further in conversations about Christianity when it’s not so saturated with Bible scriptures
I have walked away not only once but twice not because I wasn’t saved, but because I didn’t truly believe God was my help during those dark times in my life. I wanted vengeance and I took matters in my own hands because the very things I had been praying and believing God for, did not come to pass! I regret leaving Him!! I’m blessed to have been a part of His fold, and like the prodigal son, once I came to the end of myself; I returned home to Daddy!! I’m so thankful and I’m remaining no matter what, who, where, when, why or how!! God loves me!!
I am someone who walked away from the faith, and about two years ago slowly started to return. I will say that before I left the church/ faith that I was struggling with a few things mentally in regards to Christianity. But even when I started to pull back from serving or attending services, no one ever asked why or even checked on me. I feel like we have to recognize signs of people pulling away and be there for them before they decide to leave.
This is so true and it takes great love, loving and seeing people with Jesus’s eyes to take note, thank God that you are back my sister know God will use you to reach out to others since you know the signs.
@@agneswilliams I was never truly at peace once I left. Everything I did I felt forced and I constantly felt conviction. I slowly started to see my life fall apart. But there were times that I would remember scriptures or a message that was preached and it would convict me even more or remind me of who I really am. I was dealing with some church hurt but the word that was preached at my church overshadowed that. So I returned to my church and the first day I was there I felt at peace. I have since had a conversation with my leaders about why I felt hurt by them and they apologized. I now have a more authentic relationship with God. One that does not involve “religion”, but a personal relationship with him.
I strayed away. Nobody cared. And I didn't hear a peep from any Christian for 10 years. Many churches around. But no Christians. Except those Jehovah Witnesses. You know they'll step to you. The only person that brought me back to Jesus was Jesus.
@@BethJehovah funny thing at my church its the complete opposite .If someone don't see you at church one or two Sundays they are automatically calling/texting to see what's going on with you. Most people find it annoying , but really it's a good thing that they are trying to keep up with people,to try to intercept them in the early stage of people falling away from church. At the end of the day people are different and some wants the church to check on them and others find it annoying. How can we win?
Such a good discussion - I went through a period of deconstruction in my 20s spurred by a period of pain and came to a point where I realized if I continued down the road of resistance, I was going to have to walk away from faith entirely. And I realized I didn't want that. So I chose to stop resisting and begin submitting to the answers that I didn't like. And God has brought me to a place where I am strong in faith and no longer see God's truth as threatening. I am greatly pained by how my younger sister has gone through a period of deconstruction with the opposite outcome - walking away from the faith, believing God is not good or worth following, etc. I see the suppression of the truth and idolatry and can only pray for her.
How did you work through it? I’m struggling so much with my faith right now, I have so many questions but feel like there’s not enough answers to those questions.
@@Jojo-cz4kp A lot of working through it and processing things with people who were wiser and stronger in faith than me. People who knew God and the scripture well and weren't intimidated by my questions and doubts, but who would go there with me. There were times I felt I was holding on by a thread, but by God's grace I kept holding on, even while kicking and screaming. Find those people in your life, and keep seeking.
My pastor says, “I’ve found God isn’t intimidated by our hard questions.” They encourage the questions because after we have the answers, it stretches us more.
@@yolandawilson6619 I would even say that creation is a much harder task than destroying which is why people need a set of beliefs/ values to map themselves onto because creating your own set is nearly impossible. deconstruction just makes people more lost at sea, it’s doesn’t anchor them bc they don’t know what pieces to properly build and ground themselves.
Definitely agree with Jackie on deconstruction. I deconstructed during lockdown and it was a work God was doing… taking me from taught religion to true religion. I’ve been learning to give God my heart and not my works. Thank you for this beautifully faithful, transparent and necessary conversation.
They hit it on the nail once again. I fell away because I felt trapped in my Christian life. I wanted to experience the world because not only were my peers doing it, but they were having fun while doing it. I wanted to party, go to clubs, drink, smoke, have sex, I wanted to be like the worldly kids because on the outside they were living the life and it felt like I wasn’t. It’s how the enemy got me: I got tempted with a “good time”. When I began to live the life, now looking back I realized how depressing it really was. Your body slows down, your brain processes a lot slower, you’re more slurred, exhausted, overall your body is wiped out. I never slacked in school, but I slacked everywhere else. My people pleasing trait worsened, and my multiple personalities couldn’t keep up anymore. I was tired of everything not working out for the better. This was a 6-7 year life I lived. When I came back to God, my life did a complete 360. I felt normal again. I can’t even look at liquor the same, and smoking was a HARD pass. I still struggled with lust, but with the Lord’s help and guidance I kept getting back up. I refused to turn my back on Jesus again, not after he pulled me out of the rabbit hole I dug for myself. And with the help of my parents and siblings who kept their doors opened for my like Preston suggested: never bashing or attacking, always welcoming, it made me realize even more the mistakes I was making by following the world. Their never ending love for me regardless of my sins, and their ability to forgive me made me realize that I wasn’t forever condemned in God’s eyes. He was still waiting for me to come back into his arms. All I had to do was walk into them.
I witnessed my dearest friend, worship leader, fellow church planter renounce the faith and it was the hardest thing to witness. I tried to love them anyway and the hardest part is them not wanting anything to do with us, although we did nothing wrong. The angst is not knowing what’s happening in their soul. I’m sad for that. Loosing contact is painful
“Grew up in Christian context”. That’s 🔥. I say that just because there’s close proximity to Truth doesn’t mean there is an embracing of the Truth. There is a difference.
I was practically born on the altar. And when I had questions, I had no truly safe space for all my questions. I had to bottle them all up. I could ask some questions, but I couldn't ask some.
The way that y’all are willing to have the most transparent conversations on this podcast for the edification of the body of Christ and the glory of God will never cease to impact me. Absolutely beautiful testimony. God’s goodness is so next level
I left the church community and chose to live in sin for 6 years, behind all my excuses of racism in the Church, church hurt, confusion with multiple denominations and theologies, and difficulty find a wife was a hidden heart that had been deceived that my old lifestyle was better. I wanted to go back into the world and sleep around again. I needed Christians to aggressively pursue me and a deeply appreciated when they did. I ran from conviction as long as I could, until God drug me back home.
My son has walked away from God and I know it’s some disappointment when God did not hear his cry and answer his prayer. It’s so hard to see him pushing back when he used to love sharing his faith with others. 💔 - this tonight was so encouraging. Thank you for encouraging Gods people to realize the pain and suffering they are going through and to love and stay in touch with those that leave when possible.
Hey Diana. How is it that God did not hear his cry or answer his prayer? We have to be reminded that God’s will, will be done. We are to submit unto the Lord even when it doesn’t line up with what and how we imagine things to go. When things doesn’t go our way, it doesn’t mean God doesn’t hear us, or doesn’t love us. I’m not all knowing, all powerful, so God whatever it is that your will is, I will walk with it. Despite my carnal/fleshly desires
@@dianaflegal4495 can’t help notice how your earnest comment was met with a reminder to correct your language regarding God. That you should have curated your own true experience.. that’s a shame. I’m sorry. That’s how genuine feeling is stifled.
I've also walked away from the faith 2 years ago, the pain that I felt whilst outside God's presence was like no other. Thank God Jesus went after me as that 1 lost sheep
This is true "we want to be independent of everything... all boundaries... all rules... all constraints" this is so true and you are speaking Jackie...also when you said "we want to be free in the way God is"...it is impossible because our bounds will either be of good or evil. This could be a great teaching...Father help us all
Preston is such an amazing leader. It gives me hope for our men of faith. It is such a great example of a great husband and great leader. I hope he comes and preaches at our Church one day.
Y'all betta TEACH! This is Hallelujah stuff right here! Minister Preston "We try to convict people of their sin who walk away from the Faith with because our life ain't gone do it"
I remember one time I was evangelizing with my friends and they had an encounter with a women who identified herself as a lesbian, and I could sence that when she saw us she went into this defensive posture, and I really felt that the importance wasn’t me saying all the things that she had most probably already heard from other believers but just asking how are you doing ? And she just changed, became so friendly. And we just had a good respectfull conversation. This is why living with the spirit is helpfull, because evangelizing shouldn’t be just giving hand outs but also having conversations and showing others that we are also humans just like them and care of how they are doing. And just would like to have a friendly conversation.
As someone that is not a believer anymore, I appreciate people like Jackie and Preston for their graceful spirit. I do feel like some of it was one-sided, but I can understand why it was because I was once there. Deconstructing is NOT easy when your identity was only found in God. When leaving the faith you have to find who you are as a person aside from belief. While I don’t plan to come back to the faith, I do appreciate people that truly seek to UNDERSTAND why people leave without pressuring us to come back (even though that might be your duty because god said so). Like a good poet once said… there is hope and love on the other side 🥰
@@rodb66 whewww a lot of reason. The start was because I slick wanted to do what I wanted to do and not feel bad about it but then I started to question the Bible and some things just don’t add up or make sense. That’s just a quick overview but one day imma post on my channel and make podcast on my I left.
@@marcarjo8 I would love to catch it if you do. I don't think a lot of Christians really understand that some deconversions go a lot deeper than their general assumptions. I wouldn't say that I've deconverted but I have been made spiritual aware. Thanks for your response.
So many good points here. I went through deconstruction of My faith when I turned 30 I believe. I totally tore everything I believed and knew down/away. Praise be to God that He built my faith back up and I returned to the faith.
These are the kinds of discussions that should happen amongst fellow followers of CHRIST without condemnation, shame, debating and divisiveness. Honest and open and open to listen to understand and be open to healthy correction. 🙏
Such a relevant convo. I often think of our struggles in the faith as like being a young child... you didn't always understand what/why your parents did what they did... "why do they have to go to work?" or "why didn't they let me have (blank) when I asked?"... but once you became an adult, things made more sense... similarly, there are certain things about The Lord that we may never understand in this life (like "grown-folks business" 🙂)... the complete understanding we seek may only come when we see Him face to face in the next life... until then, we must learn (like Jacob) how to "wrestle with God and with men, and prevail" (Genesis 32:28). Praise The Lord for His sustaining grace through our struggles... What a great day it will be when we see Him face to face! 🙌
Please keep me and my broyher lifted in prayer. Speaking only for myself. I never expected to be where I am currently with my belief. I'm not deconstructing to disprove what I believe, but to unlearn (what i believe to be) bad theology. And I've ran into some kind of identity crisis. My heart is grieved and I'm trying to pinpoint why.
I love all of this. The parable - the soil is SO important and unfortunately when we come into His truth, our soil is not tiled, still has weeds (old seeds/unrighteous fruit) that need to be removed - our soil is not ready to produce righteous fruit. This is why many of the "seeds" fall to the wayside. Constantly having that fire to seek Him and to not lean on your own understanding is vital.
I left the church for 15 years until God arrested me in my bedroom almost 2 years ago to come back to HIM. I’ve felt the freedom now to serve Jesus more than ever before because the church is no longer my priority because I learned it’s His. My priority has changed to serve him and do what he tells me. My obedience to him has freed me to serve any and everything else through the Holy Spirit and not by ambition. Ambition will cause you to be hurt in the church. Turn your ambition into obedience to God and not to please the church. Just obey God. So I’m free to be me because I live for him and him only.
One of the things that I’m realizing is being a “Christian” is one of the hardest things you’ll ever have to do. A lot of people who say they are “Christian” live their lives however they want and put a stamp of religion on it. I’ve met so many people who call themselves “Christian” yet they only do and follow what they are comfortable with. Whatever is not convenient for them-they ignore and refuse to be challenged. No one can tell them that they are doing anything wrong because in their minds, they are in a place of comfort and are doing what works for them. All the while, they walk around calling themselves “Christian’s” when their lifestyles and behaviors don’t measure up to such a title. I have chosen to believe in God-despite my questions, despite the fact that not everything makes sense to me-I still choose to believe. I wanted to be someone who is loving and kind to everyone and who treats people well. That is more important to me than the title of a “Christian”-mostly because I’ve seen so many of these people who are unkind or who will try and drag you down into their sin and yet I’ve met many non believers who are kind, well mannered, good people-and are not religious. So I learned to take things with a grain of salt-reject all forms of religion and focus on being a good person who is good to others and live my truth.
This is such a needed conversation. I have actually deconstructed my faith before. It was unhealthy, honestly. I thank God for those moments, I am a better Believer and now I truly feel as if I know Christ. I built a solid relationship with God after all that and vowed to never leave Him again. Seeing God for yourself and experiencing life with Him is AMAZING!
Jackie had me screaming at her at the screen with that last tidbit about God's people turning back to strengthen the Saints when one walks away...I shouted at her like she shot a three at the half court mark! That was a great scripture reference! Very insightful. I really appreciate that God has allowed me to know about her in my lifetime 🙏🏾
You guys handle every topic with such care. I had a close family member walk away from Christ and I was not sure how to handle it. I have tried everything but taking a step back and being a safe place like you mentioned. Very helpful!!
I walked away from the building aka “church”, and my relationship with God has deepened and grown so much that I’m grateful for leaving. This makes sense to those who share my walk. I will forever be one who follows The Messiah. Peace and Blessings!
Great Couple! Awesome Discussion… I love how you two make a very complex situation easy to digest. I love while you’re never judgmental but you STAND FIRM IN THE TRUTH. Keep doing the work. Blessings Multiplied!
From watching this video it made me realize. 1) I’ve been evangelizing wrong, though the words were true at that moment they shouldn’t have been said bc people need to see the love of God bc believers and unbelievers know about Gods wrath and misconceptions about His righteousness that doesn’t make sense to us sometimes. 2) w/ the verses Jackie read I see myself in that and I see the demonic attack as well. To anyone reading I say pray for me, in summary, a lot has occurred, I feel like God doesn’t want me to say anything now but I’m starting not to care bc I don’t desire to keeping living like this. I should want to be close to Jesus but I’m like “There’s Jesus” as I keep walking.
OOOOF this is good. Also, I love the way you speak to each other with grace and respect. Thank you for showing Jesus in your marriage! Bless you guys. 🤍☺️
I'm sad and happy. I'm sad that there isn't across the board more nuanced faithful conversation on these topics across all bodies of believers. I'm happy you all are having this conversation. God strengthen everyone trying to ride it out for him.
Thank Y’all this was dope my childhood sweetheart is now into African spiritualism parents were pastors he’s a musician I’m a worshipper what looks like a match made in Heaven now is complicated because I love him the same 🙏🏾Have no choice but to TRUST God with the process NEEDED this encouragement
THIS WHOLE THIIING. This convo is so necessary, only the tip of the iceberg. The harvest is plenty, the workers are few. We have to do our best anyhow because folks are out here just lost. 🙏🏽
Even though God is in control He does not Control us, we have the freedom to choose our actions, but we do not have the freedom to choose the consequences of our actions. We live in a fallen world and all the horrible things happening everywhere are directly linked to that xxx ❤ thanks guys for always sharing authentically, bless you and your family xxx
Wow, thank you for this great message. I am living this situation right now and because of the sadness of my heart, the Holy Spirit brought me to this scripture: Lord will fight for you; you must be quiet (Exodus 14:14). We need to pray and trust God for our friends. We are call to hope, not fear! Thank you again so much!
God gives us strength to endure, it’s because of him I have endured. I’m a single mother with two beautiful autistic children. My husband passed away years ago. I lost my job over declining the vaccine. I declined due to my pre existing health conditions lupus and heart disease. I’ve been struggling to provide for myself and my children since losing my job from Forsyth hospital. But God has given me strength. Strength to keep obeying and serving even when I feel tired and overwhelmed and like I can’t go on. Every month is a battle to not end up homeless on the streets with my two children. But I have faith God will provide. Even as I’m mocked and harassed by others for my circumstances and choice. I will keep Faith. Please pray for me and my boys. God hears all prayers.
I do empathize with your challenging time and I pray God provides a job that will enable you to sufficiently take care of your kids. I pray God leads you to his perfect will for your life and give you the strengths to overcome your daily life struggles.
I love this!!! and I love how you guys have allowed the Holy Spirit to be manifested in your lives. It is so evident that God, and his word comes first. The Perry family, will always be in my prayers. 📖🙏🏽❤️
I will never forget when our pastors brother was preaching and laying hands. He laid my mom flat out and healed her shoulder, I saw a family friend speak in tongues like never before, and I even felt light on my feet and I knew that the spirit was literally flowing over my body. I honestly think the reason I also didn’t fall out is because I was half focused on if I was good enough for God to love. It was an experience that solidifies how close God is.
This is so good and it has helped me take some things to the Lord...I feel I have burned some bridges with those who are self-professed Christians but are not living it. I do believe the Lord told me to share some things with them but I may have gone overboard with some, OR they were just offended OR a little of both... praying for that clarity. Thanks Perry’s! Praying much for your strength and fortitude in the Faith! 🙏🏽🙏🏽✝️
Now that will preach all by itself🙌🏾🙌🏾.... “our lifestyle should convict far more than what we speak...[however] we try and convict with our words because “we know our lifestyle is not going to do it”!!!!🏃🏾♀️🏃🏾♀️🏃🏾♀️🏃🏾♀️🏃🏾♀️🏃🏾♀️🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 Hallelujah!! Glory to God!!
My favourite couple, hands down. Thanks for this, it was much needed, since becoming a Christian I’ve seen many people leave and no matter how often I see it it still hurts as if it was the first time I’ve experienced it. But it comes down to loving people where they are at like Christ would
This was really good and offered an explanation for an experience I'm currently living out with someone I considered to be my BEST friend. We have not spoken to each other since Feb 2022. I knew she was a luke warm Christian in our youth. We're both in our mid thirties now. However, since she'd become well traveled and seen other parts of the world and their culture, she's found issues with Christianity, the US, the average black person, etc...Now she's all about the metaphysical and "source", and "spirit" (not to be confused with the Holy Spirit). Before our break she started to be real disrespectful toward the faith. However, I'd be lying if I didn't say I miss her. I pray for her, and myself to heal from this new feeling of abandonment. Thank you guys for covering this topic.
This was everything Perry's. Thank you, I experienced this exact thing in a 20 year friendship, it's hard being the open door when the person who left was also a manipulative advocate. Help me Holy Ghost
It’s impossible to be intelligent and spiritually minded at the exact same time. After all, we, Christians, have seen the light and those who believe differently than us ~ haven’t. Our selfish “ego” blindly drives us to passionately persuade others who not believe differently than us to think, reason and believe just as we do. God is Love, not our Ego!
I’ll definitely be watching and rewatching this episode! Too many gems to grabs all at once!!! 💎💎 As always, thank y’all so much for the solid content. ☺️
Great convo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I didn't have a 100% deconstruction but I definitely had questions and stopped going to church for a couple years and looked into other ways to manage my stress while knowing in the back of my mind that God was real, I just didn't believe he was enough. HE CALLED ME BACK THOUGH! He sure did, praise God. You just never know what season someone could be in. Love & Truth.
Literally one of the BEST discussions I’ve seen from the Perry’s. Thank you for addressing such an important topic that touches us all or will touch us at some point. Well done, y’all.
I am always so blessed by your discussions. You were constantly coming unto my feed on youtube because I watch a lot of Priscilla Shirer. Until one day I decided to listen one of your videos that you both did spoken word together. So here I am subscribed and praying God blesses you both, your family and ministry. Love from Lagos, Nigeria
thank you so much for bringing out that when a friend falls away from the truth, they often fall away from you as a friend as well out of guilt or shame. my best friend fell away from Christ and i was heartbroken and confused when she distanced herself from me as well. i understand now that maybe she wanted to break away from everything Christ-related, even me as a Christian friend. it hurts but i will continue praying that God can use me in her life again one day to bring Him glory.
When I think about our ancestors I cannot fathom either! However I wonder how many actually believed in God and stayed faithful vs how many accepted there new reality and lived through it day to day!?! When we look at Nat Turner and Harriet Tubman they declared that they actually heard from God therefore revolted against the system leading towards freedom for all! So could be because those didn’t hear from God resulted in them remaining bound?
I love, love, love this conversation for so many reasons. First of all, the parable of the sower is also my favorite. Also, "deconstruction" is a topic close to my heart as I have close friends who are going through this, and I went through it myself. I think it's hard for us to be truly honest with one another about the struggles we face, especially if we are prone to doubt like Thomas. We fear being judged by other "Christians." Jesus had many followers who were unbelievers, and one of them made it to the top 12. Thankfully he chose to believe, but not before he saw the manifestation of Christ through proof of the resurrection. I believe you can have the seed planted and walk away and return--that was my experience. I had been burned out on religion. I thank God for His mercy demonstrated through parents who took me to church where I had the Word planted and hid in my heart while I grew up in Christian schools. Those old church hymns I used to bemoan really hit different now, brought to life through the power of the Holy Spirit. I sing them with so much joy in my heart now. It makes me sad to watch my friends who have walked away from the Lord, but I am encouraged by the fact that He desires for none to perish but for all to come to repentance, and that I can agree with Him on this, especially concerning those close to me. He left the 99 to rescue me and He will do the same for anyone else. I pray for blinded minds to be unveiled and for hearts to be opened to receive understanding, and that we would continue to love like Jesus.
Had to come watch and listen to this conversation again after listening to a few podcast with Joseph Solomon(whom i love and sad he left the faith).I honestly hope in his new journey he finds himself back to God,Jesus.
This video really brought me to tears because this is such a serious topic that really needs the patience, understanding and love in order to properly reach those who is going through this whether they are the one who left the faith or has a loved one who left the faith. I have had the experience of being both and I believe you two did a great job dissecting this topic. Jesus is the real deal and having walked away from his truth and having a loved one do the same and we both came back, we were shown his love, grace and saving power in a way that I'm not sure we would have experienced had we not left. He brought us back but in a better way then what we knew before. And I love Him forever. Thank you for this conversation. God bless you.
Powerful,intense,thought provoking and current. Conversation needed to be had. The compassion from Preston comes through while the teacher in Jackie wants to assert the truth without compromise. Blessed!
I’ve been struggling with this. I don’t not believe but I haven’t been living according to the word. Funny too, once everything I was blessed with came true, I believe less? Been thinking a lot about this and am excited to hear this.
Thank you for this beautiful and encouraging talk. Jackie, I just want to say how helpful you have been to my spiritual journey. You remind me that God is good and worthy to be trusted, even in times when I don’t feel like I can trust Him…God bless you and your family.
I have recently started watching and following you. I am old enough to be your parents. I just need you to know that I am so happy about the way that you articulate biblical principals. I love you guys❤ You are a breathe of fresh air.😊
I was sent this yesterday I really enjoyed this as I have been struggling with my faith of a very long time and jus going through the motions as a man who has gone through a lot of trauma and its hard for me as I'm disabled I'm autistic and have Down syndrome an I feel rejected from this world and the church
“I’m speaking to the people who are around those who are deconstruction. We can’t tell them how to deconstruct.” This was SO GOOD!! “I don’t have control over how they deconstruct!”
This young couple touch on a lot of topics that many are confronted about but don't have the boldness are faith to allow his they feel or allow what they are thinking to come out. So this is so therapeutic. God bless this couple that they are being used for such a time as this. Amen, I pray that they will continue allowing the Lord to use them. Truly they are a blessing.
‘’God is not afraid of your questions”-loved this 🙌. I remind myself and others who raise hard questions that if you have a certain question, the chances are that someone has already asked that question! For almost 2000 years Christians have been thinking about and writing about hard questions in the Middle East, in Europe, and in Africa. There is an incredible wealth of knowledge and reflections that have been worked out through prayer and systems of philosophy and theology across history (Byzantine empire, Roman Empire, Protestant reformation etc…). For anyone who is uneasy of certain bible verses and might be reading this, research and dig deeper (especially study the actual Greek or Hebrew behind the verse. Many problems come about from translation issues actually!).
Minister Jackie asks Great questions and provokes such good points of discussion. Minister Jackie, if I'm hearing her correctly, is imparting Wisdom that our questions for and/or about GOD, in our humanity, are flawed because we come from legalistic motives because we want justice for something but not when it's against us! Our motives are fleeting even when we think we are in purity with The Lord because His Salvation puts us in right standing with Him but not purity because we're being transformed by Him.
Towards the end when they have that banter and push and pull over how to deliver the truth to people so far away from the context. Imagine marrying someone with whom you both deeply care about the faith to go at it over nuances in evangelism rather than fighting over other stereotypical things. Just wow. Thank you for always tackling these hard conversations. Love from Kenya
Great conversation and you hit important critical points one should consider when dealing with someone having a challenging walk and/or leaving the faith. We can't respond in disgust to a person the standard "God is in Control...Trust in the Lord...God is working behind the scene". Most Belivers don't have those hard conversations about every day issues in our homes Lord have mercy with family), on the job, or dealing with aspects of our health. Yes we now have small groups but the moment you discuss something the gossip starts. This topic needs a Part 2. Thank you both for the conversation.
Wow, thank you both for always being so real and raw. I wish my family would listen. You could so speak to them, but they have totally turned from the Lord and don't want to hear anything about Him. I'm hoping and praying for a change of heart in time.
“How burdensome it must be for someone to try to live a life that is impossible to live without the Holy Spirit.” That’s a word compassion and very touching.
Indeed!
The WHOLE TRUTH, ok?! 💯
Amen, that touched my spirit!
It’s not that much of a burden.
Couldn't agree more! 💯
"Your lifestyle should convict people more of sin than your words." Amen
Your lifestyle should draw, not convict, your words should sound welcoming with love while speaking always the truth. Conviction comes from God's Spirit and the word of truth... but your ways and words, the more you draw unto Christ, the more others should see as they draw closer to you. God is the only one who can convict; men can only condemn. Blessings to all... rather believe or none believer. Love you anyway.
Amen 🙏
Convict people more of sin? Your lifestyle, as a Christian? I don’t get it. 🤔
That is powerful
Jackie is right. I grew up in a Christian household. Although I believed God growing up, when I was faced with a major challenge, I walked away from God, thinking I will do things my way. Four years ago, the life I chose overwhelmed me and I felt if I stayed there, I will die. I crued out to God and He saved me. Since then, you can never tell me anything about God not being trustworthy. He is the rock of my life, that decision changed my life completely.
Amen! 🥺
Wow i really connected with this
I can relate
Wow God is so good!!!!
Me too! 5 years in October! Once you really meet God for YOURSELF, No one can tell you otherwise.
“We don’t have to be more offensive,because the Gospel is offensive enough” 🔥🎯
Yes! That was a fire line 🔥
He was spitting this entire episode! 🙌🏽
I have been saying this for a minute now! All the offensive behavior has GOT to go! Jesus out here telling people: "Stop what you doing and follow me" is kinda salty. We don't need to add anything to that. lol
Yes! What a great statement.
Yessss
I felt it when Preston said to have compassion for people who leave. I had seasons in my life where I was on the brink of leaving because Christianity was painful to me. My legalism meant that even though everyone knew me as a "fruitful" Christian, I was constantly afraid of God's wrath. I also struggled with incredible doubt because I'm naturally cynical. Thinking about it reminds me that it's all by grace man. Only Jesus keeps me standing and leads me to see more sweetness in Him every day.
Amen true
This is me. Pentecostal Pastor's first-born daughter... the fear.. the shame... for so long... I left the faith as a result of the shame I felt simply for deciding to leave for college...spiraled into deep depression for about 5 yrs... until I sought therapy and went back to Church (a different church from where my Dad pastored)... nothing can separate us from His love...period. anyway... I thank you for sharing sis.
You have no idea sis how I relate to what you said concerning the fear of God's wrath. Unlike you though, I struggled with sexual sin and it increased my guilt to a point of despair. Long story short, I was able to (re) discovering God's active goodness towards sinners, addicts, etc. It offers a lot of joy and freedom. Thanks for sharing that!
I left Islam and brought over the legalism with me and it really rocked my faith during the first two years. I've been a Christian for four years now, but not fully until about two years ago. I have still have seasons of doubt and fear of God's wrath but reminding myself of Jesus' love, grace, etc helps so I don't try salvation through works
i fully connect with your message. Amazing how God can lead you through Spirit, even though your mind/soul are being led elsewhere
“You have a lot of saints who grew up in the church and just believed what was taught without processing!” YES YES YES!!!
This was so good and encouraging! My husband walked away from the faith almost 3 years ago after public declaration of his faith in Jesus. Imagine how hard it is to get up Sunday morning and go to church for the past 3 years with your kids and their father doesn’t go. And it is a heart issue…it’s not about the excuses I’ve heard that “the Bible was written by a white man” or “Jesus isn’t real” or “blacks were brainwashed to believe these lies.” The truth is his mom died when he was 5 and if God is so good and who He says He is, why did He let that happen.” It is a heart issue. I will continue to pray that God is able to heal his heart and finish what He started.
GOD IS ABLE AND WILLING sis too HEAL his ❤️
Praying for him!! 🙏🏾 The Lord will bring restoration
wow, praying for you and your family!
I praying that for you. After living glonger I can truly see how people turn away bc life is so difficult and hard for alot of people and life experiences make it extremely harder. I agree with the compassion issue for those who turn away yet there are.some who just wan that they want. We have to b discerning
It’s sad there’s any judgment to fear from the community..
This was encouraging as a person currently experiencing some type of shift in my faith. I'm also unclear why I feel this way, but this message convicted me; pray for me.
Edit: I appreciate you all for covering me in prayer and your encouragement.
Just commenting so you know that you’re being prayed for Kyara. 💛
Sis. God loves you so much that He knew that you’d be in this season and so he had these two speak under His authority just to let you know that. On your WORST DAYS He’s still with you. I’m reminded of the fact that the day that Adam and Eve disobeyed HE STILL SHOWED UP IN THE GARDEN.. ready to communicate just as usual. He knew what happened but He was more concerned for then knowing that even when the Enemy causes the inner me to disobey He NEVER STOPS LOVING US. Even now He just wants to communicate with you. He wants you to know He’s right there with you.
Praying now and trusting that God will give you exactly what you need💕
I will pray for you love. God is with you. Emmanuel is with you.
Will be praying for you Kyara 😁💗🙏!!
I LOVE Preston’s perspective on not giving biblical language to someone who doesn’t believe the Bible. As someone who struggles with faith and validity of the Bible, I can say I get a lot further in conversations about Christianity when it’s not so saturated with Bible scriptures
@@Myaaaaa_kds
that’s not at all what this person is saying. read 1 corinthians 9:22
He meets you where you’re at don’t make it about u!
@@xchorro thanks i realized i was wrong a while ago and was trying to find the comment to apologize. 🙁 Thanks i really I understand now and sorryy
I have walked away not only once but twice not because I wasn’t saved, but because I didn’t truly believe God was my help during those dark times in my life. I wanted vengeance and I took matters in my own hands because the very things I had been praying and believing God for, did not come to pass! I regret leaving Him!! I’m blessed to have been a part of His fold, and like the prodigal son, once I came to the end of myself; I returned home to Daddy!! I’m so thankful and I’m remaining no matter what, who, where, when, why or how!! God loves me!!
❤️
You summed it up, this is how many feels when they leave GOD and it's a trick of the adversary. I understand your sentiments!
Then you didn’t walk away. There are true believers who do depart from the faith because they forsake their salvation.
I am someone who walked away from the faith, and about two years ago slowly started to return. I will say that before I left the church/ faith that I was struggling with a few things mentally in regards to Christianity. But even when I started to pull back from serving or attending services, no one ever asked why or even checked on me. I feel like we have to recognize signs of people pulling away and be there for them before they decide to leave.
This is so true and it takes great love, loving and seeing people with Jesus’s eyes to take note, thank God that you are back my sister know God will use you to reach out to others since you know the signs.
Very very true. What convinced you to come back to the faith? Did you go back to the same church?
@@agneswilliams I was never truly at peace once I left. Everything I did I felt forced and I constantly felt conviction. I slowly started to see my life fall apart. But there were times that I would remember scriptures or a message that was preached and it would convict me even more or remind me of who I really am. I was dealing with some church hurt but the word that was preached at my church overshadowed that. So I returned to my church and the first day I was there I felt at peace. I have since had a conversation with my leaders about why I felt hurt by them and they apologized. I now have a more authentic relationship with God. One that does not involve “religion”, but a personal relationship with him.
I strayed away. Nobody cared. And I didn't hear a peep from any Christian for 10 years. Many churches around. But no Christians. Except those Jehovah Witnesses. You know they'll step to you. The only person that brought me back to Jesus was Jesus.
@@BethJehovah funny thing at my church its the complete opposite .If someone don't see you at church one or two Sundays they are automatically calling/texting to see what's going on with you. Most people find it annoying , but really it's a good thing that they are trying to keep up with people,to try to intercept them in the early stage of people falling away from church. At the end of the day people are different and some wants the church to check on them and others find it annoying. How can we win?
Facts Jackie!!! You really have to wash the dishes before using the dishwasher if the dishes are to be cleaned thoroughly. Dishwashers high key a scam
😂😂
LMBOO
🤣🤣🤣🤣🙌🏾
I used mine once in five years and regretted it.
I'm a hand-washer myself all the way 💯😂 no offense to the dishwasher users tho
Such a good discussion - I went through a period of deconstruction in my 20s spurred by a period of pain and came to a point where I realized if I continued down the road of resistance, I was going to have to walk away from faith entirely. And I realized I didn't want that. So I chose to stop resisting and begin submitting to the answers that I didn't like. And God has brought me to a place where I am strong in faith and no longer see God's truth as threatening. I am greatly pained by how my younger sister has gone through a period of deconstruction with the opposite outcome - walking away from the faith, believing God is not good or worth following, etc. I see the suppression of the truth and idolatry and can only pray for her.
How did you work through it? I’m struggling so much with my faith right now, I have so many questions but feel like there’s not enough answers to those questions.
This is my life right now.
@@Jojo-cz4kp what are some of your questions?
@@Jojo-cz4kp A lot of working through it and processing things with people who were wiser and stronger in faith than me. People who knew God and the scripture well and weren't intimidated by my questions and doubts, but who would go there with me. There were times I felt I was holding on by a thread, but by God's grace I kept holding on, even while kicking and screaming. Find those people in your life, and keep seeking.
My cousin did the same thing and it saddens me.
My pastor says, “I’ve found God isn’t intimidated by our hard questions.” They encourage the questions because after we have the answers, it stretches us more.
No one talks about what comes after deconstruction, it’s reconstruction and that’s a much harder process than people think.
You're right! Sometimes the buildup is worse than the tear down.
@@yolandawilson6619 I would even say that creation is a much harder task than destroying which is why people need a set of beliefs/ values to map themselves onto because creating your own set is nearly impossible. deconstruction just makes people more lost at sea, it’s doesn’t anchor them bc they don’t know what pieces to properly build and ground themselves.
@@paf2587 I'd love to see you expand on this analogy! Like, seriously, I love it!
Yesss!!! “May the Holy Spirit empower you to believe that God is everything HE says about himself” that is a word!
Facts! 💯
Cause this gets hard sometimes
This is something I needed to hear. I'm here crying. The exhaustion is a true word. I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back x
God will strengthen you Bro. Even in our unfaithfulness, He remains Faithful!
Yes no turning back but alot of times not able to move forward in faith
Definitely agree with Jackie on deconstruction. I deconstructed during lockdown and it was a work God was doing… taking me from taught religion to true religion.
I’ve been learning to give God my heart and not my works.
Thank you for this beautifully faithful, transparent and necessary conversation.
Yasssss! I remember the Freedom in giving Him my heart and NOT MY WORKS.. that’s a word
Thissss!! It feels like a cage when you do just because you have to and you're afraid of punishment.
They hit it on the nail once again. I fell away because I felt trapped in my Christian life. I wanted to experience the world because not only were my peers doing it, but they were having fun while doing it. I wanted to party, go to clubs, drink, smoke, have sex, I wanted to be like the worldly kids because on the outside they were living the life and it felt like I wasn’t. It’s how the enemy got me: I got tempted with a “good time”.
When I began to live the life, now looking back I realized how depressing it really was. Your body slows down, your brain processes a lot slower, you’re more slurred, exhausted, overall your body is wiped out. I never slacked in school, but I slacked everywhere else. My people pleasing trait worsened, and my multiple personalities couldn’t keep up anymore. I was tired of everything not working out for the better. This was a 6-7 year life I lived.
When I came back to God, my life did a complete 360. I felt normal again. I can’t even look at liquor the same, and smoking was a HARD pass. I still struggled with lust, but with the Lord’s help and guidance I kept getting back up. I refused to turn my back on Jesus again, not after he pulled me out of the rabbit hole I dug for myself. And with the help of my parents and siblings who kept their doors opened for my like Preston suggested: never bashing or attacking, always welcoming, it made me realize even more the mistakes I was making by following the world. Their never ending love for me regardless of my sins, and their ability to forgive me made me realize that I wasn’t forever condemned in God’s eyes. He was still waiting for me to come back into his arms. All I had to do was walk into them.
I witnessed my dearest friend, worship leader, fellow church planter renounce the faith and it was the hardest thing to witness. I tried to love them anyway and the hardest part is them not wanting anything to do with us, although we did nothing wrong. The angst is not knowing what’s happening in their soul. I’m sad for that. Loosing contact is painful
🙏🏽
any video of your friend singing?
YOU SHOULD FAST N PRAY GENUINELY FOR HIM/HER LIKE MAKE IT A PROJECT WITH LOVE FROM YOUR HEART.I KNOW HOW PAINFUL IT CAN BE.
The best thing is to pray for them❤❤
“Grew up in Christian context”. That’s 🔥. I say that just because there’s close proximity to Truth doesn’t mean there is an embracing of the Truth. There is a difference.
Depends on the context, the devil is in the details
I was practically born on the altar. And when I had questions, I had no truly safe space for all my questions. I had to bottle them all up. I could ask some questions, but I couldn't ask some.
The way that y’all are willing to have the most transparent conversations on this podcast for the edification of the body of Christ and the glory of God will never cease to impact me. Absolutely beautiful testimony. God’s goodness is so next level
God is not afraid of our questions!!!! This is SOOOOOOO good & I needed it right now!!!!
"Your lifestyle should convict people way more than your words do." YES.
I left the church community and chose to live in sin for 6 years, behind all my excuses of racism in the Church, church hurt, confusion with multiple denominations and theologies, and difficulty find a wife was a hidden heart that had been deceived that my old lifestyle was better. I wanted to go back into the world and sleep around again. I needed Christians to aggressively pursue me and a deeply appreciated when they did. I ran from conviction as long as I could, until God drug me back home.
My son has walked away from God and I know it’s some disappointment when God did not hear his cry and answer his prayer. It’s so hard to see him pushing back when he used to love sharing his faith with others. 💔 - this tonight was so encouraging. Thank you for encouraging Gods people to realize the pain and suffering they are going through and to love and stay in touch with those that leave when possible.
Hey Diana. How is it that God did not hear his cry or answer his prayer? We have to be reminded that God’s will, will be done. We are to submit unto the Lord even when it doesn’t line up with what and how we imagine things to go. When things doesn’t go our way, it doesn’t mean God doesn’t hear us, or doesn’t love us. I’m not all knowing, all powerful, so God whatever it is that your will is, I will walk with it. Despite my carnal/fleshly desires
@@CraDejaC right
My wording wasn’t correct. I know God heard him
@@dianaflegal4495 can’t help notice how your earnest comment was met with a reminder to correct your language regarding God. That you should have curated your own true experience.. that’s a shame. I’m sorry. That’s how genuine feeling is stifled.
I've also walked away from the faith 2 years ago, the pain that I felt whilst outside God's presence was like no other. Thank God Jesus went after me as that 1 lost sheep
Preston is an honest orator. He speaks from the heart -where the word truly resides.
Loading my dishwasher while listening 😂
I really enjoy your discussions, such a blessing 😊
😂
@@melliemel32 I chuckled when Jackie said it because at that time I was loading the plates 😂
This is true "we want to be independent of everything... all boundaries... all rules... all constraints" this is so true and you are speaking Jackie...also when you said "we want to be free in the way God is"...it is impossible because our bounds will either be of good or evil. This could be a great teaching...Father help us all
Preston is such an amazing leader. It gives me hope for our men of faith. It is such a great example of a great husband and great leader. I hope he comes and preaches at our Church one day.
Y'all betta TEACH! This is Hallelujah stuff right here! Minister Preston "We try to convict people of their sin who walk away from the Faith with because our life ain't gone do it"
That was the best 30 min workout of my life! Biblical and spiritual content brings life
I remember one time I was evangelizing with my friends and they had an encounter with a women who identified herself as a lesbian, and I could sence that when she saw us she went into this defensive posture, and I really felt that the importance wasn’t me saying all the things that she had most probably already heard from other believers but just asking how are you doing ? And she just changed, became so friendly. And we just had a good respectfull conversation. This is why living with the spirit is helpfull, because evangelizing shouldn’t be just giving hand outs but also having conversations and showing others that we are also humans just like them and care of how they are doing. And just would like to have a friendly conversation.
As someone that is not a believer anymore, I appreciate people like Jackie and Preston for their graceful spirit. I do feel like some of it was one-sided, but I can understand why it was because I was once there. Deconstructing is NOT easy when your identity was only found in God. When leaving the faith you have to find who you are as a person aside from belief. While I don’t plan to come back to the faith, I do appreciate people that truly seek to UNDERSTAND why people leave without pressuring us to come back (even though that might be your duty because god said so). Like a good poet once said… there is hope and love on the other side 🥰
Powerful. Find out who you are as a person aside from belief.. Yes indeed. Knowing is more powerful than believing.
@@whatshatnin4572 Absolutely!!!
Can I ask what made you deconstruct?
@@rodb66 whewww a lot of reason. The start was because I slick wanted to do what I wanted to do and not feel bad about it but then I started to question the Bible and some things just don’t add up or make sense. That’s just a quick overview but one day imma post on my channel and make podcast on my I left.
@@marcarjo8 I would love to catch it if you do. I don't think a lot of Christians really understand that some deconversions go a lot deeper than their general assumptions. I wouldn't say that I've deconverted but I have been made spiritual aware. Thanks for your response.
So many good points here. I went through deconstruction of My faith when I turned 30 I believe. I totally tore everything I believed and knew down/away. Praise be to God that He built my faith back up and I returned to the faith.
These are the kinds of discussions that should happen amongst fellow followers of CHRIST without condemnation, shame, debating and divisiveness. Honest and open and open to listen to understand and be open to healthy correction. 🙏
Such a relevant convo. I often think of our struggles in the faith as like being a young child... you didn't always understand what/why your parents did what they did... "why do they have to go to work?" or "why didn't they let me have (blank) when I asked?"... but once you became an adult, things made more sense... similarly, there are certain things about The Lord that we may never understand in this life (like "grown-folks business" 🙂)... the complete understanding we seek may only come when we see Him face to face in the next life... until then, we must learn (like Jacob) how to "wrestle with God and with men, and prevail" (Genesis 32:28).
Praise The Lord for His sustaining grace through our struggles... What a great day it will be when we see Him face to face! 🙌
This blessed me, thank you !
Please keep me and my broyher lifted in prayer.
Speaking only for myself. I never expected to be where I am currently with my belief. I'm not deconstructing to disprove what I believe, but to unlearn (what i believe to be) bad theology. And I've ran into some kind of identity crisis. My heart is grieved and I'm trying to pinpoint why.
May the God of peace comfort you and the Holy Spirit lead you into all truth 🙏🏽♥️
I love all of this.
The parable - the soil is SO important and unfortunately when we come into His truth, our soil is not tiled, still has weeds (old seeds/unrighteous fruit) that need to be removed - our soil is not ready to produce righteous fruit. This is why many of the "seeds" fall to the wayside.
Constantly having that fire to seek Him and to not lean on your own understanding is vital.
I left the church for 15 years until God arrested me in my bedroom almost 2 years ago to come back to HIM. I’ve felt the freedom now to serve Jesus more than ever before because the church is no longer my priority because I learned it’s His. My priority has changed to serve him and do what he tells me. My obedience to him has freed me to serve any and everything else through the Holy Spirit and not by ambition. Ambition will cause you to be hurt in the church. Turn your ambition into obedience to God and not to please the church. Just obey God. So I’m free to be me because I live for him and him only.
One of the things that I’m realizing is being a “Christian” is one of the hardest things you’ll ever have to do. A lot of people who say they are “Christian” live their lives however they want and put a stamp of religion on it. I’ve met so many people who call themselves “Christian” yet they only do and follow what they are comfortable with. Whatever is not convenient for them-they ignore and refuse to be challenged. No one can tell them that they are doing anything wrong because in their minds, they are in a place of comfort and are doing what works for them. All the while, they walk around calling themselves “Christian’s” when their lifestyles and behaviors don’t measure up to such a title. I have chosen to believe in God-despite my questions, despite the fact that not everything makes sense to me-I still choose to believe. I wanted to be someone who is loving and kind to everyone and who treats people well. That is more important to me than the title of a “Christian”-mostly because I’ve seen so many of these people who are unkind or who will try and drag you down into their sin and yet I’ve met many non believers who are kind, well mannered, good people-and are not religious. So I learned to take things with a grain of salt-reject all forms of religion and focus on being a good person who is good to others and live my truth.
This is such a needed conversation. I have actually deconstructed my faith before. It was unhealthy, honestly. I thank God for those moments, I am a better Believer and now I truly feel as if I know Christ. I built a solid relationship with God after all that and vowed to never leave Him again. Seeing God for yourself and experiencing life with Him is AMAZING!
Jackie had me screaming at her at the screen with that last tidbit about God's people turning back to strengthen the Saints when one walks away...I shouted at her like she shot a three at the half court mark! That was a great scripture reference! Very insightful. I really appreciate that God has allowed me to know about her in my lifetime 🙏🏾
Love seeing people bond in the comments over their experiences 😭😭 Lovely video! Thanks guys for your honesty.
You guys handle every topic with such care. I had a close family member walk away from Christ and I was not sure how to handle it. I have tried everything but taking a step back and being a safe place like you mentioned. Very helpful!!
❤
I walked away from the building aka “church”, and my relationship with God has deepened and grown so much that I’m grateful for leaving. This makes sense to those who share my walk. I will forever be one who follows The Messiah. Peace and Blessings!
Great Couple! Awesome Discussion… I love how you two make a very complex situation easy to digest. I love while you’re never judgmental but you STAND FIRM IN THE TRUTH. Keep doing the work. Blessings Multiplied!
From watching this video it made me realize.
1) I’ve been evangelizing wrong, though the words were true at that moment they shouldn’t have been said bc people need to see the love of God bc believers and unbelievers know about Gods wrath and misconceptions about His righteousness that doesn’t make sense to us sometimes.
2) w/ the verses Jackie read I see myself in that and I see the demonic attack as well. To anyone reading I say pray for me, in summary, a lot has occurred, I feel like God doesn’t want me to say anything now but I’m starting not to care bc I don’t desire to keeping living like this. I should want to be close to Jesus but I’m like “There’s Jesus” as I keep walking.
OOOOF this is good. Also, I love the way you speak to each other with grace and respect. Thank you for showing Jesus in your marriage! Bless you guys. 🤍☺️
So true
These are 2 of the most eloquent people I’ve ever come across!
I'm sad and happy.
I'm sad that there isn't across the board more nuanced faithful conversation on these topics across all bodies of believers.
I'm happy you all are having this conversation.
God strengthen everyone trying to ride it out for him.
Thank Y’all this was dope my childhood sweetheart is now into African spiritualism parents were pastors he’s a musician I’m a worshipper what looks like a match made in Heaven now is complicated because I love him the same 🙏🏾Have no choice but to TRUST God with the process NEEDED this encouragement
Wow.. What made him go that route
This space is so chill - there is a beautiful spirit/presence about this place! May God bless your ministry! 🙂
that beautiful spirit and presence has a name , and His name is the Holy Spirit 😁😁 . isn’t God beautiful.
It's just a a good camera, a good mic, a good set and people you like 🤷🏾♂️
@@reecesouza8307 yes Reece! It is is beautiful! We praise God, Always! 🤗
THIS WHOLE THIIING. This convo is so necessary, only the tip of the iceberg. The harvest is plenty, the workers are few. We have to do our best anyhow because folks are out here just lost. 🙏🏽
Even though God is in control He does not Control us, we have the freedom to choose our actions, but we do not have the freedom to choose the consequences of our actions. We live in a fallen world and all the horrible things happening everywhere are directly linked to that xxx ❤ thanks guys for always sharing authentically, bless you and your family xxx
Wow, thank you for this great message. I am living this situation right now and because of the sadness of my heart, the Holy Spirit brought me to this scripture: Lord will fight for you; you must be quiet (Exodus 14:14). We need to pray and trust God for our friends. We are call to hope, not fear! Thank you again so much!
God gives us strength to endure, it’s because of him I have endured. I’m a single mother with two beautiful autistic children. My husband passed away years ago. I lost my job over declining the vaccine. I declined due to my pre existing health conditions lupus and heart disease. I’ve been struggling to provide for myself and my children since losing my job from Forsyth hospital. But God has given me strength. Strength to keep obeying and serving even when I feel tired and overwhelmed and like I can’t go on. Every month is a battle to not end up homeless on the streets with my two children. But I have faith God will provide. Even as I’m mocked and harassed by others for my circumstances and choice. I will keep Faith. Please pray for me and my boys. God hears all prayers.
I do empathize with your challenging time and I pray God provides a job that will enable you to sufficiently take care of your kids. I pray God leads you to his perfect will for your life and give you the strengths to overcome your daily life struggles.
Something so good, honest, wise, about these videos. Hungry for these conversations.
Yes I agree 👍
“If you represent truth, truth is offensive.” 💯
I love this!!! and I love how you guys have allowed the Holy Spirit to be manifested in your lives. It is so evident that God, and his word comes first. The Perry family, will always be in my prayers. 📖🙏🏽❤️
I will never forget when our pastors brother was preaching and laying hands. He laid my mom flat out and healed her shoulder, I saw a family friend speak in tongues like never before, and I even felt light on my feet and I knew that the spirit was literally flowing over my body. I honestly think the reason I also didn’t fall out is because I was half focused on if I was good enough for God to love. It was an experience that solidifies how close God is.
This is so good and it has helped me take some things to the Lord...I feel I have burned some bridges with those who are self-professed Christians but are not living it. I do believe the Lord told me to share some things with them but I may have gone overboard with some, OR they were just offended OR a little of both... praying for that clarity. Thanks Perry’s! Praying much for your strength and fortitude in the Faith! 🙏🏽🙏🏽✝️
Now that will preach all by itself🙌🏾🙌🏾.... “our lifestyle should convict far more than what we speak...[however] we try and convict with our words because “we know our lifestyle is not going to do it”!!!!🏃🏾♀️🏃🏾♀️🏃🏾♀️🏃🏾♀️🏃🏾♀️🏃🏾♀️🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 Hallelujah!! Glory to God!!
My favourite couple, hands down. Thanks for this, it was much needed, since becoming a Christian I’ve seen many people leave and no matter how often I see it it still hurts as if it was the first time I’ve experienced it. But it comes down to loving people where they are at like Christ would
This was really good and offered an explanation for an experience I'm currently living out with someone I considered to be my BEST friend. We have not spoken to each other since Feb 2022. I knew she was a luke warm Christian in our youth. We're both in our mid thirties now. However, since she'd become well traveled and seen other parts of the world and their culture, she's found issues with Christianity, the US, the average black person, etc...Now she's all about the metaphysical and "source", and "spirit" (not to be confused with the Holy Spirit). Before our break she started to be real disrespectful toward the faith. However, I'd be lying if I didn't say I miss her. I pray for her, and myself to heal from this new feeling of abandonment. Thank you guys for covering this topic.
This was everything Perry's. Thank you, I experienced this exact thing in a 20 year friendship, it's hard being the open door when the person who left was also a manipulative advocate. Help me Holy Ghost
This was a good one. Definitely answered my questions on how to interact with friends and family who walk away from the faith.
It’s impossible to be intelligent and spiritually minded at the exact same time. After all, we, Christians, have seen the light and those who believe differently than us ~ haven’t. Our selfish “ego” blindly drives us to passionately persuade others who not believe differently than us to think, reason and believe just as we do. God is Love, not our Ego!
I’ll definitely be watching and rewatching this episode! Too many gems to grabs all at once!!! 💎💎 As always, thank y’all so much for the solid content. ☺️
Great convo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I didn't have a 100% deconstruction but I definitely had questions and stopped going to church for a couple years and looked into other ways to manage my stress while knowing in the back of my mind that God was real, I just didn't believe he was enough. HE CALLED ME BACK THOUGH! He sure did, praise God. You just never know what season someone could be in. Love & Truth.
Literally one of the BEST discussions I’ve seen from the Perry’s. Thank you for addressing such an important topic that touches us all or will touch us at some point.
Well done, y’all.
I am always so blessed by your discussions. You were constantly coming unto my feed on youtube because I watch a lot of Priscilla Shirer. Until one day I decided to listen one of your videos that you both did spoken word together. So here I am subscribed and praying God blesses you both, your family and ministry. Love from Lagos, Nigeria
thank you so much for bringing out that when a friend falls away from the truth, they often fall away from you as a friend as well out of guilt or shame. my best friend fell away from Christ and i was heartbroken and confused when she distanced herself from me as well. i understand now that maybe she wanted to break away from everything Christ-related, even me as a Christian friend. it hurts but i will continue praying that God can use me in her life again one day to bring Him glory.
When I think about our ancestors I cannot fathom either! However I wonder how many actually believed in God and stayed faithful vs how many accepted there new reality and lived through it day to day!?! When we look at Nat Turner and Harriet Tubman they declared that they actually heard from God therefore revolted against the system leading towards freedom for all! So could be because those didn’t hear from God resulted in them remaining bound?
I love, love, love this conversation for so many reasons. First of all, the parable of the sower is also my favorite. Also, "deconstruction" is a topic close to my heart as I have close friends who are going through this, and I went through it myself. I think it's hard for us to be truly honest with one another about the struggles we face, especially if we are prone to doubt like Thomas. We fear being judged by other "Christians." Jesus had many followers who were unbelievers, and one of them made it to the top 12. Thankfully he chose to believe, but not before he saw the manifestation of Christ through proof of the resurrection. I believe you can have the seed planted and walk away and return--that was my experience. I had been burned out on religion. I thank God for His mercy demonstrated through parents who took me to church where I had the Word planted and hid in my heart while I grew up in Christian schools. Those old church hymns I used to bemoan really hit different now, brought to life through the power of the Holy Spirit. I sing them with so much joy in my heart now. It makes me sad to watch my friends who have walked away from the Lord, but I am encouraged by the fact that He desires for none to perish but for all to come to repentance, and that I can agree with Him on this, especially concerning those close to me. He left the 99 to rescue me and He will do the same for anyone else. I pray for blinded minds to be unveiled and for hearts to be opened to receive understanding, and that we would continue to love like Jesus.
Jackie, those last two minutes just blesses me so much when you mentioned Peter! THANK YOU!
Had to come watch and listen to this conversation again after listening to a few podcast with Joseph Solomon(whom i love and sad he left the faith).I honestly hope in his new journey he finds himself back to God,Jesus.
While listening to this video when I thought of him.
Preston has an important point. Meeting people where they are is vital for building relationship. It helps them and you.
“Maybe the device to use is to say ‘How are you today?’ to love on and care for their person!” THIS WAS IT!!!
I had really missed 30 minutes with the perrys. Thanks for uploading another content. Be blessed .
This video really brought me to tears because this is such a serious topic that really needs the patience, understanding and love in order to properly reach those who is going through this whether they are the one who left the faith or has a loved one who left the faith. I have had the experience of being both and I believe you two did a great job dissecting this topic. Jesus is the real deal and having walked away from his truth and having a loved one do the same and we both came back, we were shown his love, grace and saving power in a way that I'm not sure we would have experienced had we not left. He brought us back but in a better way then what we knew before. And I love Him forever. Thank you for this conversation. God bless you.
Powerful,intense,thought provoking and current. Conversation needed to be had. The compassion from Preston comes through while the teacher in Jackie wants to assert the truth without compromise. Blessed!
#Powercouple
I myself am struggling with my faith.. and this was graceful and helpful.
Look into orthodoxy
I’ve been struggling with this. I don’t not believe but I haven’t been living according to the word. Funny too, once everything I was blessed with came true, I believe less? Been thinking a lot about this and am excited to hear this.
Thank you for this beautiful and encouraging talk. Jackie, I just want to say how helpful you have been to my spiritual journey. You remind me that God is good and worthy to be trusted, even in times when I don’t feel like I can trust Him…God bless you and your family.
I am forever enjoying 30 minutes with the Perry’s . Always providing enlightenment for growth
I have recently started watching and following you. I am old enough to be your parents. I just need you to know that I am so happy about the way that you articulate biblical principals. I love you guys❤ You are a breathe of fresh air.😊
Praying for you both to have a fun,love and Holy Spirit filled Marriage.
I was sent this yesterday I really enjoyed this as I have been struggling with my faith of a very long time and jus going through the motions
as a man who has gone through a lot of trauma and its hard for me as I'm disabled I'm autistic and have Down syndrome an I feel rejected from this world and the church
God would never reject you ever , you’re Gods child and he loves u more than any church could
@@iluvmari238 thank you the sad Reality is we are not valued the sad truth I feel it’s because of fear or worse not even cared
Kris the Lord God created you and you are among us the greatest of His creation. He loves you more than anyone else can. ❤🙏❤
Very kind words sadly I still have to step out of the house where judgement lives but I try
“I’m speaking to the people who are around those who are deconstruction. We can’t tell them how to deconstruct.” This was SO GOOD!! “I don’t have control over how they deconstruct!”
This young couple touch on a lot of topics that many are confronted about but don't have the boldness are faith to allow his they feel or allow what they are thinking to come out. So this is so therapeutic. God bless this couple that they are being used for such a time as this. Amen, I pray that they will continue allowing the Lord to use them. Truly they are a blessing.
You guys are amazing! We thank God for you. Love from South Africa.
‘’God is not afraid of your questions”-loved this 🙌. I remind myself and others who raise hard questions that if you have a certain question, the chances are that someone has already asked that question! For almost 2000 years Christians have been thinking about and writing about hard questions in the Middle East, in Europe, and in Africa. There is an incredible wealth of knowledge and reflections that have been worked out through prayer and systems of philosophy and theology across history (Byzantine empire, Roman Empire, Protestant reformation etc…). For anyone who is uneasy of certain bible verses and might be reading this, research and dig deeper (especially study the actual Greek or Hebrew behind the verse. Many problems come about from translation issues actually!).
"Not oppressive but letting something go for something better." Such a simple truth. Freeing truth.
Minister Jackie asks Great questions and provokes such good points of discussion. Minister Jackie, if I'm hearing her correctly, is imparting Wisdom that our questions for and/or about GOD, in our humanity, are flawed because we come from legalistic motives because we want justice for something but not when it's against us!
Our motives are fleeting even when we think we are in purity with The Lord because His Salvation puts us in right standing with Him but not purity because we're being transformed by Him.
Love how you both break down the word, using the scripture, God be praised!!! Love the humor as well 😄
Towards the end when they have that banter and push and pull over how to deliver the truth to people so far away from the context. Imagine marrying someone with whom you both deeply care about the faith to go at it over nuances in evangelism rather than fighting over other stereotypical things. Just wow. Thank you for always tackling these hard conversations. Love from Kenya
Great conversation and you hit important critical points one should consider when dealing with someone having a challenging walk and/or leaving the faith. We can't respond in disgust to a person the standard "God is in Control...Trust in the Lord...God is working behind the scene". Most Belivers don't have those hard conversations about every day issues in our homes Lord have mercy with family), on the job, or dealing with aspects of our health. Yes we now have small groups but the moment you discuss something the gossip starts. This topic needs a Part 2. Thank you both for the conversation.
Wow, thank you both for always being so real and raw. I wish my family would listen. You could so speak to them, but they have totally turned from the Lord and don't want to hear anything about Him. I'm hoping and praying for a change of heart in time.