Christianity Oasis Forum

[Dora]

babs Thanks for the smile!

You're doing great. Keep on! Full force ahead.

[mlg]

babs you are just moving right along...your story of your 5th child was an amazing one...one that I think you should tell as often as you can to bring glory to what God can do anywhere at any place...the birth of a creation He has made. I love it!

luv ya sis

[Guest]

I've gone over stone 8, 3-5 times. My printer quit! (trying to print out chart and thought examples) It has been a yo-yo day! It almost seems like a wrestling match in my mind. Didn't realize how far gone I'd gotten. Well, yes I did. That's why I'm here! Stone 8 concluded by asking if I was feeling any better. I must admit that yes, I am. Not there, yet but headed that way!
The encouragement I'm getting is priceless!
I feel like I've been in a time capsule, sort of. Kind of like, was it rip van winkle who slept for 20 years, woke up and everything had changed? The enemy is truly a thief! I kept my kids home, a lot when they were little. Put them in school as they got older. Started out OK but when we moved and started a new school system, it was like all you know what was everywhere! I had taken my older two out already. I became so paranoid and so convinced that I could do just as good a job or better than the school. What a disaster! I completely did to my kids what was already working on me! Please pray that God help me to integrate us back into the world outside our 4 walls and that God restore the years that the locust devoured. My husband, in discussion told me that things had definitely taken a turn for the worse over the course of the past 5 years. Negative, I know. How do you guys cope outside your home? Any suggestions on how I can change my "stinkin' thinkin' " on how to carry on and let my kids have at least a little life outside of church and home? Prior to this, one day just blended into the next. Now that I'm pulling out, somewhat, I can see that they are bored out of their minds and not going anywhere fast in the fast paced world. Just keep believing and praying? Sometimes I feel an overwhelming sense of urgency to do something about it right now! Then I hear such awful stuff that it confirms my protection and hiding. I know I can't keep them locked up forever.

[mlg]

babs...slow down hun...if you have to make the charts small and then add to them later as you go along...you can always draw out a chart to get you started...and then when you get your printer fixed you can print one and add more things...it's best to start small anyway as it will keep you from feeling overwhelmed.

As far as the children and letting them step out...introduce them slowly to the world...as they don't know much about the world...and too much too fast can be more than they are ready for. So begin with small trips to different things...the zoo...the museum....the fair....things like that.

Kids love to do things....but they also need strong guidance to make sure the world doesn't devour them...you know good from bad...but just don't suffocate them sis...they need your love and nurturing...but not to feel suppressed.

Prayers for you and the children and hubby.

luv ya

[Mackenaw]

Hello Babs

God bless you this day.

You said:

I completely did to my kids what was already working on me!

It seems the underlying reason for most of your decision making was out of fear, as opposed to what is righteous. One involves oppression which comes from the enemy; the other involves calm and assertive power given us by The Lord -- confidence in Him.

It is time to bring God's peace and God's joy into your home.

II Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Babs, this was the first scripture The Holy Spirit gave me and used to help me receive blessed healing and overcome my fear.

It appears your family does look to you for guidance, and their spirits mirror the vibrations that your spirit gives off.

You will help them by getting your own emotions under control, and you are learning and will continue to learn how through the path you have begun with God. Keep seeking God!

I continue to send up prayers to our Lord, on your behalf. God's blessed will be done.

God bless and keep you, Babs.
Love,
Mack

[Guest]

Well, I must admit that I made several attepts to make an entry, today. Deleted them all because they were so dark. At church, this morning, we were singing a praise song about how we loved God. I couldn't sing this because I felt like a hypocrit. I thought that I did but according to scriptures, I don't. Our pastor, a few months ago, had preached on hypocracy. I do understand the concept of a loving God and how we should adore Him and not offend Him--out of love, not fear. I became such a carnal christian. do I really still have a chance?
There have been countless miracles in my life. I should count my blessings. How do people turn so quickly from such love? I do so want to be restored. I know it's the best and only way God has been so patient with me and I have been wallowing in self pity.

[Mackenaw]

Hello Babs

Five years ago, this month, I entered the doors of Christianity Oasis for the very first time. I was a Born Again Christian, and had been one for 22 1/2 years. I couldn't believe how people talked here -- they always talked about loving Jesus, and they celebrated Him with nearly every word they spoke. It was kinda shocking to me. In fact, I wondered if they were just faking it. The more I heard it, the more I wanted that.

You see, I knew Who God was and I had accepted Jesus as my Saviour, and I claimed to love God, but I didn't feel it -- it was more a mental thing than a "feeling" thing. I wanted to though -- I wanted to "feel" that love, so I confessed it to God and told Him, I wanted to really and truly know Him and to "feel" love for Him.

All I can tell you is that He answered my prayers and changed me. I now feel that awesome, overpowering, and deep abiding LOVE. AND nothing else compares.

Seek Him with everything you have, Babs. The Lord God Almighty loves you.

God bless and keep you.
Love,
Mack

[Guest]

I do covet your prayers. I do so appreciate all the advice and encouragement that I can get.
We're talking life or, well, lets talk life! right? You were right about me operating out of fear. To an extent, I still do. How can anyone be sure of their salvation? I thought that I was--Profession of faith, water baptism, God loves me no matter what. Now I have come to the realization that God loves all but it is up to the individual whether or not they walk in it and receive it.
I also know that without faith, it is impossible to please God. I rebelled and told Him "no" so many times. I've gone my own way too many times to count. I do not know why I did (and do) these things. I so desparately want to hear from the Holy Spitit, re-assuring me that I'll be OK and giving me step by step insturctions on how to start fresh and anew and know what to do for each of my kids.
Too, I need to know what to do about my marriage. I was wrong. I am miserable and he is, too, I think. He won't talk too much about it. He has other things on his mind and I'm sure he stays tired. At least he's doing something! I used to do my part and then some. I guess I burned out. I sleep too much, mope around too much, want to do more and my depression is lifting, somewhat. It's my eyesight that is slowing me down, now. I have been believing for healing, been in line for laying on of hands, confessed, prayed, begged and was in one session that I harbored anger and that was what was withholding my healing. This is probably part of my depression. I'm not sure but I think that I was told (by the Holy Spirit)that I would have to have surgery. I have spoken with the commission for the blind and this Wednesday, I will see an opthalmologist. I am blind in my right eye and my left will have to be, believe it or not, bad enough before I could get any assistance with surgery. I have friend praying that my eyesight get worse so that I will be approved! Crazy isn't it? Oh, how I want a sound mind!

[Guest]

It looks like while I'm composing, you are too! This is. well, wow! Do you honestly believe that I could feel that awsome love that you do? I so desparately need it! I have become so lax in trying for anything anymore. I wish that I had experienced it when I was saved. How different my life would be today. I want it! I crave it! I need it! I will indeed seek God and tell Him that I desire to love Him with every fiber of my being. My flesh will try to stop me but by confessing this, and He sees my heart, I will continue to seek Him and His love. Thank you, Mack. I know that this is a possibility. I've seen it in others lives, too. I must have been thorny or stony ground when I was saved. I know too, that God wants to present the bride (church) to Jesus without spot or wrinkle and that He is calling all his children to holiness...could He be calling me?

[Mackenaw]

Oh Yes!!! He is, indeed, calling you, Babs.

You asked:

Do you honestly believe that I could feel that awsome love that you do?

I believe it without a doubt, as long as you are seeking Him. God is not a respecter of persons. And like the song says "...what He's done for others, He'll do for you..."

Keep seeking The Lord. Continue doing the 14 Day Path/CCCC Study. Ask The Holy Spirit to read the Bible with you, and to give you understanding. And talk to Him.

John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, Whom Thou hast sent.

Prayers continue to rise to our Lord, on your behalf. God's blessed will be done.

God bless you, Babs.
Love,
Mack

[Guest]

This is fantastic! I am not a big reader--never have been. Probably why I was so ignorant of the Word. Since I've matured, reading comprehension has improved somewhat. Thank you, again for your words of comfort and encouragement. I know that this will not be an overnight accomplishment. I have asked God to reveal his love for me to me and to help me to feel Him so close that I could almost reach out and touch Him. I probably did experience this in the past but, again, the cares of this world hid them and caused me to stray. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

[Guest]

I must have prompted new topic indstead of post reply! Yikes! Oh, well, boo-boo. should I combine the two or just leave it as such?