Christianity Oasis Forum

[lyl1114]

Thanks, Dema. You are right....as always. I will make a blessings journal... And what awesome suggestions of activities that will keep in from that dark place. Thanks!!

[lyl1114]

It has been a few days since I visited here...and glad to be back!
I had a dream the other night. I was with all my high school friends who I went to school and church with, whom I still see often. The world was being attacked and we were in the house writing on notebook the Bible...we were copying the Bible. This is how we were fighting our enemies...with God's Words! We were successful once and then when we were trying the second time, we were losing...and I felt that we (or I) weren't prepared and that I wasn't reading the Word of God enough. And we were also writing down Genesis...and we were defeating the enemy. and I said, Oh, Genesis is important too!
When I woke up the next day, I was like, WOW. I need to read the Bible more often and make my sword of the Spirit sharper and bigger. Wake up call. I wasn't sure where to start though because I always start at Genesis and don't ever get past it. I wanted to get past Genesis so I was thinking somewhere else...but could it be that I should start again in Genesis and hope I actually go beyond?

The night before this dream I was reading Ecclesiastes 3.
Chapter 3: a time for everything...
3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
3:12 I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live
3:13 That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil--this is the gift of God.

There really is time for EVERYTHING. I must go through the ups and downs to get to where I am suppose to be...but delight in the process of getting there...
3:22 So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot...
I wish certain things were a certain way and would like it to be done in a certain time, but what do I know compared to God. I still have a lot of dying to do so Christ can live...letting go and letting God is still a moment by moment decision I must make.

Remember this song from Sunday school?

He's changing me
My precious Jesus
I'm not the same person that I use to be
Sometimes it's slow going
But there's a knowing
That someday, Perfect I will be
Little by little bit everyday
Little by little bit every way
Jesus is changing me
Oh yes, He's changing me
Since I made a turnabout face
I've been walking in His grace
Jesus is changing me

[Mackenaw]

Hello Lyl1114

God bless you this day.

Wow, Awesome dream, and it sounds like one you'll remember for quite a while. Awesome!!!

I, too, remember trying to read The Bible, starting at Genesis and reading straight through, but, I never seemed to stay with it either. I know there are many Bible Reading schedules that others have made, if that is how you want to read The Bible.

I found the Daily Bread, on this site, to be helpful when I first came to the site. Sometimes a taste of something spurs the appetite. And, I'm still the type that prefers to order several things off the appetizer menu, but, on occasion will go for a huge entree. Here is the link to the Daily Bread: http://www.christianityoasis.com/keywor ... tudies.htm There is a section on The Old Testament and one on the New Testament.

Remember to ask The Holy Spirit to help you when reading God's Word. He is very creative, plus He knows you intimately, and He'll design a reading schedule just for you, that will fit you to a "t" -- guiding you all over The Bible.

You mentioned about Reading some in Ecclesiastes. Here is a good song taken from/inspired by that blessed book of The Bible. The song "Turn Turn Turn" was written by Peter Seeger in 1959, but was recorded by the group "The Byrds" in 1965 and it was an international hit. I had just started 6th grade when the song hit the airwaves and I sang along whenever it played on my radio -- not fully understanding, but the seeds were planted deep. Woooooohooooooooo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WB6jhbtD ... re=related

The Holy Spirit loves music I see He reminded you of a song from your childhood, too. \o/ \o/ \o/

Have a blessed day, Lyl1114.

God bless and keep you.
Love,
Mack

[dema]

Wow, Mack, is it possible that anybody hasn't heard that song? I thought it was up there next to the National Anthem?

. I wonder - you made me feel old.

[Mackenaw]

Hello Dema

Pretty cool, huh, that the song is so well-known and well-received -- even by the secular world?

God is so Good!!!

God bless and keep you.
Love,
Mack

[lyl1114]

Thanks, Mack! When I listened to it, I felt like I had heard it before. (I wasn't born yet but I think I have heard it ) And thank you for referring me the daily bread studies. Wow, I did the first studies in both old and new testament today. Wow, it is pretty awesome to understand the Bible in language that I can understand. I mean, I read the same thing so many times but today, I felt like I REALLY understood it and it was so exciting to study the same words again! Really, God is awesome and I thank Him for using this site to offer understanding of who God, Jesus and Holy Spirit are. Seriously, awesome!!! And may God bless you all who are always loving, reaching out and giving to others...like myself. Praying one day I will be as wise and full of love to share with others. Sincerely appreciate you guys!!!

[lyl1114]

Hi...today I was bombarded once again with the realities of this life filled with problems...
I know they always do and will exist in one form or another but I am trying to understand how to not let my heart be anxious and how to give them up to God. Worrying won't make them go away so I am asking God for wisdom on how to deal with these problems. Then I took my focus away from myself and redirected it to God, to His awesome goodness and immeasurable love. What spoke to my heart while reading the daily bread on the gospel was that Jesus is the NEW COVENANT, where our marriage to God is based on love...awesome...
So in life's chaos, I will be still and know that God is God and He is in control...

"Be still, and know that I am God..." Psalm 46:10

[Mackenaw]

Hello Lyl1114 (((hugs)))

God bless you this day.

Look at you go, girl Woooooooohoooooooo!!!

How does one do it? How does one righteously battle the negative thoughts, and even the negative and overwhelming trials that come at us in this life? We take it to God, read His Word, pray -- just as you did.

When we are in the thick of things, those very trying situations, so much of the challenge is to combat the "words" spoken about or in the situation. Take for example, illness. One might not be feeling well, so they go to the doctors, have infinite tests run, then listen to the diagnosis/prognosis. Some of those diagnosis/prognosis' can make us want to just lie down in an early grave. The words shared by the medical staff can be so scary sounding, without hope, and we can easily go into a state of shock or feel like we're going to faint. Then the questions start bombarding our minds: when? where? what? and how? and those thoughts are not limited to the illness itself, but spread to thoughts of every aspect of our life. Will I ever see my child grow up, get married, have their own children? Who will care for my family? Where will the money come from? All the while, the doctor has been talking, but we haven't heard a thing after he/she said "_______".

It's crazy, isn't it, how our minds can go bonkerz, and can do so, seemingly, in an instant?

In those cases, I politely listen, and if I can keep my composure long enough, I may ask a couple questions, but then I have to get...get to a quiet place, alone with The Lord. God The Father is Lord of my life, Jesus is my Saviour and Healer, The Holy Spirit is my Comforter. I NEED to get with The Lord, and hear what He has to say. I spill it all to Him, and I confess I am so very weak, and cannot even compute all that has been thrown at me. I give it to Him, and He in turn, quiets my soul.

I know that I cannot make any decisions without Him, and I cannot hear Him when my mind is spinning. So, just as a little child does when hurt or scared -- they run to the arms of their mom or dad, I run to The Lord and crawl up in His bosom and whimper and cry.

We all need to find that place, that special place where we meet with Him. I have a couple places I meet with Him. But, in those times when I'm totally overwhelmed, I retreat to my bedroom, close the door, climb into bed, lie down and I actually pull the covers/sheet up over my head, hug my pillow and talk/cry out to The Lord. At some point I usually fall asleep, but when I awaken, I'm rested and calm. It is from that place of peace that I am able to open His Word, and/or talk with Him and hear what He has to say. Ohhhhhhh, how I love Him. Thank You Lord, I praise Your holy name. Jesus \o/ \o/ \o/.

Lyl1114, as we continue on this blessed journey with The Lord -- on His path -- we will adopt good and healthy coping devises or patterns that accompany our intimacy with The Lord. They are as varied as we all are. God is so very Good. Some retreat to the woods, others to a field, others to a porch, or a particular chair, their car, wherever. It is a safe place, where no one else can enter besides you and God. A great part of it is... learning how to tune the world out, and to tune in to God. And, it does get easier with practice.

As per usual, I said a lot. My husband always says I could never write ads for billboards, because there is no billboard big enough.

You are doing well, Lyl1114 -- keep practicing all the blessed things you have learned in your walk with God. He loves you so very much.

Prayers are rising to our Lord in the name of Jesus, on your behalf. May God's blessed will be made known to you, and done.

God bless and keep you.
Love,
Mack

[lyl1114]

Thanks always, Mack, for your wise and encouraging posts!

Really, each day, I am learning how to trust God more...although it may be little at a time. Before, I used to start worrying when things would get hard, but instead I am praising God...God who give and takes away. Holy Spirit is really helping me with each situation. What I realized today was that if it weren't for hardships in my life, I wouldn't have been searching and found this site...and because God lead me here, I was able to reconnect and find the passion and desire for God again. Life's hardships aren't designed to make us suffer but to seek God and find rest in Him. Praise God!!! and how my love and dependance for Him grows each day. Once again, I find gratitude in my suffering.

[lyl1114]

Doesn't it seem that sometimes you think God will surely lead you this way in time of need but He had something else in mind? And that blessing is much better or in addition to what you were waiting for? How we really cannot comprehend and try to understand God with our limited minds... Once again, God intervened with more than we hoped for.

And as for my personal experience, when God intervenes to show us that He is in control and that He knows best, the enemy attacks right away with all kinds of ways to get our minds away from the blessings God has just showered us with....
I felt the attacks the last few days...lots of why this and why that...complaining. Then I would get back to focusing on God's goodness, and then the enemy attacks. Sometimes it gets so tiring...and sometimes I do lose focus. That is where I am today. A little beaten down. But trying to find balance and solid ground. And of course my solid ground is on Jesus. Asking the Holy Spirit to calm the storm in me and reignite the passion...

[lyl1114]

Because He Lives

(Verse 1)
God sent his son
They called him Jesus
He came to love
Heal and forgive
He lived and died
To buy my pardon
An empty grave
Is there to prove
My Savior lives

(Chorus)
Because he lives
I can face tomorrow
Because he lives
All fear is gone
Because I know
He holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because he lives

(Verse 2)
How sweet to hold
A newborn baby
And feel the pride
And joy he gives
But greater still
The calm assurance
This child can face
Uncertain days
Because he lives

(Verse 3)
And then one day
I'll cross the river
I'll fight life's fi-
Nal war with pain
And then as death
Gives way to victory
I'll see the lights
Of glory and
I'll know he lives

[dema]

Sometimes you need to let God carry you. Sometimes that is difficult. Maybe always it is difficult? Maybe it is difficult until you really learn he won't drop you. But you can't learn that until you realize it won't make sense to us - life won't.

A two year old has no idea why Mommy took her in and had that doctor hurt her. I'm sure a declawed cat should be very angry. But somehow they still love. They still trust. They still run to Mommy/master for protection and support. What choice do they have? What choice do we have.

Sometimes God HAS to carry you - because you have no strength to walk. He always is willing. But sometimes we prefer to have a temper tantrum and lie on the ground in our own pee. We get to choose. He'll let us lie there in our pee, hungry and thirsty and in pain. He stands there crying, I imagine. But he will let us lie there if that is the choice we make.