conservator

There are times when things seem to be impossible. I know I have gone through those times. Read the Bible and pray. Pray as if you are having a conversation with God. Ask him for guidance. I hope things work out for you.

I was divorced twice before I met my wife. My first wife wanted the divorce and said that after 25 years of marriage she never loved me and didn't want anything to do with me. My second wife had mental problems and, unfortunately, I allowed physical pleasures interfere with thinking. I met my wife and we both have grown together. We both were baptized five years ago. We both go to church rarely missing a Sunday, pray together, read the Bible, and attend Bible study classes. People that knew me years ago can't believe I am the same man. I would never have believed that my one true love has brought me closer to Jesus.

Right on. Plus his book "The Case for Christ" is excelent.

A followup on the situation. The lady called my wife and I this weekend. She said she appreciated our interest in her and that we were concerned about her well being. She said she knew we were right but she seemed helpless to change the situation, that she was lonely, in financial difficulties, and felt depressed. She wasn't as cheerful or happy as she usually appears. She repeatedly said she felt helpless to change her ways. One comment that she made was that "she would just die if her mother and sister found out what she was doing." We told her we would pray for her, that she we sent a request for prayers for her in our church. I asked her if there was a group in her church that could help her and she said she could not reveal her story to any group. I mentioned that our church has a recovery program and she should see if there was a God centered program where she lives and she should look into joining it. She said she would look into it.

With all of the personal attacks, etc. I am sorry I asked for advice on this thread. However, I must say I am confused by some of the posts. I get the impression that some individuals think the course of action a Christian should do under these circumstances is to remain silent and not say anything. I thought that such a course of action would be giving tacit approval to living a life of sin. I feel very sorry for this lady because I am deeply concerned about what is happening to her. I am sure she has some concerns, too. Otherwise, she would never have raised the subject in the first place. I thought I had three courses of action when she raised the issue. 1. I could remain silent and perhaps change the subject. 2. I could say the Jesus loved her and would forgive her no matter what she did and whether or not she had petenance. 3. Or I could tell her I thought she was making a serious mistake and that she should ask God for forgiveness, repent, and mend her ways. I chose the last course of action but wondered what else I could say to her so that she would change the direction of her life.

Reading the Bible today I came across Matthew 18: 15-17: 15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector."

One thing, I would question the sincerity of the person making the repentance if he or she continually commits the same sin.

LadyKay, the pastor of my church recently gave a sermon on this very issue. In brief, he said look into your heart, pray, and follow your conscience. He encourages us to reach out to the community to be an example that others may follow and by seeing how we act to come to know Jesus. The church I belong is quite diverse having folks from all different backgrounds, ethnicities, political persuasions, and opinions. Unlike many other churches we don't talk politics - the biggest controversy is about college football teams. My wife and I joined this church a little over a year ago and there are some things all of us have in common: (1) A great love for Jesus our Savior; (2) respect for each other no matter what his or her opinion may be; (3) the desire to spread the Gospel and witness to others; and (4) performing good works for the community and spreading the Good Word. In addition, many of us do what you do: helping others on an individual basis. I often will help an older person while grocery shopping and afterwards always with a smile say "Have a blessed day" or "God bless you." After many years I have discovered that my God is a God of unending love who has a positive message for all.

A men's forum called badgerandblade.com.

What do they worship, Starbucks? My ex-wife joined the Unitarian church and according to my son who visited her recently most of the folks there are atheists. I asked him what do they do there. He replied they read poetry.

Could not have said it better.

I have wrestled with this topic. Thank you for your thoughtful replies.

My wife and I could not in good conscience say nothing to her or to allow her to think we condoned her life style. When she left to return home we told her we would pray for her.

How do you know that ? She said this to my wife. My thought is that if it, was told in confidence to your wife, then your wife should not have told you. How can your wife help this person who confided in her if she repeats what has been said in confidence.? Had the woman wanted everyone to know she would have told you as well. I pray your wife can help and guide this friend. It's easy to judge and even harder to not judge and be there to help someone. You misunderstood. I was present in the room when she said this. That's why I said the discussion got around to her personal life and how she was doing. She did not say anything in confidence to my wife. That's when I disagreed with her and cited the Bible verses I did.

Found this in Romans 6:1-4: "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." Is this what you mean?

How do you know that ? She said this to my wife.

A friend of my wife comes from a Christian home with both her mother and sister being ministers. This lady claims she has been saved and says she has accepted Jesus as her personal savior. However, her lifestyle does not live up to her being a good Christian. She has been divorced for about one year and since that time has had sex with numerous men often after their first date. She recently visited us and the discussion got around to her personal life. She took the position that her "being saved" has wiped out all her past and her future sins and that she can continue to lead the life she is living with immunity. It's sort of like getting a perpetual get out of jail card. I cited to her two verses. The first was in Acts 3:19: "Repent then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out...." I then questioned if she truly repented if she willingly commits the same sin over and over again. The second section is contained in John Chapter 8 where Jesus in verse 11 tells the woman to "Go now and leave your life of sin." What do you folks think about persons such as this lady who claim to be Christians and say they are saved but continue to lead a life of sin and how would you answer them?

It is more important to feel, rather than imagining. Particularly if the prayer comes from the heart, and not from the mind. I never thought about it before but I don't have a particular image in mind. When I was younger I thought of the paintings or sculptures depicting Jesus Christ. But now it's more of a feeling. I think more about my thoughts and what I am praying than on any images.

I am sorry to hear you are going through this turmoil. I know since I speak from personal experience. At one time I was married to this woman - the mother of three sons - for over 25 years. And then one day she decided she no longer loved me and did not want to stay married. We both moved on with our lives but I still loved her. She made some terrible mistakes in her life marrying an abusive man and then divorcing him and then living with a another man who was abusive as well as a liar. I went to a Church group dealing with divorces, deaths, etc. I found that I was not alone and that many of us faced the same problems. Over time I overcame my obsession with her and became a stronger person. I eventually found a good Christian lady and love her as much as it is possible to love. So, in brief, try to find a church group that can offer you assistance. And pray for Jesus to give you strength and guidance.

I was Christened as a baby but for most of my life did not have any beliefs. About 20 years ago I found Jesus but never got baptized as an adult. For one year now, my wife and I have gone to a wonderful church that has made a world of difference in our lives. About six months ago after much soul searching and prayer my wife and I decided to be baptized together. Before making that commitment the minister of our church asked us two simple questions. How did we come to know Jesus? Secondly, what does Jesus mean to you? My route to knowing Jesus was a long one and involved a lot of heart ache. But, to finally accept Jesus as my savior and to have a personal relationship with Him has made me a very different person. It took me a long time to walk again with Jesus but taking that step and being baptized as a public commitment has changed our lives for the better.