shepherdsgrace

What do mean by that? Sorry. Did I offend? I only meant that when I saw that name I could just see loving parents proudly naming their child. That is all. Overlook me if I am out of line.........

I have to say.........sure is a lovely sounding name. Sounds like someone loved you.

The Lord is gracious and powerful!

Yes. There is a great deal of difference. God is the source of all that is good in our lives and we thank and praise him for it! At the same time we do not look to the circumstance for our happiness but rather to God himself. A fine line there. But a real one. And it seems that the Christian has a hard time learning it sometimes!

I cannot tell you how wonderful that you were given the opportunity to love this man. May you be comforted by the reality of the presence of God in your life.

Jesus himself taught that we do not have to continue relationships that we have tried to make right. He said they could be as tax collectors to us. People with this kind of rage....it sounds like much more than anger, are dangerous to the soul and often to the body. And they are repeaters. This is a life style to them. Absolutely I think you are right in stopping the relationship so long as you release and forgive her.

Christ is all the cousels of God. He is Wisdom and Righteousness. The more I consider this truth of looking to Him and past all else I am encouraged.

Praise the LORD for everything that money cannot buy! We do not belong to this world. We are just passing through.........

Unless God brings revival there will soon come a day when Christians will not be able to open their mouths without persecution. I personally am grateful for season that openly invite conversations concerning the truth of Jesus Christ. We are not celebrating days. We are celebrating Jesus. And no one has to if they do not want to. I love the festive happy air. I enjoy the smiles and the lights. I like to see people happy and wanting to share the good in their lives. I do not feel that I am a weaker Christian because I enjoy Christmas. Nor do I feel that I am a stronger Christian because I enjoy Christmas. But I am glad and thankful that God accepts us both, the weaker and stronger. I am also simply glad for a time to share the goodness of God. Just to send a Christmas card with the Nativity on it is a privilege. It is all a privilege. To be happy in Jesus is a privilege and joy.....The lights, the Christmas tree etc is an expression of my heart of joy that Our Lord CAME.

God bless you Billie........and you are welcome.

I want to mention fading hope. Just last week, the Holy Spirit caused me to realize that every where I had put any hope of mine outside of Jesus that it was doomed to destruction because God loves me. He did not and He does not want me to put hope in anything or anyone but HIM. I had put my hope in "one day it will change". I had put my hope in people. I had put my hope in the "future". What a disaster. He is the HOPE. Therefore as we look to him and him alone our hope grows and is brighter. So when we find our hope is fading in other issues that is actually very good even though painful. We are finding that only Jesus is worthy of our hope. There is nothing like waking up one day and realizing that the future we were hoping in is about gone. It bites. "And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom he has given us. Romans 5:2-5

Perhaps this reply is something we all should consider when we are so sure that we have the answer.......I will remember it for myself, not to say to others.

WEll then, that may be the wisdom in this matter. Do not send the card if you do not want to. Sometimes dropping communication and closing doors to future incidents is wise.

I know that God's great LOVE is not limited. Nor are his capabilities. And Jesus said that He keeps up with even the sparrows. It is his love that enables us to love his creation. It is not our love that is asking him to love!

Most of the people he is talking to are going to know the source from which it is all coming. They probably also know you. I would imagine that they will all by themselves figure out the situation. It is usually just best to let it pass. If others bring it up then tell the truth of what happened. And definitely send that card!

Hello, Situations like this are such a trial. Perhaps you could use it to help teach your children to love any way, to be respectful anyway. Also when she does something like make you get up so her child can have a chair you can confront her immediately with the issue. You can say, " The Word says that children are to respect the elders not the other way around. I think it better I just stay here." In other words it is not always taking up for yourself, but rather have that other person on your heart. It is not good for the children to see this happening. It is not good for them to see children getting their way all the time. Respond for their good and for your children's good the best you can. As for what your children are receiving. Thankfulness is the only way to go. And just overlook all the foolishness. What is important is what this whole situation is doing in your hearts. You and your husband are now in the process of teaching your children how to respond to people who simply do not act as you would wish them to. Love, laugh it off...keep it in its proper perspective, when it is the right thing to do do not give into their ways.............Blessings.

Perhaps it will help you to not take for granted that the worse thing is for the state to be the guardian. God may have another family out there that will adopt and give this child excellent loving care. Instead go to God submitting the entire situation to him and allow him to truly lead you without the added pressure of thinking it will be a terrible thing if the state has the custody of the child. God knows the future. He has a plan. Submit yourself and trust him. You can use Phil 4:4-8 as a guide. Be sure there is peace in your heart and in your husband's heart if you do decide to adopt or foster the child. God bless you both.

Dear WhySoBlind, It is a little awesome to come in so late on this overwhelming discussion. But you are so obviously seeking and searching for wisdom. I want to share something so simple. We receive only by faith. You know that. Everything that God gives comes by faith, even wisdom and direction. You can ask for a thousand years but if there is no faith then no receiving. .... So. Begin to thank God. Thank Him for leading you. Thank him for speaking to you and breaking through to you. Thank him for giving you a sound mind that is able to think. Thank him for never leaving you or forsaking you. THank him for opening doors and giving you peace. For everything that you are asking thank him. He is right there just waiting for you to begin to receive. Thanksgiving is a token and expression of our receiving. And then thank him for thinking through you, for giving you his thoughts. You do not have to go by feelings. Just begin to live by faith. Simply trust him to break through to you. begin making decisions. Step by step you will gain peace and direction. Thank him tonight that you do not have to fear or fret or be anxious that He is your King leading your every foot step. And then make some foot steps. Read the Bible and as you read it tell God that you believe that is for you and thank him.........your entire outlook will change. Presently you are experiencing double mindedness. It will go away as you simply thank God for answering your prayers. I suggest that you do this for awhile and watch yourself change. I realize I could have quoted scripture. You have been critical of no scripture quotes. but you know the Word. And you know the scriptures concering thankfulness and faith....... Blessings.......and feel free to pm if you desire.

James tells us to confess our faults and we will be healed. So like the others I am taking for granted that you have already started down the road to complete deliverance from rage and anger. As stated by another poster seeking to forgive people in your past is one of your greatest steps to releasing anger. Also as we realize our need for people to forgive us for our sins then we are able to more easily forgive others. I have hurt people in the past many times over. This realization makes me desire to forgive others. In fact it is a joy to forgive when we consider our own need for forgiveness. Anger dissapates in the face of forgiveness. Also you are probably dealing with some demonic oppression. You can resist the evil one and he will depart from you. As you attempt to turn from anger say out loud to Satan that you are resisting him in the Name of Jesus and as you resist the anger and the oppression from the enemy he will flee. He must. According to the Word of God he must flee as you resist him by doing what is right and standing on the Word of God. And be thankful. Thank God on a continual basis for strengthening you and delivering you and coming through for you. ACCEPT the fact that you are a delivered man. Thank him that you are doing better on a consistent basis. As you move in faith and such thanksgiving is an indicator of faith you will go forward. Blessings.........many of us have been there and it is amazing what the LORD has done for us, in us, and through us. He is doing the same for you!

Hello again, I just want to say again that I understand PERFECTLY the scene that is being described here. I am glad for all those who have followed the LORD and his direction with few bumps in the road. But I have had so many bumps and detours along life's way that I sympathize and understand what is being asked in the original post and the post by Whysoblind. As Christians we have to move in faith and have peace ruling in our hearts. No matter what we are doing we have to lean with our whole personalities upon the LORD trusting in him with all our hearts REGARDLESS of what happens to look as if he is not leading and guiding. We must take the scriptures concerning leadership ...and there are many....and make them our own. We trust in God for ourselves. Every trial will test our faith and discipline our souls. It can be a hard walk. But God will never forsake us. He will break through to us. I remember when I was much younger I kept telling God that I trusted him to think through me. To give me his thoughts. That is how I began and it helped tremendously. When something stayed on my mind through a decent span of time I began to move on it. Then I continued on in that path as opportunity prevailed, praying and believing and step by step moving. My husband used to say that he wished God would give him a Neon Sign that blinked but you know how it is. It can be pretty dark down here. So we trust God and have faith in his goodness. HE will not lie or prove false to us. It is vital to not look back and say "I wished I had....". What a killer. And so hard not to do. But it is really the devil's door to depression and oppression and just lies that destroy. No. Just trust that every experience is going to work for you. And keep going on with Jesus. Also remember that you are a part of a society. When something happens in society is touches us. But GOD will make a way where there seems to be no way if you keep looking to him. My husband is in trucking. And there has been many troubles in that area. He lost his job 3 separate times........losing vacation, retirement, etc etc, It HURT. But always God came through with provision. And it was always GOD. TRUST him. There is so much I would like to say but overlong is not good. But be encouraged. Many have walked the road you are talking about. Many are on it today. Seek the LORD. He is faithful. I will be glad to pm with anyone who wants to talk further. I have walked the faith walk for more years than I want to say and there is nothing sure about it but the PERSON of GOD himself. It is an adventure fraught with peril if we lean unto our own understanding. God bless..........

Fasting is a form of humbleness. In some strange way if we fast even if we are fasting because we want something so we are attempting to receive through fasting, the fasting will be used by God to humble us. Fasting quickly reveals the weakness of the body and the soul. If we are wise we begin to realize our total need to rely upon God. But fasting cannot be used as a tool of manipulation. Although all people sooner or later in one way or the other try to manipulate and control God to get him to do what we want, it just does not work that way. Fasting, as prayer, changes us. It helps to brings us into the reality of who we are in Christ. Fasting empties us spiritually as well as physically! In that way we are possibly able to receive more of God and who He is. Fasting is a God ordained method of receiving more of the Lord and less of ourselves. Therefore we sometimes receive through fasting answers to prayer that we would not otherwise receive. Sometimes we receive power and anointing through fasting because we are emptied more of ourselves. Fasting must be done in faith and submission............

Such good advice from Salos. Hope all goes well for you as you do what is needed spiritually and physically. I truly believe that God will bless and help you as you do what is necessary. And certainly you do not need to accept the revealing of confidences. God bless and keep you.

All I have to say is that your situation sounds familiar.......very familiar. However I do know that peace is to reign in the heart. No peace.....don't move. I learned that one the very hard way so I know it well.

Sounds like a very distressing situation. Only going into the presence of the LORD is going to give you relief. May you find that following the instructions in Phil. 4:4-8 will be life giving. God is not going to turn his back on you. He knows your need in this hour. May you receive from Him that peace that passes all understanding. And may his wisdom break through to you. Oh, it is so stressful when these situations come into our lives. May you be encouraged as you see God turning it to your good. It is for sure that you needed to see the truth about these people in this church. Now you are no longer deceived concerning them. God bless and encourage you and strengthen you.

I am right down the road in Maiden.........May you be blessed. My husband was born in Shelby. May the LORD send REVIVAL to our area. We are in such need of the moving of the Holy Spirit.