2BNHisGlory

How very sad .

I agree... this kind of behavior concearns me toowhen I see it

Ditto, I was wondering the same thing?

See, Texas has a little bit of everything! (native Texan myself )

So shall we say that God does not manifest evil against his people, but channels evil for His glory?

Could you help me with a scripture reference here?

Thank you Redeamed, I think you bring a lot of wisdom to this topic.....certainly makes me want to go back and re-read the points you highlighted on.(Jesus said to Peter...) I believe this also .

I too have been taught to believe as you do, but recently I heard it put this way: "God singled Job out, thus brought satan's attention to him." Job1:6-8 ...Just curious what you all think of this?

I also struggled with depression and high doses of antidepressants before I came to Christ. I think you have every right to be concerned about this drug and should discuss that with your Dr.. Do what you think is best for you right now, but do not give up on God and His healing power. Dr's told my family I was a hopeless case and would not live(till 20-I'm much older now) due to chemical imbalances, childhood abuse, and (then) living in a dysfunctional family. GOD CAN help us to overcome any and all of these situations(and He did that for me). I still have a time now and then that is difficult, but it is NOTHING like the dark abyss I was in. Now it is simply daily struggles- and with Christ I can overcome.(no more medications ) You have a great scripture there at the bottom of your post, ask that the Lord would reveal more encouragement and peace through His word and His Spirit. I will be in prayer for you

Leonard, I wanted to say that, but being new wasn't sure how it would be recieved. I have always said: Set the law that a child under acertain age that was molested, and could be proven should be grounds for the death penalty. This would also insure that men were not taking for granted that a 13 year old was an 18 year old. I don't think the bulk of these people ever "reform" so what is prison when the sentances are short, and they are released back into the public with little or no notice to the nieghbors. Weare talking about lives they are destroying. I believe Jesus can help victems of this crime survive it, but you cannot undo what's been done.

O'Dannyboy, I agree with you, but I must admit LadyC also raises a point to be concearned with. Will they continue the same nature by other means? Does anyone know the stats for these people recovering from this type of behavior?

Good Morning Whitee! I know, I was in there all by my lonesome this morning .

...and we're not enough for you(snif-snif ) Just kidding Whitee .

Whitee!!!! Are you prosselizing(sp?) Just kidding

We did get a responce(lastnight) to an email that my husband sent to the youngest son. It just said: "I'm in Chicago". That really sounded kinda spooky, but hubby sent out another one and tried to give him other options of contacts. Don't know if that was him or his mom, but living one day at a time and believing on Christ. Even unbelieving Dr's have said they can't understand how SS is doing as well as he is. WE know God is watching over him and for what we have been through(hubby and I), we know He is also watching over us. Thanks for all your prayers and advice

Nice to meet you Brandli5. I appriciate your posts. I have to admit, many of the posts here are a little over my head, but I am seeing some things I hadn't noticed before- so what a Blessing!

Jamie, Our daughter is just three now, what were some of the challenges/ things you two faced with your son and his siblings? I know our daughter doesn't quite understand the boys having another mom that is not her mom too(she has called thier mom mom-mommy before ), but because they have only been here for the summers since she was born, we haven't gone into it too much with her yet. She knows they are her brothers, and she talks to them on the phone when they are not here. We are hoping to send my husband to where they are, because we believe the youngest son may not be able to travel this year with his medical condition; so may not have to try to explain too much this year either. Don't know when or how much to expect her to grasp the situation. As far as this particular topic goes, I guess I worry because right now she tries to apply everything to her world.(ie: if some one is sick, she says she is sick too...)

Hi Jamie, I guess we were posting at the same time. I will look into that book. I think your right- this is more about he and I, and how we approach things.

Lots of really good advice here for stepparents/mom's. There are so many out there that are just bumbling through, not sure of what is good advice or not. I was that way for most of our marriage, just doing the best I could and what I thought was right. The boys are several states away and we have rarely seen them the last few years;(various obsticals) so there hasn't really been too many issues as far as myself and them. Some of our problems as of late have been more along the lines of: *What is reasonable measures to reach out to the boys when thier mom doesn't want to let that happen.(DH feels like he should focus more on what he can do something about(DD and I). And with the boys being teens and not seeming to want much to do with him(this has been hard for him). *One of the boys has some serious medical issues. Whenever Dr's have expressed a concearn over thier mom's medical compliance, she dissapears.(this just happened again) I guess he feels like if the boys aren't going to be honest with him or try to stay in touch(they usually won't talk to him on the phone much), and they are pretty much old enough to decide or let thier desires be known- he shouldn't push too much. Because of the medical issues, my mommy instinct says do whatever is possible and nessassary to take care of at least that child. Sometimes I'm not sure if he has lost faith in his own ability to make a difference, that God will make the way, or if he has more faith in God than I do .It's just really confusing right now. I think a lot of these issues are borderline and we are just not sure what is the right way to respond. We will try to find the boys again, and I'm sure he will try to keep the lines of communication open, and we are going to seek counceling to better our parenting skills and hopefully get a better understanding of what expectations are reasonable. I hope I don't sound like the evil SM here, and I'm sure as a mom she has good qualities too. I don't really know this woman very well(mostly let her and my husband deal with thier issues), I know that just before she left my husband(people say) she became bitter and left the church. She doesn't usually seem to be on the level with us, but, my husband has always prayed that she not be lost; Wow, what better way to invest in his kids than to pray for thier mom. The Lord has also given me a burden of prayer for her(though sometimes it's hard ). Just wondered if anyone else has experienced any of these things? I do believe I am Blessed with a good man, and a beautiful daughter, and to be a part of my SS's lives.

I joined my first two forums a few months ago(this is my third). One of them is a pretty safe enviroment, but always on the fritz. (I just tried to post a word of encouragement and it went down in the middle of it ) The other one, has some good advice sometimes, but you never know what you'll find or someone will say. Since I joined this one, I have been trying to devour as much as possible here, and I really appriciate this board. Lots of wisdom and Word (with freedom to express ones self), well ran and works well, and would not be embarrassed or have to warn anyone I would want to refere. Thanks to everyone who makes Worthy what it is!

Thanks Jamie, We were able to talk a little more lastnight, and we both agreed that we want a christian perspective to help us work through some of these things. We don't hate each other or anything(quite the contrary), but there are a lot of stressors for both of us, and we are aware and willing to admit we may not have grown up with the best(or christian) coping resources. I think he tends to close up and I tend to try to fix everything- and we know this can't work forever. I also believe he is going through some situations and emotions(due to his ex's choices) that most people in our church(small with mostly older saints), and even I cannot identify with. I spoke to my Pastor recently and told him that I had heard:" Preachers should preach and councelors should councel." He said he pretty much agreed as far as personal matters were concearned. My husband and I agreed that we want to go and ask our Pastor for advice in finding a councelor or someone that can help. Perhaps give both accounts so he has a clearer understanding exactly where we need help. No doubt God brought us together and we do not want to divide what He has brought together, but better ourselves to one another, our children and in Christ. No doubt we are living in a world where divorce and blended families are more common(seeming more the norm) and if we don't know how to deal with these issues effectively, what help can we be to others or our children? Jamie, if you care to share the title of any of those books that might be helpful to us- I would be greatful . I don't want to "float" on grace, but BNHisGlory! Thank you Jesus!

So, the first answer is, always Believe God. He doesn't ask us to check our brains at the door when we come by faith to Him. But remember, It is impossible to please God without faith. Sometimes even scientists plays the Devil's advocate and tries to undermine christianity, but in due time God proves them wrong. Cain married a relative, more likely a distant cousin or niece. Abel married nobody, remember? he was dead because Cain slew him. Amen.

My husbands boys are teens now, and far away. His ex tends to disappear with the kids every now and then and they are starting to close up on thier father. Recently I feel like he's lacking in faith and hope(our Pastor feels this too). His ex seems to have dissapeared with the boys again and it's just a rough time. Like you said, I hope one day they will seek out thier own relationship with him.

Thanks tah, The Lord has kept us even during difficult times(surely we get stronger), but sometimes I wonder if there is a better way I could handle things. ~2BNHisGlory