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turtletwo

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Everything posted by turtletwo

  1. Hi again. Sure hope this turns out to be the right place to post this particular topic. I already posted under the doctrinal forum ( in order to bring my mom's specific spiritual situation and beliefs into this.) I also tried to start a "book discussion" under the general discussion forum. I know with a site as large as Worthy, we MUST have many readers of Christian books here. ( I'd be searching harder myself for the correct book, if I didn't have a physical disease which prevents it! I can only be on the computer for short times so that limits my googling.) That is why I am appealing to you guys and gals for advice. My mom is elderly and in a nursing home. She loves to read to help pass the time. I mail her Janette Oak books, mostly because someone gave me a whole box full. But as she draws nearer to eternity what she really needs now is the Gospel in a story form ( fiction or better yet, a true Conversion story ). A PAPERBACK that isn't too huge that explains the Gospel. Clearly, simply, yet still thoroughly... including the need for repentance.) My mom basically thinks "loving God" is enough, no matter what you believe doctrinally or what lifestyle you live. In other words, she thinks all roads lead to God. Christians know that the Bible says it's a narrow road and few there be that find it ( and of course that all "gods" are not the true ONE.) In other words, mom is a victim of the ecumenical movement (mush gospel ) Oprah Guru weirdish stuff. And I really feel God wants me to send her a book to help her understand the truth, according to God's Word...as to how to become a Christian. She has expressed concerns about her soul's final destiny. So any book ideas? ( If you want, you could read the other 2 posts I mentioned earlier for her dillema. Under doctrinal and general discussion. ) Please pray for mom's Salvation?
  2. Hi. I would like to start a discussion about Christian (story type) books. I am personally unable to read books myself (for health reasons), but my mom just loves the Janette Oak (fiction) books that I mail her at her nursing home. Praise God, I was given a whole box of them from somebody who got them from a church rummage sale. I first learned of this author through the "love comes softly" series, aired on the Hallmark channel. But even though God was a definite theme of these family- friendly movies, the Gospel wasn't as much addressed as mom needs. I hear Janette Oak's books are much more spiritual than the movies, yet I am searching for something stronger still. Something that is thorough...But not in a preachy, theological style of explaining the Gospel For that would only go over my mom's head. If it were a true Conversion story that took time to delve into these matters in a way which an elderly woman could grasp...THAT is what I am looking for. Tall order, I know. Easier said, than done. But my mom's soul is at stake and so this matters a lot to me. Any ideas? I'd be grateful. P.S. I gave the spiritual background on my mom and her confusion issues underneath the Doctrinal forum...simply because doctrine is so vital to anybody's Salvation! If the teachings are incomplete or false, so might the "conversion" be!! Which of course I don't want for mom...Anyone interested in helping me with this situation, could you please read my post under the doctrinal forum to give you some insight into mom's life? Thanks!
  3. In these sad spiritual days with apostasy swirling all around us, understanding and presenting the true Biblical Gospel is getting challenging. I have two elderly parents who "just don't get it," mostly due to improper and insufficient teaching about Salvation in their churches. My dad comes from a Catholic background where he was brainwashed that he must live the best he can to please God. Then hopefully in the end God will say "Your good outweighs the bad" and maybe let him into Heaven. Poor dad said to my daughter, "I think I've lived a pretty good life and would go to Heaven." But then after a troubled, telling pause he added, "At least I HOPE I don't go to Hell..." My mom comes from a Pentecostal background where the gifts of the Spirit often take center stage. Many there believing that IF they have spoke in tongues, they MUST therefore be a Christian. (The danger of putting the bigger emphasis on the gifts rather than on Conversion.) As a youth, I had witnessed my mom speak in tongues on several occasions, while being prayed over by persons surrounding her in the front of our Assembly of God church. But at home her lifestyle was very ungodly and didn't show the fruits (of really being Born Again. ) Recently, she said to me that she "hoped" she would go to Heaven. So just as with my dad, she has some uncertainty about her soul's final destiny too. She has said flippant comments like,"What does it matter if your dad is a Catholic and I am a protestant? What matters is loving God." This sounds nice. But doctrine IS very important! That is why I've posted this under the doctrinal forum. Correct theology and a yielded heart= (results in ) Salvation!! Right? But how do you help people realize this fact?? My mom has watched tv in the nursing home that is possibly messing with her head in recent times. That popular talk show garbage ( EX: Oprah ) where guests are mouthpieces for the devil...saying that there are many paths to God. A flat out lie, since Jesus stated "I am the Way. No man comes to the Father BUT BY ME." The new spiritualism is all around us...poisoning people's minds and confusing them. Even getting into many evangelical circles! I was floored when Billy Graham said to Robert Schueller that there will be those in Heaven who arrive there by differing paths but have come to God and served him by assorted names. When Scripture clearly states, "There is NO OTHER NAME under heaven by which we must be Saved" but that of Jesus Christ. Buddah, Krishna etc are not the same God...or even gods at all. We must call upon the saving Name of Jesus Christ. Such mass deception convinces me we are definitely near the rise of Anti-Christ. This, combined with the serious health problems of my parents and myself ( some potentially life threatening ) have caused me a sense of urgency to do anything I can to bring them to Christ while there is still time. But we are all 3 way too ill with diseases for any IN DEPTH witnessing. Up in years now, their mental understanding is on a simplistic level anyhow. And I'm withering away myself physically, which therefore clouds my mind and prevents elaborate gospel presentations. My mom, thank God loves to read. Both true stories or fiction. I mail her Janette Oak books. But lately I feel God leading me to buy her a simple PAPERBACK book that explains the Gospel in a BALANCED way. Not "Easy Believism" (the modern "watered-down gospel" that tickles ears)...which often actually produces counterfeit conversions! So this book Mom needs HAS to address the subjects of a real Hell and the need for repentance. But not in an over-the-top dramatically scary way (since she is in elderly and frail. ) The book must include God's Grace and Eternal Life being a free gift recieved by faith by putting your trust in Christ as Lord. I am having such a hard time finding such a book ( especially not as a sermonish preaching theology style, but in a short story form ) that covers ALL the necessary elements of how to become a Christian! And searching online is so tough for me with my visual problems, related to my Dystonia. And what of my dad, who can't seem to ever get past his childhood Catholic ideas of "good-working his way to Heaven?" Sadly, he is not one who will read a book. Even the Bible... Is there any tract ( large print ) or any ideas on how to help him understand GOD'S GRACE, HIS SUBSTITUTION FOR US ON THE CROSS, OUR GRATITUDE FOR THIS AND THE NATURAL REPENTANCE THAT SHOULD FOLLOW OUR SEEING OUR WRETCHEDNESS? Like the man in Jesus' parable who beat his breasts in the Bible and cried out, "God be Merciful to me a sinner!" My dad has trouble confessing he is a sinner. I think that is what blocks his Salvation. ( Along with being told by the nuns and priests that he can never know for SURE if he will go to Heaven.) Surely someone out there knows of a good paperback story form book to help my mom see the Gospel. And are there any ex- Catholics that can give me tips for helping dad?...Thanks.
  4. I learned recently of a day on the Hebrew calendar called the 9th of Av. Supposedly, this is a day that many bad events of strong significance have befallen the Jews through the centuries. Is this historically true? And if so, is there any reason why this date in particular? Is today or tomorrow when it arrives in 2009? Sorry to bombard you with these three questions. But I thought I read somebody post about watching the news and paying particular attention to what occurs with Israel on the 9th of Av. Accidentally stumbling across that remark is how I got curious as to if there is really any validity to this date bringing bad happenings. ( Or if it is mere coincidence?) I do believe certain numbers have special importance to the Lord. But this is new to me. Any answers or opinions out there?
  5. Maranatha! Can't wait till He returns! That was one reason I started the topic. Eager to be with my Messiah. The sooner the better. And hoping this increase in Jews recieving Him as their Messiah was one more sign of His imminent return. I really love the Name Yeshua. I find prophecy fascinating, although complicated at times. Thanks for all who have participated in this forum subject so far. I do hope this isn't the end of your interesting inputs and Scriptures pertaining to the topic? (Haven't seen an entry since the 14th.) By the way, I'm wondering is that was is meant by a "dead thread"? How long before it is considered dead and who makes the determination? Really thought that was a cute and clever emoticon and couldn't resist using it. Not sure if I'm the first to?... What is the difference between posting a topic and "starting a thread"? And what exactly is the meaning of "thread?" ( besides the kind you use with a needle, that is. LOL. ) Bear with me. I'm such a dum-dum on computer slang, etc! Anyway, I hope this topic will stay alive...
  6. Thanks Dave. The Romans 11:15 one I had never even noticed before. Very interesting... As for the Ezek passage I have always heard it taught that this was fulfilled after the horrors of the Holocaust and the scattered Jews finally returning to their homeland, Israel. That this was what it meant by the dry bones arising. But are you saying that by God putting His Spirit in them means that the entire nation will recieve Yeshua? Is this the Millenium then? Excuse me for being a bit dense. I love prophecy, but it can be rather deep and confusing at times. At what point in the prophetic timetable will the vast army come to know Him? Or is Scripture silent on the specifics?
  7. Thanks Yod for trying to clarify my intent. Yod is correct. I don't know how my topic ended up going in this direction. And to be honest... this new debate is going over my head. ( I have a chronic neurological illness which unfortunately affects how deeply I can grasp things anymore. ) So simplicity is always very appreciated. Could we possibly just stick to my actual question? Which was simply if the increasing number of Jewish people recieving Yeshua as their Messiah today was foretold in Scripture as a sign of His Second Coming. I was hoping that someone could share Old Testament Scriptures pertaining specifically to that. To those of you who sought to help me, thanks. To those of you who sought to use my topic as a springing board for a new topic...I wish you would just have posted that as your own new topic. But it's okay. No hard feelings. I am just a lady with a painful and disabling disease ( no cure ) who eagerly awaits the return of Yeshua, my Messiah. I look for signs to bring me hope that perhaps it shall be soon. And I believe Messianic Jews know the Old Testament prophecies in a unique way that many Gentiles don't. So I was appealing to their knowledge of the Old Testament prophetic Scriptures...Thanks everyone.
  8. Oops. I think I goofed because this topic should have been posted under the prophecy forum. I apologize for stupidly posting it here. I don't actually think it fits under controversial. So if anyone who has the means of moving the topic over to prophecy wants to, feel free. ( I can be such a nincompoop (sp?)sometimes! Sorry to anyone I offended by placing it under the wrong forum...I mess up a lot. I am what I'd call a computer dum dum.) I respect Messianic Jews so much and find end time events fascinating... God bless.
  9. I have a deep affection for Messianic Jews. I even feel a particularly strong connection to them. I know this may be strictly spiritual. Afterall, Yeshua was Jewish. ( But my dad never knew his father. His mom had not married his father and they parted ways before his birth. Thus, I have no clue of my dad's full ethnic heritage. So there are times I feel I may possibly actually have Jewish blood in me. I've been told I physically look like I am Jewish. I notice it myself. And I wonder...) But here is my question. It seems there are many Messianic Jews at this time in history. Could this be a sign that Yeshua will return soon? Does Scripture prophecy of such an event preceding His Second Coming? All thoughts on this are welcome. But I would especially enjoy hearing the input of the Messianic Jews out there...I eagerly await your replies to my topic posting on this forum. ( P.S. Also- You, and of course any brothers/sisters who wish to pm me are welcome to. But I am itching to meet some Messianic Jews because I never have throughout my lifetime ...)
  10. Thanks for bringing this touching article to our attention!
  11. Thanks for this poem. Very touching! And so true. Children don't stay children long these days... Enjoy them in their tender, loving stage while you can. Their little works of art grow more priceless with time, as do those special memories...And they are only small once! By the way, has anyone seen Steven Curtis Chapman's excellent video " Cinderella? " It relays this message very well. It is about the bond between a father and his daughter. He wants to enjoy every moment with her before she grows up, goes off and marries. It is sweet. Well, thanks again for the nice poem!
  12. I agree with Bolts 100% about the dangers of the prosperity teachings! But I think even after Job lost all his wealth he said " The Lord it is who gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the Name of the Lord." And " Naked came I from my womb. And naked shall I return whence I came." I am trying to go off memory here, as I don't have good vision to read a Bible in print anymore. So I hope I got that straight! (I only have audio Bible on CD for the NEW testament. Which would exclude the book of Job, of course) Anyway, it seems that I also remember Satan saying to God something like, "Touch a man in his body and he will curse You to Your face." So I think Job eventually got upset with God after he kept suffering with those awful boils he got all over him. I learned from personal experience that you can endure many a hardship. But when it affects your own body, you go crazy from the pain after awhile. You start thinking bad thoughts you never dreamed you were capable of. Even doubting God's Love for you and wondering if you are really saved!! Chronic illness and severe pain can do awful things to your mind. They can turn your world upside down! I am still struggling with this confusion. But I am trying not to let it destroy my faith. Sorry to get long winded on this, but it is a book of the Bible that is near and dear to my heart. Because of my nearly two year brain disease ( and the crippling of my legs plus bad weakening of my hands. ) Though I don't claim to have suffered as much as Job did, he's a guy I sorta relate to...
  13. Thanks everyone for your input. It was helpful. I think God is telling me to hold off on telling her the cd is bad until the proper time. Right now it would only add to her severe depression and she would view it as me rejecting her act of love towards me! How would that help her spiritually? She has been hurt by too many people and needs love very much. It is hard for her to reach out and trust anybody. So whenever she does anything kind for me, I really treasure it. It would be a bit like spitting in her face to say that I destroyed her gift. " The natural man recieveth not the things of God" scripture came into my mind today. In other words, she just would not understand where I was coming from. I believe God is telling me to wait and see if this confrontation is even necessary. Afterall, I'm sure she just thought it was a cd to help me sleep and never suspected occult ties. Some of these people selling stuff out there are so sneaky! If she approaches me on if I liked the cd, however...then I will definitely tell her the truth about it. In a balanced way. But since she really believes it was strictly a "medical" cd, why upset her for nothing? I feel peace that this is the right decision. I may have been pushing the panic button to assume she harbors occult stuff in her house. Just pray she doesn't, okay? I do feel God still wants me to warn her about " A Course In Miracles " being occultish, though since Oprah is starting that in March. So many folks are Oprah fans and she may be too. I have decided to write her a new letter, putting that warning in there briefly. Good thing I didn't yet mail the other one! I think God wants the new letter to emphasize how much I'm thinking about her and that I'm sorry for all the hard times she is going through. I haven't seen my daughter in over a year. With my disease, I am unable to travel that far. And she went through bankrupcy, so has no car to get to me. I even had to miss my little grandson's birthday party for the first time last year! It is sad. Please pray for our disconnected family. And that the encouragement card I send my daughter will cheer her up and bring us closer. I would love for her to see the Love of God through me! Thanks again for the advice and prayers.
  14. I am struggling with a dillema. The details are in my Feb 11 post, under Looking for advice and I just postedupdated details under prayer requests today. ( If you want to read more in those. )Basically, is it okay to use harsh wording in the case of something as serious as the occult? I have an emotionally fragile daughter whose gift to me required destroying, because it involved a psychic hypnotist. I wrote a letter telling her as gently as I could, since this was done in ignorance by her. But I did feel that the word destroyed was vital in my letter, so she would know how bad the occult really is (and hopefully get rid of any risky junk in her own house.) As her mom, I wish I'd taught her years ago about occult dangers. But I think it's better late than never, right? And I have to stand up for Jesus by standing against evil...even if it saddens an already extremely depressed person I dearly love. Still, I'm scared for her mental state. Couldn't all this do damage to a bi-polar person and, worse yet drive her further from God? Sure don't want that! I sure hope to generate a discussion on this because I feel God wants me to mail her a letter soon. ( Either this one I worked on yesterday or else revise it.) It seems like walking a tightrope to expose anything demonic with an unstable person whose spirit you don't want to crush!
  15. I have wondered where the US fits into end time prophecy. Will we exist during the 7 years? Or is it possible there will be some sort of "World War 3" before the 7 years begin, that will nuke us right out of existance? I've heard various nations are mentioned in the prophecies such as Russia, China, etc. Any thoughts on where America is at in the picture? The Bible seems silent on the subject, so perhaps we are gone. Or maybe there are some verses I am unaware of.
  16. Hi. I hope I am posting this under the correct topic. If not, please move me. My daughter sent me a cd for my birthday that is hypnosis to put you into a deep sleep. At first, I had no idea it was that! It was real deceptive. It said brainwave technology on the cover. And it is under a website called scienceofchange.org. So I figured it was just medical. My brain disease causes me spasms even throughout my sleep and much trouble falling off to sleep. ( I was actually hinting for a cd of ocean waves, seagulls, rain sound effects...something soothing like that. But she somehow misunderstood what I was wanting.) Anyway, I told my daughter of my chronic insomnia and she searched the web to find me something to help. It was simply an act of love! She thought this was some cool new medical techique involving the brain, since I do have a brain disease. She does not much know about the occult or the new age movement or the dangers of hypnosis. I put the cd on. Immediately I got the creeps. Just by the sound of the man's voice, which was eerie. I sensed in my spirit something was very wrong and God telling me to stop that cd right away. This Christopher Love guy started counting backwards. Then I realized he was doing hypnosis and quickly shut off the cd player... by the time he'd counted to 8. I went to this scienceofchange.org and discovered connections to Buddhism! I did a bit more research to find that Christopher Love is clairvoyant! Obviously, I want no part of this and renounced it in the Name of Jesus Christ. I want to dispose of the cd. Any suggestions of how to, so nobody retrieves it from the trash? Here is the hardest part... How do I explain that this man is of the devil and why? I have to do this very gently. Her feelings hurt so easily. And I was really touched that my daughter tried so hard to do a good thing to help my sickness! How unfortunate she had to come across this particular cd on the internet! I know she will soon ask how I like the cd and if it helped me sleep better. So I want to get a letter off to her quickly before she puts me on the spot on the phone. I am too physically ill to send her extensive research of the occult and how it is against God. How can I do this easy to understand? Any good links you know of? My biggest fear is that she herself will get mixed up with the whole psychic/hypnosis thing through this man's merchandise! Can someone give me advice on how to expose this guy so she'll understand the seriousness and the dangers? Has anyone out there researched him and his works? I would appreciate any strong info on Christopher Love in particular and tips on how to protect my daughter from the occult in general. She doesn't quite get it ...as to why psychics are bad. She used to watch that Johnathan Edwards on tv years ago. I warned her not to. I know some are fakes, but it isn't worth ever risking. And it opens up a fascination to the occult. But every time I tried to explain (even back then before my brain disease and the spasms that limit my speech) she seemed to see this as just innocent, interesting stuff. Please advise me how to kindly, but firmly convey what the occult is and why I must trash the cd she gave me! And pray God will open her eyes, spiritually. Hopefully without making her feel sad! Thanks for reading this long post. God bless, Turtletwo
  17. Somebody asked about good Christian writers yesterday. That got me to thinking about Christian audiobooks. I have vision problems related to my disease. This prevents me from reading much more than this forum in small bits and pieces. Sadly, I can't even really read the Bible much anymore! Does anyone know where I could download Christian audiobooks or the Bible for free, or at a reasonable price? I am low income, so that limits me somewhat. Also, does anyone know of a legal site where I can download Christian music? Say, by lesser known artists who are happy to share their music for free to get it out there? (So people can learn of them.) Any help would be appreciated. Turtletwo
  18. Christmas is coming quickly, as you all know. I'm sure that many of you have probably heard the expression "Jesus is the reason for the season." It's so true! I can feel God's Holy Spirit grieving over how glibly we treat the greatest gift of all time...Jesus Christ! God loved us unworthy humans SO much that He parted with His only begotten Son for a time, just for us! He actually allowed Him to be rejected, tortured and nailed to a cross. But thank God, Jesus arose and waits for us in Heaven. Now He wants to have a personal relationship with each one of us! All He asks is that we turn from our sins and ask Him into our lives...accepting the Sacrifice He lovingly did on our behalves. We can never save ourselves no matter how good we try to be. Because only Jesus Christ was perfect. God Himself chose to do the job that we could never do...dying as the sinless One! Such awesome Love! These days when December 25th is so commercialized, we need to lose some of the trimmings and get back to the heart of the matter. My intent in writing this poem is to put Christ back into Christmas. I hope in some small way it helps. CHRISTMAS Christmas comes but once a year. And now that day will soon be here. Excitement fills the wintry air. The shoppers scurry here and there. The lights are twinkling merrily. The ornaments are on the tree. Bright packages are wrapped below, While children frolic in the snow. Such magic sights are all about, But have we left the Savior out? He left His Heaven for our earth! He chose to come by humble birth. God took on flesh and bones so He Could one day die for you and me! He paid our penalty for sin so someday we could enter in To His own Home way up above, To worship Him and share His Love. He asks of us to yield our heart. He'll make it new and not depart. And if our lives to Him we'll give, Eternally with Him we'll live. He paid the dearest Sacrifice... His precious Blood, the awful price! Yet we don't thank Him as we ought. We barely give to Him one thought! Instead of hearts of reverent prayer, We lose sight of the meaning there. It's sad our fun and festive days Distract us from His much due praise. For without Christ there would not be A Christmas day for you and me!
  19. Very interesting! I love the stories behind the Christmas carols. Thanks for taking the time to share it with us.
  20. Very scary stuff but I'm glad you shared it straight from the koran. Thanks. People need to know the truth.
  21. I know how this feels! Thanks for sharing the lyrics. I am very depressed lately and I could relate. Pray for me, Okay? And may the Lord bless you.
  22. Oak, I have some of those same things that you listed plus different disease symptoms. I know how hard it is. I'm praying for you. Pray for me and my son. We are still doing real bad and needing Jesus to heal us.
  23. Thanks to all those praying for me and my family. Please keep them coming! Also for trying to give helpful advice. On the book suggestions, only thing is I have visual problems. I can not read for longer than a letter. But any audio books or sermons on cd suggestions would be much appreciated. Blessings to the body of Christ that's out there!
  24. Thanks Shanee. That means a lot. Newest thing is I have an injury of my right hand and wrist. Very painful and disabling. One of my children has total numbness in the left arm! Your prayers will be a real help. God bless.
  25. Thanks Shanee. That means a lot. Newest thing is I have an injury of my right hand and wrist. Very painful and disabling. One of my children has total numbness in the left arm! Your prayers will be a real help. God bless.
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