turtletwo

The scriptures being combined with the colors and the Members of the Trinity were a simple way to explain this. Most helpful. Thanks for sharing this, Steve.

I agree with man and MorningGlory about the "reputation" thing. To traveller: to answer your question, I'm really sorry. But I, for one have very little figured out yet. I told you guys I am quite computer/forum illiterate.

First, Shalom and thanks for all of your hard work. Secondly, I am truly sorry to be so incompetent with understanding forums. But what is the members map? Where can I find it? And how do I go about adding myself to it? I have been recieving notifications about various members adding themselves. I assume perhaps I should as well. I am confused on whether this is necessary to fully function on this site. What are the advantages and disadvantages? Wish I didn't have so many questions.

Does anyone know what the purpose of the vote up and vote down buttons are? I don't see any by my name. I assume that is so I won't vote for myself. Out of curiousity, do those vote buttons appear with my posts to any of you out there when you guys look at my posts? Does anyone know what those vote buttons accomplish, in a practical sense? Because they could make some people feel bad about themselves, while others might get prideful. So either way...that might not be constructive? Just an observation. Not trying to be critical. Perhaps there already was a version of it back on the old Worthy forums, but I never even noticed due to me being sick and computer-dumb. It just feels sort of like a "popularity contest" or something. Or is that what all forums do? I am ignorant of so much forum stuff...And you all know I'm insecure by know. No big secret. Wah! I'm taking my "blanky" with me and sulking awhile. LOL. Just kidding. I wish I could take things in stride like MG. It is good you can laugh at stuff, girl! ... Maybe someday I'll get better at that too. But I still can't believe someone said that about you, MG! Now if they had seen a photo of me. Yikes! Then they'd have a reason to say something rude...being my face is all distorted now. To refugepsa91, Thanks for fixing things. If I have future questions though, who do I ask? I notice lots of red x marks to the left of certain PMs (from the past) in my storage box. I'm wondering why. Has anyone else noticed this with theirs?

I have been navigating around since the update and just noticed I am the only one who doesn't have an add as friend symbol. Why is that? Is this intentional? If there were complaints about me, wouldn't normal protocol for a moderator or someone who is in authority to confront me. If they felt I was doing anything inappropriate, I mean?

Praying for you and wondering how you are feeling today, Jane. Just thought maybe you could use a hug and wanted you to know I am thinking of you. Many here care about you and are holding you up in prayer. Glad that it helps. Your sister in Christ, turtletwo

Perhaps not. But it is a beginning. Many here respect Charles Stanley. Few modern preachers were taking the spiritual condition of our country serious enough to speak out about it. And he had the courage to step up to the plate. One of the members here was kind enough to share his article with us all. The '140 days' was his idea, not mine. And nothing says we have to stop going at 140. In fact, I'm sure Charles Stanley would agree with that. To those of you were gracious in saying this was a good thread, God bless you for your kindness. I am glad that I was able to contribute something positive.

I have grappled with this question much myself. I think what happens is that family members begin to take you for granted. They know you have a long history of being nice to them and so they then 'take advantage of' that. They figure they can always count on your kindness and so they often milk you dry. Till you're drained and exhausted emotionally. This has been my experience. You are right. It can hurt really bad! I go to God in prayer and cry. For He has the Tenderness that sinful human beings tend to lack, in many cases. How to handle it with them, though is tough. Jesus said we are to turn the other cheek and even love our enemies! I find that these are some of the very hardest commands to obey. So I pray God will help me forgive them and try to respond as politely as possible, even when they make a mean remark. But if it gets to the place where you are feeling too trampled on and sad, maybe keeping your distance from them for awhile might help. I have done this with various family members. And it does help if you can give yourself a mini vacation and take a breather from them.

I thought that it might be nice if we shared with one another what significance this day has to us. To me, it is a time of reflection. I think back to the Puritans and Pilgrims who bravely decided that the Church of England had no right to dictate to them on how to worship the Lord. It took devotion to Him to leave the familiarity of their homeland and set out on the ocean into the vast unknown. They risked illness, freezing, starving and death. These are the Christians who founded the U.S.A. To me, the 4th of July is a time to be grateful to the Lord for our freedom of religion. We have been spared the martyrdom that so many of our dear brothers and sisters around the world have faced. Sadly, due to many Americans just taking this for granted, turning away from the Lord and loving wickedness...we could one day lose this priceless gift. I pray not. I think that Charles Stanley's call to humble ourselves, pray and repent for 140 days is an excellent idea and desperately needed. To me and all those of us who are Christians, the truest freedom of all is that which came to us when we exchanged our lost condition for His Righteousness. That's when chains of bondage to sin were broken and the freedom only Christ can give came to us. "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32

Thanks for sharing this from Charles Stanley. Let's just hope that it's not too late for us! Count me in on the 140 days, too. The scripture verse comes to mind, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14 ( Note: I put the slanting of the words in to show just how important humbling and repentance are to the Lord. Imo, it is our nation's ONLY hope now...)

"Are you ready?" and "I'm accepted" are other classic songs. And I absolutely love the sold-out lyrics of "casual Christian"! I remember their beginnings. One of my first cassettes by them had a song called 'long distance runner." I also was blessed by Dana Key's solo music, later. Eric Clapton lost his little son in a tragic accident & wrote a song about it called, "Tears in Heaven." In a loving response to this, Dana wrote Eric a song called,"Dear Mr Clapton." ( If you have never heard it, I would highly recommend it. I thought it was so touching and powerful. )

Amen, wyguy. I would suspect the same thing, in such situations... Sadly, there are many false conversions happening these days because of "easy believism", which puts far too much stock in saying a simplistic, quickie ( so-called ) "sinner's prayer" and even leaves repentance out of many gospel presentations! Yet there are so MANY scriptures in the Word on repenting, that it is clear God wanted us to know the necessity of it in getting saved. True faith will result in true repentance and a true conversion...( meaning your lifestyle will be truly transformed. Changed by the power of God.) It is a complete package! Repentance is both a spiritual 'change of mind' and 'change of direction.' When we come to realize that we are sinners and feel guilty (the conviction of the Holy Spirit), we will ask forgiveness for our sins that nailed Christ to the cross. We'll be sorry for that and so we will desire to change... With God drawing us to Himself, we will turn and walk in a whole new direction. Jesus said it will make us into brand new people! In John 3, Jesus described it as being "Born Again", because it is so radical of a difference in ones' life. 2 Corinthians 5:17 confirms this: "If any man is a Christian, he's a new creation: old things are passed away; all things become new. Here are just a couple scriptures that stress the need to repent! Acts 3:19 says, "Repent and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out"... 2 Corinthians 7:10 "For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world works death." And repentance, in turn produces good works. Jesus explained in Matthew 7: 17-21 that we can even tell who is a real Christian by this indicator. 17 Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bring forth good fruit is chopped down, and cast into the fire. 20 So by their fruits you shall know them. 21 Not every one that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. I know there are wonderful scriptures that are comforting in which the word 'repent' is not used. Such as Ephesians 2:8-9 8 For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. And Salvation is a free gift... Yet NOT a CHEAP one. For Christ had to pay for it with His very Own Blood. This should make us so thankful, that we would naturally respond by an attitude of repentance and want to willingly serve Him for the rest of our lives. And the sign that we are saved or the outgrowth from that repentance results in good works. Some people mistakenly think that it is our good works that get us into Heaven. Like we can somehow EARN our way there. But that is getting the cart before the horse! It is just the opposite. God saves us after we come to Him in faith and sorrow for our sins, repenting. Then HE enables us to live the way He wants us to. The people who are so eager to quote Ephesians 2:8-9 as proof that we just need faith and don't need to repent, seldom quote the very next verse that follows this passage: Ephesians 2:10 "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them. So repentance (and good works being a consequence of repenting) are very biblical. James 2:17-26 says: 17 Even so faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yes, a man may say, You have faith, and I have works: show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith BY my works. 19 You believe that there is one God; you do well: but the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But will you know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 See how faith combined with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which said, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 You see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. This explains that if a person is genuinely converted, they will automatically long to REPENT of their sinful ways and live from that point forward to please Christ. I think scriptures must be taken as a whole package. The harsher ones, along with the ones we all feel at ease about. They can not be isolated. If we pull a favorite verse out that appeals to us and stake our souls on it, that is dangerous. ( We must not ignore the rest of the scriptures, because then that is not "rightly dividing the word of truth." Which is what the scripture commands us to do.) Those verses pertaining to repentance simply would not be in there, if they were irrelevant. Faith and repentance definitely go together. For how can you not be moved to repentance when you think upon the horrors of what Jesus suffered for our individual sins? That should drive us to a sense of shame and wanting to fully commit our lives to Him. Well, I hope I didn't overwhelm you with too long of an answer. But taking the Bible as a whole is key to the true gospel. Much like putting together a puzzle will be a mess if pieces of it are left out. Anyway, I hope I was of help to you. And I thank you for posting a very good question.

Praise God!

The Lord has made a special covenant with Israel. He is faithful and can not lie. He was very gracious to graft in the Gentiles too. I praise Him for all the Jews and Gentiles He is uniting who have recieved Yeshua as Messiah.

Fez, Thanks for your kind post. You are right that God is Merciful and realizes my dad can't get baptized! Not to mention, he is not in his clearest state of mind anymore. You know, the whole Alzheimer thing (dementia) is really making life difficult for him in comprehending things. That most recent post was even too complicated for me, being a generation younger than my dad. I can't fully grasp all of those things being explained by MannaMInistry. Although I must say there do seem to be a lot of scriptures being given ( to back up the beliefs.) But unless a person has normal health, indepth Bible studies just aren't possible. I have to take things slow. Because I am so physically ill myself and unable to read for long, I can't exactly look up all those verses online! It is overload on my brain. Obviously, they don't know me and therefore have no idea how sick dad and I both are and the limitations that go with that... He is undergoing chemo and I have been fighting this disease for several years straight now. Lately, my # 1 priority has obviously become my dad having a late stage cancer. We are both very weak. Believe me, I don't mean to sound ungrateful to Manna for trying to help me understand. It was a lot of typing and effort. It's just that so much of it went over my head that I'm have mindfog now and a strong headache coming on too. I couldn't even complete reading it all. So I guess I will just go lay down awhile. I only got 2 hours or so of sleep all night. Major insomnia lately! Please, brothers and sisters...just pray the Lord works with the seeds of His Word I planted and that they will not come back void. He could even send another Christian down my dad's path who has the health and energy I so lack. And of course has himself scripturally grounded...with the sound doctrine to explain the true gospel. And fix anything I maybe blotched. I really tried! Anyway, thanks for everyone's prayers for my family and I...spirit, soul and body. We are all really quite a mess at present and desperately need the Lord's intervention! Also, is anyone here at Worthy familiar with the site MannaMInistry is trying to link me to? I am not feeling well enough to go there myself. But I'm curious if anybody knows of this site or would mind checking it out for me?

Hmmm. That is a thought provoking scripture in Acts 2:38.... Because it does say to repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall recieve the gift of the Holy Ghost... So does anyone care to take a stab at this? I am really a bit perplexed by that last post. Because does "the remission of sins" not mean the same thing as Salvation? And why is baptism clumped together with repenting? I believe repentance to be a change of mind and direction, the thawing of a heart that is either icy or indifferent to God by yielding to Him. As well as a fervent desire to live the rest of your days for Him, instead of your selfish self. It's a surrender and commitment...somewhat like accepting a wedding proposal and then 'fusing together into a oneness (like marriage) with Christ' ... in that wonderful moment. He is the Bridegroom. His church the Bride. ( But I know the scripture also speaks of the Holy Spirit living within.) Repentance is mentioned a lot in God's Word. But is left out of some sinner's prayers today! I made sure this didn't happen, though (when I explained the gospel in the letter to dad and also in the prayer with him over the phone.) Afterall, that was part of the problem. My dad being such a nice guy, he just didn't understand or view himself that way. Thinks of sinners as rapists, etc. I don't mean to get hung up on terms, as I know in the end it is the state of your heart that God looks upon. But I am just not fond of the term "accepting" Christ... because it almost makes it sound like we are doing HIM some sort of a favor. Like, "Hey God. I actually accept you! Isn't that so generous of me?" When it is really the other way around, of course.I don't mean that as critical. I do realize that people are actually meaning that they have decided to invite Jesus in. Even "finding" Him seems sort of backwards. In reality, He finds us...He draws us to Himself. Repentance is a word today that the "average ( secular) Joe" isn't even familiar with. But I believe it's where you must each recognize that you are a sinner, lost and bound for Hell (until you recieve Christ's Sacrifice and turn away from being the master of your own life to letting Him sit on the throne of your heart. Confessing your selfishness and personally asking Jesus to become your Lord & Savior. Grace is recieving the free gift of eternal life and becoming a new creation in Christ. While repentance is our response of being convicted that each one of us personally played a role in nailing Him to that cross. But Jesus does the saving! I also don't understand the "gift of the Holy Spirit" part in Acts 2:38. Does that mean what I always believed as being the instant indwelling of the Holy Spirit ( which all Christians have at the moment of becoming born again? ) Or does the "gift" of the Holy Ghost mean not the actual Person of the Holy Spirit? Is it something entirely different? Is "gift' a key word? But if so, how is He... a Person, described as a gift? I also don't quite know what to do with the "water" part? Is it really referring to all people must be water baptized to become Christians? Because now I am even more confused...I'm trying to help my dad with advanced cancer get saved. So I don't want to start questioning my own Salvation...Now, of all times! For the record, I've done all three (repenting, water immersion baptism & speaking in tongues...in my times alone with God in prayer. But they did not come together all as one event, as some might interpret this verse! But they were separated by time periods. What troubles me the most is that my dad (in his medical condition) is physically unable to be water baptized! And are we even sure this 'baptism' mentioned is one of water? Also, isn't adding baptism on to repentance like adding good works as requirements to get to Heaven? Christ's Atonement was well summed up by the very words He uttered, "It is finished." I sure hope there will be further discussion of all this, now that it has been brought up! I have always staked my soul on the scripture about how we humans are "saved by grace, through faith. Not of works (isn't baptism a sort of work?) lest any man should boast"... This did get somewhat offtrack from my original post question, in one sense. But in another, it ties in now (as I myself am disturbed spiritually now after my confusion over Acts 2:38 and some of the other points that the last replier to this topic made!...) I just want to make sure I am explaining things correctly to dad and anyone I witness to. I want total peace over my own Salvation too. For example: I was not personally baptized strictly in the Name of Jesus, but rather in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Isn't that scriptural? It was a water baptism (immersion) in an Assembly of God, about a year or less after my Salvation. Please don't let this thread go dead though, okay? As to the first topic... Because I still am concerned about my leading dad in a sinner's prayer. But if you wish to weigh in on the new questions triggered by my confusion over Acts 2:38, that would be a bonus. By the way, thanks for everyone's caring input so far. God bless you all. P.S. Sorry I have so many questions in this post. And it's length! For those of you who read it all the way through, you are patient indeed. ( Well, if it makes you feel any better, it took me forever to type this two fingered...I am like that poky little puppy in the kid's book. )

I hope nobody finds this question offensive, trivial or a mere technicality. ( But I have an important personal reason for bringing it up. I'll explain later.) I have some misgivings about this method. I think that it is a poor substitute for someone coming to Christ on a personal basis ( and giving their life to Him that way.) For example, in the privacy of their own home. One on one with God. Because when someone is put on-the-spot by a well-meaning-Christian ( eager to see them Saved), sometimes this can cause the person to be pressured into 'praying the prayer' (simply to please the Christian.) And the most serious thing about this... is that it can result in false converts. My elderly dad has advanced cancer in his liver. He started chemo Monday. He has both his age and some serious health problems as strikes against him. Despite this, I believe God can do a miracle and prolong his life. And that all of our prayers for him can play a part in this... I wrote him a letter, explaining the gospel simply as I could. Included a short sinner's prayer in it, only because I thought he might need this extra help, in his mental condition. But my dad's caretaker insisted that he is just not capable of praying alone to get saved. ( Due to him having dementia...without outside help. That the letter "wasn't enough" & "wasn't cutting it." She persisted,"He'll never be able to pray to get saved otherwise". ) That troubled me, of course. I asked myself, "What if she's right? And perhaps God really was prompting me! She believed I should be the person to handle this, via phone. So (although hesitant to do so), I called my dad the day before his first chemo treatment. I asked him if it would be okay if I prayed for him. Then I explained I'd be saying the words and asked if he'd silently agree along with me. To my surprise, he said that would be fine. So I nervously did so. Dad didn't say anything about it afterwards, so I didn't know what to think. Couldn't read his mind, but how I hope and pray he still became a Christian! ( even if leading one in praying the sinner's prayer is not the Scriptural way and dad couldn't do the "repeat after me" thing.) So what do you all think?... Is the 'sinner's prayer' biblical? If so, please share scripture verses. And if it's not biblical, can people still get genuinely saved with a 3rd person's involvement? ( In other words, not just you praying to God on your own to become a Christian.) Your input would be appreciated. Sorry this is so lengthy. But I am concerned, wanting to hear if other believers think that I did the right thing with my dad... Because forever is a long time!

i read one time that in the old days, people thought of a sneeze as a mini-death, because you momentarily stop breathing or something... and that when the sneeze was finished and you were breathing again, that's why people said God bless you. other accounts of the phrase's origins are that sneezing was an early symptom of bubonic plague, which killed thousands of people in the 1800s. it wasn't meant vainly, it was meant in total sincerity. Regarding the quoted paragraph above...Thanks LadyC. I had never heard the history about the sneezing. Interesting info. I definitely think oh my God or OMG are forms of taking His Name in vain... Just because it is so prevalant today people do it without really stopping to think, I guess. But that still doesn't make it okay. I mean, just because it is popular and the world is constantly doing it. I believe a holy and majestic God deserves our reverence. Including respecting His Name.

Good topic, sunnier! Well said, Ovedya. You called it like it is. Actually, to those not too familiar with this movement, it may seem like sheer stupidity on the surface. But countless people are decieved by the prosperity gospel! Most shamefully, senior citizens and other desperate persons who are too feeble to know better. Meanwhile, these so-called "men of God" are laughing ...all the way to the bank. But the last laugh will be on them. Because they will have a lot of serious explaining to do when they meet their Maker! They took advantage of the ignorant and the weak. In a sense, it is a form of gambling too. Hoping that if you 'sow your seed' then you will reap some huge harvest. Like playing the lottery with God? This is also often a stumblingblock to the lost, who view such scams with disdain. Sadly, I have had relatives fall into both categories! Elderly ones suckered in...honestly thinking they were obeying God through this rampant deception. And wiser relatives who quipped, 'Now you see what Christianity is REALLY about...making money off Jesus. What a racket! Talk about con men..." How sad! I mean, Jesus was the very King of kings... Yet He chose to be born in a manger, live as a peasant and hang around those "scum" people (embarrassing outcasts) who the rich and proud Pharisees despised. Jesus had a LOT to say about the love of money and sent the rich young ruler away because he would nor forsake his wealth to follow Him. And let's not forget about the camel and the eye of a needle illustration He gave! The prosperity can't possibly mean what these teachers say. God's Word is truth and it does not contradict itself. I've watched biographies of some of the most devout men of God ( the real ones...from the olden days.) Case in point, George Mueller...who opened many orphanages without that tacky begging for money. Yet God kept supernaturally providing just what was needed! This was a humble man of huge faith and much prayer. Documentaries about people like him can be rented and are well worth learning of. They are so inspiring and often put us to shame. Then there was the Salvation Army who took pity on the 'down and out.' These are the ones who touched our Savior's Heart and were used to change tons of lives. Forgive me for the long post (what else is new, right? ) but I truly feel strongly about this heresy. Some even go so far as to promise salvation of loved ones, physical healing, etc will occur if you "sow." (And to people who are feeling hopeless, this can be tempting when you see no other options out there.)

This is about my Clean Slate Post, under prayer requests. I seek your advice, family in Christ. And am trying to say it in a nice way, hopeful that my explanation will help you understand. You see, I wish I'd get more replies than I do on a site this size because I believe that there is strength in numbers. And that would bring some real peace and reassurance. Especially at a time such as this, when a serious prayer need suddenly arises! Like my dad having advanced cancer ( which I posted and also recieved limited responses to. ) I am puzzled why if I am REALLY accepted at Worthy, my posts hardly ever get answered??? I even ask forgiveness and humble myself as scripture instructs. Yet still remain an awkward misfit to the majority of you on this HUGE site. Why?? ( If you're hesitant to answer this sincere question in front of others... at least explain it to me, via a pm. Okay? ) The silence (cold shoulder?) I sometimes encounter leads me to wonder if there are some here who are secretly speaking ill of me amongst their own pm-ing circles and they are saying to others, "Ignore her." If so, you know who you are! I have a good idea of a couple persons here who are doing this. I pray that God will convict you to repent and stop this behavior.. Because gossip, slander & backbiting are all SINS. I know that you know God's Word... and so you definitely know better! Besides, this is childish and uncalled for. Afterall, we are adults here! And most importantly, it is not as Jesus would want. It breeds dissension. I remember someone once sarcastically (and unsympathetically) quipped that Worthy is not a popularity contest. True... But it sometimes feels and appears exactly that way! Can't you who get so friendly and close amongst yourselves understand in the least ? ( or at least can you please TRY to IMAGINE ) what it feels like to be on the recieving end of BEING OVERLOOKED LIKE AN ANT IN A ZOO? Only a faithful few will take the time to write me, anymore. Whether in pms or on open forum replies. The rest of you faded away, like you think I commited the unpardonable sin or something. Kind of like my biological family who rejects me for having been struck down by a physical disease! I see plenty of others here getting vast affirmations and acknowledgments that they matter! That is playing favorites and can be hurtful ( to not just me...but anyone being neglected. ) I can't help feeling like the 'loser' in school who is the last to get picked for the baseball team. Or the nerd who everybody avoids... Much like Charlie Brown. Believers, I just want to truly BE ONE OF YOU in 2010. I'D DO CHAT ROOM, IF I ONLY COULD. But my eye condition just won't handle anything that scrolls...like moving words! Maybe if I explore other forums? Would that possibly help? Would anyone interact with me then? Am I welcome in fellowship hall? Or would my personality stand out like a sore thumb there? Turning people off? What would you suggest I do to mesh more at Worthy? One reason I like pms is that we can talk longer THERE, and that would mean shorter public posts. That's why I keep begging for 'pm pals.' But even most of the ones who say that they will write, dont answer my pms that I type painstakingly two fingered... Except for the couple of persons who I CAN count on...thank God! So whatsup with that? I sure hope nobody reading this is upset by my questions I've posed. But I just desperately need to start 2010 with a support system within the body of Christ! I crave fellowship. When you are unable to physically attend church anymore, this is the closest you can get to scripture's command of, "Not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together." That's all... So please no anger or hurt feelings, okay? Just asking for tips on how I can genuinely belong and become a part of the" Worthy-ite regulars." Thanks.

Poor little one! My heart aches for this sweet baby. I pray God touches her with healing mercies and comforts you at this difficult time...

Wanted to let you know I took you up on your advice. Sadly, the lady I spoke with said there can't be a third party like myself involved. So she would have to contact the shelter herself. They only handle things directly...one on one with the victim. And that if it gets too bad to be sure to call 911.

Thanks for the tip. Could you possibly pm me the snail mail address of the Guideposts books? Also, are they just stories or do they actually explain the gospel in them?

I can't "have movie day with my mom!" I haven't seen her (Not by choice. I miss her dearly!) in many years. That is why I am so sad and frustrated about this. Or else I could just share Christ with her face to face. I can't even travel with my horrible disease. I am homebound. As for seeing any religious movies, she has no DVD player or VCR in her bedroom in the nursing home. My mother is paralyzed and bedridden, in a city far away from me. I am poor and unable to buy her a dvd player... Or else I would! I will be doing good if I can even afford a book. Of course, the Holy Spirit does the convicting! But the Bible also says,"How shall they know, if no one tells them?" So she needs the Gospel EXPLAINED by someone first... Then the Holy Spirit works through the Gospel presentation. Thanks for sympathizing about the difficulty witnessing to a mom with dementia. 49 years old seems so young to be getting it!! Isn't that rare? I wanted to ask about your idea about the 'Your Best Life Now' book. Does it actually explain about Salvation in it? I am not that familiar with Joel Osteen. I guess I thought his ministry was aimed at those who are already Christians.