LIKE-MINDED

To my brothers and sisters at Worthy, Please understand it was never my intention to get into any sort of debate, disagreement, or argument with any of you over this woman. I am led by my heart, always have been, even as a child. I could never pass up a stray animal. My heart would break to think that it didn't have a home and I suppose I'm still drawn to strays, so to speak. I can't change who I am inside and I don't want to. I like who I am. I don't apologize for my stand on this subject, but I do apologize to all of you for coming across the way I did. It wasn't Christ like and I'm sorry. There's enough division in the body of Christ as it is and I won't allow the enemy to use this as a means to bring more division. Blessings upon you all. -Jackie

2 questions: Should I re-read Romans in it's true context or what man has made it? If you could personally stand before this women, would you continue to condemn her or would you be able to look at her through the eyes of Christ and minister to her in love? I don't condone breaking the law, I've already said that, but when someone "breaks the law," whether it be man's law or God's law, does that give me the right to judge them? Maybe I'm not a bible scholar such as yourself, I've only been at this a few years, but I like who I am. I like my heart. God made me the way I am inside and no one can ever take that away from me or make me feel bad because I am compassionate. I'm sure you're compassionate also but do we pick and choose what we're compassionate about? If people really need someone to bash, then we should turn our anger toward these people toward the government. There are approximately 12 million "illegal immigrants" in the United States. I'm sure they didn't just appear overnight. Has our U.S. government become "goody two-shoes" all of a sudden? Don't think for one minute that the government hasn't been cashing in on these "illegals" -for many years but we do have to keep up appearances don't we?

My emotions don't think for me - the heart of God thinks for me.

When did we become so "holier than thou" that we have the right to condemn someone? I am by no means condoning this women's actions but I think the old adage may apply here, "Out of sight, out of mind." Send her back, then we won't have to think about her or her son. What about the little boy? He's lived in fear for a year that his mom would be arrested and he would be separated from her. Put yourself in his place. Put yourself in the mother's place. What do you know about her other than she broke the law? Because she broke the law that means she doesn't love her son? When I was 12 years old, my mom had to go away for an operation. My sister and brother and I couldn't go. It felt as if my heart were being ripped out. I remember the fear of never seeing her again. These people will do jobs the American people see beneath them to do because of low wages, but still they do them to feed their family's and in turn are taken advantage of because they will work for peanuts. Who do think picks all those beautiful fruits and vegetables that end up in the produce section of the grocery store? It's the people who are working for peanuts, that's who. We should be ashamed to think we can just sit back and judge another person who is made in God's image based on our own opinion. What will our opinion be worth when we stand before God? "But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion..." -Matt 9:36 "Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous..." -1 Peter 3:8 Thank you Axxman for your post.

This is too "Hilaryous" to even laugh at.

I agree Faith has something to do with it but God's Will is what ultimately decides who is healed and who isn't as has been pointed out Jesus didn't heal everyone he met- he visited Simon who was a leper but as far as we know Simon was still a leper when Jesus left. God does allow sickness for a reason and purpose- if you look at Job that purpose was to bring Job closer to God- it may be different in every case!

"And He did not do many works of power there, because of their unbelief (their lack of faith in the divine mission of Jesus). -Matt 13:58 (amp bible)

I totally agree with what you said. Could I ask a question? Hope you don't mind? What does your name mean? Just curious is all.

You go girl!

"Could I sit on your lap?"

Dan, When you stated "...even if He helps me now (which He won't) " your words were sealed. Our words have the power of life and death in them. God knows that sometimes our faith is no bigger than a mustard seed. That's when we speak those things that aren't as if they were and just believe. We just simply believe and when we've done all we continue to stand. Dan, where did you get the idea that God just pops in and out of our lives? According to Hebrews 13:5 (and I take this verse from the amp bible because it's very descriptive), "...for He (God) Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. (I will) not, (I will), not, (I will) not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let (you) down (relax My hold on you)! (Assuredly not!) Dan, what part of "I will not" don't you understand? God has already promised. He can't go back on His promises. "I have made a covenant with my chosen..." -Psalm 89:3 "My mercy I will keep for him forever, and My covenant shall stand firm with him." -Ps. 89:28 God has never left you. If He seems far away, guess who moved? I have to agree with Patricia about "faith producing action" and in turn, action strengthens our faith. God doesn't just plop it in our lap. We give it life by activating our faith. Sometimes God will ask us to just step out in faith and just trust Him. When we choose to step out in faith no matter how things appear, that's called obedience and obedience brings great reward because God is allowed to do His work. A few months ago, in the darkest hour of my life, I needed to get from point A to point B and the only way I could get to point B was to just trust God. He gave me no other route. It was do or die and I was not ready to die. I loved God too much to stay the way I was. I couldn't see 2 feet in front of me. I was so scared but I yes and my poppa God was right there to meet me. He never left me, He was just waiting on me to be in agreement with Him. I will never be the same. It brought me into an even closer relationship with Him. Dan, somewhere along the way the enemy started planting deception in you. It started out as a little seed here and there. Maybe nothing too noticable right at first but at some point you starting believing the lies. You looked at the appearance of things and choice to believe that God didn't care about you or love you. Another lie. God has given you a free will to choice what you want to believe. If you choice not to believe Him, He will allow it. You've given Him no choice. He won't force you. But Dan, God is a God of 2nd chances, and 3rd chances, and 4th, and 5th.... Sometimes we just need start over from the foundation up and that's okay with God. It's when one of His children give up that His heart is grieved the most. Is there an area in the past that you weren't in obedience to God that you need to repent of? God won't hold it against you for blaming Him for your problems, He's used to being blamed, but you tried to serve two masters which is a sin. God doesn't love you any less because of the way you feel right now, He's just waiting for you to be in agreement with Him. Dan, don't continue to make a mockery of the Cross. The price was too precious. "Now may the God of peace [Who is the Author and the Giver of peace], Who brought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood [that sealed, ratified] the everlasting agreement (covenant), strengthen (complete, perfect) and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will; [while He Himself] works in you and accomplishes that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to Whom be the glory forever and ever (to the ages of the ages). Amen (so be it). -Heb 13:20-21 So be it in your heart Dan. All your brothers and sisters here are behind you but ultimately, the choice is still yours. We all love you but it doesn't suffice the love God has for you. Bless you Dan.

I don't know about sympathy but what about compassion for our fellow man? Two different things.

P.T.S.D. is treatable but not with medication. It is an spiritual/emotional condition brought about by trauma. Trauma is the door point for P.T.S.D. and only through the intervention of God's hand is one healed of it. Been there.

Hey! I'm from the south-don't dis the grits. They're gooooooooooood stuff.

Oak, we all deal with stressful situations, but you and you alone made the choice to pick up that first cigarette and deceived yourself into believing it would bring you peace (a counterfeit peace), when God is the only one who can give you the true peace you're looking for. You alone can choose to not light another cigarette (a slow suicide) and turn your complete focus on God. In His strength He will get you through-but only if you will trust Him to do so. "Casting all your cares upon Him...He will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Him." -1 Peter 5:7 / Isaiah 26:3