Joelle

We'll sure miss you too if you're gone for long. I'll be praying for you and your dad.

Well said! I guess I should remember that I'm too many a time part of the problem without noticing.

Hallelujah

Actually Zaidenmom, the diet I was following is something close to what you described.

I cut off flour, pork, chicken and all dairy products from my diet (what's left to eat then you might think, well I did at first, but there's plenty of other food actually!) and exercised everyday for 15-30 minutes (you know, Pilates kind of stuff.) Not only did I lose weight, but I also got rid of several allergies I'd had for years.

Thanks to all for the info.

Praying.

Yes and yes.

I too think you're being very courageous and honest for sharing this with us, and I guess nobody will be upset by what you've written here. The story of your childhood is a very sad one indeed, I wish I could find words to comfort you but no word of mine would be enough (but I'm giving you a HUGE hug in my heart!) as the only One who can really do anything for you in the One you already know so well. You seem to know what is wrong in your heart and you are also aware of the major cause of it, so take it all to God who has the power to change what is humanly unchangeable. I believe God can make miracles happen within your heart, I will keep you in my prayers. Remember that whatever your past you are forgiven and loved.

I also think there is a purpose behind your current state. In any case you're definitely not messed up, so try and leave it all to Him.

I used to experience depression too, but I don't anymore, I'm not really sure but it seems that I don't. I don't have any useful advice, but I'm praying for you.

Praying for you.

I guess the expression "fall" is ok as far as infatuation is concerned. When you truly love someone, it has to be a deliberate choice and a commitment. Lots of people get deceived because they don't make a difference between the two.

I would too advise you get the canon. Olympus used to be great because they had their camera lenses produced by that other camera company (Nikon or something, I don't remember well) but they broke off the partnership a few years ago. Canon's quality is said to be one of the best here!

OC may I ask if the reason for the above is a familial thing?

David your topic is a bit vague...maybe we could come up with some more distinct ideas if you had a couple more examples, you know, like specific situations we would actually encounter daily (although I doubt people would come and ask me to keep their secrets on a daily basis!) I recall breaking confidence once, but I've always considered that one time as an exception. The burden was too heavy for me so I asked a reliable christian friend to share it through prayer. Usually I just shut my mouth whatever the situation, I guess I never had to face a real life-or-death kind of issue in the matter of keeping secrets.

I get sort of spiritually low around the summer. I find it somewhat harder to concentrate on God during that season. But I don't really know why. Then from fall to the end of the year I tend to get very busy with all the seasonal events, both christian and secular, it makes me so crazy. So again spiritually speaking that's not such a good time for me either. But unlike Jackie I like it a lot in the winter when everything seems so calm, and it's dark and cold, but inside I can feel the warmth of Jesus' light. I spend more time with my bible during the winter. Thanks Kittylover, this topic helped me discover some interesting stuff I had never thought about!

I'm totally with you too on this one.

Ok!

From my past personal experience and what I have seen around me, I would say that it is still wiser to follow the teachings of the bible as stated earlier. I mean generally speaking. There certainly are exceptions, but exceptions are to handle with extreme care. Now when it comes to asking the pastor for advice it's totally different, as the pastor is more "trained" (but there are times when it's actually wiser to go and talk to the pastor's wife instead!) And thanks a lot Vickilynn for answering my question!

If you feel you need to find a church where you can worship and serve Him, I think you should keep praying and searching for it. I see that other people have gone through the same process too, the endless going from church to church. My husband and I have done it too for two and a half years, and we felt very discouraged at times, especially me because I was pregnant and had to have my baby without having a family in Christ around me. But I can tell you it was worth all the waiting and the searching! I too will be praying for you Onelight.

Not only effective, but very wise I believe. Vickilynn may I ask how many different groups there are in your church?

Personally I find it hard to really be friends with someone who has different principles. I won't criticize or judge someone who doesn't share the same values, and I'll give him/her all the help I can give whenever asked. But all my truly good friends (both christians and non-christians) are people I agree with most of the time.

Coming from a non-denominational background, I found it extremely confusing and complicated at first when I had to choose a church away from home. I know there's no perfect denomination, just as there's is no perfect church either. And the bible is the only thing I can truly rely on. My criteria for picking up one church among all the others were not based upon its denomination only, but more than anything else I wanted it to be the place where I could grow in the Lord and serve Him my best together with my family.

I love this prayer, and every time I pray it, I try to put my whole heart in it. The "daily bread" part means much to me as I have had a hard time in the past getting mine and that of my family, and still I tend to take it for granted now that I don't have to spend so much effort to get it. This doesn't mean I disagree with man's insight on this, your attitude toward earthly things and the way you let God lead your life are deeply respectable.