Born Again Christians Thread-No Bashing please

[bytheblood]

I love this thread and I am glad we are all here.

 

[luvthatduke]

Wow, I am being blessed over & over again
every time I come back here!
Elisabeth, WDWHound, Albertan Mom, bytheblood,
and so many others - you're really being annointed,
it is so obvious.

About prayer: I have an ongoing conversation with God all day long.
ETA: Most of the time it's just from my heart, silently,
but frequently I will pray or give thanks out loud for something
immediate that is happening to or around us.

I love nothing more than to have my 2 year old son
stop what he's doing and all of a sudden turn to me,
smile and put his hands together and say, "Pray?"
I say, "Sure pumpkin, what should we pray for?"
More often than not it's, "Mum-Mum." So sweet...
He just wants to hear Mommy pray a short prayer
for her Mommy.

And yes, I've done my share of whining and screaming
and generally throwing a *small* (or not so small) tantrum!
God's big, He already knows what I'm upset about,
He's just waiting for me to calm down and listen to His voice.
I am careful, however, to be sure to "have it out" with
my Father when no one else is around.
I'm not always fighting with Him,
it's just been an incredibly hard year so far
and just when I think I can't take anymore another
thing comes crashing down around me.
I finally broke down and told a good friend
some of what's been going on and she said she'd pray for me.
Well, it's been about 2 1/2 weeks and every day something
better happens than the day before - nothing major,
but enough to lift me and remind me that God is definitely listening.
He has heard her prayers, and mine I'm sure,
and has been gracious and merciful to start to heal me
through my anger and frustration.
It's not that everything's all of a sudden fixed,
or that problems aren't still coming up, but my heart is lighter, KWIM??
It is SO GOOD to praise Him daily now!!
I can once more sing praises in the car and feel like I mean it!

One thing the Lord has put on my heart for several years now
is to pray for funeral processions when I'm on the road with them
(I just thought of this because yesterday I passed a procession).
I pray that each mourner would be comforted,
and that the Gospel would be presented clearly by someone that day.
I pray that hearts would be touched to receive Christ at some point in their lifetime.

I remember a story I heard once,
where a grandmother prayed out loud for something
and her granddaughter asked her why she didn't say "Amen."
The grandmother replied, "Well, He knows I'm gonna come back
and talk some more, so why end the conversation now?"

I'm so glad that some good information has been given
regarding the Book of Mormon & the Apocrypha.
Not that I'm an expert, but I was reading along thinking
about what I could help out with and of course those
who are more wise than I came forth!

And the "Pearls" story is so amazing,
I needed to hear that again... Thank you!

 

[WDWHound]

If I tried to pray like a KJV writer, I would feel so phoney. Dearest Lord, I pray to Thee in Thouest Holy Name.....could you imagine ......

Sometimes I catch myself talking to God in Olde English, as If somehow I need to address God on Shakesperian terms. I'm sure Jesus is chuckling right alone with me and waiting patiently for me to return to normal conversation.

 

[Grandma Bear]

What a blessing to know that there so many of us out there. I became a born again christin on October 18,1981. I had not been raised in a christain family so all this was new to me. I start each day with praise and prayer
thanking God for all he's done. I pray for each family member, my pastor, my country, my church and finally what I personally need. I do believe that God speaks to me through his word.

 

[JennyMominRI]

Great idea, Albertan mom! I had not looked at that thread, but at your suggestion I went over there and scanned through it and chose a person to pray for.
I'm really enjoying reading this thread.
In Him,
Lisa

With all due respect I would be quite offended if anyone was praying for me to convert to Christianity..I don't mind being prayed for ,but not for that.IMO That's just wrong.. I don't think the posters here would be to thrilled it Muslims were praying for them to convert to Islam, or if I started praying for someone to convert to Judaism

 

[bytheblood]

Sometimes I catch myself talking to God in Olde English, as If somehow I need to address God on Shakesperian terms. I'm sure Jesus is chuckling right alone with me and waiting patiently for me to return to normal conversation.

That is funny. See, and people think Christians don't have a sense of humor.

Something funny...I was listening to Mike Fabarez today on the radio (Focal Point on CSN) and he was talking about those people who try to tell other people that the phrase "God helps those who helps themselves" is a scripture in the Bible....he said, sure, it is in the Bible. You can find it in "1st Opinions chaper 6."

 

[bytheblood]

........ she said she'd pray for me.
Well, it's been about 2 1/2 weeks and every day something
better happens than the day before ....

I have begun praying for you as well.

 

[phillybeth]

I would like every "Born Again Christian" on this thread to pray for one "Heathen" (their words-not mine!) Pick one person and pray for that person every day. Pray that they will get the answers they are looking for. Pray that they will be touched by a Christian person. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work in their lives. Pray! Whenever they come to mind. And with prayer, I am hoping that they will one day come over and join our thread as a new "born again Christian!"

Go ahead, I don't mind. Unlike most atheists I'm not offended by your prayers. I've been prayed for before and will be again. I've had the laying on of hands and demons cast out of me. I've had holy water thrown at me and the last rites adminstered in a catholic hospital while I was in pre-op.

 

[saucymb]

With all due respect I would be quite offended if anyone was praying for me to convert to Christianity..I don't mind being prayed for ,but not for that.IMO That's just wrong.. I don't think the posters here would be to thrilled it Muslims were praying for them to convert to Islam, or if I started praying for someone to convert to Judaism

Jenny, when we pray for non-Christians to come to know Christ, it is with a very sincere heart and humble spirit. We don't want to look a non-Christian in the eye on Judgement Day and have to answer their question "Why didn't you tell me or pray for me?". It is our great commission to bring others to Christ! And as far as Muslims or people of other religions praying for me, I say fine! I'm secure in the knowledge that Jesus is very real and my relationship with him is personal. Nothing can take that away from me! I have been redeemed and I know who I serve. Please don't take that as a self-righteous manner, it is truly intended in a joyful manner to my Lord.

 

[bytheblood]

Jenny, when we pray for non-Christians to come to know Christ, it is with a very sincere heart and humble spirit. We don't want to look a non-Christian in the eye on Judgement Day and have to answer their question "Why didn't you tell me or pray for me?". It is our great commission to bring others to Christ! And as far as Muslims or people of other religions praying for me, I say fine! I'm secure in the knowledge that Jesus is very real and my relationship with him is personal. Nothing can take that away from me! I have been redeemed and I know who I serve. Please don't take that as a self-righteous manner, it is truly intended in a joyful manner to my Lord.

That was very nicely said. I was thinking the same thing. Jenny, nobody means to offend you.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I think the Heathen thread was made to mock this thread. But after reading a few pages of it, I see that there are people on there that are really searching. Lots of confusion. Lots of people have a bad taste in their mouths for Christians. Lots of questions. They are searching! So I am asking this. I would like every "Born Again Christian" on this thread to pray for one "Heathen" (their words-not mine!) Pick one person and pray for that person every day. Pray that they will get the answers they are looking for. Pray that they will be touched by a Christian person. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work in their lives. Pray! Whenever they come to mind. And with prayer, I am hoping that they will one day come over and join our thread as a new "born again Christian!"
Thank you my brothers and sisters in Christ!

Who knew that this Forum would become a place to hopefully witness!

Not all posting on the "heathen" thread lack God or Christ in their lives.

 

[JennyMominRI]

That was very nicely said. I was thinking the same thing. Jenny, nobody means to offend you.

I di realize that you are doing what you are doing with the best of intentions.. Like I said prayers are good..Prayers of Health ,I can always use.. I do have problems with people praying I become another religion.And there are lots of Christians already posting on that thread.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Regarding the Heathen thread, I think most of the people there are simply being honest about what they feel. Yes, the sarcastic humor can seem demeaning, but if you get a chance to get to know most of the folks who use such humor, you will usually discover that they don't mean to deeply insult. Those of faith approach the world very differently than those who do not beleive in God. This leads to a very different understanding (or misunderstandings) of the things that motavates both groups, and the misunderstandings sometimes lead to sarcasm.

In short, I don't see it as warfare. Rather I see it as a chance for us to understand each other, and that is the most important componant of loving each other, which in turn is what Jesus tells us is one of the most important things we can do.

Well said!

 

[luvthatduke]

I have begun praying for you as well.

Thank you! Lord bless you

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Regarding prayer...

At church---I say thank you.

Outside of church..I pray for his will.

My hardest thing to do is when people ask for prayers--and send prayer chains....I forget to say a deliberate prayer. And I don't have a general daily prayer that lifts up intentions.

We are trying to work in our mealtime prayers. That will become more consistent once our homeschool starts (monday...WOW!).

But in general--above all things...I try to remember to say thank you....and when the chips are really down...I lay it all down in a prayer to God.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I also wanted to answer the question about our hardest area in our faith walk. Mine is overall finances adn I have really enjoyed reading people's responses here. My struggle is accepting God's timetable vs MY timetable. God will provide, but my human nature worries about WHEN he will provide. This is something I am in prayer about a lot.

Have you looked at the Crown Ministries--I call it a "financial" bible study--don't recall what they call it.

We are not poster children for Crown as we still have a ways to go.....but some of their stuff is still in my mind and in how we function as a family with our finances.

 

[AuntieM03]

Hi everyone,

I have enjoyed reading through some of this thread (haven't made it all the way yet).

I was saved at 5 while attending the Good News Club. My mom was a single parent and though she wasn't yet saved she did send my brother and I to Vacation Bible School and Good News Club. She was laying a foundation. She became saved when I was about 8, which I will always give thanks for because she died 4 years later.

I went to a small Baptist school from 3rd to 11th grade. I'm afraid I didn't get the best education, but I was in a safe environment. I never really had to deal with the normal peer pressures.

I have had my moments of drifting. I went 8 years without setting foot in a church. Even then, God was my center and always played a part in my decisions. I am so grateful that even in my times of doubt I in my core know that I am a child of God.

 

[Albertan mom]

Welcome here!

 

[WDWHound]

I don't think the posters here would be to thrilled it Muslims were praying for them to convert to Islam, or if I started praying for someone to convert to Judaism

Actually I would be honered that they cared enough to offer such a prayer, even though I would see it as uneeded. You don' have to agree with the beleif to appreciate the concern that motavates such actions.

 

[Albertan mom]

Actually I would be honered that they cared enough to offer such a prayer, even though I would see it as uneeded. You don' have to agree with the beleif to appreciate the concern that motavates such actions.

Amen.