Born Again Christians Thread-No Bashing please

[ead79]

WDWHound, that’s an excellent question about praying. It is definitely something I struggle with, especially in the area of asking for direction about my job. I have a natural tendency to try to fix/solve things myself and not “bother” God, which of course is just plain silly and not right for me to do. He is not bothered by my needs and requests. For some reason, I have a very hard time hearing Him when I pray about my job situation. I try to not rush into things or try to solve them on my own, but I have a hard time hearing Him clearly. Typically I consult my parents who give wonderful advice and talk about it with my husband. Then I worry that it’s just me trying to solve it myself again. I’m very interested in how others handle praying for specific direction as well.

I had to laugh about the mind-wandering thing because that happens to me all the time. I start out with the best intentions, then I start thinking about how I could get the spot of mold off my shower curtain liner, why my husband gets to sleep in later than I do, etc. One thing that I have found has helped me is to not go through a specific order when praying. For instance, I was once taught about the ACTS method of praying—adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication. I’m sure it’s wonderful for some people, but I felt too structured by it. I do better just talking to God like my friend.

Aidensmom, that is too funny! Power Rangers and God. What more could you need, LOL!

Julie, what wonderful provision God has given you! Having been jobless at one point myself, it truly is such a struggle. I know God won’t give us more than we can handle, but I sometimes wonder why He thinks we can handle so much, LOL! What a wonderful blessing that your marriage has been strengthened by this experience.

 

[disneymom3]

What a great story! God answers in ways we never expected! It's hard to remember sometimes when we are in the fire that it is for our own good! You and your family have been refined and have moved on to bigger and better things. It's always astounding because we ask in faith believing for one thing and God delivers a huge surprize. Sometimes I have had to wait a long time;but I have concluded that it was because God wanted me to know it was him that provided.

Exactly. I am thrilled to be able to share this here adn have people get it. Several people in my life right now soooo do not. (Like MIL who has the best of intentions, but is not a believer.)

 

[disneymom3]

Julie, what wonderful provision God has given you! Having been jobless at one point myself, it truly is such a struggle. I know God won’t give us more than we can handle, but I sometimes wonder why He thinks we can handle so much, LOL! What a wonderful blessing that your marriage has been strengthened by this experience.

Have you been listening in on my prayer life the last few years????

I have often found myself saying, "So, you're sure about this, huh? I don't know if I can handle any more, but okay, if you say so." He truly does see us through when we let him, though.

 

[Grandma Bear]

Have you been listening in on my prayer life the last few years????

I have often found myself saying, "So, you're sure about this, huh? I don't know if I can handle any more, but okay, if you say so." He truly does see us through when we let him, though.

I'm sure we have all shared these feeling. I know I have. In the beginning of my walk, I did not fully understand the importance of God's timing. Like you, I sometimes felt that I was out on a limb; but even though it creaked, It did not give way. Until we can learn to trust and see what God can really do; I don't think we can fully comprehend his grace and mercy. In the words of an old hymn, the longer I serve him the sweeter he grows. Each time we meet the challenger our trust and faith increase because we learn what he can and will do if we will trust him!

 

[luvthatduke]

Like you, I sometimes felt that I was out on a limb; but even though it creaked, It did not give way.

I like that saying!

I also want to clarify something in my post about praying,
specifically that I am not constantly frustrated with God - LOL!
I made mention of some problems a while back when
the thread started, and then wrote that last night
about praying in frustration, and just wanted to say that
my life is joyful, just currently very stressful
(but getting s-l-o-w-l-y better).
I cannot wait until we're out of the woods,
but although I have been angry with God and occasionally
throwing tantrums at Him, I really enjoy talking to Him
during each day.

 

[Grandma Bear]

I like talking to God on a daily basis also. I always try to start my day with a couple of minutes of praise and thanksgiving. This has really adjusted my attitude and helps me start off each day with a good heart attitude.

 

[ead79]

I cannot wait until we're out of the woods,
but although I have been angry with God and occasionally
throwing tantrums at Him, I really enjoy talking to Him
during each day.

I think that you make a really good point here. Some people act like we can never tell God that we’re mad at Him or angry or upset. The way I see it, He already knows how I really feel anyway. I think He knows that we aren’t always going to understand and we are going to get frustrated. I think honesty is an important part of my prayer life.

 

[WDWHound]

I think that you make a really good point here. Some people act like we can never tell God that we’re mad at Him or angry or upset. The way I see it, He already knows how I really feel anyway. I think He knows that we aren’t always going to understand and we are going to get frustrated. I think honesty is an important part of my prayer life.

I think God wants us to bring every part of us to the table when we pray. A long way back on this thread, Buckaloo talked about how you can see this in the Psalms. They express every emotion to God - Joy, sorrow, andger, love, fear.. nothing is held back.

There have been times whe I have been angry with God and shared that with him, but I also always shared with him that I realized the anger was due to my inability to completely understand what was really happening, and that lead to prayers for patience and understanding. I was rarely angry when I finished those prayers.

 

[live4christp1]

I think God wants to us to bring all of us to the table when we pray. I long way back on this thread Buckaloo talked about how you can see this in the Psalms. They express every emotion to God - Joy, sorrow, andger, love, fear.. nothing is held back.

There have been times whe I have been angry with God and shared that with him, but I also always shared with him that I realized the anger was due to my inability to completely understand what was really happening, and that lead to prayers for patience and understanding. I was rarely angry when I finished those prayers.

I totally agree. Have been re-reading The Power of a Praying Wife and she talks about how sometimes we aren't seeing any results from prayer and that she has found in her life that during the times she is focused on someone elses problem and fixing them instead of focusing on how God is using this to change her. And how sometimes even when we are angry or hurt, disappointed, upset, etc. at someone else or even at God that we aren't praying from a right heart. We need to confess those feelings to God....he already knows they are there so we aren't telling Him anything He doesn't know but we still need to say them to Him.

Wanted to add that I am still enjoying this thread very much.....you all have been a blessing to me!!!!!

 

[Grandma Bear]

I think that you make a really good point here. Some people act like we can never tell God that we’re mad at Him or angry or upset. The way I see it, He already knows how I really feel anyway. I think He knows that we aren’t always going to understand and we are going to get frustrated. I think honesty is an important part of my prayer life.

I agree with your statements. Nothing is hidden from God.When we release our anger, frustration over things we have no control over, which is usually what leads to these feelings anyway; we open the door to trust. This helps us grow in faith; because without faith we cannot please God or grow.

 

[bytheblood]

What do you do when you pray and it seems like God is silent?
So, what do you do when you pray, and yet can not sense a response from God?

WDW Hound. I truly believe that God is telling me to be still. Not in my time, but in His PERFECT timing. I really believe that when it is time to move or time for something to happen, we hear Him, in His timing.

I do feel sometimes like I am crying out and He is not responding, but I feel like He is telling me, "Daughter, be still, be quiet and trust Me. I have not left you, but now is not that time."

I also think that sometimes when we doubt that God is listening, it is Satan trying to come into our walk with God.

I hope that answers what you are asking.

 

[bytheblood]

Har Har

Thanks for the confirmation.

Another sign this whole special thread stuff is getting out of hand.

It is no different than people staying at GF posting on the GF thread. I guess those of us who cannot afford to stay at GF should go on the thread and complain that the "special thread" for people visiting or people who have been to GF is out of control because it is leaving those of us at POFQ, POR, CBR and CSR out?

Nobody asked anybody to come see what we are saying as Christians. You chose to come read the thread and now you are offended?

That would be like me getting on the "heathen" thread and complaining about all the secular comments.

Please do not disrespect what this thread was created for. It was not created to single anybody out, but instead for people to fellowship and talk to one another about the most wonderful and beautiful thing in our lives.

 

[Albertan mom]

Well said, By the Blood


Thanks for the prayers last week, we had a good time with my dad, and got to talk to him about some of the big issues in his life that he is stuggling with right now, and let him see that we are there to support him. Also had a great time with family that we dont' see too often. Thanks again!

I bought the new WOW #1 Hits cd for the trip, it is really good.

Now if I could ask you all to say one more quick prayer for us...that our insurance company will give us a good settlement on the water pipe break that we just had. The bills are over $13,000.00 right now. We know they will cover some of it, but we pray they will cover all of it. We cannot afford to drop thousands of dollars on that. Thanks so much

Still loving this thread.....

 

[Grandma Bear]

Albertan Mom I have added you to my prayer list. I agree with bytheblood's statement on being quiet and waiting for God. Sometimes we can allow ourselves to become so busy that we cannot hear God. We all have to learn patience and wait on HIS TIMING not ours. Of course this is easier said than done at the beginning of our walk;but we get better as we mature.

 

[Aidensmom]

Thanks for the prayers last week, we had a good time with my dad, and got to talk to him about some of the big issues in his life that he is stuggling with right now, and let him see that we are there to support him. Also had a great time with family that we dont' see too often. Thanks again!

I've been thinking about you, I am so glad things worked out well.

 

[luvthatduke]

ETA:Oops! Forgot to say welcome back, Albertan Mom!
Will be praying for the household situation...

--------------------------------------------------------
This may be an oldie but a goodie, but it was new to me!
I rec'd it yesterday from a friend and got to
thinking about the conversations that have
taken place this year on several threads
regarding BAC's and all the Christian denominations.
Anyways, it gave me a giggle:


A little boy was walking down a dirt road after church one
Sunday afternoon when he came to a crossroads
where he met a little girl coming from the other direction.

"Hello," said the little boy.
"Hi," replied the little girl.
"Where are you going?" asked the little boy.
"I've been to church this morning and I'm on my way home,"
answered the little girl.
"Me too," replied the little boy. "I'm also on my way home from church."

"Which church do you go to?" asked the little boy.
"I go to the Baptist church back down the road," replied the little girl.
"What about you?"
"I go to the Catholic church back at the top of the hill,"
replied the little boy.

They discover that they are both going the same way
so they decided that they'd walk together.

They came to a low spot in the road where spring rains
had partially flooded the road so there was no way that
they could get across to the other side without getting wet.

"If I get my new Sunday dress wet my Mom's going to skin me alive,"
said the little girl.

"My Mom'll tan my hide too if I get my new Sunday suit wet,"
replied the little boy.

"I tell you what I think I'll do," said the little girl.
"I'm gonna pull off all my clothes and hold them over
my head and wade across."
"That's a good idea," replied the little boy.
"I'm going to do the same thing with my suit."

So they both undressed and waded across
to the other side without getting their clothes wet.

They were standing there in the sun waiting to dry off
before putting their clothes back on.
The little boy, after looking at his friend for a few moments,
remarked, "You know, I never realized before just how much difference
there is between a Baptist and a Catholic!"

 

[Grandma Bear]

luvthatduck

 

[Albertan mom]

I'm a Baptist.........

 

[Grandma Bear]

It's great when we can laugh at ourselves with love in our hearts!

 

[Albertan mom]

Yes it is!

A funny thing my son says whenever there is a baptism at our church-he calls it a BATHTISM