Born Again Christians Thread-No Bashing please

[Aidensmom]

My mother and I were discussing funeral plans a couple of weeks ago (I am named as the executor of her will, I am the only child she trusts, sadly, to carry out her wishes). We both agreed a funeral is really for the survivors. Because of that, we think that whatever the survivors find fit to do is what should be done, no spelled out plans ahead of time. The only thing my mother made me promise, and I made her promise in return (in the case DH died with me, as we have already agreed to this) is that extravagant money is not spent on a casket/burial. In fact, we all (me, my mom, and DH) prefer cremation.

For me, I know my family cannot afford much of a funeral, and personally would rather have as much life insurance money as possible go to my son for his future, such as a college education. If my family decides to dig a hole in the backyard, throw me in, and grill a few hot dogs afterward, that is just fine with me. All that is important is that I will get to experience the full presence of God!

 

[live4christp1]

There is a song our chior sings when a member of our church family passes on. Even though we almost never sing this song except at memorial services, I love to sing it. Its peaceful, joyful and has a gentle swing to it. Its a celebration of life now, the strength and love the spirit sends us, and the joyous reunion to come ....

River in Judea
Oftentimes I dream of music,
Of the river that freely flows.
And it sings a song sweeter than honey,
One everybody knows.
Late at night, I hear it singing.
Then again when I wake at dawn.
And it fills me up with hope and goodwill,
The will to go on,
Go on.

(Chorus)
There is a river in Judea
That I heard of long ago.
And it's a singing, ringing river
That my soul cries out
To know.

I believe it keeps on trav'lin'
But it rests on the Sabbath day.
And the time when it pauses in stillness,
I almost hear it pray.
When I'm weary and downhearted,
How I long for the song it sings,
For the calm within its gentle blue,
The peace that it brings, it brings.

(Chorus)
There is a river in Judea
That I heard of long ago.
And it's a singing, ringing river
That my soul cries out
To know.

May the time not be too distant
When we meet by the river (meet by the) shore.
'Til then dream of that wonderful day
As we sing once more, once more:

(Chorus)
There is a river in Judea (hallelu)
That I heard of long ago (hallelu),
It's a singing, ringing river
That my soul cries out (my soul cries out)
To the river in Judea.
Hallelujah!!!

What I beautiful song WDWHound......I don't remember ever hearing it but it is very touching. Thanks for sharing it!

 

[live4christp1]

I have given some thought to my funeral as well. I want to have an invitation at the funeral, as I know that will probably be the only time some people set foot in a church. Of course I don’t mean a “hellfire and brimstone” type of invitation, just an explanation of how to accept Christ. Also, I want to have the song “Because He Lives” played. I don’t want it to be a sad occasion (though of course my family would be grieving), but a celebration of my new home in heaven.

Hey Elisabeth,

That is one of my favorites as well, I was trying to think of it yesterday but couldn't recall it.

"Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, because He lives all fear is gone, and I know who holds the future, and life is worth the living just because He lives."

 

[live4christp1]

I'd like my funeral to be like my dad's was last year. All his life, he was a man of God, and it showed in his everyday life. He was active in a local volunteer fire department, and a reunion association for the Navy, and had several jobs over the years. When he found out he had pancreatic cancer, he asked our former paster if he would preach the plan of salvation at his funeral. He knew that those people from his past would be there, and that this may be their only chance to heard the gospel. Well, Dad passed away 3 years later (that's a miracle in itself as he was initially given just 2-6 months), and we made the funeral arrangements. And the preacher spoke about Jonah, and paralleled Dad's life to Jonah's, and how Jonah ran from God but in the end he did God's will. Although I don't know for sure that anyone was saved that day, I do know that God promises that his Word will not return void. I know I was blessed by the sermon, and I have no doubt that God worked in many lives that day.

So, DH knows that I want the same sort of thing when it's time for my funeral. I suppose I should write it up and make a will, which I will be doing very soon.

What a beautiful story.....thank you so much for sharing it. Several years ago a long time member, dedicated servant of God passed away at our church and his service was much the same. One lady did go forward at the end and accepted Christ as her Savior. One day in heaven I'm sure you will see fruit from the seeds that were planted that day.

 

[live4christp1]

On another subject, I want to let you guys in on some big secret news that I have.

DH and I are expecting a baby in early spring 2006! I just found out on Monday! Pray for God's grace and safety as we go through this first pregnancy together.

How exciting! Congratulations! I'll keep you in my prayers!

 

[Buckalew11]

On another subject, I want to let you guys in on some big secret news that I have.

DH and I are expecting a baby in early spring 2006! I just found out on Monday! Pray for God's grace and safety as we go through this first pregnancy together.

Congrats!! My prayers are with you!


I have also thought about my funeral. I want it to be a celebration also. I also want the plan of salvation spoken of in its simplest form w/o the hell fire and brimstone thing.
I want "Goodbye World, Goodbye" song. I love that song. I would also like someone to sing one of my fav hymns, "He's Everything to Me".

 

[live4christp1]

Yesterday when Adrian Rogers was speaking on the radio (talking about the parable of the seeds) he said that one day he received a letter in the mail. The letter went on to say that the man (who sent the letter) had been hitchhiking one day many years ago and Pastor Rogers had stopped and picked him up. Along the way he had shared the gospel with the man and the plan of salvation. The man went on to explain that he had pretended to have no interest, no concern with such things. He said in the letter that no matter how hard he tried after that, he couldn't get away from it, couldn't get it out of his mind......which eventually lead to his salvation and he was writing to thank Pastor Rogers for sharing Jesus with him that day and to tell him of the change it had made in his life (the man had also been called to preach).

Right now he is speaking about the reaping of the harvest.

 

[live4christp1]

Please pray for our family....we are really struggling right now with being where God wants us to be. We have been at our present church since 1998 and have worked faithfully in the Jr. Church and teen programs. We both feel that is what God has called us to do. About a year ago we went through a very trying time with a member of our church (a man DH had been working for about a year at that time). Won't bore you with all the details but it got really ugly, we were really hurt by him. We hung in there and eventually made peace with this man....he and DH went before the church in a spirit of forgiveness, etc. Think what hurt worse though was that even though we had all kinds of proof of violations of federal labor laws for what he did (not only to my DH but also 3 other employees at least at one time or another) we felt that our pastor was siding with him. Well, on fathers day guess who was named father of the year and praised for his integrity, etc....... This really hurt DH, not that he was expecting it, but that it was awarded to this man, knowing full well that pastor knows what went on. Then two weeks ago in the bulletin it was announced that this man would be leading the men's prayer breakfast once a month. DH is really down and hurt. I know that people can change but he feels like this is being pushed in his face. Doesn't have much of a desire to go to church.....last night he said that he wants to go to church, just not sure he wants to stay here. But then he isn't making any effort to find another.

This is really hard for me.......we both love those kids we work with.....some of them we've watched grow up through our programs from 1st grade and now into the youth department. We are very close to many of those families. It's hard for me to throw away all that we have invested there timewise. I know I'm wrong to feel that way if God is indeed leading us somewhere else. But also don't feel like we should be there leading if our hearts aren't in it and we aren't committed to being there faithfully.....to me that feels hypocritical. Told DH that I would change churches if he wanted to but that I wasn't volunteering for anything......that I would rather go to a huge church and disappear......that way if I don't feel like going, I don't feel like going.....no committment to anything. This is really scary for me, as I realize this is a very dangerous place to be.....not that I'm scared of loosing my salvation, but I know satan is getting a strong hold on a part of my life that he shouldn't have.

Well, I guess I should stop there as this post has gotten way longer than I intended. Sorry!

 

[Grandma Bear]

To live4christpl I will keep you in my prayers Please continue to pray for God's perfect will for you! We know the enemy is busy trying to cause as many problems as possible because his time is so short now! Do not
allow him to steal your joy. The joy of the Lord is our strenght! Continue to serve God and defeat the enemy. I know many of us have been attacked as
we do God's work; but we must continue on because when all is said and done, only what we do for Christ counts. God deals with everyone in his own time and place.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Congratulations, saucymb!!!

live4christp1, wow, that sounds like a very tough situation. I was very involved with the youth group at my church in Gainesville. I had a group of middle-school girls who I adored. We had our own bible studies, I taught them confirmations classes, etc. Well I felt God was telling me I needed to move out of the area for some reasons, plus I felt the burden to live closer to my mom. Leaving those girls was one of the hardest things I did in my life. I was 25 at the time. It just ripped my heart out. Anyway, God IS good, I moved back here, found a great church through the guy who became my husband (who I met at work, lol). See if God is maybe calling you to another church. I didn't want to listen because of my girls, but I did.

Another thing, I know your DH was very hurt by this man, but we need to let go of that hurt and move on. That anger and hurt only hurts ourselves and gives room for Satan to latch on.

 

[WDWHound]

live4christp1: Wow, it sounds like you are facing some real challenges right now. There are so any wonderful aspects to being active in a church, but it can be tough when situations like this arrive. Because the church is made of of people, sooner or later some sort of difficult situation almost always finds its way into the mix.

My wife and I had real problems at the last church we attended. Most of the members there did not view Jesus as the Son of God, but rather as a great teacher only. To us, Christianity without the Son of God dying on the cross for our sins is not Christianity. For some reason, I was chosen to be Lay Leader there, and I took that responsibility seriously. Then the minister who mwas aasign there (who also saw Christ as teacher only), was replaced with a minister with more traditional views.

This ignited a huge conflict and I suddenly found myself in the role of mediator. The minister was trying to prevent teachings which he saw as unchristian, while the members felt he had no right to "change their church". While I agreed with most of the ministers views (and he knew it), it was my job to repesent the laiety. I was incredibly stressed out. It took 2 years to finally get eveyone to sit down and talk it out (sometimes in groups, sometimes one on one), but both sides finally came to understand and accept each other. In fact, I understand the church actually fought to keep the minister when he was resassigned.

By that time, my wife and I had left. We had never really understood why we had felt called to that church, but when everything filnally died down, it suddenly became clear to us that it was time to leave. We needed to be somewhere where the majority of people believed as we did. We found a new church and it was like coming home. Attending and serving is now a joy, rather than something we feel obligated to do. Much to my surprise, I often find myself drawing on my experiences of our last church. If it were not for my experiences there, I never would have gotten into lay speaking and teaching for example.

Why am I telling you all this? I guess it is to remind you of something I am certain that you already know. God's hand is at work somewhere in your current crisis. He may be signalling you that its time to leave becuase he needs you elsewhere or because there is something you need elsewhere. Its also possible that he may be calling you to stay and help your current church ride out this mess. Whichever it is, I know that there is peace beyond the storm and that God is always guiding you to where you need to be.

You are in our prayers.

 

[live4christp1]

Thanks Miss Jasmine and Grandma Bear and WDWHound.

Was sitting here listening to the radio at my desk this morning and Chuck Swindol was speaking on how life is really like 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it.....our attitude etc. Have been asking the Lord to restore my joy......and I know that when I feel farther away from God it isn't because He has moved, it's me. DH and I talked about this last night. Gave him my copy of The Life God Blesses by Jim Cymbala last night in hopes that he might read it, he isn't a big reader. Have read the first few chapters and it seems like a really good book. DH has just been really negative lately and I don't think that is the attitude we need to have when going to church.....we shouldn't go because we feel it is expected of us but because we want to be there.

Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers. Need to get out the Experiencing God Bible Study I bought but never got around to doing.

 

[WDWHound]

On another subject, I want to let you guys in on some big secret news that I have.

DH and I are expecting a baby in early spring 2006! I just found out on Monday! Pray for God's grace and safety as we go through this first pregnancy together.

Congratualtions!!!! Such wonderful news! May God bless your new family!

 

[ead79]

I have some potentially pretty exciting news to share as well. I have been concerned about my job situation because my current position has no real career path or future. I have a degree in marketing and I recently started looking for a new job in marketing. Well, a position became available at my current company in the marketing department, and they offered it to me. This is a huge answer to prayer, and yet I still wonder whether I should go on another interview that I have next week. Also, I am praying that a salary increase will happen, because right now I’m a bit underpaid. I’m excited, nervous, etc. all at the same time!

saucymb, congratulations on your little one on the way! My prayers are with you for an easy pregnancy and delivery and a healthy little one.

live4Christ, having had to move churches several times in my life even though I’m still pretty young (25), I know how hard it can be. I will pray that the Lord will speak clearly to you and your DH about what you should do. Things can be so tough when it comes to church politics. Try to focus on the fact that God knows whose heart is in the right place and whose isn’t. Abuse of power by pastors can happen and certainly does happen. As a matter of fact, that is the reason we left one church in particular (I was a kid for that move, so I wasn’t involved). I can certainly understand why your DH is so hurt and angry. I will also pray that he will not be ruled by these feelings so he can move on as well.

 

[live4christp1]

Thanks Elisabeth. I will be praying for your job situation as well, that God would give you clear direction to make the right decision and also that you get a fair salary.

 

[live4christp1]

http://www.stormieomartian.com/story.cfm

This story was a blessing to me today and I wanted to share it with all my DIS friends.

 

[live4christp1]

Anyone here been to Promise Keepers? My DH has gone several times and went to the Stand In The Gap rally PK had in Washington DC back around 1997/98. Don't hear as much about them as we used too.

Really wish he could find a local mens group to get plugged in to. Think it is harder for men to open up with each other than it is for the ladies. DH has friends at church but they mostly only talk about superficial stuff, sports, etc.

 

[live4christp1]

This is what I'm listening to right now . If you have ever heard Michael's testimony it is awesome.....we usually get to go back and meet the guys when they come for Winter Jam and he is a super nice guy!

Michael O'Brien - All Is Forgiven

She was caught up in the middle
Of a sad tragedy
Found in the depths of her shame
An angry mob stood before her
As she fell to her knees
They were picking up the stones
And placing the blame
She was lost with fear in her eyes
Until the man named Jesus
Came and said child arise

CHORUS
All is forgiven
I've heard your plea
My grace has cleansed your heart
My love has set you free
All is forgiven
My mercy's the open door
All is forgiven
Go sin no more

I was just like the woman
Who was found on that day
Seemed there was no hope
For someone like me
And I could do nothing
To wash the sin away
I was chained to the guilt
And longed to be free
I was so lost with fear in my eyes
Until this man named Jesus
Came and said child arise

CHORUS

 

[acrucifer]

Please pray for our family....we are really struggling right now with being where God wants us to be. We have been at our present church since 1998 and have worked faithfully in the Jr. Church and teen programs. We both feel that is what God has called us to do. About a year ago we went through a very trying time with a member of our church (a man DH had been working for about a year at that time). Won't bore you with all the details but it got really ugly, we were really hurt by him. We hung in there and eventually made peace with this man....he and DH went before the church in a spirit of forgiveness, etc. Think what hurt worse though was that even though we had all kinds of proof of violations of federal labor laws for what he did (not only to my DH but also 3 other employees at least at one time or another) we felt that our pastor was siding with him. Well, on fathers day guess who was named father of the year and praised for his integrity, etc....... This really hurt DH, not that he was expecting it, but that it was awarded to this man, knowing full well that pastor knows what went on. Then two weeks ago in the bulletin it was announced that this man would be leading the men's prayer breakfast once a month. DH is really down and hurt. I know that people can change but he feels like this is being pushed in his face. Doesn't have much of a desire to go to church.....last night he said that he wants to go to church, just not sure he wants to stay here. But then he isn't making any effort to find another.

This is really hard for me.......we both love those kids we work with.....some of them we've watched grow up through our programs from 1st grade and now into the youth department. We are very close to many of those families. It's hard for me to throw away all that we have invested there timewise. I know I'm wrong to feel that way if God is indeed leading us somewhere else. But also don't feel like we should be there leading if our hearts aren't in it and we aren't committed to being there faithfully.....to me that feels hypocritical. Told DH that I would change churches if he wanted to but that I wasn't volunteering for anything......that I would rather go to a huge church and disappear......that way if I don't feel like going, I don't feel like going.....no committment to anything. This is really scary for me, as I realize this is a very dangerous place to be.....not that I'm scared of loosing my salvation, but I know satan is getting a strong hold on a part of my life that he shouldn't have.

Well, I guess I should stop there as this post has gotten way longer than I intended. Sorry!

I have actually changed churches, leaving a church that four generations of my family belonged to and although the circumstances were very different, leaving behind people I had grown close to was difficult. I prayed alot and listened for months for God to lead me, and eventually he did. he led me to salvation and away from blasphemy and heresy (that was being preached at the church I left). anyway, I digress. my suggestion is that you stay put and pray on this, set aside time to pray on this every sunday you walk in that church. I have to believe that the Lord will also lead you where he wants you go. ..... and satan loses.

 

[luvthatduke]

Congratulations saucymb! That is great news!
So glad for you...

I am praying for you, live4christp1, I've been there.
It is always hearbreaking, and always difficult,
whether you make the choice to stay or to go..

Elisabeth, praying for the job situation...

WDWHound, you wrote: "While I agreed with most of the ministers views (and he knew it), it was my job to repesent the laiety. I was incredibly stressed out. It took 2 years to finally get eveyone to sit down and talk it out... but both sides finally came to understand and accept each other. In fact, I understand the church actually fought to keep the minister when he was resassigned. By that time, my wife and I had left. We had never really understood why we had felt called to that church..."
What a terrible position to be put into, but all I can think about what you wrote, is "Blessed are the Peacemakers," and you most definitely were one!

aidensmom, this has to be the best description I've ever seen!
You cracked me up while voicing my exact opinion!

If my family decides to dig a hole in the backyard, throw me in, and grill a few hot dogs afterward, that is just fine with me.

At my Celebration of Life I absolutely want the plan of salvation laid out clearly, but gently. I want everyone there to know exactly where I am,
and why there is no doubt that I'm looking at Jesus' Face right at that moment.

I am loving all your songs, several I've never seen before.
Below is one song that I definitely want sung,
I first heard it at our church and it was fantastic!
It is an exciting song - people stand up and clap
and no one wants to stop singing it.
I didn't know Emmylou wrote it until I did a search for the
lyrics tonight - won't her worship in Heaven be a blessing?

All My Tears
by Emmylou Harris

When I go don't cry for me
In my Father's arms I'll be
The wounds this world left on my soul
Will all be healed and I'll be whole

Sun and moon will be replaced
With the light of Jesus' face
And I will not be ashamed
For my Savior knows my name

It don't matter where you bury me
I'll be home and I'll be free
It don't matter where I lay
All my tears be washed away

Gold and silver blind the eye
Temporary riches lie
Come and eat from heaven's store
Come and drink and thirst no more

So weep not for me my friend
When my time below does end
For my life belongs to Him
Who will raise the dead again

It don't matter where you bury me
I'll be home and I'll be free
It don't matter where I lay
All my tears be washed away