Born Again Christians Thread-No Bashing please

[luvthatduke]

Hope everyone's weekend is going well.
DH & I got some bad financial news today,
and frankly I'm scared.
Funny tho, as soon as my heart started
pounding I felt some peace,
and the Lord brought this story to mind.
Thought I'd share:


Things Aren't Always What They Seem

Two traveling angels stopped to spend
the night in the home of a wealthy family.
The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay
in the mansion's guestroom.
Instead, the angels were given a space in the cold basement.
As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw
a hole in the wall and repaired it.
When the younger angel asked why,
the older angel replied... "Things aren't always what they seem."

The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor,
but very hospitable farmer and his wife.
After sharing what little food they had the couple let the angels
sleep in their bed where they could have a good night's rest.
When the sun came up the next morning the angels found the
farmer and his wife in tears.
Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income,
lay dead in the field.
The younger angel was infuriated and
asked the older angel, "How could you have let this happen?
The first man had everything, yet you helped him," she accused.
"The second family had little but was willing to share everything,
and you let their cow die."

"Things aren't always what they seem," the older angel replied.

"When we stayed in the basement of the mansion,
I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall.
Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to
share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn't find it.
Then last night, as we slept in the farmer's bed,
the angel of death came for his wife. I gave her the cow instead.
Things aren't always what they seem."

Sometimes this is exactly what happens
when things don't turn out the way they should.
If you have faith, you just need
to trust that every outcome is always to your advantage.
You might not know it until some time later.

~ Author Unknown ~

 

[Albertan mom]

GREAT story.

Hope and pray everything turns out good for you guys.

 

[Grandma Bear]

luvthatduck I will keep you in my prayers! I just returned from a three day women's church retreat on prayer. What a blessing. A lot of testimonies and stories along with many lessons.I would like to share these thoughts with you as we all come under tests and the attacks of the enemy.

I'll walk this day in faith,dear Lord,

No foe, no storm I'll fear,

But trusting in Your precious Word,

I'm safe, for you are near.


He who abandons himself to God

Will never be abandoned by God

 

[luvthatduke]

Thank you, Sisters!
Blessings...

 

[Grandma Bear]

Thank you, Sisters!
Blessings...

To further encourage your heart : Phillipians 4:6-7 & Romans 8:28

Phillippians 4: 6- 7 Do not be anxious for one thing; but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving make your request known unto God and the peace of God which is held above every mind will guard beforehand your heart and minds in Christ Jesus.

ROMANS 8 :28 AND WE SEE THAT ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THEM THAT LOVE GOD AND TO THEM THAT ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE.

 

[disneymom3]

Just wanted to say something to all those married couples out there-
I know it is very hard to do sometimes, but I think it is great for couples to just have alone time!

Our kids went to their grandparents house this week, and my hubby and I had a great week together!
We played cards, we talked, we slept in, we went out for supper, went to a movie, went shopping, went out for dessert, went on drives, went to the mall, and just spent time cuddling and enjoying each other!

Sometimes I am so busy being a mom, that I forget that I am a wife!

It was so relaxing. Even though we just stayed home, (hubby had to work a couple of the days) we had fun.
I think it so important for couples to take that time for each other, to re-kindle their love lives, and just concentrate on each other.

Just wanted to encourage you to take the kids to some relatives, and be alone!! Your marriage needs it!!

Happy marriage=happy kids!!

I soooo agree with you! I always find myself concerned for those parents that say the "never" leave their kids with anyone else. I wonder if they get time as just a couple instead of always being mommy and daddy. The greatest gift you can give your kids is to have a strong marriage. Your marriage falls apart, their whole world falls apart. I would never want that to happen to my little people and add to that the fact that I really like this guy I married and I get sick of sharing him sometimes!

DH and I are going away for the weekend in late September adn I am so excited I can hardly stand it! I feel like we are dating again and I am looking forward to seeing him. We have overnights when hte kids stay at Grandma and G'pa's house pretty often but we haven't actually gone away somewhere in a really long time! God created marriage for us to be partners as well as parents and when the kids are grown and gone, we stil need to be best friends!

 

[luvthatduke]

Just wanted to say thanks again, Grandma Bear

 

[live4christp1]

luvthatduke.... to you!

Want you to know I'll keep you in my prayers.

Heres a couple more verses for you.

Proverbs 3:4 & 5 - Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not upon thine own understanding. In all you ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.

Psalms Chapter 9: 9 -The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

 

[ead79]

lovethatduke, my prayers are with you and your DH. May the Lord provide for your needs in His ultimate wisdom.

I’d like to ask for some prayers for my husband and his family. His great-grandmother passed away on Saturday. She was a wonderful lady and had helped raise my husband when he was a child. She lived a full life (she was 90) and was ready to go home, but of course those of us still here on earth are sad. He has been asked to speak at her funeral, and he is nervous about that. He’s not sure he can do it.

 

[Grandma Bear]

ead70 I will lift you up in prayer. Having to speak at a loved one's service is hard! I had to do it for my mother in laws. I tried to focus on the fact that this was her graduation ceremony and to mention a few of the many joys she brought into our lives. I also quoted her to favorite scritures. Tell Dh that he can do all things through Christ who strenthens him. I had to repeat this to myself several times;but it worked.

 

[live4christp1]

Praying for you Elisabeth and for your DH.

 

[Aidensmom]

lovethatduke, my prayers are with you and your DH. May the Lord provide for your needs in His ultimate wisdom.

I’d like to ask for some prayers for my husband and his family. His great-grandmother passed away on Saturday. She was a wonderful lady and had helped raise my husband when he was a child. She lived a full life (she was 90) and was ready to go home, but of course those of us still here on earth are sad. He has been asked to speak at her funeral, and he is nervous about that. He’s not sure he can do it.

Sending prayers for comfort and for confidence in speaking at the funeral.

 

[luvthatduke]

Thanks to everyone for your prayers, I feel them!

Elisabeth, I will pray for your DH and the services.
Yes, even when someone we love lives what we
call down here a full life, it is still such a sadness
to have to say goodbye.
How much more full is her life now, as she looks
in the Face of Jesus!

 

[live4christp1]

Was thinking about this passage of scripture today.....specifically thinking about how we always need to be ready to give an account of the hope that is within us and not water down the gospel or cheapen it in any way. Used this as an illustration in prayer and share with our teens -----had a cup of really hot water and a cup of ice water. I talked about how the cup of hot water could be used to make hot tea, hot chocolate, instant coffee, etc......the ice water for someone thirsty, etc. But that if we sit both those cups down and leave them several hours and come back.....the water will be lukewarm and lukewarm water isn't good for much. Jesus said he would rather us be hot or cold rather than lukewarm.

But also as I look as this passage today, God brought something else to my attention.....in verses 17 - 19 and about how sometimes He has to chastise us. Sometimes I think I get so caught up in my life, activities, family, ministry that I don't give enough time toward my relationship with God and acknowledge my need and dependence on Him. This passage really spoke to me today.

Revelations Chapter 3
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Makes me think of this wonderful song our teens sing in WOL - love hearing those teenagers sing this song:

I don't want to be, I don't want to be
A casual Christian
I don't want to live, I don't want to live
A lukewarm life
Because I want to light up the night
With an everlasting light
I don't want to live the casual Christian life.

** Lord, I pray that I would be a bright shining light in the midst of the darkness, gladly proclaiming the gospel of salvation. Help me to share the love of Christ with someone today.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

luvthatduke, you are in my prayers. At church this weekend the sermon was on the treasures you have in heaven and how those can never be taken away.

Elisabeth, I am sorry for you loss and I will say a prayer for your DH.

 

[pogopossum]

dw and i were working with the children last weekend at church and missed the service, but it is certainly ironic that the pastor preached about showing compassion, just one day before the big one, she got the cd for us to listen to as we drive to port canaveral, beginning tomorrow. we are going to mount a disaster relief effort, with donations and once we get word of what is needed from the texas baptist men that have already gone down, we'll be sending volunteers to assist. if i can square it and not miss any gigs, i think i'll try to be involved. i wish that i had enough work this summer to just blow off about two weeks, but i have to play catch up now til the end of the year.

i am glad to be part of a church that can pool so many resources and help out when needs arise.

 

[Grandma Bear]

This is a time when we as Christians can really reflect God's love and compassion. I know many churches will be doing outreach work and praise God for everyone of them.

 

[live4christp1]

Just checking in to see how everyone is doing. Prayers for all those affected by this terrible tragedy and for all those on their way there to help with the relief efforts.....for their safety. Would like to share this song, it really ministered to me this morning.

All things work for the good

though sometimes we can't

see how they could

struggles that break our hearts in two

sometimes blind us to the truth

Our Father knows what's best for us

His ways are not our own

so when your pathway grows dim

and you just can't see him,

remember He's still on the throne

Chorus:

God is too wise to be mistaken

God is too good to be unkind

So when you don't understand

When don't see his plan

When you can't trace his hand

Trust His Heart

He sees the master plan

He holds the future in his hand,

Don't live as those who have no hope,

while our hope is found in him.

We see the present clearly

but he sees the first and last

and like a tapestry He's weaving you and me,

to someday be just like him

(Chorus)

He alone is faithful and true

He alone knows what is best for you

(Chorus)

When you can't trace his hand

When you don't see his plan

When you don't understand

Trust His Heart

Written by Eddie Carswell & Babbie Mason copyright ©1989 Word Music, Inc

 

[Albertan mom]

Wow. I just read through some of the threads and posts on the community thread. Katrina destuction is awful. Up here in Canada, we are hearing about it, but of course not as much as down South.
It is so sad. It breaks my heart.

Does anyone know if we are missing any of our regular BAC's from this thread?

Is there anything I can do from up here? Besides donating money. Can you guys think of anything? I have no problem sending money, but I would rather pick a family that one of you knows, and send stuff to them personally. If they have an address that I can send it to.
If anyone knows of any families that need clothes, money, food, anything, please let me know.
Thanks
Prayers are with you all.......

 

[luvthatduke]

Thanks Albertan mom, you are a blessing.
I'm sure if someone knows of a need
they will let you know, your offer is generous!
So many kind DIS'rs on the boards, really amazing...

I just keep praying for anyone who is still trapped,
and for the children affected - how frightened they must be!
I think of the 2 children on the roof of a house
who managed to write a sign, "Help Us!"
I cannot even think of children on their own through this!!