good news;and bad news...

[warthog]

My wife's cousin Sharron is NOT having surgery on her neck-shes got arthritis,NOT bad discs-Thank the Lord!!HEY GREG-GOT THE SILVER IN THE MAIL-THANKS A LOT!!Now for the not-so-good: I went out detecting in that old athletic field yesterday-found a 44 Merc and a 45 Wheatie-Stepped on some uneven terrain-AND BROKE MY RIGHT FOOT IN 2 PLACES!!MY WIFE DROVE ME TO THE HOSPITAL;THEY CONFIRMED IT WITH AN X-RAY-As badly as it hurt,I figured thats what it was...I got a half-cast on;will be off work from 3-6 weeks...Ya know what the worst part is?When I went to church this morning,out of all them people that are supposed to be my extended family,the ONLY ONE that offered to help me in any way was a man that is lawsuit-happy...They all know I have an extensive ministry taking care of my older neighbors:Mow their lawns,get their mail;etc...It is said you can tell who your real friends are when you are down and out-My wife announced yesterday she is not going back to that church-She has the most giving,loving Christian spirit-and some of those "Christians"that go there have crapped upon her in more ways that one- She was crying about it this morning-I told her-and,EVERYBODY has told her-dont worry about the 2-faced idiots that go to church-In my opinion,thats what they are-BUT,the damage has been done-Im gettin ready to walk out also because of what theyve done to my wife...Please pray for me-Im in a lot of pain right now;and I feel all alone...:sad:

 

[Leslie(nova scotia)]

n/t

 

[Greg from Mi.]

My wife and I had a bad experience with a church also. We were there 15 years and due to I think it being a big church ( about 500 to 800 on sunday ) we had a hard time getting to know anyone. We were also very involved.
Well we prayed about it for a long tome and felt God leading us to a small church. After more then a few years praying we made the move. Funny thing was after leaving we only had one person in the whole contact us and she was the one that kept track of offerings in the office.
So I think I know how you feel, but remember..........
Keep your hopes on God not men. The devil will use things like what happend to you and me to stay out of church. Dont let him win!!!!!
Pray about what to do but let God tell you and not your emotions
I'll be praying for you and your wife
Greg

 

[MI$$OURI BETTY]

pray and ask God's healing and mercy upon you both! Remember, the poem, "Come Rest In Me" that you were going to copy and put in different places? Well, me brother, 'tis time to read that poem over and over again and you are not alone, for Jesus is with you! If you don't feel close to Him than guess who has moved and it isn't Him! Start giving Him praise in all things, even while you are hurting, and you will feel His comforting and loving strength enveloping you in arms of love! I'll pray for your wife too, and if that isn't the church you are supposed to attend than God will lead you to another one with godly teachings for increasing your faith in Jesus by your seeking, asking and searching for His guidance!

Sometimes God allows the taking away of those who we are leaning on instead of Him, so we will lean on Him, the One and Only God and to faithfully trust in Jesus!

God Bless!
Betty

 

[VT Dave]

like that can cause a lot of heartache! Prayers for your healing of your foot and healing in you and your wife's spiritual walk. Put your trust in God, He will show you the way to go. God bless!

Dave

 

[Mike from MI "Iron Brigade"]

Get well soon, you don't want to miss all that prime water detecting time! Also we have some similar happenings at our church right now with my wife.

 

[marcoo]

I'm starting to come to the conclusion that "Christianity" has sold out to the world. I read the other day where Pat Robertsons' Lear jet crashed while he was leasing it out to make more money or defer operation costs. What in the world are Preachers doing owning Lear jets when there is such poverty in the world? These are the "leaders" of Pop Christianity of today and it seems they are more concerned with making money off of God than in assisting you in saving your soul. The Pastor of that "church" should be the one organizing your relief effort, but then again if he asked anyone to do anything other than show up on Sunday and throw some money into the pan, perhaps less people would go to his church and that wouldn't be good would it?

Dogface, the time has come and is here now where the Lord has given you a lesson in discernment. This may seem a lonely time for you now, but it doesn't have to be. Invite that person who offered to help over for a little reading of the New Testament. Create your own home church, your own support group of people who walk the walk instead of those who claim to be "Christian" for whatever reason but blow whatever way the wind happens to be blowing. It's easy to discern who is who by their actions. Good and sour water doesn't come out of the same well.

Here is a example, I note you write that you help people in need. I suspect you get a lot of satisfaction and enjoyment from doing so which shows the Holy Spirit is moving within you. Brother, that, according to the New Testament, is exactly what we are to be doing. You are building up treasure in Heaven and God will, and has, blessed you for you willingness to help. Another person who is more concerned about appearances which is the reason they go to "church" might be prodded into helping and not only help wash the old folks dishes, but help themselves to some jewelry laying around when no one is looking. It's easy to see who is the person following the teachings of the Christ.

I suspect that you are viewing this broken foot as a bummer. Yes, I would suspect that it would be unpleasant, but what would be more unpleasant (at least to me) would be to continue to surround yourself with people you thought were brothers and sisters in a "church" and when the chips were really down in a life or death situation discover you couldn't count on them. These are the misguided or lost and you really don't want to be among them anyway.

Anyone can call themselves a Christian. Take this time to develop a relationship with people you can see are walking the walk. Put on bible study pot lucks. Let this down time be a time of growth instead of self pity.

God has really blessed you. Your eyes have been opened to see the misguided and lost and you have learned discernment through this broken foot. Now the time to really put your faith on trial is at hand. You and your wife need to forgive the people in the church. Turn your anger into compassion. Just think, all those people turning away from your need are missing what you have found in your heart and deserve not your anger, but your tears of compassion because they are missing the boat. Anger and unkind thoughts only hurt you and your wife. Pray good things for them and in doing so, you, Dogface, will grow in the love of our Lord Jesus instead of becoming sour and unhappy so many let you down.

Don't sit back, Dogface. Your time is now. Organize a weekly pot luck bible study. Invite those you admire and those you would like to become those you could admire. Especially those who you felt let you down. Start small if necessary and grow weekly, monthly or even yearly if that is what it takes to find those who really want to know the word of Jesus rather than what is just popular at the moment.

Our bible study isn't a study really. We simply read from Matt 1 to the end of the New Testament, book by book. We are not trying to make or justify a point by jumping all over. We try to understand the scripture as it unfolds under our eyes and keep moving on through the other books. As we come to the end of a book, the next person gets to choose what book to read next, but we always read from the first verse to the last in each book. It's really fun, but the downside is once you read the actual New Testament, instead of books about the New Testament, it's hard to listen to Preachers and "Christian" radio because you are able to discern right from wrong. Many don't know what they are talking about. This discernment is what will save your soul which is why I hope you'll look at this broken foot as a blessing rather than a curse.

May God bless and heal you quickly.

Mark

 

[rentasquid]

Will be praying for you!!!

J.

 

[warthog]

I have to say;Im really concerned-If I can see what needs to be done-AND,it doesnt take a genius to see these things;believe me-WHY CANT OTHERS -THAT ARE SUPPOSEDLY CHRISTIAN-SEE THESE THINGS;ALSO???I am not special--it really makes me wonder-How many times have I done that very same thing to others??How many have been disappointed in me,for the very same thing??I believe I am experiencing these things as a lesson from the LORD-"You know what it feels like now-its what NOT to do"..My sister-whom lives a good 25 miles away-told me when I went to see her this morning-"WHAT DO YOU NEED TO BE DONE??NAME IT-I WILL COME AND DO IT!!....I told her"Well,I mow 3 lawns-ours,and my 2 older neighbors"...Without batting an eye;she said"NO Problem-If you need it,I will do it"...A true Christian,if I ever seen one-NO-IM NOT LEAVIN MY CHURCH -NO WAY-I believe the LORD wants me there-to show them how to be sensitive to other people's needs?Who knows-If thats what Im there for;so be it...BY THE WAY:I have a bone Dr.appointment 9:30 tomorry morning-I will let you know what he says tomorry...As Ahnold says;"I'll be back"....

 

[rentasquid]

I like your attitude and thoughts!!! Sometimes the easiest thing to do is to walk away(sorry for the choice of words)from a situation, and just wash your hands of the people, but maybe the lesson is for them too. Churches can become complacent, and self preserving...only doing what needs to be done, if it absolutely needs to be done. That doesnt make them bad, it shows our humanity. Maybe they need a wake up call, and God has chosen you to deliver it. If they react to your message in a manner that isnt repentant, then it might be time to wash your hands. I'll be praying that the Holy Spirit gives you the right words to say!

J.

 

[MI$$OURI BETTY]

n/t