January 31, 2006
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I want to thank you for your heartfelt responses to my questions about God. I am still answering the posts, but wanted you to know that while still depressed, it is comforting to know that there is so much love out in Xangaland. Your thoughts and ideas are helping. If I haven’t gotten back to you yet, I will later today.
I also want to share an incredible book that I just read by Thom S. Rainer called The Unexpected Journey. The author went around interviewing people who converted to Christianity from many different faiths. It is profound to see how God moves in people’s lives. He portrays their history, the belief system that they were under, what brought them to Christ, and how Christians can reach out in love to touch the lives of people in those faiths.
Not surprising, the key ingredient is a person’s unconditional love for others. Seems that love will go where no amount of preaching can reach. I can attest to that one myself. I could relate to so many of the lives portrayed in this book, and it has given me great comfort to see Christ moving.
After I touch base with those who commented on my last post, I will share some more of how God is dealing with me in the midst of this hurt. But your prayers and love really matter, it is something to hold onto in this season of hurt for me.
Lots of love to you all,
Heather
Comments (14)
Thank you again for sharing.
I have not had a chance to read through your posts about the book of Revelations. But I will, and will comment later.
I loff Joshua, the book & movie! I went to the Christian bookstore to buy a gift for someone & was looking around & saw the DVD…I had to have it, lol. My two youngest watched it with me & just loved it. I thought they did a great job with it too, just really well shot, directed, etc.
Love & (((hugs)))
I was reading Psalms this morning and Daviv also struggled with his emotions and wondered where God was.. Psalm 44:23-36
Larry
Often, the pain never goes away. I wish I could say otherwise. Rather it becomes manageable. And in that manageability it lessens and sometimes even is controllable. This is where the grace of God can come in and become our source of strength when we have very little to offer. We allow Him to take the pain, depression, anger or whatever for the moment. We can do that and God is more than able to handle it for us. As we do, we lean on His mighty arm and He sustains us, strengthens us, and we come closer to Him.
In the midst of this process, we realize that we have become dependent upon Him, which is what he desires all along. We no longer have to take up the hurt and make it our own. Fear can then melt away because we can see it for what it is, nothing compared to the presence of the Lord.
Like David who was terrified of his own sin condition and the circumstance of his life, we can say, “In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me (Psalm 56:4)?” or “The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me (Psalm 118:6)?”
hey,
whats up??
how are you?? hopefully all is well,, i am hopeing to hear from ya soon,
until then, God bless!1
!sarah~
Dear sweet Heather,
I pray for you that you will see that you are a victor in Christ! I will continue to run alongside you and pray for you to be healed in the deepest part of your being…
“Set me free from my prison that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.”" Psalm 142: 7
With much love and many prayers,
Paula
You are a woman of great courage. Thanks for being willing to be so transparent in your struggles of trying to make sense of pain. We all ask God questions when we feel our lives have been unfair, unjust, and cruel. Do not condemn yourself for asking legit questions of God. This is not a faith issue!!!!! I do not have the answers but I do have hugs and thanks to send your way for allowing your readers into a sacred place in your life. Blessings….
You are so choosen of God he has great plans for you…
I love your bible studies they are so full of life . thanks for the time you spent studing this out .. and please for give me . Can i give you a (((hug)))??? Have a blessed day .
Hi,
I’m sorry your hurting, it’s painful at times. Your faith will carry you through along with His loving arms.
I have been through “Elijah house school” which is very helpful and healing, it centers around the cross of our Lord Jesus.
You can find them on the web, John Sanford is the founder.
Also, I have taken Theophostic schooling which helped me a lot, Ed Smith is the founder.
Godspeed.
We must rmember hurting people hurt people. Free people free people. One thing I have learned is that God NEVER allows our pain to be wasted. Everything we go thorough, all the hurt the enemy throws our way can be turned into something beautiful in His hands. I know becasue He has done it for me.
keep hangin in there
Dear Heather ~ According to the book you read, you mentioned in your post that the key ingredient in converting people to Christianity from other religions was unconditional love being shown. It reminded me of the verse, “It is the goodness of God that leadeth men to repentance.” It is truly the love of God that changes people. I am SO GLAD that you ordered the book I recommended. Let me know how you like it. ~ By His Grace, jenny
QUESTION:
“Where was God when I was a child being abused?”
ANSWER:
“He was suffering with you,
helpless to intervene,
except
to speak to other Christians,
prayer warriors,
in that still, small voice of his,
hoping
that one of them was
listening
so that He could tell him/her
what to pray
and a way be found for Him
to make it for you
at that time
“on earth as it is in Heaven”
Apparently,
none of them were.
Above all else,
the Bible makes it clear
that
God IS GOOD!
A good God does not make/allow children to suffer
if it is in His rights and power to stop it and still be Himself.
Therefore,
He would not stop the abuse from happening to you
because His hands were tied somehow.
That is,
to intercede in your abusive circumstances
He would have violated either:
1) the structure and laws of the World system,
2) an Old Covenant Law,
3) Wisdom – His constructor,
4) His word
5) someone’s free will
AND THUS ceased, by definition, to be God.
A CLUE:
John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church said
“It seems that God does nothing in the earth unless someone prays.”
PRAYERLESSNESS
is the most grievious sin in the Church today!
For whom have you prayed today?
You are God’s beloved. Continue your growth, you are doing good.
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