Come Into The Deep End... with ImHisServant (2)

[ImHisServant]

Hello SportsMommy, AllforJesus, Becka, and HisbyGrace! Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

JPPT, thanks for the compliment! I don't know where I'd be without prayer. I believe prayer changes things!

SUNDAY POLL
After our discussion this week on praising God by lifting our hands, I was just wondering WHO was able to get out of their comfort zone at church today and actually do it?!
I tried. It lasted about half of a song I just felt as if everyone in the congregation was staring at me even though there where SO many other people around me with their hands & arms lifted WAY above their heads. I think I'm hopeless!

I can't believe you posted this poll!! As I was praising in Chruch Sunday - I thought about you all here... and was gonna ask the same thing.

It is not hopeless... what you did was great!! You took a step out of your comfort zone and into obedience. God loves to stretch us out of our box - you are growing

The journey of a lifetime begins with one step. And you took that step!! I think of it the same as exercise... at first you don't want to do it... yet know if you do there will be big benefits. So you try... but are so out of shape you can't do much... but if you keep at it you are able to do more and more... then the more you are able to do... the more blessings and benefits come.

 

[ImHisServant]

Wow... what a great start to my week seeing so many new people have come into The Deep End!!!

Welcome: RedTulipMoon, krys4ever, SportsMommy, AllForJesus, Becka, Hisbygrace and believer4God

It's so nice to have you all here and I pray you make yourself at home and jump right in.

 

[ImHisServant]

Monday's Topic: January 29th

Love Your Neighbor

Discussion: How are you doing in the loving your neighbor department?

What a great topic!! I do ok in this area... but could do so much better. A begger came to me in the Wal-mart parking lot asking for change to get something to eat... He was dirty and on a bicycle... I gave him $5 and his face lit up and he sped away to some fast food place... I didn't know his name or anything... but it made me feel good knowing he would have a meal. I remodeled my kitchen last year and called section 8 housing to see if they knew anyone that could use the appliances. They knew a woman who had 3 children, had no refrigerater and was cooking off of one burner!! The next day that woman's parents... who were in their late 50's early 60's came to get the items... the mother said "but the dishwasher is mine!! It has been my lifelong dream to have a dishwasher" can you imagine being that far along in life and always dreaming of a dishwasher?? Something most of us think is normal and no big deal - and take for granted. The joy in my heart that day was something that words can not describe. No amount of money could have bought the feeling I got and still get every time I think of that day. When I told my dad, he was baffled as to why I would just give those items away and not sell them.

It leaves me wanting to do more - I wish I was rich so I could.

I wanted to help a Katrina family... but my husband was not for that... too scared of not knowing the family or what they would do... so I was restricted by my husband on that.

I do take in children who are not getting the parenting they need. We have a 13 year old now from a friend from High School who can't handle her... and will soon be getting a 2 year old girl from my neice who has neglected and abanded her... she is in foster care at this time. Hoping to get a call soon... please pray that she gets the courage up to call us.

Yet to actively go out seeking to love and care for the lost... the drug users, the prostitutes etc... I have not done that... only help those who come across my path.

 

[woman.at.the.well]

Monday's Topic: January 29th

Love Your Neighbor

Discussion: How are you doing in the loving your neighbor department?

What a great topic!! I do ok in this area... but could do so much better. A begger came to me in the Wal-mart parking lot asking for change to get something to eat... He was dirty and on a bicycle... I gave him $5 and his face lit up and he sped away to some fast food place... I didn't know his name or anything... but it made me feel good knowing he would have a meal. I remodeled my kitchen last year and called section 8 housing to see if they knew anyone that could use the appliances. They knew a woman who had 3 children, had no refrigerater and was cooking off of one burner!! The next day that woman's parents... who were in their late 50's early 60's came to get the items... the mother said "but the dishwasher is mine!! It has been my lifelong dream to have a dishwasher" can you imagine being that far along in life and always dreaming of a dishwasher?? Something most of us think is normal and no big deal - and take for granted. The joy in my heart that day was something that words can not describe. No amount of money could have bought the feeling I got and still get every time I think of that day. When I told my dad, he was baffled as to why I would just give those items away and not sell them.

It leaves me wanting to do more - I wish I was rich so I could.

I wanted to help a Katrina family... but my husband was not for that... too scared of not knowing the family or what they would do... so I was restricted by my husband on that.

I do take in children who are not getting the parenting they need. We have a 13 year old now from a friend from High School who can't handle her... and will soon be getting a 2 year old girl from my neice who has neglected and abanded her... she is in foster care at this time. Hoping to get a call soon... please pray that she gets the courage up to call us.

Yet to actively go out seeking to love and care for the lost... the drug users, the prostitutes etc... I have not done that... only help those who come across my path.

You are an inspiration to me. You are what every Christian should be. You put your faith into motion and that is awesome!

As for MY response to this topic. Honestly, I could do way better in loving my neighbor. Not so much the people I am around from day to day (at work, ect) but my literal neighbors. The people who live under me.

For the first year they lived under me, I tried really hard to be a good Christian woman. To be loving, forgiving, and merciful like our Father in heaven is. But recently (a couple months ago) I had to take a stand with them because they took the kindness too far, and had to put some boundaries down with them. Now we don't even talk. I feel my part with them now is to sit on top of them (not literally, but you get my point, I live upstairs, they downstairs) and pray for them.

MeekOne knows a bit of what has gone on with them. She's been an awesome sister and friend in Christ and helped me pray for them. So maybe if you all would be so kind could you please lift these neighbors of mine up in prayer to God. Ask for His divine intervention. Something rather serious happened after Christmas and it seems as though no one is doing anything. The young man (14 yrs old) is in serious trouble and I can't believe our community's lack of response to what is going on. It's sad, it really is. He needs help and no one does anything. And when I try to get them help I get the cold shoulder from police, ect. So . . . please pray. The situation for the kid (and their dog) is not good.

Sorry for highjacking this topic to a different place than you may have wanted it to go Gina. But my literal neighbors became heavy on my heart when I saw this topic so naturally I went on a tangent. Thank you for your prayers!

And thank you for bringing this topic up! It is definitely food for thought and making me think about how I treat people. I know I want to be a good example for Christ in His kingdom and needed this reminder!

Have a blessed day InDeep'ers!

 

[ImHisServant]

Sorry for highjacking this topic to a different place than you may have wanted it to go Gina. But my literal neighbors became heavy on my heart when I saw this topic so naturally I went on a tangent. Thank you for your prayers!

This is PowerofPrayer's topic today... not mine. But never worry about weather your response is in line with how the topic is posted... whatever God puts on your heart is worth posting and what this thread is all about.

 

[Maharg]

I'm struggling with this one at the moment. I am working as a teacher in a deprived area and I do really care about the children I teach, but I am finding it difficult to be the loving and gentle person I know I can be. It's such a high-stress enviornment and I get so focused on worrying about teaching the curriculum and making sure I am meeting targets that I forget to see the children I am working with as human beings with very real needs for attention and affection.

I'm off sick today and seem to keep on weeping. My life just isn't right at the moment. I don't seem to have peace a lot of the time, just anxiety, and I think it's because I'm not showing love to my neighbour in the way that Jesus did. I'm so tired with preparing lessons, writing reports and all the other things that go along with teaching that I seem to have little energy left just for having human moments with other human beings. I don't see my actual physical neighbours that much because I stay cocooned in my house working as soon as I get back from school. It's not right, I know, and I must listen to God to find a way out of this. When I go to church and Bible study group I can't seem to relax: my mind is distracted with work - I am supposed to be teaching one group of pupils at the moment about worship and my mind keeps wondering to whether I can organise a trip for them to come to my church.

How do we get out of this pit of busy-ness to come into God's purpose and plans? I can't properly concentrate on my devotionals - I can't take stuff in. And my mind wonders off when I try to sing in worship - so that it just becomes empty singing. I think we really need our time in that loving place with God so that we do have capacity to reach out to others. But how do we do this? Sorry I've drifted a little from the topic.

To love our neighbour fully, I think we need to have that full-on relationship with God, otherwise we try to do things without Him and we burn out. So, how do we stand hand in hand with God, and then pour out His love to our neighbour? How do we get back to that place of safety?

maharg

 

[burn97]

Good Morning Ladies!

I have volunteered to post topics on Mondays. I'm actually not sure if Gina wanted me to start this Monday but I haven't heard confirmation yet. And since I might not have time to post it later on this morning I figured I'd do it now while I can.


Monday's Topic: January 29th

Love Your Neighbor

Matthew 22:36-40> "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."​

In a world filled with selfishness Jesus calls us to step out of our comfort zone. He calls us to walk in love and shine His light into the darkest of places. When He walked the earth where did He spend His time? Amongst the tax collectors, liars and prostitues....didn't He? He went to those who needed. Needed - love, forgiveness, direction and guidance. As I reflect on the 2nd greatest commandment I can't help but feel sad when I look at how we function. Do we function as a community? Do our actions reveal love for one another? In today's society community has been replaced with networking. We are too busy doing for ourselves that we neglect others. We ignore the homeless man on the street corner (think of the Good Samaritan story), we look down at the prostitue searching for her next customer, we wag our finger at the teenage boy who overdosed on heroin. But who are these people? What do they represent?​

Read this passage of scripture. Jesus is speaking....​

Matthew 25: 34-40> "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' ​

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' ​

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' ​

They represent our King who gave His life for you, me and them. We, as believers, are the church of God. We are to spread His word, His saving grace and love to the world. The world full of lowly, desperate people who cling to a life on the streets, drugs, prostitution and everything else because they have no hope. Do you know that money usually has nothing to do with homelessness? Most of those people have been abused, neglected or rejected from their families and they didn't have any where else to turn. I ask myself - what if the 12 year old girl down the street was being abused by her father or uncle would she know she could come to my church or my home for help? Or would she hop on a bus and head to the city's core; most likely to be picked up by a man who says he will take care of her only to shoot up with drugs and start selling her body. Would she know? Am I being so self-centered that I'm not reaching out? ​

I wonder what would happen to this dark world if we as Christians stood united on the word of God. If we stood up for the message Jesus died for - that He is the ONE way to heaven, that He will love you and forgive you if you would just turn to Him with a repentant heart. Would the street corners be empty and our pews full? Who knows....unless we try. Who knows....unless we start loving our neighbor. Not just love but to love him/her as yourself.​

Now, that my friends is a world I want to live in.​

Discussion: How are you doing in the loving your neighbor department? ​

A Wonderful Topic!! I find myself wanting to help more, yet most of the time, I end up on the sidelines. If someone comes to me, I am more than willing to help, yet to go out, among others and look to help someone, I am extremely lacking.
I know that God has called us to be lights, to not hide but to shine brightly, yet I find myself tending more to be the lamp under the bed. I fear what other people think. I don't start conversations. I'm very lacking in the social area, yet I know that I have to go beyond my comfort area. I'm alot like Moses, when God told him to go the Israelites, he didn't feel he was talented enough, good enough, able to do it. Yet, look at how God changed Moses.
I pray that God will give me strength, because I know that I myself don't have it.

 

[RedTulipMom]

What a great topic! Reading through all your posts i have gotten some motivation, inspiration and a little kick in the butt. It made me realize how much i DONT reach out to my neighbors. well i cant totally say that. i reach out to my family and extended family. I give my stuff away all the time: couches, chairs, cribs, clothes etc. i am always giving something to someone.

I have realized that all the problems and difficulties in my life have taken over to the extent that i dont have alot of time or energy anymore for anything outside my family and its problems. Maybe its just the season i am in or maybe i am making excuses. I am not sure.

 

[krys4ever]

God has been dealing a lot with me on loving others, as well as loving myself. I know that the only way I can truly love the way Jesus loves is to love Him first. Once I love God the way Im supposed to, then my love for others and myself will take affect.

I have trouble loving those that have hurt me, dont like me, or treat me like trash. I know that God is testing and teaching me how to love inspite of how people act towards me. I have come to find out that I cant always look at the other person and say, "oh, God work on that person to love or God, make that person do right", when I need to check on myself and see where I am in God. Am I loving like the bible says to love? Im I trying to show love to my enemies? It gets difficult at times.

Its hard to love myself sometimes. There are times I might think about things I have done in my past and I find it hard to love me. And I when I see people looking down on me, I start to look down on myself.

But through all of this, I know that is taking me through each step of the love process. It is up to me to go with it or against it. I know that if a person truly wants to love the right way, they will do what it takes no matter how hard it may seem to love. I have learned to not look at the other person, but to look at myself and ask God to teach me how to love in all things.

 

[LivingLifeHisWay]

Good Monday Everyone!!

I'm so happy to see new faces jumping in with both feet! That's great!

Todays' Topic: Love your neighbor

I became a Christian 4 years ago. Less then a year later I became a biological mom, 18 months after that I became a mom of 2. For the past 3 years I have been so involved with being a mom and feeding my spiritual hunger that I have really neglected reaching out to others. I do reach out to family and friends but not to strangers. I have climbed into a little box and shut the lid tightly....but now God has called me to tear open the lid and step out. My boys are older now, I'm sleeping more and I feel like a human being again so it's not a surprise that I'm feeling this way. I've sat idle for way too long and I need to do something. I don't know what, but whatever it is I know God is leading.

God Bless you!
~Christina

 

[LivingLifeHisWay]

I'm struggling with this one at the moment. I am working as a teacher in a deprived area and I do really care about the children I teach, but I am finding it difficult to be the loving and gentle person I know I can be. It's such a high-stress enviornment and I get so focused on worrying about teaching the curriculum and making sure I am meeting targets that I forget to see the children I am working with as human beings with very real needs for attention and affection.

I'm off sick today and seem to keep on weeping. My life just isn't right at the moment. I don't seem to have peace a lot of the time, just anxiety, and I think it's because I'm not showing love to my neighbour in the way that Jesus did. I'm so tired with preparing lessons, writing reports and all the other things that go along with teaching that I seem to have little energy left just for having human moments with other human beings. I don't see my actual physical neighbours that much because I stay cocooned in my house working as soon as I get back from school. It's not right, I know, and I must listen to God to find a way out of this. When I go to church and Bible study group I can't seem to relax: my mind is distracted with work - I am supposed to be teaching one group of pupils at the moment about worship and my mind keeps wondering to whether I can organise a trip for them to come to my church.

How do we get out of this pit of busy-ness to come into God's purpose and plans? I can't properly concentrate on my devotionals - I can't take stuff in. And my mind wonders off when I try to sing in worship - so that it just becomes empty singing. I think we really need our time in that loving place with God so that we do have capacity to reach out to others. But how do we do this? Sorry I've drifted a little from the topic.

To love our neighbour fully, I think we need to have that full-on relationship with God, otherwise we try to do things without Him and we burn out. So, how do we stand hand in hand with God, and then pour out His love to our neighbour? How do we get back to that place of safety?

maharg

Oh Maharg, I feel your anguish and despair my friend. I've been where you are. The feelings of busyness, frusteration and anxiety are horrible. Sit at the feet of Jesus....don't read, don't sing, don't think....sit at His feet and weep. Pour unto Him all your worries, anxieties and cares. He will take them from you and replace them with a peace that we can not comprehend. May you feel His loving arms around you and allow Him to mold you into who He wants you to be.

 

[powerofprayer]

Okay ladies, I'm in a very talkative mood today so here I go................
Gina, thanks for your vote of confidence! I'm going to keep trying every Sunday - constantly thinking of it as submission, obedience, & what makes God smile. I know I've got to worry more about what God thinks & less about what others think - cuz really, its only God that matters! Right?!
W.A.T.W., I will be praying for your situation & for that young man. I have dealt with a similiar situation 2 years ago & understand your frustration & pain. No one would help. Not the police, social services, no one. We ended up having a 14 year old boy & his 15 year old sister live with us for 6 months (mom was a drug addict/dealer) before their mom decided to come get them - in 6 months, she never once called to check on them! She showed up with the police & tried to accuse me of "taking them" even though I had been in constant contact with both the police & social services about her abandoning them. 4-5 months later she was in jail & the kids ended up running away because the state wouldn't let them live with me because the mom said "NO". Where is the justice in that? What ever happened to doing what's best for the kids? Well, I will be in constant prayer for a much better ending.
LivingLifeHisWay, wonderful job with todays topic. I cried as I read it.
Burn, I'm stealing some of your lines because it is me exactly!

I know that God has called us to be lights, to not hide but to shine brightly, yet I find myself tending more to be the lamp under the bed. I fear what other people think. I don't start conversations. I'm very lacking in the social area, yet I know that I have to go beyond my comfort area.

I think this is why I do my best work in Mexico!! I can't speak the language!! But there, you don't have to. You just go to a poverty-stricken area, smile at someone, & start helping them do whatever it is they need help with. Sometimes its as easy as helping an older lady do her laundry (by hand) & provide her with a nutritious meal but sometimes its harder like helping a man build his family a home (which is actually a one-room shack) out of scrap wood he's been collecting. Man, I end up being the one that is blessed! As far as at home, like Gina, I take in Kids (mostly teenagers) all the time, even if its just short term. I use that time to take them to church, do bible studies, love & listen to them. I pray it will make a difference. Somehow word gets out that our home is like a "safe house" & that's fine with me! I think most of you know that I'm in the process of adopting a 15 year old & I believe she's the first of many! I will also do anything in the world if asked but like Burn, I don't usually go out looking.
Okay....I guess I've talked enough! Bottom line.....I do need to reach out to those in need - the unchurched, pre-Christian, lost children of God.
Maharg, you are in my prayers

Sandy

 

[Maharg]

Thanks for the personal responses to me



I managed to do a little 'loving my neighbour' today, just by making phone calls to people I had let down and apologising. It only took two minutes, but it made a major difference to the lightness in my spirit, and I'm sure it blessed the people I spoke to. I remember a speaker I once went to see saying that the 20:80 rule seems to work spiritually as well as in the business world (80% of the result is achieved from 20% of the effort put in - or something to that effect). When we have little time we can still do things to help and to bless others. We just often have to be a little creative about what we do, and perhaps think simply sometimes too - a smile and a hello costs nothing.



I managed to plan a lesson and write an assessment and add some stuff to my teacher training folder in the last 2 3/4 hours which is quite good for me, and I've been quite calm. I'm just coming to plan for the lesson I get nervous about each week. I've asked God to be with me. I'm praying he'll keep me out of panic mode and help me to get my work finished in plenty of time to relax for a little while tonight.

Be blessed everyone,

maharg
x

 

[powerofprayer]

Its hard to love myself sometimes. There are times I might think about things I have done in my past and I find it hard to love me. And I when I see people looking down on me, I start to look down on myself.

Krystal, I heard this beautiful song at church yesterday. I don't remember the words exactly but the jist of it was this:

Jesus said "What sins? They are as far as the east is from the west. What sins? They have been buried in the sea of forgiveness."
The heavy burden we bare is our own guilt and shame, a product of our human mind & memory. Guilt and shame of a sin that no longer exists, it has been covered by His blood.

See, He doesn't want you carrying that burden. He tells us to give it to Him, to lay it at the foot of the cross. He didn't die on the cross for your sins so you could continue to carry the guilt and shame of those sins. He loves you unconditionally. We can't fully love Him or others until we can fully love ourselves. And you are worthy of that love!!

Sandy

 

[cristianna]

Hello everyone!

Great topic today and one I at times struggle with. All my life I have always been willing to give up anything and everything I have to someone in need. Even as a little girl in kindergarten it wasn't uncommon for me to give up ice cream money, pencils, paper, etc to those who never had any. In hindsight, and being older, I definitely was offering it to those who were suffering. I was the same way with friends all through school even spending my entire paychecks on angel trees when in fact I desperately needed those paychecks since I had moved out to live with friends starting at the age of 12.

It's still very much a part of me now and probably will always be. I've tried passing it along to my children too. It's bittersweet since dh thinks I tend to go overboard. But when someone is in need is there really such a thing as "overboard"? Luckily we agree on the charity I have chosen to embrace this year. But I was a bit disappointed in everyone when I said lets skip our planned family vacation and instead go on vacation with this organization. I don't believe dh thought I was serious, and the girls acted as if I was some alien replacement mother. I repeatedly feel as if they hold me back.

I love our "home" church. They offer and do so much for our community, state and other countries. They are awesome. I really miss all the opportunities they gave to those in need and to our congregation allowing us the chance to give and witness firsthand how awesome and gratifying it is to help and love one another.

Our current church and community do not have the resources or volunteers to do even a quarter of the things I'm used to doing. It bothers me quite a bit. And my community infuriates me. We are a brand new community still being built. Some of us realized there was a homeless man sleeping in the woods and homes as they were being built. I sent out a mass email asking neighbors who to please help this man out with whatever they had to offer be it food, blankets, local shelter numbers, etc, bring it to me and I'd get it together for drop off. And not a single person responded to me, yet in later emails they all talked of fear and illegal activities he may be doing or into-- particularly in regards to our children in the community.

Gina I can so relate to your statement. When I was little I always dreamed of marrying a rich man (give me some credit ladies... I was VERY young ). I wanted to travel the world doing nothing but helping people. And it's still an intense burning desire of mine.

I believe loving your neighbor encompasses all aspects. Last night I passed a much older gentleman in the grocery store as I was zipping around. He wore his life's hardships on his face; he was gentle, frail and very peaceful looking. I offered a smile and kept going about my business. It wasn't until I was checking out I realized he was a subcontractor working there.

As he approached the teenage cashiers were making quite a fuss and scrambling. Those who had to stick around were making fun of him. Well, I quickly figured out why. I wasn't sure if I was going to vomit or faint over the odor that engulfed him. I was furious with myself for not asking the teenagers to stop. I cannot begin to describe how the smell was atrocious, but he clearly did not deserve what was being said about him. Thank God I smiled at him. Considering his hygiene I wonder if anyone else did a friendly smile or hello? I wonder when the last time he was even "noticed" by anyone for anything other than his hygiene?

Where do I falter? My immediate neighbor. There has been turmoil and tension since the day we moved in-- all from her doing and assumptions that I would participate with her dh in his "extra curricular activities". Originally I was furious, livid and irate that someone would openly jump to that conclusion and blame/assume me when they didn't know me at all. I've since moved past those emotions. But I simply cannot bring myself to be nice to her. She has tried to talk to me, even my dh, but I just can't do it.

My viciousness to her is so bad this should paint the picture. Several weekends ago we were all out back with dh's family too. She clearly walked over to her fence to lean on it, while talking on her cell phone, just to see and watch what we were doing. She was being nosey like she always is. Just as I started to say, "Hey look everyone! We have an audience today" I was able to stop myself. And I mean stop only milliseconds before it came out of my mouth.

I cannot begin to describe what comes over me when she's around. I'm very ashamed to say I turn into this nasty, hateful, foul-mouthed witch-- something I am not. This is totally against my personality, values, beliefs, etc. But I honestly cannot control it; it just happens.

Okay, now that I have written a book... I have to play Mommy since the girls are home. More later.
</IMG>

 

[krys4ever]

Krystal, I heard this beautiful song at church yesterday. I don't remember the words exactly but the jist of it was this:

Jesus said "What sins? They are as far as the east is from the west. What sins? They have been buried in the sea of forgiveness."
The heavy burden we bare is our own guilt and shame, a product of our human mind & memory. Guilt and shame of a sin that no longer exists, it has been covered by His blood.

See, He doesn't want you carrying that burden. He tells us to give it to Him, to lay it at the foot of the cross. He didn't die on the cross for your sins so you could continue to carry the guilt and shame of those sins. He loves you unconditionally. We can't fully love Him or others until we can fully love ourselves. And you are worthy of that love!!

Sandy

Thank u sooo much for the encouraging words. They mean a lot to me. I know laying down all of my burdens in my past and present will free me from guilt, shame, and hurt. If God can forgive and remember my sins no more, then I can do the same for myself. It will help me to move on.
Thanks Sandy

 

[CrystalHeart]

hi
I'm sad but happy reading all the answers
I'm happy cuz there's people like you in the world
N I'm happy my new family is in them
I'm sad cuz before I knew them I didn't no people like that
I'm happy cuz I can meet people here that I might be able to help n love just by being there friend
thanx for inviting me to this thread
I hope someday God puts people in my real life that I can help to
luv Becka

 

[krys4ever]

hi
I'm sad but happy reading all the answers
I'm happy cuz there's people like you in the world
N I'm happy my new family is in them
I'm sad cuz before I knew them I didn't no people like that
I'm happy cuz I can meet people here that I might be able to help n love just by being there friend
thanx for inviting me to this thread
I hope someday God puts people in my real life that I can help to
luv Becka

Welcome Becka!
Always know that God will place special people in your life that u will trust, love, and become close to. Be encouraged and keep your head up. True Friends can be hard to come by, but not impossible.
God Bless!

 

[woman.at.the.well]

Tuesday, January, 30th, 2007:
From Our Daily Bread in today's devotional:

On a family visit to Disneyland, I pondered the sign over the entrance arch that read, “Welcome to the happiest place on earth.” The rest of the day I looked at the faces of the people and was impressed by the small number who were actually smiling during their visit to “the happiest place on earth.” I roamed the park with divided attention—trying to make sure my kids had a good time and wondering why so few adults seemed to be enjoying themselves.
As I think of that day, I am reminded of a line from an old song that says, “Life goes on, long after the thrill of living is gone.” So it seems.
To live life to the fullest is qualitatively different than merely existing. In fact, Jesus said that part of His mission was to enable us to live life to the fullest: “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). He came so that we could experience life to the full—not according to the standards of a fallen world, but life as it was intended to be. It is life according to the designs and desires of the Creator of life.
By coming to provide forgiveness for rebellious, broken people, Jesus has made it possible for us to live a life of joy and hope in a world of despair. — Bill Crowder

Jesus came to bring us life—
Abundant living, full and free;
Trusting Him to save and keep us
Gives us joy the world can see. —Sper

To know God puts a song in your heart and a smile on your face.​

How about In Deep'ers? Are you living life to the fullest? Are you living life more abundantly and honoring Jesus as we Christians should? Or are you weighed down and troubled by the things of this world, of which we do not belong.

Are you trusting Him to save and keep you? Are you experiencing joy unspeakable and peace beyond all understanding?

Are you singing God's song today?

 

[woman.at.the.well]

Tuesday, January, 30th, 2007:

From Our Daily Bread in today's devotional:​

How about In Deep'ers? Are you living life to the fullest? Are you living life more abundantly and honoring Jesus as we Christians should? Or are you weighed down and troubled by the things of this world, of which we do not belong.

I HAVE TO ADMIT AND BE HONEST THAT I MYSELF PERSONALLY DO NOT ALWAYS LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST; NOR REMEMBER WHO I AM IN CHRIST AND WHAT HE DID FOR ME; AND THAT IT IS THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL TO BE SAVED BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST. THAT SHOULD BRING ME THE UTMOST JOY ON A DAILY BASIS-AND I FALL SHORT FOR SURE ON THIS ONE!

I ALSO FALL SHORT ON HONORING JESUS AS I SHOULD AND BEING A GOOD EXAMPLE AND LIGHT IN THE WORLD.

I AM GETTING BETTER AT NOT BEING WEIGHED DOWN BY THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD, QUICKER THAN I USED TO. AND THAT'S GOOD! IT'S A MUCH BETTER WAY TO GO FOR SURE!

Are you trusting Him to save and keep you? Are you experiencing joy unspeakable and peace beyond all understanding?

NO, I DON'T ALWAYS TRUST HIM AS I SHOULD TO BE HONEST (AGAIN). I AM STILL TRYING TO FINE TUNE BEING IN CONSTANT PEACE AND IN A SPIRIT OF JOY AT ALL TIMES AS WELL. IT IS REALLY HARD THESE DAYS IT REALLY IS. YOU SEE SO MUCH EVIL AND DIFFICULTY GOING ON ALL AROUND US - THE WAY PEOPLE TREAT ONE ANOTHER (AND ANIMALS TOO) IS JUST HORRIBLE. IT'S HARD TO KEEP A DEMEANOR OF JOY AND PEACE.

Are you singing God's song today?

NO, NOT LIKE I SHOULD BE

SO IT'S TIME TO GET SINGING! WHAT IS A SONG YOU GUYS START TO SING WHEN YOU ARE DOWN AND WANT TO WORSHIP THE LORD ALMIGHTY? I SEEM TO GO FOR THE EASY/SIMPLE ONES LIKE: "CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART," AND "I LOVE YOU LORD."