How is everyone?

[Racheal]

I just wanted to know how everyone is doing. Any praise points? Any things you'd like to rant about? Anything you'd like us to pray for?

I would like to praise God because my husband-to-be came to Bible study with me the other night and he had a really good time and got along with everyone really well.
I thought he would either be too bored with it all and not say anything or would take it all too seriously and start rattleing off stuff about history and science to disprove stuff. But all went well. Thankyou Lord!

 

[KleinerApfel]

I just wanted to know how everyone is doing. Any praise points? Any things you'd like to rant about? Anything you'd like us to pray for?

I would like to praise God because my husband-to-be came to Bible study with me the other night and he had a really good time and got along with everyone really well.
I thought he would either be too bored with it all and not say anything or would take it all too seriously and start rattleing off stuff about history and science to disprove stuff. But all went well. Thankyou Lord!

That's good news Racheal!
Is he going to go again?

Blessings, Susana

 

[Racheal]

I hope so... but when the day comes (Tuesday) we'll see. Should i just bring it up in converstation like "hey do u wanna come to bible study again?"
I'll let you's know how it goes. Thankyou.

 

[WashedClean]

Hi Racheal,

That's so encouraging. Praise God! I pray that your fiance will continue to keep an open heart toward the Lord.

I would just bring it up very casually about going next Tuesday. Keep it light and don't make it a big deal. That will take the pressure off him.

Thanks for sharing this jewel. I needed to hear someting positive!

God bless,

Jill

 

[KleinerApfel]

Hello Jill, it's been a bit quiet round here lately hasn't it? How are you?

I must remember to pray on Tuesday for Racheal's fiance to feel the urge to go again.

A prayer request for myself if anyone's about:
for years I've known that I should pray before meals, and have only managed to do so when with other Christians or alone, but not in front of my husband.

It's been really troubling me, and finally I've made a start, but it isn't easy.

I just bow my head for a few moments and give thanks silently. I started about 2 weeks ago, and was certain my husband had noticed on the third evening, though he didn't say anything. "So that's OK then" I thought.

But then, a few days after that, he asked me if I was OK, and I said yes, why? He said "I thought you were looking funny at your plate."
The sensible thing would have been to explain, but I was too taken aback, having thought he was just dealing with it and ignoring me.

Oooohhh help!

Does he really think I just sit and look at my plate every night before I eat? Is he winding me up? Does he really not know? Have I now got to say something to him?

Please pray.

I think if this goes on much longer I will have to raise the topic, but I have had to hold back on even the tiniest liklihood of spiritual conversations over recent years, as he is soooo sensitve.
He says he won't discuss religion because it upsets me!

I need wisdom, gentleness, honesty, courage. That just about covers it I think.

God bless, Susana

 

[WashedClean]

Hi Susana!

I will certainly pray for you. For BOLDNESS in the Spirit to address this situation. I think your husband knows exactly what you're doing, and he wants you to tell him. Of course, I'm not there, but that's how I'm reading it.

Maybe you could just say that you've been lead to say grace at every meal and ask God to bless the food. I think the more casual you are about it, the better. Perhaps he would just give you a few moments of silence and each of you could reflect to yourself. It's a tough one, I wish I had more answers for you. I think it's great that you're doing this. I know you've mentioned before how much it bothers you.

Praying for wisdom, courage, boldness and grace!

Love,

Jill

 

[KleinerApfel]

Thanks Jill,
I'll let you know if I make any progress!

Blessings, Susana

 

[MERCY@GRACE]

Hi ladies. Susanna for some reason it is also uncomfy for me to pray outloud in front of dh too. When we all sit down to eat (which is hardley NEVER, b/c of his work schedule) I usually have one of the kids pray over the meal. When it's just he and I-I just bow my head and pray a silent prayer!

Let your motive not be so that he see's you though! My dh is sensitive too when it comes to spiritual talk, but doesn't seem to mind as long as it's not coming from me. It's hard to explain. We actually went to a dinner sponsord by our church Fri, and he had a really good time. He got along very well w/ the other couples. It was great b/c there was no preaching but it was a valentines theme so a couple shared how God is the foundation of their marriage etc! Can't wait to hear a testimony of someone's dh getting saved.... haven't heard one in a while! To God be the Glory, b/c in due time........

 

[Racheal]

Thanx Jill, Susana and Mercy@grace for sharing and encouraging.. God bless you all.
Praying for you all, especially Susana.
Cya's around!

 

[LiberatedChick]

A prayer request for myself if anyone's about:
for years I've known that I should pray before meals, and have only managed to do so when with other Christians or alone, but not in front of my husband.

It's been really troubling me, and finally I've made a start, but it isn't easy.

I just bow my head for a few moments and give thanks silently. I started about 2 weeks ago, and was certain my husband had noticed on the third evening, though he didn't say anything. "So that's OK then" I thought.

But then, a few days after that, he asked me if I was OK, and I said yes, why? He said "I thought you were looking funny at your plate."
The sensible thing would have been to explain, but I was too taken aback, having thought he was just dealing with it and ignoring me.

Oooohhh help!

Does he really think I just sit and look at my plate every night before I eat? Is he winding me up? Does he really not know? Have I now got to say something to him?

Please pray.

I think if this goes on much longer I will have to raise the topic, but I have had to hold back on even the tiniest liklihood of spiritual conversations over recent years, as he is soooo sensitve.
He says he won't discuss religion because it upsets me!

I need wisdom, gentleness, honesty, courage. That just about covers it I think.

God bless, Susana

Well first I must congratulate you for making a start on this. This has been on my mind for a while but I've yet to feel comfortable to do anything about it...even silently. I'm sure he's got some idea of what you were doing but if he does ask again then just try tell him you were praying. Don't worry if you can't, I know it'd take me several attempts to tell my husband that...heck I haven't even told him I'm a Christian, he had to work that one out on his own!

 

[KleinerApfel]

Well first I must congratulate you for making a start on this. This has been on my mind for a while but I've yet to feel comfortable to do anything about it...even silently. I'm sure he's got some idea of what you were doing but if he does ask again then just try tell him you were praying. Don't worry if you can't, I know it'd take me several attempts to tell my husband that...heck I haven't even told him I'm a Christian, he had to work that one out on his own!

LOL I was like that too - didn't get round to telling him, just let in slowly dawn on him! Maybe that's why i'm hoping this will be the same.

It's not that I particularly want him to notice, but I want to get it over with. Be really funny if, 40 years later, when we're octogenarians, he looks at me and says: "whatever are you doing?"

My daughter thinks he hasn't noticed because he's watching TV!
I'd be able to do that and still see everyone else in the room, but since it's a biological fact that men have a narrower field of vision, maybe that's it.

I just want to honour God by giving thanks for food, regardless of who is or isn't with me. I do it silently because I don't want to be confrontational about it - my DH obviously would feel huffy if I implied by my words that he didn't provide for me, God did.

Thank you all for the support, blessings, Susana

 

[Racheal]

Well Bible study got cancelled this week... but my fiance and i had dinner with a couple from church instead. It went fantastically, he thought they were really nice and very interesting. They have been married for 17 years and have 3 children. Its all going so well, its nice for something to be going well for once.

Yay, praise God!

 

[pete56]

Racheal

That all sounds pretty positive to me, Praise The Lord \0/.

Just a word of caution, take it at his pace and let him find Jesus in his (and God's) time, I know the penalty of pushing for a closure when your spouse is not ready!

Susanna, you are in my prayers, your predicament is one I can empathise with, all I can say is try to be natural about the whole issue, eventually your DH will notice and curiosity will get the better of him. (Oh and by the way I'm not sure that men do have narrower fields of vision, its more a case of only focusing on one thing at a time and being able to 'tune' out those thing that are not "important". I know it infuriates my wife and daughters all the time - especially when the rugby is on the TV!)

Bless you Sisters

Pete

 

[KleinerApfel]

Racheal that's wonderful news. I think if he liked the Christian couple that's a small miracle in itself! So often our non-Christian loved-ones think all "religious" people are nutty or weird, so if you have a couple he can relate to; woohoo!

I echo Pete's advice to keep calm and patient though. Must be just as hard when it's going well as when it isn't I suppose!

Pete, I read in some book or other that men do have a narrower visual field, but of course you can't believe everything man writes!
So you reckon he just finds the footie more interesting? Yep, reckon that's it.

Or maybe God is covering me from DH's reaction until I can cope!

Blessings, Susana

 

[WashedClean]

Susana - you are so funny. Had me cracking up about the male vision thing. Praying that God will soften David's heart and open up the lines of "spiritual" conversation.

That's more great news Racheal! Praise the Lord!!

I'm really tired tonight, so I'm going to sign off. Just wanted to say "hi". I wish this board was more active, but I enjoy everyone's company here.

God bless,

Jill

 

[Racheal]

Thanx guys... yeh i know not to push, im not pushing at all which is even better. Im just so happy for him.
Thanx again, Cya's!