well, for the past two years ive really been struggling in my faith. i stopped going to church, started hanging out with all the wrong people, and just basically did everything i thought id never do. now i am 18, 9 months pregnant, and have no friends whatsoever. i have recently made things right with God and gave my life back to him. i wish that i could go back to church, but i live in a small, tight-knit community and pretty much everyone here knows about my actions and thinks im trash now. im also having a very hard time forgiving myself. ive been through everything from drugs to suicide in the past few years and now that im trying to put my life back together it seems impossible. i would appreciate your prayers and your posts.
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in need of a friend
- Thread starter rene
- Start date
seebs
God Made Me A Skeptic
- Apr 9, 2002
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rene said:
Maybe you should encourage these fine people to have a look at the Bible. They must have skipped over some portion of it; my guess is they missed most of the stuff between Genesis and Revelation.
Your homework for tonight is to read the story of the prodigal son.
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EdmundBlackadderTheThird
Proud member of the Loud Few
Dear sister, you have my prayers, but you have something worth more than that, the promises made to us in God's word. THey are not easy to stand on in times like this, but they are there for us. He promises many thing but some seem to really be fitting for you right now:
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds inChrist Jesus.
Matthew 28:20b ...and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Isaiah 40:31 Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.
Those four have helped me over some really rough times in my life, times that I did not think I was going to make it through. There is strength in numbers, finding a good support group might do you a world of good, but if you cannot then posting here will surely find you some support. Consider me at your service, I am more than willing to talk anytime you need support and am almost always online. PM me if you need to, or message me on one of the messengers in my profile. If there is anything at all I can do for you I will do it.
As for the forgiveness part of things, God forgives us all, Christ's grace is sufficient for all of our needs. I have done some pretty amazingly horrible things in my life and I had to eventually accept that God forgives me them regardless of how many times our enemy brings them back to my mind. Again I am here if you need me.
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds inChrist Jesus.
Matthew 28:20b ...and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Isaiah 40:31 Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.
Those four have helped me over some really rough times in my life, times that I did not think I was going to make it through. There is strength in numbers, finding a good support group might do you a world of good, but if you cannot then posting here will surely find you some support. Consider me at your service, I am more than willing to talk anytime you need support and am almost always online. PM me if you need to, or message me on one of the messengers in my profile. If there is anything at all I can do for you I will do it.
As for the forgiveness part of things, God forgives us all, Christ's grace is sufficient for all of our needs. I have done some pretty amazingly horrible things in my life and I had to eventually accept that God forgives me them regardless of how many times our enemy brings them back to my mind. Again I am here if you need me.
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elanor
Reunite Gondwanaland!
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Hello and hugs to you, rene 
People have already posted much of what was in my thoughts. I echo seebs in saying that I hope you read again the story of the prodigal son. You'll find it in Luke 15:11-32.
I will pray, too, that God who knows your need will send a friend to walk along side of you--someone who will be an encourager and a blessing to you, and also someone you can be a blessing to, as well.
Are there no other churches in your town? If so, you might try going there. If not, well, is there any chance that you're just presuming the people at your old church have those thoughts about you? Unless you have real evidence to the contrary, you might be surprised to find that you would actually be welcomed back. I have a hard time envisioning any church where there isn't someone whose heart is moved with love and compassion when a sister in Christ turns back to the Lord. Is there one person there whose name and face God puts in your mind who you could pick up the phone and call? Perhaps an older woman in the congregation might be welcoming to a young mother-to-be. I pray that wherever it is, God will place you in a fellowship where you will be surrounded by people who really care about you as He does.
Blessings to you and your little one.
People have already posted much of what was in my thoughts. I echo seebs in saying that I hope you read again the story of the prodigal son. You'll find it in Luke 15:11-32.
I will pray, too, that God who knows your need will send a friend to walk along side of you--someone who will be an encourager and a blessing to you, and also someone you can be a blessing to, as well.
Are there no other churches in your town? If so, you might try going there. If not, well, is there any chance that you're just presuming the people at your old church have those thoughts about you? Unless you have real evidence to the contrary, you might be surprised to find that you would actually be welcomed back. I have a hard time envisioning any church where there isn't someone whose heart is moved with love and compassion when a sister in Christ turns back to the Lord. Is there one person there whose name and face God puts in your mind who you could pick up the phone and call? Perhaps an older woman in the congregation might be welcoming to a young mother-to-be. I pray that wherever it is, God will place you in a fellowship where you will be surrounded by people who really care about you as He does.
Blessings to you and your little one.
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*wipes tears from eyes* I would hug you, but the whole computer/internet thing*hug*
I have to tell you Rene You are an Awesome woman any who reads your testimony would know it. I know it will be hard, your whole community knowing what you have done but you said that you find it hard to forgive yourself. But Rene that is why we have JESUS.
God knew we weren't perfect, God knew about our sins thats why he sent his son to die on the cross for us, so we can be forgiven.
It isn't up to your community to judge what you did, exspecially if you asked for forgiveness. FOr who are they to judge if Jesus has already forgiven you?
I think it is awesome that you have turned to god exspecially because you are about to bring a new life into the world. COngratulations!!!
Don't let other people's opinion determine who you are.
cheers
sorry if I babbled
I have to tell you Rene You are an Awesome woman any who reads your testimony would know it. I know it will be hard, your whole community knowing what you have done but you said that you find it hard to forgive yourself. But Rene that is why we have JESUS.
God knew we weren't perfect, God knew about our sins thats why he sent his son to die on the cross for us, so we can be forgiven.
It isn't up to your community to judge what you did, exspecially if you asked for forgiveness. FOr who are they to judge if Jesus has already forgiven you?
I think it is awesome that you have turned to god exspecially because you are about to bring a new life into the world. COngratulations!!!
Don't let other people's opinion determine who you are.
cheers
sorry if I babbled
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Beauty4Ashes
All that I need, is a song in my heart. . .
:HUG:
That is hard. I have a friend who went through a similar situation and ended up single with 3 babies and a restraining order against her ex, and court nonsense on top of that.(2 of the kids she gave up for adoption because of post natal depression) and a whole load of people in the church who turned against her. It's hard she has to be a mother soo young and so I empathise with you for I know it can be really hard. But God will sustain you and provide for you. Please find a church. Ask God to direct your path in which way he'd have you go. Does your family live in the town where you are? Could you move somewhere or do you need the support of your family at home? I would seriously pray to God and ask him to bring you Christian friends into your life. He did it for me when I had moved a bunch and didnt know enough christians. You need the fellowship of the body of Christ around you. We will do whatever we can for you on here but you need people in your day to day life who can minister to you face to face as well, and even over the phone. I'd also pray and seek out a female mentor for yourself who can show you by her example how to live for God. God bless and if you EVER need ANYTHING, pm me..
a sister in Christ
That is hard. I have a friend who went through a similar situation and ended up single with 3 babies and a restraining order against her ex, and court nonsense on top of that.(2 of the kids she gave up for adoption because of post natal depression) and a whole load of people in the church who turned against her. It's hard she has to be a mother soo young and so I empathise with you for I know it can be really hard. But God will sustain you and provide for you. Please find a church. Ask God to direct your path in which way he'd have you go. Does your family live in the town where you are? Could you move somewhere or do you need the support of your family at home? I would seriously pray to God and ask him to bring you Christian friends into your life. He did it for me when I had moved a bunch and didnt know enough christians. You need the fellowship of the body of Christ around you. We will do whatever we can for you on here but you need people in your day to day life who can minister to you face to face as well, and even over the phone. I'd also pray and seek out a female mentor for yourself who can show you by her example how to live for God. God bless and if you EVER need ANYTHING, pm me..
a sister in Christ
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Hi rene...
God loves you dear friend and so do we...
You wrote:
To me love is kindness, compassion and forgive always in all we do....
If this is what these people think...that you are trash..I tell you dear friend...they are wrong...God loves us no matter what...He forgives us over and over...He has so much compassion and understanding for all of us...
I agree with these postings...Pray to God to open that door for you...that He will guide your footsteps to the right church for you...That He will bring the right christian friends your way...I am believing in these prayers for your, dear friend...
Dear friend, let go of the past wrongs that you've done...These things are holding you in bondage...and suffocating your life...This why things are feeling impossible in your life...
Let it go...give it all to God...He forgives and loves you....
This way with letting go and forgiving yourself...you can get on track with God...
God Bless you
PM me anytime..
Love in the Lord
God loves you dear friend and so do we...
You wrote:
To me love is kindness, compassion and forgive always in all we do....
If this is what these people think...that you are trash..I tell you dear friend...they are wrong...God loves us no matter what...He forgives us over and over...He has so much compassion and understanding for all of us...
I agree with these postings...Pray to God to open that door for you...that He will guide your footsteps to the right church for you...That He will bring the right christian friends your way...I am believing in these prayers for your, dear friend...
Dear friend, let go of the past wrongs that you've done...These things are holding you in bondage...and suffocating your life...This why things are feeling impossible in your life...
Let it go...give it all to God...He forgives and loves you....
This way with letting go and forgiving yourself...you can get on track with God...
God Bless you
PM me anytime..
Love in the Lord
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Hi Rene! 
Our Father in Heaven loves you!
We love you! Our LORD Jesus is watching over you and your baby now!
Remember He loves you irregardless of what you have done, For Great is His Grace and Love! Pray continuously and put all your problems before Jesus, He will bring you Peace and Joy
Our Father in Heaven loves you!
We love you! Our LORD Jesus is watching over you and your baby now! Remember He loves you irregardless of what you have done, For Great is His Grace and Love! Pray continuously and put all your problems before Jesus, He will bring you Peace and Joy
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cyberwing
Blessed beyond the curse!
Rene,Yes Precious One you DO have friends! See? (LOL@seebs! How very true!!!) Rene, you made some mistakes, but dear one, they were only mistakes AND the Lord has BLESSED you! You have been given the gift of a child!!! This is precious beyond measure and one day soon you will find out. The Lord tells us children are HIS blessing! So HE blessed you! You may be surprised to find out some people you think are thinking of you badly are not!!! I know a very precious girl in this situation and I love her dearly and can't wait to see her new blessing! I do not think of her as trash, on the contrary I see her as a precious child of God that was BADLY mistreated by the enemy! The enemy is trying to destroy her heart because she can't see what a wonderful woman of God she is if he keeps beating on her......
Don't you let the enemy do that to you either! You are a beautiful creation of His and HE has placed gifts and talents within you to bless your Brothers and Sisters in Christ! Love you little sister and don't you take in any of those slings and arrows of the enemy, you listen to Jesus and find out how special you ARE!!!
~Cyberwing
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Rene
I was in a similar situation a couple of years ago - I turned away from God when I was about 15 because he didn't seem real to me, and by the time I got to university I was really struggling with depression and drinking far more than was good for me in an attempt to feel like I fitted in. I was lucky enough to meet some really great Christians in my halls, who I found out later were praying for me, and when one of them prayed with me, that was the first time I ever really experienced God's love. As he was praying I just felt so loved and completely accepted, despite the fact that everything I was doing at the time was completely against what he believed was right. Since then I've told this guy a lot more detail about stuff I was doing at that time, and about my depression, and he stood by me and never judged me for what I'd done or what I was doing, namely self-harming. I guess all I'm trying to say is that God loves you regardless of what you've done in the past - none of that can ever change how he feels about you, and that right now it sounds like the thing you need to find is a Christian who can be there for you to support you and give you some-one to lean on and pray for you. I know it's hard to see past what you think of the things you've done, but God does - He never has and never will see anything but who you are in your heart. Even if you don't feel you can forgive yourself at the moment, you need to accept that God has forgiven you, for everything. Don't push yourself too hard - you will be able to let it go and move on, it'll just take some time.
I'll be praying for you.
God Bless,
Ellie
XxXxX
<><
I was in a similar situation a couple of years ago - I turned away from God when I was about 15 because he didn't seem real to me, and by the time I got to university I was really struggling with depression and drinking far more than was good for me in an attempt to feel like I fitted in. I was lucky enough to meet some really great Christians in my halls, who I found out later were praying for me, and when one of them prayed with me, that was the first time I ever really experienced God's love. As he was praying I just felt so loved and completely accepted, despite the fact that everything I was doing at the time was completely against what he believed was right. Since then I've told this guy a lot more detail about stuff I was doing at that time, and about my depression, and he stood by me and never judged me for what I'd done or what I was doing, namely self-harming. I guess all I'm trying to say is that God loves you regardless of what you've done in the past - none of that can ever change how he feels about you, and that right now it sounds like the thing you need to find is a Christian who can be there for you to support you and give you some-one to lean on and pray for you. I know it's hard to see past what you think of the things you've done, but God does - He never has and never will see anything but who you are in your heart. Even if you don't feel you can forgive yourself at the moment, you need to accept that God has forgiven you, for everything. Don't push yourself too hard - you will be able to let it go and move on, it'll just take some time.
I'll be praying for you.
God Bless,
Ellie
XxXxX
<><
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*hug*
I was my friend's "helper" in the delivery room when she was 18 and having her baby. I was the only friend who stuck with her.
A lot of the people who look down on you at church probably have forgotten that they were young once, or they're not old enough to understand that the same thing may very well happen to them in the blink of an eye. If you go back to church, I'm willing to guess that by and large you will fit in again and only a few incorrigibles will continue to bother you.
You're my sis and I love you.
I was my friend's "helper" in the delivery room when she was 18 and having her baby. I was the only friend who stuck with her.
A lot of the people who look down on you at church probably have forgotten that they were young once, or they're not old enough to understand that the same thing may very well happen to them in the blink of an eye. If you go back to church, I'm willing to guess that by and large you will fit in again and only a few incorrigibles will continue to bother you.
You're my sis and I love you.
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Beauty4Ashes
All that I need, is a song in my heart. . .
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I
Iddie4him
Guest
Rene,
I am around also if you need to talk. I'm a big guy and I have strong shoulders for crying on. Feel free to let it go. God Bless you.
I am around also if you need to talk. I'm a big guy and I have strong shoulders for crying on. Feel free to let it go. God Bless you.
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Dear Rene, I am very new to this web sight. As a matter of fact your story is the very first thing i read. I am feeling your pain. You see I have loved Jesus my whole life. But somehow i got involved with the things of this world too and have done things in my life that I am not proud of. I still struggle daily with addictions and I am sorry to say that I still fail the test sometimes. But the one thing that I count on is that "God isn't going to let me go". See once you give your life to the Lord, I believe that he will do whatever it takes to get you back on track and focused on HIM. I Love Jesus and thankfully he knows my heart. Guess what He knows your heart too. He loves you and He loves me and we'll both get thru. HUGS TO YOU GIRLFRIEND!!!!
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