My mom and I just had this conversation

[Catherineanne]

Actually, when I posted this there was no pride in my heart whatsoever. Nor was I trying to elevate myself. I am sorry if it sounded that way, but you guys don't know me so you don't know what I am really like personally. I have hardly ever been arrogant in my life.

I am afraid arrogance, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. You don't get to tell us you are not arrogant; we can see for ourselves whether you are or not. But that is not the point, be as arrogant as you like, but stop disrespecting your mother.

I guess I just have a hard time understanding someone else who does not share the same concern for the lost that I do. I witness because I have genuine concern about others.

No you don't. If you had genuine concern for others you would have concern for your mother, and all you have done is complain that she is not living her life the way you want her to and say that you want to destroy her property. If that is how you talk about your mother why would anyone expect you to be different with other people who are not your mother?

Genuine concern really does not look like this. I suggest you take some time to think about how you can help your mother with what she has to do. That is the first responsibility of any Christian; we have to do our share of tent making before we get to do the more attractive bits of our faith, whatever they may be. Funnily enough God is not interested in how we do the bits we love doing. He is interested in how we do the bits we really don't care for, but which have to be done.

In other words, God doesn't look at how we arrange flowers in a vase. He looks at how we load and unload the washing machine, how we clean the bathroom and how we treat those around us when we are tired. It isn't called having a picnic, it is called carrying a cross.

I think if you took the trouble to look you would see that your mother is carrying her own cross in her own way. Why not look to find ways to help her, instead of telling her she is not carrying her cross quite as well as you are carrying yours. Chances are she is carrying part of your load as well. Most mothers do; not all, but most do.

 

[Catherineanne]

I have had to ask GOD to forgive my mom for failing to perform the Great Commission like Jesus commanded. We are all supposed to do it.

What?

Good grief. It seems to me that you are far more in need of forgiveness for your disrespect of your own mother than she ever will be.

Have you any idea what she went through for you to be born? And you ask God to forgive her for her failures?

How appallingly presumptuous. How totally and utterly dreadful.

'Honour thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long in the land that the Lord thy God has given thee.'

It is a VERY good job you are not my daughter.

 

[Catherineanne]

Her mother is actually blocking the work of God, whereas a hostile reception builds character and allows her to move on to the next person that Christ has prepared for her to minister to. She should be getting support for this by Christians, not blocked.

Watching telly at the end of a long hard day is not blocking the work of God. If it were we would probably all be in trouble.

 

[NothingIsImpossible]

You won't an honest and very blunt opinion?

Eh. Yep, I said eh. Like shrug your shoulders "Eh". I know you may be confused to how I could have such a answer like that but its true. I'm saying give up on your mom. But the reality is its not your problem. We all have to decide things in life. Only we can change ourselves. No one can change us. Not saying its not possible to change someone, but I am saying its VERY hard.

My mom is the same way. She talks the talk sometimes but pretty much never walks the walk. I argued with her alot over the years and finally my dad told me its her decision and I can't do anything about it. Just like if I was trying to get a friend saved, I can witness and talk all I want. But if he chooses hell over heaven, theres nothing I can really do. Well aside from witness more, pray more..etc.

Let your mom see how you live your life. I don't mean tell her "I did this and that mom, see! You should too!". Let her literally see from her own eyes how your life is. And hopefully it will make her want to change her life.

Its how I am now thanks to my wife. And my mom is slowly coming around and making some changes. They are SUPER tiny and shes still very much the same. But any change is great because she sees us and how our lives are.

 

[Serving Zion]

Watching telly at the end of a long hard day is not blocking the work of God. If it were we would probably all be in trouble.

Thanks for your comments sister I really must insist though, that whether TV does block the work of God or not depends entirely on the content.

I am generally not able to watch Television for more than a few seconds before I see objectionable sin and depravity, and that is an immoral influence that I don't welcome. It contends with The Holy Spirit to be an influence on my thinking patterns. Every information going into our mind is mind changing, and so it is with Television. Christians who submit their mind to the mind altering ideas of sin and depravity, indeed they are blocking the work of God.

In terms of us not all being in trouble, that must be a matter of opinion!

There is of course a lot of alarming content and suffering in the world, and even that can't be avoided by avoiding Television. Media's depravity overflows into the real world, because as I said, it alters the way we think and we carry that thought pattern into the world and even onto this forum.

I reckon that if Christians got their head out of the sin and depravity that is in Television and got stuck into the Word of God instead, spending quality time with their family like the good old days, how about playing card games with their children? .. instead of tapping on their iPhone and cutting everyone out of their life as though being a burden .. there'd be much more power to God through His presence that is love.

It figures too, as Jesus did foretell that love would break down because of an increase of sinfulness (Matthew 24:12). That coldness of love is a severe drain on society, that causes depression, suicide, murderous rampages etc. No, Christians need to get serious about their commitment to God: did they not really lay down their life in the baptism and commit to living pure, decent lives, turning away from every sin?

Does our Lord really reside in a vessel that consumes sin and depravity? How, and why?

Anyhow, the way you spend your time is of course for you to justify to Him, especially when you know that you have a choice about the spiritual food you are eating.

I also had better remind you that the enemy does his work while The Lord's workers are sleeping (Matthew 13:25).

 

[Polar Bear Quest]

Everyone is lacking in one way or another. Just be patient with your mom and pray for her. Also, some people don't feel comfortable talking to strangers and meeting new people so they may avoid talking to random people on the streets about God.

We can't know what your mom is feeling inside or thinking. I suggest just praying for her at the moment.

 

[Tolworth John]

A couple of thoughts.
You say your mother wathes tv all day on her computer. Do you mean from when she gets up, untill she goes to sleep?
Does she work for a living, do housework, socialise with anyone, attend church?
May I suggest that you talk with your mother about herself, how she feels and about leaving the house to go shopping, attend church etc.
There is the possibility that she is suffering from depression, in which case she will need medical help.
Please talk with her and see if she needs help.

2nd thought.

We are not told anything about what another person is doing. It is between them and their Lord.
Support your mother, pray for her, encourage her to attend church and get involved with your churches outreach programe. If there isn't one start talking at length to the minister.

 

[paul becke]

Pray about this. You live with your mom, under her roof, and she is kind enough to allow you to live there. She is also kind enough to agree to be your legal guardian. God will not honor your intentions to "evangelize" if you cannot respect and honor your mother. God looks on the heart. If you have contempt for your mother because you don't "approve" of what she does or doesn't do, it wrecks any testimony you hope to have. God is not in it.

Are you in counseling?

Praying for your mother, your family, your household, and you too.

Brinny, I'm also reminded of the fact that when Jesus put the Pharisees in their place concerning the woman caught in adultery, suggesting that he who was without sin should cast the first stone, and starting with the eldest..... they all eventually sloped off.

 

[paul becke]

I suggest you get down on your knees and thank the Good Lord that you are not my daughter. Evil? Evil? Something is certainly not good, but it isn't your mother.

The very idea of such presumption from a daughter to her mother; where on earth do you get the idea that you are your own mother's pastor? She gave birth to you, fed you, clothed you; she still puts a roof over your head and provides for you, and you think she has not done enough for the Lord?

Good grief! Stop it at once and leave her alone.

Straight to the point Catherineanne. You don't 'take prisoners', but, imho, it's 'tough love' at its best, and needed, sweet girl though Jacqueline no doubt is.

 

[paul becke]

Watching telly at the end of a long hard day is not blocking the work of God. If it were we would probably all be in trouble.

I'm reminded of an apocryphal anecdote (though, I suspect, true) concerning St John the Evangelist. A pilgrim had come to see him, and was puzzled to see him sitting on the ground, playing with pigeons. He evidently thought it strangely infra dig and trivial for the great man to be thus engaged. St John, reading his thoughts, looked up and asked : 'Does the archer always keep his bowstring taut ?' Not a bad analogy, when you think of it since, if kept taut, the bowstring would soon snap.

 

[Catherineanne]

Straight to the point Catherineanne. You don't 'take prisoners', but, imho, it's 'tough love' at its best, and needed, sweet girl though Jacqueline no doubt is.

Some years ago I was on the receiving end of similar comments from a much younger cousin, who over a family lunch decided to demand that I define for her exactly what the Bible is to me. I deflected a couple of times but she persisted, ignoring and talking over her own grandmother and my daughter in the process. It was time for a few well chosen words about politeness at a family event; she desisted, and has never tried again.

Sometimes you simply have to draw a line in the sand.

 

[Catherineanne]

Thanks for your comments sister I really must insist though, that whether TV does block the work of God or not depends entirely on the content.

If any telly were capable of blocking the work of God then the telly would be stonger than God is.

Is that what you think? I don't.

I am generally not able to watch Television for more than a few seconds before I see objectionable sin and depravity, and that is an immoral influence that I don't welcome. It contends with The Holy Spirit to be an influence on my thinking patterns. Every information going into our mind is mind changing, and so it is with Television. Christians who submit their mind to the mind altering ideas of sin and depravity, indeed they are blocking the work of God.

Lord, I don't know what you are watching; there is nothing like that on my telly! (Or if there is, it isn't there for long.)

In terms of us not all being in trouble, that must be a matter of opinion!

There is of course a lot of alarming content and suffering in the world, and even that can't be avoided by avoiding Television. Media's depravity overflows into the real world, because as I said, it alters the way we think and we carry that thought pattern into the world and even onto this forum.

I reckon that if Christians got their head out of the sin and depravity that is in Television and got stuck into the Word of God instead, spending quality time with their family like the good old days, how about playing card games with their children? .. instead of tapping on their iPhone and cutting everyone out of their life as though being a burden .. there'd be much more power to God through His presence that is love.

Perhaps. Depends on the family; depends on the card game.

It figures too, as Jesus did foretell that love would break down because of an increase of sinfulness (Matthew 24:12). That coldness of love is a severe drain on society, that causes depression, suicide, murderous rampages etc. No, Christians need to get serious about their commitment to God: did they not really lay down their life in the baptism and commit to living pure, decent lives, turning away from every sin?

Does our Lord really reside in a vessel that consumes sin and depravity? How, and why?

Anyhow, the way you spend your time is of course for you to justify to Him, especially when you know that you have a choice about the spiritual food you are eating.

I don't have to justify anything. When I am sitting watching telly the Lord is sitting beside me, and enjoying it every bit as much.

I also had better remind you that the enemy does his work while The Lord's workers are sleeping (Matthew 13:25).

I am sure you are aware that this verse is not about being actually asleep; we all need to sleep. It is about being spiritually asleep; totally different thing.

 

[GeorgeJ]

Folks, it sounds to me like the OP is an Independent Fundamental Baptist. They're a cultish, strange lot sometimes and many are brainwashed into believing that if you don't "win souls" (i.e knock on doors) you're either a back-slidden Christian or you never were one to begin with.

 

[brinny]

Brinny, I'm also reminded of the fact that when Jesus put the Pharisees in their place concerning the woman caught in adultery, suggesting that he who was without sin should cast the first stone, and starting with the eldest..... they all eventually sloped off.

Exactly.

Amen.

 

[Pat Bishop]

Me: Mom, have you never felt led by the LORD to witness to the lost?

Mom: I went with you door-knocking before.

Me: I know, but that was just one time and a long time ago. Are you sure that is not enough?

Mom: OK, I am getting really mad at you and I'm not talking to you.


I am kind of disgusted and angry at my mom because she doesn't see how important it is to win the lost to Christ like I do. Christ has led me to be a witness every day that I am alive. I do it every day, while she just sits on her butt all day and watches TV on her computer. For hours and hours. She seems to care about that thing more than GOD. I hope she is not committing idolatry with her computer. Treating a computer like a god is idolatry. I don't think she cares that people are dying and going to Hell. She has on these rose-colored glasses, she thinks life is alright and OK (there are no problems) all the time, and I tell you, for the lost everything is not OK. For them life is terrible. I wish she would see that. I wish she would take off those rose-colored glasses and see life for what it really is like I do. It seems almost selfish to me that she does not care about the eternal destiny of others.

So my mom and I are not on speaking terms right now. I firmly believe she should witness more (doing it only one time is not enough!), and she does not seem to think so. We disagree with each other. No matter how many times I speak to her, I make no impact. I wonder if my words are falling on deaf ears. All she wants to do is watch TV all day, and this disgusts me so much I want to take her computer and chuck it out the window. I don't care what she would think of that. That thing is preventing her from living for GOD, it must be evil or something.

I have noticed that she does not pray or read her Bible as much as I do either. I am wondering if she is a just another lukewarm Christian. I am serious about my faith. Is she? It makes me mad inside.

Don't give up. I feel like I am banging my head against a wall and gave up for while. My mission is to bring Muslims to Jesus Christ. The hardest thing to over come is getting beyond Christians to reach them. We are in the end times now. I have studied Islam for 8 years and what is going on is extremely scary. The Quran is the exact opposite of the Bible. The description of Allh in the Quran matches EXACTLY with the description of Satan in the Bible. They worship a black rock in the Kaaba (Idol worship). They believe the black rock absorbs their sin. Reading the Quran and the Bible proves that the anti Christ comes from Mecca the birthplace of Islam. The Quran is the opposite of the Bible regarding end time prophecies. They believe 666 is good. They believe the beast is good. The believe Isa, a false Jesus will come back and say he never said he was god. They are trying to force their laws on mankind, the same as the anti Christ (as it says in the Bible). They are already taking the mark. If you want to save people, learn about Islam and save them. There are 1.5 BILLION of them to start with.
Pat

 

[ToBeLoved]

Folks, it sounds to me like the OP is an Independent Fundamental Baptist. They're a cultish, strange lot sometimes and many are brainwashed into believing that if you don't "win souls" (i.e knock on doors) you're either a back-slidden Christian or you never were one to begin with.

Interesting. I really hope the OP responds because if this is the mentality of her beliefs (and I say 'if' because I hope we hear from her) then she is going to have major issues in her lifetime with this doctrine (if indeed that is how she believes) we don't know for sure yet.

 

[ToBeLoved]

Don't give up. I feel like I am banging my head against a wall and gave up for while. My mission is to bring Muslims to Jesus Christ. The hardest thing to over come is getting beyond Christians to reach them. We are in the end times now. I have studied Islam for 8 years and what is going on is extremely scary. The Quran is the exact opposite of the Bible. The description of Allh in the Quran matches EXACTLY with the description of Satan in the Bible. They worship a black rock in the Kaaba (Idol worship). They believe the black rock absorbs their sin. Reading the Quran and the Bible proves that the anti Christ comes from Mecca the birthplace of Islam. The Quran is the opposite of the Bible regarding end time prophecies. They believe 666 is good. They believe the beast is good. The believe Isa, a false Jesus will come back and say he never said he was god. They are trying to force their laws on mankind, the same as the anti Christ (as it says in the Bible). They are already taking the mark. If you want to save people, learn about Islam and save them. There are 1.5 BILLION of them to start with.
Pat

What a wonderful calling from God and very difficult. I wish you much blessings from God in your calling.

 

[GeorgeJ]

Interesting. I really hope the OP responds because if this is the mentality of her beliefs (and I say 'if' because I hope we hear from her) then she is going to have major issues in her lifetime with this doctrine (if indeed that is how she believes) we don't know for sure yet.

Well, she's a baptist, and also has stated this:

Hi, Kit. My church is KJV-Onlyist. We only use the 1611 KJV version of the Bible.

My church seems to be KJV-Onlyist so we only read the KJV version of the Bible. We had Dr. Gipp preach at our church once and he told us that the KJV was the purified Word of God "purified seven times." It seems like my parents have adopted that belief as well and they won't read any other version than the KJV. They are suspicious of the modern versions of the Bible.

Many Independent Fundamental Baptists (IFBs) are notorious for their KJV-only stance. "Dr. Gipp" is Sam Gipp, an IFB evangelist.

 

[ToBeLoved]

Well, she's a baptist, and also has stated this:


Many Independent Fundamental Baptists (IFBs) are notorious for their KJV-only stance. "Dr. Gipp" is Sam Gipp, an IFB evangelist.

I see. Thanks for the further information.

 

[Catherineanne]

Folks, it sounds to me like the OP is an Independent Fundamental Baptist. They're a cultish, strange lot sometimes and many are brainwashed into believing that if you don't "win souls" (i.e knock on doors) you're either a back-slidden Christian or you never were one to begin with.

Or just a very young, very keen believer. Nothing wrong with that; most of us were there once.