Parents Problem

[Godslilgurlalways]

What do you do when you are absolutley sure about something, but your parents are dead-set against it? I feel very strongly that God is calling me to do something, but my parents, who I have looked up to and whose spiritual advice I have often times relied on, are completly opposed to it.
So I'm confused.

I feel that the very best thing is to pray to God about it? If you feel that you should than do if you feel you should't go with your you spirit than you heart than you mind.

 

[Ms.Garnet]

I find it very hard to believe that a male missionary would be recruiting an 18 year old girl if things were really all above board.

My thought exactly Bliz! You and some others have posted some very important issues & considerations for Die2live .
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The following is a bit long - bare with me - and please understand I am not posting this in a mean spirit - I am trying to jolt you into thinking more openly about this recruiter whose church you don't even know the name of!

Die2live - please reread the posts -But please take your blinders off before you do! I am not trying to be or sound mean - like an earlier poster said - I tend to be blunt and to the point. After 30+ yrs. being in ministry with my DH and being aquainted with many missionaries - your recruiter sounds like nothing more than a wolf in sheeps clothing using the internet to prey on young innocent victims whom he can devour. Satan speaks just as real as our Lord does & he can be very convincing. May I ask you a few more questions?
What is your definition of missions and in that sense - what is your defition of being a missionary?
What have you already done in the sense of missions? The mission field is wherever you are at the moment - not just some foreign land - not just India.
There are people everywhere that you pass every day that need a missionary - someone to tell the GOOD NEWS to them. How many people have you personally witnessed to, lead to the Lord, or played a part in leading to the Lord?
You say your job will be to feed the children - how many soup kitchens have you volunteered in - how about Vacation Bible School - how about helping teach children in Sunday School - my point is just exactly what have you been doing already to fulfill God's call in your life to do mission work? You don't have to wait - God told Peter & Paul to be fishers of men. They immediately began their mission work. I sense that you are very genuine in feeling your call - but I and others hope you will not ignore the wisdom of your parents -after all I am presuming they love you very much and only are concerned, as many of us are, that this recruiter seems to exist only in the internet world. If he is on the up & up - why not post a site where we can check his ministry out too - if he's all about missions he must be interested in recruiting many missionaries not just innocent inexperienced 18 yr. old girls.
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I think some of you posters are around my age & probably remember the "Jim Jones" missionary stories of the past - this is where my mind keeps leaping back to - the "recruiter" seems to be offering this young lady a pie in the sky version of missions I am afraid.

 

[mysparrow]

My thought exactly Bliz! You and some others have posted some very important issues & considerations for Die2live .
**********************************************************
The following is a bit long - bare with me - and please understand I am not posting this in a mean spirit - I am trying to jolt you into thinking more openly about this recruiter whose church you don't even know the name of!

Die2live - please reread the posts -But please take your blinders off before you do! I am not trying to be or sound mean - like an earlier poster said - I tend to be blunt and to the point. After 30+ yrs. being in ministry with my DH and being aquainted with many missionaries - your recruiter sounds like nothing more than a wolf in sheeps clothing using the internet to prey on young innocent victims whom he can devour. Satan speaks just as real as our Lord does & he can be very convincing. May I ask you a few more questions?
What is your definition of missions and in that sense - what is your defition of being a missionary?
What have you already done in the sense of missions? The mission field is wherever you are at the moment - not just some foreign land - not just India.
There are people everywhere that you pass every day that need a missionary - someone to tell the GOOD NEWS to them. How many people have you personally witnessed to, lead to the Lord, or played a part in leading to the Lord?
You say your job will be to feed the children - how many soup kitchens have you volunteered in - how about Vacation Bible School - how about helping teach children in Sunday School - my point is just exactly what have you been doing already to fulfill God's call in your life to do mission work? You don't have to wait - God told Peter & Paul to be fishers of men. They immediately began their mission work. I sense that you are very genuine in feeling your call - but I and others hope you will not ignore the wisdom of your parents -after all I am presuming they love you very much and only are concerned, as many of us are, that this recruiter seems to exist only in the internet world. If he is on the up & up - why not post a site where we can check his ministry out too - if he's all about missions he must be interested in recruiting many missionaries not just innocent inexperienced 18 yr. old girls.
**********************************************************
I think some of you posters are around my age & probably remember the "Jim Jones" missionary stories of the past - this is where my mind keeps leaping back to - the "recruiter" seems to be offering this young lady a pie in the sky version of missions I am afraid.

yes exactly , i too would like to learn about this .

 

[die2live]

My thought exactly Bliz! You and some others have posted some very important issues & considerations for Die2live .
**********************************************************
The following is a bit long - bare with me - and please understand I am not posting this in a mean spirit - I am trying to jolt you into thinking more openly about this recruiter whose church you don't even know the name of!

Die2live - please reread the posts -But please take your blinders off before you do! I am not trying to be or sound mean - like an earlier poster said - I tend to be blunt and to the point. After 30+ yrs. being in ministry with my DH and being aquainted with many missionaries - your recruiter sounds like nothing more than a wolf in sheeps clothing using the internet to prey on young innocent victims whom he can devour. Satan speaks just as real as our Lord does & he can be very convincing. May I ask you a few more questions?
What is your definition of missions and in that sense - what is your defition of being a missionary?

I don't see missions as simply leaving home and telling people in a foreign country about Jesus. My home (USA) needs it as much as anywhere else. I would never deny that or ignore my responsibility to serve wherever I am. As long as I am here, I will be a part of spreading the Word, just as I will when I go to India. Like all Christians, I am a missionary, now as well as in the future. The only difference is in location.

What have you already done in the sense of missions? The mission field is wherever you are at the moment - not just some foreign land - not just India.
There are people everywhere that you pass every day that need a missionary - someone to tell the GOOD NEWS to them. How many people have you personally witnessed to, lead to the Lord, or played a part in leading to the Lord?

I have never personally lead anyone to the Lord. I admit that I have failed too often in my boldness in sharing my faith. For months, I felt that God was urging me to talk to my boss at work. I kept putting it off, believing that I had lots of time, that I needed to ease into it. About a month ago, he changed jobs and I have seen him only once since. Although I will always be praying for him, the guilt remains. I know I failed. I can only thank God that no one's salvation depends on me.
On the other hand, I have not shied away from teaching by outward example. Everyone I work with knows what I believe and how strongly I believe it.
I believe that God has called me to India.

You say your job will be to feed the children - how many soup kitchens have you volunteered in - how about Vacation Bible School - how about helping teach children in Sunday School - my point is just exactly what have you been doing already to fulfill God's call in your life to do mission work? You don't have to wait - God told Peter & Paul to be fishers of men. They immediately began their mission work. I sense that you are very genuine in feeling your call - but I and others hope you will not ignore the wisdom of your parents -after all I am presuming they love you very much and only are concerned, as many of us are, that this recruiter seems to exist only in the internet world. If he is on the up & up - why not post a site where we can check his ministry out too - if he's all about missions he must be interested in recruiting many missionaries not just innocent inexperienced 18 yr. old girls..

I have taken advantage of just about every opportunity to take part in soup kitchens and things like that. I have taken part in events like 30-Hour Famine with my youth group. I also help teach Sunday school at my church.
I don't know why his ministry does not have a site yet. It has not grown to the size where such a site would be necessary. But he knows how valuable the Internet can be, as he used it to find me. I have a question for you. Why would it matter if he did or didn't? An Internet site would still be on the Internet, so it really wouldn't help much with his credibility. With the distance that is currently between us and the newness of his ministry, the Internet is simply the only way we have of communicating. That's just an unfortunate fact. No one designed it that way. He's doing all he can to arrange for a visit here sometime soon, but beyond that, there's nothing he can really do to increase his credibility.

 

[die2live]

I read them this summer too! I have not seen the movies.

I'm assuming you liked them.
I thought the movies were good, though I have heard that a lot of people disagree. They don't follow the book in all the little details, but they stick to the storyline.
The books were great though. Very thought-provoking.

 

[bliz]

Die2live -

What communication has this guy had with your parents? If he is above board, it would be quite appropriate for him to want to talk with your parents and help them set aside their concerns so they can be fully supportive of you. Just as he has e-mailed you, he can e-mail them. Why don't you help them connect?

 

[die2live]

That's a good idea, Bliz. I was actually thinking of trying to do that a while ago, but never actually did it. I think that would bring some peace to my parents' minds. Thanks.

 

[monkeystink]

yes, it completely depends on what you believe God wants you to do.

Sorry, I dissagree. We are taught to honor our parents. How do we do that? Listen to them. Sorry to dissapoint you.

In Him, Eric

 

[Philt]

Sorry, I dissagree. We are taught to honor our parents. How do we do that? Listen to them. Sorry to dissapoint you.

In Him, Eric

I strongly agree. You might be a spiritually mature individual, but your parents have the advantage of years to become wise. If you pray for the situation and if it is God's will that you do this, then it will happen. But right now you need to listen and accept your parents counsel.
God Bless You.

 

[Avaya]

I suggest a compromise. You should go to college, majoring in a useful skill such as medicine, teaching, or languages. Then, through your college or your church, use your summers to go on mission trips with a well organized and well reputed mission organization. I do not blame your parents a bit for being upset with this idea. It is one thing to be called to the mission field, but this cannot be the will of God for you if it requires disobedience to your parents in order to do it. God does not say one thing and then ask you to do another.

Awesome advice!

 

[Avaya]

If this is God's will, why are you unwilling to share his name with us? Or the name of his ministry? Or who has already come on board with funding? Has he approached others for funding?

No disrespect to you, but you are not equipped to be a partner in a ministry. You are an 18 year old girl with no education or particular skills. How do you even know if this guy is legit?

I was thinking the same thing. A 'just begun' ministry needs well equiped, educated, financially stable (or close to it) sources as much as they need Godly men and women to help out. I think a newcomer should look to more established ministries, or go on some mission trips before committing to a brand new, never heard of ministry in another country. This guy could just as easily be into human trafficing and just trying to make a US contact.

 

[die2live]

Sorry, I dissagree. We are taught to honor our parents. How do we do that? Listen to them. Sorry to dissapoint you.

In Him, Eric

The Bible also says that whoever loves father or mother more than Christ is not worthy of him.
A thought: Obediance and honor are not the same thing.

 

[die2live]

I strongly agree. You might be a spiritually mature individual, but your parents have the advantage of years to become wise. If you pray for the situation and if it is God's will that you do this, then it will happen. But right now you need to listen and accept your parents counsel.
God Bless You.

How's it going to happen if I don't do it?

 

[Lisa0315]

I just had a thought...I noticed that you selected the Salvation Army shield for your character. Have you thought about volunteering at the Salvation Army. I used to know a lady who worked for them, and it is an awesome ministry. This would be great training ground for you while you are getting things settled.

Lisa

 

[die2live]

That's a good thought, Lisa0315. I'm not sure that I have enough time though. My work schedule isn't exactly stable and on almost every day I'm doing something besides that as well. I usually have one full day off, where I'm not doing anything at all, at least not until around six. Do you know how flexible they are with their volunteer hours? DO they have a website where I could get more information?

 

[Lisa0315]

That's a good thought, Lisa0315. I'm not sure that I have enough time though. My work schedule isn't exactly stable and on almost every day I'm doing something besides that as well. I usually have one full day off, where I'm not doing anything at all, at least not until around six. Do you know how flexible they are with their volunteer hours? DO they have a website where I could get more information?

I don't know that much about them. My friend was my daughter's occasional babysitter. She stopped keeping kids and went to work full time at the Salvation Army when my daughter was about 3 or 4. We stayed in touch for quite some time, and I still hear from her occasionally, but we have gone as long as several years in between calls. My daughter is the same age as you. She is off to college in January.

I do know that it is a worthy mission. I am sure that if you called them that they could set up an appointment with you and discuss hours. I have a feeling that they are quite flexible especially if you are a volunteer.

Lisa

 

[monkeystink]

How's it going to happen if I don't do it?

Have faith...God will see to it in time. Some of the best missionaries are educated people (medicine, science, or some other feild that is in need.) Seems we listen best when we are on the reciveing end of kindness. What better way to show kindness than give people what it is that they need.

Sister, please don't think I am asking you to ignore God (Jonah showed us what happens when we do), but I am suggesting that even a superstar of faith (such as yourself) needs to bring something to the table (in addition to your awesome faith.) As an example, if you studied public health, you could help people avoid disease through aseptic practices that you could teach them (in addition to witnessing.) This may help build a rapport with them to open the door to Christ. Also remember that we never know what God's plans are. He may just be calling you for a short time. Than what? Pray about it. I have faith that you will serve God well whatever you do.

Blessings in Christ,
Eric

 

[die2live]

Thanks for that reply, monkeystink. I could tell that it was thoughtful and I appreciate it. Believe me, I have prayed about this. I have searched the Bible for answers and this is what I believe God wants me to do.

 

[bliz]

Have you put your parents in touch with your would-be employer yet?

 

[die2live]

I have not yet. He has been having Internet trouble for the last few weeks and our communication has been sporadic. I'd rather wait until my parents can have consistent communication with him. There's no rush just yet anyway. We have at least a year, possibly more, to sort things out.