Reflections On The Year Behind 2008

[quietbloke]

Hi friends!

What reflections do you have on the year behind us 2008?

What sort of year was it for you and yours?

What sort of year was it for the church,local and global?

 

[generalstu86]

This has been an incredible year for me, I've started a men's prayer group in my garage, and the Lord continues to speak to me in ways that I never thought possible!
And the most amazing thing, is that I've been writing for about 5 years, and now the Lord has me taking all of my writings and putting them into a book!!! I can't wait til it is finished!

 

[JoynTx]

Sadly the first part of 2008 was not so good in the physical sense. I never dreamed one year ago at this time that only a few short weeks later I would lose my only sister. She passed away suddenly in Feb. as some of you know. I still miss her but time is a healer as is the support of Christians such as those on this forum. God led me to this forum in May and needless to say, life changed a lot for me. I was hurting and feeling vulnerable and even lonely at times but I was welcomed here and felt at home right away. Quietbloke, you were one of the first to welcome me here and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have been such a blessing to me as have others on here. It's so amazing to me how bonded our hearts can become even though we are miles and miles apart...some on different continents even. But of course we know we are bonded by the love of Jesus. I'm so thankful we can love each other because of Him. And because of Calvary we will be able to meet in the flesh one day and I believe we will have a great CF reunion up there. What a day that will be!!! PTL!

 

[MethoDiKaL]

this year was mixed up. but for the better in the end. a stronger relationship with my wife; but screwed financially. closer to God - but more tribulations. I know it comes with the belief in Jesus, I just pray for more patience and wisdom.

 

[the.Sheepdog]

My year started out as just another year. After a while they aint anything special. Frankly a lot of it was not so good. Lets see: A stroke (TIA), death of my niece, sister in laws marriage to my wife's brother failed and he left the faith. Glaucoma started attacking my eyes, and I spent a week in the hospaitl and nearly bled to death.

On the good side: The stroke did NO damage they say! My Glaucoma is a slow moving type, I did not bleed to death! and I found CF! also this year; in fact this last few days I received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit! I made lifetime friends here and love you all. I am blessed above all I know.

On the whole it will do!

 

[libertybelle]

Hi friends!

What reflections do you have on the year behind us 2008?

What sort of year was it for you and yours?

What sort of year was it for the church,local and global?

This past year has been incredibly tough on me.

However the Lord brought this year to a crucible in this past month as my marriage totally dissolved. With no one to help and no one to turn to, both me and my husband turned to the Lord.

In doing so many tremendous things have transpired.

The church? I really don't know what to say to that. I'm frustrated with how America thinks it begins and stops with them. I'm also frustrated with the idea that going on Sunday morning, holding titles, or being busy gets one into the Kingdom of heaven.

It just seems that the resurrection has been lost. I might be jaded, but it's a sad note when Christians turn their backs and shun you because your situation doesn't seem to fit in with their idea of Christian societal norm.

I am grateful however that the Jewish Family Center picked up our sad, diminished, broken marriage. But it sure was a sting when the woman said, "Ahh, yes. A Christian. Those who claim to love and walk away."

 

[the.Sheepdog]

"Ahh, yes. A Christian. Those who claim to love and walk away."

Hmmm. I wonder what she meant?


LB, I love you and will always love you, pray for you, and always be your friend. I am sorry that you had the bad experiences that you did.

But I am not pleased with the way that lady slammed all Christians with a short sentence. Surely she doesnt think we are all worthless?

or maybe she does..

​

 

[mssurrendered]

I too have had a hard last year but it has been really good too!I have gotten so much closer to the Lord and learnt so much this last year.
I moved to a new town just over a year ago that we had been driving 11/2 hours each way to come to.I felt led by the Lord to change churches when we moved here as the church we were coming here to was a strong prosperity church.I so loved everyone in the church,but it just didn`t feel right to hear about money all of the time.The people were wonderful and all my friends but it just didn`t sit right in my heart,so we left the church and I lost everyone I loved.No one ever had anything to do with us again.
This was my first experience of been hurt by christians and I took it real hard.I have worked at been real nice to everyone when I run into them,I have never gossiped about them,I had tried so hard to deal with this Christlike.
Well you know although its been hard its been real good for me too.When I first came on here all of my posts were about this what I had gone through.Now I have accepted it and I`ve very grown with the Lord through this.
The Lord has put me in different peoples lives that really need the Lord and He has just taught me to just to show them Christs love and to be there for them.
And now I have all of you guys,WOW that is something else.I struggle like Liberty says with christians not acting in love too.I`m always so aware of that I guess from my past hurts.I ask the Lord to make me aware if I ever hurt someone,I want to only show Christs love.I believe we should correct our mistakes when we act wrong instantly,and set an example for our Lord and Savior.
Its been different,but you know what?If this hadn`t happened to me I wouldn`t probably be here.And I know the Lord has something right around the corner for me,I`m not sure what but I`m ready.

 

[ralangley]

2008 was a wonderful year for me. I made new friends, deepened my walk with Christ, learned to trust God more fully, started hearing from the Lord, and began attending a school of ministry. God has immensely blessed me and I am so humbled and thankful.

I'm thankful also for the friends I've made here at CF. I've learned from you, and grown through your honesty, your struggles, your triumphs and joys. God Bless you all.

 

[James 1:27]

Praise God, my husband and I are one in every way now!!! For those of you with marriage struggles, be encouraged. God can rebuild your marriage!! 2008 has been a continuance in that process.

Our 2 1/2 that we adopted a little over a year ago is transitioned and secure in most ways!! God is her healer!!!

My husband's job is still secure!!! God is our provider!!

I ,like a lot of people, am dealing with loss issues so 2008 has been somewhat painful for me personally. But as the year ends, I am seeing my hope is on the verge of being restored.

Last week, we started going to a different church. It is an AOG church!!! God is giving me the desire of my heart!!!

As God continues to heal me emotionally, I know he will be leading us into new areas of service and ministry. I want to trust him fully with that, but it is hard...Fear is a strong objector to what God is doing!! But I think just taking one step at a time will help me to overcome. God is good!!! I couldn't say that with certainty this time last year. God is my deliverer!!!
I think I am ready for 2009. Bring it on!!!

 

[quietbloke]

2008 was a hard year for me. My wife had to give up her job because of health problems and I took on a second job parttime to get through financially. God has been good in providing our needs and is to be praised and adored.

Church life has been a struggle in a small church but God has seen us through and I believe will continue to do so because He is faithful and true.

I'm glad that we can place all the details of our life in God's hands and give Him the best of our lives. I thank God for this forum and its' people who are such a blessing to me. Thankyou who are reading this for your fellowship and friendship.

 

[James 1:27]

I think life is HARD. The older I get, I understand that more. But I don't know how we would get through it all without the Lord. Even in the dry times, we still know he's there. I can't imagine trying to live life without Him. I just ponder that sometimes.

It is encouraging to hear that you and your wife are persevering QB. God will continue to meet all of your needs. That is a promise we have. Praise Him!!!

 

[lilmissmontana]

I really enjoyed reading these.

Not much to say. I'm glad it's over and looking forward to this year. 2008 was probably one of the longest, confusingest, up and down years I've had in many many years. Intense growing pains, lots of mistakes, yada yada ...

... the good news is I'm still praising the Lord. Aside from being completely out of whack most of the year good things did take place. I look more to the end of the year than the rest of it. Biblically eight is representative of new beginnings. I see a good year ahead if it's any thing like the end of the year.

For the world and the church ... I believe we will have to draw closer and closer and tighter and tighter to the Lord to wade through the muck. It would seem muck is not always a bad thing.

The most constant thing in my life this last year has been this forum. I am so, so, soooooooooooooo thankful for all of you.

God bless and may the new year bring you joy and strength unspeakable.

 

[misspressly777]

2008 has been a rollercoaster ride for me. At the beggining of 08 I was living in sin and on my way to hell but praise the Lord I'm now saved and I am the righteousness of God. All things Satan has used for evil God has used for His glory. I'm not looking at my past anymore but looking towards my future with Him. Thank You Father for all that You have done in me!

 

[lilmissmontana]

All things Satan has used for evil God has used for His glory. I'm not looking at my past anymore but looking towards my future with Him. Thank You Father for all that You have done in me!

totally! amen! amen! amen! Praise the Lord!

 

[Daughter of His]

I'm glad that we can place all the details of our life in God's hands and give Him the best of our lives. I thank God for this forum and its' people who are such a blessing to me. Thankyou who are reading this for your fellowship and friendship.

to that!!!

 

[quietbloke]

Throughout this past year God has been working in all of our lives and although this may not have been always obvious He has bee working behind the scenes.

We can be assured that the joys we have experienced and also the trials and tears have all been working together for good to those that love God and are called according to His purpose.

Through the hard times He has been with us as well as the good times. We can look forward to His guidance and provision for us in the future!

 

[quietbloke]

Heavenly Father,

forgive me for the times,over this past year when I have failed to live up to the expectations that You have for me.

ThankYou for Your grace that has always been with me and will lead me on in Your pathway! Amen!

 

[quietbloke]

I'm thanking God for the blessings of the past year and learning from every trial I have been through. God is faithful!