...an ocean of friends
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Posted on November 15, 2008 1:23:56 PM PST
I want to recommend The Shack for some inspirational reading. It is about a man whose child is murdered and how God helps him find faith, healing and forgiveness. It is a powerful book and I think each of you would love it. It has lots of information and will really make you think about God, your relationship with him and your relationship with others. There is a website theshack.com if you want to get more information. RIC
Posted on November 7, 2008 3:30:55 AM PST
I have a prayer request. I am applying for a promotion at the company I am currently working at. It seems rather unlikely in the natural that I should get it, because it is at the level of the bosses over my boss. BUT I know that God's will prevails no matter what. BUT I am praying/believing for this to happen, because it will set me ahead SIGNIFICANTLY both professionally, and personally, because it will enable me to get back on my feet financially, move back out on my own, and try to get back together with the man that I still love, and never stopped loving.
Well, I hope that all of you ladies and your respective families are all well. Take care and God bless.
Peace and Love,
Donna
RIC
Posted on July 8, 2008 6:51:10 AM PDT
Donna ~ Last night I stayed up and finally wrote out my testominy about how I came to the Lord. And it was pretty long. Well, I am sorry to say that when I went to save it my computer messed up and there went all that I had typed. I was so upset because I finally got the time and then that happened. It took me awhile to do so I think that was the main reason I was so upset.I decieded I would try again later. Then I had the thought maybe God wanted this way,lol. I promise to try again soon. I just have lot's to do today but know that I do think this was a great idea and I wil get back to it very soon. Love YA, Bonnie RIC
Posted on June 20, 2008 12:49:23 PM PDT
Donna, talking about Gods will and purpose for our lives has got me thinking about how once you start seeking God's will, your will changes. I can remember always thinking if only we had a bigger house, or another child, or a better job or etc etc the list can go on and on, I will be happier. But I have now learned that only God's purpose will make us happy. I now think of how I can live for God, not myself and I can truly say I am happier than I ever have been. RIC
Posted on June 19, 2008 11:24:54 PM PDT
Wendy-
I also grew up Catholic. While I always beleived in God,my faith was not as strong as it is today. I was turned off by a lot of the fake pious "Holy Roller" types that were basically doing everything they were telling you not to do. When I started my first job out of college (the child protective casework position). I had a lot of anxieties, not only because of the toughness of the job, but because several years prior to that, when I was in high school and college, my father had had several health struggles. He is ok NOW...BUT he cheated death numerous times during those struggles. Who else but God could have ensured my father's survival and well being, when from a medical standpoint things looked rather hopeless. Plus, when I was doing the child protective casework, I noticed that several of my co-workers semed to have a great peace about them, even when there were calamities up the wazoo in the office. I remember thinking....wow...I want to have that level of peace about me. (I then noticed that those people were ALL very spiritual, religious types who spoke openly about their relationship with the Lord, which I found interesting, b/c no one tells Catholics that you could have a peronal relationship with the Lord, and encouraged people to fear (as opposed to respect and revere) the Lord, like you are gonna get crossed off His list the minute you do something wrong. Then I began learning , after talks with several co workers, and reading several faith based books, that God created everyone for a purpose, and that NO ONE was a random accident NO ONE. Powerful stuff, especially with the struggles of the past several years, which I am slllooowly coming out of. (A little tooo slowly for my liking...BUT I guess that is where trusting God's perfect will and perfect timing comes in. ) But as humans, we tend to act as cranky children , often impatiently starting prayers with" COME ONNNNN!!!", in reference to wanting our dreams/desires to come to pass in our time, as opposed to waiting for God's timing.(Or is that just me?!?!? LOL!!!) Reading Joel Osteen's "Your Best Life Now", and Joyce Meyers' "The Battlefield of the Mind" helped me realise this concept more clearly, and that your beliefs and expectations for your life will play a large role in determinig how far you get in life, as you will gravitate towards negativity if you entertain negative thoughts and engage in negative behaviors. But if you act, beleive, and behave positively while trusting in God's perfect will and perfect timing, then the desires of your heart will come to pass IF it is in line with God's will for your life. (And if not, it is b/c God has a better plan for you.) I always thought in the past that this was denying reality, or living in a fantasy world , but it is not. God never wants to see His children lost. BUT He wil allow you to suffer the consequences for your mistakes in order to teach you the lesson He wants you to learn. BUT he will always build you back up, and help you get back on track when you seek Him, which I do much more regularly now. And I am still LEARNING to trust God's perfect timing and perfect will, BUT in all honesty, I still do struggle in this area a great deal. (BUT as the saying goes, I may not be where I want to be, BUT thank God I'm not where I used to be). Well, that is my salvation story. Now who's next?
I hope that all of you ladies and your respective families are well. Take care and God bless.
Peace and Love,
Donna
RIC
Posted on June 19, 2008 8:11:07 PM PDT
Donna, I was so happy when you posted the topic of when we turned our lives to Christ. I love sharing and I love hearing others experiences. Well, I will start. I will try to keep it short. I grew up Catholic but never had a personal relationship with Christ. I was raised to believe that as long as I believed in Jesus, I was going to heaven. I met my now husband as a freshman in high school and we were your typical party kids, we drank all time and did the occasional drugs. After we graduated high school we got married and partied all the time. I then got pregnant a year later and had our first son. We stopped partying so much, but we usually always had people over and drank and everything there so we felt it was better for our son than always going out. (The excuses we make) A month after our son turned one, my husband was in an accident at work where he was burned 3rd degree over 65% of his body. He was in the hospital for 2 months and was lucky he is even alive. He knows God saved his life and he knew it at the time, but didnt turn to God. We had a rough time after that, we had to deal with him not being able to work, he was in a lot of pain, and self esteem issues and a boat load of other life changing issues. Well we really just became people struggling to live, to deal with life. He turned to alcohol and I guess I just really became bitter. We had our second son and was just trying to get back to "normal" My husband starting realizing something was missing, he was raised in a Baptist church and through that and through God saving his life he knew he needed to turn to God. Well, after God dealing with him for a while, he gave his life to Christ in our living room while I was a sleep. I woke the next morning to find, not my husband, but a new man. I didn't know what to think, and unfortunatly I turned to anger and hatred. I felt like he was just trying to act like he was better and he was becoming some crazy religous fanatic. I couldn't stand it and I hated to even be around him, but I just really never understood why. Well, a while went by and he had his cousin over who was also a Christian and they sat at the table doing a Bible study together. I was watching American Idol, and he called me to come in there and listen. I very reluctantly went. They were discussing Revelation, coming of Christ and the rapture. I had in my 12 years in Catholic school, never heard of any of this. I had them to explain it to me and show me in the Bible. His cousin explained how we are all sinners and all going to hell, unless we accept Christ as our Savior. Its not enough to just know there is a God,but we have to know we are in need of a Savior and He died on the cross for my sins and without Him I was going to hell. I was shocked, why hadn't anyone ever told me something so important. Well, his cousin left and me and my husband started talking. I told him I hated him and I didn't know why. He said he knew and it was because the devil was trying to use me to keep him from giving his life to Christ. At that moment it made sense and I realized, I knew there was a devil and there is a living God. Immediately, I knew I was wrong, I was a sinner and I needed Christ. I then prayed and I will never forget the peace that came over me that day. That peace has never since left me, sometimes it gets pushed back with the worries and stresses of this life but it is always there. God gave me my life. I am unworthy of all He has done for me, and I could never repay Him. But I just pray that through my life, others will learn of Him and His loving grace. I hope God will use me, and all I want is to be His servant forever. RIC
Posted on June 11, 2008 2:55:39 PM PDT
Another topic of discussion that I wanted to post:
How do any/all of you ladies deal with the struggle of wanting the desires of your heart in your own timing, vs. waiting and trusting God's perfect will and timing? I was having this conversation with a friend of mine, who is married, expecting her first child, and set in her career, while I am still believing for most of the above. I was sharing the struggles of sometimes wishing that God's timing was a little (ok A LOT) closer to my own. And she was telling me (rightfully, as much as I don't like to admit it.) that you cannot want things to happen in your own timing, that you must be patient and wait for God's timing. While I know this to be true, I was also becoming angry thinking: "Yeah...it is so easy for you to say that when you have everything you have been believing for, and I am still believing for my dreams to come to pass, and for certain wrongs that I have suffered to be made right. "
Do any of you ladies go through this also? And if/when you do, how do you handle it?
Hope that all of you and your respective families are well. Take care, and God bless.
Peace and Love,
Donna
RIC
Posted on June 6, 2008 12:32:41 AM PDT
Hey Ladies-
Sorry that I haven't been on in awhile. I didn't mean for this group to fall by the wayside. There are so many interesting conversations going on in the Christian Girl's Coffee Talk and The Bible Study.
I want to pose this topic of conversation:
How did all of you get to the point where you were living your earthly lives (I beleive the correct spiritual term is living in the flesh....correct me if I am wrong.) to wanting to deepen your walk with the Lord, and to make more diligent efforts to live in His will as opposed to your own? Please share whatever you feel comfortable sharing, and feel free to use any resources that helped you (and continue to help you) to this end. (i.e. faith based books...as per the title of our group.)
RIC
Posted on May 3, 2008 10:08:01 PM PDT
Quilt of Holes
As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls.
Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.
But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.
I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the right hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon m y own life and was disheartened.
My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.
Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise.
My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not mel t within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.
And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.
I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light.
An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes.
Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, 'Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles.
Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.'
May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through!
God determines who walks into your life....it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go.'
I need this back. If you'll do this for me, I'll do it for you....When there is nothing left but God that is when you find out that God is all you need.
Take 60 seconds and give this a shot! All you do is simply say the following small prayer for the person who sent you this.
Father, God bless all my friends in whatever it is that you know they may need this day! And may their life be full of your peace, prosperity and power as he/she seeks to have a closer relationship with you. Amen.
Posted on March 27, 2008 11:42:55 AM PDT
Yes Bonnie, We are still reading "Battlefield of the Mind. Next, we are going to be reading Max Lucado's "Facing Your Giants", as per the request of several members on here. Please feel free to lead a discussion on whatever books you are reading, if you feel comfortable doing so. I hope that all of you and your respective families are well. Take care, and God bless.
Peace and Love,
Donna
RIC
Posted on March 26, 2008 7:15:29 PM PDT
Hello Ladies ~ Just wanting to stop in and say hello and to see what good books you are reading. Are you all still reading Battlefeild of the Mind? If so how are you find it to help you? I have the book and really want to read it but I feel that it is not the right time just yet due to I am reading two other books right now and I don't want to get confussed, trust me it wouldn't take much,lol. Well I hope all had a good Easter. God Bless, Bonnie RIC
Posted on March 20, 2008 2:00:49 PM PDT
May all of you ladies and your respective families have a happy, joyous, and blessed Easter. Take care, and God bless.
Peace and Love,
Donna
RIC
Posted on March 18, 2008 6:51:58 PM PDT
I am halfway thru Battlefield and am so glad you guys recommended the book. It is like I am reading about myself. I am someone who worries if Im not worried. She seems to address me. I like that she says you can always know your circumstance and know it may not be very good, but you can still wrap yourself in God's love his word and provision and go forward. I always felt that most self help books just want you to deny that anything is wrong instead of saying that it is okay for you to know you have problems. RIC
Posted on March 18, 2008 11:27:59 AM PDT
Yeah, I finally made it here! I am excited to join this group. I am sure I will get much out of it. For any who don't know me, my name is Bonnie, I am a mother of two wonderful boys, most the time,lol. I have been married for 13 years this Oct. High School Sweetie. Got married alittle on the young side but wouldn't change it for the world but wouldn't want for my boys to follow in my footsteps either,lol. I am currently reading two books, that deal with parenting because I am having troubles in this area and I feel that I need the Lords Wisdom here. The books are called " The Heart Of Anger " by Lou Priolo and "Creative Correction " By Lisa Whelchel! Both have been very helpful. Also I am going to a young mom's class at church which has been a real blessing to me. And of course God's Word is the main thing that I have been trying to draw guidence from. I think Prov. is a really good book to start with when it comes to Parenting and I find it helpful to in the area of me being a good Godly wife. I am so far from where I need to be but thankful that I am not where I use to be all Glory to God! Well I llok forward to meeting with you's and thanks Donna for inviting me. You are super great, and I loved what you wrote to Wendy on Corpral Punshiment. Please let me know if you's have read these books and what you have thought of them? I was gonna start reading the Battelfeild of the Mind Book but felt like God was calling me first to these due to the importance of our situation. Love In Christ, Bonnie I will try to get on as much as I can,thx. RIC
Posted on March 17, 2008 5:58:30 PM PDT
Let it go for 200 8 …
By T. D. Jakes
There are people who can walk away from you.
And hear me when I tell you this! When people can walk away from you: let them walk. I don't want you to try to talk another person into staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you. I mean hang up the phone.
When people can walk away from you let them walk. Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left.
The bible said that, they came out from us that it might be made manifest that they were not for us. For had they been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us. [1 John 2:19]
People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not joined to you, you can't make them stay.
Let them go.
And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person it just means that their part in the story is over. And you've got to know when people's part in your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead.
You've got to know when it's dead.
You've got to know when it's over. Let me tell you something. I've got the gift of good-bye. It's the ten! th spiritual gift, I believe in good-bye. It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm faithful, and I know whatever God means for me to have He'll give it to me. And if it takes too much sweat I don't need it. Stop begging people to stay.
Let them go!!
If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you and was never intended for your life, then you need to......
LET IT GO!!!
If you are holding on to past hurts and pains ............
LET IT GO!!!
If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and
see your worth.....
LET IT GO!!!
If someone has angered you.
LET IT GO!!!
If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge......
LET IT GO!!!
If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction......
LET IT GO!!!
If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or talents
LET IT GO!!!
If you have a bad attitude.....
LET IT GO!!!
If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better......
LET IT GO!!!
If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new level in Him........
LET IT GO!!!
If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship.......
LET IT GO!!!
If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help themselves......
LET IT GO!!!
If you're feeling depressed and stressed ..................
LET IT GO!!!
If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling yourself and God is saying "take your hands off of it," then you need to.....
LET IT GO!!!
Let the past be the past. Forget the former things. GOD is doing a new thing for 20 0 8 !!!
LET IT GO!! !!
Get Right or Get Left ... think about it, and then.
LET IT G O!!!
"The Battle is the Lord's!"
During the next 60 seconds, Stop whatever you are doing, and take this opportunity. (Literally it is only ONE minute!)
All you have to do is the following:
You simply say "The Lords Prayer" for yourself and for the person that sent you this message:
The Lords Prayer
Our Father, who are in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory, forever.
Amen.