| Author | Message | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 31 Registered: 12-2003 |
Hoytster, I'm so sorry. I'm praying for that family as well. Colleen | ||
| Hoytster Registered user Username: Hoytster Post Number: 33 Registered: 9-2003 |
Interesting comment about we victims, Lydell. Allen's older brother stated that he was angry at Allen. That was useful for me; I tend to be afraid of registering anger, and the brother's admission allowed me to acknowledge that I am angry too. I wanted to watch Allen do amazing things over the years, and have amazing kids, and ... dern it. Your comments about turning are new to me, and very interesting. What a great idea! I also wonder if Allen's stated convictions (atheist) were sincere, or if he was just using that mechanism to stand apart from his dominating mother (or maybe just seeking attention from all the religious folk in his family). The idea that I can minister to this family is challenging indeed. My first thought was "impossible!" but, again, with God all things are possible. I'll keep my eye peeled for opportunities! Thanks to you too, Colleen (and you others who just prayed, didn't post) | ||
| Sabra Registered user Username: Sabra Post Number: 10 Registered: 10-2001 |
Praying for this to open a door wide for you to be able to share the good news. | ||
| Lydell Registered user Username: Lydell Post Number: 564 Registered: 7-2000 |
hoytster, anger is so common. As a matter of fact, it was interesting to me at my brother's memorial to hear more than one of his friends say, "when I heard the news I was so mad at him, I could have shot him myself." For those who haven't been thru the experience, I'm sure that sounds incredibly cruel. But at the time, I had the same reaction you did, "well yeah...actually..." I'd hoped to someday have a relationship with my brother. For me, the reaction wasn't so much anger as something else. Satan laid hold of what had happened as opportunity to work on an area where I already had a problem...old feelings of fear of rejection. See, this is why I say everyone is victimized. Satan just uses the opportunity of the trauma to work in numerous ways. Did you know that police try, at least in small towns, to keep out of the paper any mention that a death was by suicide? Know why? It isn't to protect the family. It is because they know that there are others in the community who hear the news and are themselves given an encouraging push over that edge. They have seen that the report of one suicide can lead to others. I thought that was interesting. By the way, we have a friend who is a psychiatrist. He told me that, in his experience, most times one who commits suicide appears in the days immediately preceding the death to be more at peace and relaxed than they have been in quite awhile. His observation has been that the person at that point has already made a firm committment to their decision to follow through, that their plans are already set and no one, at that point, will be able to reason with them or change them from their course. Of course, the family and friends are left beating themselves up because they fear they overlooked some indicator of what was about to happen. | ||
| Spokenfor Registered user Username: Spokenfor Post Number: 11 Registered: 12-2003 |
Dear friends at FAF, This is an urgent request for prayer for my husband and I. We have finally made it 'official' that we have left the Adventist church (this past weekend). Our local church members are devastated and appealing to us to rethink our decision. One young lady who has been in Adventism for a few years along with her parents was encouraged by our decision and has come out also. Her parents are feeling that we have betrayed them and that we are responsible for her decision. We aren't, as she has come to her own conclusions about Adventism but I would not mind if we were as I consider it a privilige to proclaim the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! The spirit of Christ has given me strength and courage so far as I've replied to the emails and calls of those who have been offended by our choice. But I feel somewhat shaken as I realize that more will be coming and I need prayer for strength to deal with them all. Satan would love nothing more than for me to crumble under the pressure but Jesus is stronger and I know he is with me. So I thank God for all of you and in advance for your support and prayers. In Jesus love, Spokenfor | ||
| Leigh Registered user Username: Leigh Post Number: 47 Registered: 2-2003 |
Spokenfor, I will be praying for you and you husband. It seems like the one thing keeping me from officially having our names taken off the books, is having to deal with all of the fallout. Your post is encouraging to me. "Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might....For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against the spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:10,12 | ||
| Spokenfor Registered user Username: Spokenfor Post Number: 12 Registered: 12-2003 |
Thank you Leigh. I will hold that verse close to my heart right now. It definitely is a spiritual battle. There is no other reason why sensible people would react this way. | ||
| Spokenfor Registered user Username: Spokenfor Post Number: 13 Registered: 12-2003 |
I should also have asked for prayer for the young lady who is 'coming out' along with us though for now I will leave her annonymous. She is quite distressed over her family's reaction. She isn't on line at home but I will share your words of encouragement with her. | ||
| Doug222 Registered user Username: Doug222 Post Number: 445 Registered: 3-2001 |
Spokenfor, I am lifting up a prayer for you and your husband as I type, asking that the Lord would give you the courage and strength to stand firm amidst the strife that your decision has caused. I pray that your confidence in the sufficiency of the Gospel would be strengthened through this experience and that others would see the light of God's redeeming grace through your actions and reactions. I too never "officially" removed my name, and feel that to do so at this time is probably anti-climactic. I had prepared a letter that I had intended to share with the members explaining my decision, but was dissuaded from sending it by the Pastor. I probably should have done it anyway, but that is in the past. Stand firm in the grace in which you have been called!! In His Grace Doug | ||
| Lydell Registered user Username: Lydell Post Number: 565 Registered: 7-2000 |
Spokenfor, praying that you will see opportunities to share the gospel through this time. Plant seeds, don't get stressed out over the harvest, just plant the seeds. Praying for the 3 of you. | ||
| Spokenfor Registered user Username: Spokenfor Post Number: 14 Registered: 12-2003 |
Thank you Doug and Lydell - I so appreciate your prayers and words of encouragment. God is faithful and I am strengthened and ready for more of whatever comes our way. | ||
| Sabra Registered user Username: Sabra Post Number: 18 Registered: 10-2001 |
Praying for you also, for strength and comfort and His prescence. You don't have anything to worry about. It helped me a lot to read all of the testimonies of people leacving cults, like the JW's and others. Their stories were almost identical, just different cults. I don't remember where I found them but just do a search on testimonies of christians, the Muslim ones are amazing, they face death for leaving, we can surely handle a few words and looks. It may help to know that it doesn't last long. Once they realize you mean it, they consider you apostate and leave you alone. The Lord will make you able to stand! Sabra | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 45 Registered: 12-2003 |
Spokenfor, I am praying for you. God is so faithful to give us what we need for the work he calls us to do--and right now he is calling you to represent Him as your friends react to you with shock and surprise. They will sense the authority of the Holy Spirit in you, and they will not easily forget what you say. Colleen | ||
| Spokenfor Registered user Username: Spokenfor Post Number: 19 Registered: 12-2003 |
Thank you all. I can feel the presence of the Holy Spirit when I have to speak to someone. My nerves get calm and I actually make sense when I open my mouth. I am amazed. | ||
| Susan_2 Registered user Username: Susan_2 Post Number: 482 Registered: 11-2002 |
I haven't been able to chat on this website much lately due to numerous personal problems. About a year and a half ago I married a man I thought was a very fine gentleman. During our courtship he was generous and considerate. Then around four months into the marriage he started smoking a crack pipe but only occassionally, telling me it was not a problem with him but he only did it occassionally. Gradually I have become aware that crack is his #1 ture love and now he has left me broke and around $8000- in dept and numerous of my wonderful things have disappeared, I assume while I was at work he took things that I have had since childhood that were truly collectors items and most likly sold them to different antique shops or elsewhere. Much, much things are gone and he is the only one who could have done this bad thing to me. Next week I will go see an attorney. My husband took off several weeks ago in a getto neighborhood in a crummy part of Long Beach, Ca. saying he was going for a walk and no one who knows him has seen or heard from him since. I want to get an annulement. I will go to an attornet next week because since he seems to have voluntarilly disappeared I think I need legal counsil. It's a mess and I need prayers for courage, emotional strength and A JOB! Please, pray about this great issue and dark cloud hanging over me. Thank-you. | ||
| Leigh Registered user Username: Leigh Post Number: 56 Registered: 2-2003 |
Susan,I'm praying for you to have courage and strength and that you will find a job. "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Is. 40:31 | ||
| Sabra Registered user Username: Sabra Post Number: 26 Registered: 10-2001 |
Praying for you Susan. You can get an abandonment divorce pretty easily. Not sure about an anullment, there is a lot involved in that. You need to move on to a better chapter in your life, you've been here long enough. Peace and grace. | ||
| Hoytster Registered user Username: Hoytster Post Number: 37 Registered: 9-2003 |
I'm so, sorry, Susan. I heard of this happening with other people: the wonderful partner is transformed by the marriage into something else. But CRACK? That's terrible. You HAVE changed the locks, right? I'll be praying for you too. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 57 Registered: 12-2003 |
Susan, my prayers are with you. Colleen | ||
| Carol_2 Registered user Username: Carol_2 Post Number: 145 Registered: 2-2002 |
Hi Sabra! Where've you been girlfriend!?!?! Good to see you back on the forum. Have you seen "The Passion?" I'll be interested in your thoughts. I am well, and attending a "Freedom Encounter" seminar at my church this weekend. By way of this forum I'm asking all of you for your prayers, specifically that I will be set free from of all the doubts and fears from the sda baggage, and that I will not allow ANYTHING to come between my relationship with the Lord. Thanks everyone! Love and prayers to all, Carol |
