| Author | Message | ||
| Chyna |
hi, another update from thailand. as i woke up this morning to some strangely booming music, i groaned and rolled out of bed. i asked my aunt what it was and she was saying it's the buddhist 'day of the dead' music. even now i feel uneasy spiritually. like something is wrong with the air. Thailand is 98% buddhist. anyway, I got in touch with some missionaries and they are going to give me the Jesus movie in Thai. it's been awesome talking to them. God is so real amongst them. missionary Larry Dinkins gave me a book on the Brooklyn Tabernacle church, I read it and was incited to prayer. I've been convicted that even more than discuss various aspects of SDAism we should be praying. constantly, ferverently. God spoke to me through the book that I should be bold and call on Adventists to repent of their sin. So i did, and I sent them some verses and my testimony web page about adventism. so that *really* needs prayer. pray that God remove their spiritual blindness, pray that their hearts would be ready to hear what God put on me to say to them. Today at the beginning of every hour I will be praying for those that I know that are Adventists. Please be united with me in prayer. love, Chyna | ||
| Max |
God bless, Chyna! | ||
| Chyna |
hi, i hope that some of you were praying with me on the 16th, and continue to pray. it's really awesome how, it was unexpected, but after that exhausting day long hourly prayer, God brought a new peace into my heart. in Him, Chyna | ||
| Chyna |
:) listening to max talk about the pastoral drop out and considering the most recent response admonish the adventists i knew to *get out now* some people are starting to see the "sicknesses" of the denomination. right now is a really good time for us to pray :) | ||
| Chyna |
it's been about four months since my eyes have been open to the truth about adventism and i'm not even an adventist. it makes my heart wrench when i see these webpages listing SDA's right next to Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons, two groups i have almost always known were cults. i believe that SDAism must be the most dangerous in is seemingly closeness to orthodox Christianity. i still grieve knowing that SDAism is more similar to JW's and Mormons than being a Christian denomination. still, there is evidence that God is at work. without my singular Adventist experience, I wouldn't have the burden to pray for all those I know in Adventism now. talking to Doreen, the OMF missionary, she told me about a very nice SDA she knew who recently waited up on a mountain for Jesus to come. *sigh* in Him, Chyna | ||
| Max |
IS GOD AN INVISIBLE VENDING MACHINE IN THE SKY? Do we insert our prayers like dollar bills into the slot and wait for "the windows of heaven to be opened and pour out such a blessing that there won't be room enough to receive it"? Hear James: NIV James 5:13 Is any one of you in trouble? He should PRAY. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to PRAY over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the PRAYER offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and PRAY for each other so that you may be healed. The PRAYER of a righteous man is powerful and effective. 17 Elijah was a man just like us. He PRAYED earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he PRAYED, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. My website friends, I've always had extreme difficulty with this passage. Until I finally understood that God is NOT an invisible vending machine in the sky. The sovereign one PREDESTINES. Meaning: Let's take James' examples one by one: 1. ^^Is any one of you in trouble? He should PRAY.^^ Sovereign, predestinational meaning: A. God foreknew you were going to be in trouble. Remember, Satan had to ASK God's permission before he was allowed to plunge God's "perfect and upright" servant Job into trouble. B. God wants you to pray when in trouble, but not because you're going to change Him. Never! Rather, He is going to change you. Just as He did Job. 2. ^^Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to PRAY over him.... And the PRAYER offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.^^ Sovereign, predestinational meaning: Not because God is some no-brainer vending machine in the sky who needs to be told what to do. But rather because IF God has predestined you to "call the elders of the church to PRAY over him," and you DO, then that is proof to the world that you are of the elect, that God is indeed the Sovereign of the world and not Self or Satan. And IF you don't call, then that is proof to the world that you are NOT of the elect, that you do NOT accept Him as the Sovereign of the world, but rather you accept Self or Satan as Sovereign and Lord of your life. 3. ^^Confess your sins to each other and PRAY for each other so that you may be healed.^^ Sovereign, predestinational meaning: Same as for the first two of James' examples. If you confess and pray you are demonstrating God's power through you. If you don't, then not. Either way God is not mocked. 4. ^^The PRAYER of a righteous man is powerful and effective.^^ Sovereign, predestinational meaning: Question: Why? Because YOU are so righteous that YOU are "powerful and effective"? Answer: Never! Rather, because God, who ALONE is good, is "powerful and effective." 5. ^^Elijah ... PRAYED earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he PRAYED, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.^^ Sovereign, predestinational meaning: This time, you tell me! (Feel free to disagree.) Max of the Cross | ||
| Richardhardison |
Max, you need to read what you've written, the logical errors are manifest. God does deal in predestination, but not in the way you seem to express. Look at romans 8:29-30, 26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. From Isaiah 46, 9 Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, `My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,' God is indeed sovreign, "declaring the end from the beginning" and is limited only by His word and character. But, in predestination he deals with groups, not individuals. Romans 9 is the classic example of this. Israel for example, 6 But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, 26 "And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, `You are not My people,' There they shall be called sons of the living God." Yet God says he wasn't through with Israel, that they would restored to the land and to favor with God. Israel was/is a group, but not every individual of the 12 tribes were Israel and those would not be saved. 30 What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith; 31 but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. 33 As it is written: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." A sovreign God has set a standard for salvation and made the means available to all the world through the death of His Son. Job follows along the same lines. God allowed Satan to afflict Job. Satan didn't even ask, 7 And the LORD said to Satan, "From where do you come?" So Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it." 8 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?" 9 So Satan answered the LORD and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 "Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 "But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!" 12 And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person." So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. Satan challenged God, so he was allowed to afflict Job as a test of his faith in God. Satan does challenge God's sovreignty, but then what's new? Richard L. Hardison | ||
| Max |
Thank you, Richard. | ||
| Jtree |
Please everyone pray for our brothers and sisters out there tonight, for they are being persecuted, for their faith in Jesus Christ, their Savior! | ||
| Denisegilmore |
I'm standing alongside you in prayer jtree. God's blessings on your head too. DtB | ||
| Grok |
Jtree and DtB, I don't know why you guys decided to post on this thread, but I am so glad you did. I am constantly studying the subject of prayer. I was very interested to read Richard Hardison and Max of the Cross's posted from almost a year ago. I probably wouldn't have even come across this thread on my own. God works in mysterious ways! Grok | ||
| Susan_2 (Susan_2) |
I am writing this under the topic, "Pray" because that is what I want all of you to do for me. Thank-you. My husband is packing his things and says he's moving out today and will be gone from our lives soon. Sadly he has numerous addictions which I won't get into here but I finilly told him last week I can't afford to support the family, pay all the bills and contribute to his addiction bills, too as in the DARE program, Drugs Are Real Expensive. He gets a real good retirement because he was in the army for 20 years, yet I have been pulling the entire load fininatelly. And, I told him, too that I am getting resentful of his addictions. About a year ago my car got impounded because he was drunk driving. It cost me $360 to get the car back. Then in March he totaled my car on the freeway because of drunk driving. Fortunatelly I had top notch insurance and my car was paid off. However, I am buying a different car now and he is excluded on my insurance and his drivers license was revoked and he is angry because I refuse to give him my car keys. I begged him to go to counseling with me but he refuses. I counseled with the pastor as well as with a Stephen Minister and they buth have assured me I am doing the right thing and I have been told that it is nearly impossible to compete with coke. Well, when we got married I truly ment it to last for all our natural lives together but this does not seem to be what is going to be. My heart is breaking and yet in my mind I know this is the best so I feel all torn up. Please, pray, pray and pray some more about this situtation that I am in and also pray that my husband will someday get the help he needs because he really is a good man. Thank-you. | ||
| Colleentinker (Colleentinker) |
Susan, I will be praying for you and for him. I'm so sorry things are so desperate right now. God is sovereign, and He can redeem everything we bring to him. You're right; he does need treatment, and you can't support his habits. And you probably also need some counseling for family members of people with addictions. (Did you say one time you had been going to Alanon?) You'll be in my prayers. Colleen | ||
| Terryk (Terryk) |
Yes you and your family will be in pray. And it is important for you to go to the meetings too. Its sad to say but many people with addictions are great people other wise. But as I have been told you become as sick as the person who has the addiction so that is why the programs are helpful and just like here it is good to talk with people who have been through and are going through the same thing as you. At this point you need all the support you can have. Love | ||
| Speakeasy (Speakeasy) |
Susan I also will keep you my prayers. Keep your eye on God and lean on him! Cry out to God like you have never done before. If you go to church. Get with the friends you have there and have them pray for you. Only God knows how your life will come out. But He does not want you to worry. "Turn your Eyes to Jesus and look full in his wonderfull face and the things of Earth will grow strangly dim" My support and prayers for you and your family is being sent to you now. | ||
| Doug222 (Doug222) |
Susan, I know the shock and numbness of having your whole world turned upside down through separation and divorce. I will pray for you and your situation. Doug | ||
| Sabra (Sabra) |
Susan, You are doing the right thing. I know that doesn't make it any better but people have to want help. I will definately keep you in prayer. May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you and give you peace, If you need to vent feel free to e-mail me anytime. reedsome05@aol.com you have no idea how I can relate. | ||
| Colleentinker (Colleentinker) |
I'd like to ask for prayer for Richard. He ruptured a lumbar disc yesterday, and he's flat on his back and taking large amounts of anti-inflammatory meds for a few days to see if it will self-correct. The doctor thinks it may heal on its own, but I would appreciate your prayers for him. He's better than 24 hours ago, but he's still in quite a bit of pain. Thank-you! Colleen | ||
| Cindy (Cindy) |
Colleen, Ouch! That does not sound good. I am sorry for him! Will pray he's better soon..... Cindy | ||
| Another_Carol (Another_Carol) |
Susan, I am so sorry that you must endure this. I just this morning started my Bible thru in a year in Job and as I remembered from reading it before I didn't really want to hear how bad things can get for those of us who follow Him. There is an ache in my heart and tears in my eyes as I understand so deeply how this hurts as my daughter and son-in-law just got the judges decree last Thrusday for a divorce. Like my daughter says this is not the way it should be and she too has anticipated a life together forever with her husband. And then I see the 2 boys and it is all I can do to keep from saying to her "just live with it". for their sake but I can't. What we must always remember is God is working in all situations Romans 8:28 and as I wonder how in the world my daughter can cope with this I have to listen to what I have taught her: Trust in the one who said I'll be with you. We also must remember that God knows far more than we will ever be capable of even understanding once we see the evidence. Ephesians 3 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Isaiah 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. 1 Corinthians 2 9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. Susan, I know you love Him. I would pray that you would have the strength and courage to trust and wait upon Him. A couple of Sunday's ago we had a sermon on a battle from Joshua 7 and the whole point of the Sermon was "The Battle Belongs to the Lord" and I would leave that with you. We can only do what God instructs us to do and even when that seems wrong sometimes it is right according to God's ultimate plan. We are in no position to try and circumvent an outcome but rather trust God in His sovereignty. Love and Prayers, Carol | ||
| Speakeasy (Speakeasy) |
Colleen; I just in June ruptured my L4,L5 and L6 discs all at one time. I thought I was going to have some major surgery. The doctor said that I may have to have surgery. But he wanted to wait. It toke me a few days of just relaxing and taking drugs just like your husband and from the 4rth day on I walked everyday at least 2 miles. And now almost 3 months later I am about 90% better. Still sore sometimes. But I just started 3 days ago back jogging my 4 miles a day. So just hang in there. Certain back excersizes will and needs to be done now. And for months to come. Can your husband walk on his heals. If it's his lower lumbar. The foot that he can not walk on his heal with is the weak side of the disc that is ruptured. Also get on ebay and get a tens unit. You can get them for $60 they are great for this type of problem. I will pray for your husband. He has some trying days ahead. Speakeasy | ||
| Chris (Chris) |
Colleen, For what it's worth I'm a licensed Physical Therapist (although I'm in management now). It's definately worth it to try rest and perhaps conservative therapy before going right to the surgical route. The surgical fix usually involves one or more of the following procedures: 1)Discectomy (removal of the disc or part of the disc) 2)Fusion (fushion of the the vertabrae above and belo the involved disc) 3)laminectomy (removal of the back part [lamina] of the vertabrae to relive pressure on nerve roots) None of these procedures is guaranteed to completely releve the pain. The full recovery process can be almost as lengthy as the recovery process without surgery. There is a risk of neurological involvement whenever spinal surgery is performed. We see a lot of laminectomy pts. at our rehab facility who have lower extremity involvement due to nerve root damage during the surgery. If it were me I would try everything else first. You might get on PubMed and do a search for the research. Some of the studies I have seen suggests that these diss ruptures will usually resolve without surgery if given enough time and some therapy. Chris | ||
| Colleentinker (Colleentinker) |
Yes, Chris, I did do some online research. It seems that he probably won't need surgery. Richard can walk around now; he says that on a scale of 1-10, his pain today is about a 3 compared to a 9 on Tuesday. I so appreciate everyone's prayers for him. I think this will probably involve some long-term healing/rehab, but it appears it will heal. I'm so thankful! Colleen | ||
| Susan_2 (Susan_2) |
Colleen, That sure is too bad what happened to Richard. I hope he is up and feeling better soon. I will keep him and your family in my prayers. // Now for an update on the situtation I am going through. I have made it very clear to my husband that I no longer will finance any part of his addictions. I have not even told him to give the substances up, just that I cannot afford to contribute finincally to this anymore. Apparently he has talked with a VA counseler and has made an apointment for us to see this person together. I am not holding my breath on that one because sometimes the apointments he makes turn out to be errant. However, in the meantime I have counseled with a Stephen Minister and I have numerous friends who are all very emotionally suportive of me and my decisions. I have been told though that this sort of addiction and deception is common to veterans who were in extreme combat and suffered greatly emotionally and physicially. Of course, that does not excuse the behaviour but it does help to explain it. At the same time though my budget just will not allow me to contribute to thia anymore. Thanks to all of you for your concern and your prayers. // Now on to yet another topic. I now have two sons who have warrents out of them because they have taken off. One ran away from a large all boys grouphome down in the Chino Hills so he has a juvinele warrent out for his capture and the other one got released from state prison last week and decided he didn't want to deal with parole anymore and he, too took off. Now I have cops and p.o.'sd driving past my house many times per day and po's and cops phoning me constantly and every hoodlem in the community coming over asking me where my sons are. I guess the cops have offered the hoodlems an incentive to find oput for them. Well, tough, the cops and the po's can just butt out and leave my sons alone. It's for sure that they are not anywhere around here. I'm very happy that my sons have their freedom and I hope they stay free for the rest of their lives. | ||
| Sabra (Sabra) |
Praying that you are feeling better soon, Richard! Sounds like you are improving already, that's great! |
