I met a beautiful woman on here back in March, and I just knew that she would be the one I would spend the rest of my life. Well this has went sour recently and i am heartbroken like I've never been before. I have only been a christian a few years and i had never experienced Love through God before. I feel like my heart has been tore to shreads. Combine this with the fact that my ex-wife refused to let me see my daughter and had herself and her freinds get on the stand underoath and make up horrendous lies about me and now my parenting time has been permently denied. I have a troubled past but the one thing I was great at was being a father. Now I have lost my stable place to live and I feel there is no place to go but up. I cry constantly wondering what has happened to my once wonderful christian life. The devil has stolen everything that means anything to me and I am wondering where is God at, and I am crying to Jesus to please fill me with that fire for Him that I once had. If anyone has some encouraging words for me, please feel free to write me.....
I was sitting in my car, about to take the kids to school. Waiting for the windows to defrost...I realized that I left my bible in the house. I have always carried it with me on the walks, because often the Lord would prompt me to read something from it. As I sat there in my warm seat, I contemplated whether or not to go in and get it. Spirit man won out and I got the Word and off we went.
Now every morning I walk at Cub Creek park...Tuesday's my friend and I cut it short due to the prayer walk. We got into a short discussion about Saving faith vs. Experimental faith. The first being when you know God has saved you and your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life. The later being, putting your faith in action. Not knowing to any certainty that what you are doing is from God, but doing it based solely on FAITH. So, here I was 8 minutes late for my prayer walk, because we were fellowshipping and ministering to each other.
I get there and I am the only car, so off I go. I begin by asking forgiveness for my own sins, so that nothing in me impedes what is about to take place on the streets. I really feel led at this point to just start reading His Word...not pray, but simply read without looking up. Every time I looked up to make sure I wasn't about to run into a pole/car/trash can or whatever, I was so heavily convicted to focus only on the Word. God was telling me to look only at Him and not think of anything else..."Don't take your eyes off of ME", He said. After a while I felt more at ease in the Lord with obedience to Him, I quit looking up. Not 1 minute after I gave every focus on Him,I heard a loud noise then I felt something hitting me on the leg...then the other leg. As I was reading in Luke...He spoke in red,"take no thought for your life." I was feeling fear, but would not look up. Out of my side vision as I was reading, I saw a white German shepherd. It kept bumping me with his nose, for at least 1/4 of a mile. Then nothing. When I finished the passage, He said look around. No dog, people nothing. I was almost to the end of the street.
On the way back I saw where the dog had come from, the very house that they are closing to road for(crack) and there were men working on the road who saw the whole thing. I don't know how friendly the dog is. The last few weeks down that street the dog has been on a chain...All I know is it was a great feeling when I was able to walk by faith that God would protect me no matter if I was watching out for me or not. In fact...if I had been watching my surroundings instead of God's word...I could be telling a very different story.
Dood, I feel your pain, but I see further down where you are feeling God's presence more. I will add you to my prayer list. I'm in a similar situation, but probably not as acute. My wife of 20 years told me that she couldn't see spending 20 more years with me back in May (our anniversary). It broke me in half. I cry a lot and ended up moving out for work and to respect her wishes. My kids are older (21-18-15) so it isn't as bad, but it still HURTS! Each day gets better with Him ministering to my broken heart. I have certainly seen His work by bringing friends & family my way in this hard time.
Keep hanging in there and trusting Him (as you already seem to be doing). Believe me, I have to do the same!
Brother, I went through the same thing you did. After my divorce, I got together with an old college sweetheart from 20 some years ago, and then, after a year, she called it quits. A few months later, I get a phone call telling me she was marrying her next door neighbor. I was mad at both of them, being that I knew her now husband, and was mad at God a bit too for allowing this pain to overtake me. Yes, it hurts, and it makes you question why a God can make something as wonderful as love to where it's great when you have it and hurt so much when you don't.
So I strayed for a bit, refused to go back to church, and let my faith fall by the wayside. I was in a great Sunday School class with her, but I couldn't go back because of the defaulted relationship.
Well, a few weeks ago, I called her on the phone to apologize for being so angry with her, and to wish her all the happiness in her new marriage. We made out peace, but to be quite honest, I don't think I'll ever hear from her again. So be it, that's how life goes.
Now I've moved to the Chicago area, and have been attending a great new church thanks to the persistence of a good friend of mine. I feel at peace, the folks are wonderful, and I've even found a great Sunday School class to join....the topic? Relationships with other people in our lives.
There is one thing also....time does heal all wounds, my friend. Dive yourself into work, keep yourself busy with hobbies, and before you know it, you'll think less and less of what happened and be able to look back on it as a learning experience.
Hang in there. I know that things are rough and hard at times. But always know that God is there and always will be
there for you. Just keep trusting that God will bring you through this. He will! I promise that things will start looking up for you, soon. I will keep you in my prayers. Keep the faith!!
saton never goes after somone that he has but he wants the one that he does not have already. you must be doing somthing that makes him uncomfortable. Our trail come to make us stronger But all thing work for the good of those who love the lord.
I was just passing by when I saw your testimony...thank you for having the courage to share...I am a missionary in Mexico/Tj....I also have a small group pf men where we share our situations in very respectful manner....I know what you are talking about I have gone through it....But I have learned to say why not me? I will suggest you take an inventory of yourself ann be honest with yourself...forget about the troubled past...that is in the bottom of the ocean...remeber you are the Kings son now....start praying like never before....I have learned that when Satan or one of his demons pay attention to us it is because God has something for us ....take it with dignity, honor and with a humble spirit...and let the name of our Lord be glorified
Isaiah 41:10
trust God it is time to grow to the next step of Christianity
Hey...I just wanted to tell you that God is God and He holds everything in His hands! I myself have a PAST!!!!:devil:
I was not w/my kids alot of their younger lives due to drugs and prison.....but although it hurts...what's done is done and I have found that God's Word is TRUE!!!!!:yay: He is faithful, and His promises, HE KEEPS! He says He will restore to me all that the locust has eaten, and I can tell you that He has!!!In my life! It is AWESOME what He has done. I could tell you more....( I tried to send you a message.....:rolleyes: I'M TOO OLD!:goofball:....) but I'll just say this...HOLD ON TO YOUR FAITH! He will not leave you in your time of need!!!! Much Love In Him!!! paidinfull....:angel:
Hey man the times may be tough and will but God has a plan for you. We may not see it now but if we stay faithful and strong in prayer he will reveal it 2 u. The devil takes thiing that are dear to us but its of the world. He cant take our salvation and the love and pertection that Jesus has given us. Its hard but being a christian isnt easy and we are prosecuted every day. If U remember Samuals life ( bible) it relates to you and may help u. He was falsly accused of Adultry and put in prison and lost everthing. He was down but God had a plan and it was Gods building block of Samuals Future ( gods plan). He became a King but Samual cuoldnt see this or understand Gods plan. Samual put his faith in God and trusted God. So brother read this book and pray and have faith. BE STRONG. im praying for you brother.
Should you read this brother take heart. I'm concerned that you say you have never "felt" the love of Christ before. Let me say this to you... faith and our relationship with God is not about feelings. Yes, some people are gifted with the "feeling" of Gods presence (I have experienced this before and you can email me if you want to talk about it) but thats not what we are asked to do nor is it what God promised us. He wants you to Love Him. But that Love isnt an emoition... thats what modern society wants you to believe! Its only the last 50 years that we have become about an "emotional" connection with God and we have now allowed our emotions to run us! Look whats happened to the Church and men like us because of it! No, what God said by Love Him is this - Trust and obey! Do as He asks of you! Read your bible, obey His word, turn your life over completly to His son! Even when you don't feel like it... thats what real Love is! SACRAFICE! I suggest everyone here read the introduction to The Five Love Languages to get a better sense of what I'm talking about. Love is an OPTION not an EMOTION. If you do this, God promises never to leave you! He will always be with you, never making plans to harm you, but only for your betterment! Brother, I suggest you find a good church with a good pastor who will be glad to council you. We all need counciling but I worry especially for men like you. Reach out to me if you need someone to speak with!
For now I'd just like to forward something to you that I received in my emails today. The title was "Who's Your Daddy:
A seminary professor was vacationing with his wife in Gatlinburg , TN. One morning, they were eating breakfast at a little restaurant, hoping to enjoy a quiet, family meal. While they were waiting for their food, they noticed a distinguished looking, white-haired man moving from table to table, visiting with the guests. The professor leaned over and whispered to his wife, 'I hope he doesn't come over here.' But sure enough, the man did come over to their table.
'Where are you folks from?' he asked in a friendly voice.
' Oklahoma ,' they answered. 'Great to have you here in Tennessee ,' the stranger said. 'What do you do for a living?'
'I teach at a seminary,' he replied.
'Oh, so you teach preachers how to preach, do you? Well, I've got a really great story for you.' And with that, the gentleman pulled up a chair and sat down at the table with the couple.
The professor groaned and thought to himself, 'Great .. Just what I need... another preacher story!'
The man started, 'See that mountain over there? (pointing out the restaurant window). Not far from the base of that mountain, there was a boy born to an unwed mother. He had a hard time growing up, because every place he went, he was always asked the same question, 'Hey boy, Who's your daddy?' Whether he was at school, in the grocery store or drug store, people would ask the same question, 'Who's your daddy?'
He would hide at recess and lunchtime from other students. He would avoid going into stores because that question hurt him so bad. 'When he was about 12 years old, a new preacher came to his church. He would always go in late and slip out early to avoid hearing the question, 'Who's your daddy?' But one day, the new preacher said the benediction so fast that he got caught and had to walk out with the crowd.
Just about the time he got to the back door, the new preacher, not knowing anything about him, put his hand on his shoulder and asked him, 'Son, who's your daddy?'
The whole church got deathly quiet. He could feel every eye in the church looking at him. Now everyone would finally know the answer to the question, 'Who's your daddy?'
'This new preacher, though, sensed the situation around him and using discernment that only the Holy Spirit could give, said the following to that scared little boy.. 'Wait a minute! I know who you are! I see the family resemblance now, You are a child of God.'
With that he patted the boy on his shoulder and said, 'Boy, you've got a great inheritance. Go and claim it.'
'With that, the boy smiled for the first time in a long time a nd walked out the door a changed person. He was never the same again. Whenever anybody asked him, 'Who's your Daddy?' he'd just tell them, 'I'm a Child of God''
The distinguished gentleman got up from the table and said, 'Isn't that a great story?' The professor responded that it really was a great story!
As the man turned to leave, he said, 'You know, if that new preacher hadn't told me that I was one of God's children, I probably never would have amounted to anything!' And he walked away.
The seminary professor and his wife were stunned. He called the waitress over & asked her, 'Do you know who that man was -- the one who just left that was sitting at our table?'
The waitress grinned and said, 'Of course. Everybody here knows him. That's Ben Hooper. He's governor of Tennessee !'
Someone in your l ife today needs a reminder that they're one of God's children!
'The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of God stands forever.' ~~Isaiah
YOU'RE ONE OF GOD'S CHILDREN!!! HAVE A GREAT DAY!
Keep this going. You have no idea which one of Your e-mail buddies could use a little hope today
John 3:16 A helping hand will lighten another's burden
