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=> Testimonies / Prayer Requests / Fellowship => Topic started by: decas247 on January 28, 2008, 07:11:45 AM
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Hi
i need some prayer and advise my partner of present is heavily into the church (Christ embassy) and is wanting us to get married, but because of my past which i am sure some of you have read already he is blaming my past for the reasons i don't go to church and also because of my views on church which was reveled to me through bible truths, he is also saying he will speak to my parents about this but yet he cannot tell his mum, pastor or others that i don't attend church, tell me please what should i do, i know i have done wrong already by living together with him, since December, and now i feel like i want to run away, as even though i try to tell him some of the truths of god like we should not buy or sell in the house of God he says it applies only to doves and money changers of that time.
he has been going to church on his own, but when i attended with him a couple of times as usual, my spirit was not at peace with his church as the are so much into speaking in tongues, tithing etc, so i don't go to church with him anymore, it funny, when i first went everyone would speak to me and call me to see how i was and to see if i was coming to church, but now they don't want to know me because i don't attend their church, they only now visit and call my partner and ask of me and say hello to me through him (which i feel is out of politeness, not because they really care), this does not make me feel Great at all and all this is happening and we are not even married yet?
Please advise my brothers and sisters as you are the only ones who understand me.
God Bless U ??? :(
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Hi Decas,
Well I think you already know what you should do, hasn't that little voice been speaking to you. Here are somethings you said; now i feel like i want to run away, and my spirit was not at peace with his church, and this does not make me feel Great. These feeling that you are having should not be ignored.
You can see that this situation is already not good. So why would you ever think of getting married to him? It is not wrong to marry someone who does not have the same understanding of the Truth as you do, if you can live together in peace. I do not see that in your case.
I can see that the Spirit is speaking to your heart, just listen to IT.
You are in my prayers :)
mercy, peace and love
Kat
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Good Morning, Decas!
I too once felt extremly lonely, until one day God intervened and let me know in a very unmistakable way that I am NEVER alone, not even for the tiniest fraction of a nanosecond! Hallelujah!!!
Also, I have learned that following my heart's nudgings has been very accurate over my whole life. There is a saying : "Take a lesson from a pin : its head keeps it from going too far." So, listening to my heart FIRST, and then applying the lesson of a pin's head, yields good results.
Applying Psalm 16:11 is a very happy Experience for ANYone. So also is Isaiah 26:3. Between these two Scriptural passages lies Peace, TRUE Peace.....! :D :D :D
God BLESS you RICHLY today, and forever!!
Linda
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Good Morning Decas,
I totally agree with what the others have already mentioned in the above posts.
A friend once told me to follow after peace. If there is no peace in your relationship now...why would it "magically" change just because you have gotten married? That is why it is always important to "work out your own salvation with fear and tembling." We cannot change anyone else, only God can work on us.
My husband and I have been separated for almost 3 years (May '05). We were together for 10 years. One of the things I learned is, if they do things that you don't like before you get married, they will still do it even after you get married. So we are left with two choices...we can realize we are the one with the problem and pray to God to change us....or
in situations of extreme abuse or disobedience, and where there is no mature conversation, then it would be wise to leave.
Also, it is very difficult to be in an unequal relationship...where you are coming to the Truths presented here and your significant other is still in the church system.
I know God's will shall be done in your life and your life will glorify him AMEN
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I will keep you in prayer, but have to agree w/ the other posters.
My best friend has been divorced for about 5 years now. She was a strong Christian at the time (you all know what I mean in Christendom) and the other night I asked her....WHY did you marry him. You knew he didn't believe like you? She said "I dunno. I thought he would change" WEll, he changed all right for the worse. She had to call the law on several occassions and get a restraining order. the misery she endured w/ him.
You know way more in the Lord now, than she did then.
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Decas,
I came to the forum this morning for the same reason -- fellowship because I am also feeling as you. You sound much younger.
I have a wonderful, hard-working, kind and loving man who wants to marry me. We have been together for 8 years -- 5 of those before the Lord dragged me to Ray's site. Since then it's been one conflicted conversation after another about spiritual matters. Sometimes he takes a step forward but then he takes three steps back. I too left the church we attended together. Left the choir as well.
Recently he went to the Yale University website to study the religious courses there. That started another round of heated discussions that made me realize that it just doesn't seem to be God's plan for us to be together. I have to break up with this wonderful man because he's a Presbyterian and wants to study the letter, not the spirit, from people who talk about what the "writers" of the Bible meant, not God. The man in my life is just blind as a bat and that's God's current plan for him.
My mother and father were Presbyterians. They just wouldn't get this. I'm over 50 and hard-working, kind men aren't a dime a dozen. But I'm not at peace. I know I can't marry him so I've left him in limbo and basically lied over and over again to keep the relationship going. All the harder because I live in a town where I am the only "peculiar" person I know. He is basically my very, very best and only friend. Without him I have no life -- no life in the flesh, I understand. I could have a heart attack tomorrow though and without him, I would have no visitors. (Well, I have my 3 boys.)
It's just so ironic that I have to break up with this man because he IS a Sunday school teaching, choir singing, sincere Presbyterian. Most people would see this as an asset. And he loves me very, very much. This will hurt him deeply. I haven't found many people who are sincere, kind and love me deeply in my life. Zero except this man. The irony is painful.
Well, I live in a house of independent minded, rebellious Egyptian teenager boys who act just like I did. I love them to pieces but they have a long road ahead. I came to God's truth too late to raise them with a rod, or staff or even a foundation in the Word. They just roll their eyes at me. Teenage boys -- love em or kill em...can't decide...
So that's longer than I meant to go on. Today is the day the man in my life told me that he wants out of limbo. He wants to know an answer. I still haven't been able to bring myself to finalize what I know I must do. I'm just devasted and can't get myself to say the words...
You and I, Decas, seem to be about to learn the true meaning of picking up the cross and following Christ leaving behind father, mother, brother, sister and the men in our lives.
God be with you,
carol v
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Oh Carol I am just weeping for you. Here is the reality of Life. I am so sorry for you. And yes the irony of it all. He sounds like a good catch in the eyes of the world and the "church".
I have 4 friends who are all over 50 and are divorced. And boy they are not looking either! I mentioned one on another thread a few minutes ago. Marriage isn't all its cracked up to be is their mantra!
I hurt when I think of the pain he will have but he will get over it. I really respect and admire your oneness of commitment to our Saviour. We don't know God's plan for him but God loves him too.
I will be thinking about you and Decas. May God Bless you both.
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Hi Carol,
I too I'm sad to hear your story and the heart break you are experiencing. But as you know, The Lord is smiling down on you.
I pray you and Decas will be comforted.
You should come hear and fellowship with us more. I feel like this is my family too, even though we don't visit in person I feel very close to many here. We get to fellowship and learn the Truth at the same time. That's like killing 2 birds with one stone (that saying looks odd when I type it out).
mercy, peace and love
Kat
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Hello Carol and Decas
I have not posted anything here until now and that is not because I was not reading and feeling your pain. My sister met the "man of her dreams" only to discover he is a Free Mason! Well! That did not go very well especially as she is being influenced directly via the Baptist Church.
When I met my husband to be, the Church would not marry us as he was already divorced from a previous marriage where his son had died due to an incurable disease, and the family disintegrated around this tragic loss. I met him. Fell in love with him and had to choose between my Church and the man of my dreams. The man won.
Our differences are still in place. He is the man and I am the woman. He has no problem with my beliefs and I, (I like to believe ) that I too, do not have any problem with where Christ is leading him either. It was not always like that. Women can be controlling because of our physical insecurities I think. Male control freaks are worse than women because they have no excuse! ;D
While this might at first Glance seem to be written tongue in cheek, I have to admit that I do not know what it is like to have the religious conflicts that you have and I believe if my husband were a Moslem and was trying to force down his beliefs on me, I would have a problem with that. I think if I were trying to stand toe to toe with my husband in what I believe, I think he would encounter some strain too!
I guess the question is are you willing to live with a blind man. Some of us already are, and we are doing fine relatively speaking I think. I guess if the blind man is trying to drown you, then that is the cut off point I guess but I'd try to swim to shore if my husband were blind and I was his anchor. Love and tolerance, humility and patience walk hand in hand.
It was brought to my attention the following quote : Remember always as we attempt to enlighten those whom God is calling, that we are NO BETTER than those whose doctrines we condemn. God loves and DIED for these heretics of the modern Church. They are precious to God—and they had better be PRECIOUS TO US, or we too will receive a great condemnation for feeling anything but LOVE TOWARD THEM! They may be, in fact, our enemies, but Christ instructs us to: "…LOVE YOUR ENEMIES"!! [Ray Smith]
I know this does not say you have to MARRY your enemy but it is just how you write about these men in your lives. They do not seem to me that you see them as your enemies?
Peace to you
Arcturus :)
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PS For those who do not already know. I have publically, officially and formally taken the vowes of Marriage to my husband. I do not recommend intimacy outside of marriage either. Neither does God. ;)
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Thanks for all of your replies. This has been an awful day. Still in limbo although I've told my man I just don't think we can marry. It is so painful. By the way Arcturus, I agree with you and quit being intimate over a year ago. Just another way in which I've kept him in limbo. Your other words also hit home -- I am sure I'm lacking in patience, love, understanding, etc. But I also know that we are supposed to stand up for the truth and be willing to leave everyone and everything for Christ.
I've appreciated the fellowship today. Susan, if you see this, I've lost your phone number and wish you'd give me a call.
carol
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I too have "left all to follow God"....and THAT has made ALL the difference in the world (remember Robert Frost's poem that goes something like this : "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood...and I stood there long...contemplating which one to take. I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference" ??) It's TRUE!! :D ;D
Love!
Linda
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Linda one of my favorite poems ;D Paul speaks about this and I will quote it.
1Co 7:26 I suppose, therefore, this to be good because of the present necessity, that it is good for a man that the matter be thus: --
1Co 7:27 Hast thou been bound to a wife? seek not to be loosed; hast thou been loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.
1Co 7:28 But and if thou mayest marry, thou didst not sin; and if the virgin may marry, she did not sin; and such shall have tribulation in the flesh: and I spare you.
1Co 7:29 And this I say, brethren, the time henceforth is having been shortened--that both those having wives may be as not having;
1Co 7:30 and those weeping, as not weeping; and those rejoicing, as not rejoicing; and those buying, as not possessing;
1Co 7:31 and those using this world, as not using it up; for passing away is the fashion of this world.
1Co 7:32 And I wish you to be without anxiety; the unmarried is anxious for the things of the Lord, how he shall please the Lord;
1Co 7:33 and the married is anxious for the things of the world, how he shall please the wife.
1Co 7:34 The wife and the virgin have been distinguished: the unmarried is anxious for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit, and the married is anxious for the things of the world, how she shall please the husband.
1Co 7:35 And this for your own profit I say: not that I may cast a noose upon you, but for the seemliness and devotedness to the Lord, undistractedly,
1Co 7:36 and if any one doth think it to be unseemly to his virgin, if she may be beyond the bloom of age, and it ought so to be, what he willeth let him do; he doth not sin--let him marry.
1Co 7:37 And he who hath stood stedfast in the heart--not having necessity--and hath authority over his own will, and this he hath determined in his heart--to keep his own virgin--doth well;
1Co 7:38 so that both he who is giving in marriage doth well, and he who is not giving in marriage doth better.
what I think is being said here is if you are married stay married and live in peace with your spouse. The time is short if you are single stay single for your attention can be more dirrected on the things of the Lord and this is better. peggy
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I hope no one here thinks that you should never marry an unbeliever. There is nothing wrong with it as long as there is no contention on either side.
I asked Ray to say a few words on this subject and we should have something soon.
Dennis
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Thank you very much Dennis for asking Ray. I am very confused by this.
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(Hi everyone, it's good to be around family again.... :D)
Hi Carol...(It was very nice (and overdue) to talk with you today ;)...All that I can say is to just be patient in the Lord and wait for the wisdom and the peace that comes with making a decision that is based on HIS WILL so that you do not make a wrong choice! (BTW, Carol and I live 3 hrs away from each other here in West Texas :D)...
I guess that I get confused as to when the word says 'what fellowship does light have with darkness' and to 'not be spiritually unyoked to unbelievers.' Is this referring to those type of believers who are in christian churches? I mean, how can there be spiritual unity with a couple where one thinks that the christian church is satans throne and where the other loves it with their whole being? Either way you are correct Arc, we are to love everyone, regardless of their spiritual beliefs....This is a very delicate situation...I will be praying for both of you Carol and Decas.
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I believe that we can be unequally yoked to no one if we are yoked to Christ.
It is the Church that again distorts corrupts and manipulates the meaning of the word of God to divide and rule and ruin marital relationships by through abuse of the scriptures. I remember that His words are not literal they are spirit and they are Truth but the Church would make them literal to suit its own blindness.
I too look forward to reading Ray's teaching on this subject.
Peace to you
Arcturus :)
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Hi there decas247,
I'm so sorry that you are feeling like this. I know exactly what you are going through because i sort of went through it.
When i met my husband, i was going to church and was a 'christian' with a very screwed up brain (i subsequently found out that i suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder).
I'd had a bitter distrust of men in general because of my upbringing, then i met Jason who is Jewish. My head was screaming that i shouldn't be with him, my heart wouldn't let him go.
After a terrible time, aswell as having to cope with my OCD, and seeing various counsellors, i have a happy marriage in which we understand each other perfectly (he suffers with depression) but we never really discuss my faith.
This is really all i can say. I do sympathise with you, life isn't easy. But God knows we are only human and everything is in His hands. You couldn't do anything against His will anyway, how could you?
I don't feel that i have helped but just giving my experience.
Godbless
Nancy
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Hello, Nancy!
I am so very happy to hear that you have a happy marriage!!! :D :D
I too have suffered from depression (pretty badly, too!!). Also, I have one tiny OCD.....I can't stand food particles between my front teeth, and floss them several times a day. HAHAHA!!! But, seriously though, I have discovered that whenever a thought strikes me to do something at all remotely "iffy", I sit back and think "Do I REALLY want to do this (whatever it happens to be)??" If the answer is 'NO", I simply CHOOSE NOT to do it, and therefore I DON'T!!! That simplifies my life in LOTS of ways!!! Therefore my life feels like a gentle zephyr, with much more EASE than I have ever experienced..... O, WHAT a FEELING!!! HALLELUJAH!!!
Nancy, have a VERY Fair day, and be WELL!!! God BLESS!! (definition of 'bless' = to make happy, as in "bliss") :D :D :D
Linda ::)
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Linda, flossing all day, just picturing it.... :D :D :D
Just wanted to say I still take my pills for depression/anxiety, but yet to know me or see me you wouldn't know. I want to ween off them before I retire tho-won't be able to afford em.
I think teaching&menopause has been a big culprit.
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Hi Carol and Decas.
I pray that God's will be done in both of your lives. I know how painful it can be.
In my case I don't think it was so much giving up a man that did not share my beliefs, but more giving up my heart's desire that was not centered on God. I knew without any doubt that God said no to being with a man I loved dearly. He was my heart's desire and God said no. I remember being in so much pain and thinking what a cruel joke it was for God to allow this in my life only to take it away. I cried a million tears and pleaded with God. He still said no. I was caught in the middle for a long time before God freed me to obey his will [in my life]. I gave up the idol of my heart and it has not returned. I have been alone for around 17 years and God has given me the ability to be content alone. This was God's will in my life. I was able to remain friends with this man and kept in touch over the phone. He was always there for me. He died 2 years ago.
So regardless of what was right or wrong or allowed or not allowed God said no and for me it had everything to do with an idol of my heart. I fought hard to keep my hearts desire, but God won. He always wins.
Another idol I have is wanting a home. Somewhere I can stay and be comfortable. I am 55 years old and have probably had to move 100 times. I have my new key to an apartment and will be moving again this week. It really kills me to be so unsettled, but I know this is God and I know why he is doing this. "Home" is an idol of my heart. It is not as bad as it used to be, but its still there. I am not yet content in all circumstances.
Philippians 4
11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Mark 10
25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
26And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?
27And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
28Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.
29And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,
30But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
Philippians 3:7-9
7But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.
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Hi Decas,
You're not the only one that feels lost and alone. I feel for you. And I don't think you should marry that guy, not because he has different
beliefs than you, but rather because it already looks like a train wreck.
That's my opinion,
Sorin
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Hi M.G. ! There's NOTHING like WANTING to be in your "sweet, sweet Heavenly Home" ALL THE TIME.....for, the Kingdom of Heaven is WITHIN YOU!!! YES! It CAN be ENJOYED ALL THE TIME, NOW!!! It's "just" a matter of enjoying your inner life right where you are, at any given moment, when you are holding HOLY Communion with the Lord God Almighty, and seeking to "do the next right thing." So, whenever we are staying in a motel, at a relative's house, sleeping in a sleeping bag in a tent in the wilderness somewhere, or WHEREVER we are....we are : HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HAHAHA, Gena! Yeah, just call me "Glossy Flossie"!! Tee hee! ;D :D
Sorin, you are SO RIGHT!! "When in doubt : DON'T!! " ( The heart is the seat of Intuition, and SHOULD be listened to.....soooo, if there's a doubtful FEELING in the heart, THAT should be one's surest guide as to what to do next....and if one follows one's heart, he or she WILL find out whether they did the right thing by and by. That's how we learn to trust the Holy Spirit's nudgings, and our Faith grows and GROOOOWS, and we become stronger and stronger Spiritually! Rah, RAH! :D :D
So, Decas, just keep putting one foot in front of the other, looking UP to GOD, trusting that He WILL make your Path PLAIN to you, and just GO in it, and forget about looking back....just moooooove it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Things have a way of unfolding their Beauty for you as you proceed. You just WATCH AND SEE if this is true!! I double-dog-dare ya!! (Yes, I'm dating myself here! HA! ;D )
Things are looking UP (for you!!) , ::)
Linda
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Dear MG, now that was a powerful testimony and encouragement, thank you for sharing. I understand the moving alot and the wanting to settle down and just be comfortable. Been there many times myself! DH just had to take a job out of state and now we are having to learn of what Gods' will is at this time...to move or to stay here and just see him every weekend or two (he is 3 hrs away.)??? At least you saw the idol of your heart and were faithgful to God and removed it from getting in they way of your relationship with HIM...I am sorry to hear of the loss of your friend.
Carol, keep us informed on what to pray for if things change. You are on our heart!
Linda, you crack me up!
Great insights Arc!
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Hi there all,
M.G. please forgive me if i sound critical of your post. I'm not being critical rather am perplexed!! You say that your man friend was an idol of the heart and wanting a home is an idol of the heart, so you mustn't have these things.
Let me tell you what happened to me! I was at the beginning of having a breakdown. I felt that God was telling me to sit in my bedroom and pray, period, nothing else. Now i look back and feel that it was NOT from God but my depression. I have always had a warped view of what God is. I had a stern father, so God is stern. You mustn't enjoy your life, etc. You have to preach all the time, you have to this and you have to that. I have had this all my life until now. Should i forfeit this peace! God forbid!
I read a brilliant article on a site called gospelfortoday.org concerning Gods' will. It states that there isn't this mythical WILL that we have to somehow SEARCH FOR OR ELSE. This article gave me real peace.
My husband and my home are probably my idols of the heart. But i am human and God loves me just as i am.
The trouble with feelings is that if you weren't encouraged to have any opinions or preferences of your own, like i had, you don't really know what you want in life. Especially afflicted with OCD as well! It is a double whammy!
May i ask why you feel God asks these things of you? Again please forgive me. If you are happy with life, fine, tell me to mind my own business.
Godbless
Nancy
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Linda...what is "a gentle zephyr?"
A softly bubbling spring comes to mind....but I'm not sure what you are talking about in your post?
Joyce :D
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Hi Nancy,
I think you are right. God gives us many wonderful things in our lives and it's a good thing to live thankful lives for what we have. I really think He wants us to be content. So many times we think what we have is not enough, or too much. Having a home or a garden or a wonderful spouse are God given and amazing blessings to be enjoyed. Or even having a small apartment and being single are things to be thankful for. I guess we need to hold these things loosely knowing that we may not always have them.
I think I'm with Paul where he says in Phil 4:11, "Not that I speak in respect of want. For I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."
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Good Morninggg, 'Joyful Joyce' !! :D
As you are referring to my post #18, a 'zephyr' is a soft, refreshing breeze.
Easy-breezy DOES IT!! : :D :D ;D
Linda
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Hi Nancy,
I don't think it's wrong to have a home or be married. I know that God wants me to remain single and he has given me the ability to do that. I'm not lonely and I'm content being single. That was not always the case. I won't write the details because I've seen debates about the subject in other posts and I don't want to start a debate. I can really relate to what Carol and Decas are going through, but I don't know what God's will is for their lives.
I've always had a roof over my head and I should be thankful for that. There are many people in this world who are homeless. Circumstances have always prevented me from staying in the same place for long. I have not been content having a roof over my head. I want the comforts of a permanent home so I don't have to keep moving. This is where I see the idol in my heart and I believe there is a reason God causes these circumstances in my life that are out of my control. Hopefully one day, as Paul, I will be content and thankful in all situations. Right now I'm like the Israelites grumbling in the desert. I pray that God gives me a grateful heart and that he removes this heart that grumbles against him.
Jeremiah 29:
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.
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I know exactly what you mean by circumstances MG. I have seen this in my life too! God has withheld on very obvious levels that sometimes I think God is seeing me as a Levite who is not allowed to own anything! :D There is some comfort in the exercise in that at least I am beginning to see God's hand in this which is so much better than believing all the other nonsense that Babylon would have me believe like I am cursed, I have unconfessed sin in my life or like poor Job when his "friends" were convinced that Job was guilty! :D ;D
This is not to say that I have suffered any want or physical needs at all. On the contrary God is showing Himself most capable of looking after me! Maybe that is the lesson for me... :)
Peace to you
Arcturus :)
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I have an article from Ray on "Unequally Yoked" that needs proofing. Should be posted here and on the site by tomorrow evening.
Dennis
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Thank You Dennis, I am looking forward to taking the time and sitting down to learn from this. :D
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I look forward to reading it Dennis. Thank for all your work.
Carol
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[From Ray]
It has been brought to my attention that there are some lively discussions on the Forum over who to marry or who not to marry. I am sure this was all done in the earnest intent to help all involved in making wise decisions in this most important of matters—marriage. It is needful, however, that we exercise great caution in such important areas. The Scripture about not being unequally yoked together with unbelievers usually comes up. This statement of Paul’s may seem to many to be a simple “cut and dry” verse of Scripture that is easily understood. Truth is, however, there are more implications to this verse than most are aware when giving it a causal reading. Hence this paper.
http://bible-truths.com/yoked.htm (http://bible-truths.com/yoked.htm)
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Hello everyone,
Just read and reviewed Rays counsel about this Marriage discussion and about being unequally yoked in all areas versus in only some areas and I must concur, its' great balanced counsel. My wife and I are a good example of that, she is entitled to her beliefs and I'm entitled to mine with a mutual respect for each others' right to do so. Our thinking in most other areas of everyday life is agreeable. Now that I know that God has a plan for everyone leading to their eventual Salvation, theirs no need to get spiritually pushy with her, something I would have had a tendency to do in the past. We discuss some of the material on this site, she may agree on some points and disagree on others, no need for any bullying here. Just as it can be dangerous and unwise to play matchmaker, it could also be dangerous and unwise to tell others (grown adults), who they should and should not marry. Thankyou Ray for your insight on this matter that pertains to all of us at this Forum. Your Brother in Christ, Samson.
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Hello everyone,
Just read and reviewed Rays counsel about this Marriage discussion and about being unequally yoked in all areas versus in only some areas and I must concur, its' great balanced counsel. My wife and I are a good example of that, she is entitled to her beliefs and I'm entitled to mine with a mutual respect for each others' right to do so. Our thinking in most other areas of everyday life is agreeable. Now that I know that God has a plan for everyone leading to their eventual Salvation, theirs no need to get spiritually pushy with her, something I would have had a tendency to do in the past. We discuss some of the material on this site, she may agree on some points and disagree on others, no need for any bullying here. Just as it can be dangerous and unwise to play matchmaker, it could also be dangerous and unwise to tell others (grown adults), who they should and should not marry. Thankyou Ray for your insight on this matter that pertains to all of us at this Forum. Your Brother in Christ, Samson.
Samson,
I gotta tell ya that there is so much wisdom in what you posted. My wife is not a believer either, and I agree, my marriage is so much beter now that I know that I don't have to "convert her", since it is God who is reconciling Himself to her. Takes the load off!!! :D
Oh, and I guess I should have read the article before I posted. Just did - sound wisdom, I feel my wife and I are equally yoked in so many other areas, our difference seem insignificant.
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Good article.
Samson and Joe, you guys give me a nice feeling.
My husband and I allow each other to believe what we believe and the freedom to express our faith as we see fit. Doctrinal differences are never an issue, which makes for a peaceful time at home in this regard. If he wants to go to church, I support that, and he never badgers me to go either.
Ursula :)
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Dear Ursula and Little Joe,
My wife just read your comments and appreciated them, I told her she can thank this site for my new perspective, in my former religious persuasion I would have been pushy about a loved ones beliefs in all sincerity, because I was afraid that if they didn't become a JW, they would be destroyed at Armageddon and I didn't want them to receive a sentence of endless death, instead I actually would push them further away as a result of my trying to prove my point. I would cry in prayer to myself saying to God, please don't let them die for all eternity, now I feel liberated and at peace, knowing Jesus is really the Savior of the entire World and its' not my responsibility to save the entire planet. Sometimes I express some of the points I learn at this Site and I know when to back off and let God do the dragging according to his plan.
Your Brother, Samson.
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I have an article from Ray on "Unequally Yoked" that needs proofing. Should be posted here and on the site by tomorrow evening.
Dennis
Thanks for posting that article Dennis. I have been a lot more relaxed about my marriage situation since "my new way of believeing". That article by Ray had a lot of wisdom and plain old fashioned common sense.
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That's a great article and should relieve a lot of people who have been taught the wrong thing about being "unequally yoked."
My quandry in making my non-free-will-choices is in figuring out when God is leading me to do it His way or when Satan is getting ready to sift me like wheat. I'd prefer to just do the former and avoid the latter.
I am still confused about the "many" who Christ refers to that do good works in his name and believe on Him but whom He doesn't know. I guess that He means that very spiritually -- that they are indeed believers but just not His yet...
Lots to think and pray and read about. As always. Thanks again Dennis and please tell Ray we appreciate it. I hate to add another email to his inbox...
carol
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That's a great article and should relieve a lot of people who have been taught the wrong thing about being "unequally yoked."
My quandry in making my non-free-will-choices is in figuring out when God is leading me to do it His way or when Satan is getting ready to sift me like wheat. I'd prefer to just do the former and avoid the latter.
I am still confused about the "many" who Christ refers to that do good works in his name and believe on Him but whom He doesn't know. I guess that He means that very spiritually -- that they are indeed believers but just not His yet...
Lots to think and pray and read about. As always. Thanks again Dennis and please tell Ray we appreciate it. I hate to add another email to his inbox...
carol
Myself, when I think of the "many", the first thing that pops into my mind are the televangelists clowns, who seemingly do many works, even some appearing supernatural, yet don't have the fruits of the spirit in their lives. I can tell you that I've been though it all, through the Holy Laughter movement, Toronto Blessisngs, etc. etc., and the only thing that bears fruit is that quiet abiding trust, which I believe leads to doing His works in secret, and not letting your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Hope that helps.
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Hi there all,
M.G. I understand where you are coming from now. I thought you were punishing yourself either intentionally or unintentionally. As you state your circumstances have meant that you have to move continually. Forgive me if i sounded stern, if certainly wasn't intended like that. I know from bitter experience how one can feel guilty from having anything good and jeopardising it everytime!
Godbless
Nancy
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Thanks Nancy.
I understand what you are saying. I have PTSD and suffer from depression and still struggle in a lot of areas. I battle with shame and guilt a lot.
Thank you Ray for the article!
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Hi ya M.G.
What is PTSD? I have never heard of this before.
Godbless
Nancy
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Nancy,
If you don't mind having me answering you--PTSD is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Leisa :D