I didn't want to T/J Kim's, but this is something that has weighed on my heart for SO VERY LONG and left SO MUCH DOUBT in me whether my M could be restored/recovered.

FH, I am in no way strong enough or knowledgeable enough to get into a discussion about Christ or not.

What I can say and that's just good enough for me is I have a relationship with G-d that is straight up direct, honest, with all my sin etc. I seek him for all my questions and answers, and today I seek him for guidance on who and what he wants me to become. I have come to believe that he accepts me for all my sins as I move through the world practicing teshuvah, which is being put in the same situation, I don't react or do the same.

My G-d HAS forgiven me and continue to forgive me because I am human, not because of what I believe. And that's just for ME. I totally respect and admire Christians with their FAITH, but I am so weak and feel so unworthy this is just something I wanted to put out there and leave it alone.

I'm not asking you to accept or even respond, but can you imagine the terror of walking around wondering because you are this faith or that faith, your M won't be restored? I can tell you its debilitating and you fight demons inside of you that simply don't need to be fought.

medc, you hit it. I felt unworthy of my M being restored b/c I didn't think I was the right religion and that's simply is just crap. Because for ME, and that's all I am referring to is me, as long as I live in G-d's word, make amends when I hurt people, seek G-d as the one to restore my M, then I have just as good a chance as anyone else.

thanks, medc

I second this!

The purpose of these forums, unless I'm grossly mistaken, is to seek advise and/or support for specific marital problems. People want to know what to do in their specific circumstances. While they may also be looking to convert to Christianity, there are other places to go for this. Those that are not Christians are not only offended but often distressed to read that their problems can't be solved.

A big thank you from me as well MEDC!

you're both very welcome. I find the attitude that ONLY Christian's can forgive or have a great marriage bothersome. It really turns a lot of people away from God.


I understand your point and agree with you 100%. Some of the very best people I know...and some of the very best marriages I know of share your faith QNL. I know others that are just as wonderful and have no faith in God...but their hearts are on display every single day.

Be happy and don't get sucked into a discussion that really only serves to divide.

And trust me...there are more than a few Christian's here that don't want to hear this crap as well.

You got it dude.

Not only does it divide, but blocks G-d.

I have to say I personally have never felt offended by people's beliefs, because they have every right to them. I also understand their need to enlighten me.

Other people are way more stronger in their beliefs and knowing their path.

I just was looking for ANYTHING that would restore my M, and entertaining that it was because I was Jewish was the cause of my M not being restored was tearing me up. And I didn't have the self-esteem or feeling of being worth enough to know that is simply silly.

So thanks again, now I can just move on to becoming who G-d wants me to be.

I, too, appreciate MEDC speaking up about this.

I couldn't pinpoint why posts like that woule bother me. Queenie and Tabby summed it up pretty well.

My relationship with a HIGHER POWER is fresh and new, and it's difficult for me to continue on in faith, when someone is screaming that if I don't do it this way, I'm doing it WRONG. Doesn't help me. I find it incredibly shortsighted to say that only people who accept Jesus Christ can truly be saved, marriage, personally or otherwise. There are a lot of other religions and belief systems out there.

BTW QNL...my understanding of Scripture suggest that you are one of God's chosen people.

Shalom

Yes Scripture does say that. But I choose to believe we are ALL chosen because we are G-ds children.

When I start thinking I am more special than someone else, I stop being a child of G-d.

It's funny, and this is not necessarily correct, but being the "chosen" people is about responsibility versus being special. If you know what I mean. Actually I don't even know what I mean, I just know that I have a responsibility to the world to make it a better place and serve G-d.

Shalom back at cha

Cherish this SL and keep fighting for it.

It's what will make your life different, blessed and beyond our wildest imaginations.

That's why in AA when you walk through the doors, people tell you to get a higher power, not a G-d.

Your relationship will develop over time as you develop and lend time to it. I believe this with all my heart.

My G-d is the one most important thing in my life that can NEVER be taken away. I can choose to give it away, but I can't imagine that happening again.

Not when I know the results - which are deadly.

Agree 100%

I think your cool.

You have qualities of being way open and out there in your beliefs and I really admire that.

I hope to nourish those qualities in me.

A couldnt agree with you more. At one point we were going to service and I enjoyed it but due to our neglect *spelling error* we have not gone to service in months. I wish we would go back. I started to feel great about myself and I could see the impact it brought to the home.

Regardless what religion you are a part of, what you believe in will help a M.

thank you.

just be true to yourself and things will fall into place.

This is true. My mother is a huge believer in Jesus Christ, but as for me...I believe in a higher power (God if you will) but not necessarily in Jesus. When she gets going on and on about him, it really make sme lose interest in the conversation. I think that she feels as you stated above, without the power of Christ behind me, I can't have a good marriage and that I shouldn't have married my WH anyway. She uses the scripture of being "unequally yoked" to describe us. I don't know. It makes me not want to listen to her anymore or any other person that shoves it down my throat, then I feel small and petty because I know they are trying to help me, in their way. It's a lose-lose sitch for me.

ANyway, enough babbling. Thanks for listening, reading, whatever. I just wanted to throw my pennies in

There again this is my limited knowledge of other religions and I am probably going to get slammed but it's what I believe.

It's been my experience that Christians and their message are because they are trying to help us and that's how they get along in the world. Some aren't doing it for any other reason but caring about us.

And I accept that as that's what they need to do for them. And I admire them for that commitment.

But there is a line that can be crossed and medc helped me to see that I can accept those people and love on them as anyone else, and realize that it's ok to not follow in their ways and it will have no bearing one way or another on my M.

Be true to yourself... Right medc?

SL, I fully agree that this forum is for everyone, regardless of their religious background, however, what you just said is an outright rejection of Christianity. The foundation of Christianity is the acceptance that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation. Are you saying that we have to accept "lots of other religions and belief systems" but deny Christians the same opportunity by denying the very foundation of Christianity? Because, as a Christian, I am just not willing to do that.

I don't believe that Christians are "shortsighted" just because they happen believe in the tenets of Christianity. I may be a stupid woman, but I am not shortsighted.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Hi Queenie...

I want you to know that what I am gonna say to you I am saying BECAUSE of the immense respect that I have for you...The kind of person that you are shines brightly in your posts...what a great thing!

Anyway, I've heard you say pretty often that you don't know "this or that" regarding your own faith or the Christian faith...Might I be so bold as to make a suggestion? There is a book that I think is really good...It's called The Case For Christ by Lee Strobel...He was a skeptic...a journalist...The book describes what his research revealed...

Right now my dd and I reading the student version together...I think it's very important to know WHY you believe what you believe...See I was a "Cradle Christian" myself and haven't always known why I believe as I do-I just did, "because"...Imo, that needed to change-I continue to work on it...

See, I believe if someone is going to embrace or reject something, that they should know exactly why and make absolutely certain that they are correct, kwim?

Because I've seen that you are someone that embraces learning, growing and changing I suggest reading that book to you...Please know that it is out of respect and love that I do that...

I need to run, our dd is having a performance today at camp...I'll be back later...I sincerely hope that you take this post as it is intended...(((((Queenie)))))

Mrs. W

P.S. My best friend married a Jewish man that converted to Christianity at a Promise Keeper's convention...I tease him all the time about it not being "fair" that he is one of the "chosen people" AND a Christian!

I was thinking this, too..

I ACCEPT other RELIGIONS and want others to ACCEPT mine...

This is MY BELIEF but I'm not going to shove it down anybody's throat.

On the other hand, I'm not going to DENY it and will STAND TALL in the FACT that this is MY BELIEF.

It's funny you bring this up QNL. While it is my duty to witness to others...and hopefully they will see something in who I am or how I live my life to "want some of that" (borrowed from my pastor)...the Lord will lead people in His time.

Lies get crossed all the time and instead of a witness, people can become an obstacle to their brothers and sisters. I mean really...do you think that Jerry Falwell has turned more people to or from Christ??? I would say the latter.

I hate it when I see that happening here and elsewhere in my life.

Exactly. I will not DENY Christ in order to make others feel good. Why would I be EXPECTED to tolerate other religions and then DENY mine? I am not getting that logic.