While my heart is heavy for so many on MB, I do have a little joy to share.<P>I was a minister along with H. In our former denom it was demanded that both partners in the marriage serve as ministers. After my A, I felt I could not in good conscience continue to do so. Unfortunately (in some ways), H had to step down from his ministry because of me.<P>God has blessed us with pretty good jobs...still have to scrape things together financially but we have all we need. Last night I got a phone call from a lady who I have never met but knew of through my old church. She and her husband are too ill to attend services but really love the Lord and want to honor Him with their tithe.<P>One of the couple who replaced us did not handle the phone conversation they had together very well and ended up offended this woman. I do feel bad about that. And it kind of troubles me that this woman and her H are on disability pensions but they know God will bless them and they choose to honor Him in every way they can.<P>Anyway, the other thing happening in the background before the phone call is that H and I and our pastor have been praying about H helping to pastor at the church. It's a financial impossibility (in the natural ) and we have been seeking confirmation if H should just do it on faith.<P>The woman who called me wants US to receive her tithe to help us out. It's not a huge amount but would definitely help. I felt so awkward but when she insisted God is leading her in this way, who was I to block her obedience to Him and resist her efforts to bless our family?<P>I got off the phone blown away...I wanted to ask H how he felt but the woman was persistent and didn't give me that chance. I thought H would say no but he gasped and said: How much more confirmation do I need?<P>He called Pastor and got his wife who said she has been telling Pastor God will look after it without his help! (Pastor talked to a wealthy pillar of the church which bothered us as we don't want to take his support away from the church and also felt from pure motives but a sense of panic that Pastor was attempting to "assist" God in carrying out His will!) <P>I have to go to church now but just wanted to give public thanks to God in a safe place here. <P>It amazes me that since I confessed my wrongdoing and renewed my walk with Christ, there have been big and small miracles following us. Obedience is the only path and I would still choose it even if it did not bring personal gain in other areas of life. Jesus and my family are my greatest treasures.<P>Thank you for your prayers. Have a beautiful Sunday.<P>------------------<BR>Fresh Start

H came up with an even better idea. We are going to give half of the tithe to our youth pastor--she works 2 paid jobs and youth pastors for free on faith that God will open the doors for her to be full time paid staff soon.<P>If God blesses H with a different job, we are going to give it all to her.<P>It is so much fun to choose together as a couple to bless someone else.

The one area I have never had trouble trusting God with is my finances. After H moved out, I sat down and saw how much it was going to cost to continue paying our bills....H wasn't working before he left, so I was essentially the primary breadwinner anyways, but he DID have unemployment coming in, and a small pension that helped. He took both of those with him. So I knew it was belt-tightening time.<P>We hadn't been attending church regularly or tithing. I starting doing both. NOW, money comes from ALL OVER!! Literally! I don't even know wherre it all comes from! I get rebates from phone services or whatever that we shut off months ago. I get money from classes I've taken that I didn't know I was going to get paid for....Oh, I don't mean I'm swimming in the stuff!! Just that I have my financial needs met, and there's no shortage.<P>You're right, FS, it IS fun to watch God provide, AND it's fun to try to OUTGIVE GOD, cause we can't! <P>How can people really live without God in their lives? They just don't know what they're missing.<P>Lupo

Hi, Lupo..sorry it took a day or two to reply. <P>Yes, Jesus is truly unlike any other. Our Heavenly Father knows exactly how to care for our every need. <P>Just a little note added here to say I need to move on. I miss MB and feel bad as I just started reaching out to a few newbies but I realize the next step in recovery for me is to make myself invest in my family now. I tend to be an addictive type and have spent more hours on MB than in my marriage too many times. <P>I do thank God for the Christians and all the friends I have met here. You have been a blessing to me and I rejoice that you find your delight in Him! <P>Love to you and any other who may read!