All my fellow Purposeful's <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" /> ,

I believe it was lupo who mentioned the other day that the devil was influencing us to not stay on track with this committment we made. How true. I didn't get to my Day 10 until 6:45 PM yesterday...and I can understand why. SURRENDER....ouch.

I wil be posting later for Days 10 & 11, I just wanted to let you all know I have you in my prayers and WE ARE GOD'S CHILDREN. HIS WILL BE DONE IN OUR LIVES.
AMEN.

God's Grace andn Mercy,
Trying <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

PS S&C. It is good to hear from you. I thak you from the bottom of my heart for inviting me in to the Restoration Forum. Thank God. You are a friend.

<strong> Day 7

"The reason for Everything" </strong>

P2P: It's all for Him
Too often, we forget that HE created all the worlds.......it's ALL FOR HIM, not us!
I have a tendency to be a very selfish person, and I tend to see things as though, "It's all about me......." when in truth, NONE of it is about me........I have to learn to look at my life, my world through GOD'S EYES, and realize that, yes, maybe He did create it all for me to enjoy, BUT ultimately, IT's ALL FOR HIM.

V2R: For everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by His power, and everything is for His glory......
I would probably do good to repeat this verse to myself about 1,000 times a day!
<strong>
Q2C: Whee in my daily routine can I become more aware of God's glory?
</strong>
I think we have to MAKE ourselves become more aware of God's glory. For whatever reason, I seem to be wired to look INWARD way too much, and think it has to be about ME. Even in my prayer, I can think about making my prayers line up more with what is HIS will for me, what He is trying to do in my life that will bring glory to Him, and not be so selfish to think He exists to sit around and run answer MY prayers simply b/c I think that's what I need.

[QUOTE]
<strong> Day 8

"Planned for God's Pleasure" </strong>

P2P: I was planned for God's pleasure.
Amazingly, just saying those words brings an unbelievable sense of peace and love. Too bad we can't STAy in that state, since I'm sure that's what He wants!

V2R: The Lord takes pleasure in His people
This is hard to swallow, as I was NEVER "the apple of anyone's eye" growing up......it's hard to imagine God looks on me and smiles. I never felt that loveable........even my poor H could never convince me of his unending love......sadly causing me to push him away, and create my own self-fulfilling prophecy.
<strong>
Q2C: What common task could I start doing as if I were doing it directly for Jesus?
</strong>
I need to be more loving towards people. Particularly those at work that I do not like, or that don't treat me partcularly well.
I know this would please God, and would cause Him to smile.

lupolady,

Is everything OK with you? Missed ya lately!!! Don't make me come down there!!!!!

singleguy

Hello TTSMM, Lupolady, Single,

Day 11: Becoming Best Friends with God

P2P: God wants to be my best friend.

This thought brings much peace to my heart. Friends sometimes are not friends and this is why I have none that are close. I like people and know many. I guess it is because I do not hang out and always been busy with family or work, dogs ect! God as a friend is safe, exciting, peaceful and I am sure the truest friend we could have.

V2R: "Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him"

Two Secrets to start being a friend to God are: practicing constant conversation with him and a continual meditation on his word. Meditation of God's word, thinking his truth over and over and God will tell you his secrets.

Q2C: What can I do to remind myself to think about God and talk to him more often throughout the day?

When I worry change that to prayer. when I am scared talk it over with our Lord. I do talk to God often during the day, but I do have to change worry and fear to prayer.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by singleguy:
<strong> lupolady,

Is everything OK with you? Missed ya lately!!! Don't make me come down there!!!!!

singleguy </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Hey, c'mon down, sg!!

It's NICE to be missed!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

I have been experiencing "technical difficulties" associated with logging on line. All fixed now, I think.

[QUOTE]
<strong> Day 9

"What makes God smile?" </strong>

P2P: God smiles when I trust Him.
Thinking that I can actually make God smile is amzing to me, since that is definitely NOT the kind of earthly father image I had growing up. If anything, my own father used to hate to have me follow him around! So the thought/image of God actually SMILING when He thinks of me, looks at me, etc. is very foreign to me, actually very humbling.

V2R: The Lord is pleased with them who worship Him, and trust His love
I am trying to be pleasing to my Lord God. It is a wonderful feeling to think that God smiles when thinks about me, I want to have that be our "relationship" forever!
<strong>
Q2C: Since God knows what is best, in what area of my life do I need to trust Him more?
</strong>
By virtue of the fact that we are on a forum called MarriageBuilders I think we can all assume we know the obvious answer to this!!

In my own life, I have come to trust Him more for everything since I am now alone....bills, job security, health, companionship (or lack thereof), all of the future, really.

<strong> Day 10

"The Heart of Worship"</strong>

P2P: The heart of worship is surrender.
Surrendering our all is truly a form of worship, cause we as humans, LIKE to have control of our lives....(pssst, single, this is part of our FREE WILL), built into us by our Creator.

V2R: Surrender your whole being to Him to be used for righteous purposes
Surrender is hard for someone who is used to being in charge! I know I have surrendered PARTS of my life, my being, but I know I have not yet surrendered other parts of myself. Knowing that God has allowed my M to break apart in order to teach BOTH OF US that God is still able to make us whole, is a hard thing for me to surrender totally. I believe God wants to restore my M, bring my H back into fellowship w/Him (as He has me) through this, BUT I KNOW IT WON'T HAPPEN AS LONG AS I HOLD IT UP IN A SORT OF "CONDITION" I EXPECT GOD TO DO, BECASUE I HAVE ASKED HIM TO. I have to be willing to GIVE IT UP, if God asks me to. I'm not sure I'm to that point of surrender. I don't think I'd be strong enough to do it, if He asked.
<strong>
Q2C: What areas of my life am I holding back from God?
</strong>
(see above) Although I like to think I have surrendered my entire "will" of wanting my M restored, I know I have to get to a place of surrender where I am willing to allow God to NOT have that happen if it be His will for me. That's a hard one.

P.S. I am not really "behind" in my reading, just behind in posting here. That is due to a number of factors......I'm packing lunches and planning wardrobe; I'll be going back to work tomorrow, altho I think it's too soon (I'm "needed") <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" /> - I already told you about my "technical difficulties" - and I've had a lot of visitors dropping by to help (wonder where they were when I had a cast and REALLY couldn't do for myself?)

Yes, I believe God's timing is PERFECT! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

Hello TTSMM, Lupolady, Single,

Day 12
Developing Your Friendship with God

P2P: I'm as close to God as I choose to be.

NO I am not yet. I want to be even closer and know all my brain and heart can digest. I had a good start then fell away and now I am looking forward to the rest of my life living for God and having him as a friend.
I do not know why sometimes we backslid? I know it will never happen again to me. It is a miracle when God wants one of his children back and the way he does it! He pulls and pushes you and puts all kinds of reading material, TV Ministeries and other people in your path! This Book has made a big turn around for me as I was lost to God's total love.

V2R: "Draw close to God and God will draw close to you" James 4:8a

We have to surrender our lives to God and love him more than anything, trust him more than anyone, talk to him constantly, meditate, obey and desire a friendship with God to be as close as we can be.

Q2C: What pratical choices will I make today in order to grow closer to God?

I will do all above daily for the rest of my life as what better friend than God can we have? He is true to his word, He never leaves us, He loves us unconditionally, all we have to do is truely love him totally back by living his word.

Hi Everyone,
This chapter has spoke to me more than any so far.

Day 10

P2P: To me this means giving up everything I have created myself thru my own mind to be, and letting God go in and "reprogram" my whole mind to servr Him. Realizing HIS purpose is better than MY wanting.

V2R: Bill Bright's statement"From this day forward, I am a slave to Christ" says it all. Look what God accomplished thru his surrender.

Q2C: The statement " It is when we try to be God that we end up most like satan, who desired the same thing" really made me look at myself. It influenced the prayer that I said this morning. I have been trying to do my own thing too much.

singleguy

Day 11

P2P: If we look at the original concept of Eden, it was for God and man to be in constant companionship. Talking with each other continuously. Knowing everything about each other. Sharing from each other's souls, so to speak. Like a ggod marriage should be.

V2R: Look how Davis had such great assurance against Goliath. How Elijah had total faith in God when he stood against the alter of Baal. Just like in marriage, we know things about our mate that no one else knows. Or shouldn't!!!

Q2C: I do try to talk to God all the time. But I have to admit it isn't always with reverence. I need to change my motives.A lot of times, I speak out of frusration, and not worship.

singleguy

<small>[ November 10, 2003, 09:46 AM: Message edited by: singleguy ]</small>

lupolady, LoveNcare, singleguy,

Day 10
P2P: "The heart of worship is surrender."
Letting go is scary with the possible divorce, money's tight, bills high.

V2R: "Surrender your whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes."
Trust: I don't feel anyhting is happening if I am not directly involved.

Q2C: "What area of my life am i holding back from God."
- Releasing my lustful desires.
- My marriage
- Marie's salvation
- My career

Surrender is a word that I used when i was in my men's group last year. I wanted to surrender to everything going on around me. This is no coincidence that God wants this of me. I have major issues with being controlled. I have always tried to be greast at everything I did, instead of realizing that God gave me certain abilities and become secure and confident with those; surrender to God's makeup of me.

God's Grace and Mercy,
Trying <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

lupolady, LoveNcare, singleguy,

Day 11
P2P: "God wants to be my best friend."
What an honor. I want that as well; but I feel I am always disappointing my friends.
This is what my mentor has been telling me at every Bible session we've had, "God wants a 'First Love relationship' with me."
Some of the qualities of a First Love Realtionship are:
- to constantly talk about them and with them
- to carry around pictures of them
- to tell others about them
- to know what they like and dislike
- to want to please them
- to want to spend time with them

V2R: "Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence Him."

Q2C: "What can I do to remind myself to think about God and talk to Him more throughou the day?"
- Set the alarm on my PDA
- Wear jewelry: crucifix, ring, etc.?
- Post-Its, Pics, Placing Godly items around me

I never thougth that God wanted to talk when I was doing minor tasks.
Through continual meditation: I have difficulty remmebering Scripture and its addresses. I am praying that God will Bless with a better memory overall; but for God's Word first.

God's Grace and Mercy,
Trying <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

lupolady, LoveNcare, singleguy,

Day 12
P2P: "I'm as close to God as I choose to be."
My lustful desires get in the way. I enjoy love, sex closeness, and since I don't intend on having an affair ever again, and I choose not to/can't hug another female, I watch occassional lite porn on cable. THEN I FEEL GUILTY, ASHAMED and FEEL I LET GOD AND MYSELF DOWN. Why would God want to talk to me again? I broke yet another promise.

V2R: "Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you."

Q2C: "What practical choices will I make today in order to grow closer to God?"
I have to give this alot of thought. I truly am a Roman Catholic [maybe Jewish ;-)] because when I break any committments I feel guilty...so...Iam slow to make any more committments.

This was the most insigthful chapter for me thus far. I always felt that if I cursed at God this was not right, and was a grievous sin.
Concerning the audacity mentioned on pg 94, I have always had/built a relationship with my bosses where I could speak my mind and let them know when I messed up as well as when they messed up. They knew this was not disrespect on my part. So why can't I do this with God?
Concerning faith mentioned on pg 95, I have faith that I am saved. I lack in faith that my marraige and marie will ever be saved.I have rec'd signs from God, but I see no movement from Marie. With my marriage I am a "Doubting Thomas".
I am scared to show my Christian actions because they push Marie even further away (if that is possible).
Concerning "wrestling with God" on pg 97, this is new and refreshing to me. I was always taught absolute, unconditional respect to God.
Concerning being passioante about God in my past, I believe I lost that passion and slowly started on my downhill spiral when I lost my viginity almost 20 years ago, to a woman 10 years my senior who wanted to "help me"; no love just sex.

God's Grace and Mercy,
Trying <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

lupolady, LoveNcare, singleguy,

Day 13
P2P: "God wants all of me."
Scary. If I give Him my all, what is there left to give my children and my wife (when she accepts it)?

V2R: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your ind and with all your strength."

Q2C: "Which is more pleasing to God right now-my public worship or my private worship? What will I do about this?"
Private worship, because if the Word doesn't live in me and is reflected through me, how can I expect to share it with others and ring them into public worship.

I am afraid to show my emotions to God. Having said that, I had some great talks with God at work, and in the car today. I did get very emotional; crying and screaming at God, beggin Him to take away the pain; give me back my wife; save my wife; remove the lust from my heart so I won't offend Him anymore; thanked Him for my beautiful daughter, Noelle, who is so inquisitive about God and Jesus and wants to know more; my son Stefan, who is so independent (I hope he has as much spirit for the Spirit ;-) as his sister; that, if divorce be His Will, my wife won't break thier desire for God.

What a shift today for my self. Still a long way to grow <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

God's Grace and Mercy,
Trying <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

sg,lnc,ll,

My fingers are tired from so much posting <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" />

I have not been a good leader with this and I am sorry and ask for your support to be a better leader. I have been busy these past 4 days; building a new laptop, repairing my home network, being with my kids (watching the lunar eclipse <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" /> , BUT...I have doen each chapter each day. Some great "Stuff" in this book.

My wife started her new job (bakery) tonight so I don't know her schedule yet. BUT....I would like to schedule a call for tomorrow, Tuesday, at 8:00 PM EST until 10:00 PM, if that is OK with everyone. Post and let me know.

God's Grace and Mercy,
Trying <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

Hello TTSMM, Lupolady, and not alone Single <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> !
Tomorrow night is fine with me TTSMM! Your post with you using single initials cracked me up <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> ! God knows all of your emotions, he knows your everymove. He just excepts our crying out to him whether it is anger, frustration or love. This pleases God to know you are human and that he created you!

Day 13 Worship that pleases God

P2P: God wants all of me.

Yes he did for along time and I turned my back to him. I know now that I have no other friend as close as he is to me. He wants all my heart, all my soul (I misspelled this over in my prayer it just hit me <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> ), all my thoughts, and all my strength and all my being! This takes effort and energy, but I am willing to continue with God's direction.

V2R: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength" Mark 12:30
See above.

Q2C: Which is more pleasing to God right now - my public worship or my private worship? What will I do about this?

I feel it does not matter where or when we worship God. It does depend on how we worship him. I believe he wants to be worshipped from our spirit, deep within your soul. God wants total truths not half witted comments, cry out to him with all your heart, live within his word.
This chapter about knocked me off my puter chair. I read late at night so dogs, cats and phone does not bother me - no coco tonight, out of it! I have diabetes, borderline so I use sugar free <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" /> I wrote a prayer that Singleguy requested and when I read this chaper many hours later it took me back to the words that flooded my head and I had posted.
God is GREAT!

ttsmm,

You have been a great leader. God is using all of us and this thread to do a great work!!!! Let Him do His job.
Let me ask you this: If you were perfect, what would God want you for? What would you need Him for? He is glorified when we are weak. He wants to be your hero, your rescuer, let Him be. That's when you will really get to know Him, when He is carrying you from the fire. You are trying to get your justification from man. You never will!!! Let God be your admirer. He is the only one who is not jealous of you, or trying to get something from you. Only His love is perfect, so seek it, and He will help you with the things of this world.

God Bless ttsmm
singleguy

PS: Will it be the same phone number and access code?

Conference Details

Conference Start Date (edit): Tuesday, November 11, 2003
Conference Start Time (edit): 8:00 p.m. Eastern Std Time
Conference End Time (edit): 9:55 p.m. Eastern Std Time
Number of Participants (edit): 6
Type of Conference (edit): Web-Scheduled Standard
Participant Access Code (edit): 7877673
Conference Controls (edit): Conversation Mode (all participants can be heard)
Entry Chimes - Enabled
Exit Chimes - Enabled

I have reprimanded by the teleconf police <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" /> for overbooking the last two confs at 833%. Therefore, I am limiting this to only 6. This means sg, trying, lnc (w/ll) and 3 addl's. I ask that the 3 mentioend above log in a couple of minutes early in order to obtain those 3 slots.

Any guesses on what the access number above means? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

God's grace and Mercy be bestowed upon you,
TTSMM <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

TTSMM,

By golly, I got it!!!!! It means " farm boys are awesome " !!!!!! That was nice of you!!!!! And so accurate!!!!!

singleguy