All,
First, please say a prayer for me. I really felt the blues tonight and got extremely tempted. I was cleaning up an old PC to setup for the kids and I came across chat logs and pics from five years ago when I was having cybersex and the affair. I was a very sick person at that time. I was pulled into to read and view this stuff, and I am happy to say that I did not get excited and give in to the tempatation. In fact some of things I read/saw made me sick. Yet it still gripped me. The files have been deleted and the drive is being defragged.
So I would appreciate a prayer that I don't venture down that road.

Over the past few weeks, there have been two books which I have been thinking about getting. One was by Philip Yancey "Rumors of Another World" (mostly for me to keep where my W would find it). The other one was by Rick Warren "The Purpose Driven Life". The other day I was in K-Mart and saw it on sale, and it drew me to it, so I picked it up.

What's interesting is it is a 40-day program. The number 40 has been coming up quite a bit for me: 40 years old and I have been Born Again; many signiificant events in the Bible take place between 40 years (i.e. Moses); CHrist 40 days in the desert, etc. Anyway, the book suggests that there is strength and power in doing the program with another person. So...if anyone is interested in doing this, answer this post and/or email me. I am going to start the program on this Monday and finish Friday, Dec 4th. You have to do the program for 40 days straight; no doing two chapters one day and then missing one day, etc.

Anyone up for it?

God Bless us all,
TTSMM

<small>[ October 24, 2003, 04:30 AM: Message edited by: tryingTOsaveMYmarriage ]</small>

Sorry about the recent "reminders." <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" /> I know that there are sins in my past that I have asked the Lord at times to give me amnesia to completely forget! Satan though likes to bring those things to our memories to remind us with both the hopes of condemning us and with the hopes of reeling us back in to that sin. But God is greater! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" /> And the more we obey and walk near Him, the more repulsive sin becomes.

I have not yet read Purpose Driven Life but have almost bought it several times. It is supposed to really be good. Two churches in my area are corporately doing the 40 Day Challenge. I am hoping mine will do it soon! You might check out your area and see if any of your local churches are doing it.

I am not going to volunteer to do the book with you only because I think you should have a man do the program with you. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" /> I think it's an awesome idea though!

Trying,

I have started reading/doing exercises in the book. I would love to have an "accountability partner" to work thru this book with, but I have to agree with LovemtEx. I think it should be a "same-sex" partner.

Let me simply add that altho I am not very disciplined in doing a chapter a day,, as requested, I am still learning immense amounts of things about God and myself. This is the most intense, yet easily understood book about the nature of God and where I fit in it all, and what it all means that I have ever studied! It is well worth doing.

BTW - since I wasn't being very "disciplined" - or faithful in reading a complete chater a day, I wonder if God's timing in this broken arm thing isn't really a way to "put me down" so I will focus more and finish what I started! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" />

God bless,

ttsmm, lmx, and lupo,
What if I go get the book, and we four would do it together? I will run out to K Mart and get the book over my noon hour. Also, are any of you interested in participating in a fast? On famtoday.com we are going to do one starting Nov 1st. There is a thread for it and you can list your loved ones, needs, etc.. Please join in. You can do whatever you feel the Good Lord leads you to do, as far as fasting. If you have questions, ask me. I will answer it.

God Bless
singleguy

I bought the book.

singleguy

What is the book about guys? Sounds interesting?

Do you all live in the same area? To be able to do this study "together" singleguy?

Diamonzzz

All,
I live in NJ.
Here is my email address **edit**
Phone number - will get when you email me.

My vision/goal/whatever you want to call it, is have a large group (6-12) MBers and we DO this together. I agree with the ladies above, that if it is only two it should be the same sex.
If we can get this group together, we could exchange phone numbers via email and speak during the week (there are free teleconference numbers available) to discuss our progress and support each other in being accountable.

Here is a link reviewing the book.
**edit**

I will wait until Wednesday, our prayer and fast day, before I start, so we can build up more interest.

Let me know.

God bless us on our journey to becoming the men and women God intended us to be,
TTSMM

I hope we can do it as a group with both sexes involved. Can we do a group teleconference?

Hey Diamonzzz,
I left a post on the en board for you. I always want to know that you are OK. Why don't you join us in our book study here. Maybe your whole life will change, if your focus changes!!! I hardly ever go to the en board. I would rather stay here. I feel God's presence here. I don't think He is a big fan of the en board. There is too much {{{ humanness }}} there. God Bless and be with you Diamonzzz.

singleguy

All,
Check out this site and let me know for "The Purpose Driven Life" teleconference.

Teleconference

The list of access phone numbers is
**edit**

For me, any call for me within the US, is a free long distance call (because of my long distance plan). Check these numbers out and let's decide what number we want to use.

I am also looking to use this service for a monthly "Prayer for the Restoration of Our Marriages" teleconference call. All those MBers (other invitees as well - church groups, family, friends, etc.) would dial in and pray an "Our Father" together. Then we would say the names of our spouses and children (together) and them hang up.
This idea was given to me by the Holy Spirit.

Let me know your thoughts.

God Bless us all in our purpose driven lives,
TTSMM

Diamonzzz,
You NEED to be a part of this group. If you go to www.christianbookpreviews.com, there is a preview of the book. God has a plan for you Diamonzzz, and I, and everyone here, and we need to seek him for answers. After I read the preview, I am thoroughly behind what ttsmm is trying to do. I also feel the Holy Spirit has called him to lead us at this point. We need to be an obedient army of Christian soldiers. God is taking ttsmm to his purpose right now!!!! Take some time to be quiet before the Lord today Diamonzzz. Quit trying to figure it all out on your own. Give your life and your marriage over to Him, and have faith that He will be the Potter that He claims to be. You are my sister in Christ, and what brother doesn't help his sister!!!! Jesus will open the prison doors Diamonzzz, if you will simply open your heart. It's never too late to do the right thing!!!

singleguy

<small>[ October 26, 2003, 09:07 AM: Message edited by: singleguy ]</small>

Hello all,
Count me in your group for The Purpose Driven Life program. Really gave me a lift tonight and I also feel this is a grat reguest from the Holy Spirit.
I also have unlimited long distance within USA so anywhere for me is ok!
God is directing us and I feel this is so good and healthy for our healing and understanding. I pray this helps all of the Mber's.
Thank you TTSMM and also for your prayer for my recovery with my injury's to both arms.
God Bless you all.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by LoveNcare:
<strong> Hello all,
Count me in your group for The Purpose Driven Life program. Really gave me a lift tonight and I also feel this is a great reguest from the Holy Spirit.
I also have unlimited long distance within USA so anywhere for me is ok!
God is directing us and I feel this is so good and healthy for our healing and understanding. I pray this helps all of the Mber's.
Thank you TTSMM and also for your prayer for my recovery with my injury's to both arms.
God Bless you all. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">

None of these #'s work for me <img border="0" alt="[Teary]" title="" src="graemlins/teary.gif" />

Why does this need to be by phone? Is there any way someone can set up a chatroom?

All,
I am going to call my brother later today to see if he wants to participate in this. See if you can gather some friends, co-workers, family, etc.

OK, I need to know what number is good for everyone. We will rotate this every week to help alleviate any high phone charges. LoveNcare and myself have unlimited long distance, so we are open to any of the phone locations above. Let me know by 12:00 on Tuesday.

Wednesday, October 29th, the day for our Weekly Prayer for the Restoration of Marriages and Our Lives, will be the first day of the 40 days for this commitment. We will finish on Sunday, December 7th (someone please correct my math if it is wrong).
My suggestion is we read the chapters in the morning, before we do anything (shower, eat, go to work, etc.). If we read it just before bed, how much will we retain for the next day.

Our first call will be this Wednesday evening, October 29th, at 8:30 PM EST/7:30 PM CST/6:30 PM PST (again, correct my calculations if I am wrong).

I need all of your help with this. I have a tendancy to get controlling intead of leading when I am placed upon these postions. At work, that can be detrimental; at home it has been detrimental; with God it could be worse. So please help me stay the course with all of you and keeping God's Word at the forefront.

God Bless and Godspeed us all our journey to become what He intended us to be in our lives.
TTSMM

ttsmm,
The phone number in Plainfield, Ma worked for me. Although I didn't go all the way thru all the prompts, it all sounded OK. I think it would be good if it was spelled out as to exactly what we are going to do on this call. I don't have a " name " to say when we connect, so I'm not sure what I would do, or say. Maybe it could be layed out a little clearer.

singleguy

My Dear Brothers and Sisters,
lupo brings up a good point.
I like the phone call though because it brings a personal interaction of emotion (hearing another's voice) to our mission. Unless we are afraid of losing out annominity, it will be difficult to hide.
Chat seems very impersonal. Also, it brings up to many bad reminders of the past for me. Chat rooms are what pushed me on my downhill spiral. Of course without that downhill spirial, who knows when/if I would have come back to God.

Let's decide quickly though. I don't want to get caught up in "paralysis of analysis" (a clever ,evil tool of the devil) and get us to loose track of what we WILL accomplish.

Grace to you all from Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior,
TTSMM

TTSMM

Hmmm, tough call. All the #'s are LD for me (closest one is 1200 miles away), but personal interactions sound good.

Right now, typing is very difficult, so I'm not much of a barometer.

Any other options? You are right, we need to decide in about 24 hrs.

Hello Lupolady and TTSMM,
Just a thought here - what if TTSMM and I call the number ? we decide on and then call one of you that are having trouble with long distance? I have three way calling <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" /> ! Maybe someone else has this also?
Boy is God being good to the phone company's LOL!
My email is **edit**

I think this will be an awesome book to study, esp. as a group. For me, I am not really interested in doing it though. I'm sorry, but I'm hoping my church will do it soon and I want to do it in person with them (two churches in my area are doing it as a coorporate church-wide study right now). I don't think I would do good in a online study. In my opinion, I am online way too much as is. But I wish you all well and hope it is very beneficial and a blessing for you!

All,
I changed the time to 9:00 PM EST because 8:30 PM EST is 5:30 PM PST (bad calc on my part). People might not get home from work in time.
Also, the phone number is selected by the system, not us. Therefore, it picked California for teleconf.
Let's try to not get bogged down in this for now. Let's get the first call out of the way (apologies for the LD charges); then we can regroup and find another phoen solution.

Conference Details
Scheduled Conference Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2003
Scheduled Start Time: 9:00 p.m. Eastern Std Time
Scheduled End Time: 10:55 p.m. Eastern Std Time
Scheduled # of Participants: 25
Type of Conference: Web-Scheduled Standard
**edit**
Conference Controls:
Conversation Mode (all participants can be heard)
Entry Chimes - Enabled
Exit Chimes - Enabled

Touch-Tone Quick Reference for Conference Call

0 Exit the Conference
1 Enter a 1-on-1 Consultation
2 Get Your Caller Code for a Private Consultation
4 Access the Help Menu
5 Toggle Locking/Unlocking the Room
6 Toggle Mute/Unmute
7 Toggle Room Muting Mode (Conversation/Q&A/Presentation)
8 Time Remaining in the Conference
9 Toggle Entry/Exit Chimes (On/On, On/Off, Off/On, Off/Off)
# Hear the Number of Parties in the Conference

Touch-Tones 5, 7 and 9 are available only to the conference Organizer


I booked for 25 participants, doubt it. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" />
I also booked for 1 hour and 55 minutes, doubt it. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" />

But with the Lord, who knows waht HE will bring to us. Let's trust Him.

God Bless,
TTSMM

PS I wantd to send email invitations out with this info, BUT, I need your email addresses (send to mine if you want confidentiality). Also, your email address WILL appear to everyone that the invitation is sent to. So, if you don't want your email to be seen by the other's in this group, I will have to send info via this forum.
Note: Your email address will be seen by those I send email invites to, NOT the MB users and guests to this site.


God willing, we will get through this.

lupo,
This is for you and others, if they are concerned about the LD charges.

http://www.10-10-220.com/rate_domestic.html

By dialing 10-10-220, the area code and the number, a 20 minute call is only $0.99. It is $0.07 per miinute afer that. Therefore if our call lasted 1 hour, it would cost you $3.79. But, you could hang up, after 20 minutes and call back in. Do the same afer the next 20 minutes and the 1 hour call will cost $2.97.

I don't know your situ, and I am hoping that this will help you.

God Bless,
TTSMM

Great call yesterday! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

I'll try to keep this posting brief.

I want to start by saying that it was an insightful, supportive, and pleasureable experience.

I would like that when we share, we speak personally, "I have bad a upbringing..", not "...when you have a bad upbringing...". I don't know if that makes sense but try it. This is where it is "about me".

Every night, I would like for us to post what you experienced from the day's chapter .

Day 1
P2P (Point to Ponder) "It's not about me."
V2R (Verse to Remember) "Everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him."
Q2C (Question to Consider) "Inspite of all the advertising around me, how can I remind myself that life is really about living for God, and not myself?"
=======================
P2P
- It's about my wife, my two kids, my family, my community, the world.
- What kind of legacy does God have intended for me to leave?
V2R
- I don't have anything to comment on this right now.
Q2C
- Some samples of such ads have been: "You deserve this.", "You would look great in this.", "You want this. Right?"
- I wasn't brought up with a "Me" attitude; and defintiely brought that into my life once I was out on my own.
- My parents, Mom especially, always guided me towards great things, that I could do anything. She taught me to treat others respectfully; but, I was never taught "What can I do that would benefit others?"
- I need to keep in mind that there are people in this world who are suffering; how can I help? What words/actions can I say/do that will bring someone comfort? Is my ego more important than this person's feelings?
=======================

You don't need to follow this format. Let the Holy Spirit guide you.

Also, since we are all on the East Coast, excpet for the farm boy <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" /> , I would like to move our weekly call to 7:30 PM EST. My W goes to kick boxing class from 6:30 - 9:30 and this will give me some privacy. She did not go yesterday (don't know why) and that is why I was hesitant on some of my speaking. My apologies; I am strong in my faith, but not in defending it to her. I want to avoid arguing with her because it is a no-win situ.

God's Love to us all,
TTSMM

Day 2
P2P "I am not an accident."
V2R (Verse to Remember) "I am your Creator. You were in My care even before you were born."
Q2C (Question to Consider) "I know that God uniquely created me. What areas of my personality, background and physical appearenceam I struggling to accept?"
=======================
P2P
- On the one hand, there is comfort in knowing God wanted me to exist; and He planned it.
- On the other, this means everything happens for a reason. I absolutley believe that. If God says I am not an accident, where is my free will?
- God knows/planned the beginning of life, as well as the middle and end. Therefore, am I just a puppet?
- Why would God create something and destined that it to not be saved (Judas Iscariot)?
- More than any other theological principal, which I accept, this is the most challengin for me.
- There is also a sense of, "Not that I can't do anything worng", but, "Why be anxious? Whatever I do was meant to be."
V2R
- Same as above.
Q2C
- I cry too much for a man. I am too emotional.
- Poor I can deal with.
- My parents were not playing with a full deck most of my childhood.
- Why the lustful desires were placed upon, more than the average man?
- Why do I have terible teeth?
=======================

Hey, where are my Brother and Sisters on this daily commitment we made? lupo, single, love????

God's Blessings be bestowed upon us,
TTSMM

Hello TTSMM, Single, Lupo!
I am here! Sorry so late, had Co today till late!
Yes Great Call Lastnight! I felt the power and know this is the direction God wants me to Journey!
Day 1 - In this Journey I will find the purpose my life has and also who I am! This is very exciting to have the greatest gift in life and all will be reveled because of my deepest relationship with Jesus!

Confusion? I always believed God gave us our Total Life including Spouses, Friends, Jobs. Chaper says we Choose? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" /> just wanted to put it in here so I did not forget.

Day 2 - I was created by God because of his Love for me! He gave us life through the word of Truth. The Truth to build our life on is: God Is Love!

I have had a hard time for this 53 years because friends, family, spouses have all tried to harden me. I am soft and love to find good in people. If I am told something negative I try to turn it around to that person so they may look at it different - no I am condemned for trying to bring the love of God to many hearts! So I just shut up and let it go. So this is why I wanted to join this group and I am so happy to have this opportunity for a better understanding about my relationship with Jesus. Purpose and Idenity!
When my relationship with my WH failed then I reached out to grab my faith and pull it tighter than it has ever been. I have always been a firm believer of God and his word, but people in my relationships thought I was crazy so I kept silent about religion. I vow never to hide my feelings about God again. I was brought up in the Church without a Dad, but a wonderful strong Mother and 7 brother and sisters.
Thankyou Marriagebuilders for being here when I needed you the most. You all have put me back on track! God Bless you and may God hold you as tight as he holds me. Praise his name, Love him as he does you!

Remember that out on the farm is where they raise the " Stallions "!!!!!
OK Enough of that. We aren't as backward as you might think!!!! I apologize for not posting, it's been 9:30 the last two nights.

We were created by God to worship Him. We were satan's replacement, who at one time was lucifer. He was the most beautiful angel in heaven. Ttsmm, one observation you make is wrong. Everything does not happen for a reason. That is not true!!! Everything happens because of CHOICE. Big difference. A person doesn't shoot someone because God programmed them to. That would make God a murderer. The person shot because they chose to. Maybe because of anger, or greed, or whatever. God does give you a purpose, and a free will. Just like your job. Your employer gives you a job and a job desciption. but if you don't do it quite right, then he may have to interact by getting another employee involved, or another employee may try to sabotage you, and wreck your job. In the meantime, the employer is trying to fulfill the mission statement, and work with all these variables. Make sense. Even tho God knew Cain would Kill Able, He didn't MAKE him do it. It was Cain's CHOICE!!!! The bible is very clear that prayer changes things. Proverbs tells us to seek wise council. Ask, and it shall be given, etc.. It was not " meant to be ". We have the ability to go left or right. God gave us a brain to make a CHOICE, and His word tells us that He already has the consequences in place. We need to know the consequences by reading the bible [ my people suffer for lack of knowledge ], and then make the right CHOICES. IF my people, who are.... THEN I will hear from heaven. Judas had more than enough opportunities to make the right choice. He was trying to make it to the 11th hour. But the bible is very clear that after God has given you so many chances { choices }, he will slam the door, and there are no more chances. A hard heart that will no longer respond. You are making choices, your wife is making choices. We DO have a free will!!!!!
Day 3:
P2P: The ant never strays from his purpose. Proverbs says to learn from the ant. I told the kids to make their life like a car going down the interstate. You just look straight ahead and let God bring what He wants you to have by bringing it up the on ramp, and take away what He doesn't want you to have by taking it down the off ramp.
V2R: Your purpose will cause you to get up every morning and to overcome every adversity you face.Purpose is a powerful force. Even God has one!!!
Q2C: Teacher. I love to teach!!!!

God Bless
singleguy

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by singleguy:
<strong> Everything does not happen for a reason. That is not true!!! Everything happens because of CHOICE. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">SG,
I can't completely agree with this, b/c I believe that Yes, "things happen b/c of our choices, BUT I BELIEVE GOD USES THE CHOICES WE MAKE TO SHAPE AND USE THEM AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES TO MOLD OUR LIVES INTO WHAT HE WANTS THEM TO BE, therefore, by default it happened for the reason that God can use it.
If we didn't believe this, then we would have to believe God is constantly running around behind the scenes RE-writing our lives b/c we CHOSE something other than what He intended! My God is bigger than that! OF course, we don't want to believe that. For instance, we don't want to think Judas intended to betray Jesus all along, but thinking about it, it becomes obvious that Judas was created by God to fulfill this prophesy, and he HAD to betray Jesus!! Maybe HE wasn't aware of God's plan, but Jesus and the Father were.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial"> God gave us a brain to make a CHOICE, and His word tells us that He already has the consequences in place. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">I agree! Nothing we do takes God by surprise. He knew us before we were formed, He certainly knew ALL we would do, the bad choices, and thoughts, and actions.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial"><strong>I told the kids to make their life like a car going down the interstate. You just look straight ahead and let God bring what He wants you to have by bringing it up the on ramp, and take away what He doesn't want you to have by taking it down the off ramp.
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">I LIKE THIS A LOT!!!

If only we could remember to do this all day, every minute of every day..........

Now, back to the book:
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
P2P: "It's Not About Me"
I got such comfort from this knowing I wasn't "on stage" having to "perform." This, ALL OF IT, the world, this existence, my family, friends, where I was born, where I live now, where I will die......IT'S NOT ABOUT ME!! It's about what God can do THROUGH these events, who He can "touch" and use me to do it. Obviously, I know people NONE OF YOU WILL EVER MEET, and vice/versa. This means I have to be the "Light of the world" in my little corner of it! You can't be. I am here as HIS ambassador. NO ONE ELSE CAN BE THAT TO THE PEOPLE I KNOW WHO MAY NEVER KNOW ANOTHER CHRISTIAN. If I don't feel like it, "Oh, well." IT'S NOT ABOUT ME!! It doesn't matter if I feel like it or not!! I am HIS vessel, and need to be available to be used by Him, whenever, however, where ever with whomever HE CHOOSES!!
Q to C: I think the closer we get to God, the more we seek Him, NOT get mired up in the world's "junk" - the easier it is to remind ourselves that we are really living for His purpose and not our own.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Day 2:
P2P: "You are not an accident"
This hit me like a ton of bricks, b/c (by the world's standard, anyway), YES!! I WAS "an accident!" My parents (both of them, I always felt), blamed ME b/c THEY HAD to get M'd. I alwasy felt like the weight of the world was on me, and why did it have to be ME who was the source of their unhappiness? If only I'd never been born, cause I was such an accident, it messed up not just mine, but their lives, and my sister, who came after me! It was a relief (I learned this many years ago, tho), to finally realize that God was in control of this, and He desired me to be born at this particular time in this particular way and in this particular place to these particular people for HIS OWN purpose. It did not matter whether it was considered "an accident" by the world. HE had a higher purpose, and I was "Wonderfully and fearfully made" by Him. Every flaw (lots of physical ones!!), every thought, every action, ALL PLANNED BY HIM for His higher purpose.

Q to C: Pretty much already answered........I have struggled for a lot of years to accept myself as I am.........not a raving beauty by any means, and told so by my parents, not a particularly "feminine" female and derided for remaining a tomboy by my family members, I finally came to accept ME as I am when I learned (realized?) that it didn't matter if no one else liked me, I had to, or else what was the use of living??? It wasn't until very much later that I realized that not only did God "like" me just the way I turned out - HE HAD ORDAINED IT!!! So I have to accept it as His GIFT to me!

PTL \o/

single, lupo, love,
I'll add my Day 3 'stuff' tonight. It has been a hectic day at work, and I have been trying to keep the chapter for today in my head and it is (I am unable to) keep it in my thoughts.

I AM NOT AN ACCIDENT!

One of the most debated doctrines of Christian faith is that of Predestination. Below are links to R.C. Sproul's radio on this subject. He is a great orator (IMHO) and has given me a lot to think about.

Everyone Believes this Doctrine
God's Sovereignty
What is Free Will?
Man's Radical Fallenness
Does God Create Unbelief?
The Divine Initiative

You will need Windows Media Player to play these, although any MP3 should work.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial"> ...we don't want to think Judas intended to betray Jesus all along, but thinking about it, it becomes obvious that Judas was created by God to fulfill this prophesy, and he HAD to betray Jesus!! Maybe HE wasn't aware of God's plan, but Jesus and the Father were.
</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">I have not listened to all of these yet. One of the above links goes into this. This does bring up the question then if God is the Sovereign, All-Knowing Creator of All, does create some people for the purposes of never being saved?
Personally, I don't think so, and...........

Btw, the other doctrine I have difficulty with, but not to the extent of this one is "God was, is, and always will be." If I remove myself from the concept of time. This makes sense. How as humans do we remove ourselves from the concept of time?

Lastly, because I have difficulty understanding these doctrines does NOT mean that I don't believe in God the Father; Jesus Christ is my personal Lord and Savior; and that the Holy Spirit guides me. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

God's Peace be bestowed upon us in our jouney ahead of us,
TTSMM

lupo and ttsmm,

May I be the devil's advocate.....
So Jesus DIDN'T die for everyone. So when Jesus said that He wished that none should perish, He wasn't being totally honest, making the bible at least partially false. Some were doomed to hell at birth. And Adam and Eve HAD to be created, because Jesus existed from the beginning, and Jesus was the word, and so on......And since Jesus already existed, what do we do with Him. We need to create a position for Him somewhere, otherwise we don't need the trinity, just the pair.... So let's create the Garden of Eden, and get them to sin, so then we have a use for Jesus.... Now it makes sense.... Please, really think about this!!!!!!

Judas was never created to betray Jesus. But the whole story can show us how someone can be right next to Jesus, and never accept Him as Savior. Judas was so cold hearted. He wanted what was IN Jesus hand, but he neverwanted the hand. And Jesus reaches a point where he will no longer persue a person, because of a hard heart. How many of us are like that, or have been like that? How many sit in church every Sunday, which is not the true Sabbath by the way, and never really want Jesus? Oh, they will tell you they do, and their actions are award winning. But their heart is just like Judas's. Just like the one criminal hanging by Jesus on the cross. He heard Jesus give the other one eternal salvation, but still he was deaf by CHOICE!!!

Day 5:

P2P: Some make it happen, some watch it happen, and some say " what happened ". God is looking for leaders. People who act, and not react. The principle is the shepard, and the sheep. The higher up the mountain you are, the farther you can see!!!!

V2R: It's the little things that really prove your character. If God cares about the sparrow...
One saying says that " character isn't created in crisis, it's only exibited ".

Q2C: God is really putting me thru trials to develop my patience. I have always been a " quick decision " person, and didn't always focus on my impact on others. It takes time to change a person's thinking, just what we are facing here. God wants me to teach absolute truth.

God Bless
singleguy

<small>[ October 31, 2003, 04:31 PM: Message edited by: singleguy ]</small>

Day 6

P2P: If God is truly our Father, then we want to be where He is. Nothing on earth can satisfy us.

V2R: Faith gives us the ability to believe for things that have as yet not happened, and the trust to know they will.

Q2C: It will change our priorities. We will invest our time, money, energy, etc, in the things that will bring rewards in heaven. We should always be looking up.

God Bless
singleguy

single,
I would like to discuss this Predestination topic more. For now, let's keep this topic to the Purpose. This is my fault.


You are too far ahead.
Day 1 - Wed
Day 2 - Thu
Day 3 - Fri
Day 4 - Sat

Day 3
P2P: "Living on purpose is the path to peace."
V2R: "You, LORD, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you."
Q2C: "What would your family and friends say is the driving force of my life? What do I want it to be?"
==========================
P2P: Today, I was very scattered at work. I found it difficult to pray or to remember anything form this chapter. I didn't have a purpose today and when I left work, I got it. I DO have too many "things" I am involved in in my life. (I'm afraid I will miss something!) I can knock off many of them now and the rest as I discover my purpose.

V2R: When I saw how scattered I was and when I the verse again, and surrendered, I felt some peace.

Q2C: Others would say I am driven by wanting to please everyone. When that doesn't work, I am driven by anger and resentment and then by guilt (created by the anger and resentment).
I want o tbe driven by GOd's Love through helping others.

May the Grace of God be a bright beacon in daily journeys,
TTSMM

Everybody,

I wanted to ask this question:

Is it possible we can do this another day of the week, or is Wed. everybody's best day? Reason I ask is, I go to Wed. evening service, starts at 7, sometimes not over till close to 9. I agree 9 pm is too late for our phone call, but for the reasons cited, I'm not fond of Wednesdays at all!

Don't any of the rest of you have this dilemma?

Blessings,

Purpose Driven Life, Ch. 3:

What Drives Your Life?

P2P: "Living on purpose leads to peace."
I will have to admit to NOT having a purpose. I have to admit to just "living" day-to-day without much though to having a purpose. Although I have felt that my spiritual gift is Teaching, and I do this for a living, and love it, I do feel (after reading this chapter) that God has more in mind than just "my vocation." Obviously, His purpose involved fulfilling His purpose for my existence. I can't truly answer that I KNOW what my purpose is! (That's scary to admit, so I'm working on it)

Q to C: "What is my driving force? What do I want it to be?"
I don't know that my family/friends would SEE a "driving force" in my life. In a strange kind of way, this marital nuclear blast that has taken place in my life has re-focused me back to where God wants me to be! In the midst of seeking HIM above all, I think my family/friends can see that (my boss did comment on this awhile back). I suppose if I had to answer in one sentence, I would say that I would want my driving force in life to be to seek to walk in peace as much as lies within me........

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Ch. 4: Made to Last Forever

This chapter affected me most of all! I never really considered what it would be like once we "leave" here. I mean, I had read/heard "We shall all be changed, in the twinkling of an eye....", but I never really thought about how - although we SHALL all be changed...........it's also true that WE WON'T CHANGE THAT MUCH!!! We will still be US. I will still be who I am. MY thoughts, MY emotions, the uniqueness of ME. That's what stuck out most in my mind as I read this chapter. where ever I go, I WILL BE THERE!!! I don't know that I'm stating this clearly.

Whenever I thought about "we will all be changed..." I guess I figured we'd all be changed into little christian robots who would LOVE standing around singing praises, gazing on the Savior's face, etc.....then it suddenly occurred to me that if we didn't like doing it now, how would be be changed enough to endure it for all eternity?!?!?! IOW, I'd better enjoy being IN THE WORD, and giving praise and worshipping God better than all other activities, cause that's all heaven is!!! And the PERSON I am isn't going to suddenly cease to exist and some NEW person in my persona is suddenly going to pop up and enjoy things I've neglected all these years.......or I'd be like a fish out of water, essentially NOT fitting in!

P2P: "There's more to life than just here and now."
This is the point! IF we are constantly living for the HERE AND NOW, then we won't be prepared for the eternal......we just won't be equipped to do it.

"This world is fading away along with everything it craves......" So I shouldn't get too attached to all the things of this world! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

Q to C: Made to last forever......
The one thing I should do more often is getting closer to God (reading His Word and praying), so it isn't such a shocking thing to suddenly be "required" to be in His Presence eternally in heaven. I mean, WHY would I seek to do such a thing in the next life, if I've neglected to do it at all during my time on earth?
To get less distracted by the things that are going to fade away, and to attempt to draw closer to the things that will last forever equips me to enjoy God not only NOW, but forever! \o/

Trying,

I was reading your post at the beginning of this thread. I also come across those reminders of all the sins that lead to the downfall of my marriage, of losing my home, and of losing my children for several months. As time goes on that are not as painful. I have ask God to removed them from my memory. It finally came to me that if He removed them, I would lose the lessons learned and then right back were I was before.
So then I must be thankful for the memories. The mistakes I made and the lessons learned made me who I am today. I am a new creation, and I have to remind myself of this and claim it to defend myself from the enemies flaming arrows.

What I have learn to do when these memories come up is the same thing I had to do at the beginning of my journey with Christ, I had to forgive myself and everyone else involved. I think forgiving myself was the most important part of my healing and changing. So, each time I am reminded of something I did, I ask God to help me forgive myself again. Each time I get angry again at the memory of something someone has done to me in the past, I ask God to help me forgive them again. God forgives our sins as soon as we confess them and ask forgiveness. We are the ones that have trouble with forgiving. It would be nice to forgive as God does, forgive and remember it no more, but I believe we do remember so we stay on the right path toward Jesus. We remember so we can stay on that path of being transform into His image.

This is how I have came to look at those memories. Your post reminded me of myself.
I was also 40 years old when my husband left and I gave my life to Christ. My life took a big turn at 40.

Thanks for all your commitment,

gentle

Friends in Christ,

Day 4
P2P: "There is more to life than just here and now."
V2R: "This world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever."
Q2C: "Since I was made to last forever, what is the one thing I should stop doing and the one thing I should start doing today?"
==========================
P2P: All the pain and sorrow I am going through are nothing compared to the eternity with God. All day I was thinking about the consequences of my actions.
A PC sales rep sold me the wrong peice of equipment today. I called the manufacturer of the equipment and found out I needed two of them. I was very upset and wanted to scream at the rep. I brought my daughter with me back to the store. I thought about my consequences; if I get back at this guy, in the store with my daughter there? I would feel good for about 10 seconds and then I would a damged my daughter for rest of her life.

V2R: See above.

Q2C: Stop breaking ANY of God's commandments. Continue building that "First Love Relationship" with God.
Love others, UNCONDITIONALLY -- Forgive others, UNCONDITIONALLY.


God Love you, always,
TTSMM

Hello TTSMM, Single, Lupo,
Sorry late again! Halloweened with the kids lastnight, a promise could not break! Today just lost with many phone calls. Had a hard time with getting thoughts on paper.

Day 3
P2P: Living on purpose is the path to peace
answer: I have always thought about this and it meant to me that if we love, honor, trust and obey God we will have everlasting life. That has given me peace.

V2R: "You Lord, gave perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you" Isaiah 26:3

Q2C: What would my family and friends say is the driving force of my life? What do I want it to be?
answer: My driving force is well known as giving to everyone that needs me with passion, not judgement, and to follow with God's direction. I believe he has given me this heart and knowledge to help the elderly, animals, family and friends.
I want to continue all above, but with more understanding of my purpose which I believe will be known when we are done within this 40 days!


Day 4
P2P: There is more to life than just here and now.
answer: As a young girl my mom always talked about life and that we are living for God to be sent to Heaven with the wrongs and rights through our 10 Commandments. All 7 of us knew that we had a choice between Hell or Heaven. I am a lucky women to have had my Mom and our faith!

V2R " This world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God , you will live forever." 1 John 2:17

Q2C: Since I was made to last forever, what is the one thing I should stop doing and the one thing I should start doing today?
answer: I worry to much! I should always remember that God will provide if I trust enough to let him do his work! Being out here with no one around to help causes some of my worry. Snow is the biggest problem because of my arms. I did get through it last year but dread this year!

TO SINGLE!
STALLIONS? LOL OH MY! Got a lot of Bulls out here lol!

God Bless all of you!

Hi,
I am reading "The purpose driven life" .. you will enjoy this book. I am on plan B .. living in England three thousand miles away from my husband who has been having an affair for 7 months (since discovered). I picked up this book at my church Orlando Baptist .. the week end that I left .. the entire church was reading it together. I will pray for you, as I do for my husband everyday.
G

Hello Everyone,
I started with last Monday being Day 1. I have adjusted to the right schedule. My answers to Day 5 are on the 2nd page of this post at the end of the post. I can move them up if you would like. There must be a lot of people reading this book. I can see why it is a best seller.

LoveNcare,We had a stallion that was chestnut with white stockings. His name was Gallant Boy. He was a beautiful horse, and it was awesome to watch him run. When he would through back his head and whinee, he would definitely impress you. Jesus said He was coming back on a white horse. That should be an impressive sight!!!!

God Bless
singleguy

All,
Today has been a TERRIBLE day. I need your support and prayers because I want to throw in the towel on this as well as my marriage. A typical way I react in my life. Of course that hasn't worked in the past, so I am trying to hold on. When these things come up, I don't feel worthy to exist, let alone lead.
I will give "what happened" after the Day 5 info.
=========================================

Day 5
P2P: "Life is a test and a trust."
V2R: "Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won't be faithful in large ones."
Q2C: "What has happened to me recently that I now realize was a test from God? What are the greatest matters God has entrusted to me?"
==========================
P2P: Every single thing I do (or don't do) is a test from God. Everything in this world that I touch is entrusted to me by God. Do I kill things (physically, emotionally, spiritually) or do I handle everything with love and care?

V2R: When I was growing up, I used to have difficulty with this concept (I don't remember hearing this verse when I was younger). I always felt that I would give more attention to something, it it was life threatening, then something that was less important. This is how I measured between between small and large matters.

Q2C: The affair (lying, cheating, attempted suicide, etc.).
My marriage and my family.
============================================
Now my day.
All day, test and trust went through my head. At church if I was upset with my children, "Should I be upset? Is God testing me? Here I go failing again."
After church, we came home and I still pondered that point.
I took my children to play minigolf and for the first few holes I was very upset with them. My kids are 7-1/2 and 3. What a jerk, getting upset with them. I did apologize for my attitude and the rest of the game was OK. I even went back to the proshop to pay for my son's game (I had asked if there was discount for children of a ceratin age? They said 3 and under. He turned 3 in May. I todl them so and they gave me his game free. Even though they gave me the free game, I didn't care how "I" got it. I had to ask and I was sheepish about his age, etc. Slimy in my book). So I wnet back afterwards and paid for his game.

I get home and my wife tells me she wanted to know how much I was paying my spiritual mentor (Bible readings)? I told her I wasn't paying anything. She didn't believe me and said she didn't want the kids near him, because he has a sign on hsi door "Born Again". "That's a cult. Why are you going to a deacon and not your Roman Catholic Church." Again, she is trying to control me. And of course, idiot me, bought into her crap and fought her verbally, toe to toe. Finally, I left for a drive.
While I was out, I had thoughts of everything imagineable to "get back at her" for how she was treating me. Satan was working overtime on my heart. I felt sick to my stomach. I read Philipians and tried to calm down.
When I got home, she apologized and I didn't even hear it. I told her I was taking a nap in "our" bedroom because I haven't slept on a bed in over five months. She didn't care and she tried to lock me out. I forced my way in and I went to sleep (nap) on my bed. She continued to badger, yelling at me, not caring the kids were in earshot. She told me she went to a meeting scheduled by the court to handle arguing in front of the kids, etc. That lasted a day with her, BUT she can't justify it because of my having the affair, etc.
I am so sick of her being able to change her mind, do want she wants etc, and she gets away with it.

I'm sorry, I feel vengeful because all I have tried to do for the last 24 months is repair my marriage. I am envious to the point of disgust at how ther are so many BS here who just want their WS to come out of the fog and repair their marriage. BUT NOT FOR ME!

God help me regain my sanity and ACCEPT Your Will,
Trying


God Love you, always,
TTSMM

Hello,

Day 5: Seeing Life From God's View

A great question on the first page was How do you see your life?
Well my answer to that was like a obstacle course with me running to and from good and bad!

P2P: Life is a test and a trust
answer we need to trust in God more and to know when he is testing us. Sometimes things are beyond our control and that is when we ask God to handle it for us.

V2R: "Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won't be faithful in large ones". Luke 16:10 a

Q2C: What has happened to me recently that I now realize was a test from God? What are the greatest matters God has entrusted to me?
answer: My husband left our marriage and God is testing my faith. He has tested me also with financial difficulties and how I deal with dissobedient children. My prayers and faith in our Lord have solved many of these tests already! Praise God for being so good to me!
God entrusted my husbands belongings to me for safe keeping when everyone said to sell them because I needed the money. I trust God to help me through these tough times!

PS Singleguy
Thank you for your answer, now I understand. Yes animals are awsome and some day I would love to own a horse! I had a rotten welsh/shetland poney for the kids years ago! It is amazing how some things bring our thoughts many times to the Lord each day!
God Bless you!

Hello TTSMM.
I just got on here and posted my Day 5 and when MB took me back I read your Day 5.
I am so sorry that your Day was so bad. Please do not argue with her as it never solves anything. Just agree - please! The kids get all wound up inside and then are naughty because they do not know how to handle all they hear. They are very young yet and someday will understand. Give them lots of hugs and praise and they will shine and be more willing to be good. My kids are now in their 30's. All three are basically good but have drug problems which they do not want to hear anything I have to say. I did try to make them understand what they are doing now against God, but had to give it to God.
Please don't hold it against us that we want our spouses to be changed by God so that we do not have to go through this anymore. Some of the MBer's have worked very hard to get where they are and had a tough time getting there. I think it is wonderful if it works out for them. None of us really know where we will end up. Thank God I am not fighting anymore as that took the life out of me. I did finally refuse WH being here and I did not argue back. Now he has not come in months. Maybe it will give him time to think things through. I do not understand why they want to be right, but it is not worth the fight. After it is done where did it get either of you? No one wins no one looses it just keeps going on. What does matter most is that we ask God to guide us and KNOW HE WILL! You have to be first though and being agreeable will work! I know how hard it is to live with a spouse who defies God, one that puts religion down and calls it crazy. It hurts, but do not try to defend it, just agree to any insult, then say a prayer.
You are not worthless! You are only a man trying to save your marriage. We all have a battle to fight praying for God to change our spouses! Most of us have spouses who have sinned - we all sin from time to time. God will do his work with our help if we let him. I have learned not to say anything if it will hurt my spouse. I just chit chat saying nothing and let it go that way. I have a problem with guilt also so nothing said is better than something I would not know how to take back and redo.
Please know that you are my brother and I say these things from my heart. Hold on to your Faith, don't look and do not hear!
God Bless you and I ask him to hold you tight!

Day 6:

P2P: Living here on earth versus heaven would be like taking a vacation to Europe [earth] tho I live somewhere else [heaven]. I go to see the sights, but I am not planning to build a home there. I am not going to do anything for the long term there. Therefore I will be a cheerful observer with good advice, but not a resident. Jesus said we are to be " ambassadors ".

V2R: It would be like saving to buy a plane ticket, going to Hawaii, never having been there before. Not even having seen a picture, only reading about how beautiful it is from a brochure. Hearing that it is the PERFECT place to live, you want to get there with all your heart and soul. You put your faith in the person who wrote the brochure.

Q2C: Wouldn't you want to build your house where you want to live? And be constantly planning your dream home where you plan to spend the rest of your life. Your thoughts would always be on your dream, and all your energies would be focused there.

Last nite, Joel Osteen talked about how a person who has torment inside never has peace. If there is a war going on inside of a person, how can there be peace. If a person is still fighting their own battles, then you are still at war inside. When you " truly " give it to God, the war inside ends.

We will never motivate someone by condemnation. The bible says" Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up others according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen ". Ephesians 4:29 NIV If we " cut up " our mates with our sharp tongue, we have foolishly destoyed ourselves. Gary Smalley says to think about the most precious thing on earth to you and then trat your spouse that way regardless of how they treat you. Genuine honor and respect WILL soften the hardest of hearts.

The reason we have time on earth is so that we can measure progress. If we lived in a perfect place like heaven,and there was nothing to " fix ", we wouldn't need time. It would be unneccessary.

God Bless
singleguy

<small>[ November 03, 2003, 02:55 PM: Message edited by: singleguy ]</small>

**

<small>[ November 03, 2003, 12:30 PM: Message edited by: NcogNeeToe ]</small>

Good morning, all,

Day 5: Seeing Life From God's View

How do you see your life?
I guess I would have to answer that I have alwasy felt like my life is "a game" - where it seems everybody else had the rule book and I was floundering around, trying to figure out how to "play," but never getting it right. Sad, but true. This is how I have felt many times.

P2P: Life is a test and a trust
First off, as a test, I guess this said to me that God continually tests us.....to show us what we're made of......... where we're weak, where there's still work to do. It is up to us to Thank Him for the tests! These tests are a mirror TO US of what still needs to be done.....to teach us to run directly to Him, and learn the lesson the test was there for. If we would do this first, we could save ourselves a lot of pain. Ultimately, the "journey" through this life is to prepare us to live in heaven, so we must have LOTS of work to do before we're ready (in my case, I feel like TONS of work to do!!!)
It's no different from the Israelites in the wilderness.........around and around the same stupid mountain for 40 years, when they could have made the trip in 11 days!! Talk about hard-headed!! In the end, the orginial wanderers ended up dying OUTSIDE the Promised Land, since they never did "get it." I don't want to waste that much time. Or end up the same way, so close, but so far away.

As far as this life being a Trust, my thinking on this is that ALL that we have been given is ENTRUSTED to us from God (again, as a test). If we do a good job, we are entrusted with more. If not, then it is taken away. I liken this to my M. I DID have a good H. I had all I needed to make a good M, but I failed.
Again, I NOW feel like THERE WAS A RULE BOOK MISSING (like knowing about MB would have helped............) Like reading the Bible and praying for each other would have helped!

V2R: "Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won't be faithful in large ones". Luke 16:10 a

Q2C: What has happened to me recently that I now realize was a test from God? What are the greatest matters God has entrusted to me?
This is LoveNCare's answer, but it is absolutely true for me, too.
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

answer: My husband left our marriage and God is testing my faith. God entrusted my husbands belongings to me for safe keeping when everyone said to sell them because I needed the money. I trust God to help me through these tough times!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I also feel that the greatest matters entrusted to me lately is the command to continue to Stand for my M. I feel there are so many souls at stake (both family and friends) who will be won over by the testimony of this reconciliation, that I can't quit. God has very clearly shown me that He wants me to stand. I have been led to proclaim this fact to many, so God's Word and Faithfulness is "out there" and on trial. I simply cannot walk away.

lupolady,
I urge you to let go of the " everything happens for a reason " thinking. That would justify a lot of people's actions. The bible clearly tells us many times we can control our destiny. I choose the decisions that I make, I have control!!!!! Do you think your ex was " wired " to do what he did. No, he chose his actions. I chose to write to you about this. God isn't holding a gun to my head. If He already set all our actions into place, why would He give us the ability to love? We wouldn't need it.

Think about it!!!!
singleguy

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Day 6
P2P: "This world is not my home."
I must have faith. I must not hold on to things around me.
V2R: "So we fix our eyes on not what is seen, but is what unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
It is difficult for me to see happiness around me (many of these people are in Christ) and not feel sad and lost for my own situation.
Q2C: "How should the fact that life on earth is just a temporary assignment change the way I am living now?"
It SHOULD enable me to accept ANY adversity brought my way. Trivial things should not matter as much. I feel I have gotten better with that; at least I check myself when something happens.
==========================

This was a difficult day. I have finally gave into my situ and have started looking for a lawyer. I want a Christian lawyer, and I am looking to do some unprecedented things in my state.
After talking with many friends, co-workers, etc. of my wife's behavior, they have said she sounds bi-polar or chemical imblanced. I know women "change their minds frequently"...but...her erratic behavior is beyond reason (IMHO and observation).
Case in point. I come home from work to take our D to a Dr's appt. My W is yelling at our D (7yr old) because she didn't bring home $0.20 change from her lunch money. Our D is crying and my W is treating her like she is a teenager; saying she is lying about he money, she's not responsible, telling her that she will make lunch for her since she can't be trusted, etc. I stepped in and told my W she could not make those decisions without consulting me first.
*Note: This is not the first time she has laced into our D abusively.
She told me it was not my decision, and that I am always challenging her, etc. I am paying for our D's lunch, so I should take care of it. "Yeah, like you know anything about nutrition. You used to eat potato chips for dinner.", she said.

This is a sad day, because once I find a lawyer, which I can't afford, it will eat into the equity of our home. She will not get the home like she so desperately wants. She even slipped yesterday saying that the home was for her; then she corrected saying for the kids.
With her errational behavior, NOT ALWAYS, I will be asking the court for a full mental and physical evaluation for both of us when it comes to custody of our children.
Again, I am very scared.

Please pray for me that I make the right decisions in the days/weeks to come through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit.

May God cradle us in His Mighty Arms when the sorrow is too much to bear,
Trying!

Day 6
P2P: "This world is not my home."
This helps me get my eyes off my "worldly possessions." I am a somewhat materialistic person, and a packrat.......so I tend to get "Sentimental" about my possessions. I need to always remember this stuff is just temporary.
A thought I had as I was looking deeply into this thought process is that we were made by God to ENJOY our possessions! I think - again a lesson we're here to learn - this is so we will KNOW what it feels like to enjoy elegant, "pretty" things, (not sure I'm saying this properly), the kinds of glorious things we will be surrounded by in heaven.

V2R: "So we fix our eyes on not what is seen, but is what unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
Difficult to do, but absolutely necessary to bring us closer to God, which is our ultimate goal!
This is a good exercise, since it helps us think in these terms in our M's as well. IF we have been "promised" certain things by God, but have not yet recieved them, we need to remember to have our eyes fixed ON HIM (who is unseen) and NOT look at what we see (our circumstances).

Q2C: "How should the fact that life on earth is just a temporary assignment change the way I am living now?"
Don't hold so tightly to what I can see or possess, and KNOW that what awaits me in heaven will be FAR, FAR better!
That should take some of the pressure off, and allow me to RELAX and trust God more.
============================================

On a personal note, TTsMm, I am extremely sad for you, my brother.

I will pray for peace and GOD's direction for you. I don't know what path you should take, but God will reveal it to you, and I hope you don't stop praying and finding it and walking confidently in it. HIS PEACE will make it clear to you.

God Bless you, my brothers and sisters.

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to let you all know that I was praying for all of you while you go through this book. I have have the privlege of reading it and it is great.

Lupo... Glad to hear your arms are getting better.

TTSMM, Sorry you have to go through all the stuff you are(praying for your W).

singleguy,

Glad to see you're doing this too. I would like to ask you to consider something regarding your post to lupolady. What came first the "choice" or a "reason to make a choice"? You see, we are born into this world lost and separated from God. His first and foremost desire is to have us reconciled to Him. We have to make a choice to do this (free will and all). So God puts circumstances in our lives in order for us to make choices (hopefully Godly ones). It just so happens, that the choices others make affect us too. That's when we start to understand the scripture; Romans 8:28 "we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." When people choose to do ungodly things, we can trust God to make them work out to our benefit: ...if, we, continue to make Godly choices in the mists of it.

If you would like to discuss this more, we can start another thread or you can e-mail me sandc_mb@hotmail.com). I would not want to highjack this one. You all are doing so well here, I don't want to see the enemy distract anyone.

God bless you all richly.

Love in Christ.

S&C

Dear S&C,
I think we are saying the same thing, but explaining it different. What I'm trying to say is that God's circumstances to lead us to Him, or to the right decision, may be seen as reasons, I agree. What I'm trying to say is that even when God creates circumstances[reasons] to bring me in line, it is still my choice. If I rob the convenience store, I chose to. If I get hurt because I'm in the store while someone else robs it, I am hurt by their choice. But it is still a choice. Then God makes all things work together.... on top of it. Prayer is a choice, and can affect a choice. If everything was a reason, I wouldn't need to love, or forgive, or teach. The outcome would already be determined. I'll email!!!!!
singleguy

sg, s&c,
Don't email. Start a new thread. Predestination, choice, free will, and reason, has always been a strong theological pull for me and I would love to hear both of your opinions (outside of this thread).

God Bless,
Trying <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

oops!

God Bless,
Trying <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

<small>[ November 04, 2003, 11:57 AM: Message edited by: tryingTOsaveMYmarriage ]</small>

Dear Heavenly Father, I ask that you be with ttsmm today. Father, let your love hold him and keep him in this time of pain and hurt. Father, we lift this marriage, this family up to You and ask that Your healing mercy would repair it and set it back on track. We ask that You restore this covenant, and cause it be a light in a broken world. Holy Spirit, penetrate the hardness of her heart, speak Your truth to her, and show her the right path. Holy Spirit,remove all evil things from her thoughts and replace it with forgiveness, and love. In Jesus name. Amen

God Bless You ttsmm
singleguy

PS: God Bless you too lupolady. I say what I say in Christ's love. Please forgive me if it appeared as anything else.

Dear Heavenly Father, I ask that you be with ttsmm today. Father, let your love hold him and keep him in this time of pain and hurt. Father, we lift this marriage, this family up to You and ask that Your healing mercy would repair it and set it back on track. We ask that You restore this covenant, and cause it be a light in a broken world. Holy Spirit, penetrate the hardness of her heart, speak Your truth to her, and show her the right path. Holy Spirit,remove all evil things from her thoughts and replace it with forgiveness, and love. In Jesus name. Amen

God Bless You ttsmm
singleguy

PS: God Bless you too lupolady. I say what I say in Christ's love. Please forgive me if it appeared as anything else.

Hey, S&C, it's good to hear from you, my brother. Yeah, I can type again!! YIPEE!!! Soft cast came off last Wed. I'm happy about that, but have to remind myself all the time NOT to think it's healed. Actually, my arm reminds me when I try to do something I shouldn't do (OUCH!).
I'm slated to go back to work next Monday (DON'T want to do that). Pray for endurance, and also compassion from my kids, as I'll need their help for a couple of weeks, since I can barely write, and can't really pick up anything slightly "heavy."


</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by singleguy:
<strong> God Bless you too lupolady. I say what I say in Christ's love. Please forgive me if it appeared as anything else. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Don't worry about it, sg. It's just a difference in perspective, I believe.

We'll work through it. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

ttsmm,
You seem to be doing a little better this afternoon. Your posts remind me of seven years ago when I was going thru all that. I couldn't handle it again!! I am glad God has given me the CHOICE to forgive and forget. I am free of any anger, or bitterness, and it feels so good!!! Pray for that, regardless of the outcome.

What do you want to do about tomorrow night? It is also church night here, but I can miss for a while. Don't like to, but I will.

I will start the new thread; God and Me, versus {{{{them}}}}. I have to do this, it was predestined!!!!! God and I will also win!!!! Again predestined!!! Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="images/icons/cool.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" /> I'm humorous today. What shall we call the thread?

singleguy

Hey lupo,
Exactly how did you break your arms? Was it that time you fell just a while back? I broke my left arm twice. Once in second grade, and once when I was a freshman. The casts had to be on for six weeks, and they would itch like crazy. I stuck a kitchen knife in once to itch and ended up cutting myself. I went to school with blood all over the cast. Everybody wondered what happened!!! Anyway, thanks for just being you. It must be that stallion in me that gets me a little off course once in a while!!!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />
singleguy

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by singleguy:
<strong> Hey lupo,
Exactly how did you break your arms? Was it that time you fell just a while back?

It must be that stallion in me that gets me a little off course once in a while!!!! </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Hey, sg, don't worry about your "wild side....."

I have a good friend who has a new little stallion..........his name is "Pistolero" and he's a CUTE LITTLE DEVIL!!!! Full of it......know what I mean? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

I see you being like that little guy........always testing and teasing. He snuck up behind me one time (he was 3 months old at the time) amd NIPPED MY BEHIND!!!!! Cute, but naughty!

Anyway, yeah, I just tripped over my own clumsy feet (and some trash on the floor from unpacking the game table) and started to fall, tried to break my fall and broke my right arm. The left one turned out not to be broken, just badly bruised, as was my left shin, where I went down the 4" step! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" />

I have not booked the time <img border="0" title="" alt="[Embarrassed]" src="images/icons/blush.gif" /> because of lupo's previous post. I didn't get to all of you though, my bad <img border="0" title="" alt="[Embarrassed]" src="images/icons/blush.gif" /> .
I don't know how we should handle this. My W is on the warpath more with Jesus in this house (tell more later).
How late will all of you stay up to do this? Next week, the schedule will be pretty open; my W just got a job working at a bakery in the newly opened Shoprite. She is really, really good, and wants to open her own bakery someday. I hope I will be involved with that (God's Will).

I will post my Day 7 later.

God's Peace rest on our hearts,
Trying <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

Day 7
P2P: "It's all for him."
Day 1, told us, "It's not about me." This has not taken me full circle, but it has definitely changed my focus.
V2R: "For everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by His Power, and everything is for His Glory."
Q2C: "Where in my daily routine can I become more aware of God's Glory?"
Every breathe is a grace. Nature, my children's laughter, love of my family and friends. Sunsets, clouds in the sky, stars, moon, the beach, wind, rain, snow, dogs, cats, birds, rainbows, EVERYTHING. All the things I take for granted that pass through my daily life. I have been attracted to nature all my life. More so, these past two years. If it is all for God, them I must take care in everything I do and handle.

MAy we accept God's unimagineable love,
Trying <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

<small>[ November 05, 2003, 05:15 AM: Message edited by: tryingTOsaveMYmarriage ]</small>

Hello TTSMM,
I can do our conference at any hour. Will check back to see what was chosen.
Sorry I did not do 5-6 yet but will in a few minutes. Had a 3 hour run up and back yesterday for my Aunt who fell and broke many bones in her face. I did not get back till late. Then today I had papers for divorce court come and a big surprize within telling me my husband got fired and I no longer have insurance and he is begging the courts to dissolve my support. Lupolady says we have the devil trying harder to misfocus all of us. Guess we better get busy with more praying and praising God!

God Bless you all

Hello all,
Day 6
Life is a Temporary Assigniment

P2P This World is not my home.
answer: I now understand why I feel so in between things....pulled...pushed...driven...
uncomfortable...not at home! Do not get me wrong - I love my home and all God has given me...5 acres of beautiful land, beautiful animals, a great home filled to the brim, great family. I have been told many times I was not from here but another planet! Lol! Yes I am visiting!

V2R: This verse has alot of meaning for me as I always feel better with what I do not see and know it is better in heaven than here!

Q2C: How should the fact that life on earth is just a temporary assignment change the way I am living right now?
answer: This helped me through a tough day already just by being reminded through this Book that my situation is only that - A SITUATION! I have to be reminded daily that God will fix all that is wrong in my marriage through my patients and trust. This life is temporary, Heaven and God is Glory! God does not want us to love this home to much or what would we have more to love when we really go home?

Hello All,

Day 7
The reason for everything

P2P: It's all about him.
answer: Yes we were put here by God to serve God, Love Him, Praise Him, Trust Him, Live for Him so we will have Eternity!

V2R: see above

Q2C: Where in my daily routine can I become more aware of God's glory?
answer: I need to give God more glory for all I have by not worrying about what is thrown in my lap. He can handle all that comes to me if I give it to him. By loving all people including my lawyer and not grumbling that my WH did this... and that probably would be a good start!

God Bless all of you!

My Brothers and Sisters,

I scheduled the call tonight (last time for a Wednesday). Will have new schedule tomorrow/end of week.

Conference Details

Date: Wednesday, November 05, 2003
Start Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Std Time
End Time: 10:25 p.m. Eastern Std Time
Participants: 10
Type of Conference: Web-Scheduled Standard
**edit**

May God give us His Graces throughout the day,
Trying <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

ttsmm,
I am with you brother. I am sorry you are going thru what you are going thru. I ask God to give you courage and peace at the right times. I don't have a computer at home. I wouldn't get anything done if I did. But it is easy for me to go to the office. I just saddle up one of the cows!!!! Just a little humor!!! You know the old saying "a man's work is never done". Well, it's true!!! So I do laundry, and cleaning, and grocery shopping, and all those other things at nite.

Lupo,
Yes, I have a little bit of that stinker personality, but always good, not bad. I only pick on people I like, and I think you two girls are grrrrrreat!!!! Laughter truly is the best medicine, and I use it a lot. If I didn't, I could easily be depressed. Most people don't know what I have been thru, like with my daughter. I chose to be happy inspite of all the tragedies.

God Bless
singleguy

Day 7

P2P: Everything created, including us, was to bring glory to God.

V2R: Every breathe we take is because he gives it to us. Every second is His.

Q2C: By just thinking for a second about everything I look at. God is in all natural things. God's presence is everywhere we go. He said He would never leave us or forsake us. If He can't leave us, He is always close by.

singleguy

<small>[ November 05, 2003, 02:03 PM: Message edited by: singleguy ]</small>

Hello Groupy!

Day 8 Planned for God's Pleasure

P2P: I was planned for God's Pleasure.

Think about this: it is just like when we were born to our earthly parents and how happy they were. They had lots of plans for us. God is our heavenly Father and he was there also and so happy about our birth and plans for our life! This gives me great comfort!

V2R:The Lord takes pleasure in his people
God loves to see us happy. when we are angry he also is as he does not like to see us misused. when we are sad he also is sad. God wants us to enjoy our stay here until he brings us home to a much better life. To do this we need to worship him and give him the glory he deserves.

Q2C: What common task could I start doing as if I were doing it directly for Jesus?
My answer to this would be to do everything with the grace of God in mind. I do think alot of God and what he has done for me in my life and I am so grateful and try to give God praise often. Without him for many years I would not have survived. He is my true friend.

God Bless all and I pray on this Wed that all MBer's will be held tight by our Lord and peace and goodness will come to all. To the Father, Son and Holy Spirit that we give you all the Glory Amen.

Start w/o me <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" />

W is home. Weather is bad so she is not going to the gym.

I know I must appear like a wimp, and right now I want to avoid confrontation.

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

OK girls, where are you? I logged into the conference at 6:29, and it is now 6:36. In 4 minutesI will call it quits. Thank God the "farm boy" is responsible!!!!! I may have to pick on you two a little!!!!

singleguy

LoveNcare,
It was a pleasure talking with you last nite. May God answer your every prayer in the way that He has planned so that it blesses you richly. I admire what you are doing, and will agree with you in prayer.
I am gone all day and part of this evening, so I will post tomorrow morning.

God Bless
singleguy

Day 8
P2P: "I was planned was God's pleasure."
Because He is a Loving God, I KNOW He does not experience pleasure when I am in pain. As any Good Father, He does not delight in chastising us, be He must when I am disobedient.

V2R: "The Lord takes pleasure in His people."

Q2C: "What common task could I start doing as if I were doing it directly for Jesus."
- driving the car
- playing with the kids
- talking with Marie
- ALL activities at work

Other:
p65: "Every part of a church service is an act of worship:..."
This is completely new to me; but makes complete sense.
p66 "...there are benefits to worship, but we don't worship to please ourselves."
I have always been selfish in this: what can I..., or, I din't get/feel anything from this Mass, etc. today.
p67 "Work becomes worship when you dedicate it to God and perform it with an awareness of His presence."
By doing this, it can also keep me away rfm sinning. If I know/feel/believe God/Jesus/Holy Spirit are around me, and I offer EVERYTHING, it's difficult to stray.

May God give His Blessings,
Trying <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

Day 9
P2P: "God smiles when I trust Him."

V2R: "The Lord is pleased with those who worship Him and trust His Love."

Q2C: "Since God knows what is best, in what areas of my life do I need to trust Him more?."
- my marriage
- parenting
- career
- using His gifts to me
- relationships
- EVERYTHING


Other:
p71: "In what areas of your life do you need to trust God completely?"
That He will save my wife and my marriage.
p72: "...doing whatever God asks without reservation or hesitation."
This is tough for me because I have yet to HEAR God's Voice. I do get "ideas" and "signs" though.
p72: "Often we try to offer God partial obedience."
Obedience is the most difficult for me. I feel I was a very obedient son to my parents. I did not rebel in my teenage years. I rebeled after I was 21. Since that time until recent I have a constant battle inside between authority and my not being controlled.
p74: "God enjoys watching every detail of your life,..."
It's good for me to be reminded of this. Reduces guilt of not always doing spiritual things.
p75: "He gave you eyes to enjoy beauty, ..."
When I was out on the TRO, I went to a nude beach. At first it was a slick way, I thought, to see some naked women. But I saw God's beautiful creation: fat, thin, young, old, man, woman, and it was ALL beautiful. Because they weren't wearing clothes there was no judgement on my part.
p76: "Parents do not require their children to be perfect, or even MATURE, in order to enjoy them. They enjoy them at every stage of development."
If a spouse is filled with so much anger, resentment, distrust and DOESN'T believe in God, they might feel otherwise: my W.


May God give His Blessings,
Trying

<small>[ November 06, 2003, 10:56 PM: Message edited by: tryingTOsaveMYmarriage ]</small>

I received some nice prayers from several MBers and I want to thnk you. I know God has put us together for HIS PURPOSE.

I just needed to vent, and since Day 9 was about Trusting God, I NEED to let go of these feelings today.
I am really thinking that there is something chemically unbalanced with my W. I told her yesterday, our D's gymnastics class was at 5:20. She calls me at work today to say she was not feeling well, and if I could take her? No problem. I had to remind her that her class was at 5:20 and Friday's was at 4:10. She calls me on the way home from work around 3:55 and said that our D was going to be late for gymnastics. I had to remind her again that today was Thurs and her class was at 5:20.
When I came home, I wnet upstairs first to see hwo she was. "Are you felling better?", I said. "Are you taking <our D> to gymnastics?" she replied, almost peeved that I aksed about her health.
OK, that isn't so bad? The dishes are piled high. She's complained when I do them (her dishes) because she says she won't do mine. OK, and I am not going to have a kitchen full of dirty dishes.
Then, tonight, when I am about to go online, I can'r find my wireless card for my laptop. I placed it on top of the entertainment center. I ask her, she doesn't know where it is. Our D wants to help look for it, and when I tell her where I had put it, she tells me mommy cleaned up there today. My W lied, or forgot? I found the card down in the basement.

Anyway thanks for letting me vent. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

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

TTSMM,
You have the strength of 10 Bulls strung together now add 10 more for faith!

God Love you and keep you

Hello ,
Day 9
What makes God Smile?
Everything we do good makes God smile. He loves when we are praying to him and for others. He loves all our daily chores that we do for him. He loves or every moment we are enjoying his beautiful world.

P2P: God smiles when I trust him.
This is a hard one for many of us. For me it is worrying about finances - I should trust God totally. I do add this in my prayers each day many times as I am always fighting with worry. The other day I received in the mail a packet from my lawyers. I thought it was all for court. It was, but it included statements from my WH that he got fired and was begging the court to dissolve my support. If it should happen I would be in the welfare lines and loose my home. I now have no health insurance! It is very hard not to worry! Yes I have to fight with myself again as my throat gets tight and my heart pounds. Any comments will be greatly appreciated!

V2R: "The Lord is pleased with those who worship him and trust his love."
I have work to do in this area! I worship the Lord and trust his love, but fall short at times.

Q2C: Since God knows what is best, in what areas of my life do I need to trust him most?
My answer to this question is that I trust him enough to give him total control of my life.
The areas are for making my husband a better person so our marriage can be restored, and letting me know where I fall short. Knowing God will not let me fail in anything.

God Bless all of you

Hi Everyone,
Day 8

P2P: Remember when you and your mate talked about having a child, or another child? And how everything revolved around that coming day.How excited you got as the day drew nearer. And then the big day when they were born, and you just couldn't love em enough!!!!!

V2R: Have you ever been to a family reunion, and watched how the kids were off playing in the yard, and the women were busy getting the food ready, and the men were setting up tables and chairs. Everyone was happy and busy at the same time. All functioning in the game of life, so to speak.

Q2C: My desire should be to be a joy in the presence of my creator. To bring Him joy and satisfaction. Someone who is thankful for what has been given to me..., and worship Him for it!!!!

singleguy

<small>[ November 07, 2003, 03:59 PM: Message edited by: singleguy ]</small>

LoveNcare,
Thanks for the great discussion the Wednesday nite. I admire and support you for standing for your marriage. I also thank you for several comments, but the one about God may know something I don't really sunk in. I receive your wisdom on that.

God Bless You
singleguy

Day 9

P2P: When the kids trust you totally, because they know you have nothing bust the best planned for them, how can you not be happy? It's the same with God and us. We are the children of God!!!

V2R: He wants to be our everything and He wants relationship with us.And He wants us to thank Him for it.

Q2C: When my prayers aren't answered right away. I need to know that He IS doing something. I may not know what, but He is doing something for my good.

singleguy

Hello Singleguy,
Thank you for your nice comments and prayers!
After we got off the phone I did my usual chores - dogs, cats and dishes then went to watch HGTV, one of my favorites! While watching this many things throughout our conversation hit me in the head. My thoughts or was it a vision into the darkest part of our being, showed me something I have not considered. Sometimes we get lost in our everyday journeys: happiness, working, sorrows, selfishness, raising kids, our marriages, other family matters. Most of the time we try hard to live life good, but what we think is good is not God's word! I had married a few to many times and had a life that did not include God as he would have wanted it. I prayed and tried to live right, but did not put God first. I remarried, all husbands were adulters. I believe now that God wanted me back doing life his way - living his word! I was very much a Christian in my younger days, but got caught up in my own life. I do not know totally why God has pulled at my heart now? I have vowed never to leave his side again. I have alot to learn, it may take the rest of my life and I am willing because God has forgiven me.
I still believe God wants you to figure out what he wants from you. You said you asked him to pull out the roots. Maybe he was not ready, but did as you asked. go from there!

May God Bless you and Show you His Light.

Hello TTSMM, Lupolady and Singleguy,

Day 10
The Heart of Worship

P2P: the Hear of Worship is surrender.
This chapter was a hard one on my part because I did not do this for so many years. We have to trust God totally and surrender our life to him. That includes Friends, family, money, problems, decision will be tested. God uses the people whom surrender their life to him for his purpose. Example: Jesus's Mother Mary was choosen by God as she lived for him!

V2R: " Surrender your whole being to him to be used for his righteous purpose"

Q2C: What area of my life am I holding back from God?
This book has caused considerable thought, deep digging truths about my life have surfaced and hit me in the head! I have not surrender my total being to God yet. I worry when it would be much easier for me to hand it over to God. Each month since my WH left I have survived. Sometimes by a string, but God is showing me I can let him do everything if I would trust in him. He has shown me I can get through these bills and any other problems that arise! I am learning more each day. Thank you Jesus for my survival, all my new friends here on MB and for this book!

Hi everyone,

All of you are doing so well.

sg,

Sorry I've been a stranger. I got real busy at work and home. I think you and Lupo and I agree for the most part, but if you want to start another thread (although it may be short lived for that topic) we can talk about anything just to share POV's. Or if TTSMM wants to ask questions he can.

Ya'll be good. It's bedtime over here and I need my beauty sleep.

Bless you all.

S&C

LoveNcare,
I am completely convinced that God has put you in my life to help me figure out what He wants me to do. There was a reason why it was just the two of us the other nite. When the divorce was approx two years old, she came over to my house, and told me she wasn't happy. I asked her if she would be willing to go talk to my pastor. She said yes, and so the next afternoon we did. After he had talked to her for awhile, she said that she loved both of us,[ me and the guy she was having the affair with ]. Then she said quite surprisingly " I may be going to hell, but I don't care ". On the way home [ 9 miles ] she said she didn't want to come back. She wanted her freedom. That is when I asked God to pull the roots, even if He was to bring us back together someday. A month later our daughter was killed in a car accident, and that really took it's toll on any contact we had. I really didn't care if I ever saw her again. The very next week after the funeral she was broke up with that guy, and had a new boyfriend. Two months later, they moved to another state, and I only see her two or three times a year for a couple hours each time. They have been together for 5 1/2 years now. Do you remember the part about the baby? That also complicated things.

S&C,
I will start a new thread, and it will be for God's glory. I am still thankful that your marriage is healing and that you are such a wonderfull person and a testimony. One more for the glory of God!!!!!!

God Bless Everyone
singleguy

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" />