One pattern i can see by reading all of the posts, is that we all have our ups and down. Hebrews 10:39 and Heb. 12:12,13 say "But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved....therefore strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed."<BR> What helps you?<BR> I wrote in the updates thread the verses i carry in my purse. another thing is one night i heard this song on the radio, i stopped and bought it and i listen to it over and over: <BR>Where There is Faith (by 4Him)<BR>I believe in fatihfulness, I believe in giving of my self for someone else,<BR>I believe in peace and love<BR>I believe in honest and trust but it's not enough.<BR> For all that i believe may never change the way it is, unless i believe Jesus lives.<BR>(Chorus) Where there is faith, there is a voice calling, "keep walking, you're not alone in this world." Where there is faith, there is a peace like a child sleeping.<BR>Hope everlasting IN HE WHO IS ABLE TO BEAR EVERY BURDEN, TO HEAL EVERY HURT IN MY HEART.<BR>It is a wonderful powerful place, where there is faith.<BR>There is a man across the sea, never heard the sound of freedom ring, onl in his dreams. There's a lady dressed in black in a motorcade of Cadillacs, Daddy's not coming back.<BR>Our hearts bgin to fall, and our stability grows weak,<BR>But Jesus meets our needs if we only believe.<BR>Chorus.<P>This song encourages me--to go to that wonderful place, that refuge---God is my source, i am complete in Him (Col.2:6-10).

thanks for the encouraging post, neen.<P>I have a tiny copy of 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 in my wallet. It reminds me that there is a spiritual battle behind our struggles and I am reminded to pray when I see it.<P>It is helpful to be reminded that my h. is in the midst of the battle, and he needs prayer because he has given up hope that he can be redeemed. Since he likes to get belligerent and say that God failed to save him from temptation, I don't bring it up, I just pray: "We demolish arguments and everything that sets itself up against the knowledge of God" and for myself "we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."<P>My negative, angry vengeful thoughts are better handled by the one who was victorious over death.<P>So I pray daily, "Father God, continue to be gracious to my husband, Holy Spirit, please keep reaching out to him, Lord Jesus, please heal my hurts. I claim the victory over sin and death by the power of your cross. Please give our home resurrection power, and restore our marriage for the sake of your glory; and I will tell of your mighty work in our lives."<P>Amen<P>------------------<BR><BR>"I have found the Pearl of Great Price"<BR>

well, I ran to the barn last night... found a box to sit on and a barn cat to cuddle with and cryed out to God how rough life is.. when I finished an hour later, came in took a shower and had to live with a brick wall that caused me to run to the barn in the first place.... I think out of everything, I hate unresolved fueds more than anything.... Pray for me today..<P>cozy

Neen - I know the song you are talking about. I must tell you, Christian radio has helped me so much. The music is always encouraging and offering hope. I get depressed when listening to some of the other old favorites on the radio. I have a few Christian CD's with miscellaneous artists that I love. I also turn to the prayer book and Streams in the Desert - my daily devotional. All great stregnths to me. Blessings, J

Lord <BR>Give me strength to bear every burden and heal every hurt in my heart. I have been so down lately that i really need you now in my life and am so appreciative that I have found you and that when I do pray you calm me and take away my anger, frustrations and my depression. Thank you Lord! <BR>In Jesus name, Amen <P>------------------<BR>morgan

Hey all I have started something new to do every morning when I wake up ant then something to do when the day is half over…in the morning when I first wake up I recite he serenity prayer and then about mid day I have started a personal journal on a floppy disk that WHEN H and I do get back together I may some day let him read it. It helps me not call him and when I am really angry I can vent here and there and not when I am talking to him.<BR>Lesa<BR><P>------------------<BR>Take care and God Bless.<P><BR>

LMS,<P>Sounds like a great way to keep focused on God and not on the circumstances.<P>I have been journaling for about 10 years. I started when my daughter got pregnant (not married). I needed to vent then, and found journaling my feelings helped alot.<P>Since then it has become a habit. I write alot of prayers too, I call them my "paper prayers."<P>Thanks for sharing your tip to stay "Up". Maybe others will find it helpful and start their own journals. I expect they may start out as venting and end up as praising! <P>Taj

LMS<BR>I like the suggestion of the every morning serenity prayer. It would be a great reminder for me. Right now i wake up every morning and all I want to do is call my H to talk to him. I to have been journaling but I am still struggling with the urge to go see him in the hospital and to call him. He had hip replacement surgery and I am so thankful that he had it but... when I went to see him he asked me to leave and he said he would call me and let me know when I could come back to see him. He would rather OW be there than to have me there. I do find myself praying when I have the urge to call him and also when I am upset in any way. I am trying so hard to focus on God and not on the circumstances.<BR>Taj<BR> I, too, write alot of prayers and I like your name for them. "paper prayers." Thanks! <P><P>------------------<BR>morgan

When I get real discouraged, and that happens a lot when you're married to an alcoholic, I pray. I ask God to help me to not be hurt, to give me peace in my heart, and comfort me. You all might think I am kind of nuts, but I started praying over a prayer cloth that I have anointed with oil. I pray for my husband, our home, children, and marriage over this cloth. I keep it inside his pillowcase, on the side his head is on, so that he sleeps on it. My husband has no idea I do this. It makes me feel better anyway. <P>I also listen to Christian music. My favorite CD is Michael W. Smith's Christmas CD (the old one - from 1989). It makes me feel serene. <P>

isn't it wonderful that we can share? thank you all. i too am an avid "journaler", but have been unable to write in this last year. something about seeing it in print. but i have emailed friends who live far away. and i have saved them. i look forward to the day that i can journal again. writing to you gives me that feeling too.<BR> i love to read and over this year it has given me many hours of "fun". more like escape. what books have given you peace or enjoyment? i have been comforted by Corrie ten Boom's books, especially one titled "don't wrestle, just nestle". also those by joni erikson tada. re-reading the trials of those who have suffered and stayed faithful has been a great encouragement to me. right now i am reading a series of novels called"The zion covenant" by bodie thoene. again reading about intense suffering makes me realize that i've got it easy. it helps me to be thankful when i would be tempted to have a pity party. "Hinds feet in high places" by hannah hunnard has always been a favorite. i am rereading these with a new mind.<BR>how about you all?

Ahh Journals, I call mine "Dear Jesus" letters... I started probably 4 years ago, and after the first two, made a commitment to always start each one with a Thank you paragraph, and ended it with praise for His soveriegnty... This really helped my attitude stay positive during the day!<P>I remember the Zion covenent, it has another long series also that I've read... Great books... I love Historical fiction... Janette Oke is one of my favorite for sitting and enjoying a break... Little House on the Prarie style of stories, and lots of them.... I think I own most of her books.. If you want real Fantasy with a Christian perspective, try some Stephen R Lawhead.. My son and I both enjoyed that author <P>I now have a Stormie Martian Prayer Journal, its got little prayers and scripture on each entry page, its like getting a little bit of inspiration on each page... <P><P>------------------<BR>Jesus is the only answer!<BR>His blessings, Cozy