[censored],<BR>I found some info from my minister friend that supports what we've heard about Jesus hating divorce but loving divorcees.<P>He points out that Jesus is more concerned about people than about institutions. An example was that while Jesus loves the Sabbath, he still did good works which broke Sabbath "rules."<P>Dave, my friend, also points out how Jesus deals with other sinners, are they forever lost ? No, they are provided with his love and grace.<P>Another example given was the woman at the well, John 4, her situation is profoundly that of a failure in relationships, 5 divorces and living with a man. Yet Jesus speaks with her , offers her living water and uses her reaction to spread His gospel of forgiveness. Dave feels that the message is clear that Jesus wants to redeem people, help them recover, not isolate tham as sinners forever lost.<P>I thought I would pass this along to you and to any others who are struggling with the divorce issue.<P>God Bless,<P>Bob

Bob<P>Thanks for the info which serves as confirmation to me.<P>Yes, there is life after divorce and something I heard just recently is that "The Will of God is not fragile"<P>In other words, God isn't handcuffed by our mistakes/failures and if we 'miss it' He doesn't throw us on the trash heap!<P>I have followed your story somewhat and I pray God's blessings upon you as you, like me; begin anew.<P>[censored] from Texas

Thanks [censored],<BR>I do wonder whats next for me, its hard to be patient!<P>I have met a nice woman, but I have no expectations at this time and it doesn't seem that she doe either. So I have found a movie and dinner companion plus she likes sports!<P>My life is moving ever so slowly ahead. This past couple weeks were tough with it being a year since my x left the home, 5 month aniversary of the divorce and being around my former inlaws over the holiday. But with the Lord's blessing I will continue onward and upward.<P>Bob

Bob, <P>[censored] has found true love after one of the hardest thing we as humans can endure, the loss of a life partner....<P>He knows that God is with him, as he always was, and I truly feel God will pull us through all of this. <P>[censored], <BR> I really loved reading your story...I have been a lurker here for almost two yrs now, and a full fledged participant for almost a yr. I have followed you and know that your life is now wonderful. I know that it is out there for me as well, with Gods assistance and my zest for life. Whether I remarry, or choose life on my own, I know God is there, and will help me along the way. He has forgiven me, I have forgiven me........<P>------------------<BR>Susan

RWD (Bob)<P>If I remember, the woman you are now dating is a school teacher? It's ok not to have any expectations..just take it one day at a time.<P>I have become a strong believer that before you can become lovers, you must become friends, best friends.<P>Emotional healing and the damage caused by the break-up of a marriage/home is a process, no 'quick-fixes'......<P>Just learn to take it one day at a time and allow yourself the right to fail, fall apart and experience a wide range of emotions.<P>Learn to bask in God's Unconditional love for you!<P>Sue<P>Thank you for those kind words. I am happy to hear you have forgiven yourself. Actually what it means to forgive yourself is to simply accept God's forgiveness.<P>Remember for you too, each day is a brand new start, the beginning of a new adventure! Expect good things to happen and remember, the Lord wants you to be happy.<P>However, He wants your happiness to be rooted in Him and not in a person or a thing!<P>Jesus must always be first place in our lives and then our mates (jobs, children etc/etc).<P>Just remember, God delights in giving us Beauty for Ashes (Isaiah 61) and He loves to take failure and turn it into success.<P>He also specializes in taking what was broken and shattered and putting it back together whole.<P>My counsel to you, RWD and anyone else looking for a mate is: God isn't interested in putting 2 broken halves together to make 1 whole....but rather, He wants to take 2 WHOLE people, put them together and make 1 complete whole.<P>Blessings upon you...<P>[censored] from Texas

[censored], when you've come to see your role and to accept your shortcomings and to know so much more about yourself, you can see how far you've come BUT - and for me you have raised difficult questions - how do you know when you've become a whole person? How do you know you're ready to add someone to your life? How do you learn to read the signals in another relationship - especially if your last one was built on deception?