I have a friend that is facing alot of the same thing.  The only thing that you can do is offer advice, fully listen, be simpathetic and understanding.  Surgery might be a very real and scary option.  Always weigh the pros and the cons.

Before I came on this forum to check messages I was thinking about my friend and possiably staying for awhile over at her house if she chooses to have surgery on her back.  When someone hurts so bad that they become physically sick to their stomach that is never good and something needs to be done.  Just pray, give support and explore all of the options.  I have also been there with back pain to the point of being crippling and it is no fun.

I don't know your situation or how bad your daughter's pain is.  I can only ever offer advice and prayer.

God bless,
Kristen

Exactly. When I was overwhelmed I was looking for a way out.  A part of me wanted to help and the other part hated being there.  I was at a point that I really thought that I needed some kind of medication.  Then I remember God would never give me to much to handle without a way out.  Sometimes that way is not neccessarly giving up and running the other direction, but simply trusting in God, asking for strength, wisdom and answers and believeing that he will change things!  Am I still completely healed from the things that bug me, no, but I trust that if I keep on allowed God to change me and try to listen intently, things will change.  My personality and attitude and self esteem has already greatly changed for the better and hey, I thought that my job was to soley help this person out!

[You can not change a person, only greatly influence them. Whether or not they choose to take that advice is up to them. It is not your fault if they do not listen.]

I do not know if in this dream God was speaking to me are not.  In the past, (and I still struggle with this) is trusting in God.  I do think that I am supposed to be there to help and encourage.  By doing this my attitude is greatly changing.  I am becoming my understanding, open and honest with people.  I stop more to listen to problems and just offer advice.  I used to eternalize their problems and make them my own and I am learning not to do that.

 I feel that we should help one another and help bear burdens but that doesn't mean that we take someone elses problems and put them on us.  We should offer advice, be there to talk to and then the person should arrive to a conclusion on how they are going to change a situation.  You can not change a person, only greatly influence them.  Whether or not they choose to take that advice is up to them.  It is not your fault if they do not listen.

Have I been a great friend in the past.  No.  Am I learning? Yes.   

About I week ago I had a dream about this lady that has become my friend and I have been helping.  She has gone through so very much in her life and I have gone through alot of the same things.

Well anyway my dream was this:

I had a dream that I was to view her in high regard.  She is 50 I am 22 and I am to see her not only as a sister in Christ but also as a mother.  Her feet were swollen and in a good portion of my dream I was looking for a way to wash her feet.  In the end I took her swollen even cracked feet and washed them.

I feel that I am not only supposed to encourage and tell her further about God's love but also to serve.  I have had things in the past that happened that were more then just coincidences. 

Please tell me your thoughts.

Hi guys. Yes I know that I have been missing for a long time.  I still come on here once in while.  I'm doing good.  I'm still in school.  My life consists of school, work and volunteering at a wildlife refuge.  I barly am on the computer anymore.  Once I complete my next semester I should get my asociates degree.  I'm excited about that but not looking forward to taking Organic Chemestry next semester.  It is hard.  So how has it been?  Anything new?

LIVER!!!! (YUCK)

Lets see how much trouble I get into this time......................





This is a specially formulated diet designed to help women cope with the stress that builds during the day.

Breakfast
1 grapefruit
1 slice whole wheat toast
1 cup skim milk

Lunch
1 small portion lean, steamed chicken
1 cup spinach
1 cup herbal tea
1 Hershey's kiss

Afternoon Tea
The rest of the Hershey Kisses in the bag
1 tub of Hagen-Daaz ice cream with chocolate chips

Dinner
4 glasses of wine (red or white)
2 loaves garlic bread
1 family size supreme pizza
3 Snickers Bars

Late Night Snack
1 whole Sarah Lee cheesecake (eaten directly from the freezer)



HAPPY STRESS RELIEF!!!!!

Then we would be stressed that our thighs are thickening. 

DON'T MESS WITH MOM

My son came home from school one day,
With a smirk upon his face.
He decided he was smart enough,
To put me in my place.

"Guess what I learned in Civics Two,
that's taught by Mr. Wright?
It's all about the laws today,
The 'Children's Bill of Rights.'

It says I need not clean my room,
Don't have to cut my hair
No one c an tell me what to think,
Or speak, or what to wear.

I have freedom from religion,
And regardless what you say,
I don't have to bow my head,
And I sure don't have to pray.

I can wear earrings if I want,
And pierce my tongue & nose.
I can read & watch just what I like,
Get tattoos from head to toe.

And if you ever spank me,
I'll charge you with a crime.
I'll back up all my charges,
With the marks on my behind.

Don't you ever touch me,
My body's only for my use,
Not for your hugs and kisses,
that's just more child abuse.

Don't preach about your morals,
Like your Mama did to
you.
That's nothing more than mind control,
And it's illegal too!

Mom, I have these children's rights,
So you can't influence me,
Or I'll call Children's Services Division,
Better known as C.S.D."

Of course my first instinct was
To toss him out the door.
But the chance to teach him a lesson
M a de me think a little more.

I mulled it over carefully,
I couldn't let this go.
A smile crept upon my face,
he's messing with a pro.

Next day I took him shopping
At the local Goodwill Store.
I told him, "Pick out all you want,
there's shirts & pants galore.

I've called and checked with C.S.D.
Who said they didn't care
If I bought you K-Mart shoes
Instead of those Nike Airs.

I've canceled that appointment
To take your driver's test.
The C.S.D. Is unconcerned
So I'll decide what's best."

I said "No time to stop and eat,
Or pick up stuff to munch.
And tomorrow you can start to learn
To make your own sack lunch.

Just save the raging appetite,
And wait till dinner time.
We're having liver and onions,
A favorite dish of mine."

He asked "Can I please rent a movie,
To watch on my VCR?"
"Sorry, but I sold your TV,
For new tires on my car.

I also rented out your room,You'll take the couch instead.
The C.S.D. Requires
Just a roof over your
head.

Your clothing won't be trendy now,
I'll choose what we eat.
That allowance that you used to get,
Will buy me something neat.

I'm selling off your jet ski,
Dirt-bike & roller blades.
Check out the 'Parents Bill of Rights',
It's in effect today!

Hey hot shot, are you crying,
Why are you on your knees?
Are you asking God to help you out,
Instead of C.S.D..?"

Send to all people that have teenagers or have already raised
teenagers, or have children who will soon be teenagers or t hose who
will be parents someday OR ANYONE WHO'D JUST GET A LAUGH .I love this
One!!!

MOM (Mean Old Mother)

So do you also believe all the little floaters that don't attach normally have souls?  I personally don't. I believe the soul comes with attachment. That is when the first blood or oxygen is delivered. There may be a trace of blood in the cells, but I believe it is the attachment that delivers life and soul.
The morning after pill may be an easy way of covering up immoral behavior for some. I don't know exactly how to think on it. I don't believe a child will be concieved if God doesn't want it to be, but in the case of rape or incest, I just don't know. 

I believe that any kind of abortion is murder.  And that there is never an excuse to kill a child even in rape or incest.  I believe that something like the morning after pill is also wrong.

Well, of course He did!

Well anyway, I and many other people have been praying for a man named Doug at my work that has cancer.  When we got the message it didn't sound good for him at all.  It was very serious.  Me along with many other people at my work have been praying for Doug and Doug has been getting better.  A while ago I prayed that God would let me see Doug again at Meijer.  Sure enough today while I was working I looked up and there he was.  God is so awesome!!!  I know that any progress in Doug's health is due to God.  I continue to pray for his full recovery.  He is a wonderful person and a brother in Christ.

God is so awesome.  I just get excited to when I see God at work!!

Love in Christ,
Kristen

That story is so cute.

I believe that tithing is an obedience thing that we do for God.  I have also heard that when Jesus died on the cross that he did away with the 10 commandments.  I don't know if that is true or not, but if God gave people guidlines to follow and He thought that it was a good thing then why wouldn't I want to follow it?  If I don't have a guidline to follow and I can do anything I want, then what will show my life different from anyone elses?  I know that this is heading off in another direction but I just thought that I would bring this up too.

Hi, welcome!  Sounds like you have a very busy life.

You are a very good writer.  The thing that I was wondering though was did you model your character after yourself?  And do to the content of your story I have to ask, do you view all other Christians as flesh-seeking hypocrites?

[Stop laughing, and breathe!!!!]

Just in case you don't understand how a "Government" program works,
here is a perfect example:
The Night Watchman

Once upon a time the government had a vast scrap yard in the middle of a desert.

Congress said, "Someone may steal from it at night." So they created a night watchman position and hired a person at $18,000 a year for the job.

Then Congress said, "How does the watchman do his job without instruction?" So they created a planning department and hired two people, one person to write the instructions for $22,000, and one person to do time studies for an additional $22,000 per year.

Then Congress said, "How will we know the night watchman is doing the tasks correctly? So they created a Quality Control department and hired two people. One to do the studies for $31,000 and one to write the reports for an additional $31,000 per year.

Then Congress said, "How are these people going to get paid?" So they created the following positions, a time keeper for $35,000 annual salary, and a payroll officer for an additional $35,000, then hired two people.

Then Congress said, "Who will be accountable for all of these people?" So they created an administrative section and hired three people, an Administrative Officer at $155,000 per year, Assistant Administrative Officer $125,000, and a Legal Secretary for an additional $100,000 per year.

Then Congress said, "We have had this operating for one year with a budget cost of $574,000.00 and we are $18,000 over budget. We must cutback overall cost."

So they laid off the night watchman.
 
Stop laughing, and breathe!!!!