Thanks so much Judgenot.  That is such great advice.  I would compose things in my head....but it always came back to me judging him and his actions.  I like the idea of addressing the judge and not feeding anyones ego.

My prayers go out to you and your wife as well.  There are good days and bad.

I'll let you know how it goes.

God Bless,
LMarsh

I am a Christian.  Have posted here for several years now off and on.
In 1999 our home was broken into while myself and my children were alseep.  My husband worked nights.  To make a long story short....I was assaulted, suffocated and my life and my childrens lives threatened.
He wasn't caught until last October when a DNA match came up.  On September 3rd we will be returning to the state where this occurred for the plea and sentencing of this guy.
It has been discussed that he will get between 15-20 years.
I will be standing up to make a Victim Impact Statement.

I don't have to be there.  But after seeing this guys record....it is ever since he was a juvenile and he's in his 30's.
Well...I feel he has to see the pain and impact this has had on our lives.  I've been up nights....trying to compose in my head what to say.  I have just been reading in the bible something about Darkness not comprehending the Light.  Does anyone know the verse I'm talking about?

I prayed out loud the whole time this guy was in my home.  I don't know what to say to him.  It's not my job to save him.
I let go of my anger awhile ago.  At least I thought I did.
I find myself gritting my teeth as I type this.

Thank you for any advice....scripture...etc.
Tired, confused and wondering,
God Bless,
LMarsh

I have a 10 year old and a 7 year old boy.
They both liked Pokemon and grew up with it around...(older cousins).  It was ok but has gotten progressively "fresh"....as in the characters on it aren't very nice to each other....seem to yell alot at each other and bicker.  I let my kids watch it occasionally because relatively speaking besides the slightly fresh mouths it is mild and I'm usually around to say something like "That wasn't very nice to say"...etc.

I dislike Yu-Gi-Oh...the monsters are evil looking and scary.  My kids do watch it occasionally (once every 2 wks or so).  They do have Yu-Gi-Oh cards...mainly since the show came out several years ago...it was much milder.  Not so scary ...there was a plot...not just evil monster duels.  My husband doesn't see anything wrong with it thats why it's still allowed occasionally.

XMen....Don't really know, I think they've watched once or twice with my husband.  I've watched Power Rangers with them a few times.  Ok for older kids but I think the makeup on the bad guys could scare some younger kids.

I'm thankful my kids have great neighborhood kids to play with so they don't watch alot of TV.  They do play games like Pokemon where they pretend to be characters and roleplay and run around.

Like anything else in this life.....moderation even of the things you think are ok.

God Bless,
LMarsh

3 more hostages are being threatened with beheading.
I am praying for there salvation before there deaths....as well as for God's intervention.....eyes and ears of our troops so that they may be found alive before this horrible act occurs.

Please pray.
LMarsh

You've blessed me by posting your thoughts and scripture.
Thank you,
LMarsh

Appreciate all your help!  I will read James tonight.  I was a bit trepidatious about posting my question and now I'm so glad I did.  I could use your prayers to be close to the Lord during my trip...to give me strength and walk in His ways.
God Bless You,
LMarsh

Hi Gracey.
Thanks very much for your response.  It did help very much.  Before I became a Christian I would always say "To Each His Own".  Well talking with a friend I haven't spoken to in almost 6 mos....I found myself saying that same saying to an issue that was really someone elses business, that I really didn't want to hear about or gossip about and was unchristian.

This friend is not a Christian and I found most of our friendship was alot of gossip.  I don't see her much anymore as we live in different states.  Yet, we are going back to visit family in 2 weeks and will be seeing her.  

I just was wondering about my response to her.....which was an automatic thing I used to say.  And how I should approach these issues....since they will come up when we are visiting.
I don't want to appear "Holier than thou" and yet I want to Stand for the Lord where I should.   I guess I was a bit ashamed of myself for saying that old standby phrase of mine.  And wanting to arm myself with His Word and know what to say in the future.

Your response was very helpful....will come back to read it more indepth when the kiddos go to bed tonight.
God Bless,
LMarsh

I've heard this expression over and over.  Usually in the mainstream conversations when its someones behaviour thats not exactly "Christian"....ie. homosexuality, lying, etc.
My question is.....Is that what are attitude should be as Christians?  "To each his own?".
I don't think Jesus "condemned" anyone for their behavior.  I know he ate with sinners.  But what is our responsibility as Christians in this world thats becoming increasingly Un-Christian?  
I am trying to study the bible on this but my mind does become befuddled on this subject and there seems to be alot of discussion on homosexual marraige and other things here in the U.S.  I would like to have a response thats Christ-like and not just say "To Each His Own."
Thanks and God Bless,
LMarsh

Great! Thanks very much Tibby for the information!
Good Luck and I'll keep praying for you!
In His Love,
LMarsh

Hi Candace,
I can't imagine being addicted to Cigarettes.  Besides the mental addiction...your body is actually physically craving the nicotine.  
I am going through hmmm a similar addiction.  It is my third day of being on a diet!  My first one and I'm 33 years old.  I am definitely addicted to food.  I'm not huge....Just about 40 lbs overweight but mentally it takes over alot of my though processes.  So...I started slimfast.  The first day was well awful.  I still thought about food all day.  And what I couldn't eat.  I was looking at my kids lunches and just wanted a slice of bread.  MMMM carbs!
Anywho...it's my third day and with prayer and just denying my FLESH....I am not even thinking about food AT ALL!
I'll let you know how its going  and please let me know how you are doing.  I am doing this for my health as well.  As I have a condition called SVT and my weight was affecting my heart and I was becoming almost hypoglycemic because of my diet and weight.

God Bless...Praying for you,
LMarsh

Still praying for you Tibby!  I was just looking through a magazine I have here at home.  There was an article about how some colleges can be very anti-christian.  How have you found that to be?  Have you ever considered a Christian College?  Just wondering.  I have 4 boys and would love to encourage them to go to Christian Colleges.  I know the closer I get to the Lord the more I just talk about him in everyday conversation.  He is so much a part of each day.

God Bless,
LMarsh

I'm praying for your friend and believe God will Help him.  The Lord's standing right next to him with open arms waiting to comfort him and give him strength.  Just help him turn to see him.  Maybe give him a bible that's Just the New Testament.  I have found many people get bogged down in the Old Testament and give up before they get to our Lord Jesus.
Gods word never comes back void.  
God Bless,
LMarsh

Praying!

LMarsh

Praying for you and your husband Courtney.  I believe with all my heart the Lord will change his heart.  He will open his ears and eyes and return to you.  You all may have to go to counselling together to get over the anger of the issue of adultery.  Yes, the devil is attacking everyones marraige almost daily.  Especially if you are ever drawing closer to God.

Several years ago now....I went through a difficult time in my marraige.  I was angry with God about something completely different than my marraige and thats when the devil came in and set up shop.  I felt like I didn't like my husband, didn't love him, didn't respect him.  My family all encouraged me to just go out with him alone...spend some time with him.  That's the LAST thing I wanted to do.  I sold my car...got a car I could afford by myself.  BUT my husband Would not leave our house...no matter how much I told him to.  Thank God he held on.  I remember vividly breaking down and asking God to change my heart, to love this man like I used to.
I am not kidding...I woke up the next morning with a heart filled to overflowing with love for my husband!!!  I couldn't believe it!

Since then we are so grateful for each other and my husband has become a Christian!  

Whew!  GOD will do it!  Hang in there....stay close to the Lord.  He will cradle you in his arms and protect and comfort you.  Keep praying...I will!

Your sister in Christ,
LMarsh

In all things work like you are doing it for the Lord!
Praying for you and knowing you will give your Best for Him.
LMarsh