Growingingrace,
It is difficult for us to understand our importance to the Lord when we look out and see the sea of people that the Lord has created.  Sometimes, in the midst of this sea, we truly forget that the Lord is our "personal" savior and that he does in deed have a personal relationship with us.  I'm not a man of words, but what I can tell you is that your importance on this earth is extreme, or else the Lord would have never put the breath of life in your lungs.  Do not let the other side convince you of anything else.  My prayers will be with you this day.

Blessings to you!
 -Am-

Praying!

You will be in my prayers as well. Always remember that the things of this world may not always be what they seem.  The Lord loves you and has a plan for you, and may that be encouragment to bring you through this time. 

Blessings to you!
-Am-

[MERRY CHRISTMAS!]

Amen Amorus!

Thanks for sharing with us - that was beautiful. My dad has gone home to be with the LORD, but I still have some beautiful things that he has written to enjoy from time to time. Christians will be reunited in heaven.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Amen Beps! and a very Merry Christmas to you as well.

Something my father wrote.  I thought I would share it.  
Blessings!
-Am-

I was reading in my room last night

I thought I beheld a wonderous sight

There before me was the throne of grace

with all the saints standing in their place

There was Peter, James, John and the other disciples too

Mary and Joseph, Paul and Billy Graham, just to name a few

As their names were called they went to the throne

Some were famous and many not so well known

As each one went they had great stories to give

And some just gave their lives so others could live

They stood before Jesus and couldn't look up

They started crying and said "we just didn't do enough"

He put his arms around them and look into each ones face

He smiled and said, well done thy good and faithful servant now come into this heavenly place

I've prepared a mansion just for you

Come and enjoy with me and your loved ones too

Then ever knee bowed and everyone worshipped in their place

With the heavenly choir singing God's Amazing Grace

Come! The feast is ready let us enjoy it togther

Eat! have your fill and have fellowship with one another

As I started to rise I heard a voice behind me say

There is someone here who has been waiting to see you Ray

I turned around and through my tears

There stood Jesus with my wife and buddy of 41 years

I reached out to touch her but I snapped out of my trance

I just sat there and thanked God for giving me just a glance

Now I just can't wait for that blessed day

When Jesus will call all his saints away

That day is coming real soon!

It could be morning, night, or noon

So let us get ready, Do God's will and tell others about God's amazing grace

So Jesus can say "well done thy good and faithful servant, come step into this heavenly place."

My prayers are with you!

-Am-

Hello CNC,
I experienced something of the sorts with my Mom about six months ago.  I believe God never makes a mistake.  I truly feel that he has a perfect purpose for everything and although at times it is extremely difficult to deal with such things, the end always seems to make sense to me.  I remember praying for my Mom to be healed.  I came to this website and asked that all would pray for her.  As I was standing beside her hospital bed the night she left I felt the strangest feeling, like the Lord was speaking to me.  He had my Mom in his arms her entire and short lived life and not once did he ever leave her side, not even through her suffering.  At first I thought my prayer had not been answered when she didn't pop up out of the bed and start walking around.  Then I realized that it was answered.  He had healed her, healed her completely and now she is with our wonderful Lord and Savior.  I'm not telling you how to pray or what to pray for, but know that you will be in my prayers, especially during this difficult time.  May you always trust in the Lord.  There is a greater purpose!

Blessings to you!
-Am-

Hey everyone!
One of the things I like to do to spark some study or even light reading of my Bible is to evaluate the situations that I find myself in during the day, both positive and negative.  I like to see how the people in the Bible handled situations.  For instance, the challenges that David had to face, the way he fell, and how the Lord picked him up again.... or the situations of Job found himself in or Daniel.  I wish I could conduct myself in the manner of the Christian the Lord has given me grace to be, but being human, sometimes I don't handle situations in the best manner.  It helps.  I know now that I find myself asking the Lord during the day if He would teach me to be holy.  I took that idea from David.  I have countless other instances, but I think you get the idea.  Thats one of the ideas I use.

Blessings to you all!
-Am-

Hi Brad,

My prayers are with you.  Lots of great advice here! The first thing I thought of when I read your post was the complicated matter of it, or so it seems to me.  I think the fact that you are questioning what your doing is a pretty good indication that the Lord is trying to communicate with you.  Go ahead and ask him all the really tough questions that are laid upon your mind, why you are experiencing the confusion, and why you feel so distant.  (Knock and the door will open, seek and ye shall find!) I'll pray you will find what your looking for.

Peace to you and may you look to the one who is the only one who knows how many hairs are on your head, and how many breaths you took while sleeping this past evening.

-Am-

I will agree,
FC is a stereotype that was given to out, abused even, to those who seemed to be a bit "crazy" (if I can use such a word) at times.  I have also heard those claiming to be Christians say "Watch out, he is a "born again" Christian" as if there were another kind.  Then I remembered back to my younger days playing sports and my father, who was my coach at the time, repeating the fact that we had to have the basic fundamentals down so that we had a foundation to build upon.  It sort of makes me laugh how labels are given out.  I'm still very young however labels don't seem to phase me as much anymore, but I'll agree with my father, you have to have the fundamentals down. If that makes me a FC then I guess I'm a FC.  Great thread!

 

Amen!
Wonderful, thank you for sharing!

-Am-

(NIV) MARK 11: 23 - 24

"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, "Go throw yourself into the sea," and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him." Therefore I tell you , whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

I am praying for you brooklynblessed!
-Am-

(NIV) LUKE 23: 40-43
 
But the other criminal rebuked him.  "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence?  We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deed deserve.  But this man has done nothing wrong."  Then he said, " Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."  Jesus answered him, " I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

Blessings!
-Am-

Praying 

Sister Maria,

I lived in a house where only adults were even allowed to touch the phone. The fear was unintentional long distance calls and the inability to pay the bills. I only got in trouble a couple of times, and I learned in a hurry the phone was a no-touch item. For local calls, we had a 3 digit telephone number. I have no idea how many people were on our party line, but there was a law requiring everyone to hang up if anyone had an emergency. I seem to remember that parents could get in trouble for children playing on the phone or leaving the phone off the hook. The bottom line is we were allowed on the phone only when adults told us to talk to grandma or something like that. In all other cases, the board of education was applied to the seat of learning.  

I have heard some of the folks talk about the 3 digit number....thats how you knew people. LOL!