Dealing with family persecution

[Symphony]

(your welcome)

[Whitehorse]

Now *that* is a picture of me!   I love it!

[Symphony]

"For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too."    II Corinth. 1:5

[Symphony]

How's it goin here, WH?  

[Psalm 119]

Dear Whitehorse,

You may want to read the book of 2 Timothy when you get a chance. Persecution for a Christian is a Bible promise. If you do not receive persecution, something may be lacking.

Also,sometimes the Lord will allow persecution to come, just to test us to see what's in our heart. And sometimes it's not real pretty what comes out.

Love those who persecute you, and stay close to Jesus!

Love,
Psalm 119

[Whitehorse]

Thanks to you both.
The situation has only grown worse, but I've turned the individual over to God for divine intervention. I keep doing the work, and know in my heart that God isn't going to put up with this forever. When He decides to take action, He'll set it straight once and for all. The thing that troubles me the most isn't the damage done to me, but that she's accountable to God for what she's done to a ministry God Himself established, for His glory. Very scary thought.

Symphony, thank you for your concern and for asking.
Psalm 119, that's good advice. I'll do as you suggest.

[nChrist]

Oklahoma Howdy to Whitehorse,

Brother, I'm sorry to hear that things are getting worse in this situation. The real shame is harm coming to the ministry. I know that I may be too direct at times, but I think it may be time to be more direct.

Example: Make an announcement that you are going to publish a newsletter in an effort to deal with rumors and false statements that are confusing some and causing conflicts in the congregation. Tell them to come directly to you if there is a question not covered in the newsletter. Pray about the matter directly in front of the group without mentioning names and ask God to establish peace and harmony for the entire congregation. Just an idea.

In Christ.

[Symphony]

Hmm, hi, bep.  Thank you.  That's an interesting idea.

One thing I've been trying to remind myself of--esp. in difficult circumstances--is to remember Paul's reminders to us of the authority we have in Jesus Christ(from Eph. and Coloss), above all heavenly places.  Then, I try to think of ways to express that positively--or, rather, not spitefully, or critically.  

I like the way Julie Andrews handles it in "The Sound of Music", when she finds the frog in her pocket that Frederick put there, and when she sits down to dinner in front of everyone but there's this big pine cone on the seat.  How she handles it there at the dinner table is always interesting to me.  Of course, that's all "theatre".

And, of course, in the thick of battle, the opposition can be forbidding, even overwhelming.  Try to look for the positive ways.  Sometimes they've been there all along.  (I've always imagined that that ram over in the thicket when Abraham raises the knife over Isaac, was there all along...).

Then too, sometimes you can't address things head on, but merely by gradually rearranging circumstances, sometimes others might "see" their possible trespass.

And then, much prayer--specifically, 'bout those specific individuals..

We really do have the authority of a heavenly magistrate, working for us--and for positive outcomes!

Lord help us, in Jesus' Name...

[Whitehorse]

Thank you both for your ideas and concern. The situation has definitely made me more tactical in my thinking, which before I had the luxury of not worrying about. I know Jesus said in the last days this would happen, but it's just not supposed to happen to me.  

[Symphony]

[nChrist]

Let's make it a dynamic duo and resolve the problem, once and for all!

[Symphony]

There we go, bep.  Nothing like good ole manly brute strength to the rescue!

[nChrist]

There we go, bep.  Nothing like good ole manly brute strength to the rescue!

Oklahoma Howdy to Symphony,

I forgot to mention, look behind you. You've got helicopters closing in on you. You may need to be rescued.  

[Whitehorse]

Ooooh-scary! Interesting change of events this week, tho'-looks like I finally get a rest. For now. You know I'll always have one eye open because this is, how shall we say, "unforgettable."

*singing* unforgettable, that how it is, unforgettable, that's how it'll stay...la la la la la...

[Symphony]

bep, wouldn't that be fun, swatting all those choppers outta the air?   Grrrrr.

Oh no.  She sings too.

WH, I remember that song.  What musical is it from?  Can't remember.