MARRIED TO A NON-CHRISTIAN!!!
Hi You all,
well after every high comes a low I guess! ![]()
I had slept hardly last night, since Cookie the cat had surgery (spayed), and she was like a drunk all night but just wouldnt sleep all through the night. She slept a bit and wanted to walk around, she wanted to be real close to me too, so I wasnt able to leave her downstairs in the livingroom where she usually is all by herself. I knew if I go upstairs to bed she would walk up and down, and thats what the doctors said she couldnt do.
So I made my bed on the couch and Cookie layed right beside me on my back. I couldnt turn, and she gave up so much heat. It was hard to sleep. One time I remember she layed right over my forehead. Anyways, I got up at about 5:30am and went to work at 9:00am. When I came home she greeted me at the door as usual. She seems to be much better tonight, but she still is groggy I would say. Understandebly though!
I told on this blog before that I am married to a “believer” that doesnt think he needs to read the Word or go to church, you know this kind. We hardly talk about God. The only time he talks about God with me, is around Easter and Christmas, thats when they show all those movies. He watches them, I guess that is his christianity!!!
But see I am totally involved with readings, small group, and sunday church. And one couple of my small group invited us to their house for saturday to dinner. Wel when I told him he said flat out I am not going. His excuse is, we dont spend enough time with each other. HAHA
Spending time with me means he watches basketball, football, baseball whatever there is some kind of ball flying on the TV screen. I am so disappointed about this, And I did have a hard time to call the couple and tell them we arent coming. Needless to say when he left for his job this evening it was a very cold “see you later” kinda thing!
See, my husband and I were married in 1992 in Ohio, then after cheating on me I left him in April of 1999 and moved to VA to be with mycousin since she is the only Family I have in the USA. We divorced in I believe 2001. I spoke with him maybe once a year on the phone, and on Thanksgiving of 2004 he came to VA to visit me, and well he came back for good on Christmas that year. Which at that time I havent been a christian. After I found my Savior in 2006, I told my then ex-husband we have to get married and he said ok lets get the marriage license and set it up. But he did not want to get married in a church or with a pastor.
To make a long story short, the morning when we supposed to get the License i prayed if God wants me to remarry him, then lets get married right there and than at that office. And we went there and everything went smooth. He was surprised when the clerk said well go this way to that and that room and meet with clerk so and so to get amrried. He said ” No we here to get the license and I said No we are here to get married!” I knew if I wait and try to talk him into getting married by my pastor and go through marriage counseling he would have never got married to me. But I wanted to make it right in front of God and just did it. Now I think about all the time if I did the right thing. Especially now since I get closer on my walk with the Lord and he doesnt want anything to do with Him.
What should I do? I have no idea. When I talk to my friend Jennifer( She is the Pastor’s wife) she says ” he is a hard nut to crack”, give him time”. But still it is eating me up. All the couples at church are their together , and I am married and my husband hasnt even seen the church from the inside. One time he went with me to an event at the Pastor’s house which was on Christmas eve, but already there he put a time limit on us. ![]()
I have to say however he is not cheating on me, and he never treated me bad before besides the cheating, which was bad enough.
So right now we are upset at each other about the same thing but from different points of view, know what I mean?
Anyways I vented and it usually helps me! ![]()
Any suggestions or prayers I can pray over that?
And please pray for us, and also that he will see the light before it is to late for him!
Thanks you all, till tomorrow
In Christ Andrea
HOLD FAST TO HOPE
“But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13
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We understand that faith is essential to life in Christ, being the grounds for salvation and the means to be able to accomplish anything truly spiritually meaningful in Christ. We know that love is important to Christianity, given that it is the mark of true disciples of Christ (John 13:34-35). But hope? What makes hope so great that it is listed as part of these three enduring qualities?
An interesting thing happens to those who set their hope entirely on the things of this world. They hold on to them so tightly, which makes sense, given that sin is enslaving. Thus, any who refuse to hope in Christ and His promises and who choose rather to hope for the selfish pleasures of this life don’t want to hear about Christ and salvation. They don’t want to give up the source of their “hope,” which is their sin. They need their sin to keep having something to live for. Proverbs 11:7 says, “When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish, and the hope of strong men perishes.” In other words, those who set their hope upon the things of this world will lose all hope when eternity comes. Their earthly “victories” of achieving selfish hope after vain expectation will be swallowed up in death and eternity in hell. The righteous, on the other hand, have hope that will endure, for to them, death is swallowed up in victory (1 Corinthians 15:54).
Yet sometimes Christians, too, get caught up with placing their hope in sources other than God. The most common mistake is probably hoping in the gracious gifts of God more than God Himself. Some become enslaved to chasing ministry success or the chance to do something great for God. There is nothing wrong with these things in and of themselves as long as God remains our hope above all. Sometimes Christians get so attached to their mate, and understandably so, such that when their mate passes away to be with the Lord, they virtually stop living and lose their hope. It is absolutely important that, though God gives us gracious gifts in this life, we never put our hope in the gifts at the expense of failing to put our hope in the Giver. In fact, 1 Peter 1:13 says, “Fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Peter reminds believers everywhere, particularly those who are in distress, to hope fully, totally, and entirely upon Christ and the fulfillment of His promised salvation to us. Even the best gifts that God can give us will not satisfy us like Christ can. Even the most intimate relationship on earth, marriage, is not as pure and wonderful as our relationship with Christ. Nothing we can gain, earn, or accomplish on this earth is to be compared with the riches that are in Christ. We do ourselves a great disservice when we begin placing our hope and our confidence in sources outside of God Himself and His promise to us of eternity with Him.
Hope is an essential foundation of Christianity, along with faith and love. Central to true Christianity is a hope in what is not yet seen (Romans 8:24), namely eternal life with Christ, and a refusal to put our hope in anything that the world says will bring us life. Because of his hope in the eternal, the Christian is focused on trying to maximize not his stay on earth but his future inheritance in heaven. How he lives on earth is dictated by a heavenly hope and confidence. This hope and focus on the life to come should be so evident to others that they ask him about the hope that he has (1 Peter 3:15). No one would marvel at a person who hopes for the next sitcom, paycheck, or promotion. What sets Christians apart is their preoccupation with, focus upon, and hope in heaven.
Our hope is not a passing hope, but it is certain. Hebrews 10:23 says, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” When we came to Christ we confessed our sins, our need for forgiveness, and the fact that Christ is indeed our Savior and Lord. Intricately connected to our confession of faith is a confession of hope. Salvation implies a concern for Christ and for the life to come. Thus, hope in our redemption and life in Christ is very much connected to saving faith and Christian love. Our focus and hope is not upon ourselves or this world but upon Christ and the life to come. This enduring hope to which we must hold fast is a defining mark of the believer. We have great hope because we know that God will keep His promise to us of eternal life.
In a world full of hopelessness and misled hopefulness, may we as believers stand firm in the only true hope of Christ and our inheritance in Him to such an extent that the world must inquire about the Source of our hope.
SHOUT TO THE LORD
Here I am again,
I could shout from the mountain top today. I am so elated and overcome with joy in the Lord! He truly gave me signs today. ![]()
My Pastor sent me a link to a website where you can order books. So I went there and I ordered a few books, as you all know I love to read about God, Grace, Faith, everything. And I might add I am not a good stewart when it comes to finances and books ![]()
Anyways, those books came today! And I took one book with me when I picked up my cat Cookie from the Vet office. I knew that I would be there way before I can pick her up, but I am a over punctual person so of course I was there a half hour prior for pick-up. So I started reading this book called “Grow In Grace” by Sinclair B. Ferguson. It is not a huge book the size of each page is about a postcard, so you see not a big thing, but about 139 pages. So, I come to page #4 or 5 I think and the Author talks about Jesus, and Mary , and our Father in Heaven. And I dont know I sat in my car in front of the Vet’s office sobbing. Sobbing I tell you! I had to put the book down and stop reading or the people in the Vet’s office would think I am losing my mind. ![]()
But this writer, he writes the book that you can actually feel how Mary must have felt, and Jesus. It talks about the growing up from his toddler years to an adult and the temptations and sufferings our Lord had to go through.
This was the first time in my life that I actually understood when people say, I weep for Jesus, when I think he got crucified. I felt it too. To me it felt like my mom or my brother or my late father when he died you know. Like family, and I never felt like that before in my life. Not about Jesus either, but today I did. And it overflooded me with emotion. I am an emotional person but today this was just to much. Sitting alone in a truck, other people around in their cars and trucks to pick up their pets, and I am in the midst sobbing (for them for no reason of course).
It is an emotional time for me this passed two days, last night I heard on the news here that a little boy age 3 had passed yesterday from a brain tumor. So I looked up their website, and left a comment of Sympathy there. Next thing you know I get an reply email but it is from the little boy, saying…thank you for praying for me, and I will get better soon. My daddy is sitting with me in the hospital room reading books to me and my mommy is there too. Signed Joshua.
And I knew that this was an email that comes automatically since their blog is on the web for a while so the parents dont have to respond to each and every email you know. But it touched me so much so that i sat here on the pc and cried for this family. It is heartbreaking news for a young family to go through something like that. But there goes the suffering in the end it should work out for the good, for His Glory. But you cant tell parents that when they just lost their little boy!
Same with the Family from my church, Katy is so ill, you all can read and post comments there too. She loves reading comments. Anyways, she is so young my sons age and she speaks in one of her posts called “Heavenly Encouragement ” about the time she saw Jesus and He took her with her and He showed her all the things in Heaven ( you got to go there and read it yourself now) http://katysblog.com , it also touched me and I was sitting crying on this computer screen. I read her blog daily and it is horible what some people have to go through at a young tender age, and of course their families.
Anyways I am rambling on here now ![]()
So people please pray for me that I keep my sanity, and that God will do great works through me. I want to lead people to the Lord as long as I can. Which, if I finally would stop smoking would be probably a long time.
I thank everyone for their loving and kind, encouraging comments, and it is my Hope that you keep commenting so I get encouraged to write more posts on here!
May the Prince of Peace be with you all
Love In Christ
Andrea
AFTER THE CONFESSION !
” Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” James 5:16
Well, I did it!
I let him read the post and then I confessed to him why I am so upset all the time and that I was wrong. We talked about our problems, I dont have the feeling that it changed anything in him, but it sure did for me. And perhaps we need some time here. He said he would like to print the post to show it to his ex-girlfriend, which I dont have a problem since it is a public blog she could pull it up on any computer. Who knows maybe we get some reconciliation through all this. ![]()
Otherways, I brought my cat to the Doctor today for spaying, I hope she is doing well. I’ll pick her up at 5pm so I got to leave at 4pm since it takes me about 30 minutes to get there and at that time is rush hour, so I cant be late. And that takes care of the nightly howling..lol..and the trying to get out the door when someone exits or enters. ![]()
And in all this I cleaned my house, baked a quick cake for my hubby, talked to my son, and answered emails, cooked dinner, and type here now. WOAH!
I am pretty busy for having the day off…lol
Now, I think I did my part everything else is up to God, let Him work now. I am glad I did though!
MY PERSONAL STORY ABOUT FORGIVENESS
“Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heaven’ly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.” Doxology #731
Good day you all,
today well actually this morning I looked at the post I placed yesterday evening about Forgiveness. It came to my attention that I havent forgiven someone real close to me.
I think I need to write about it, because as I always claim, I am for real. I am not one of those internet people who says they are slim, when they are fat. I am not one who says she is beautiful, when she is just about average. I dont need to lie in my life and neither on here. So here it goes.
My son did some things in his life I am very mad about. For instance, he has a child at age 22, my grandbaby was born december 30th, 2006. But he is not married, matter of fact they not even together for about the last half or more of her pregnancy. She is 37 years old, another reason I was mad at him. Supposedly now he visits at her house to see his baby, but I am not sure if thats the truth. I never seen my grandbaby except on pictures, because of the reason that they not together and I didnt want to be in the middle of their dilemma. Another reason is that even though I was promised to be called to the hospital by her or her family/friends, I never got a call until 4 days after birth and she was already back home. The reason for not calling me was and I quote ” My Family was here and it was all hectic ” Hmmmm, I think I live in Roanoke, VA about 20 minutes from the hospital, but her mom came all the way from NC. Yes it did upset me until last night, actually until now. I was going to tell you guys that I am about to apologize to my son for been mad with him at all times for a lot of things he is doing wrong, and that I forgive him for the severe heartache he gives me since he turned 18 years old. And now i realize there is someone else I need to forgive too! YEP I have too.
So here is the thing, I am mad at him for the things he does. And the Lord opened my eyes today and telling me this scripture. ” Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, Let me take the speck out of your eye, when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:3-5
To get back to my son, TODAY this morning I realized he just does what I used to do, perhaps I wasnt that severe as he is, but nothing was as bad in my days as it is now!
Yes I had my son also when I was 22, and yes I wasnt married, and yes I wasnt together with the biological dad shortly after I got pregnant! Yes I did many things wrong , almost the same things I am mad about now.
I tell you what, I wouldve NEVER realized that if I wasnt saved and the Holy Spirit abides in me. This is not only an eyeopener to me about Forgiveness, it is also an eyeopener about my doubts I had in an earlier post of mine, where I was so concerned about “Do I truly believe or is it just lipservice, am I really saved, is the Lord with me?” Remember my post? Well TODAY I can say, this is the Holy Spirit working through me, because if it wouldnt I would of never think about to apologize and forgive my son and his ex-girlfriend!!!
Oh my, I wonder how many more enlighting moments I will have???
So as soon as he gets up, I will have a talk with him about his and my life, and try to set things straight between us! We were drifting apart and my hope is that this perhaps will heal some wounds on both of us, perhaps all of us!?
Since I got saved i try to be so rightous and didnt even see my own faults and shortcomings. But praise be to God , who opens our eyes every now and then.
Even though I will have a bit of a hard time in a few minutes to have this conversation, I know my Father is with me, and the Holy Spirit will guide my words.
So I will close now, and await my son, and I will keep you all posted how it went!!!
We have an awesome, wonderful, amazing God,
PRAISE HIM AND GLORIFY HIM ALWAYS! ![]()
My Prayer for us all is;
Lord God, You tell us to forgive others in the sight of Christ in order that satan might not outwit us. Help us never to be unaware of his schemes (2Cor. 2:11) Please help us to see how much the enemy takes advantage of unforgiveness. We offer him a foothold any time we refuse to forgive.
SUFFERINGS… ” A GOOD THING ! “
Today I am giving you the choice between a blessing and a curse!
Deuteronomy 11:26
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Prosperity is a real curse. Christ says, ” What sorrows await you who are rich, for you have only your happiness now. What sorrows await you who are satisfied and prosperous now, for a time of awful hunger is before you. What sorrows await you who laugh carelessly, for your laughing will turn to mourning and sorrow. What sorrows await you who are praised by the crowds, for their ancestors also praised false prophets.” Luke 6:24-26
Suffering for good is not only a blessing but also a gift of God gives to special friends. The apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ’s sake. Paul wrote, ” Everyone who wants to live a godly live in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” 2Timothy 3:12 “It has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for Him” Philippians 1:29
You can see that it is God’s gift to suffer for His sake.
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of Glory and of God rests on you” 1 Peter 4:12-14
Christ is never strong in us until we are weak. As our strength diminishes, the strength of Christ grows in us. When we are entirely emptied of our own strength, then we are full of Christ’s strength. As much as we retain of our own we lack of Christ’s.
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I know from personal experience as do you that we all suffer at one time or another and in various ways. Not only do we suffer personally, but we suffer as we watch those whom we love endure pain. See the post I had about my Mom, and the link in my blogroll for my church friend KATY. Sometimes God intervenes and removes suffering miraculously and supernaturally. Yet many times, He does not. Of course, God has purposes in suffering, using it to build up our character, develop in us perseverance, and purify our hearts and motives as we learn that He is all that we ever needed and that He can be trusted even during the storm, whether He calms it or not.
Next time you suffer, do it first of all for God’s glory, rejoice in it!Finally, be mindful that Christ is suffering with you as He leads you through the trials that He has ordained for you in His overarching beautiful, wonderful, and perfect plan for your life. Lean onto Him like you never have before so that you can find a rest and peace that you may have never known up to this point. He will carry you through. When you suffer, don’t turn from Him, run to Him. He will lead you home.
FORGIVENESS…THE ULTIMATE WEIGHT LOSS
Jesus said to Peter again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, ” Thend My sheep.” John 21:16
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It has been said that there are two proven ways never to experience disappointment in another person: The first way is to get close to no one. As long as you remain isolated and alone, you’ll never be disappointed by another person. But if you do succumb to the temptation to have a friend, the second way to avoid disappointment is to expect nothing. If you have no expectations, you’ll never be disappointed.
Unfortunately, those are both very bad ideas. There is a third approach, to handling disappointment that allows you to have friends and expectations. With this approach you’ll be disappointed, but you’ll be able to handle it.
The third way is Jesus way: Practice Forgiveness. Jesus had a close friend named Peter who, on the night Jesus was arrested, denied he was one of Jesus followers or that he even knew the Man. That had to hurt Jesus. But because He was committed to forgiveness, it didnt end their relationship.
When (not if) a friend disappoints you, remember Jesus approach on the road to Calvary: Friends forgive friends who fail!
The symbol of the religion of Jesus is the Cross, not the Scales.
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I know very many times I have been disappointed by friends and even relatives, and it is very hard to forgive, at times a lot of times I did not! Only now since I found Christ I am able to forgive, which is many, many years later, He opened my eyes to my unforgiveness.
He brought it to my attention even that one boyfriend who had enough of me and wanted me to leave his house after years of living together( He found someone new). He send me out after I came home from a second shift job around 12am, he sent me out of his home at 7am with no clothes only the ones I had on me, no money and nowhere to go. It took a few months and an attorney to retrieve my belongings. Yes my Father in Heaven told me that I had to forgive this man for what he had done to me. And I did! It wasnt easy, but I did!
And I know if you out there have someone your angry at or disappointed at, dont waste time, forgive from your heart!
This is a huge weight loss when you conquer Unforgiveness. Dont let the Devil have this stronghold on you any longer!
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“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37
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My Prayer is; Christ Jesus, when we want so badly to judge, condemn, or refuse forgiveness to another person, we can hear your Word speak to our hearts saying, “If you are without sin, be the first to throw a stone at them.” We are not without sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
In Jesus Name
LET OUR LIGHT SHINE BRIGHTLY
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day
Proverbs 4:18
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A young woman worked at a factory which was about ten blocks from where she lived. She could walk to work, but to do so she had to cross a railroad bridge which was treacherous going when the sun began to set.During the winter months it was doubly dangerous due to slippery conditions as well as darkness. The woman would have avoided the crossing altogether had it not been for the crossing guard. Each evening as the woman approached the crossing, the guard waved a lantern to signal that he awaited. Using the powerful light, he would lead the woman by the hand across the bridge. Throughout her life the woman never forgot the kindness and help of the older crossing guard.
The lives of those people who are touched by the love of Christ are like guiding lights to others who have yet to find Christ in their lives. They can provide guidance and help, and they shine forth as bright examples of how good life can be.
God’s light can shine through us if we will only let it. We have the opportunity to show others the difference that Christ can make. When we live life empowered by the light of God, we live as He wishes we would.
Let it be our prayer that the Father makes us a light for the world. Let us shine forth with His goodness, care and love. Let all who look to us see the Father’s Grace. Help us to magnify the saving light of Christ which you have lovingly given us.
I DOUBTED MYSELF TODAY………
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1
Good evening everyone,
I just got of the phone with my Pastor. I had such a heavy heart. As you know I am new believer for the past year, and it seems I have so many ups and downs, it makes me lose my sanity at times. Especially this past week I doubted myself about loving Christ. ![]()
On one occassion I was on a atheist blog and placed a comment, and well to make long story short, it wasnt a good experience. It even more made me feel like I am not truly a Believer. It is easy to say I believe in Jesus, I believe that he died for our sins , was crucified and rose three days later. It is easy to read the Bible and go to church and the whole nine yard. ![]()
But I was questioning myself do I do “lipservice” or am I for real????? ![]()
I struggled with this for about a week or so. And one of the Bloggers on here encouraged me in a way, but still the doubt would not leave me, and at home I have no Believers in my house to talk to. ![]()
So tonight I listened to an old crusade from Billy Graham and somehow it stirred it even up some more in my heart. I went into prayer and asked the Lord to help me. Well, after that prayer I opened my Bible and it opened at Luke 5:8 and I began to read about ” Acknowledge Christ before Man”, and that brought me to a point in that little passage that I had to call my Pastor to answer one question. Since I am german I do struggle with some writings in the Bible and sometimes not even the german translation helpes me. So I asked him about my question, and he answered it for me in a practical way for me to understand. ![]()
Anyways, thats when I told him how I am feeling lately about my belief and that I am not certain if I am truly a believer or what. And he answered me and said, that this is the Devil attacking me and trying to bring doubt into my mind. That my mind is a battlefield, the only way that the devil can get a hold of me. ![]()
How right he is!!! It helped me really a lot when we spoke on the phone. ![]()
He suggested to me to read, Romans 5, when that doubt crawls up inside of my mind. ![]()
It felt so good to hear him say, that I am a Believer and that I should never doubt that. That he has seen me grow in this past year.
I am so happy to hear that, and I want to share this with you all, since I put up posts and you read them and comment, I think I had to post this too, so you all can see that I am for real. ![]()
So you see that I have strong struggles within myself, but that I love my Lord and Savior and that I am not a fake! ![]()
I appreciate all your comments on this perticular post very much too!
THE GARDENS OF THE LORD
“When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which He entered, and His disciples” John 18:1
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As Jesus, after the last supper with His disciples, walked out with them, they soon crossed over a small brook and entered the little garden called Gethsemane. Eventually He left the disciples and went farther into the garden alone for a time of solitary prayer.
Perhaps He remembered how, long ago, He had walked in His first garden with Adam and Eve in beautiful fellowship. But then they had rebelled against His Word, and had to be expelled from the Garden of Eden, leaving Him alone there also.
As He prayed in Gethsemane, He knew that it would be only a few hours before He would be buried in still another garden, one “wherein was never man yet laid” John 19:41. He would be carried to a new tomb prepared in a newly planted garden by the loving hands of Joseph and Nicodemus, but then He would be alone once again.
He had walked alone in the first garden, seeking His own; then had knelt alone in the second garden, praying for His own; and finally, was buried alone in the third garden, after dying for His own.
But because He came “to seek and to save that which is lost” Luke 19:10, and because He now “ever liveth to make intercession for them” Hebrews 7:25, after paying the awful price of “redemption through His blood” Ephesians 1:7, all those who believe and trust Him will spend eternity in fellowship with Him in a beautiful garden city. Here flows “a pure river of water of life” surrounded on both sides by “the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month” Revelation 22:1-2, and all will be “very good” forever.
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This is so amazing, I just cant get enough of Him!

















