Featured Depression and Suicide

As He ever spoke to you in an audible voice?

 

No, I'm not. I simply believe in the power and reality of God. Actually, I have some more straightforward examples. I'll post them tomorrow.. Ever read the Christian fictional book "Rooms?" It's about this very topic.

 

See my post #77.

 

The picture I show as my icon is my 2nd golden retriever, Jessie. I named her after my Dad's mother who I never met because she died 2 months after I was born. Sadly, Jessie died in Feb. of 2016. That hit me hard just as did the death of my first golden. I started thinking about getting another golden (of course!) in Jan or Feb of 2017. I decided this would be another female like the first two. I came up with a name first. I decided I would name her Ellie. My mother's middle name was Eleanor and my grandfather was a big fan of FDR so I'm certain her middle name came from Eleanor Roosevelt. The other thought was Miss Ellie, Andy Griffith's girl friend who worked in the Mayberry Drug store on the Andy Griffith show. I've always loved that show (both the first time in black and white and the reruns).

I was living in NJ at the time I got Jessie and I got her from a breeder in Buffalo, NY. Jessie lived to be 14 1/2 which is great for a large dog so I contacted her first about getting another golden from her. We had a deal but it didn't work out. I had also looked at breeders in GA but hadn't found a dog. I broadened my search to KY, TENN, NC, FLA and ALA. I'm a golden retriever fanatic and was looking for just the right dog. The newer English Creme variety is very popular but I don't like those as much.

Finally, I got in touch with a breeder in NC with a good match. I chose to but Ellie. Where was the breeder? About 30 miles outside Mayberry which is actually Mt. Airy, NC. I had named my new dog 3 months earlier partially because of the connection to Mayberry and then I found her near Mayberry. This may sound trivial but I believe that God was telling me "I've found you a new companion. Why didn't you look in the obvious place first!" I believe that God tells us things in His "still, small voice" but we only receive His messages if we believe fully in Him and listen. Be still and know that I am God.

I have other examples.

 

That's a surprisingly shallow statement for an evangelist to make. My point is it's comforting to know that the God who created the universe will direct my paths on even small things (although dog lovers understand "A Dog's Purpose"). The name of the female police dog in that movie was Ellie. She was killed in police action agaionst a murderer.

But this communication tells me far more than that. It's best expressed in this great old hymn:

 

Just got a sample for my kindle from Amazon, read that, ordered the book. So far am loving it!!

 

All Christians believe in the power of God, but the Charismatic way goes beyond the scriptures!

 

Why do you mention this? Are you a charismatic?

 

It's a very interesting book. I think it's better than "The Shack." I had some theological issues with "The Shack" and my brother got kicked off their web site for quoting too much scripture.

 

No, but was once a teaching Elder in the AOG, so just wanted to make sure that you were not deciding to be one!

 

Actually, these days I'd prefer to just be called a Christian but I do belong to a Baptist church. I think the things which divide most denominations are much less important than the one thing that unites us.