WHO told you that you were naked?

Kim, I hope you have a good few days

love
Helen

 

Dear Kim,

I'm hoping too that you have some good days with your family this weekend. I'm praying for K - I know firsthand the trauma of making a big move away from home. I thought I was having a nervous breakdown when we moved from NY to PA 16 years ago. It took a full 4 years until the pain subsided. My mom never did forgive me for following my husband to PA with our 3 kids - her only grandchildren. She died this past April with that unforgiveness in her heart still. So sad.....I'm still so sad about it. And my brother has never visited me here in PA – never forgave me for moving either. But the love of Christ sustained me. I comfort myself with the fact that one day we be united in love – God’s love will bring it to pass. He is so good.

Give Elmo a big hug and kiss from me – she must be so ecstatic that Granddad is visiting. I see how much our little grandson loves my husband – that makes me very happy.

Love you, Di

 

Originally posted by GH:

I know firsthand the trauma of making a big move away from home. I thought I was having a nervous breakdown when we moved from NY to PA 16 years ago. It took a full 4 years until the pain subsided. My mom never did forgive me for following my husband to PA with our 3 kids - her only grandchildren. She died this past April with that unforgiveness in her heart still. So sad.....I'm still so sad about it. And my brother has never visited me here in PA – never forgave me for moving either. But the love of Christ sustained me. I comfort myself with the fact that one day we be united in love – God’s love will bring it to pass. He is so good.

Di, I know people can be really cruel to one another. It must break God's heart (I think).

I hope that you and Kim will find that there are kind, compassionate Christians who reflect the love of Christ as well as people with 'alternate beliefs' such as Ken.

And I don't say that to say anything against him or to try to dissuade you from contact with him; that's your choice, obviously.

But I sense that perhaps you have been hurt by Christians (me too) and maybe you have found more love outside the traditional Christian community than inside it. I hope you won't give up on it, though. I believe there are many kind compassionate Christians and some of them post here on this site. I hope you find that to be true, even without Ken

love
AITB (other Helen)

 

Dear Sister AITB (other Helen),

Thank you so much for your kind words of encouragement. My heart leaped with affection as I read them – as it always responds to kindness and love spoken in a gentle way.

I’ve actually had very good experiences with my b’s and s’s in Christ. Beginning first, of course, with a dramatic conversion to the love of Christ as I saw Him crucified for me in a flash, in a twinkling of an eye at a ladies coffee bible study. And my being was flooded with the most awesome Love imaginable. HIS love for ME. Accepting me as just as I am. I have never been the same since. It began a most remarkable journey indeed. But one that doesn’t make one immune from the pains of life.

Because of this I guess I’ll never give up on people. I love them – all of them. And this only possible because of His mercy on me.

At this stage in my journey I am not under anyone’s authority – except The Authority. As I find that most preach law instead of grace, but a few do preach grace and for this I thank God. I consider Ken my brother in Christ but not my authority and do not hang on his every word except the ones that blare out at me concerning the love of God through Jesus Christ. In fact, I have had no personal contact with him for about 18 months or so until Kim invited me to check out this board. Though I probably will email him today because of his being banned from the board, an unpleasant thing even for a strong believer.

I wanted to give you a little background about me in the hope that some will come to know the all sufficient love of Christ. How will they know if they do not hear? Thank you for listening, Helen, and I thank the board administrators for giving me that opportunity as well.

Peace and blessing of Christ to you and all,

Di

 

Originally posted by GH:
Dear Sister AITB (other Helen),

Thank you so much for your kind words of encouragement. My heart leaped with affection as I read them – as it always responds to kindness and love spoken in a gentle way.

Thanks

To God be the glory...

I’ve actually had very good experiences with my b’s and s’s in Christ. Beginning first, of course, with a dramatic conversion to the love of Christ as I saw Him crucified for me in a flash, in a twinkling of an eye at a ladies coffee bible study. And my being was flooded with the most awesome Love imaginable. HIS love for ME. Accepting me as just as I am. I have never been the same since. It began a most remarkable journey indeed. But one that doesn’t make one immune from the pains of life.

I understand; I'm glad you've had good experiences with other Christians.

Because of this I guess I’ll never give up on people. I love them – all of them. And this only possible because of His mercy on me.

Again, I understand.

At this stage in my journey I am not under anyone’s authority – except The Authority. As I find that most preach law instead of grace, but a few do preach grace and for this I thank God. I consider Ken my brother in Christ but not my authority and do not hang on his every word except the ones that blare out at me concerning the love of God through Jesus Christ. In fact, I have had no personal contact with him for about 18 months or so until Kim invited me to check out this board. Though I probably will email him today because of his being banned from the board, an unpleasant thing even for a strong believer.

I have been banned off Christian boards (mostly for reasons related to me being mentally ill) and it was very hard, so I understand that too.

I wanted to give you a little background about me in the hope that some will come to know the all sufficient love of Christ. How will they know if they do not hear? Thank you for listening, Helen, and I thank the board administrators for giving me that opportunity as well.

I try to listen. I hate it when people don't listen to me so...I try not to be that way to others.

Peace and blessing of Christ to you and all,

To you too!

love
Helen

[ July 12, 2002, 02:24 PM: Message edited by: AITB ]

 

Dear Helen,

Thanks again for your kind reply.

I've never been banned from a board, I can only imagine the deep rejection that is felt by a sensitive person - much like a slap in the face - now that feeling I can relate to as I have been rejected by my mom and brother. I'm so glad for you that by His grace and glory you can keep on keeping on.

In Him, Di

 

Hi Di

There were things that happened to me in real life too.

But anyway, there is one key, as far as I'm concerned and it's forgiveness.

Jesus' words on the cross have been very helpful, when he said "Father forgive them because they don't know what they are doing"

I try to remember that people who hurt me didn't do it deliberately. When I was banned off boards it was to protect the boards. And anything else that happened was to protect people against me

But, they didn't know what they were doing in the sense that they had their focus on something that wasn't me. It wasn't as if anyone "had it in for me".

So I try to remember that.

But I still get angry sometimes. It's especially not easy that there might never be 'closure' on some of the situations. I just have to accept that and let go and move on according to God's leading.

love
Helen

 

Dear Helen,

You wrote:

There were things that happened to me in real life too.

Di writes:

I know that this is all too common among believers who lean toward a personal relationship with God rather than following an organization or rules and regulations. And when I said above that my experiences were good it’s because of what you said below - Jesus' words on the cross have been very helpful, when he said "Father forgive them because they don't know what they are doing" - and because love thinketh no evil – which is the Divine perspective.

You wrote:

So I try to remember that.

Di writes: It’s the only thing we can do, sis.

As Jesus said:

And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. ~ from Matthew Ch. 5

And:

As Paul said:

Then put on the garments that suit God’s chosen people, his own beloved: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience. Be forbearing with one another, and forgiving, where any of you has cause for complaint: you must forgive as the Lord forgave you. To crown all, there must be love, to bind all together and complete the whole. Colossians 3

It’s the royal law of love as Paul said. It seems to be the brokenhearted that see this though.

You said:

But I still get angry sometimes. It's especially not easy that there might never be 'closure' on some of the situations. I just have to accept that and let go and move on according to God's leading.

Di writes: Amen!

Here’s a quote for you that helps me to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus whenever something “bad” happens I remember this (among many, many other quotes and scripture verses):

"But truth, to the eternal praise and glory of God, will eternally say, that His love is as universal and unchangeable as His Being, that His mercy over all His works can no more cease, than His omnipotence can begin to grow weak. God's mark of a universal salvation set upon all mankind, was first given in these words, "The seed of the woman shall bruise the head of the serpent"; therefore wherever the serpent is, there his head is to be bruised...." Wm. Law

Di writes:

God triumphs and leads us in triumphal procession.

May His peace descend on you in ever widening ripples of love, Di (I stay awake nights just thinking up these things closings lol)

[ July 12, 2002, 05:04 PM: Message edited by: GH ]

 

Di, you could do worse with your night times!

Thanks for your other comments and the quote.

I like C.S. Lewis's "Onward and upward!" (from The Last Battle) and also, Paul's "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Phil 3:13-14

love
Helen-AITB