TRUE BELIEVERS - Religious beliefs, verses, poems and prayers...

[Kent]

I need your prayers now.. I just found out today about 5:30 p.m. that my Mom died on the 17th of this month. I feel so raw. I cannot describe to you how I feel. We have not spoken to each other in 4 years and to find this out today via google was well, it was beyond what words can convey. Please include me and my family in your prayers. Thank you all.

[meridiantoo]

Originally Posted by Kent

I need your prayers now.. I just found out today about 5:30 p.m. that my Mom died on the 17th of this month. I feel so raw. I cannot describe to you how I feel. We have not spoken to each other in 4 years and to find this out today via google was well, it was beyond what words can convey. Please include me and my family in your prayers. Thank you all.

Kent,

You are in my thoughts, my condolences to you.

[Jesse]

Kent,

Sending healing light and prayers to you this day. My condolences on your loss bro.

Jesse

[Ginger]

Kent, I'm very, very sorry for your loss. Scout

[LOQUI]

Hello Kent,
I was following the True Believers thread and I read your post...Im sorry for your lost and the way in which you found about it. You and your family are in my prayers. May the peace of God 'which passes all understanding keep your heart and mind'...may the Holy Spirit comfort and strengthen you in your inner being...
Paz...

[justanolecowboy]

I pray everyday - some more than others - but everyday ... time spent with God in prayer - conversation is one of the best parts of my day...and I've been praying about and reading about responsibility to the one you love ... how some men (as i see them act and talk at work) - are so haphazard in how they conduct themselves and are seem to be (in my opinion) - lazy in their actions and words and responsibilities to their wives and/or girlfriends...and it makes me even more conscious of how I want to treat the one I love - how we as men of faith - should be responsible and honorable in our thoughts and actions and deeds for the women we love ... (no exceptions) ... and I think that "loving them" through God is one of the best ways to be responsible ... to show them that love - that strength you have for them through God...

So, many think of the word responsibility as a (bad thing or a have too) kinda thing - me - I (want) to be responsible.. to and for the one i love - it is one of the greatest honors and privileges i have ever know - and I thank God for that every day - and ask for His guidance...

Being responsible - (for me) - a good thing ...

I read a lot - biographies/published journals/etc...I was re-reading some letters from Ronald Regan and thought I would post it ... its from him to his son regarding marriage and responsibility...


Dear Mike:

“…You've heard all the jokes that have been rousted around by all the "unhappy marrieds" and cynics. Now, in case no one has suggested it, there is another viewpoint. You have entered into the most meaningful relationship there is in all human life. It can be whatever you decide to make it.

Some men feel their masculinity can only be proven if they play out in their own life all the locker-room stories, smugly confident that what a wife doesn't know won't hurt her. The truth is, somehow, way down inside, without her ever finding lipstick on the collar or catching a man in the flimsy excuse of where he was till three A.M., a wife does know, and with that knowing, some of the magic of this relationship disappears. There are more men griping about marriage who kicked the whole thing away themselves than there can ever be wives deserving of blame. There is an old law of physics that you can only get out of a thing as much as you put in it.... let me tell you how really great is the challenge of proving your masculinity and charm with one woman for the rest of your life. Any man can find a twerp here and there who will go along with cheating, and it doesn't take all that much manhood. It does take quite a man to remain attractive and to be loved by a woman who has heard him snore, seen him unshaven, tended him while he was sick and washed his dirty underwear. Do that and keep her still feeling a warm glow and you will know some very beautiful music. If you truly love a girl, you shouldn't ever want her to feel, when she sees you greet a secretary or a girl you both know, that humiliation of wondering if she was someone who caused you to be late coming home, nor should you want any other woman to be able to meet your wife and know she was smiling behind her eyes as she looked at her, the woman you love, remembering this was the woman you rejected even momentarily for her favors…..there is no greater happiness for a man than approaching a door at the end of a day knowing someone on the other side of that door is waiting for the sound of his footsteps.

Love,

Dad

P.S. You'll never get in trouble if you say "I love you" at least once a day.

_____I don't know about anyone else - and I only speak for myself - but, for me...I (always) ... (always) want (she who holds my heart) to be happy and waiting for the sound of my footsteps on the other side of the door - because she knows in her heart - that I am true - and faithful and honor and cherish her in every way possible - not just (sometimes) - but every single day.

[Kent]

Thank you all for your kind words and prayers. I am blessed to be a part of this community and I appreciate every kind word and prayer. I must continue to be close to God and to keep believing that He has a master plan for me.


February 28

STOP JUDGING AND EVALUATING YOURSELF, for this is not your role. Above all, stop comparing yourself with other people. This produces feelings of pride or inferiority; sometimes, a mixture of both. I lead each of My children along a path that is uniquely tailor-made for him or her. Comparing is not only wrong; it is also meaningless.

Don't look for affirmation in the wrong places: your own evaluations, or those of other people. The only source of real affirmation is My unconditional Love. Many believers perceive Me as an unpleasable Judge, angrily searching out their faults and failures. Nothing could be farther from the truth! I died for your sins, so that I might clothe you in My garments of salvation. This is how I see you: radiant in My robe of righteousness. When I discipline you, it is never in anger or disgust; it is to prepare you for face-to-Face fellowship with Me throughout all eternity. Immerse yourself in My loving Presence. Be receptive to My affirmation, which flows continually from the throne of grace.

LUKE 6:37; JOHN 3:16-17; ISAIAH 61:10 (NASB); PROVERBS 3:11-12

[justanolecowboy]

[QUOTE=Kent;758989]Thank you all for your kind words and prayers. I am blessed to be a part of this community and I appreciate every kind word and prayer. I must continue to be close to God and to keep believing that He has a master plan for me.


Kent - you continue to be in all our prayers and thoughts.

[Talon]

God is greater than our knowledge of Him.


The Father does not want us to worship or serve something so small
that a human, finite mind could envision it.
He is greater than our vision of Him.
Knowledge is important, but it is merely symbolic.
It is only a reflection of reality, never the substance.
Our thoughts are helpful, but they are not comprehensive.
Even of the Bible itself Jesus said..

"You search the scriptures, because, you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is these that bear witness of Me;
and you are unwilling to come to *ME* to have life."

John: 5:39-40

[justanolecowboy]

“Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want. It is the belief that God will do what is right.”
― Max Lucado, He Still Moves Stones


“The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.”
― Søren Kierkegaard

________I have found this to be so true ... simply put - prayer makes you a better person - time spent with God - talking to Him - about (everything) - because I have found - he cares just as much about what you might call the "little" things as he does the "big" things...time spent with God - transforms you - daily - makes you (better) for you - and for all those you care about.

[justanolecowboy]

Charles Swindoll - one of my favorite authors - has a series of these books ...I am currently re-reading David - a 'man after God's own heart' - I read them all when I was (ahem- younger) - now that I have grown in (years) ... and (maturity) and I have a different perspective .... so am reading again .... GOOD reads....

[justanolecowboy]

If a man should live many years,
let him rejoice in them all.
Ecclesiastes 11:8

Happiness is for today. Joy is available now. We are not to put it on hold.

Happiness isn't something that will secretly open up to us when we turn fifty-five or when we reach some goal or find the right marriage partner. Happiness is for now. It is inseparably linked to the living Lord.

A typical question is: "What is the chief end of man?"

The answer to that question is familiar to many: "The chief end of man is to love God and enjoy Him forever." Not just serve Him, not just obey Him, not just sacrifice to Him, not simply commit ourselves to Him, but enjoy Him—"laugh through life with Him." Smile in His presence. So much more is included in enjoying Him forever than most would ever believe.

Happiness is to pervade all the years of our life.

We don't have to wait until we reach some magical age when we are allowed to crack open the door and slip silently into the realm of happiness. It's there for us to enjoy throughout our days.

[justanolecowboy]

I believe the single most significant decision I can make on a day-to-day basis is my choice of attitude.

It is more important than my past, my education, my bankroll, my successes or failures, fame or pain, what other people think of me or say about me, my circumstances, or my position.

Attitude . . . keeps me going or cripples my progress. It alone fuels my fire or assaults my hope.

When my attitudes are right, there's no barrier too high, no valley too deep, no dream too extreme, no challenge too great for me.

Yet, we must admit that we spend more of our time concentrating and fretting over the things that can't be changed in life than we do giving attention to the one thing that can, our choice of attitude.

[justanolecowboy]

God has seen what you have been through, every tear you’ve shed. He knows the disappointment, the heartache you feel, and this is not the end. It’s a new beginning.

[justanolecowboy]

Know that the LORD has
set apart the godly man for Himself;
the LORD hears when I call to Him.
Psalm 4:3

Where are you today on your own journey?

Are you discounting the significance of your days? Are you sighing rather than singing? Are you wondering what good can come from all that you have to live with?

We tend to think that if God is really engaged, He will change things within the next hour or so. Certainly by sundown. Absolutely by the end of the week. But God is not a slave to the human clock. Compared to the works of mankind, He is extremely deliberate and painfully slow.

As religious poet George Herbert wisely penned, "God's mill grinds slow, but sure."

God's hand is not so short that it cannot save, nor is His ear so heavy that He cannot hear. Whether you see Him or not, He is at work in your life this very moment. God specializes in turning the mundane into the meaningful.

[Kent]

March 8


SAVE YOUR BEST STRIVING FOR SEEKIN MY FACE. I am constantly communicating with you. To find Me and hear My voice, you must seek Me above all else. Anything that you desire more than Me becomes an idol. When you are determined to get your own way, you blot Me out of your consciousness. Instead of single-mindedly pursuing some goal, talk with Me about it. Let the Light of My Presence shine on this pursuit, so that you can see it from My perspective. If the goal fits into My plans for you, I will help you reach it. If it is contrary to My will for you, I will gradually change the desire of your heart. Seek Me first and foremost; then the rest of your life will fall into place, piece by piece.

1 CHRONICLES 16:11; MATTHEW 6:33

[justanolecowboy]

Being a godly man has never been more challenging—or more necessary—than it is today. Immersed in stereotypes that paint men as either weak-kneed wimps or muscle-bound brutes, the biblical view of Christlike manhood has not fared well. And we Christian men who try to base our lives on biblical principles often meet tough resistance – in this age of political correctness – attaching masculinity to manhood isn’t always popular – learning to be tender – while having a tough hide (so to speak).


I’m talking about men who are discerning, decisive, strong hearted, who know where they are going and are confident enough in themselves (and their God) to get them there. Men who aren’t afraid to take the lead, to stand tall, firm in their principles, even when the going gets rough.


Such qualities not only inspire the respect of women, they also engender healthy admiration among younger men and boys who hunger for heroes. We need clear-thinking, hard-working, straight-talking men who, while tender, thoughtful, and loving, don’t feel the need to ask permission for taking charge.


Over the last three decades we have seen a major assault on masculinity.



On the heels of a bloody Civil War, Josiah Holland wrote a passionate prayer on behalf of our country. It begins, "God, give us men. . . ." But the truth is, God doesn’t give a nation men; He gives us boys. Baby boys, adolescent boys, impressionable boys, who need to know what becoming a man is all about. God’s plan is still as He designed it at creation. And it starts in the home – and it starts with (men) who aren’t afraid to be (men) of God and principal…men who aren’t afraid to pray and stand up for what they believe – no matter the resistance or ridicule.


I pray everyday – to become (better) – in every way … for myself – for the woman I love – for my family – for all those around me – and even those I don’t know...do I fall short – absolutely – but God is gracious – he never expected or expects us to be perfect – but only to strive to be all that we can be within His love and guidance – for all those we love and care about….there is no greater way to honor them – the ones you love – than to be a man of integrity – a man of prayer – yes, indeed a man of God.

[thedivahrrrself]

Proverbs 5:19

A loving doe, a graceful deer—
may her breasts satisfy you always,
may you ever be intoxicated with her love.

[justanolecowboy]

Let us hold fast the confession
of our hope without wavering,
for He who promised is faithful.


Hebrews 10:23

Hope is a wonderful gift from God, a source of strength and courage in the face of life's harshest trials.

When we are trapped in a tunnel of misery, hope points to the light at the end.

When we are overworked and exhausted, hope gives us fresh energy.

When we are discouraged, hope lifts our spirits.

When we are tempted to quit, hope keeps us going.

When we struggle with a crippling disease or a lingering illness, hope helps us persevere beyond the pain.

When we fear the worst, hope brings reminders that God is still in control.

When we are forced to sit back and wait, hope gives us the patience to trust.

Put simply, when life hurts and dreams fade, nothing helps like hope.

[Katniss]

**I realize this is a bit long, but the message seems worth the posting. Also, I realize this is in the Trans Zone but Kent said it was ok for others to post and I am thankful for that opportunity.**


This is about seven Trappist monks living at Tibhirine, a remote monastery in the Atlas Mountains of Algeria, who were kidnapped and murdered in 1996.
Below is the text of a letter written by the abbot shortly before the kidnapping.


Testament of Dom Christian de Chergé

(opened on Pentecost Sunday, May 26, 1996)

Facing a GOODBYE....

If it should happen one day - and it could be today -
that I become a victim of the terrorism which now seems ready to engulf
all the foreigners living in Algeria,
I would like my community, my Church and my family
to remember that my life was GIVEN to God and to this country.
I ask them to accept the fact that the One Master of all life
was not a stranger to this brutal departure.
I would ask them to pray for me:
for how could I be found worthy of such an offering?
I ask them to associate this death with so many other equally violent ones
which are forgotten through indifference or anonymity.
My life has no more value than any other.
Nor any less value.
In any case, it has not the innocence of childhood.
I have lived long enough to know that I am an accomplice in the evil
which seems to prevail so terribly in the world,
even in the evil which might blindly strike me down.
I should like, when the time comes, to have a moment of spiritual clarity
which would allow me to beg forgiveness of God
and of my fellow human beings,
and at the same time forgive with all my heart the one who would strike me down.
I could not desire such a death.
It seems to me important to state this.
I do not see, in fact, how I could rejoice
if the people I love were indiscriminately accused of my murder.
It would be too high a price to pay
for what will perhaps be called, the "grace of martyrdom"
to owe it to an Algerian, whoever he might be,
especially if he says he is acting in fidelity to what he believes to be Islam.
I am aware of the scorn which can be heaped on the Algerians indiscriminately.
I am also aware of the caricatures of Islam which a certain Islamism fosters.
It is too easy to soothe one's conscience
by identifying this religious way with the fundamentalist ideology of its extremists.
For me, Algeria and Islam are something different: it is a body and a soul.
I have proclaimed this often enough, I think, in the light of what I have received from it.
I so often find there that true strand of the Gospel
which I learned at my mother's knee, my very first Church,
precisely in Algeria, and already inspired with respect for Muslim believers.
Obviously, my death will appear to confirm
those who hastily judged me naïve or idealistic:
"Let him tell us now what he thinks of his ideals!"
But these persons should know that finally my most avid curiosity will be set free.
This is what I shall be able to do, God willing:
immerse my gaze in that of the Father
to contemplate with him His children of Islam
just as He sees them, all shining with the glory of Christ,
the fruit of His Passion, filled with the Gift of the Spirit
whose secret joy will always be to establish communion
and restore the likeness, playing with the differences.
For this life lost, totally mine and totally theirs,
I thank God, who seems to have willed it entirely
for the sake of that JOY in everything and in spite of everything.
In this THANK YOU, which is said for everything in my life from now on,
I certainly include you, friends of yesterday and today,
and you, my friends of this place,
along with my mother and father, my sisters and brothers and their families,
You are the hundredfold granted as was promised!
And also you, my last-minute friend, who will not have known what you were doing:
Yes, I want this THANK YOU and this GOODBYE to be a "GOD-BLESS" for you, too,
because in God's face I see yours.
May we meet again as happy thieves in Paradise, if it please God, the Father of us both.
AMEN ! INCHALLAH !

Algiers, 1st December 1993


Katniss~~