Do you think God does everything in our lives to teach us a lesson? I wanna know what you guys think out there cause I am thinking God does stuff cause he has a reason for it.

7/12/2007 1:48:44 PM by Paul Tillsonburg, Member of Delve into Jesus since 7/12/2007

Hey, Paul. I believe that God very rarely interferes or gets involved in day-to-day stuff unless He is answering prayer, and even then it is rare. I do not think everything is a lesson. I think God really values our freedom, and so he just lets this world go about it's business, for the most part. This does not mean he does not love us - on the contrary, he loves us enough to give us freedom unless we seek him. I hope this helps.

7/15/2007 2:20:29 PM by tom, Member of Delve into Jesus since 4/26/2007

I tend to think everything has a reason and that God does teach us lessons on things to help us grow and learn.

7/23/2007 10:11:36 AM by Alwin27, Member of Delve into Jesus since 7/23/2007

I agree with Alwin27. God does do everything for a reason or at least allows it all for a greater purpose.

7/23/2007 10:57:04 AM by Sweetwaterlife, Member of Delve into Jesus since 7/23/2007

God does nothing without purpose. He made the earth for His children. He made eve out of and for Adam. And he made hell for Satan and all of the fallen angels that followed him. We just have to make a choice whether to follow God(good), or follow satan(bad).

8/1/2007 11:14:41 PM by SaulPaul, Member of Delve into Jesus since 8/1/2007

I'm going to speak for Tom (since I know Tom well and we agree on this). Certainly, everything God does is according to His purpose and His will. He makes no mistakes. However, not everything that happens is done by God or done according to His purposes. He allows it to happen, but that is another matter. If a drunk-driver kills someone, we can say God allowed it, but not that God intended it (even to teach a lesson.) If God's hand was at work in every single thing that happens, we could not have free-will. It has to be the decision of the drunk driver to drive the car, and God allows this because that person is free. God may use that circumstance for good after the fact, but that is different again from saying God intended it or made it happen.

8/5/2007 7:53:09 PM by marklang, Member of Delve into Jesus since 4/3/2007

"If a drunk-driver kills someone, we can say God allowed it, but not that God intended it (even to teach a lesson.) If God's hand was at work in every single thing that happens, we could not have free-will. It has to be the decision of the drunk driver to drive the car, and God allows this because that person is free." What is the difference between this and "fate" ... c'est la vie! davec

10/15/2007 1:46:14 PM by davec, Member of Delve into Jesus since 10/9/2007

Dave, Mark and I disagree on this issue. In fact, our discussion on free-will elsewhere on this site has become a bit of a running joke. When I started this site, I wanted it to be a place where anyone could get answers on anything to do with God and Jesus. I assumed that every good question had an answer. I've discovered that while it's true every question has a good answer, some answers cannot be understood by mortal man. If that frustrates you, then you are not alone. Theologians for thousands of years have gone over this stuff and the best we can do is say "That's the way it is, even though we cannot understand it." To give you an example, the Trinity is like this. How can God be one God and three persons? It just is. Some people over the years have not been able to accept this and so they declare that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are not God. But scripture is so clear on this, we have to accept it, even if it does not make sense. Free-will and providence are like this too, and this frustrates people even more. The Bible says that God controls everything. He controls every little detail of everything that happens, from large events like founding of countries, to little events like what you have for breakfast. Yet, at the same time, we are completely free to choose what we will do, and we are completely responsible for our actions. When you choose evil, God is not responsible, you are. All evil in this world is the result of fallen beings. So, you see, Mark is right that the drunk driver is free to choose to drive drunk, and SweetWaterLife is right that God is in control of everything. How can that be!? It seems like such a contradiction, but that is the way the universe works. It it likely a limitation of our mortal minds that we cannot understand, and perhaps we will when we die. I hate answers like this, believe me I do, but I'm afraid it's the best we can do. Please don't let this you discourage you too much. These are very esoteric, philosophical points and I don't think it's too important if we cannot comprehend them all. The message of the Gospel, and salvation of Christ is very clear and very understandable, and that is the main thing to apprehend. This other stuff is curious, but we need not understand it in order to accept salvation.

10/15/2007 2:01:06 PM by Michael Lane, Executive Director, Delve Christian Ministries

Just why does God have to be so obtuse? He KNOWS that we are all have small brains ... some smaller than others (myself included) ... so why does he MAKE IT ALL SO HARD!!! I don't make it hard for my kids! davec

10/15/2007 2:09:28 PM by davec, Member of Delve into Jesus since 10/9/2007

Dave, I think the easy stuff is easy, and the hard stuff is hard. You're an intelligent, curious guy, asking difficult questions. Don't be surprised that the answers are hard! Many people accept salvation for what it is and are satisfied with that, but people like you and I who ask the hard stuff are in for a challenge. And that's ok - if it was all easy, would faith even be a factor? God makes it just hard enough to challenge you on whatever level you're at because then it becomes a journey of faith and trust. I hope this doesn't sound like a cop-out, but really consider how fulfilling and meaningful Christianity would be if it was easy for you - would you be asking me the opposite right now - "how can this all be true, it's so basic and simplistic!"

10/18/2007 9:21:50 AM by Michael Lane, Executive Director, Delve Christian Ministries

I realize this is not a very current topic, but I just discovered it, so it's new to me. Anyway, I'd like to offer this idea: What if God is not doing everything in our lives. What if He created the earth and us and on the seventh day He rested and left us to run our on little lives. How about the concept that He gave earth to man to rule over (Genesis 1). That is why He had to become a man (Jesus) to enter the earth realm. God has given us the will to make or on decisions. Such as the drunk driver scenario. He chose not only to get drunk, but to drive. Two choices which "created" a hazard for himself and others. We not only have "free will", but also the ability to create. As we are created in His image and likeness. God has honored His Word by allowing us to live based on the choices we make. There are times when we "create" situations that are for the good of others (feeding the hungry) and times we "create" bad things (drunk driving). Saying that God lets bad things happen to teach us a lesson is our "cop-out". We, as Christian people are more responsible for letting bad things happen on this earth than God. What lesson does a five year old learn by getting struck down by a drunk driver? God intervenes via us. We invite Him into our hearts and from our hearts flow the issues of life.

1/20/2008 2:51:58 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

The drunk driver scenario raises the question of chance. Yes, the driver chose to drink. The pedestrian chose to go for a walk. Each is at the point of impact as the result of a chain of decisions and events; however, the presence of both at the same moment cannot be explained by the causes that have determined their independent paths. Does the pedestrian die by chance? If chance refers to something God did not foresee and did not plan for, then Christianity denies the existence of chance. Nothing happens at random in the world. Augustine said that chance, what he called fortuitous cause, refers not to the absence of causes but merely to hidden causes - ultimately, to Gods will. Aquinas asks us to imagine two servants sent by their master to the same place. To them their meeting appears to be by chance, but it has been fully foreseen, even purposed by their master. To believe, with Aquinas, that all things must of necessity come under Gods ordering requires faith, but a belief in blind chance requires a faith of its own.

2/8/2008 3:53:32 PM by Mike, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/8/2008

I remember reading Aquinas in one of my theology courses in college. I don't remember what he said or wrote as it is not in my Bible. What is in my Bible is Ecclesiates chapter3: "There is a time for everything, ad a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, etc." I don't think that dying can teach a lesson to the dead person. But it should teach the living something. Now, as for whether it was God's purpose or not is really not for me to say. I do believe that some bad things happen that teaches a lesson, But I don't believe in "chance" either. This will be hard for many to accept, but sometimes, God will allow for our will to be done. This is why we should pray for His will. Example: You want this new sports car that you can barely afford. So, you pray continuosly for the car. You're begging God for this car. Weeks go by, then months. Finally, you save enough money for the car and you think it must be God's will for you to have it. You buy the car and pull off the lot only to be hit by a semi-truck. You're terribly injured. God's will or yours?

2/9/2008 12:57:40 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

2/9/2008 1:15:52 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

GOD is in control, ultimitly we are living in the natural which will pass away, every choice we make and decsion we make are going to be presented to GOD during the judgement. We can not understand how GOD is in control becuase our human minds of what control actaually is is finite-rather, not absulte. For example, we are human"being" meaning we are in the here and now "being" right now, we participatein being and when we don't we die. But GOD trancends "being", hence the father son and Holy Spirit, " I am the One that was, that is , and that is to come." If we base our responses on that statement we will see that we can never acuratly answer the question, Is GOD controlling every aspect of our lives, while at the same time using free- wil, it is beyond our conprehension. We are here in the now, bounded by flesh, time, and our circumstances. GOD is above everything we know, see, and don't know in see. For that statement, how can we not proclaim the the HOLY ONE is in control and involved in everything.l

2/13/2008 1:16:40 PM by Bar-Yehoshua, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/5/2008

GOD is in control, ultimitly we are living in the natural which will pass away, every choice we make and decsion we make are going to be presented to GOD during the judgement. We can not understand how GOD is in control becuase our human minds of what control actaually is is finite-rather, not absulte. For example, we are human"being" meaning we are in the here and now "being" right now, we participatein being and when we don't we die. But GOD trancends "being", hence the father son and Holy Spirit, " I am the One that was, that is , and that is to come." If we base our responses on that statement we will see that we can never acuratly answer the question, Is GOD controlling every aspect of our lives, while at the same time using free- wil, it is beyond our conprehension. We are here in the now, bounded by flesh, time, and our circumstances. GOD is above everything we know, see, and don't know in see. For that statement, how can we not proclaim the the HOLY ONE is in control and involved in everything.l

2/13/2008 1:16:43 PM by Bar-Yehoshua, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/5/2008

I beg to differ. We live in a body, but we are a spirit. We have to be spiritual or we would not be able to worship God. We must worship in spirit and truth, right? When our bodies die, our spirits live on. What concerns us is will we, our spirits, live on with God OR in hell with satan. The answer is God knows everything. He knew the end before the begining. We have free will and we do dumb stuff that God knew we would do before we were born. He, God, is limitless knowledge. His thoughts are above our thoughts. The footsteps of the righteous man are ordered by the Lord. This "order" does not take away free will, it enhances it. Once the Holy Spirit has come upon you, He will teach and guide you.

2/13/2008 7:08:02 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

You hit the nail on the head mrspiggy!

2/14/2008 8:22:56 AM by Bar-Yehoshua, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/5/2008

HI MRS PIGGY I AGREE WITH YOU VERY MUCH HERE, AND WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES UPON US. WE WILL LEARN AND GROW, HAVE UPS AND DOW'S BUT GOD KNOWS ARE HEARTS,AND BY DOING WHAT WERE DOING HERE, IS A WAY OF GROWING. IM SURE GOD HAS A PLAN FOR EVERYBODY, A PURPOSE, BUT HE WILL NOT CONTROL THAT PURPOSE INTO US, WE HAVE TO WANT TO KNOW WHAT OUR PURPOSE IS, WHAT OUR GIFT IS, HOW TO PLEASE GOD WITH THAT GIFT, AND FROM THERE YOU WILL FIND THAT PURPOSE. BUT GOD WILL NOT CONTROL THAT, IF HE CONTROLLED US I'M SURE THE WORLD WOULD BE A LOT MORE PLEASING TO HIM,EVERYONE WOULD HAVE FAITH IN HIM, BUT HE GAVE CHOICE, OUR WILL TO MAKE OUR OWN CHOICE IN WHAT WE BELIEVE. LORIL

3/24/2008 8:21:41 PM by LORIL, Member of Delve into Jesus since 3/23/2008

I got this message a couple of times and we know God says things twice if He really means it. "THERE ARE NO COINCIDENCES. THERE ARE NO COINCIDENCES. Everything from the greatest to the smallest is under God's control." I made a big mistake when I decided to home school my daughter. I made my plan and THEN I asked God to approve it. He said I was to ask for His approval BEFORE I made my plan. At the same moment He told me that Ashley would be just fine. Correction tempered with hope. How cool is that??? Have a blessed Sunday!!! Amy

4/6/2008 9:05:30 AM by BettiCrayons, Member of Delve into Jesus since 3/30/2008

May I humbly suggest a book I just finished reading, in hopes that it will perhaps give some of you further insight and understanding on this subject, as well as pause for thought? This is a huge question that I struggled with as well - especially when my then four-year-old daughter had to have heart surgery, followed by a series of other somewhat catastrophic events... I found "When God Doesn't Make Sense" by Dr. James Dobson, and some of the things he said in his book really got to me and made sense. I continue to fall back on Jeremiah 29:11 when I need an answer: "I have it all planned outplans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for", but reading this book took me into the scriptures and allowed me to explore and think about the wonderful way God works in each of our lives.

4/6/2008 11:47:31 PM by txhoneydarlin, Member of Delve into Jesus since 4/5/2008

OK QUESTION PLEASE I THOUGHT I ALWAYS NEW THIS BUT NOW I'M SECOND GUESSING MYSELF. WHEN WE DIE AS A CHILD OF GOD DOES OUR SPIRIT GO TO HEAVEN AT THE TIME OF OUR DEATH.OR DO WE SLEEP TILL JESUS RETURNS, I'M REALLY SCARED OF THIS ANSWER. THIS IS WHAT I ALWAYS BELIEVED ARE SOUL GOES TO HEAVEN AS SOON AS WE DIE AND WHEN JESUS COMES HE RAISES OUR BODIES TO REUNITE WITH ARE SOULS ARE BODIES ARE GLORIFIED ,

4/7/2008 2:31:53 AM by LORIL, Member of Delve into Jesus since 3/23/2008

LoriL, I have been trying to get the understanding of this one myself. I had always believed that we rested until the rapture, but lately have been hearing when we die, we immediately open our eyes in heaven. My pastor says this every week. It is based on a story that Jesus tells of the rich man and the beggar. The one where the rich man wants the beggar to give him some water cause he's in hell and thirsty. (Luke 16:19-31) In addition, I've heard people say, "Absent from the body, present with the Lord." This negates a lot of tombstones, doesn't it?

4/7/2008 9:05:53 AM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

MrsPiggy,& Loril, Yes, the verse is where Paul said, "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." 2 Corinthians 5:8 He speaks of being "confident!" (That after death we will be present with the Lord!) Also, remember what Jesus said on the cross? "Father, into Thy hands I commit my Spirit." (It is from here to there, there is no waiting place.) We are talking about the soul, which is the inner man, the spirit. The body that goes into the grave, waits for the Rapture, then it will be reunited to that spirit.

4/7/2008 1:01:16 PM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

Thank you for confirmation on that. I called a prayer partner before your post and she said the same thing. I'll call her back now to let her know. She wasn't real sure but thought what you have written. God bless you wise woman of God.

4/7/2008 2:56:43 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

I ALSO THANK YOU BOTH FOR RESPONDING, THAT WAS VERY HELPFUL, MY HUSBANDS DAD PAST AWAY THIS WEEKEND AND HIS WAKE WAS TONIGHT,AND IT HELPS THE PAIN TO KNOW THAT HE'S WITH GOD AND NOT IN THAT COFFIN UNDER THE GROUND.THANKS AGAIN . I'M READING THE BIBLE MORE THEN EVER, I'M ALSO READING HOW TO HEAR FROM GOD, JOYCE MEYER,WHAT IS YOUR OPINION OF HER IF ANY?

4/7/2008 10:47:44 PM by LORIL, Member of Delve into Jesus since 3/23/2008

(((Loril))) I'm so sorry to hear about your Father-In-Law. I pray that the Lord will help you and your family through the days ahead, and also heal your hearts. (Yes, thank God he is with the Lord now!) Praise the Lord that your are reading the Bible more!!! I pray that you will hear God speak to you often. (Hugs and Prayers)

4/7/2008 11:06:01 PM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

LoriL, I'm sorry to hear of your loss, but rejoice that your father-in-law is with the Father. I love Joyce Meyer. I watch/listen to her everyday. I have a couple of her books. Right now I'm reading "Me and my big mouth". May God bless you and your family with His abundant peace.

4/8/2008 9:21:04 AM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

LoriL, *hugs* You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers during this hard time. I am sorrowed to hear of the loss of your father-in-law but rejoice that you can find peace in reading and studying God's word and leaning on Him for strength and understanding. I wanted to share a couple of scriptures with you, in hopes that you will gain comfort from them. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all." Psalm 34:18-19 ------------------- As for Joyce Meyer, I have one of her books and love it. In fact, I go back and review important passages from it often. I plan to order more of her books in the future - she is a very talented author. I tend to read different authors - and study on different subjects, depending on what I feel I need encouragement with/instruction about in my daily life. I really enjoy Stormie O'Martian, Dr. James Dobson, Max Lucado and Robert S. McGee, if you will allow me to recommend these authors to you as well.

4/8/2008 12:24:32 PM by txhoneydarlin, Member of Delve into Jesus since 4/5/2008

IGNITED*FAITH, MRSPIGGY,TXHONEYDARLIN, THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUCH FOR YOUR RESPONES, THEY MADE ME SMILE,THAT WAS SO SWEET AND HELPFUL, AND IT MEANT MORE TO ME THEN U KNOW. THANKS ALSO FOR THE AUTHOR TIPS, I LIKE WATCHING HER TO, BUT..... DOESN'T IT SAY SOMETHING IN THE BIBLE ABOUT WOMEN TEACHER'S SHOULDN'T BE??? AND ONE MORE QUESTION, AND I KNOW THIS ONE IS OUT THERE, BUT I'M GOING TO ASK, BE EASY ON ME:) IGNITED*FAITH (I CAN'T FIND THE SQUIGGLE LINE IN THE MIDDLE SO I HOPE USING THE STAR IS OK) I KNOW YOU AND I DON'T AGREE ON THIS ONE, AS FAR AS BABIES GOING TO HEAVEN ,IF IT SHOULD PASS AWAY AND THEY WERE TO YOUNG TO BE BABTIZED. BUT LET'S PRETEND WE DO, AND AN INFANT SHOULD DIE AT A FEW WKS OLD, HOW WOULD A BABY LIKE THAT BE IN HEAVEN, I KNOW THIS SOUNDS CRAZY BECAUSE IT'S HEAVEN AND I KNOW ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE, BUT A INFANT WOULD NOT YET BE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING, ITS HARD FOR ME TO EXPLAIN I GUESS, BUT IF YOU CAN MAKE ANY SENCE OF IT LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS PLEASE BECAUSE THIS ONE I DON'T THINK I CAN FIND IN THE BIBLE. THANKS FOR BEING SO CARING

4/9/2008 10:53:56 PM by LORIL, Member of Delve into Jesus since 3/23/2008

LoriL, The squiggle line is to the left of the 1 key. You will have to shift. I know your question was directed to IgnitedFaith, but as for babies dying I've prayed on this one and though they are indeed born into sin, God's grace is suficient to cover them.

4/10/2008 9:05:55 AM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

LoriL - I have pondered this same question, especially when things seemed to be not so good with my daughter and her heart surgery ... After studying and praying, I've been led to several verses that give me reassurance that babies do go to heaven when they pass from this world. I had always thought about "the age of accountability" coming into play when babies and young children die - in my personal opinion, until a child reaches the age of accountability, they are not aware of their sins and also do not know right from wrong - so they are forgiven for these things automatically by our merciful God, who is full of love and grace. This comforted me immensely, knowing that my little girl has not yet reached the age of accountability... I hope that you can understand this concept, which is hard for some to accept. At any rate, here are a few verses I want to share - please feel free to draw your own conclusions from them; I am not trying to force my own beliefs or thoughts on anyone. Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you..." 1 John 2:12 "I remind you, my dear children: Your sins are forgiven in Jesus' name." Matthew 19:13 - 15 (also reiterated in Mark 10:13 -16 as well as Luke 18: 15 - 17) "One day children were brought to Jesus in the hope that he would lay hands on them and pray over them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus intervened: 'Let the children alone, don't prevent them from coming to me. God's kingdom is made up of people like these.' After laying hands on them, he left." Matthew 18:10 "Watch that you don't treat a single one of these childlike believers arrogantly. You realize, don't you, that their personal angels are constantly in touch with my Father in heaven?" Mark 9:36 - 37 "He put a child in the middle of the room. Then, cradling the little one in his arms, he said, 'Whoever embraces one of these children as I do embraces me, and far more than meGod who sent me.' " Matthew 21: 15 - 16 "When the religious leaders saw the outrageous things he was doing, and heard all the children running and shouting through the Temple, 'Hosanna to David's Son!' they were up in arms and took him to task. 'Do you hear what these children are saying?' Jesus said, 'Yes, I hear them. And haven't you read in God's Word, 'From the mouths of children and babies I'll furnish a place of praise'?" The common denominator in all these scriptures is that Jesus compares the qualifying factor of getting into heaven as being like a little child. Children are used as a perfect example by Christ when he talks of the rewards of heaven. We can also take into the account of David in 2 Samuel 12:19 - 23. "David noticed that the servants were whispering behind his back, and realized that the boy must have died. He asked the servants, 'Is the boy dead?' 'Yes,' they answered. 'He's dead.' David got up from the floor, washed his face and combed his hair, put on a fresh change of clothes, then went into the sanctuary and worshiped. Then he came home and asked for something to eat. They set it before him and he ate. His servants asked him, 'What's going on with you? While the child was alive you fasted and wept and stayed up all night. Now that he's dead, you get up and eat.' 'While the child was alive,' he said, 'I fasted and wept, thinking God might have mercy on me and the child would live. But now that he's dead, why fast? Can I bring him back now? I can go to him, but he can't come to me.' " (Here, David is certain his son is going to heaven and plans to meet him there...) Again, these are just my thoughts regarding these scriptures I have shared, but I write them in hopes that they will help to answer your questions. I know there are other beliefs out there, but this is the one I choose to hold fast to.

4/10/2008 12:56:30 PM by txhoneydarlin, Member of Delve into Jesus since 4/5/2008

Loril, This is what I believe. I believe that the Lord already knows who will choose to believe and serve Him, and who will not. (Even concerning a child.) The verse below I again have added ALL CAPITAL LETTERS to stress a point. "It is not as though God's word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham's children. On the contrary, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." In other words, it is not the natural children who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring. "For this was how the promise was stated: "At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son." Not only that, but Rebekah's children had one and the same father, our father Isaac. YET, BEFORE THE TWINS WERE BORN OR HAD DONE ANTHING GOOD OR BAD- IN ORDER THAT GOD'S PURPOSE IN ELECTION MIGHT STAND: NOT BY WORKS BUT BY HIM WHO CALLS- SHE WAS TOLD, "THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER." JUST AS IT IS WRITTEN: "JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED." What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden. One of you will say to me: "Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?" But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?' " Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?" Romans 9:6-19 "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:" Ephesians 1:4

4/10/2008 2:58:18 PM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

May I intervene? IgnitedFaith, Yes, it is true that God knows who will come into the light and who will not. But to send a baby to hell is not of God. He would never violate His principle of free-will. Even here on earth, if you commit a crime and you were caught red-handed with the "smoking gun" you are entitled by law to a trial. And that's called JUSTICE. God does not give us justice, He gives mercy.Yes, I know that He has mercy on whom He chooses to show mercy. He has shown mercy to all of us by sending Jesus. And since it does not depend on man's desire or effort, why not let the babies into heaven. That's where they came from.

4/10/2008 3:33:59 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

MrsPiggy, Loril, Txhoneydarlin, First I want to tell you, I really love to discuss things with you (and everyone here!) I mean it with all my heart! In fact I'd like to say "thank you for talking and sharing." It means a lot to me. Now about Free-Will. Yes, I believe that we are all given Free-Will. I believe in Free-Will, and I believe in Predestination. I believe that you can have both because together they make sense. God gives us Free-Will, and since He is God and all knowing, He already knows who will come to faith in Him, those are the ones He has called. (Please read the next verses carefully.) "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified." Romans 8:28-30 "In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:" Ephesians 1:11

4/10/2008 6:14:33 PM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

IgnitedFaith, I love you too. I believe everyone here loves and respects you. But, yes, there's the but. I don't agree with you on the babies going to hell concept. I have read all the above scriptures. I have even quoted them on occasion. Too bad the babies didn't get the opportunity to read them. God is Holy and Merciful. Sending babies to hell would not be merciful. As you are my sister in Christ and we are commanded to agree, I propose we agree to disagree on this one.

4/10/2008 9:02:39 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

May I intervene? IGNITEDFaith, Yes, it is true that God knows who will come into the light and who will not. But to send a baby to hell is not of God. He would never violate His principle of free-will.even here on earth, if you commit a crime and you were caught red-handed with the "smoking gun" you are entitled by law to a trial,and thats called justice. god does not give us justice, he gives us mercy. yes i know he has mercy on whom he chooses, he has shown all of us mercy by sending Jesus,and sence he does not depend on mans desire or effort,why not let babies into heaven. mrspiggy (AMEN) VERY WELL SAID I GOT GOOSEBUMPS, AND THANKS FOR THE TIP ON THE SQUIGGLE LINE LOL IGNITEDFAITH, AFTER READING OVER AGAIN WHAT YOU WROTE I WAS THINKING ABOUT SOMETHING YOU SAD THAT HAD ME CONCERNED, AND THAT WAS ,GOD KNOWS WHAT WE WE WILL BE AND IF HE KNOWS THAT A CHILD WILL NOT BE A CHILD OF GOD HE MIGHT NOT TAKE THEM, BUT ONLY FOR A SECOND ,BECAUSE THAT IS A GOOD POINT. BUT MRSPIGGY GOT RID OF THAT THOUGHT (*THANK GOD) WITH THE MERCY OF GOD AND HE WANTS HIS CHILDREN IN HEAVEN, AND ALL THE QUOTES TXHONEYDARLIN SHARED, SO AGAIN AGREE TO DISAGREE:) TXHONEYDARLIN I WAS READING YOUR POSTING AND IT HIT ME YOUR DAUGHTER HAS A HEART PROMBLEM, AND I THINK U DID SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THAT BEFORE ,BUT I DIDN'T THINK YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT YOUR CHILD, COULD I PLEASE ASK WHATS THE MATTER WITH HER. I FEEL SO SO BAD THAT IS THE HARDEST THING TO GO THROUGH, I DON'T MEAN TO SOUND DOWN BUT THAT BREAKS MY HEART SO MUCH WHEN LITTLE BABIES ,KIDS ARE SICK,WE SHOULD ALL DO A DAILY GROUP PRAYER TOGETHER FOR HER,AND OF COURSE ON OUR OWN.AND PLEASE KNOW THAT GOD LOVES OUR CHILDREN MOST OF ALL. THERE INNOCENT AND PRECIOUS . MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOUR LITTLE GIRL AND YOUR FAMILY.I HOPE YOU'LL TELL ME ABOUT HER MY HEART REALLY GOES OUT TO YOU,

4/10/2008 11:06:51 PM by LORIL, Member of Delve into Jesus since 3/23/2008

LoriL - Thanks for inquiring about my daughter, Paislee. Two days before my birthday (September 23, 2007), Pais complained of chest pains and had a very rapid heartbeat; it was late that night, so the next morning, I called our pediatrician and got her in to see him. (We go to church with him - he is a real blessing in our lives, as he has been her pedi since she was born...) He sent us straight to the hospital, and Paislee's EKGs came back abnormal. That afternoon, my husband went back to his office with the EKG charts - he referred us to a pediatric cardiologist. We were in the cardiologist's office two days after my birthday (September 27, 2007). After he did tests (EKGs and echocardiograms, among others), he came in and told us that surgery was necessary to save Paislee's life - so we scheduled it for November 16, 2007 (my parents' 38th wedding anniversary, and 6 days after our 6th wedding anniversary). That same day, about 30 minutes after we left the cardiologist's office, my dad's best friend passed away after a hard-fought battle with cancer. That weekend, we also found out that my dad's oldest brother had glioblastoma multiforme, a terminal brain cancer that was inoperable... (He is now confined to bed with daily visits from hospice workers.) During the wait for surgery, Paislee had all sorts of restrictions - no running, climbing, jumping, sliding, swinging, riding her horse, gymnastics or dance classes, and no caffeine. She also was restricted to Benadryl, Tylenol, Motrin and Emetrol for medication. Anything else had to be approved by our cardiologist. At that time, Paislee's resting heart rate was 155 beats/minute; she was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, which causes supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Anytime her heart rate reached 170 beats/minute, we had 15 minutes to get it back down before we had to be sitting in the emergency room, which meant no out of town trips without a hospital very close, etc. Three days before her surgery, reality hit. Paislee's heart was racing and she had chest pains again, and try as we might, we couldn't get it to slow down. When we got to the emergency room, they measured it at 275 beats/minute and quietly called a crash cart. Medication could not be used, as it would have an effect on the surgery results - they ended up using a kind of cryotherapy, which lowered her heart rate back to 167 beats/minute. Those were the scariest hours of my life - not knowing if my daughter was going to live or die, which led to some major introspection on the topic we've been discussing. At the hospital (Cooks Children's Hospital in Ft. Worth), surgery took about 3.5 hours. They used four heart catheters and ablation tips to make five radio-frequency ablations (burns) on her heart to try to "dam up" the extra electrical current. When we left the hospital, there were no "p" waves or delta waves on her EKGs, and her echo was normal. When we returned to the cardiologist's office in January 2008 for a follow-up visit (shortly before her 5th birthday), the delta waves had returned, and her heart rate was 122 beats/minute, which was not good news. The cardiologist sent Paislee home on a 24 hour Holter monitor study - the results showed that her heart was staying in dysrhythmia 60 of the time, when it should have been staying in normal sinus rhythm for 100 of the time instead. When we returned in February, he made the call to place Paislee on Atenolol 25 mg/daily. In March, we returned for another follow-up visit, which showed that the Atenolol was doing its job. Both her echo and her EKG, as well as her Holter monitor study, came back 100 normal. However, Paislee will have to continue on the Atenolol, although her physical restrictions are now lifted, with caution that if we notice a rapid heart rate, we are to go to the emergency room, as before. We return to the cardiologist on September 15, 2008, to re-evaluate Paislee and will go from there. Tentative plans are to wean her off of the Atenolol. If she weans successfully, then we only have to go back for yearly checkups. If she does not wean successfully, it means another 6 months minimum of daily Atenolol, with another weaning period. At that point, if she weans successfully - then back to the original plan of yearly followup visits. However, if she doesn't wean successfully after another round of Atenolol, additional heart surgery will be necessary. WPW has a 5 recurrence rate, so it's a really scary wait time. As always, I would be honored for any of you to bring my daughter to God's attention in prayer. She's not out of the woods yet - and the more prayers she can get, the better. (God is good - although we don't have a "yes, I'll heal Paislee" - at least we have a "wait and see what I am doing in her life".) Thank you in advance to all of you who want to pray for her. I also would like to ask that you keep my dad's brother, his sons, and our family in your prayers, as I feel like my uncle is living his final days on earth and is only getting weaker. It's tough on everyone concerned. I love you all and appreciate you! ---------------------------------- Now to the other subject at hand - I would also like to agree to disagree. However, I want to share something with you as well. I was blessed tonight while reading and studying God's word - I nearly skipped the chapter in Traveling Light, as it was dealing with death, but now I am glad I didn't. What I read only reinforced my belief that babies go to heaven when they die. As Max Lucado pointed out, God is a good God. He does only what is good. He reinforced his statements with Isaiah 57:1 - 2, "Good people are taken away, but no one understands. Those who do right are taken away from evil and are given peace. Those who live as God wants find rest in death." Psalms 25:7 - 8 also reinforces Lucado's statements, "You are good, Lord. The Lord is good and right." Lucado went on and stated, "In God's plan every life is long enough and every death is timely." He supported this with Psalms 139:16, "All the days planned for me were written in your book before I was one day old." --------------------------- I was also blessed to recall the words from one of my favorite songs - again county - but performed by the great group, Diamond Rio. The song is called "God Only Cries for the Living", and I would like to close by sharing the lyrics from this awesome and touching song with you all. I think it goes hand in hand with what we've been discussing, even though the folks in this song are not babies or children - hopefully, you'll understand what I am trying to share with you all. "On an icy road one night A young man loses his life They marked the shoulder with a cross And his family gathers round On a piece of Hallowed ground Their hearts are heavy with their loss As the tears fall from their eyes There's one who'll always sympathise. God only cries for the living 'Cause it's the living that are left to carry on And all the angels up in Heaven They're not grieving because they're gone There's a smile on their faces 'Cause they're in a better place than, mmm, baby, than, oh God only cries for the living 'Cause it's the living that are so far from home. It still makes me sad When I think of my Granddad I miss him each and every day But I know the time will come When my own grandson Wonders why I went away Maybe we're not meant to understand Till we meet up in the Promised Land. God only cries for the living 'Cause it's the living that are left to carry on And all the angels up in Heaven They're not grieving because they're gone There's a smile on their faces 'Cause they're in a better place than, oh, baby, than oh God only cries for the living 'Cause it's the living that are so far from home Yeah, we're so far from home, Mmmm, Mmmm" ---------------------- I am so blessed to be able to discuss things with you all - thank you for motivating me and for blessing me with the words you each share. *huge hugs*

4/11/2008 1:08:23 AM by txhoneydarlin, Member of Delve into Jesus since 4/5/2008

txhoneydarlin, thanks for sharing your daughter with us ,her name paislee is a beatiful name how old is she? i really don't know much about what she has ,is it rare? and i will also pray for your uncle,i really believe that they stay with us for a reason even in a state of lingering, my mom's sister had a stroke and she was paralized on one side and could not talk we all helped my mom take care of her because my aunt could not have kids, she was my mothers twin,she was like that for awhile had another stroke and was worse till we had to put her in a nursing home because she needed so much help but we all rotated to be with her as much as possible, most nursing homes are not the best place for are loved ones,well then she lost sight in her eyes, and she was always had pain, then she had to have blood transfusions because she had very low blood,she was skin and bones, in pain all the time bed sores,then we were told she had cancer in her uterus,we then had hospice for a short time, within a week or so she passed away we were all in the room with her and we didn't even know that she passed, my father said look a dove flew on the window sill and i looked over and i could tell she wasn't breathing, hospice just walked in to bath her i asked him as softly as i could if she was breathing and she was not, she went so peaceful my when the dove came. and i do pray for your uncle, pray and keep him as comfortable as you can, your birthday is sept mine is also sept 19th, it's something about this site, we don't even really know each other and yet i feel like i could tell or say anything that i would say to a close friend. that must be sisters in christ, your daughter sounds like a fighter, and i know she is in good hands she has god first and above all,she has beatiful godly loving parents, and great dr.s and she is blessed. my thought are with you and prayers. i wish i could do more. please keep me posted on her health my love to you all

4/11/2008 2:01:10 PM by LORIL, Member of Delve into Jesus since 3/23/2008

hi again i also wanted to say that i love that song, i'm going to try to find it, i like a lot of christian music, but this one song i have a love hate relationship with i love it but it makes me cry .they sang it at my father in laws funeral. and a few yrs back my cousins funeral it goes. here i am lord is it i lord.is it i your calling in the night i will go lord ,if you lead me i will hold your people in my heart and my father in law told his wife that morning when he went to breakfast that he wasn't feeling any pain but he just didn't sleep well last night oh and then i love this the day before he died my mother in law and sister in law went to the store when they came back to the car they a shiny penny by the driver side (wife was driving) then when they got back to my mother in laws house there was another shiny penny on the door step, and when Donna went home yes there was a shiny penny at her door step, and they don't talk like that for the most part, and it leaves a good feeling with me, talk to you soon LORIL

4/11/2008 2:15:00 PM by LORIL, Member of Delve into Jesus since 3/23/2008

Txhoneydarlin, Thanks for the song. For some reason, I put the words to the tune of my favorite (reason) country song. It's by Lone Star. I don't know the name of it but it's about a truck driver far from home who calls his family and they want to know when he's coming home. And he answers, "I'm already there. Take a look around. I'm the..." It makes me cry everytime I hear it. Of course, I'm lifting your daughter up to the Father. And knowing Him as I do, I say to you, "All is well."

4/11/2008 2:29:05 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

MRSMIGGY YOUR WORDS HAVE BEEN SO UP LIFTING, I DON'T KNOW THE NAME OF THAT SONG EITHER BUT I KNOW THE ONE YOUR TALKING ABOUT AND I LOVE IT TO,COUNTRY SONGS HAVE A WAY OF MAKING ME CRY, THE SONG DON'T TAKE THE GIRL, THE SONG, THERE GOES MY LIFE, HE HAS A BABY AT A YOUNG AGE AND HIS PLANS HE FEELS ARE ALL THROWN AWAY BECAUSE HE HAS A BABY SO HE SAYS IN THAT VERSE THERE GOES MY LIFE AFTER ABOUT 3 YRS HE TELLS HOW THE FREG IS COVERED WITH HER PICTURES AND HOW SHE IS GOING UPSTAIRS WITH MOM TO BED HER BLOND CURLS BOUNCING AS SHE GOES UP THE STAIRS SHE TURNS LOOKS BACK AT DADDY AND SAY GOODNIGHT DADDY I LOVE YOU AND HE SAY THERE GOES MY LIFE, LAST VERSE TELLS HOW SHE IS GROWN AND LEAVING FOR COLLAGE ANDS HE IS CHECKING HER CAR AS SHE DRIVES OFF HE AGAIN SINGS THERE GOES MY LIFE AND YOU CAN SEE THE DIFFERENT ,IN HOW THE LINE THERE GOES MY LIFE MEANS SOMETHING DIFFERENT, MRSPIGGY UR SO SWEET :) :) EVEN WITH THE PAST POSTINGS WE HAD U SHOW, NOT TELL, SHOW THE LOVE OF GOD THROUGH YOU , AND WE KNOW THATS PLEASING TO HIM, AND I DO BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS SOME GOOD OUT OF THE WAY WE, ME AND YOU BEGAN OUR FRIENDSHIP,FOR ONE IT SHOWS, YOUR LOVE IS STILL THERE AND YOU WILL STILL GIVE YOUR THOUGHTS, AND I ALSO THINK HE HELPED ME TO LOOK INTO THINGS MORE AND I AM SO AT PEACE WITH THE FIRST QUESTION I HAD STRUGGLED WITH AND I BELIEVE YOUR BEING SO FAITHFUL IS WHY, REALLY MAKES U FEEL THE MEANING OF ACTIONS SPEAK BETTER THEN WORDS. BUT I'M SO GLAD OF THE RESULTS, TALK TO YOU SOON LORIL ALL IS WELL I LOVE THAT

4/11/2008 5:05:20 PM by LORIL, Member of Delve into Jesus since 3/23/2008

LoriL, Thank you for the kind words. The name of the song is I'm Already There. I googled it. And I have cried over the one you're talking about. When I lived in Texas, I listened to country music all the time. It really couldn't be helped afterall I WAS in Texas. I was constantly repenting becaused I coveted Reba's voice. God has really blessed her with a voice!! I also fell in love with Faith Hill's song Breathe. Okay, let's get back on topic. Yes, I believe God does everything for His purpose and I'm sure He brought all of us to this website to pray for, teach and encourage each other. Every morning, I go first to prayer request and enter into agreement with whoever has requested prayer. I usually check back in the afternoon and again before going to bed. This is so very important to me. I know the power of faithful agreement in prayer. I learned long ago that God answers Faith. He is moved by faith. Enter His presence with thanksgiving and His gates with praise. Stay in His word, meditate on it day and night, and you can expect your prayer to be answered. And He is never late. Just hold on to His word in faith and He will show up!! And praise Him, He is most worthy of ALL praise at ALL times. And if you need Him and He seems far away, Praise Him. He inhabits the praise of His people. Tell Him how wonderful He is and you build a chair for Him to come sit with you. Okay, this getting long, we'll talk later. And thanks again. But you do know, it's ALL God. The word of God says, "How can two walk together unless they agree?" All is well.

4/11/2008 6:04:29 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

Also, about the prayer requests. I'm the one who gets the blessing. That's not the reason I do it. I do it because I am led by the Holy Spirit to do it. I get the blessing because inasmuchas I pray for or in agreement with someone on this site, somebody else is somewhere praying for me. And having known me for this short of time, even you know I need prayer. :)

4/11/2008 6:12:10 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

MRSPIGGY ,THAT'S ANOTHER THING I FEEL LIKE I'VE LEARNED ABOUT MY PRAYER QUESTION I HAD INQUIRED ABOUT IS THAT WE NEED TO HAVE BEEN PRAYING AND ARE TIME ALONE WITH GOD, NOT JUST PRAY IN TIME OF NEED RIGHT? AND YES IT IS ALL GOD BUT IT'S US , YOU,WHO WANT TO HAVE GOD LEAD AND HELP US ,BUT STILL THERE OUR CHOOSES TO BE CHILDREN OF GOD AND PLEASE HIM AND I THINK IT SHOWS THAT WE ARE ALL TOGETHER . OK TALK TO YOU TOMMORROW HAVE A GOOD NIGHT. LORIL

4/11/2008 11:22:26 PM by LORIL, Member of Delve into Jesus since 3/23/2008

Yes, we need time alone with God and we should pray without ceasing. According to Jude 20, prayer builds up our faith. This is very important because trouble will come to all our lives at some point. But if we are always spending time with God and praying, we will not be moved by the trouble. And when we're in need, there will be no reason to fear that the need will not be met. He is Jehovah Shaddai, the God who supplies all our needs. But I think we only get to know Him as Jehovah Shaddai or Jevhovah Rapha (the God who heals) by spending time with Him in prayer. The more time we spend with Him, the more He reveals Himself to us.

4/12/2008 8:55:53 AM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

Good morning y'all! *hugs* LoriL - So we share a birthday month? How cool! My birthday is September 25 - I'll turn 36 this month. To answer your question about WPW - The incidence of WPW syndrome is between 0.1 and 3 of the general population, according to Wikipedia, so I guess it is pretty rare... Thank you for all your kind words and for caring enough to ask and listen. I promise to keep you updated. By the way, the name of the song that you talked about is "Don't Take the Girl"; Tim McGraw is the singer. ;) LoriL and mrspiggy, I am like both of you - I draw strength from all of you, and I feel so close to y'all, knowing that I can say the things to you all, much like talking with close friends. I am so blessed by what each of you has to say! Isn't God good? By the way, thanks for your prayers and for the words each of you share each day. ---------------- Concerning prayer: 1 Thessalonians 5:17 commands us to "Pray without ceasing." Romans 12:12 takes it a step further by stating, "Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying." Isn't it amazing that God doesn't get tired of hearing our voices? In fact, He loves us so much that He wants us to talk to Him, constantly. I am so encouraged by Phillippians 4:6! "Dont worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." See, I am a huge worrier, and up until a few weeks ago, worry consumed me and took all my time. Getting my head into God's word was so important - I needed the reminder (and the command) not to worry, and when I try to remember to make my daily life one huge prayer, burdens are lifted from me. When I am tempted to slip back into my old ways, Matthew 26:41 sends this reminder: "Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak! Then for encouragement, I am reminded by Proverbs 15:8, "...He delights in genuine prayers." Hard as it is, I've even found peace by following the instructions in Luke 6:27 - 28, " But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you." I've gone so far as to write a list of those who I know are my "enemies" - who have openly cursed me to my face - and who have hurt me, both in words and actions... it's not an easy prayer to pray, especially sincerely, but I "keep on keeping on" with this prayer, gaining more peace each time. Finally, praying gives me strength - strength that is described in Colossians 1:9, "It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us." --------------------- And now for the song of the day, lol. I have shared lyrics to this on another thread here, but I'll post them here in hopes that you will be encouraged by them... Dolly Parton performed this song on American Idol a few weeks back - it's become one of my favorite songs now! (emphasis mine on the words) Jesus and Gravity by Dolly Parton I'm to the point where it don't add up I can't say I've come this far with my guitar on pure dumb luck That's not to say i know it all 'Cause everytime I get too high up on my horse I fall 'Cause I've got Somethin' lifting me up Somethin' holding me down Somethin' to give me wings and Somethin' to keep my feet on the ground I've got all I need, Jesus and gravity But I'm as bad as anyone Taking all these blessings in my life for granted one by one When I start to thinkin' it's all me Well somethin' comes along and knocks me right back on my knees and I've got Somethin' lifting me up Somethin' holding me down Somethin' to give me wings and Somethin' to keep my feet on the ground I've got all i need, Jesus and gravity He's my friend He's my light He's my wings He's my flight and I've got Somethin' lifting me up Somethin' holding me down Somethin' to give me wings and Somethin' to keep my feet on the ground I've got all I'm gonna need, I got Jesus, I got Jesus, I got Somethin' lifting me up Somethin' holding me down Somethin' to give me wings and Somethin' to keep my feet on the ground I've got all I'll ever need, cause I got Jesus and gravity Somethin' lifting me up Somethin' holding me down Somethin' to give me wings and Somethin' to keep my feet on the ground I've got all I'll need cause I've got Jesus and gravity Jesus, I've got Jesus, I've got Jesus He's my everything He lifts me up He gives me wings He gives me hope and He gives me strength and that's all I'll ever need As long as He keeps lifting me up He is my life He is my God He is my wings He is my flight Lift me, I've got Jesus, I've got Jesus and that's all I need. --------------- Today, I pray that we will all take part in everything bright and beautiful our Lord has for us - and rejoice in Jesus, and in gravity. I hope you all have a blessed and happy day!

4/12/2008 11:04:53 AM by txhoneydarlin, Member of Delve into Jesus since 4/5/2008

Goodmorning Txhoneydarlin it must be the month, I ALSO HAD A ISSUE WITH WORRING THAT IT CONSUMED ME ,I would worry over things that had not even happened in fear that they would, I think it became a real Issue after Ihad kids. IT was so bad,also IT showed I ended up having panic attact, well it wasn't good Dr.s of course said if i didn't take something I would be sick. And if my kids ever had to go th the hospital weather it was for a fever or athasma my son had athsama. I was a Reck, 1 time a Dr said he would not let me take him home till I calmed down and learned how to treat him calmly. he pulled me aside and asked me if i've lost a child I said no THANK GOD he said my action over my son was concerning him . I wasn't throwing things, LOL I was just crying out of control.but I guess people handle things better, I would stay up all night in my clothes sitting next to him in case he had another attack . terrible . anyway I finally found a chruch and was saved, I loved the chruch and the people I was really feeling god, AT the services going to bible study, it took a while I had to let g o, and I would think give it to God, Im mom I need to take care of him I did'nt really understand what give it to God meant, and Yes give it to. God, and pray and still do as you do. I really felt a weight lifted, I saw improvement, still up and downs , This was later in school ,my son also had A D H D schoolS were not very. understanding it was a niightmare to say the least, but I prayed again and I said the words I give it to you god and I meant it, and it took a lot for me to say because I didN'Tt know if I could live up to it, and the out come , but I soon felt at peace my meetings at school had me in tears but not because they were saying hurtful things about michael, they were saying that michael was doing a great job he is really doing well I don't see anything in him as this other school was saying. Happy tears, I finally found a school that really cared about kids, these people are far and in between there are A God sent I could'nt say enough about them , and he Graduated, and I know, I feel so much better knowing God, but I know I still have my fears my worries, but having God has helped me so so much ,it is the only way. and I know he helped me find this school for Michael. but I had to let go, anyway sorry. I made that as short as I could, I won't tell u. OK I will, how when that misquito biting was first being talked about I would go through my screens with a fine tooth comb to be sure there were no holes, and if there were I would patch them to prevent them from getting in. I won't say anymore I don't want u to think I'M crazy, LOL my song for today, I heard this morning that I love is stealing Cinderella

4/12/2008 1:08:17 PM by LORIL, Member of Delve into Jesus since 3/23/2008

LoriL, How about you and I just claim September as our month? *giggling* Isn't it marvelous what our loving God does for us when we give our problems to him, as He asks us to do? I totally understand your actions - and I am grateful that things turned out so well for you and your son. Please don't ever think that I would think you are crazy, sweetie - we all have our moments of madness. *hugs* Stealing Cinderella is a beautiful song - have you ever heard "Barbed Wire Halo" by Aaron Watson? I'm sure that will be my theme for tomorrow. ;)

4/12/2008 11:20:02 PM by txhoneydarlin, Member of Delve into Jesus since 4/5/2008

LOL YOU SOUND SO SWEET,THANKS, I DON'T THINK I KNOW THAT SOUND MAYBE IF I HEAR IT. IM GOING TO SEE IF I CAN FIND IT AND LISTEN TO IT, HAVE A GOOD NIGHT LORI

4/13/2008 1:27:07 AM by LORIL, Member of Delve into Jesus since 3/23/2008

Ok. I was not born in September, but my sister was and yes she worries about stuff too. I told her that she has to make up her mind that God IS Good. And she will stop worrying all the time. No matter how things appear just know that God is good and you will be able to not worry. This was a hard lesson for me to learn and I'm not a worrier. Everytime I sensed a problem or it looked like there would be a problem, I had to say out loud, "God is good." His thoughts toward me are good. His actions are good. However the situation turns out, it will be good. Just my nickel on the subject.

4/14/2008 12:10:35 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

HI FRIENDS I THOUGHT THIS WAS CUTE -----Inline Message Follows----- In the year 2008, the Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in the United States , and said, "Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated, and I see the end of all flesh before me. Build another Ark and save 2 of every living thing along with a few good humans" He gave Noah the blueprints, saying, "You have 6 months to build the Ark before I will start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights." Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard - but no Ark. "Noah!" He roared, "I'm about to start the rain! Where is the Ark ?" "Forgive me, Lord," begged Noah, "but things have changed. I needed a building permit. I've been arguing with the inspector about the need for a sprinkler system. My neighbors claim that I've violated the neighborhood zoning laws by building the Ark in my yard and exceeding the height limitations. We had to go to the Development Appeal Board for a decision. Then the Department of Transportation demanded a bond be posted for the future costs of moving power lines and other overhead obstructions, to clear the passage for the Ark 's move to the sea. I told them that the sea would be coming to us, but they would hear nothing of it. Getting the wood was another problem. There's a ban on cutting local trees in order to save the spotted owl. I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the owls - but no go! When I started gathering the animals, an animal rights group sued me. They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. They argued the accommodations were too restrictive, and it was cruel and inhumane to pu! t so man y animals in a confined space. Then the EPA ruled that I couldn't build the Ark until they'd conducted an environmental impact study on your propos ed flood. I'm still trying to resolve a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on how many minorities I'm supposed to hire for my building crew. Immigration and Naturalization are checking the green-card status of most of the people who want to work. The trades unions say I can't use my sons. They insist I have to hire only Union workers with Ark-building experience. To make matters worse, the IRS seized all my assets, claiming I'm trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species. So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least 10 years for me to finish this Ark. " Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow stretched across the sky. Noah looked up in wonder and asked, "You mean you're not going to destroy the world?" "No," said the Lord. "The government beat me to it." LOROL

4/14/2008 6:10:08 PM by LORIL, Member of Delve into Jesus since 3/23/2008

"Preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words."

4/15/2008 8:52:49 AM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

YOU DIDN'T LIKE THAT I TAKE IT

4/15/2008 11:47:20 PM by LORIL, Member of Delve into Jesus since 3/23/2008

Loril: YOU DIDN'T LIKE THAT I TAKE IT ...what are you referring to?

4/16/2008 7:01:46 AM by Michael Lane, Executive Director, Delve Christian Ministries

Loril, Your story about Noah reminds me of a conversation I just had with my Husband the other day. We were talking about "God's Timing." We all are even born in God's Perfect Timing. (For such a time as this...) Thank God Noah was born at the right time in History, that he was able to obey God!!! (I highly commend Noah! It took him 100 years to build the Ark. That is what I call walking by faith!)

4/16/2008 11:38:32 AM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

IGNITEDFAITH, GOOD POINT, I WAS WORRIED THAT IT WOULD BE TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT,BUT U MADE A GREAT COMMENT TO IT. I THOUGHT IT WAS KINDA OF NEET. ARSINDELVE, I ONLY MEANT WHEN I SAID YOU DIDN'T LIKE THAT WAS, RESPONDING TO THE COMMENT UNDER IT "PREACH THE GOSPEL AT ALL TIMES AND WHEN NECESSARY USE WORDS, I WASN'T SURE WHAT THAT MEANT, AND I GUESS I WAS CONCERNED, BECAUSE OF THE HUMOR BEHIND IT. I HAVEN'T HEARD FROM YOU IN A WHILE, TILL THAT, ARE YOU UNSURE OF ME,I HOPE NOT.

4/16/2008 3:09:48 PM by LORIL, Member of Delve into Jesus since 3/23/2008

hi loril again with another question, Im not sure why Ifeel this way,the PRAY HAIL MARY, PLEASE DON'T MISS UNDERSTAND I DON'T HAVE ANY ILL FEELING ABOUT THE PRAYER ITSELF BUT SOMETHING DOES BOTHER ME ABOUT THIS,,,..... MY AUNT HAD TO BE PUT IN THE HOSPITAL IT LOOKED LIKE SHE MAY NEED OPEN HEART SURGERY, TURNED OUT WHERE THE SPILNT WOULD BE ENOUGH AND I'M SO THANKFUL FOR THAT, BUT WHEN MY UNCLE TOLD US, HE SAID IT MUST OF BEEN THE 10 HAIL MARY'S I SAID IN THE CHAPEL, MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS ( OF COURSE TO MYSELF) WAS WHY DID YOU PRAY THE HAIL MARY? WHY WOULDN'T YOU JUST PRAY RIGHT TO JESUS? I KNOW YOU DON'T KNOW WHY, IF ANYONE KNOWS IT'S HIM, BUT I WASN'T GOING TO ASK, (ALTHOUGH I WANTED TO) I GUESS I'M WONDERING WHY THAT BOTHERED ME, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW YOUR SUPPOSE TO TELL ME WHY SOMETHING BOTHERED ME, BUT IT DID AM I OUT OF LINE?

4/16/2008 4:50:52 PM by LORIL, Member of Delve into Jesus since 3/23/2008

TXHONEYDARLING, I HAVEN'T HEARD FROM YOU, I'M JUST CHECKING IN, HOPING YOU'LL BE CHECKING IN, LET US KNOW EVERYTHING IS OK. HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU.

4/16/2008 4:56:37 PM by LORIL, Member of Delve into Jesus since 3/23/2008

LoriL, Sorry to make you worry, sweetie. The past couple of days have been full of unplanned surprises, lol. Sunday started out as a bummer day - and then we had my in-laws and some friends over to the house almost all afternoon and late evening. I pouted and prayed all day Monday because of things that happened on Sunday... and I didn't feel much like posting or talking. Yesterday, right when I sat down to peruse through the latest posts here, hubby called - we ended up making a quick out of town trip to take my father-in-law a cattle sprayer, then when we got home, I ended up taking my daughter to the doctor (again). She was on day 9 of her antibiotics for a sinus infection, with no change - last night, the doctor gave us a written prescription for new antibiotics (different antibiotic, higher dosage for 15 days this go round). He also gave us some new cough syrup, as the one he originally called in for her contained ephedrine (a no-no for her due to her heart surgery). At any rate, I had to go to town today to get her medicine filled and instead of making a really quick trip, ended up staying at my parents' shop while my dad "kidnapped" Pais and took her to feed and check the "moo moos" (cows) at my grandpa's farm. Then I had to go get my best friend a cherry limeaide (she blames her cravings on the baby - she is 20 weeks pregnant and counting - rofl), go to the grocery store - and then back to pick up Paislee's medicine, as I had just missed the delivery man for the pharmacy. When I got in, I put up the groceries and had just eaten supper when my best friend called and ended up coming over. (No church for Paislee right now, per the doctor's orders, since she is sick.) We spent a couple of hours going through her baby book of stuff and talking about her pregnancy (and all things surrounding it, ie: cribs, bottles, diapers, formula, etc.). We also had fun just sitting and talking... When she went home, I caught the last part of American Idol and came and logged on here. I loved your post about Noah's ark - and I totally agree with Ignited! Talk about God's perfect timing - and about Noah's faith and dedication to work over 100 years on the ark, only to spend more than a year living on it. What an awesome reminder of the power our Lord has! I hope you are all having a blessed week - and that I haven't bored you to tears with my escapades the last few days... *hugs* Please, if you don't mind, say a prayer that Pais gets well soon... 25 days of antibiotics is a lot, even with Activia to help her digestive system to recover to normal.

4/16/2008 10:28:23 PM by txhoneydarlin, Member of Delve into Jesus since 4/5/2008

(((Txhoneydarlin))) I will be praying for your daughter, Paislee. (What a beautiful name! I had never heard of that name before. How did you come to name her?) By the way,Txhoneydarlin, I also love your real name. It is also the name of my youngest daughter!

4/16/2008 10:44:14 PM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

TXHONEYDARLIN, I'M SO HAPPY TO HEAR FROM YOU, AND I ENJOYED HEARING ABOUT YOUR ESCAPADES, AS FAR AS YOUR DAUGHTER BEING SICK, I JUST TOOK MY SON TO THE DR'S TODAY I THOUGHT FOR SURE HE HAD A SINUS INFECTION, BUT THERE IS SO MUCH GOING AROUND ,STREP THROAT,AND EAR INFECTIONS , FLU, SINUS INFECTIONS, MY OLDER SON MICHAEL HAD THE FLU, MY LITTLE GUY DANNY 9YRS OLD HAS BEEN SICK ALL WEEK,SCHOOL VACATION:( BUT THE DR SAID AS OF RIGHT NOW NO INFECTION SHE SAID BE CAREFUL OF SINUS BECAUSE HE IS PRONE TO THEM, BUT HIS NECK GLAND IS SWOLLEN SO HE IS FIGHTING SOMETHING. AND MY GRANDDAUGHTER TRINITY WHO IS 3 HAD 2 EAR INFECTIONS AND STREP THROAT SHE HAD TO DO A DOUBLE DOSE OF ANTBIOTICS ALSO, AND I WORRY ABOUT THAT GLAND WITH DANNY NOT TO LONG AGO HIS GLAND WAS SWOLLEN AND HE DIDN'T HAVE A COLD SO I TOOK HIM TO DOC'S AND HE MEASURED IT AND I HAD TO GO BACK IN 2 WKS TO SEE F IT GOT BIGGER.I ASKED HIM WHY ARE U MEASURING IT , I KNOW WHAT YOUR CHECKING FOR , IS IT POSSIBLE. BUT HE ASSURED ME NOT TO WORRY AND IT DID GO BACK TO NORMAL SIZE,HE JUST GOT HIS ATNOIDS AND TONSILS OUT. BUT ANYWAY YES A LOT OF STUFF GOING AROUND, BUT IM GLAD YOU CHECKED IN. PRAYS ARE ALWAYS WITH PAISLEY ,GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY HOPE TO TALK TO YOU SOON LORIL

4/17/2008 12:06:31 AM by LORIL, Member of Delve into Jesus since 3/23/2008

LoriL, I think the reason the "Hail Mary" prayer bothered you is the same reason it bothers me. We, (you & I) know that the only way to God is through Jesus, not Mary. However, God respects the faith of believers, so many prayers are answered. He searches the heart of man.

4/17/2008 11:54:01 AM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

THANK YOU, I KNOW HE SEARCHES THE HEART OF MAN, AND THAT HELPS, ALTHOUGH IT'S AN UNSETTLED FEELING. I AGREE WITH WHAT YOUR SAYING, IT'S NOT LIKE THE HAIL MARY EXCLUDES JESUS,AND OF COURSE IT'S A FINE PRAYER, BUT...........MAYBE IT'S THE WAY MY UNCLE SAID IT,THE THOUGHT THAT BECAUSE HE SAID THE HAIL MARY AUNT PAT WAS BETTER,IN MY THOUGHT HE IS TAKEN OUT JESUS,BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN HE WAS, THANKS FOR YOUR RESPONSE, LORIL

4/17/2008 3:16:06 PM by LORIL, Member of Delve into Jesus since 3/23/2008

I understand. It bothered you that he didn't give God the glory. We just have to remember that God answers prayers in faith. "Hail Mary" is just the name of the prayer, like the "Lord's prayer" is just the name of the prayer that Jesus taught. Many people pray the Lord's prayer even though it was an example. Jesus didn't say, "Pray this", He said, "Pray LIKE this". As long as all the components are there, it's a good prayer.

4/17/2008 8:12:57 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

OK I UNDERSTAND THANKS

4/17/2008 11:06:49 PM by LORIL, Member of Delve into Jesus since 3/23/2008

Hi there Ignited - Thanks for your prayers for Paislee. As to how we got her name - no one in either of our families wanted us to use their names for her... so we brain-stormed, out of the box, and we decided to find common threads in our two families, so to speak. We chose paisley fabric as one common denominator, as hubby's mom's side of the family all are quilters; my grandmother was a seamstress (Dad's side), and my great-grandmother (Mom's side) was a quilter. Once we had settled on that, we changed the spelling to Paislee. Her middle name is Falyn - a play on Fallon, which means grandchild of the ruler. Both of my parents' names mean ruler (of some sort or the other), so it was perfect. Neat to know that your youngest daughter and I share the same first name - I've been waiting for you to pop up over there and say hello. *giggling* LoriL - Sounds like your kiddos are going through the ringer as well. I'll put them on my prayer list - please be sure to let me know how they are doing. Thanks for your prayers for Paislee, sweetie! Hello to the rest of my buddies here - hope you are all having a happy and blessed week!

4/18/2008 12:53:29 AM by txhoneydarlin, Member of Delve into Jesus since 4/5/2008

Txhoneydarlin, Thanks for sharing, that is really neat! (How you got her name!) I wondered about it, and I also thought of Paisley Curtains in my Husband's office! You mentioned: "I've been waiting for you to pop up over there and say hello. *giggling* " I think I know what you are refering to!!! I actually just saw your name over there the other day!!! I wasn't sure if I should say anything! (It is a small world isn't it!) Our paths were really ment to cross weren't they?! You and your family are all so beautiful! I'm so glad that you love the Lord, and have Him in your life!!! I'm thankful that you are here Txhoneydarlin! Love in Christ, IgnitedFaith

4/18/2008 9:34:07 AM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

Ignited, Awwww - thanks so much for liking the creative process resulting in Paislee's name. You need to get out of my head thinking about the paisley curtains. *giggling* And yes, you got what I was talking about... it is a small world, and I am blessed with your friendship, both here and there. *hugs* Thank you for the compliments - and I'm very grateful that our paths crossed. I've come to treasure your words and your thoughts as we get to know each other better and grow in the Lord. Be blessed!!

4/18/2008 12:32:15 PM by txhoneydarlin, Member of Delve into Jesus since 4/5/2008

Txhoneydarlin, I think the Paisley design is very pretty!!! Isn't it exciting being a Follower of Christ! (Hubby just got home. I have to get his coffee!) I will get back to you later! Have a blessed day! *hugs and prayers* (Thanks for your kindness and friendship too!!!)

4/18/2008 12:42:38 PM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

LoriL, I liked it. Actually, I had a copy of it on my board at work in 1998. I was an environmental scientist at the time. And being a Christian, I thought it added a nice touch to my office. Below it, were the words: Preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words. Sorry, I'm so late in responding. I put myself in time-out for while. Got things on my mind that I really needed to turn over to God sooner. Told you I need prayer. :)

4/18/2008 7:12:41 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

MRSPIGGY, THAT'S OK, I HOPE EVERYTHING IS OK? HERE FOR YOU IF YOU NEED TO TALK. LORIL

4/19/2008 12:27:51 AM by LORIL, Member of Delve into Jesus since 3/23/2008

Thank you LoriL, My problem is this: While I know who I am in Christ and have much faith in God and know His Word is true. While I know I'm called to sow seeds and stand in the gap for others, I struggle with asking God or believing for myself. I know in my heart that God's Word is true, so I speak it and pray it for other believers. But, when I feel that I want something from God, I should not ask. This is sin for me. Because the Word says "Ask." When it comes to me, I fall into doubt. So, I have been trying to convince myself that it's okay for ME to seek God on MY behalf. It's a struggle.

4/19/2008 9:58:59 AM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

I would like to comment on chance or God led. I am not sure if this is still the question but I had been reading the old testament where Moses was leading the people to the promised land. I found it quite interesting in Numbers 20 where the people were grumbling about no water and when Moses and Aaron sought God, God told Moses to take the rod and to 'speak unto the rock and it would pour forth it's water' but Moses told the people, must we also provide you water and he smote the rock two times with the rod and the water spilled forth. For this, God told Moses and Aaron that they would not see the promised land and He chose to take Aaron first. It didn't say that Aaron was aware of what Moses' actions were to be but Aaron was also punished so I am not quite sure of the sin on Aaron's part, if it be that he did not rebuke Moses for leaving God out of the equation or if that was the intent of the punishable sin. Here God gave a specific instruction but Moses chose to do it in his way. So was the sin that Moses did not follow God's instruction and was it because in this miracle God was showing the people that the power came from Him and not from the rod... or was it that Moses said 'must we' and took the praise and glory from God, also exalting themselves or was it both? This would then imply that there are times when God wants specific things to happen and it says that mankinds free will may lead us in our own destiny. Maybe an answer but also a question. Sorry. Also Mrs Piggy, it says that God has a storehouse of gifts for His children but we should ask, although He knows our every need and want but He loves it when we acknowledge to Him that through Him alone are all things possible. After all, who likes to be taken for granted. The intricacies of God are so amazing just like He loves to hear our praise and thanksgiving from His beloved children.

4/23/2008 10:59:07 AM by shurdell, Member of Delve into Jesus since 4/22/2008

Hello all: I was reading the posts & would like to tell of my experience some years ago when I lost my son @ 2+ months. Before he was born I kept having this recurring dream. I would go outside looking for a child I assume was my son as I already had two of them. I would go behind the trailer which is where I was living at the time and there would be this huge well like structure and the boy would be on the wall of it, walking around. I would tell him to be still and I would jump on the wall and start quickly half running towards him and as I got close, my sister would be reaching for him from the other side. She would always just barely miss his hand as he fell. It was so vivid and it was getting to the point that I didn't want to sleep anymore or I would hope that the next time, one of us would catch him. I began to think that my baby would die before it was born or I would die giving birth. My son was born healthy and I was healthy so I was relieved but then I had the dream once again. One night about midnight, I was sitting in the living room feeding him, the easy chair I sat in was facing the only entrance door and suddenly the door kind of just dropped open about maybe six inches. I thought, oh no, I will have to check it out tomorrow. It was summer so I wasn't worried about being cold. Then this hand reached in, (it was translucent white the same as the sleeve) and it beckoned as to come, then it withdrew. Well now I was shaken and didn't know what to make of it. I don't remember how but I relocked the door and grabbed a kitchen knife. I wasn't sure of what to do as I was home alone with my three sons and couldn't leave the sleeping ones undefended so I finished feeding the baby. Then I checked all the windows and made sure the door was secure. I thought maybe someone was playing a trick on me but how could they pull of the magnification inside my home. It didn't make any sense. I don't remember how long after this event when my son died but this woman I knew told me that I killed him and that he had gone to hell. It was shocking to being going through the grief, then to be accused of such and to have that judgment on my son. My son had died of SIDS. I have since found out that you cannot sin if you do not know sin, I don't remember where exactly it is in the bible but it is there. We are judged by our sins that we willfully commit but a child is innocent in sin. John 9:41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth. John 15:22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. John 15:24 If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father When Jesus rebuked the scribes, pharisees for their teachings He said Matt 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. For months after his death, I would see just around a corner in my home, a translucent elbow. I was so frightened my mother finally told me, you have to stop being afraid. I'm not sure what it is that you are seeing but I believe that for some reason you can see the spirit world and you are catching glimpses of you guardian angel. She told me that for some reason I experienced things from God she had never heard of before and that I was blessed and should be thankful. I pray that the Lord heals Paislee and that you take Him at His word, a mustard seed of faith. May his strength, courage, mercy & grace cover you and your family. Blessings.

4/23/2008 1:20:59 PM by shurdell, Member of Delve into Jesus since 4/22/2008

Shurdell, You are truely blessed. I thank you for sharing your pain and giftings with us. I thank God for sharing all of you with me. I have watched myself and others grow spiritually on this website over the past few months. I praise God that He has brought us all together for such a time as this. You are all such wonerful children. I'm sure the Father is honored to call you His. I do miss Ryan , Mark and DaveC. Haven't heard from them in weeks now. Let's keep them covered in prayer. You have all enriched my life. Be blessed Beloved.

4/23/2008 4:44:30 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

MODIFICATION ALERT! On 1/20, I posted the scenario that maybe God didn't get involved in our everyday lives, but He created the earth and turned it over to us to run. I based this on Genesis chapter 1. In the last 3 months, I've been reading a lot of books as well as the Bible and would like to modify my post. While all I stated from Genesis one is true, God does indeed want to be involved in all we do on the earth He gave us. It has been revealed to me (finally) that if we acknowledge Him in all our ways, our earth wouldn't be in such a mess. I know that all of you were aware of this, even on 1/20.

4/26/2008 7:15:25 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

Hi MrsPiggy, Your comment reminded me of a Scripture! "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

4/26/2008 8:08:01 PM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

IgnitedFaith, I like that one too. Sadly, God was speaking to us. We are His people. I know there are those who will argue He was speaking to the Israelites. But, through faith, we too, are the seed of Abraham. Thus, we are His people. And since God is eternal, so is His Word. We are so arrogant in our intellect, we "lean to our own understanding" rather than seek His face. Our ways are wicked as we allow offense into our hearts and stubornly refuse to forgive and our selfishness and self-centeredness is immeasurable. We are still looking out for ourselves instead of trusting God to look out for us. I still have to remind myself that God IS good and repent daily from trying to "work things out". I hit the floor praying every morning and STILL have to remind myself "to look to the hills from which comes my help". I KNOW I am nothing without God.

4/26/2008 10:55:11 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

Yes, MrsPiggy, God is Good. No matter what, God is good. And we can always offer up to the Lord a sacrifice of Thanksgiving and also a sacrifice of Praise! God bless you MrsPiggy my sweet friend!

4/26/2008 11:12:10 PM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

No, it is you who is my sweet friend. I took a giant step today and joined a ministry at church that I've wanted to join for a long time. I stll have a ways to go, but I'm getting sronger everyday(in faith). Many thanks to everyone on this site. You guys are the BEST!!

4/27/2008 12:02:18 AM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

I believe that God has a divine plan and we may decide to take 40 years to make a 5 minute trip, but then it still fulfills His divine plan. 1 Corinthians 13:4,5 - Love is patient; love is kind and envies no one. Love is never boastful, nor conceited, nor rude; never selfish, not quick to take offence. I CONFESS THAT I AM NEVER GOING TO STOP UNTIL I HAVE ATTAINED THE HIGH LEVEL OF LOVE JESUS WANTS ME TO HAVE IN MY LIFE! AS I SPEND TIME WITH JESUS, I AM BEING CHANGED INTO HIS IMAGE - AND I DEMONSTRATE HIS LIFE AND HIS NATURE TO OTHER PEOPLE! Song of Solomon 2:16 - My beloved is mine and I am his: he feeds among the lilies. THERE IS UNIMAGINABLE HAPPINESS FOR YOU AS YOU WHOLLY AND UNRESERVEDLY DEVOTE YOURSELF TO YOUR LORD. YOU KNOW THAT YOU BELONG TO YOUR BELOVED (JESUS): HE MAY DO WITH YOU WHAT PLEASES HIM. HE LIVES UPON INNOCENCE AND PURITY, NOURISHING YOU WITH THE SAME FOOD. HE INVITES YOU TO EAT WITH HIM THE FOOD WHICH HE LIKES BEST.

5/4/2008 4:53:07 AM by shurdell, Member of Delve into Jesus since 4/22/2008

Shurdell, All I can say is Amen.

5/4/2008 10:03:22 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

I got the email that people come into you life for a reason or a season or a lifetime. I'm doing roll call now. Loril, Txhoneydarlin, Joia, Betticrayon, Ryan, DaveC, Marklang; where are you? I'm on this site everyday. And haven't seen you all post in a while. Is everbody doing fine? I just want to know that ALL IS WELL for you all. Could you/would you please check in. You're all on my prayer list. Peace be unto you.

5/8/2008 8:19:31 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

mrspiggy, thanks for checking in,i notice people not responding as much also, but i didn't mean to stay away, i think about u alot, there is one thing that kinda bothers me and i don't want to be rude by bringing it up, so please know that i say this in a very respect way, YOU DIDN'T LIKE THAT I TAKE IT LORIL- 4/15/2008 11:47:20 PM Loril: YOU DIDN'T LIKE THAT I TAKE IT ...what are you referring to? arsindelve- 4/16/2008 7:01:46 AM this was one of my statements and a response from arisindelve, and when i replyed to him about what i meant. AITH, GOOD POINT, I WAS WORRIED THAT IT WOULD BE TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT,BUT U MADE A GREAT COMMENT TO IT. I THOUGHT IT WAS KINDA OF NEET. ARSINDELVE, I ONLY MEANT WHEN I SAID YOU DIDN'T LIKE THAT WAS, RESPONDING TO THE COMMENT UNDER IT "PREACH THE GOSPEL AT ALL TIMES AND WHEN NECESSARY USE WORDS, I WASN'T SURE WHAT THAT MEANT, AND I GUESS I WAS CONCERNED, BECAUSE OF THE HUMOR BEHIND IT. I HAVEN'T HEARD FROM YOU IN A WHILE, TILL THAT, ARE YOU UNSURE OF ME,I HOPE NOT. but he never replies back, also he states a comment on something i say that he may not approve of ,but when i reply to him he will not respond to me. odd for a minister,makes me feel worthless in his eyes. and that is it. but thank you for asking my prayer will always be with u, and i do believe people come into your life for a reason, im glad you were there for me

5/8/2008 9:23:05 PM by LORIL, Member of Delve into Jesus since 3/23/2008

mrspiggy "MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL" PLEASE READ TO THE VERY END, IT IS BEAUTIFUL!!! 'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL' You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news On September 11, 2001. Neither will I. I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK..I am ready to go.' I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized he wasn't coming home that night. I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said. 'Of course I will show you the way home - only believe in Me now.' I was at the base of the building with the Priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls. I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered. I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer. I was with the crew as they were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the believers there, comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them. I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan . I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. Did you sense Me? I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor. Some sought Me with their last breath. Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me. But, I was there. I did not place you in the Tower that day. You may not know why, but I do. However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached for Me? Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey for you. But someday your journey will end. And I will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are 'ready to go.' I will be in the stairwell of your final moments. God During the next 60 seconds, stop whatever you are doing, and take this opportunity. (Literally it is only 1 minute.) All you have to do is the following: Stop and think and appreciate God's power in your life, for doing what you know is pleasing to Him. If you are not ashamed to do this, follow the instructions. Jesus said, 'If you are ashamed of Me, I will be ashamed of you before My Father' If you are not ashamed, copy and send this message...only if you believe 'Yes, I love my God. He is my fountain of Life and My Savior. He Keeps me going day and night. Without Him, I am no one. But with Him, I can do everything. Christ is my strength.'

5/8/2008 9:34:04 PM by LORIL, Member of Delve into Jesus since 3/23/2008

Loril, I apologize for making you feel that way. I should have been more sensitive and I should have given you a personal reply. I do not have a problem with your comments, nor with what you wrote once you explained it and I should have told you so. Please forgive me. Just so you know, I am not a minister or pastor - I'm just a regular guy trying to make sure people have a home on the internet where they feel welcome and can learn more about Jesus, and I'm sorry I did not make you feel as welcome as I you deserve to be.

5/9/2008 6:57:29 AM by Michael Lane, Executive Director, Delve Christian Ministries

LoriL, That was beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing. It is comfortong to know that He is always with us. May God continue to rule and reign in our lives. May we continue to forgive each other as He continues to forgive us. Peace be unto you.

5/9/2008 10:28:21 AM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

Hi Mrs. Piggy and All - I am checking in; alive and well. Your tenderhearted concern for the presence of others reminds me of a campy novel/film - Cold Comfort Farm (one I would not recommend due to its sottile appeal; but, if you managed to get through the entirety of the book or movie, you are undoubtedly an ardent devotee and identify with the analogy). In this story, the matriarch of an eccentric family frequently insists on conducting "countings" to ensure all members of the clan are securely remaining on the farm. The troubled, but endearing and passionate cast gradually finds enlightenment and strength. The conclusion has each character experiencing a surprising, but ideal path to their dreams, whether they remain close to the farm or venture far from home. I loyally visit Delve Into Jesus each day, and remain grateful for all I've learned and the people I've met here. Beyond the discussion forums, there are other parts of the site to enjoy. My surprising and happy path has drawn me to spend more time in the Articles and Prayer Requests sections lately. I am glad this site has many options for a diverse family.

5/9/2008 4:46:03 PM by Ryan, Member of Delve into Jesus since 12/30/2007

Ryan, I am most happy to know that all is well with you. Yes, I guess I think of you all as family and just want to know that everyone is doing fine. Wouldn't want any hurt feelings lingering around out there. I heard a new friend say the cutest thing the other day. Some lady made her angry and they quarreled a couple of minutes. The lady left and I asked Toni, my new friend, if she was okay. Toni said, "Sure. Why wouldn't I be? It's not like she was going to pay rent to stay in my head." I'm learning a lot about the power of forgiveness. If we practice on the little, mundane stuff, we'll be prepared for the big disappointments in life. I'm calling it, "diciplining my disappointment". I visit Prayer Requests myself, at least three times a day. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Did you know that May 1st was National Prayer Day? I went to church for intercessory prayer that evening and one of the pray-ers mentioned it. I later saw it on my calendar, where I'd written it a week earlier and forgot. I'm glad there are other options also. Good to know you're in the neighborhood. Don't wander off too far. :)

5/9/2008 9:04:17 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

I recentley to questioned Gods ways, when in doubt about somethings that were going on in my life. I pondered, and never got why i had to go through what i considered hell for those past 5 years. Till today i was watching this spiritual channel on TBN and the preacher was great, he was preaching about fufilment, and how everything happens for a reason. Then he said how youmust endure the bad to open the doorway to the good. Joseph was sold ino slavery for jealousey, inslaved because of pottifers wife but if that hadnt had happened he would have never became powerful in the end. He wouldnt have never been second hnd to pharoah. If goliath never exsited who was king David going to fight, how else was he to become king over Israel?. If saul wasnt there to interogate him all the time, how would he had trusted God and gained widom from him. If Moses didnt have to ace those drulling months in the desert, how would we be able to gain our inheritance. Most importantly If jesus descided nope! I dont wanna die send some one else im tired of this pain, thier being mean! blah..blha..blah were would be now. The jews would inherit the kingdom of God not us. o as painful as it is remeber that verything

6/14/2008 9:25:34 PM by diamant.noirs, Member of Delve into Jesus since 5/24/2008

happens 4 a reason

6/14/2008 9:25:58 PM by diamant.noirs, Member of Delve into Jesus since 5/24/2008

Hello diamant.noirs - It's nice to have a new friend aboard this discussion! The phenomenon of the Creator of the Universe moving in one's own life is amazing beyond words. How wonderful it is to have trust that circumstances which seem to be bad to us will be turned into a greater good for all those who love God. Your post motivates me to recline in trust and to praise God tonight! Thanks for sharing these encouraging examples!

6/14/2008 9:48:43 PM by Ryan, Member of Delve into Jesus since 12/30/2007

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