After much prayer and some discussion with a few of my closest friends, it was with a sad heart that I emailed my pastor and his wife Monday night to let them know of my intent to step down from teaching and the worship team.
The Lord has been preparing me for something, and I don't know what that something is. I have inklings of ideas, glimmers of wisdom, bits and pieces of what He has in store for me. I'm excited at what I've seen so far, inspired by kind words from friends that tell me what an encouragement I have been to them.
There are already so many changes happening in our life right now. Our quest to live healthy, BE healthy, continues and as it does, so do the complications that come with an ever changing family dynamic. I don't do well with change, and I don't like going somewhere without a map on how to get there.
I'm tired though. I'm tired of being attacked and beaten up. I take 2 steps forward and the enemy pushes me 5 steps back. I'm tired of the arguments, of the disrespect and rudeness coming from two teen boys that need major attitude adjustments. I'm tired of feeling guilty for voicing thoughts of things that may possibly happen just b/c they don't like it, when I didn't have to ask for the opinions in the first place. I'm tired of the stress, the chaos all around me. It's weighing me down and I'm starting to feel like I can't function normally anymore. I have no energy, no desire to do the things I need to do. I know in times like this, I should turn even more to Him, turn to my Bible and to prayer, but even those things require focus and concentration I just can't seem to find this week. And I don't like it.
I hate this. I hate being like this. I hate what it does to me, to my family, to my friends around me. I don't like the person I turn in to, but I feel helpless to fight it off. I feel weak when I know I shouldn't. I could post scripture after scripture but I know it wouldn't help right now. I've given these situations, these circumstances over to Him, yet my spirit remains heavy. I should feel strong and victorious b/c I know He is right there beside me, or perhaps in front of me, fighting my battles for me, but I don't feel that way. I should feel strong because these attacks are confirmation that I'm going in the right direction; I'm preparing myself and others in my life for something better. Except I don't. I'm facing the unknown; lost in the middle of the woods seeking the road that always remains just out of sight. And I don't like it. But I feel powerless to stop it, powerless to do anything other than let it run its course.
I know this is part of my test. It will strengthen my faith, my trust in Him, and it will help me to go deeper into my relationship. It will make my marriage stronger, my family stronger, myself stronger. It will be a testimony of trials and encouragement to others that will someday hear it. But I fear that someday is still far off. And I still don't like it.
Showing posts with label attacks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label attacks. Show all posts
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Parents - beware the books "Conversations with God"
Today I received the following email, forwarded to me by one of my dearest Sisters.
Most of you have gone past the stage of worrying about your children but remember the next generation are your grandkids so please don't drop your guard. They have taken God out of our schools and now are trying to replace Him with false writings in His name, be aware.
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To all my friends who have children and grandchildren.
Beware of this book! Oprah is pushing it. It is scary that someone would be bold enough to write a book from God's point of view contrary to His Word. Please send to all with kids or grandkids.
If you have children or grandchildren, work with children at church, or you have neighborhood children whose parents you know, please take note of the information below and pass it along to others. Schools are distributing this book to children through the Scholastic Book Club.
The name of the book is "Conversations with God". James Dobson talked about this book twice this week. It is devastating. Parents, churches and Christian schools need to be aware of it. Please pass this information on to church/e-mail addresses, Parents, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, friends.
For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” Romans 10:13-15 (NLT)
Most of you have gone past the stage of worrying about your children but remember the next generation are your grandkids so please don't drop your guard. They have taken God out of our schools and now are trying to replace Him with false writings in His name, be aware.
----------------------
To all my friends who have children and grandchildren.
Beware of this book! Oprah is pushing it. It is scary that someone would be bold enough to write a book from God's point of view contrary to His Word. Please send to all with kids or grandkids.
If you have children or grandchildren, work with children at church, or you have neighborhood children whose parents you know, please take note of the information below and pass it along to others. Schools are distributing this book to children through the Scholastic Book Club.
The name of the book is "Conversations with God". James Dobson talked about this book twice this week. It is devastating. Parents, churches and Christian schools need to be aware of it. Please pass this information on to church/e-mail addresses, Parents, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, friends.
Two particular books are, Conversations with God and Conversations with God for Teens, written by Neale D. Walsch. They sound harmless enough by their titles alone. The books have been on the New York Times best sellers list for a number of weeks, and they make truth of the statement, "Don't judge a book by its cover or title."
The author purports to answer various questions asked by kids using the "voice of God". However, the "answers" that he gives are not Bible-based and go against the very infallible word of God. For instance (and I paraphrase), when a girl asks the question "Why am I a lesbian?" His answer is that she was 'born that way' because of genetics (just as you were born right-handed, with brown eyes, etc.). Then he tells her to go out and "celebrate" her differences.
Another girl poses the question "I am living with my boyfriend. My parents say that I should marry him because I am living in sin. Should I marry him?" His reply is, "Who are you sinning against? Not me, because you have done nothing wrong."
Another question asks about God's forgiveness of sin. His reply "I do not forgive anyone because there is nothing to forgive... There is no such thing as right or wrong and that is what I have been trying to tell everyone, do not judge people. People have chosen to judge one another and this is wrong, because the rule is "'judge not lest ye be judged."
Not only are these books the false doctrine of the devil, but in some instances quote (in error) the Word of God.
And the list goes on. These books (and others like it) are being sold to school children through (The Scholastic Book Club), and we need to be aware of what is being fed to our children.
Our children are under attack. So I pray that you be sober and vigilant about teaching your children the Word of God, and guarding their exposure to worldly mediums, because our adversary, the devil, roams about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). We know that lions usually hunt for the slowest, weakest and YOUNGEST of its prey.
Pass this on to every Believer you know. God bless. And, if you are in doubt, check out the books yourself.
I have personally never even heard of this book even though it has 3 sequels and has been around for decades. I did my research though and was appalled by what I found. It’s a book that is purported to be answers directly from God but that is in reality a small amount of truth interspersed with twisted lies. From my own research, the majority of the positive reviews are all from new-age spirituality, prosperity preaching websites. BTDT, NEVER GOING BACK!
This book “teaches” that we are all pure gods and goddesses from the moment of creation, equal to God. There is no heaven, there is no before or after, there is only now, and thus we can’t ever be on an incorrect path. There is no right or wrong; they are relative terms we place on things. IMO, this is a great example of that little truth with big lies – while technically correct, where did the original terms come from? GOD told us way back in the beginning of Genesis! According to these books, we are not bound to obligations, situations or circumstances, rules or restrictions, nor are we punishable for offenses because nothing is offensive to God. ????!!!!
I think one of the points that really got me was the whole restrictions thing. It talks about how nothing is really restricted from us, and that placing a restriction on something gives it life. I can see that as another technical truth. Being restricted from something makes us want it even more. I get that. But while God is probably not going to personally punish me for playing FarmVille every waking hour, God is still displeased with me because (1) I’ve idolized something and He hates idols and (2) I’m neglecting my spiritual relationship with Him, which eventually will hurt me and everyone I come into contact with. I think I’ll stick with my restrictions. The rewards more than make up for the sacrifice.
After reading several pages of quotes from the books, I’m left with a very strong feeling that this is one of the enemy’s most successful attacks and we need to be very weary of it. I just couldn’t believe some of the stuff I was reading. I kinda feel like I should read the book so I’m more aware of the lies the enemy is using, but I think I’d only end up screaming at the book and throwing it across the room in frustration. I don’t think it’s going to make it on my list of future reads. ROFL
Parents, read about these books. Pray about them, and how God can use you to spread the word that these books are not of God and should be avoided. We have an obligation to fight the enemy and preach His Word to everyone that can hear.
The author purports to answer various questions asked by kids using the "voice of God". However, the "answers" that he gives are not Bible-based and go against the very infallible word of God. For instance (and I paraphrase), when a girl asks the question "Why am I a lesbian?" His answer is that she was 'born that way' because of genetics (just as you were born right-handed, with brown eyes, etc.). Then he tells her to go out and "celebrate" her differences.
Another girl poses the question "I am living with my boyfriend. My parents say that I should marry him because I am living in sin. Should I marry him?" His reply is, "Who are you sinning against? Not me, because you have done nothing wrong."
Another question asks about God's forgiveness of sin. His reply "I do not forgive anyone because there is nothing to forgive... There is no such thing as right or wrong and that is what I have been trying to tell everyone, do not judge people. People have chosen to judge one another and this is wrong, because the rule is "'judge not lest ye be judged."
Not only are these books the false doctrine of the devil, but in some instances quote (in error) the Word of God.
And the list goes on. These books (and others like it) are being sold to school children through (The Scholastic Book Club), and we need to be aware of what is being fed to our children.
Our children are under attack. So I pray that you be sober and vigilant about teaching your children the Word of God, and guarding their exposure to worldly mediums, because our adversary, the devil, roams about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). We know that lions usually hunt for the slowest, weakest and YOUNGEST of its prey.
Pass this on to every Believer you know. God bless. And, if you are in doubt, check out the books yourself.
I have personally never even heard of this book even though it has 3 sequels and has been around for decades. I did my research though and was appalled by what I found. It’s a book that is purported to be answers directly from God but that is in reality a small amount of truth interspersed with twisted lies. From my own research, the majority of the positive reviews are all from new-age spirituality, prosperity preaching websites. BTDT, NEVER GOING BACK!
This book “teaches” that we are all pure gods and goddesses from the moment of creation, equal to God. There is no heaven, there is no before or after, there is only now, and thus we can’t ever be on an incorrect path. There is no right or wrong; they are relative terms we place on things. IMO, this is a great example of that little truth with big lies – while technically correct, where did the original terms come from? GOD told us way back in the beginning of Genesis! According to these books, we are not bound to obligations, situations or circumstances, rules or restrictions, nor are we punishable for offenses because nothing is offensive to God. ????!!!!
I think one of the points that really got me was the whole restrictions thing. It talks about how nothing is really restricted from us, and that placing a restriction on something gives it life. I can see that as another technical truth. Being restricted from something makes us want it even more. I get that. But while God is probably not going to personally punish me for playing FarmVille every waking hour, God is still displeased with me because (1) I’ve idolized something and He hates idols and (2) I’m neglecting my spiritual relationship with Him, which eventually will hurt me and everyone I come into contact with. I think I’ll stick with my restrictions. The rewards more than make up for the sacrifice.
After reading several pages of quotes from the books, I’m left with a very strong feeling that this is one of the enemy’s most successful attacks and we need to be very weary of it. I just couldn’t believe some of the stuff I was reading. I kinda feel like I should read the book so I’m more aware of the lies the enemy is using, but I think I’d only end up screaming at the book and throwing it across the room in frustration. I don’t think it’s going to make it on my list of future reads. ROFL
Parents, read about these books. Pray about them, and how God can use you to spread the word that these books are not of God and should be avoided. We have an obligation to fight the enemy and preach His Word to everyone that can hear.
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