Crunchy Christian Mamas in 2012 - Page 2

[sahmof2girls]

We had our second family prayer night tonight.  I found, walk thru the bible ministries "family walk" at a Christian thrift store today for .25 cents, and we did the first devotional from that.  This will definitely be a process but I am glad we are doing it.  After we did the devotional I asked the kids to say a prayer and dd's thought about it and said theirs, and ds said "dear God...tractors do not go on top of trucks..amen"

[e&tsmom]

Hi Ladies,

I posted once in your other thread for 2011.  I'd like to join here, too, if I may, but I dont get to post a whole lot.  I just wanted to ask for prayers for my sister.  She is having a miscarriage and is completely devastated.  I dont know what to say to her because saying that we are praying for them seems so hollow.  I pray that Jesus will wrap his arms around them, but I just wish I could say somehting to help.  They have been trying for so long. 

I pray for strength to believe in Him always, even when I dont "feel" it.  That is my ongoing struggle.  I do believe.but it is when I dont feel the presence or closeness that I begin to worry.

[Nazsmum]

I will pray for your sister. I would say just be there for her.

[sosurreal09]

Subbing- Hi guys!

[sahmof2girls]

Originally Posted by e&tsmom 

Hi Ladies,

I posted once in your other thread for 2011.  I'd like to join here, too, if I may, but I dont get to post a whole lot.  I just wanted to ask for prayers for my sister.  She is having a miscarriage and is completely devastated.  I dont know what to say to her because saying that we are praying for them seems so hollow.  I pray that Jesus will wrap his arms around them, but I just wish I could say somehting to help.  They have been trying for so long. 

I pray for strength to believe in Him always, even when I dont "feel" it.  That is my ongoing struggle.  I do believe.but it is when I dont feel the presence or closeness that I begin to worry.

For your sister through this hard time!!!!
 

[Nazsmum]

I need prayer......feeling down and sick.

[e&tsmom]

Thanks for the prayers, Ladies.  I'll say one for you, too, Nazsmum. 

Have any of you read C S Lewis's books?  I read "A Grief Observed" and I cant get it off my mind.  Thought I could chat about it if anyone has read it.  I read his "Mere Christianity" and something else tht i cant remember and both of them I LOVED.  Starting on his "Miracles."

[Nazsmum]

e&tsmom- how is your sister? & I thank you for praying.

OH I forgot...I could never "get into CS Lewis....not sure why.

[sahmof2girls]

Originally Posted by Nazsmum 

I need prayer......feeling down and sick.

I will pray for you!!!!! 

[lilyka]

My two favorite books by C.S Lewis are The Great Divorce  and Until We Have Faces

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[e&tsmom]

Originally Posted by Nazsmum 

e&tsmom- how is your sister? & I thank you for praying.

OH I forgot...I could never "get into CS Lewis....not sure why.

My sister is hanging in there, thanks for asking.  She is really sad and very tired.  Her husband is trying to stay really positive, but as a result is sort of not letting her mourn.  Know what I mean?  Its tough for them.  Very sad.

I think some people are turned off by lewis's writing style, but I actually love it.  He write in a conversational tone without trying to pass on his own beliefs and without being condescending.  I find I am turned off my lots of the books our church uses for studies because I dont like the perspective.  I feel like a lot are "preachy" and have an agenda.

[e&tsmom]

Originally Posted by lilyka 

My two favorite books by C.S Lewis are The Great Divorce  and Until We Have Faces

.

These are on my list!

[Nazsmum]

Originally Posted by e&tsmom 

My sister is hanging in there, thanks for asking.  She is really sad and very tired.  Her husband is trying to stay really positive, but as a result is sort of not letting her mourn.  Know what I mean?  Its tough for them.  Very sad.

I think some people are turned off by lewis's writing style, but I actually love it.  He write in a conversational tone without trying to pass on his own beliefs and without being condescending.  I find I am turned off my lots of the books our church uses for studies because I dont like the perspective.  I feel like a lot are "preachy" and have an agenda.

I was very sad when I m/c. Is she a believer? I have a little book about God's love that I would like to send her. If you think that she would read it. If you want I will send it to you and you could give it to her.

[John16n33]

Hello ladies, is it okay if I join?  My situation is kind of strange as I am a Christian and Dh is an athiest.  He used to be a believer but went through a major depression after I got pregnant and had my Dd (we were 18 and not together and did not get back together until she was a year old), he came out of it deciding he no longer believed and I found all this out about 3 weeks before we got married.  There is more to the story but it is really long and I won't bore you with the details.

On another note, Dh is letting me have this one cycle, and one cycle only to TTC #2-the odds are kind of against me so I would appreciate any prayers for a sticky bean this cycle!

jimblejamble- I grew up LDS but stopped going when I was about 14.  I understand EXACTLY what you mean about the church.  I grew up in Texas so our church was a lot more laid back than the Utah wards (our missionaries were allowed to drive cars), and while I do love the family values that are taught in LDS I just could not get past how none of it seemed really biblical to me.  My grandmother, mother, and one aunt are all still LDS but other than that most members of my family have left the church.

[e&tsmom]

Originally Posted by Nazsmum 

I was very sad when I m/c. Is she a believer? I have a little book about God's love that I would like to send her. If you think that she would read it. If you want I will send it to you and you could give it to her.

This is so sweet of you to offer.  I *think* she is a believer, but the truth is I honestly dont know.  I dont think she thinks much about it, and I wish she would because I think that it would help her see she doesnt have to have this hopeless feeling.  She is so kind, and is there to help anyone whenevr they need it, but to be honest, I am not sure she would read it. I am not sure why. 

[Nazsmum]

e&tsmom- OK, I'm praying for her.

John16n33- Welcome.

THANKS for the prayers. I'm feeling better. Still "fighting" something but much better.

[e&tsmom]

Okay, so what is your "deal breaker?"  I mean, there are so many belief systems out there within Christianity.  I hear a lot of "well, MY God wouldnt this or that."  I go through periods of extreme devotion and debilitating questioning.  Thats just how I am.  Seems if I am in a questioning phase of my life everything gets all out of whack.  I came through this last phase with a realization that I dont believe everything, but I feel I believe the core things: Jesus is the Son of God, he died for our sins, we are called to follow Him and to be his hands and feet on Earth.  I am not so sure I believe in the virgin birth, the bodily resurrection (def the spiritual resurrection).   I feel like, the rest I'll understand soon enough when this life has ended for me.  So, I'll try not to get too bogged down with the understanding and just live the way we are called to live and BELIEVE.  But, then, as usual, I wonder if I am right in doing this?  I hate to think I am making christianity be what I want it rather than what it is suppsed to be - kwim?

Thoughts?

And, what do you think about the afterlife?  You get lots of great fuzzy warm pictres from books, movies, etc, but what do youthink it will be?  I was doing some reading and watching some completely non-religious science programs and wonder if it is our spirit/intellect that lives on after we pass.  so we may not have a form at all.  which may seem obvious to some of you but seems rather shocking to me.  My grandma  is 92, in perfectly good health, but is ready to go.  I think this is why I am thinking about the afterlife so much lately. I  know we wont have a human form, but I guess I have fallen for the warm fuzzies of TV and books.  I think I'll miss not having a form or the relationships with my family.  I know it will be so much more, in my head, but in my heart I want everything to stay the same. 

[sosurreal09]

Without being critical I think you are being humanistic. I take the word of God at face value. Yes my logical mind questions so much but I do whole heartedly believe in the virgin birth and the physical resurrection b/c it is stated as true. I know I have had many manifestations from the Lord so I guess for me it is very easy to have and trust faith.

With this pregnancy I struggled with the Lord. He told me for 6 months to have this baby and I kept fighting him...I refused to take my IUD out..I got an infection and it had to come out...I was actively avoiding and charting and He told me the baby will be born in May...I begged for more time (b/c we are SO financially unstable)...despite my efforts to not get pregnant I am pregnant and due May 9th...

Sometimes you need to have blind faith. I will say though that His word has been research and researched over and over trying to disprove it or trying to prove it. There was a good documentary I saw on this...Anyone know what I'm talking about? Anyway God's grace and love have been proven over and over again by the lives that drastically change when they give themselves to Him.

As far as heaven goes I just don't over think it I will serve God in heaven and be at peace.

[lilyka]

I do not pick and choose what to believe.  There are no lines int he sand about what I will take and what i will reject.  If there is a teaching i do no agree I conform to it.   Of course that is easier for me since I belong to a church with athourity and a history to stand on.  they know what they belive, why and where that teaching came from.  I go with the historical church and what they believe as far as interpreting scripture, worship and functioning as a body.  

There are things I just do not care too much about.   Literal seven day creation (I know it is possible but could care less about the details of how it actually happened), end times (so long as i am ready for my end time) and all of that.   I am more concerned about the condition of my soul today than picking apart the details of things we can never know for certain and that really have no bearing on our personal salvation.  I think people often focus on those things because it takes the focus off of their souls and sin and need for repentance and submission to God.  Ok i will get off my soap box now LOL.

[John16n33]

There isn't a deal breaker for me.  To me it is about faith, I have faith in the Lord and I believe his word is true.  End of story.  I used to question it a lot and have read a lot of scholarly research on it, all of that only backed up my belief in the Lord, the virgin birth, etc.  Have you read The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel?  If not I would really recommend it, especially if your wanting scholarly opinions on all of it.

Here is the thing though, if the virgin birth and other things about Christs life did not occur then Christ could not have been the Messiah, because he would not have fulfilled the prophecies.  In Isaiah 7:14, it says that 'the Lord Himself shall give you a sign: Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."

My preacher actually did a sermon on this not too long ago, there are many (I don't know the exact number) messianic prophecies in the Bible, many of which such as the virgin birth, where he was born, the time he was born, his lineage, being pierced in the side, etc. could not really be controlled by Christ.  Someone did the math and because of the technicalities of these prophecies the likelihood of anyone from the beginning creation until now fulfilling only 8 of the 48 prophecies is only one in one trillion. The chance of someone fulfilling 48 prophecies is one in ten to the 157th power.