Hillary is only at 30% of her funding to return to Sicily. She sees the Italian consulate on June 26 (which was hard to get), but if she doesn’t have 90% of her funding in place by then, Christian Associates will not “allow” her to return to the mission field, thus invalidating the VISA requirements. She’s been working hard and is pretty discouraged.
She’s supporting herself while she seeks additional supporters, by working as a barista at a local coffee shop with a difficult and discouraging boss. If you could pray for her–it’s been a tough week.
And if any missionary friends have ideas, we’d welcome them.
Thank you to those of you who prayed about my talk with our youth pastor. Though it was as yet unscheduled when I posted my request last night, I was quite surprised that the talk actually came about today! I went to a funeral at our church this morning, saw the youth pastor there, and after the service I asked him if there was a time I could meet with him. He said, “How about now?” So I did.
Rather eye-opening discussion, and that is all I’ll say for now. It is good, though, that it prompted each of us to commit to further study in the Scriptures.
One or more of you may get an email from me regarding the matter, as I don’t want to say too much publicly, but feel the need to discuss this with other Christians (time permitting), in addition to the ones I’ve spoken with already (my husband, and a close friend at church).
Heavenly Father, You have so many ways of meeting needs in this world. We never imagine all the resources You have available, but we trust that You have unseen storehouses of all types of provision. We ask, as Your children, to help this missionary in need, Hillary, to get funding settled to enable her to return to the field. I pray You will give her new ideas of ways to reach those who have a heart for her specific mission. Please put her in touch with channels of provision that she can convert to meet her expenses. Lord, I don’t know if bartering is ever used by missionaries, but I just had that thought. Please find favor with our prayers and supply Hillary’s need with overflowing resources so she is able to help others. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Heavenly Father, I also pray for 6 Arrows need regarding the misinformation contrary to Biblical and family standards being dispensed by the minister to the youth. Thank You for letting the situation come into the light. Please help this youth minister to have understanding about being unequally yoked. I pray other parents can be made aware so they can make needed correction in their families. I pray the youth minister will be open to correction and will not feel ganged up on by unhappy parents. Please resolve any feelings he may have stirred in the young under his guidance that would lead to unwholesome relationships. Please bless Six Arrows in her efforts to get things back in order as You desire. I pray in Jesus’name, Amen
6 Arrows – This isn’t in the Bible, but well-known common sense says that even casual dating can end up in “falling in love” & getting married. I’ve heard it said that one shouldn’t date anyone one wouldn’t think of marrying.
So if we wouldn’t marry unbelievers, it makes sense to not date unbelievers. It is too easy for us to become too attached too quickly.
Just dating? — I’d say it’s not necessarily “wrong.”
But it is perhaps is unwise — or calls for extra caution — since dating can (but doesn’t always) lead to deeper emotional entanglements. And if that happens, then things can get very complicated.
Karen, he says that, though it’s not usually a good idea, it is not sin to date an unbeliever or to marry an unbeliever, and to call it sin would be legalistic.
I told him I’d always understood 2 Corinthians 6:14, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” to be a command to not marry an unbeliever. (The “unequally yoked” part.)
He said that passage didn’t forbid any association with unbelievers, whether it be friendship, business dealings, marriage, or any other relationship, just that we are not to adopt their sinful ways.
He acknowledges the dangers involved in dating and/or marrying a non-Christian, but what he kept coming back to (he must have mentioned it 10 or 12 times in our fairly lengthy meeting) was that it was not sin.
So I am digging deep into scripture this afternoon, examining that verse and others, like Ephesians 5:11 (“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”).
I’m also pondering the picture we have of Christ as our Bridegroom and us believers as the Bride, and how I believe earthly marriage is intended to be a picture of that relationship. It seems to me the entire picture of our oneness in Christ is subverted when we enter into a marriage with someone who is not in unity with Christ. So Ephesians 5:27 and other verses in that section of scripture are on my mind, as well.
I can see his point. Sin is separation from God; you’re not condemned to hell if you marry an unbeliever.
I don’t think it’s wise, I don’t recommend it, I don’t encourage friends who have done it, but to marry someone outside your faith doesn’t separate you from God. . You’re just choosing to live a much harder life full of temptations and challenges.
Are you violating Scripture? I’d say yes, but I violate Scripture when I choose gluttony. Am I condemned if I eat too many M&Ms?
When I ran into this with a friend, I went through Scripture with her, pointed out truth, challenged her and she remained determined to marry him. I felt I had done my job and once they were married, I have supported her in her marriage. I’m not sure I’ve ever argued some of the issues she has three years later are a result of her choice to marry an unbeliever, but she has mentioned it.
She knew the truth and married him anyway.
My concern would be a youth leader needs to be making the case FOR Scriptural marriage, not allowing for the exceptions. Sometimes we need to be hard over because so many weak-minded Christians are looking for the loopholes, rather than seeking to choose the straight and narrow path. Certainly, you don’t condemn, but you don’t encourage either. We’re called to live in grace, but isn’t grace designed for after the fact rather than before the poor choice is made?
Doesn’t it become “cheap grace,” when despite knowing the truth of Scripture, you choose another way?
I just finished reading a Christian fiction novel, Pam, by Sharon Srock, that has a sideline story about this very thing. It is very well handled in the book. The young lady has a three-year- old born before she was a Christian. A young man asks her for a date and they get along great, but then she discovers he is not a Christian although he is a very nice and good-hearted person. The young lady decides they will not date with physical contact, but they can get together for outings. He is invited to church and is reluctant to go, but makes an effort. He finds some things he likes about it. He is thinking of marriage but realizes she won’t go there unless he becomes a sincere Christian. It is not resolved in this book as this was a sideline to the main story. Don’t know if you would be interested in how it was handled enough to read the book.
Michelle – As I understand it, sin is “missing the mark”, so violating scripture would indeed be sin. But of course, when we sin, we confess it & are forgiven. I don’t think separation from God comes until one keeps walking in that sin, without repentance. (Our Reformed friends here would say that if that happens, one wasn’t really a Christian in the first place.)
Anyway, I don’t see a difference between sin & violating scripture, since violating scripture is also “missing the mark”.
Thank You for the bright and shiny new day. Even though it is still dark outside, I expect You will again provide the turning of the earth toward the sun. Thank You for moonlight that reminds us that the sun is still shining. Thank You for Sundays and all the ways we find to worship You.
I praise You, Father God for the blessing of guidance and persistence You have given to Michelle so she was enabled through much struggle to advance on her book. You have once again shown Yourself to be our help in whatever our trouble time involves.
I ask today that You would give a special blessing to those among us who are desirous of more adult conversation. You have provided well for us here and we are ever thankful. But this is not the same as looking into a person’s eyes while talking or reaching out to give a needed hug. If possible, Abba, I ask for additional provision for those with that felt need.
Thank You for the blessing of another school year completed by those among us who need a break. Thank You for advancements that mark time in a positive way.
I lift up our nation asking Your divine guidance for leaders who want the best, Your best, for our people. I ask that You would allow any within our borders who are bent on doing harm to our citizens to be thwarted in their evil plans. You know the hearts of the enemies of the USA. I ask first for a change of heart. If their hearts are too hardened to change then I ask that You would make them totally ineffective as they pursue damage to our form of government. Thank You for those who give their all in watching over us in the night and day, 24/7.
Lord, please help my son as he plows through two grad level Latin classes in a month’s time. It sounds impossible from my point of view so I ask for You to do the impossible and help him get through it with a good grade. Bless him with excellent recall on all the memory work he must do. Please help him to overcome times of despair over the magnitude of the task.
Please let Your guidance and felt presence fill all the children’s, youth and adult Sunday School/Lifegroup classrooms today. May all feel welcome as they are given opportunity to learn more about You. I pray in Jesus’name, Amen
Actually 2 Cor. 6:14 is not talking about marriage. It is a much bigger discussion than that. It can certainly be used to discuss the foolishness of marrying someone with far different beliefs.
I know more than one person who has joined in a business endeavor with a non-believer and that also has caused a lot of grief. Ethical and moral issues can be looked at quite differently and it can cause tension or out-right hostility.
The discussion in 2 Corinthians is bigger than that, too.
Having said that, there are many who have become believers after a marriage to someone who really was a believer. Others have thought they were marrying a believer and found it was someone who just outwardly conformed to Christian ethics. The spouse later proved to not want Christ at all.
There should be lots of discussion with young adults about various scenarios possible in marriage. There should be lots of discussion about what traits are desired. I never told my daughters they could not date a non-believer. They did know we expected them to marry a Christian. I cannot imagine asking someone if they are a Christian before you have a casual date. I do believe we can have casual dates. Ideally, that might be with others in a group setting.
I do realize that some think one only dates for marriage or are into a courting mindset.
Of course, my husband would probably never dated me, since he did not know for sure if I was believer, at that point.. He knew I went to church. We discussed religious and spiritual matters and I knew where he stood. We did pray together before we were married. He asked me to pray the sinners prayer and I did. Did I understand all that? No. Did I think Christ died for my sins? Yes. I had very little biblical knowledge, in spite of attending a church school for many years, however.
There is a big difference in dating someone who is openly rebellious against Christianity, parents, authority and someone who is simply ignorant about the bible. Then there are all the variations of Christians–baptize as babies or as adults?– etc.
There should be a lot of discussion before getting too serious and before marriage. However, for a date? I am not so sure.
Thank you for all your input. I don’t have time to respond to each of you individually, but I do plan on doing deeper study into the scriptures on the topic, and appreciate your prayers as I do so.
Michelle, if you wouldn’t mind, regarding this statement you made (8:43 pm, fourth paragraph): “When I ran into this with a friend, I went through Scripture with her, pointed out truth…” If you recall which scriptures you shared with her, and have the time to pass them along to me, could you let me know what they are, either here or via email? Thanks much.
I would also like to request prayers as we begin a new leg of our homeschool journey tomorrow (with 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Arrows). Additionally, tomorrow is 2nd Arrow’s first day on the job as a new Veterinary Technician. Prayers as she embarks on her career are welcome and appreciated.
It was the 2 Corinthians 6:14 passage Kathleena referenced above. It was many years ago and I”m pretty sure we talked about wives being submissive to her husbands and what that would like if her husband wasn’t a believer. She may have brought up the passage about spouses being saved through their Christian spouses. I don’t remember now much beyond that, sorry.
I probably should point out, I like her husband, always have. Now that she’s married and having some issues, I make it a point to be positive in speaking about her husband and reminding her sometimes of his admirable qualities.
When one of my boys dated a girl I didn’t approve of, I prayed a lot and came to realize that what was attractive to this girl was Jesus in my son. I prayed that she would either become a Christian or go away. How’s that for covering the bases?
She went away (to much rejoicing in my land) and years later we learned she became a Christian and a missionary with YWAM. As Kathleena pointed out, you just don’t know.
Best wishes to 2nd Arrow and to our young friend Jessie starting their jobs tomorrow. My daughter, meanwhile, is flailing around finals week and troubled her future looks so unclear.
Sigh. I am a very bad communicator. Though I thanked all of you for your input, at the same time, I am really overwhelmed by it all. I realize my last paragraph of my 3:24 pm post yesterday was probably misleading, as mostly I just meant to request prayer as I embark on further study in the scriptures. I shouldn’t have even brought up here that I might be emailing people (time permitting) to seek additional input, as I’m sure that sounded like an invitation for anyone to offer their thoughts. Not that I don’t want certain people’s thoughts. Not at all.
I feel like I am probably making no sense at all right now. 😦
Anyway, my apologies for muddying the waters. It was dumb to even have put that fourth paragraph in my post. I have been overwhelmed by a lot of things lately, and if you could simply pray for me, that would be very kind.
Six Arrows, you are not required to read anybody’s input, even this one. But by putting your concerns out here, other people with similar concerns can see the discussion and perhaps gain from it. That is a good thing. As long as no one feels they have to take all of the advice or suggestions, as that would be impossible as we all have different perspectives. The idea is to get the thoughts talked about so we can see God working and I thank you for another interesting discussion topic. People bring up lots of interesting ideas and taking it to Scripture is a good thing. Iron sharpens iron.
But the bottom line is that I made many mistakes in my handling of this, most significantly that I looked for human input too soon, before I had studied in the Word as thoroughly as I feel I should have.
The cacophony of voices is too much. I realized too late that all I want is to just hear the still, small voice at this time.
Thank You for the fellow beleivers who gather here on this site and try to be encoraging and helpful to each other. Please forgive us when we fall short of Your highest standards. You are the ultimate source of all truth. Your word supplies our needs. We all hunger and thirst for righteousness. Please help us in our search for that. Please help our children and grandchildren to be able to search out Your truth for their lives. I pray for 6 Arrows especially to be led by the Holy Spirit through the Scriptures to see Your truth in this matter, not just what she wants that truth to be for her situation. I have never studied that subject, but I know what I would want for my son. I ask that You would lead 6 Arrows to Your truth and that we could all be blessed by her sharing with us.
Please bless those young people in our lives who are starting new work this week or are struggling through difficult lessons at school. Please help those who are scrambling to find employment during the summer. The young have so many things to deal with considering the complications of our society. Keep them safely under Your wings. Please help those with Mumsee along this path of restoration You have so graciously provided. May the blessings they have received be turned into blessings for all they meet on their life pathways.
Lord, I have not felt too good today. Please help me to soon feel better.
Thank you, Janice. To be led by the Spirit to see the Truth in scripture is exactly what I want. I don’t want to give the impression that I think I’ve got this all figured out, and am searching the scriptures and/or looking to human beings to validate my preconceived notions.
Wandering Views 
Hillary is only at 30% of her funding to return to Sicily. She sees the Italian consulate on June 26 (which was hard to get), but if she doesn’t have 90% of her funding in place by then, Christian Associates will not “allow” her to return to the mission field, thus invalidating the VISA requirements. She’s been working hard and is pretty discouraged.
She’s supporting herself while she seeks additional supporters, by working as a barista at a local coffee shop with a difficult and discouraging boss. If you could pray for her–it’s been a tough week.
And if any missionary friends have ideas, we’d welcome them.
LikeLike
Praying, Michelle.
Thank you to those of you who prayed about my talk with our youth pastor. Though it was as yet unscheduled when I posted my request last night, I was quite surprised that the talk actually came about today! I went to a funeral at our church this morning, saw the youth pastor there, and after the service I asked him if there was a time I could meet with him. He said, “How about now?” So I did.
Rather eye-opening discussion, and that is all I’ll say for now. It is good, though, that it prompted each of us to commit to further study in the Scriptures.
One or more of you may get an email from me regarding the matter, as I don’t want to say too much publicly, but feel the need to discuss this with other Christians (time permitting), in addition to the ones I’ve spoken with already (my husband, and a close friend at church).
LikeLike
Heavenly Father, You have so many ways of meeting needs in this world. We never imagine all the resources You have available, but we trust that You have unseen storehouses of all types of provision. We ask, as Your children, to help this missionary in need, Hillary, to get funding settled to enable her to return to the field. I pray You will give her new ideas of ways to reach those who have a heart for her specific mission. Please put her in touch with channels of provision that she can convert to meet her expenses. Lord, I don’t know if bartering is ever used by missionaries, but I just had that thought. Please find favor with our prayers and supply Hillary’s need with overflowing resources so she is able to help others. In Jesus’ name, Amen
LikeLike
Heavenly Father, I also pray for 6 Arrows need regarding the misinformation contrary to Biblical and family standards being dispensed by the minister to the youth. Thank You for letting the situation come into the light. Please help this youth minister to have understanding about being unequally yoked. I pray other parents can be made aware so they can make needed correction in their families. I pray the youth minister will be open to correction and will not feel ganged up on by unhappy parents. Please resolve any feelings he may have stirred in the young under his guidance that would lead to unwholesome relationships. Please bless Six Arrows in her efforts to get things back in order as You desire. I pray in Jesus’name, Amen
LikeLike
6 Arrows – This isn’t in the Bible, but well-known common sense says that even casual dating can end up in “falling in love” & getting married. I’ve heard it said that one shouldn’t date anyone one wouldn’t think of marrying.
So if we wouldn’t marry unbelievers, it makes sense to not date unbelievers. It is too easy for us to become too attached too quickly.
LikeLike
6 Arrows – Or is he saying that Christians can marry unbelievers, too? I’d be interested in hearing what scriptures he points to in this matter.
LikeLike
Just dating? — I’d say it’s not necessarily “wrong.”
But it is perhaps is unwise — or calls for extra caution — since dating can (but doesn’t always) lead to deeper emotional entanglements. And if that happens, then things can get very complicated.
LikeLike
Karen, he says that, though it’s not usually a good idea, it is not sin to date an unbeliever or to marry an unbeliever, and to call it sin would be legalistic.
I told him I’d always understood 2 Corinthians 6:14, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” to be a command to not marry an unbeliever. (The “unequally yoked” part.)
He said that passage didn’t forbid any association with unbelievers, whether it be friendship, business dealings, marriage, or any other relationship, just that we are not to adopt their sinful ways.
He acknowledges the dangers involved in dating and/or marrying a non-Christian, but what he kept coming back to (he must have mentioned it 10 or 12 times in our fairly lengthy meeting) was that it was not sin.
So I am digging deep into scripture this afternoon, examining that verse and others, like Ephesians 5:11 (“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”).
I’m also pondering the picture we have of Christ as our Bridegroom and us believers as the Bride, and how I believe earthly marriage is intended to be a picture of that relationship. It seems to me the entire picture of our oneness in Christ is subverted when we enter into a marriage with someone who is not in unity with Christ. So Ephesians 5:27 and other verses in that section of scripture are on my mind, as well.
LikeLike
Janice, thank you very much for your prayer.
LikeLike
I can see his point. Sin is separation from God; you’re not condemned to hell if you marry an unbeliever.
I don’t think it’s wise, I don’t recommend it, I don’t encourage friends who have done it, but to marry someone outside your faith doesn’t separate you from God. . You’re just choosing to live a much harder life full of temptations and challenges.
Are you violating Scripture? I’d say yes, but I violate Scripture when I choose gluttony. Am I condemned if I eat too many M&Ms?
When I ran into this with a friend, I went through Scripture with her, pointed out truth, challenged her and she remained determined to marry him. I felt I had done my job and once they were married, I have supported her in her marriage. I’m not sure I’ve ever argued some of the issues she has three years later are a result of her choice to marry an unbeliever, but she has mentioned it.
She knew the truth and married him anyway.
My concern would be a youth leader needs to be making the case FOR Scriptural marriage, not allowing for the exceptions. Sometimes we need to be hard over because so many weak-minded Christians are looking for the loopholes, rather than seeking to choose the straight and narrow path. Certainly, you don’t condemn, but you don’t encourage either. We’re called to live in grace, but isn’t grace designed for after the fact rather than before the poor choice is made?
Doesn’t it become “cheap grace,” when despite knowing the truth of Scripture, you choose another way?
LikeLike
I just finished reading a Christian fiction novel, Pam, by Sharon Srock, that has a sideline story about this very thing. It is very well handled in the book. The young lady has a three-year- old born before she was a Christian. A young man asks her for a date and they get along great, but then she discovers he is not a Christian although he is a very nice and good-hearted person. The young lady decides they will not date with physical contact, but they can get together for outings. He is invited to church and is reluctant to go, but makes an effort. He finds some things he likes about it. He is thinking of marriage but realizes she won’t go there unless he becomes a sincere Christian. It is not resolved in this book as this was a sideline to the main story. Don’t know if you would be interested in how it was handled enough to read the book.
LikeLike
LikeLike
Michelle – As I understand it, sin is “missing the mark”, so violating scripture would indeed be sin. But of course, when we sin, we confess it & are forgiven. I don’t think separation from God comes until one keeps walking in that sin, without repentance. (Our Reformed friends here would say that if that happens, one wasn’t really a Christian in the first place.)
Anyway, I don’t see a difference between sin & violating scripture, since violating scripture is also “missing the mark”.
LikeLike
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the bright and shiny new day. Even though it is still dark outside, I expect You will again provide the turning of the earth toward the sun. Thank You for moonlight that reminds us that the sun is still shining. Thank You for Sundays and all the ways we find to worship You.
I praise You, Father God for the blessing of guidance and persistence You have given to Michelle so she was enabled through much struggle to advance on her book. You have once again shown Yourself to be our help in whatever our trouble time involves.
I ask today that You would give a special blessing to those among us who are desirous of more adult conversation. You have provided well for us here and we are ever thankful. But this is not the same as looking into a person’s eyes while talking or reaching out to give a needed hug. If possible, Abba, I ask for additional provision for those with that felt need.
Thank You for the blessing of another school year completed by those among us who need a break. Thank You for advancements that mark time in a positive way.
I lift up our nation asking Your divine guidance for leaders who want the best, Your best, for our people. I ask that You would allow any within our borders who are bent on doing harm to our citizens to be thwarted in their evil plans. You know the hearts of the enemies of the USA. I ask first for a change of heart. If their hearts are too hardened to change then I ask that You would make them totally ineffective as they pursue damage to our form of government. Thank You for those who give their all in watching over us in the night and day, 24/7.
Lord, please help my son as he plows through two grad level Latin classes in a month’s time. It sounds impossible from my point of view so I ask for You to do the impossible and help him get through it with a good grade. Bless him with excellent recall on all the memory work he must do. Please help him to overcome times of despair over the magnitude of the task.
Please let Your guidance and felt presence fill all the children’s, youth and adult Sunday School/Lifegroup classrooms today. May all feel welcome as they are given opportunity to learn more about You. I pray in Jesus’name, Amen
LikeLike
Actually 2 Cor. 6:14 is not talking about marriage. It is a much bigger discussion than that. It can certainly be used to discuss the foolishness of marrying someone with far different beliefs.
I know more than one person who has joined in a business endeavor with a non-believer and that also has caused a lot of grief. Ethical and moral issues can be looked at quite differently and it can cause tension or out-right hostility.
The discussion in 2 Corinthians is bigger than that, too.
Having said that, there are many who have become believers after a marriage to someone who really was a believer. Others have thought they were marrying a believer and found it was someone who just outwardly conformed to Christian ethics. The spouse later proved to not want Christ at all.
There should be lots of discussion with young adults about various scenarios possible in marriage. There should be lots of discussion about what traits are desired. I never told my daughters they could not date a non-believer. They did know we expected them to marry a Christian. I cannot imagine asking someone if they are a Christian before you have a casual date. I do believe we can have casual dates. Ideally, that might be with others in a group setting.
I do realize that some think one only dates for marriage or are into a courting mindset.
Of course, my husband would probably never dated me, since he did not know for sure if I was believer, at that point.. He knew I went to church. We discussed religious and spiritual matters and I knew where he stood. We did pray together before we were married. He asked me to pray the sinners prayer and I did. Did I understand all that? No. Did I think Christ died for my sins? Yes. I had very little biblical knowledge, in spite of attending a church school for many years, however.
There is a big difference in dating someone who is openly rebellious against Christianity, parents, authority and someone who is simply ignorant about the bible. Then there are all the variations of Christians–baptize as babies or as adults?– etc.
There should be a lot of discussion before getting too serious and before marriage. However, for a date? I am not so sure.
LikeLike
Thank you for all your input. I don’t have time to respond to each of you individually, but I do plan on doing deeper study into the scriptures on the topic, and appreciate your prayers as I do so.
Michelle, if you wouldn’t mind, regarding this statement you made (8:43 pm, fourth paragraph): “When I ran into this with a friend, I went through Scripture with her, pointed out truth…” If you recall which scriptures you shared with her, and have the time to pass them along to me, could you let me know what they are, either here or via email? Thanks much.
LikeLike
I would also like to request prayers as we begin a new leg of our homeschool journey tomorrow (with 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Arrows). Additionally, tomorrow is 2nd Arrow’s first day on the job as a new Veterinary Technician. Prayers as she embarks on her career are welcome and appreciated.
LikeLike
It was the 2 Corinthians 6:14 passage Kathleena referenced above. It was many years ago and I”m pretty sure we talked about wives being submissive to her husbands and what that would like if her husband wasn’t a believer. She may have brought up the passage about spouses being saved through their Christian spouses. I don’t remember now much beyond that, sorry.
I probably should point out, I like her husband, always have. Now that she’s married and having some issues, I make it a point to be positive in speaking about her husband and reminding her sometimes of his admirable qualities.
When one of my boys dated a girl I didn’t approve of, I prayed a lot and came to realize that what was attractive to this girl was Jesus in my son. I prayed that she would either become a Christian or go away. How’s that for covering the bases?
She went away (to much rejoicing in my land) and years later we learned she became a Christian and a missionary with YWAM. As Kathleena pointed out, you just don’t know.
Best wishes to 2nd Arrow and to our young friend Jessie starting their jobs tomorrow. My daughter, meanwhile, is flailing around finals week and troubled her future looks so unclear.
LikeLike
Thank you, Michelle. I’ll pray for your daughter, too, for an abundant measure of God’s peace this coming week and beyond.
LikeLike
Good points Kathaleena
LikeLike
Sigh. I am a very bad communicator. Though I thanked all of you for your input, at the same time, I am really overwhelmed by it all. I realize my last paragraph of my 3:24 pm post yesterday was probably misleading, as mostly I just meant to request prayer as I embark on further study in the scriptures. I shouldn’t have even brought up here that I might be emailing people (time permitting) to seek additional input, as I’m sure that sounded like an invitation for anyone to offer their thoughts. Not that I don’t want certain people’s thoughts. Not at all.
I feel like I am probably making no sense at all right now. 😦
Anyway, my apologies for muddying the waters. It was dumb to even have put that fourth paragraph in my post. I have been overwhelmed by a lot of things lately, and if you could simply pray for me, that would be very kind.
Thank you.
LikeLike
Six Arrows, you are not required to read anybody’s input, even this one. But by putting your concerns out here, other people with similar concerns can see the discussion and perhaps gain from it. That is a good thing. As long as no one feels they have to take all of the advice or suggestions, as that would be impossible as we all have different perspectives. The idea is to get the thoughts talked about so we can see God working and I thank you for another interesting discussion topic. People bring up lots of interesting ideas and taking it to Scripture is a good thing. Iron sharpens iron.
LikeLike
You’re right, Mumsee.
But the bottom line is that I made many mistakes in my handling of this, most significantly that I looked for human input too soon, before I had studied in the Word as thoroughly as I feel I should have.
The cacophony of voices is too much. I realized too late that all I want is to just hear the still, small voice at this time.
LikeLike
understandable.
LikeLike
Thank you, Mumsee.
My apologies if any of you felt like I backhanded you. Though I did not mean that, I’m sorry if that is the impression I gave.
Good night to you all.
LikeLike
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the fellow beleivers who gather here on this site and try to be encoraging and helpful to each other. Please forgive us when we fall short of Your highest standards. You are the ultimate source of all truth. Your word supplies our needs. We all hunger and thirst for righteousness. Please help us in our search for that. Please help our children and grandchildren to be able to search out Your truth for their lives. I pray for 6 Arrows especially to be led by the Holy Spirit through the Scriptures to see Your truth in this matter, not just what she wants that truth to be for her situation. I have never studied that subject, but I know what I would want for my son. I ask that You would lead 6 Arrows to Your truth and that we could all be blessed by her sharing with us.
Please bless those young people in our lives who are starting new work this week or are struggling through difficult lessons at school. Please help those who are scrambling to find employment during the summer. The young have so many things to deal with considering the complications of our society. Keep them safely under Your wings. Please help those with Mumsee along this path of restoration You have so graciously provided. May the blessings they have received be turned into blessings for all they meet on their life pathways.
Lord, I have not felt too good today. Please help me to soon feel better.
In Jesus’name, Amen
LikeLike
Thank you, Janice. To be led by the Spirit to see the Truth in scripture is exactly what I want. I don’t want to give the impression that I think I’ve got this all figured out, and am searching the scriptures and/or looking to human beings to validate my preconceived notions.
Hope you’ll be feeling better soon.
LikeLike