| Author |
|
mary
Shackaddict
Joined: Mar-03-02
Location: United States
Posts: 1942
|
| Posted: Feb-17-09 at 8:56pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I woke up this morning with no plans to go out of the house. My sister stopped over and wanting to go to some thrift stores. After spending a couple of hours shopping and going to a store where I found some really cute clothes for our granddaughters at really affordable prices, I dropped my sister off at her car parked at my house, and went to deliver the clothes. My visits at my daughter, Jennifer's house, are usually similiar to all the rest: I spend a little time giving attention to each of the girls; maybe reading a story to the 3 year old, looking at the vacant spot a tooth has fallen out in the 6 year old, talking to the older girls about what's up with them, and holding, rocking, burping, and laughing joyously at the 3 month old, when she coo's, breaks out into a grin, or even pouts when she's not so sure who this person holding her is. Being so engrossed with them, and rather their desire to spend time with me, I'm usually a little weary by the time I'm ready to go back home. Aren't grandparents, great?  
I hadn't even thought of asking Jennifer how things are going for her, when it dawned on me to ask, "So, Jennifer, how you doing? What's going on with you?"
A little embarrassed and kind of quietly she says, "Well, I've been having anxiety again."
"Oh, really? About what?"
"I've been really afraid that Obahma is the anti-christ." My mouth didn't drop open, I wasn't surprised, I was more or less jolted back to realizing that we're addressing fears here, fears that I know have entangled her mind and emotions through religious lies, and knowing that I need to be really careful here, yes, this looks like an "opening", but she is still attending the church we felt to leave years ago.
"I've been going on line reading this stuff over and over, so what I'm trying to do instead, is read these verses on this paper instead," she says as she glances at 2 pages of typed out scripture verses.
"Do you remember when I used to go online when I found these things going on in my body, and I "knew" I had cancer?"
"Uh, huh," I'm listening.
Well, when I told you that when I was in Christian school, they made us watch those movies on the rapture." (Do any of you remember those? The End Time, we're gonna scare the hell out of you to keep you on the straight and narrow, and then the WONDERFUL ending is that you're going to get you head chopped off?) "Well, I used to be really afraid I was going to lose my salvation, and I'm not anymore but I'm still really afraid." At this point, it "all" comes to me. I'm not thinking about the pastor who showed the horrible movie, I am objectively viewing in my mind the RELIGIOUS warped mind that has obscured the view of a LOVING FATHER, and the intense wounding it had on her soul and spirit, to leave her with this tormenting fear in through this experience.
( I want to stop for a minute here, and say that I am AMAZED that my daughter is talking with me about this, OPEN and almost desperate to hear good news, and I am also AMAZED that I am objectively "seeing" the religious lies behind the whole thing, and not blaming the people behind this. ALL INCREDIBLE TO ME! )
Okay, at the risk of being too long-winded, I'm relating to her "in general" , stories that have shared been shared here, similiar things people went through here being tormented by religous lies, and that what is behind all her fears IS the religious lies, and that that IS NOT THE GOOD NEWS. What I see is that she needs revelation of the love of God, and I say that, which also AMAZINGLY is what her husband has said too. Here is where I don't know what to do other than to pray for her, and she WANTS me too.
Ya know, I didn't know what to pray. I didn't even know what to say, but I know to pray for the "spirit of wisdom and revelation, etc. for her, so I GET to pray that, and other things came pouring out, specifically, that "He" would reveal the union of her Spirit with Christ's, that she would "know" (not in the head, but in the heart/spirit - I think I say that a dozen times when we were talking ) that there is NO seperation between her and God, that there NEVER CAN be, because "of" and the these verses rolled out that have been "sitting" there for who knows how long, about her having "died with him", "raised to Life with Hm", etc. And then I quietly stopped.
She turns to me and says, "When I was at church on Sunday we sang a song about God's grace and mercy." I have to stop for a minute and tell you that her firstborn's name is Madeline GRACE, and her lastborn is Katherine MERCY. 'God spoke to me, and said, "Jennifer, just like Madeline's middle name is "Grace", and Katie's middle name is "Mercy", so from the beginning of your life, to the end of your life, I am surrounding your life with mercy and grace." ( I honestly got "goosebumps". I stood up and said, "Jennifer, that IS the GOOD NEWS." ) I honestly wanted to cry, and when I shared this with Dave, he did.
I wanted to share this with you all 
Note: I had another paragraph in this post, and then I deleted it. I thought, 'What the heck, I don't need to include that.'  's
Edited by mary on Feb-18-09 at 12:25am
   
Mary
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
nyagali
Extreme Digger
Joined: Apr-03-07
Location: Canada
Posts: 323
|
| Posted: Feb-17-09 at 9:55pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Mary, How beautiful that your daughter heard the Lord speak to her while she was in church. God is so faithful to his children. To be able to share with our children about Jesus is very precious, not much in life can compare to that.
joy
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
mary
Shackaddict
Joined: Mar-03-02
Location: United States
Posts: 1942
|
| Posted: Feb-17-09 at 10:19pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
You know what I think it is, Joy... it's not so much the 'church', but what He spoke to her ' in spite of the religion and legalism' that reside so much in the minds of those who are the 'spiritual authorities' in that particular building. It's a 'testimony' to me that where we find ourselves 'here', in this place, which for us is a very real 'church', this Life, this very real union we have with Christ, and all that continues to be revealed 'of' this Life is being desired, even longed for, by others.
'You' can walk around 'knowing', and 'being' who He is within you to those around 'you', and that is a blessing, but when 'eyes' and 'hearts' become inquisitive to what you have, to the wonderful things He's revealed to you about Himself, there's just no words for that. It's like a long-awaited dream that's beginning to come true.
Edited by mary on Feb-18-09 at 12:11am
Mary
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
nyagali
Extreme Digger
Joined: Apr-03-07
Location: Canada
Posts: 323
|
| Posted: Feb-18-09 at 8:42am | IP Logged
|
|
|
mary wrote:
'You' can walk around 'knowing', and 'being' who He is within you to those around 'you', and that is a blessing, but when 'eyes' and 'hearts' become inquisitive to what you have, to the wonderful things He's revealed to you about Himself, there's just no words for that. It's like a long-awaited dream that's beginning to come true.
|
|
|
Yes, it is wonderful when your kids begin to hear the Lord in spite of where they are in life and who they are listening too--in the church and out of the church now! I like how you worded it "inquisitive". The verse comes to mind, "be prepared to give an answer--when asked". So few seem to ask, and yet I am so willing to tell.
You waited for your daughter by your simple question, how are you? I'm finding that to just live my life in the daily interactions with my family as they observe how I live without being drawn down with the circumstances that come our way, is one way they ask. It is a precious thing! Only hearing and knowing Jesus, without religion to hold on to, can make this possible. It sure is a loving process.
Joy
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
mary
Shackaddict
Joined: Mar-03-02
Location: United States
Posts: 1942
|
| Posted: Feb-18-09 at 10:02am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Enjoyed reading this so much this morning ,Joy. And I really love how you communicated it. 
Yes, and absolutely to all that you have shared!
Mary
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Dignz
Shackaddict
Joined: Jul-18-06
Location: United States
Posts: 1816
|
| Posted: Feb-18-09 at 11:15am | IP Logged
|
|
|
"afterall, he's not a tame lion"
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Connie
Shackaddict
Joined: Dec-03-01
Location: United States
Posts: 1559
|
| Posted: Feb-18-09 at 12:34pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Mary,
I rejoice with you that you were able to help your child know Him better in some way. It's like you get to be a parent the way your heart always longs for during those times.
Your story did me good!
Connie 
"Wow!It's so bright in here!"
II Cor.4:5-6
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
rickh
Shackaholic
Joined: Feb-07-07
Location: United States
Posts: 500
|
| Posted: Feb-19-09 at 7:14am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Thankyou for this Mary.
rick
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
mary
Shackaddict
Joined: Mar-03-02
Location: United States
Posts: 1942
|
| Posted: Feb-19-09 at 7:41am | IP Logged
|
|
|
You're welcome, Rick.
Connie, we love you sister!
Mary
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Tim P
Shackaholic
Joined: Mar-19-07
Location: United States
Posts: 708
|
| Posted: Feb-22-09 at 12:03am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Hi Mary. Thanks for this story of hope. One of two of my kids there have been struggling with who they are in Christ. Shoot, so do I. But I am burdened for them. There have been some door openings the past few months, long distance you know, but I still am burdened. Thanks for sharing this, friend.
Tim< style id="jajah">span.jajahWrapper { font-size:1em; color:#B11196; text-decoration:underline; } a.jajahLink { color:#000000; text-decoration:none; } span.jajahInLink:hover { background-color:#B11196; }
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
mary
Shackaddict
Joined: Mar-03-02
Location: United States
Posts: 1942
|
| Posted: Feb-22-09 at 10:02am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Hi Tim,
Ya know, who of us doesn't want this same thing for our kids...sigh. After that day with her, I got very sick with a headache. I was still carrying that burden. Dave's been emailing back and forth with her since then, a very sweet thing for me to see. To be a dad all these years in so many ways, but now in the heart-felt sharing of grace with her, touches me in a way I can't describe. He gave her the book Gracewalk by Steve McVey, have you heard of it? That was a great resource for us, initially, in opening up our understanding the gospel that we know now. She wrote to her Dad and said, "I started reading Gracewalk and it is GOOD." "I can't believe I've been in church all my LIFE, and never heard of this, but we won't go there, LOL."
Anyhow, I'm not carrying this burden anymore....relief.
Mary
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Connie
Shackaddict
Joined: Dec-03-01
Location: United States
Posts: 1559
|
| Posted: Feb-22-09 at 10:19am | IP Logged
|
|
|
This is so wonderful to hear Mary! I know you and Dave are so happy just getting to share!
Connie
"Wow!It's so bright in here!"
II Cor.4:5-6
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
mary
Shackaddict
Joined: Mar-03-02
Location: United States
Posts: 1942
|
| Posted: Feb-23-09 at 4:30pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Mary
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
ShannonC
Shackaholic
Joined: Jun-21-07
Location: United States
Posts: 749
|
| Posted: Feb-25-09 at 10:16am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Mary,
Thank you SO MUCH for sharing this story!! IT is MOST WONDERFUL and MOST ENCOURAGING. Wow, HE just "shows" up in the midst of our day to day.....HE is always wooing us and reaching us in spite of all the NAYSAYERS OUT THERE, THE BIG FAT LIE!! I have had lots of lies spoken to me the past few days....
It is funny I've always recognized the voice of the Father but did not identify the voice of the liar...I'm beginning after all these years to recognize the voice of the liar.
ShannonC
HE IS SO GOOD!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
mary
Shackaddict
Joined: Mar-03-02
Location: United States
Posts: 1942
|
| Posted: Mar-07-09 at 8:10am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Shannon,
Didn't want to forget to say, THANKS SO MUCH! for this! ALWAYS encouraging to hear your input, sister!
Mary
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
ShannonC
Shackaholic
Joined: Jun-21-07
Location: United States
Posts: 749
|
| Posted: Oct-26-09 at 10:49am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I ran across this thread after reading Dave's this morning and thought I might bump it back up. Most encouraging
ShannonC
HE IS SO GOOD!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
mcdave
Shackaddict
Joined: Dec-25-01
Location: United States
Posts: 1809
|
| Posted: Oct-26-09 at 2:28pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Thanks Shannon,I agree .
It's not works,it's coffee.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
mary
Shackaddict
Joined: Mar-03-02
Location: United States
Posts: 1942
|
| Posted: Oct-26-09 at 7:44pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Gee Shannon... in the time-passing with Dave sharing with the brother's (and I REJOICE that he hears from the men at this place! ) it popped into my head, a thread I started about Jennifer and family -SOME time before, couldn't remember when, and here YOU'VE brought it back up. I so love how this body here at the Shack works together! And I so love sitting back 'peering' into this dynamia (new word) of God's amazing grace and watching Him miraculously bring the entire picture together! 
Mary
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
ShannonC
Shackaholic
Joined: Jun-21-07
Location: United States
Posts: 749
|
| Posted: Oct-27-09 at 8:54am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Amen!
ShannonC
HE IS SO GOOD!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Dignz
Shackaddict
Joined: Jul-18-06
Location: United States
Posts: 1816
|
| Posted: Oct-28-09 at 12:13am | IP Logged
|
|
|
yes, thank you so much shannon for bringing this back to the forefront! i enjoyed it very much!
"...dynamia (new word)..." <McLady
i love it!
"afterall, he's not a tame lion"
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
|
|
Shovel Shack : Personal IC experiences
Topic: A story of hope
