Spiritual/Christian Thread

wendyintx

Sherry,
Thanks so much for your wise words. I hope you're printing your posts because they are like a journal and would be wonderful to look back on years from now.

As for us, we literally take one day at a time, just like God says in His word. We can't worry about the future because we don't know what is to come (but we can make plans).

I've missed the past few weeks at church due to vacation, but I heard that it was wonderful. I haven't checked it out yet, but I heard that our pastor spoke on how we can't worry about what we can control or something like that. I think it sounded very applicable to us here. Anyway, I can't wait to hear the tape on it.

Sherry, it's funny how you mentioned your teenage boys, as my two kids are of that teen and pre-teen age as well. The only reason I'm on right now is that my son slept over at a friends house last night, and the computer is free. Ha!

Last night, I tried to post an e-card that I found was quite appropriate to our group here. I finally got the right link this morning. So, when you have time, check this out:
Let us pray

Sometimes we think why should we pray? I believe we should because the God who created the universe and everything in it including you and me cares about every minute detail and he wants us to talk to Him. Here's one other card/link that reminds me of that:
indescribable

Actually, all the "music" cards there are pretty neat. I love all the songs they used. (We even sing some of those including "indescribable" at church).

Btw, our vacation was wonderful. We went to Colorado for our church's Family Camp. We had a blast white-water rafting, hiking, sight-seeing, and just resting. It was quite a shock coming back to the "over 100 degree" heat here in Texas. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.

Have a wonderful day,
Wendy

PuppyFive

GLORY BE TO GOD, i love ALL of you, and pray for your family, your troubles, your pain. INBITATION TO PRAYER. call upon me in the time of trouble;so will i hear thee, and thou shalt praise me. BY A LAYMAN.the book was written in 1906. i can not make out the name very well,the last name is BRADFORD( the book is called-FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT. CARRIE, maybe you can help me with the first name. your sister,debbyfive.(SHERRY,soooo happy god gave you a breath of fresh air.)

AlaskaDeb

Church today was a blessing. Our pastor talked all about rest...how we need it, how we all glory in our busy lives and don't take time to rest in the Lord. I think he was talking right to me! He reminded us that all time is the Lords and that he is with us always...just what I needed to hear.

So, I hope all you wonderful ladies take time today to rest in the Lord. To visit with him and feel his peace.

You are all such a blessing to me! Thanks for all of you who are praying for my as my surgery date is coming up.

Deb C.

BJAlexandria

Deb - you don't happen to attend Faith Christian Community (my former church)?

Anonymous

Wendy, thanks for posting those 2 cards..they were beautiful and I'm so glad you introduced us to that site...it's one I will definitely return to and make use of! The music is lovely. I thank you too for your kind words. I've never thought about printing my posts as a form of journalling but you've given me a very good idea! Would certainly be something to go back and reflect on. One of the benefits of this board...meeting so many intelligent women who present us with thoughts and ideas we might never have had on our own!

Debbyfive, you are always such a delight here with your thoughts of prayer and love and your sense of humour shows itself throughout the board when the occasion calls for it. Bless you as always on your journey.

Deb C., take care of yourself, rest up and definitely give your worries to the Lord...you are going to have a safe, relaxing trip to Anchorage..please think lovely thoughts on the trip and be good and gentle with yourself during your recovery. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.

PuppyFive

My song shall be alway of the loving-kindness of the lord. Who rememberd us when we were in trouble : for his mercy endureth for ever. Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. give us this day dear lord, a good day! I love you ALL and will pray each day that GOD THE FATHER TAKE CARE OF YOU. debbyfive

PuppyFive

FATHER, please touch us all, with your power this day. so many are in need, and we trust that you will feel our pain,and answer our prayers. please give comfort to ALL. debbyfive

susanmcm

Hi all,
Haven't been around for a while.
Sherry, Cowgirl and Wendy, I see you are all dealing with family members. It is complex and can be heart wrenching. The Lord will provide and sometimes we get to do the hard work. My prayers are with you.

Wendy, the postcards were great. I really like Chris Tomlin. I have never been to that site.

AlaskaDeb I like what you said about "rest in the Lord". I need to remember that. Thank you!

Kim, so great you get to drive. woohoo

Rest and peace and the Lords love and salvation to all.
Susan

Anonymous

Came back from 3 days in Vermont ~ to give the boys some "good" memories from this summer (last summer was all about breast cancer and we all made memories of a different kind), and spent all day today in the emergency department at the hospital with my MIL who "fainted" and fell to the floor while eating her meal around 11:30. Husband is still there with her while they finished tests (I came home to feed the boys so they can go to baseball). If they keep her overnight that will be a good thing; if they send her home, he'll stay the night for peace of mind for all of us. The decision to find residence for my MIL (assisted with medical staff) becomes increasingly more urgent I think and I'm hoping she is going to be seeing the need and the common sense of this. We have no room in either house for the 5 of us to live together and she needs the comfort and assurance of aid 24 hours a day..it is coming to that.

The doctor was most unhelpful (seemed rather uneducated to me as well and I've had plenty of experience with doctors over the years) and I was left with the distinct impression both times we spoke that his opinion is "she is nearly 90, what do you expect?". At one point he even told me he doubted that she would want surgery if it came to that..I clearly let him know that should it come to that, it would be her informed decision to make. Other than that he seemed to waffle between letting her go "if she can walk for a bit without feeling dizzy" and keeping her overnight. He had yet to come to a decision when I left.

It saddens me to think that as we reach our elder years that there is discrimination and "abuse" simply because of "age". I feel for that young man and wonder how he is going to feel when it becomes his time and requires geriatric care. We may become slower, our hearing may deteriorate, our mental capacity may decrease and our vision may go (may? all of those things will happen), but we are still people..with a heart and a soul. And still deserve to be treated with respect.

PuppyFive

OH SHERRY, i am so sorry. I pray that GOD give you a break, and show this dr. some sense of what you and your family are going through. i'm praying sherry, if 2 or more our gathered in MY name, there shall i be also! your sister, debbyfive

Anonymous

Thank you for your kind words Debbyfive...my husband just called to say they are keeping my MIL in hospital overnight. I think it's the best place for her at the moment..she is perky now and feeling a little more in control. We are definitely at a crossroads now and I have prepared my husband and the boys that this could mean a rapid decline in her health, however, anything is possible and she could still be with us for a few more years. If this is her time and it is God's wish, that will be the decision. If he is not ready for her yet, then we will make the most of what time she does have left with us.

newvickie

Hi all,
I have never visited or posted here...I get too emotional but I am going to start. I am sitting here with a huge lump in my throat just looking at all the love and care I see here.
Your prayers and inspiration have really lifted my spirits (even with this lump in my throat)and I really needed that as it's been a rough week.
My prayers are going out to ALL of you tonight.
Sherry...sorry about your MIL...will send a prayer her way too.
Vickie

Anonymous

I'm glad you've found this thread Vickie...even with the lump in your throat. I think that might just be a sign to you that you feel "at home" here and that's a good thing. I find it very comforting in this thread and very uplifting at the same time. There is a lot of love and compassion on the entire board, but this particular thread is like warm arms and a soft shoulder to curl up in. You are so welcome here and I hope you will post your thoughts and prayers as well.

Thank you for your kind words and your prayers. It means a lot to me. And it's one of the nicest, kindest things that we can do for one another.

I'm sorry you've had a rough week. Hopefully tomorrow things will seem brighter and softer for you.

((((((((((((((((((((Vickie))))))))))))))))))))))

PuppyFive

VICKIE, so happy you came to this thread, you know what, GOD COMES HERE TOO, i will pray for you to have strength in what ever you need. your sister,debby

Sandra1957

Sherry,
We went through what you are going through with your MIL two summers ago with my grandma. She went back and forth between assisted care and the hospital. It is a tough road. My mom and aunt kept fighting all the way for treatment, but after months they finally had to come to terms that their mommy needed to go. It was extremely difficult for them to finally let go and not treat anymore, just make her comfortable. I pray that you and your husband know when that time comes. Prayers for your family.

lini

susanmcm

Hi Vicki, nice to see you here. Sorry you had a bad week. The next one will be better.

Sherri, it is just so hard dealing with a loved one who's health is failing. It just gets so complicated. Who's the parent and who's the child. What can we do and what should we let go of. Putting it in God's hands is easier said than done. At least it was for me. I just cried a lot.

Praying for peace and joy for all.

Debbie I really like your enthusiasm.

Susan

PuppyFive

DEAR LORD, help us in the troubled times, and take away our pain,and sadness. we give you ALL THE PRAISE IN YOUR HOLLY NAME JESUS. (thank you for the kind words susan) debby

rockongal

Dear all,

I have been absent from the boards the past week or so b/c I have been fighting an infection plus the pain caused by it.

I'm sorry that a few have had such challenging situations w/extended family, rough times, etc. Please know I'm praying for you all even when I'm not posting.

Debby, you prayer says it all!

Peace & blessings to you all,
Kim

PuppyFive

KIM, please know i will pray for you, that your infection,and pain go away. GODS SPEED. debby

wendyintx

Kim, praying for comfort for you and pain-free days ahead!

In Him,
Wendy

Anonymous

Lini and Susan, thank you for your kind words, care and concern and keeping me in your thoughts.

Kim, I am so sorry to hear about this infection you've been fighting and pray that it will leave you and you will be stronger and able to carry on with your treatment.

To all of you who have kept me in your thoughts and prayers, I wanted to say thank you and let you know where things are right now. My MIL had a fall yesterday ~ she had fainted once before (lost balance for no apparent reason), but this time it was from a sitting position so we went to the hospital to have it checked out. The simple tests they ran showed no reason for this, other than her advanced age and quite probably lack of hydration which she is very bad about. We went to see her today and waited for the doctor to make rounds..we saw the doctor who admitted her yesterday, and she was also referred to a geriatric specialist MD for which I was very grateful. A physiotherapist came to see her to discuss exercises and therapy.

At the end of the afternoon it was decided that my MIL will stay in hospital over the weekend, she will be assessed by the geriatric doctor and the therapist on Monday to determine her level of physical ability and to help her regain some confidence as she is very unsure and shaky about standing & walking at this point. Her memory is sharp and she is very capable of living alone ~ to this point. And she is relieved that she is staying in hospital for a few days...I worried that she might want to leave and be in her own house so her relief at staying showed me that she does worry about something more serious happening to her.

Answers come to us when we least expect it, through means we didn't expect and I do believe that faith and prayer help us to see the answers if we only "look". This accident was a godsend. The outcome of this will be the option of a homecare worker coming to the house once a week to assist with bathing and other things my MIL would have more comfort in, we are learning about other things to have in the home for her comfort and safety and my MIL is seeing that she can still live on her own with assistance. This is what we are hoping for. However, should the doctors decide that she is better off in a nursing home/seniors residence, having shared a hospital room with someone else for a few days will give my MIL the idea of what that would be like (in a home she would have her own room but take meals with others). Her biggest fear was having to live with "other people". She might come to find that she likes the interaction with others rather than being on her own and might well find her house empty and quiet when she returns. I like that she is being shown "options" which will help down the road when other decisions need to be made.

Thank you once again to all of you...the power of prayer from those who care provides us with the answers when we seek them.

PuppyFive

TODAY, i give you ALL the glory dear LORD. and that ALL, on this board and every where there is suffering, you give them strength, love,and you precious BLESSING. debbyfive

newvickie

For He is our rock and our fortress.
Saying special prayers for every one of you today. You've gotten me through some tough times without even knowing it.
Just wanted to say thanks,
God Bless you all,
Vickie

Anonymous

For Vickie...who has been through much ~ I'm glad to know that you have found comfort and strength through this thread. May you continue to be blessed and find inner spirit and strength as you are moving through this journey.

PuppyFive

please dear lord, hear the prayers of your children. we stand with your promise, I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE! debbyfive

Anonymous

Posting a candle tonight for Debbyfive..who blesses us all each day with her warm thoughts and prayers, sending us all godspeed ~ her heart is sore tonight because of offensive posts in her beloved prayers section, a place where she seeks refuge. Please ease her sorrow so that she can return to inspiration and prayers with a light heart.

Bless you Debby.

Anonymous

Lighting a candle for Winner tonight. Her worries and stresses are many, her spirit is tired and her soul is aching this evening. Please bless her with comfort and release ~ and may she return here where her voice and her knowledge are strong and welcome.

May you find strength and peace Winner.

susanmcm

I just got off the phone with my step sister Debbie. She is going through such a rough time. She is also a BC survivor. She was diagnosed in Nov. 04, just 2 months before me. She dragged me through chemo. I don't know if I could have made it without her support. She has struggled with her health since dx and treatment. Doctors have been filling her with steroids to combat her health issues. Her children are off and on drug abusers and Debbie has always been the one to make sure the grandkids have clothes and school supplies, etc. She can't do it all anymore. Last month she ended up in a psychiatric hospital for a week. They said the steriods was part of the problem. I can relate to how she feels. I'm not normal myself since my dx. It's very hard for us to take care of ourselves. How can we take care of others also?

Knowing that you need the Lord's help is a big part of the battle. Tonite I'm praying for all of us who are trying to take care of ourselves and our loved ones and especially my step sister Debbie.

God's peace and blessings to you all.
Susan

Anonymous

For you Susan and your step-sister Debbie. I'm sorry she is going through such a rough time. Sometimes it seems like we are given more on our plate than we can handle at one time and we reach a point of running on empty. As you said, how can we help others when we are unable to help ourselves. Praying that her children become more responsible and get their acts together for their own sakes and those of their children.

csp

Susan my heart felt prayers go up for all of you that have to battle the side effects of the treatment and worry, and the world does'nt stop and cut you a break. My eyes fill with tears
when I read about this. God see's her struggle Susan, I know he is gently whispering to her heart to give it to Him , I think we all hold on to things sometimes that if we just surrender, He is there.

Love and prayers going up Susan for Debbie and her grandbabies and her children, and all of us that are holding on to things that we need to surrender.

Sometimes he calms the storm , sometimes he calms the child
(thankyou Wendy)

hugs,
Carrie