Seeking Raymond's Advice...

[Hopeful0788]

Raymond,
I have read everything you have ever posted and it sound as if you are very grounded in your faith and life. Of course I am only saying this based on your posts since I don't know you. However, I would like some christian/spiritual advice and have turned away from my church due to problems with my pastor and him breaking my confidentiality. I love God and believe in all my heart that he is with me. My problem is that even though I know where my faith lies, I am constantly turning to people to validate me when deep down I know that only God can do so.

Can you give me some advice in my healing process as to how I might look more toward him and less at being so codependent with others? Most of the people I know including all of my family are secular. I am searching for a new church but have not found one yet (with a good children's program) that I can go and take my kids to.

My last pastor informed me that I don't hear from God after I was absolutely confident (and still am ) that I do through my dreams. But because I wasn't in agreement with my husband I obviously couldn't be understaning God at all according to the pastor. I didn't believe this so I left the church.

What it boils down to is that I could use some Godly wisdom (through a person) right now if there is anything you could say to help me, even if it is something I don't want to hear.

Thanks for reading and listening.

[Annie2]

Hopeful,

I know you are seeking Raymond, who will be better at responding than I, but I just wanted to say something. A really lovely friend of mine once said that faith is a personal thing. Your pastor can not possibley comment on what is between you and God. It is your relationship with Him. You clearly have confidence in Him but not so much in yourself. My faith is tiny but I do believe that He is greater than anything and I reckon He is shouting to you and you are hearing him. Just hold on to that. Your dreams clearly mean something to you and if they are messages from God then they will mean more when the time is right,if not now maybe later. Never let anyone judge your relationship with God. It is between you and Him.

Over to Raymond,

love Annie xx

[Mike56]

I was just about to say exactly what Annie's said - faith is very personal, and I'd be highly suspicious of anyone (especially anyone proporting to represent God here on earth) if s/he was telling me whether I'd found Him or not.

I personally doubt whether dreams are messages from God - but that's just my interpretaion.

I also have deep suspicions when someone starts quoting the Bible at me - espcially bits about a jealous, vengeful God who'll get me if I'm bad. No He won't, although it might be nice for a priest to get a power kick out of being able to threaten me with his Boss.

My God loves me - unconditionally.

Mike.

[Raymond]

Hi all, Hopeful, Annie, Mike I've just got to the computer at a late hour and I really need time to answer and not just out of the top of my head.

I would like to say just for now and even feel pushed to say that the only way to God is through His son Jesus. Through Him we come into a personal relationship with God that is like a knowing on the inside. If we accept that in our hearts we become a child of God and will know Him and Him us. Knowing in the sense of a relationship. He is the one who said I am the way the truth and the life no one comes to the Father except by me. Many other such scriptures are in the bible. He is the key. Yes it is personal as Mike says between us and God, but it's made more real by sharing it with others in fellowship. The church is people not a building.

It is difficult to open this up on a site like this but Hopeful if you have found that yourself, nobody not even a priest can take it away from you, besides there is only one mediator between man and God the man Jesus Christ. You say you have dreams and if they do not contradict God's word I cannot go against them. Dreams are scriptural but they are not the primary source of how we are led. We walk by faith not by sight. I don't have dreams (except for once) but I know people who do. These are mature christians who would not get off balance if God spoke to them that way. The main thing is does it uplift Jesus. I would share your dreams with a mature christian and let them judge.

Find a church that uplifts Jesus, not a religious type of place but one where there is freedom and also joy. You will know it when you find it.

God bless you all for now. I might not get on here tomorrow as I'm visiting a prison with others. They are young offenders. Nearly all of them have no relationship with a Father and some were never nurtured as children.

God bless
Raymond

[Hopeful0788]

Thanks for the comments. I know that my faith is personal. I also know that all my dreams are not from God. However, I do believe that when I am resting or not busy with everyday life is when he is talking to me. For example, I suspected my husband with drugs for a long time but did not have proof. He had put me through a lot and I sincerely had been in prayer and felt God's leading that the only way my husband would change was for him to hit rock bottom and me not pull him out again. So, one day when I was at my wit's end, I was on my way to bed and told God that HE knew how stubborn I was and how even though I had faith I often rely on what I can see. I cried to him to give me cold hard proof that I could reason with and then and only then would I feel completely comfortable leaving my husband. That night when I was sleeping - someone or something (I believe it to be GOD) told me to get up, go to my husband's truck and pull of the door panel (which I wasn't aware came off) and I would find my cold hard proof and then I had better listen. This something also explained to me that I should not test GOD this way that I should just listen.

When I awoke, I followed my instructions, had my proof, left my husband, he bottomed out, sought treatment and for one year became a wonderful person who was completely drug free. We then reconciled and things were great between us - for a while. Now I feel like God is telling me to work on ME so that is what I am trying to do.

I do feel that some of the problems my husband is experiencing and causing me are my lack of respect and belief in him due to the past. I have not learned how to let go and have not learned to build my own self esteem because I rely so heavily on my husband and other's to validate me. That is why I am seeking Raymond's advice on how I can build my faith (aside from reading the bible, studying and praying) without having to rely on what I can see directly.

I addressed the message to Raymond, but I am extremely grateful for anyone and everyone's input. Thanks as always for the support and boost of confidence.

[Raymond]

Hopeful I just beat you to it and noticed your last post.

A scripture comes to mind. Beloved believe not every spirit but try the spirits whather they are of God. To do that you need the Holy Spirit and the word. The Holy Spirit will give you that witness inside and the word will confirm it. Really you need to be in a live church and be in relationship with other believers.

This isn't really a church. I think you are a little too open to advice and need to be a bit discerning with the answers you get.

Raymond

[Hopeful0788]

Thank you to everyone. I apologize if I offended anyone with my questions, I know this is not a church but I do miss my fellowship with others and feel very alone in my thoughts lately so I appreciate the support. Have a wonderful rest of the weekend.

[Raymond]

I certainly was not offended Hopeful. Then I wouldn't be would I?

I hope you find what you are looking for. He did say seek and you shall find. He aslo said Ask and it shall be given, knock and it shall be opened to you.

You can always come to this thread if you have questions. It's not messing other threads up.

Am praying for you.

Raymond

[jo71]

Hopeful, I get daily emails that I think you would love from a website called DivorceCare.org. It is a Christian based site that helps you deal with moving past the trauma of divorce. I have been so blessed with their daily emails. Go to http://www.divorcecare.org/healing/onmyown/ and then scroll down on the left to "Daily Emails" if you want to get them. I get them every day and they are SO helpful. The entire website is helpful actually.

Good luck hun.

Hugs,
Jo

[Hopeful0788]

Thanks Jo. I appreciate it. I looked at the website and it looks like something I could get a lot of good information from. I signed up for the emails and look forward to receiving them. :o

[Raymond]

Looks like a good site Jo, Hopeful. I'm quite thrilled that you have suggested it to Hopeful. You'll both be marriage experts in time. God can use even the bad things of the past and our mistakes to good if we let Him.

Raymond