Christians Here To Help You And Talk - Page 7

Robert Mathis · 06-03-2008, 12:18 PM

As a person of faith, I'm glad to hear from you. I have discovered in this journey with ALS that trusting God is my greatest resource. My church is also a tremendous source of support. I have people praying for me all around the world and I can feel it.

So let me give you a great big BRAVO for being so open about the only good way to face this situation.

MtPockets · 06-04-2008, 11:32 AM

Thanks so much for joining us and your comments. We need more Christians to share their faith and trust in God through this amazing adventure.

I thank God for the many Christians here on the forum. May God bless you for reaching out to those in need when you have such great needs yourself.

Living by faith, one day at a time.

MtPockets · 06-04-2008, 01:20 PM

From another post I made.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MtPockets

Thanks Patty.
It is people like you that keep me going, here on the forum.

I am only human and have my weaknesses just like anyone else. I did not get on the forum for the past few days because I was in a dark place with my mind and attitude. I try to stay away when I have those times. I always try to focus on the positive outlook on life and living with this dreaded disease. People need encouragement and lifting up at times like this in their lives.

I never want to seem judgmental or come across as cocky with my attitude or my spiritual beliefs. I truly do understand where people are coming from when they say it is hard to have faith and believe at a time like this. Yes, it is. But, with God all things are possible. It is only by His grace and mercy that I am able to cope, one day at a time.

I have terrible problems in my family that I do not share with others on the forum. Financial, emotional, and relationship problems abound. In the midst of things that overwhelm me, I turn to the Word of God for strength and guidance.

1 John 5:4, "For whatsoever is born of God over cometh the world: and this is the victory that over cometh the world, even our faith."

Without the comfort of the promises in the Bible, I do not know what I would do. No, I am not some super spiritual person who walks around carrying a big bible and a cross around my neck all day, preaching to who ever I run across. I am just another sinner, saved by grace, who is fighting, yes, fighting every day for the faith to overcome each and every obstacle in my path and to make it to the end.

2 Corinthians 1-2, Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
3, Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4, Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

I humbly seek to encourage you, comfort you, and lift you up, so that you may find the strength to overcome the battles you are facing with this dreaded disease. Most of all that each and everyone of us may find peace.

judylyne · 06-05-2008, 09:30 PM

I do believe my husband will go to heaven when Jesus comes. This is what he did for us. Our youngest son is in prison and will be getting out in Oct. but my husband wanted to see him one last time before he died and we knew it would be soon. So we transfered him to the hosice house because that was the only way they would bring him here. we prayed that he would stay alive long eough to see him. When he got there he gave his dad a kiss and told him he loved him and my husband said he loved him and then he died. Even the guard had tears in his eyes. Judy

MtPockets · 06-07-2008, 10:09 AM

I am so sorry your husband died Judy. Seems like he loved his son so much he was just holding on until he saw him one last time. It just goes to show the power of LOVE.

What a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing with us.

AngelManFL · 06-08-2008, 09:16 PM

Judy, I'm sorry for your loss and grateful to God that your son was able to be there and that your husband was able to have his final wish come true. Just like it says in II Corinthians - He is the God of all comfort - may He wrap you and envelope you and your family in this time with His loving and ever so gentle and kind Holy Spirit. I will keep you in my prayers and your son also.
God Bless.

judylyne · 06-09-2008, 02:13 PM

My oldest daughter is 41 and helped take care of her father for the last year and now she has to go to a neurologist for an emg because they can't find the reason for her muscle wasting. I don't think this night mare is ever going to end. Judy

quadbliss · 06-09-2008, 04:02 PM

I rest comfortably in God's palm as he slowly raises me toward, and prepares me for life without physical form. I am in awe every day as he presents lessons to help me see reality more clearly. and cultivate compassion for my fellow man. I look out upon this beautiful, abundant world in which he has placed me, and express gratitude for his gentle guidance,

MtPockets · 06-11-2008, 10:54 AM

Judy, I am so sorry to hear this. I pray that all goes well with the testing and they find anything but, MND.

We will be remembering your family in our prayers.

MtPockets · 06-22-2008, 09:00 AM

Romans 8-31-39,
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

MtPockets · 07-05-2008, 05:29 PM

Been awhile since I have seen any action on this thread. Please share your thoughts and words of encouragement for others.

I do not remember who shared this with me or when, but thanks to you, whoever you are.

F = Fantastic
A = Adventure
I = In
T = Trusting
H = Him

I feel like I have been drug through the desert, back wards, since I have been Dx with ALS.

Yet, I find myself leaning more and more on the promises of God. The Heavens are like brass most of the time now-a-days. Prayers seem to never make it past my ceiling. Yet my faith is not grounded in answered prayers, but in the words of the bible.

If all else fails me; family, friends, the world, the government, any and all things, I know the word is there to comfort me.

Hebrews 13:
20, Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
21, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Our God is working something out in us, through this trial of our faith. Boy has He got his work cut out for Him.

We know that Jesus is the same even though we are changing all the time.
Hebrews 13-8: "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."

And one of my favorite scriptures is:

1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

I have to remind myself that this does not say give thanks for everything, but, in everything.
My, my , my, how easy that is to read, and soooo hard to do.

MtPockets · 07-05-2008, 05:37 PM

Just wanted to get this thread back to the top so others could share their comments.
Happy 4th. everyone.

awieleba · 07-10-2008, 03:16 PM

Hi capt Al,
I have no dx yet. My body is not what it was or should be. I really dont want to go into details (already have on my posts), I am struggling a bit in my prayer time.

I am a born again christian, saved through Jesus Christ , alone. My family is, we go to a great church and have our children in a wonderful christian day school. The support and connections at this church/school have been such a blessing. It makes me sorry that I was not a part of it sooner.

however, I just have been having a hard time with trusting in the lord. I feel so selfish, but I feel upset that my body is doing this and fear the worse. I have 2 beautiful sons. we prayed for a girl and god provided that blessing. We named her Grace--Gods gift of mercy. I just cant understand why I would be suffering when My baby and young boys need me so much. I felt called to our church, and to have this great family and be a witness to him. I dont want to be a witness in a sick way! (you know, oh look at her strength)I know my soul is more important than my body, but I could deal with all this better if my kids were older. I just feel close to God when I am mothering my kids. The thought of not being able to go to them or take care of them the way I want can be to much to bear.

Every morning, I try to raise it to God. I tell him that I surrender this to him and trust in him. The fact is, I am saying and praying it hoping I will be at peace. Sometimes I am and other times I just dont understand and feel bad. I feel like if i am praying hard for it, I should have it by now?

I have told myself that at 36 i have a better life than 85% of the people in the world that lived to 90. God provided me with 2 wnderful parents, 3 caring sisters. Then a wedding to my soul mate. Ny in-laws are a true blessing. A succesfull career, a beautiful home, then 3 great children. Yes, I have a great life and that alone I should be on my knee's in grattitude!! but how come I feel sooooo selfish? And have fears about his plan for me? I hope everyday that it will bring me peace. It must work some, I only have few moments of being down or crying in bed at night. I worry for my husband and kids. I feel most guilty that I pray for myself.

will you pray for peace in my heart for me? I pray for my body to have anything else but als. But whatever the outcome is for me, if I have the strength and faith in christ, then none of it will matter.

I am sorry to unload. I have tried to be a postive person in the other posts. I just felt spirtually weak lately. I am glad that there is this spot for christians to help each other.
There is somthing that makes you clean out your fears and shame to other christians. ( it must be christ working through people)

God bless you!!!!

April

MtPockets · 07-10-2008, 04:08 PM

April, thank you so much for sharing your heart with us. I know how hard that can be for most people.

You are definitely not alone in your feelings. Many of us are facing the same struggles with our faith. We will be praying for you to have peace in the midst of this trial you are facing.

Realize, it is a trial, a test of your faith. For a reason, only God knows, we are being tested and tried to prove our faith.

1 Peter 1-7: "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and Honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:"

Yes, God hears our prayers and answers them. Sometimes He just says no. Sometimes He says not now. Sometimes, we like these times, He says yes. No matter what His answer, what is our response?

Yes, I would like for all of us with ALS, or the mystery disease, no dx yet, to be healed. I do believe in miracles. I believe in healing. So what is the problem then?

God is still just that, God. Our creator does not take orders from us. He is the Creator we are the clay. To be molded and shaped into whatever He determines is needed at any given moment.

How can I trust Him now?
How can I have peace?

Because I settled it all in my heart before I got sick, that God's word was the truth. I believed it cover to cover, and my life is guided by it every day. My faith is not dependent on my being healed. It does not depend on any particular prayer being answered.

God does not change because I am sick. God does not change because I am poor. God does not change even in the midst of the most terrible time I could ever imagine in my life.

Hebrews 13-8, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."

I and my family went through Hurricane Camile, Then we went through Hurricane Katrina. We saw devastation all around us and yet our faith was not shaken. Why? How?

Our faith has and will always be settled and grounded grounded in the word. How can I get more peace, more faith.
Romans 10-17, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

By reading and studying the word of God more. By praying even when we feel our prayers are not answered. God is faithful. He will guide you into all peace and all truth.

I know that does not answer your question directly, but that is how I deal with all this for me. I hope it helps.

lostinlouisville · 07-10-2008, 04:54 PM

What A Blessing To Get On Here Tonight And See This Post. I Too Am A Born Again Believer And When A Brother Or Sister Puts Out The Call For Help, Here I Am. I Want You All To Know I Am Standing In Faith For You All, Healing, Peace, Anything God Can Give You Today. I Too Struggle With The, Why? I Felt Lead To Adopt My Younger Children Not Just Because I Wanted More Children But God Lead Me To Special Needs Children And On My Best Day I Question Why? I Love Them So Much But Don't Feel I Am At My Best Right Now. I Am The Optimist And Cheerleader Of The Family. I Cheer Them On "the Joy Of The Lord Is My Strength." I Can Do All Things Thru Christ Who Gives Me Strength." Get Behind Me Satan." You Name It, I Am Ready To Quote My Family Down From Their Ledge. Lately Though It's Been Them Praying And Talking Me Down Or Lifting Me Up. You Know That Is Just What Sisters And Brothers In Christ Are For And I Am Honored To Do What Ever Any Of You All Need.