Hi guys, New Guy here, my name is Stuart and i am a Christian

[TLHKAJ]

TuKaj you are welcome at my church we are a very friendly bunch and the way things are just now most of the believers are thinking about end times, i am however will not get bogged down with supposition and concentrate on being a good desciple, If you have a testimony it has to be dedicated to god, everything that has happened in the past is supposed to be put behind you when you are saved and even more so when baptised
its a clean sheet as they say, i also take communion when i can and that is a good way to clean my sheet as well (if you will)

Yes, our past is behind us. But it is part of our testimony and when we can look back and see what God has done and how He has worked, delivered, and healed ...it ignites gratitude and worship. And when we share it with others, it is a witness of Him and glorifies God. We overcome by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony!

 

[Helen]

Hi, @Helen ...are you talking to @quietthinker or me?

Hi, I was quoting him...LOL

Blessings ...H

 

[Helen]

I do however wish that you would seriously consider new points of view instead of reverting to familiar conclusions arrived at in your younger years. I feel this practice pushes aside new revelations and with it new experiences in growth.

Ahhh , but what if I don’t see what I believe as just ‘points of view ‘ , but as spiritual truth from the Lord?

Not much of what I believe is from my ‘younger years’ ..those things I obediently swallowed diligently from the pulpit back then , I threw out 20 years later when the Lord opened my eyes to deeper truth.

But , this is @Stuart s thread , I don’t wish to derail it ...maybe we should use the PM

 

[farouk]

@Stuart Good to see you!

In John chapter 3 the Lord Jesus speaks about the new birth: "Ye must be born again". It's a wonderful chapter to read!

 

[quietthinker]

Ahhh , but what if I don’t see what I believe as just ‘points of view ‘ , but as spiritual truth from the Lord?

Not much of what I believe is from my ‘younger years’ ..those things I obediently swallowed diligently from the pulpit back then , I threw out 20 years later when the Lord opened my eyes to deeper truth.

But , this is @Stuart s thread , I don’t wish to derail it ...maybe we should use the PM

Every thing is worth a second look Helen.....particularly if its coupled with courage......and be assured, if there is willingness and self honesty, God will open doors. As it stands more often than not we go a circuitous route...and for a long time.....why?, because we don't have the courage to 'enter the promised land' so to speak, as instructed. I'm sure you understand the parallel.

 

[Nancy]

I've been a Christian all my life but not actively until about 7 years ago, i have had a mental illness for a long time but i accept that it must be part of the plan,

Welcome Stewart!
Mental, physical, emotional illnesses are all part of what this fractured life can throw at you. I too have ... issues. I once had a doc. roll her eyes at me when I said I was a Christian therefore, I don't, or won't do the things the world does. I do see one still but, that is because the V.A. will not send certain meds. (one of which I'm going to try to get off of) unless seeing their psych doc at least twice annually. Funny thing, she is wonderful! I do not know what faith she might have but, she is a gem. It is more like visiting a friend a couple times a year than anything else, lol.

As far as the poll, I didn't vote as, my option wasn't up there...Prayer from brothers and sisters and believing that we have the mind of Christ. Satan sure does get in our minds and, when our minds are not as healthy as they should be...it is all the worse but then...that doesn't change how BIG our God is It's a battle, for sure.
God bless you through the trials brother!
nancy

 

[Nancy]

Am

hello Stuart....when all is said and done, all of us have a mental illness of some sorts. I think thats why we struggle with each other to a greater or lesser extent.

God give us patience with each other, in particular teach us to love those so easily labeled by our systems.

Amen Q.T.
Many fall through the cracks as the Church structure seems to have no place for them. It's like living outside of the "Land Of Misfit Toys" when yo yourself ARE a misfit!!! Lol. Of course anyone would desire to be with those they feel comfortable around, and truly loved as a part of the Body of Christ. The "Church" is broken.

 

[Nancy]

What about me? I’ve often felt like you have a problem with me

I like you.

This feel like school days haha!


Oh sorry ... @Stuart ...WELCOME to the forum.

I would agree with @quietthinker ...we ALL have to have a mental problem to remain a member here ...it’s all part of the package LOL

Ahahaha, Helen, you are in rare form today! So very good to see you back and running!!

 

[quietthinker]

But , this is @Stuart s thread , I don’t wish to derail it ...maybe we should use the PM

By all means Helen. Fire away when you're ready

 

[Nancy]

It sounds like you have a church family who is doing the best they know. At least they haven't shunned you. I haven't found a church yet who would accept me. They will until I allow someone close and they find out my history and what I deal with. Then, I get told it's my fault, get prayed over, then shunned ...or like the time my children and I were assaulted (cult retaliation) and I asked for help, I was escorted out of the church by my friends as they told me I didn't belong there.

I knew God had led me there 2 years before and that I was to share my testimony. There was a real need for them to be aware. But I was ejected. Five years later, one friend apologized to me. She said she finally realized that they needed to hear my testimony. (The pastor and several members were multigenerational victims of SRA/satanic ritual as I too have buse, and my testimony helped shed light on their needs.)

But no matter what church I enter, I last between 3 months to a year before things start going south.

My heart aches for you T. I no longer "belong" to any local body. One can only "try" for so long before going to services makes you sad. Being shunned is glaringly wrong! It is so the opposite of what Christ commanded us to do.
In my opinion...a person, seeking Christ and fellowship should not have to try and fit in, they should be welcomed warmly! God will place that person where He want's them to be within that body but, when they're not included or invited to lunch's or picnics and gatherings outside of church then, yer just left a flailin as to what to do, what to do, what to do! ¯\(°_o)/¯
His blessings sister, you are a strong and courageous woman of God and, He has brought you out of some horrible places. I am glad Satan didn't getcha!!
In Him,
nancy

 

[Rita]

Welcome Stuart. The only real way to recover from mental illness is to work with a psychiatrist and psychologist team. If you aren't please do so. Don't go for any witchdoctor cures people might try to sell you like phony exorcisms and the like.

Hope to see you around! Cheers

I am not saying that this is wrong advice but for me it was the Holy Spirit that became my counsellor. I had bulimia from the age of 14 years old. Became a Christian at 21, struggled with constant daily mind games. I went to Christians for help, but they didn’t understand and it dragged me deeper. Finally one day, in my 40’s, The Lord laid a question on my heart ‘ do you want to be healed ‘ I relayed yes. I thought it would be instant, no chance. The next day , while watching ‘ an audience with Donny Osmond’ my past was triggered on an emotional level. It was like piercing an internal boil, bit by bit I worked through all that I had held onto. Over a ten year period the Holy Spirit took me on journeys back. Then one day, having written all the different things down , I lit a candle, prayed and left all the hurt and pain at the cross. The next morning the mental mind games were gone.
God knows everything about us and knows the best path to take us with regards to inner healing. The mental issues did not hinder God working in my life over the 30 years prior to the healing process beginning. My journey will not be the same as others as mental illness can be rooted in so many different things, and who we are will be relevant to how the Lord will work.
One valuable lesson I did learn was that it all happened bit by bit, in Gods timing as he knew what I could cope with and when xx
Sorry for a long post xx
Rita

 

[Rita]

Welcome to the forum Stuart x

 

[quietthinker]

Am

Amen Q.T.
Many fall through the cracks as the Church structure seems to have no place for them. It's like living outside of the "Land Of Misfit Toys" when yo yourself ARE a misfit!!! Lol. Of course anyone would desire to be with those they feel comfortable around, and truly loved as a part of the Body of Christ. The "Church" is broken.

Do we believe Jesus came to heal the broken?......what I mean is, do we hold that view at our core or is it just an intellectual persuasion; one that fits neatly into what we think we're supposed to believe but doesn't really apply to us?
Those who believed Jesus according to the record, had things happen....the blind saw, the lame walked, the broken hearted were liberated, the deaf heard...and if we think we have an excuse, the dead were raised.....Whaooooo! Is Jesus any different today? not as I read it ..'the same yesterday, today and forever'

Some wanted their brokenness to remain...however it manifested....they perceived some sort of benefit in it.....so they stayed there. eg, the leaders who wanted attention and power or those whose income and comfort or popularity were threatened.

 

[Nancy]

I am not saying that this is wrong advice but for me it was the Holy Spirit that became my counsellor. I had bulimia from the age of 14 years old. Became a Christian at 21, struggled with constant daily mind games. I went to Christians for help, but they didn’t understand and it dragged me deeper. Finally one day, in my 40’s, The Lord laid a question on my heart ‘ do you want to be healed ‘ I relayed yes. I thought it would be instant, no chance. The next day , while watching ‘ an audience with Donny Osmond’ my past was triggered on an emotional level. It was like piercing an internal boil, bit by bit I worked through all that I had held onto. Over a ten year period the Holy Spirit took me on journeys back. Then one day, having written all the different things down , I lit a candle, prayed and left all the hurt and pain at the cross. The next morning the mental mind games were gone.
God knows everything about us and knows the best path to take us with regards to inner healing. The mental issues did not hinder God working in my life over the 30 years prior to the healing process beginning. My journey will not be the same as others as mental illness can be rooted in so many different things, and who we are will be relevant to how the Lord will work.
One valuable lesson I did learn was that it all happened bit by bit, in Gods timing as he knew what I could cope with and when xx
Sorry for a long post xx
Rita

It is quite the process and, praise God you came through it stronger and the better for it sister.

 

[quietthinker]

Do we believe Jesus came to heal the broken?......what I mean is, do we hold that view at our core or is it just an intellectual persuasion; one that fits neatly into what we think we're supposed to believe but doesn't really apply to us?
Those who believed Jesus according to the record, had things happen....the blind saw, the lame walked, the broken hearted were liberated, the deaf heard...and if we think we have an excuse, the dead were raised.....Whaooooo! Is Jesus any different today? not as I read it ..'the same yesterday, today and forever'

Some wanted their brokenness to remain...however it manifested....they perceived some sort of benefit in it.....so they stayed there. eg, the leaders who wanted attention and power or those whose income and comfort or popularity were threatened.

I would like to add a little to this post regarding the dead being raised. We could ask, how can the dead believe, they are dead?....I would say, they didn't resist. Now I'm not sure if that's a fair point but I do know that all who don't resist are drawn...the lifegiver's command becomes their reality.

 

[Stuart]

I lit a candle, prayed and left all the hurt and pain at the cross. The next morning the mental mind games were gone.

My sin is a constant stream, not sure if my mental illness is tied in with sin but i think its roots definitely are 'i fell away at a young age and Satan tightened his grip' i try to pray but i don't pray enough, God has been encouraging me to pray more bc he told me it was the cause of my anxieties, i tried praying more and it has helped but i feel i have been caught up with other things again and prayer takes a back seat also I try and take communion as often as i can to help cleanse my soul from the stain of sin but despite this my illness is so deep rooted that i am at the foot of the cross everyday, like this demon just doesn't want to let go if jesus came back as a man he could free me from my burden with his command but alas he died on the cross, the holy spirit is with us though so that is some comfort, btw i still have a lot to learn, i am by no means an authority on this, i am no theologian

 

[farouk]

My sin is a constant stream, not sure if my mental illness is tied in with sin but i think its roots definitely are 'i fell away at a young age and Satan tightened his grip' i try to pray but i don't pray enough, God has been encouraging me to pray more bc he told me it was the cause of my anxieties, i tried praying more and it has helped but i feel i have been caught up with other things again and prayer takes a back seat also I try and take communion as often as i can to help cleanse my soul from the stain of sin but despite this my illness is so deep rooted that i am at the foot of the cross everyday, like this demon just doesn't want to let go if jesus came back as a man he could free me from my burden with his command but alas he died on the cross, the holy spirit is with us though so that is some comfort, btw i still have a lot to learn, i am by no means an authority on this, i am no theologian

@Stuart He gloriously rose again from the dead, and the victory belongs to all who love Him and trust Him; see 1 Corinthians 15.57.

 

[Stuart]

I do know that all who don't resist are drawn

I have a problem with this, i have trouble accepting i might get into heaven bc although i have been savced and have been told there is a place for me i am still not convinced i worry that on my death bed i wont know where i am going and it will be a horrible end, Imagine not knowing where you are going? and i am very scared i might go to hell

 

[Stuart]

@Stuart He gloriously rose again from the dead, and the victory belongs to all who love Him and trust Him;

That is true but he did die and he sits on the throne in heaven, it is really beautiful

 

[quietthinker]

My sin is a constant stream, not sure if my mental illness is tied in with sin but i think its roots definitely are 'i fell away at a young age and Satan tightened his grip' i try to pray but i don't pray enough, God has been encouraging me to pray more bc he told me it was the cause of my anxieties, i tried praying more and it has helped but i feel i have been caught up with other things again and prayer takes a back seat also I try and take communion as often as i can to help cleanse my soul from the stain of sin but despite this my illness is so deep rooted that i am at the foot of the cross everyday, like this demon just doesn't want to let go if jesus came back as a man he could free me from my burden with his command but alas he died on the cross, the holy spirit is with us though so that is some comfort, btw i still have a lot to learn, i am by no means an authority on this, i am no theologian

Jesus is resurrected Stuart, alive and with the promise 'I will never leave you or forsake you'. It is not Jesus who leaves but us who leave Jesus for an unnumbered amount of reasons that the evil one persuades us with. His reasons are lies!