We thought it might be nice to have a place to post our joys and concerns.
If you have something you'd like to present as a prayer request, or something you'd just like to share with the community, please, post it here.
Do not be anxious about anything, but by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6 &7
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Compassion is the sometimes fatal capacity for feeling what it is like inside somebody else's skin. It is the knowledge that there can never really be any peace and joy for me until there is peace and joy finally for you too. - Frederick Buechner
If society prospers at the expense of the intangibles, how can it be called progress?
Oh, one of my favorite scriptures, Elspeth! I love that as I tend to be so anxious about things all the time. I have many joys and yet I have concerns too. I am very thankful for my life and what and who God has placed in my life. I think the most anxious thoughts tend to be with financial security and yet God supplies my needs every month when I need to pay bills.............it is amazing!
In the church we used to attend there was always a time to present our joys and concerns. It was one of my favourite times in the service.
I do have a joy. My oldest son celebrated his 17th birthday yesterday. I am very thankful and joyful that God gave me 3 truely beautiful, healthy children.
Todd, Yeah for healthy children. And happy birthday to your young man.
I have four healthy children that I am thankful for. Two have birthdays as well in the weeks to come.
Rose, I found that scripture when looking for something to close with and I promptly copied it and stapled it to my computer table.
I have needed that as well, for there are many things going on with me right now that am am exceedingly anxious about. Sleepless nights, churning stomach and shaking hands have been the norm for a few weeks.
So, I am clinging to that promise of peace and reminding myself, as a friend said to me, that life isn't this single point, but a continuum.
Todd, Yeah for healthy children. And happy birthday to your young man.
I have four healthy children that I am thankful for. Two have birthdays as well in the weeks to come.
Rose, I found that scripture when looking for something to close with and I promptly copied it and stapled it to my computer table.
I have needed that as well, for there are many things going on with me right now that am am exceedingly anxious about. Sleepless nights, churning stomach and shaking hands have been the norm for a few weeks.
So, I am clinging to that promise of peace and reminding myself, as a friend said to me, that life isn't this single point, but a continuum.
Elspeth,
I don't know what is happening to make you anxious, but I'll be praying for you.
You may be familiar with this already, but this is a prayer that helps me when I'm stressed about something. It's called the Serenity Prayer.
God grant me the strength to accept the things I can not change The courage to change the things I can And the wisdom to know the difference
Since there may be people who read this thread, but are not comfortable posting, I'd like to ask that we pray for all of the unspoken joys and burdens as well.
I have a 'praise' to report... I've managed to keep the negative thoughts at bay today. Doesn't sound like much, but sometimes it takes a lot of concentration to keep from being overwhelmed.
I'm glad I finally realized that so much of our attitudes are choices, choices about how we regard the situations we find ourselves in... with God's help, I am going to be more optimistic and positive in my attitudes from now on.
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"All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost. From the ashes a fire shall be woken, A light from the shadows shall spring; Renewed shall be blade that was broken, The crownless again shall be king..."
Praises? Thank God, they are legion! Just celebrated 23 years of marriage to a lady who's really put up with a lot (me!). Son just turned 17 - NHS, Eagle Scout, honest, dependable (ok, I'm a proud dad) Daugher is honor student, advanced courses, mature, trustworthy. Dad fought three different types of cancer over the years, and is still with us. We are in a great church with wonderful and caring pastors. I found a great website for Celtic radio!
I have a roof over my head, food in my belly, a job, and a family of which I am very proud. Things are never perfect, but when you put it all in perspective, the occasional dolt with which we all have to deal really doesn't matter much.
I am going to take a real leap of faith here and say something that I have kept a guarded secret for years.
My husband is an alcoholic. Really has been since I met him. He isn't violent or anything. He would be what some call a 'functioning alcoholic' - able to function in society so that few know of his condition, unable to fully function in relationships.
I have kept this private as I felt it was his problem and I didn't have the right to expose his vulnerability. But after 20 years I have come to the point where it is beyond me to deal with alone anymore.
There is so much involved with this when you are trying to raise children. What is best for the kids? What is best for him? What is best for me? As the kids get older, it is starting to affect them. They worry. One has acted out because they didn't know what to do with the fear. And it has always affected me in so many ways.
It would be great to get a magical easy answer, but that doesn't exist. It is too complicated. I am just finding myself needing a place of somewhat anonymity to share of this.
Good for you for getting this out in to the light of Day.. You can't change anyone, but you can find all the love and support you need , while you deal with it .. I hope you find a great deal of that here...
You are a bright , wonderful being .. We are all lucky to have you in our lives.
My joy is for my 5 year old. He is doing very well in kindergarten, his religion classes, and he spontaneously said yesterday, "Go Army, beat Navy! Huah!"
Elspeth, there is no reason for you to attempt to carry this by yourself. It will eventually wear you down. I don't know about where you live, but around here, several of the churches have developed groups, along the lines of AA, but for the families affected by this disease. These groups can really be a help, if for no other reason than to help you realize that your pain is not yours alone. I know, because my parish started a group for those suffering from depression. I have battled this for at least 15 years. The hardest part was always feeling that I had to face it alone; that the pain was mine alone. Not true. Hearing how others cope gives me strength, as well as coping mechanisms to try out. Look around, and see if any churches have a group like this.
I will pray for you, and for all. God bless!!
Just my tuppence.
Andy
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Just my tuppence.
Andy
Never drink to excess; you might shoot at a tax collector and miss. - Robert A. Heinlein
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes.
TANSTAAFL
If a person doesn't believe in something, he'll soon believe in anything. - G. K. Chesterton
9-1-1: state sponsored Dial-A-Prayer
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