Dear Disciples

[Mary Grace]

I am so glad to be here!

I am loving learning to walk with Christ everyday. I reside in the UK and I understand that we, here, are not so theologically astute as our brothers in the US, and some other parts of the world. Most of my questions in life pertain to understanding God's Word, on one way or another, so I hope that those of you who know little or know a lot, alike, will be willing to exchange ideas with me in the time to come.

Love y'all. <><

[Pim Pendergast]

Re: Dear Disciples

Welcome, Mary! You've come to the right place if you want to learn more about the Bible. But how about first telling us where you attend church, your favorite Bible verse and how you found Jesus?

[Mary Grace]

Re: Dear Disciples

Okay! Thank you.

I attend a Baptist church in England. I was not raised a Christian as both of my parents are non-religious. I experienced the pitfalls of life in a household and in a family who had mostly their morals in the right place, but also left the door for satan to come as he pleased. Since I was in my very early years, I felt myself as God's child nevertheless.

When I was old enough to venture out, I lived a sinful life because I was under the impression that to walk with God meant simply to pray, and nothing more. Then when my life became much harder, I sought to understand the Word via the Catholic church. At the time, I perceived their ritualism as spiritual rigour and thought thus that was the most disciplined place to learn. However, after few years there, I still knew nothing about the mysteries of God, as the Catholic church seldom holds sermons that are of length.

I then met a family who were Baptists. This family walk with Christ in such a way that they promote Christ in their waking and sleeping lives. They were and are a true inspiration to me, used by God as an arrow in the right direction. Consequently, I changed to attending Baptist Church where I have stayed on a path of studying the Bible with those who enjoy that also, my sweet church family. Until recently, I participated in their youth group for some time.

Recently, I have become fascinated with biblical womanhood, biblical parenting, and the institution of family. I think these topics are important to my spirit at present because I aim to rebuild my own upbringing, mentally, in the correct way. I find this healing and instructive. As I move forward in time, I want to please God within the vessel and capabilities He has intended me to use.

I struggle much with some questions, however. The pastor of my church has left the church in order to pastor another church that was going to be closed down, otherwise. For instance, I know that God wants to see me as a gentle and quiet spirit. I know that Paul says that above all else we should protect our heart, and think about what is lovely and pure (e.g., Phil. 4:8). I do this. But I am currently in a situation where I am finding it hard to differentiate between "pure" of the world and "pure" of the spirit. I tried recently to consult with another pastor, over the telephone, and I asked him whether in this situation which I find myself (undescribed), I should do nothing and leave it all up to God. The pastor told me that, no, God wants me to participate in this. Which makes sense. Still other people are judging me negatively if I take action. I am confused. I tried to post this as a question, but was not allowed. Hopefully, in time, I could.

Thank you for the warm welcome. I am most blessed to be welcomed here. Thank you for your time.

[Cranky Old Man]

Re: Dear Disciples

Welcome to God's favorite forum!

Do you have your husband's permission to stop cleaning the floor and post on this forum instead?

[Mark L. Snyde, PhD]

Re: Dear Disciples

Hello and welcome, Mary!

I get the impression you are a young woman. If so, then I would consider the following from God:

1 Timothy 5:14 (1611 King James Bible)

I will therefore that the yonger women marry, beare children, guid the house, giue none occasion to the aduersary to speake reprochfully.

You will struggle until you have a strong True Christian™ man to guide and subjugate you.

Colossians 3:18 (1611 King James Bible)

Wiues, submit your selues vnto your owne husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

Are you working towards finding a husband to whom you may bear sons and build a home?

Proverbs 14:1 (1611 King James Bible)

Euery wise woman buildeth her house; but the foolish plucketh it downe with her hands.

[Pim Pendergast]

Re: Dear Disciples

That was a comprehensive introduction. Do you have a favorite Bible verse?

I struggle much with some questions, however. The pastor of my church has left the church in order to pastor another church that was going to be closed down, otherwise. For instance, I know that God wants to see me as a gentle and quiet spirit. I know that Paul says that above all else we should protect our heart, and think about what is lovely and pure (e.g., Phil. 4:8). I do this. But I am currently in a situation where I am finding it hard to differentiate between "pure" of the world and "pure" of the spirit. I tried recently to consult with another pastor, over the telephone, and I asked him whether in this situation which I find myself (undescribed), I should do nothing and leave it all up to God. The pastor told me that, no, God wants me to participate in this. Which makes sense. Still other people are judging me negatively if I take action. I am confused. I tried to post this as a question, but was not allowed. Hopefully, in time, I could.

I was a bit confused by this part, though. What is the question?

[Dr Laurence Niles]

Re: Dear Disciples

I would second brother Snyde.

It is well known that the female is unable to cope with higher order thinking so you would be most well advised to seek out the firm muscular arm of a manly Christian male.

Perhaps an older man in his early 40s who has experience in such things and can guide you through the pit falls that easily led and emotionally labile women often fall into.

YIC

[Mary Grace]

Re: Dear Disciples

Thank you for your replies!

I am a woman who recently turned 30. I do not have a husband, neither I am in a relationship, neither do I have children. But I take good care of myself and the community. I have spent a lot of time out of socialising due to graduate/post-graduate study and work (in psychology and neuroscience). Before I became devout, many years ago, I did have a relationship for several years with one man who abused me psychologically and physically. He is lost. He thinks he is a Christian but does not believe in Jesus nor in the Biblical truth.

His treatment of me had affected me negatively in many ways. I was very submissive to him and I never told him the wrong in his actions. I always believed that it would not happen again, but it did.

He defiled me and has affected my ability to trust men. For a long time after, that was not an issue. Becoming devout solved that problem since it meant that I was not close to any man, anyway. Now it does affect me because I think I actually hide myself away, and it has proved to affect my frienships with men.

I know that with God's grace and mercy I will overcome these psychological limitations in good time. But the man concerned threatened me again, recently. I feel that it may be right to report all of the past abuse to the police and press charges, as I never did before. I do not see this as a negative thing to do since I think that allowing him to walk away from it all has made him confident in threatening me again. And he may have done the same to others since. Yet, I do not know whether pressing charges for these violations, years ago, is making me not a quiet spirit. Is pressing charges a pure or not pure thing to do? I struggle to understand whether God has put this on my heart because I should take action. Or because I should not.

I pray always for healing and I have received it in abudance, praise the LORD. This problem, on my heart, seems more conceptual, psychological, moral.

I apologise for writing all this on my intoductory page. It is not my usual style to intruduce myself in this way. As I said, I did try to post separately. Please excuse me and please do not feel obligated to assist. I am most grateful to be here. Thank you, again.

[Mary Grace]

Re: Dear Disciples

That was a comprehensive introduction. Do you have a favorite Bible verse?

I have a few:

"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God." Isa 61:10

"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven." Ecc. 3:1

"Every word of God is pure: he is a shield on to them that put their trust in him." Pro. 30:5

"He said to me, my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2Cor.12:9

"Worry about nothing. Instead pray about everything." Phi. 4:6

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added on to you." Matt. 6:33

"I can do all things through Christ who stregthens me." Phi. 4:13

These are just some of the shorter ones.

[Mary Grace]

Re: Dear Disciples

CORRECTION

Sorry - in post #8 I meant to say that I spent *not* a lot of time (none actually) socialising due to study and academic pursuits. I should have read over my reply before I posted.

[Alvin Moss]

Re: Dear Disciples

Welcome, Sister Mary Grace.

It is satisfying to see another refugee who has escaped the whore of Rome.

I expect England is full of them.

Your testimony is moving and heart wrenching. I grieve with you that you are forced to live in England.

Here in America, we have large refrigerators. Mine is six feet tall and five feet wide. It has an ice maker. God has seen fit to shower these gifts on His people in America, that we can collect the bounty of the land in large amounts and store it safely for later use.

Tell us more about your struggles among the Anglicans.

[see_the_light]

Re: Dear Disciples

one man who abused me psychologically and physically. He is lost. He thinks he is a Christian but does not believe in Jesus nor in the Biblical truth.

A pity that he was not a TRUE CHRISTIAN, but pray and JESUS will give you a TRUE CHRISTIAN who will punish and guide you correctly without your little brain feeling more than a grateful love and submission.

PRAY TO JESUS!

[Naomi Ruth Lamb]

Re: Dear Disciples

Mary Grace,

First of all, what a lovely name you have. I am pleased to see you here and I greet you in the loving name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth via Bethlehem and other insignificant towns in the same area, but mostly Nazareth, although much of His time was spent elsewhere. GLORY!

As a woman, we must be careful how we define the things that we endure at the hands of men. Are you completely certain that this was abuse, or was it the loving correction that women need from the man in their lives? So many men have been ruined because some tainted trollop refused to accept discipline and correction. Prayerfully consider the circumstances under which you received what you call "abuse" before taking a step that might be contrary to God's Word:

Exodus 23:1:
"Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to bee an vnrighteous witnesse."

It is easy to fall victim to the demon of feminazism when you are in the world without the protection of Jesus' blood. I would imagine those demons are more active in universities, particularly in Godmocking countries such as the UK (Unchurched Kingdom).

For now, sweet sister, I will leave you to consider the things I've said. I hope you'll accept it in the True Christian (TM) love with which it was intended. Won't you also join us in the area specifically set aside for women? There you can speak freely amongst women about any topic. Of course, the men have complete access there, but that is how it should be. Continue to grow in Him, Mary Grace. You won't ever be as useful as a man, but you still have use among men.

Praying for you,
NRL

PS: It might help the men here to assist you if you were more graphic in the descriptions of how a man "defiled" you.

[Mary Grace]

Re: Dear Disciples

Welcome, Sister Mary Grace.

It is satisfying to see another refugee who has escaped the whore of Rome.

I expect England is full of them.

Your testimony is moving and heart wrenching. I grieve with you that you are forced to live in England.

Here in America, we have large refrigerators. Mine is six feet tall and five feet wide. It has an ice maker. God has seen fit to shower these gifts on His people in America, that we can collect the bounty of the land in large amounts and store it safely for later use.

Tell us more about your struggles among the Anglicans.

Thank you for the warm welcome. You bring up an interesting point, a comparative between the UK and the US. Many things, generally, have their adavantages and their disadvantages. The same is in the UK. I enjoy the UK because the weather is mild, it is never too hot nor too cold, we have a really good public health system, etc., and we live well. God has been so very good to us. However, whilst I am unfamiliar with the exact statistics, there are a very minute number of true Christians, people who live a Christian life. There are many Christians, for instance, who smoke, drink, participate in sexual immoralities, and similar, as a commonality. Sadly, there are too many single teenage mothers, who neglect somewhat a large number of their children who then grow up raised by satan, and influence other children who come from these 50-50 homes.

Biblical womanhood interests me on a soul level. But one of my aims would be to eventually go into schools and reach out to young girls, provide a Friday-night club for us all to meet and cook (and knit, etc.), to keep them off the streets. There is a quote that goes something like this, 'A woman's heart should be lost in God that a man has to reach him to find her.' I believe truly that if we can initially target a secular audience, such as a female only audience, this could have a positive impact in society in several obvious ways. For example, is boys are chasing girls, and the girls lift their standards, then so too will the boys. Hopefully, with a large-scale project we would see a positive impact such as a decline sexual immorality, better parenting, greater awareness, and so on. I will work hard for this most necessary intervention. This is something I was trying to get my pastor involved in before he left. Satan has so much of the media. We need to reach out and not be limited to buildings of worship.

Moving on to the US, my favourite topic. I have never been to the US. But sometimes, I google-maps America, then I zoom into a random place like Kansas or Montana or New York, and marvel at the culture and the streets and flags, and mountains, so many things we do not have here.

The family I mentioned in my post above is from Georgia. I love the southern accent. They have a wonderful pastor who records their sermons and puts them up online. I listen to these sermons all the time, when I am driving, cooking, etc. They are a completely different callibre to what you may hear in the UK. The US sermons that I cite, deal with real life issues like marriage, widows, women, children, sex, wisdom. The UK sermons deal with more abstracted notions, such as historical accounts of who God is and that we are to trust him. Usually, it is that same message. But with the internet, it brings us together, praise the LORD.

I hope that has answered your question about the Anglicans. Thank you for asking.

[Mary Grace]

Re: Dear Disciples

A pity that he was not a TRUE CHRISTIAN, but pray and JESUS will give you a TRUE CHRISTIAN who will punish and guide you correctly without your little brain feeling more than a grateful love and submission.

PRAY TO JESUS!

Thank you. I do and I will. Our LORD is mighty to save.
In union of prayer. <><