Let's lift up Gilioraorance for freedom from alcohol & pot addiction. "Lord, grant him strength to overcome. 'No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.' (1 Cor 10:13) Help him be a better husband, father, & employee. In Jesus' name!" 
**Prayer Group Updates!** 
Let's pray for 
MelissaRae
Prayer Warrior
This is Melissa writing.
I'm asking for prayers for a man named Jim, that he may open his heart to the gospels. Today, in the city, we spoke near a broken piano outside the commons area. I offered to play something pretty if it worked, and we also talked about having faith in God and singing songs to Him. Jim smiled a little during our conversation. Interestingly, I found out that he knew my grandparents who passed away many years ago. He spoke highly of them, describing them as good, plain, country folks. It was a bit hard to hear everything he said, but I noticed that he sports a full beard, long hair, and wears a ball cap. He mentioned that he's not patient enough to fish and that he's currently looking after a dog for a woman named Marla who recently had a stroke. He's also the brother of a local aunt in town who is a daughter-in-law to my deceased grandparents. Despite living in this small city again, I haven't been able to reconcile with my estranged family. I don't see most of them, and hardly any in the city.
Lately, I've been studying a commentary on the book of Luke, and it's clear to me that God wants us to make an effort to know Him. This might be why so much of the family feels estranged. Many, if not most, aren't willing to deal with anything that seems too difficult and may disrupt their chosen way of life. Some people in the family claim to be Christians, but they are not living by Christian values.
For example, a couple living together unmarried in another city, a homosexual couple with two adopted boys in another state, and a set of twins in this city who do not know who their biological father is, but their family does. When the twins talked to me about the abusive behavior of a man who was not their biological father, I almost told them the truth. The girls already struggle with being honest about even small things. I had a conversation with them about that, but what I said may be taken with a grain of salt because I hadn't been around them as much as other family members. I had to sit there and consider the conversations I'd already had with their mother and wonder why she hadn't told them about their dad yet. These are not my concerns to continue to dwell on, and it's been made known that they don't want me there. I've experienced their strong anger and defensive attitude, regardless of how kind and helpful I have tried to be.
When I was younger, my dad's side of the family embodied more courage, strong family values, and resilience. It saddens me to see how even those who were so loving during my formative years have changed. I am grateful for God's forgiveness, which has brought about significant changes in me. If I hadn't experienced the Spirit of Love and the kindness of God, I would have no purpose. I have no relationship with my parents, and any remaining extended family members who are still alive are estranged. When I was younger, I loved visiting this place because there was so much family and participation. It was a welcome distraction from my parents' constant battles. However, as time passed, sin affected the entire extended family. From what I can tell, not many have turned to God, resisted the devil, confessed their sins, and lived freely in forgiveness. If God and prayer had been core values when I was younger, I believe we would be healthier, wiser, and more eager to love others as we are loved. I have given what I can, and it has cost and hurt me to be here at times.
A few years ago, I confronted a man in Alabama about his gambling problem. He was a farmer, and I was considering renting from his family. He told me that we are meant to minister to our families. I didn't stay there. Unfortunately, it doesn't always work out because the family you thought you knew might not be who you thought they were or hoped to be.
I think about the times David played music for King Saul to cool his anger. King Saul would look upon David after a while and decided to throw a spear at him. David, of course, fled two times from King Saul's spear to live in the hills and caves. There is also the time when King Saul's son Jonathan and him were eating at the table together. 1 Samuel 20: 32-24, 32 Then Jonathan answered Saul his father, “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?” 33 But Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him. So Jonathan knew that his father was determined to put David to death. 34 And Jonathan rose from the table in fierce anger and ate no food the second day of the month, for he was grieved for David because his father had disgraced him.
This is what it has been like all my life being around my dad. Since I was a little girl, he has been the man with the hot radish head and red eyes. I have never been able to cool the flaming embers that await to burst with a flaming tongue toward me even when not a word has been spoken.
Good God, sometimes I wonder why I am back in this city.
Many thanks for your prayers!
I'm asking for prayers for a man named Jim, that he may open his heart to the gospels. Today, in the city, we spoke near a broken piano outside the commons area. I offered to play something pretty if it worked, and we also talked about having faith in God and singing songs to Him. Jim smiled a little during our conversation. Interestingly, I found out that he knew my grandparents who passed away many years ago. He spoke highly of them, describing them as good, plain, country folks. It was a bit hard to hear everything he said, but I noticed that he sports a full beard, long hair, and wears a ball cap. He mentioned that he's not patient enough to fish and that he's currently looking after a dog for a woman named Marla who recently had a stroke. He's also the brother of a local aunt in town who is a daughter-in-law to my deceased grandparents. Despite living in this small city again, I haven't been able to reconcile with my estranged family. I don't see most of them, and hardly any in the city.
Lately, I've been studying a commentary on the book of Luke, and it's clear to me that God wants us to make an effort to know Him. This might be why so much of the family feels estranged. Many, if not most, aren't willing to deal with anything that seems too difficult and may disrupt their chosen way of life. Some people in the family claim to be Christians, but they are not living by Christian values.
For example, a couple living together unmarried in another city, a homosexual couple with two adopted boys in another state, and a set of twins in this city who do not know who their biological father is, but their family does. When the twins talked to me about the abusive behavior of a man who was not their biological father, I almost told them the truth. The girls already struggle with being honest about even small things. I had a conversation with them about that, but what I said may be taken with a grain of salt because I hadn't been around them as much as other family members. I had to sit there and consider the conversations I'd already had with their mother and wonder why she hadn't told them about their dad yet. These are not my concerns to continue to dwell on, and it's been made known that they don't want me there. I've experienced their strong anger and defensive attitude, regardless of how kind and helpful I have tried to be.
When I was younger, my dad's side of the family embodied more courage, strong family values, and resilience. It saddens me to see how even those who were so loving during my formative years have changed. I am grateful for God's forgiveness, which has brought about significant changes in me. If I hadn't experienced the Spirit of Love and the kindness of God, I would have no purpose. I have no relationship with my parents, and any remaining extended family members who are still alive are estranged. When I was younger, I loved visiting this place because there was so much family and participation. It was a welcome distraction from my parents' constant battles. However, as time passed, sin affected the entire extended family. From what I can tell, not many have turned to God, resisted the devil, confessed their sins, and lived freely in forgiveness. If God and prayer had been core values when I was younger, I believe we would be healthier, wiser, and more eager to love others as we are loved. I have given what I can, and it has cost and hurt me to be here at times.
A few years ago, I confronted a man in Alabama about his gambling problem. He was a farmer, and I was considering renting from his family. He told me that we are meant to minister to our families. I didn't stay there. Unfortunately, it doesn't always work out because the family you thought you knew might not be who you thought they were or hoped to be.
I think about the times David played music for King Saul to cool his anger. King Saul would look upon David after a while and decided to throw a spear at him. David, of course, fled two times from King Saul's spear to live in the hills and caves. There is also the time when King Saul's son Jonathan and him were eating at the table together. 1 Samuel 20: 32-24, 32 Then Jonathan answered Saul his father, “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?” 33 But Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him. So Jonathan knew that his father was determined to put David to death. 34 And Jonathan rose from the table in fierce anger and ate no food the second day of the month, for he was grieved for David because his father had disgraced him.
This is what it has been like all my life being around my dad. Since I was a little girl, he has been the man with the hot radish head and red eyes. I have never been able to cool the flaming embers that await to burst with a flaming tongue toward me even when not a word has been spoken.
Good God, sometimes I wonder why I am back in this city.
Many thanks for your prayers!
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