***
Spiritual Sounding Board – This is your place to gather and share in an open format.
***
Your lives are a letter written in our hearts; everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you.
Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you.
This “letter” is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God.
It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts.
We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ.
It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own.
Our qualification comes from God. He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant.
This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit.
The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life.
2 Corinthians 3:2-6
***
I ran across this story recently and it is so sweet.
***
***
***
***
Feel free to join the discussion.
You can share your church struggles and concerns.
Let’s also use it as a time to encourage one another spiritually.
What have you found spiritually encouraging lately?
Do you have any special Bible verses to share, any YouTube songs that you have found uplifting?
***
Spiritual Sounding Board 
What a wonderful story of a man who knows what really counts. His treasure is waiting for him in Heaven.
LikeLiked by 2 people
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
This was one of my mom’s favorite verses. When she was dying from terminal ovarian cancer, she wrote this on a piece of stationary and kept it on her beside table. I miss my mom, she was my best friend. She could immediately tell when I was feeling down or upset. Funny how no matter how old I was, my mother’s love was so comforting. Towards the end, our roles reversed and she relied on me for comfort. I miss that comfort and love. Some days are difficult for me as I live this season of life. My husband is dragging out our divorce and I feel powerless. I hate that I feel that way! I feel like I was abused by my husband, further abused by my church and now by the court system.
Lately, I have found comfort in other blogs of survivors of domestic and spiritual abuse. But, I feel isolated. Some human contact with someone who understands what I’m going through would be nice. I’m just not sure where to find that. I can’t bring myself to go to church right now. The judgement is too palpable. I can do this! I will NOT give up.
LikeLike
minervasue,
I am sorry that you lost your mother. I know you will see her again someday. Having that scripture that she took to heart must be a comfort to you in knowing you will meet again.
It is very difficult going through divorce for anyone, but without family, friends or an understanding church it is all the more difficult. I had no one I could talk to besides for my Christian counselor for whom I am very grateful. It took over a year of prayer before I found an understanding friend after I left the X. I took it that God wanted me to totally rely on Him first.
I didn’t leave my church or stop going. It was very difficult to walk through the doors at times and more difficult to listen to what was being preached about marriage, but I felt that if I left trust about what the Bible says about abuse would continue to be swept under the rug. The X stopped going fairly soon after the split which made it easier.
This morning I finally heard a statement unrelated to marriage that I intend to remember anyways. “Jesus cares more about people than the law.” I am writing down the date that it was said for reference. It was the same statement that I have used many times. “Jesus cares more about the people in the marriage than the institution of marriage.” Ammunition, so to speak.
I understand and am willing to talk anytime you need. ((((HUGS))))
LikeLiked by 1 person
minervasue: My heart really goes out to you as you deal with this long divorce process. I was listening to another woman going through the same thing recently and I think sometimes a lengthy divorce process is one last attempt to control/manipulate. I pray that you will be wise in how you respond and also that you will get the support you need. You are certainly not alone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Here’s my favorite all-time praise and worship song. It’s just as moving today as it was in 1677.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Brenda, yes, I feel the same way. That God wants me to rely on Him. I actually almost went to my old church today. In the end, I just couldn’t face it. I couldn’t face the people or the possibility of listening to a sermon that makes me feel worse than I already do. Perhaps going again will help me get over the feelings of betrayal and give me closure. My counselor suggested that I write a letter to my pastor. Not necessarily to give it to him, but just to put it down on paper. It might just be time to do that instead of agonizing in my mind over what’s happened.
Thank you for the comforting words.
LikeLike
Thank you, Muff Porter. That is a simple and beautiful hymn.
LikeLike
Beautiful, Muff! Thank you. 🙂
LikeLike
Writing a letter for your own peace of mind sounds like a good idea. It will help clear the air if only for yourself.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Minervasue, As sisters in Christ, I pray you can feel my heart knitted to yours. It is so painful to walk through death and divorce and find even church difficult to attend. I have found having a smaller group sometimes can be more comforting.
Does your pastor have a heart for those in pain, or is he more about serving the so-called “Biblical Families”? You know, the younger couples with 2.2 children? It seems the church is the slowest institution to recognize that so many believers are in pain and “Biblical Family” is just an unrealistic label to assign different roles for people to play in a pretend world?
You are loved and valued by your Creator. I hope you are able to find others who aren’t playing roles and are authentic in their walk with Christ. The ones who are insensitive to your situation often have traded in our Creator for a pretend God of their own making, one that conforms to their wants and needs.
I am sorry about your mother’s death and your painful divorce. I, for one, am happy you are here and proud of you from walking away from abuse! I hope this week brings you times of joy to help you walk through your times of suffering! Xoxo Ann
LikeLiked by 1 person
Minervasue,
Praying for you tonight. Your words of grief are palpable. I cannot imagine your loss. My Mom was a alcoholic train wreck till I was in my 40’s. She wasn’t my best friend or comforter most of my life.
Many years down the road, I was able to forgive her for her failings, plus, I promised my dad on his death bed that I would take care of her.
With years under my belt, I understood that she had a difficult story that impacted her in profound ways, she had so much pain, she medicated with alcohol.
She lived with me the year before she died, I treasure that time. I took care of her, she was like a baby in many ways. That said, we didn’t have the type of bond that it sounds like you had with your mama.
She died in 2012, I miss her so much, so, I can only imagine what you have lost for now…
I divorced a creeper 32 years ago, and it was a lonely, scary, tough time.
Six year later when my church learned I was a divorced woman, they refused to marry my husband & I. We found a church that would marry us & we have been together for 26 years. He is a solid, kind, generous, man. Yes, he is a Christian.
I’m 60 now & in hindsight I have learned that life as messy & maddening as it can be, it does work out. I pray you will find this to be true in His Ways & His time.
Holding you in my thoughts & prayers. Thank-You for sharing. You brought up beautiful memories…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Minervasue- I sure hope that I didn’t sugar coat my battles. I have struggled with chronic depression since I was a wee child. Life does work out, but in my case with many tears & sorrow.
Also, I was just trying to share some hope with you. I hope you didn’t drown you in my many words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m reading this late Sunday night (it’s late where I am!) and I want to say that my heart is touched to see so much support for each other. I have come to see that the internet has a great way of connecting people on a deeper level right where we need it. You all are wonderful!
LikeLike
Well, Gail, you brought tears to my eyes and encouraged me through your words to Minervasue. Thank you.
LikeLike
You’re so right, Kathi.
LikeLike
We love you, Kathi! ❤
LikeLike
Ann, thank you so much. The support on this page helps me tremendously. And, I’m proud of my self, too! I never thought I could do it and here I am, sitting in my own apartment, typing on whatever web site I please, and going to bed at whatever time I want.
I’ve been seriously thinking of talking to my pastor. Not so much for my benefit, but for the other abused women he will come in contact with. I know that it may not do any good, but how can I not at least try?
LikeLike
Gail, I’m sorry to hear that your parents both died. I miss my parents, too. When my mom was diagnosed with cancer, my dad had already suffered a couple of strokes and was starting to develop dementia. My mom was so worried about what would become of him after she was gone. I always tell people that I know exactly what happened. My mom got to heaven and said, “Jesus, you have to bring my husband up here. My kids can’t handle him.” Jesus said, “I’m on it.” My dad collapsed the day after my mom died and never made it out of ICU. He died three weeks later.
I love hearing stories of survivors who have gone on with their lives. It gives me hope. Hope that one day this will all just be a distant memory. For today I celebrated my new found freedom my going grocery shopping. And I bought my first bottle of wine in 15 years. My husband was a recovering alcoholic so we didn’t ever drink or purchase alcohol. Not even to cook with. I’m not even sure I’ll drink any. But, it’s sitting on the counter smiling at me. And, I swear I saw it wink… 🙂
LikeLike
minervasue- I am cracking up, love your sense of humor!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Minervasue – Good for you for having the courage to talk to your pastor on behalf of other women. I am convinced that pastors are not trained at all for dealing with abuse on any level. The more education the better for them – even if they’re not willing to admit the problem.
BTW – I’m sure that wine really was winking at you! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, What a Savior!
Praise God in His Sanctuary, Praise Him in His Might Expanse.
Thank-you, Julie Ann, for posting the beautiful picture of God’s creation in addition to the you tube video, so beautiful and lovely today. We do not watch much television in our home, so it is inspiring to see these types of videos on the internet; those that bring edification to my faith in Christ alone. This is an amazing story of God’s faithfulness!
In prayer for those who are struggling and suffering this day. Our God sees and knows everything for nothing is hidden from Him. So very sorry to read of the hurts and the pain.
LikeLiked by 1 person