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Ten years ago this month, I started the day by getting on my face before God and saying, “Lord, I’m getting down on the floor because if I get up, I’m afraid I’ll do something stupid.”
I had good reason to be concerned. I was a single man who was making poor choices left and right. And although my closest friends were trying to help me get back on track, if they weren’t around, I started itching to make additional foolish decisions.
The morning I prostrated myself on the floor before God was no exception and I felt helpless. I was my own worst enemy. When I finally got up, I took out my journal and wrote a prayer. I told God that I knew I was living through one of the darkest hours of my life, and the scariest part was that I was starting to like the darkness. I ended the prayer by writing, “Jesus, if You ever loved me, please send help now.”
My heart remained heavy that day, as it had been for weeks. I had always been such an optimistic person, but for the first and only time in my life, I wondered if I might be better off dead. I couldn’t trust myself. Plus, because of some of the choices I had made, I felt unworthy, unlovable, and undeserving of marriage, which I had hoped for since I was a child.
Despite my depression and an intense storm that ripped through the city, I decided to go to a hat-themed dance party at a friend’s house that night. While I appeared to be having a good time in my Panama Jack beach hat, I was aching with shame. But then, shortly after the party started, my whole life changed. The front door opened, and an unusually attractive woman walked in. She had dark brown hair, dark skin, brown eyes; and she was wearing a red, velvet cowboy hat with white, fuzzy trim. I kept my eye on her, waiting for her to find her date. She didn't. Instead, she moved to the edge of the dance floor and looked slightly uncomfortable standing by herself, so I came over and introduced myself. We struck up a conversation, during which I discovered that she was deeply committed to Jesus, which made me doubt she would even be interested in a damaged believer like me.
Even so, I took her number at the end of the night and wondered if anything would come of our conversation. Within a week, we went on our first date. Within six weeks, we were madly infatuated with each other. Within four months, we were engaged. Within nine months, we were married. Nine years later, we’re still happily married. In a Moment Maybe you’re going through a dark time right now. Maybe it seems like all is lost. Maybe you’ve failed big time, and it feels like all the momentum in your life is headed in a negative direction. It can turn around in a moment.
Maybe you feel disconnected from God. Maybe your most significant relationships lie in shambles. Maybe you’re sick and tired and hardly have the energy to pray. It can turn around in a moment. Maybe you’re tired of crying until your head hurts. Maybe you’re right on the verge of throwing it all away because your life seems meaningless. I’m telling you: It can turn around in a moment. The Lord stands ready to answer the desperate prayer, “Jesus, if You ever loved me, please send help now.” You may be too disoriented to immediately recognize His answer in the pain, but His name is Comforter, Helper, Advocate, Friend, Counselor; and you can trust that He is responding. He is providing. No matter how you feel right now, He is your “refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1), and He is more than able to turn it all around for your good (Romans 8:28). Give Him a chance. Cry out to Him. You never know -- He may just turn things around in a moment.
Romans 13Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
A Christian’s Duties to the State
13 Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God. 2 So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval. 4 For it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For it is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong. 5 Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath but also because of your conscience. 6 And for this reason you pay taxes, since the authorities are God’s servants, continually attending to these tasks.[a] 7 Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honor to those you owe honor.
originally posted by: ClovenSky
a reply to: rickymouse
Ah, the beauty of the human soul. Excellent thoughts that appear to be independent and that are formed by simply watching the world around you.
I see you neighbor and salute.
I am starting the journey of helping out a dear friend of 20+ years that just got served divorce papers. He is unhealthy because of poor eating habits and is medicated with pain pills and steroids, to the point he was unable to work for a while. I will attempt to heal his body, independent of pharmaceuticals, through healthy eating so he can get a job again to start supporting himself. I will house and feed him for as long as it takes to get him back on the path of happiness. I will seek no compensation for this and refuse any attempt at payment. Why? Simply for the good karma and appreciation of his friendship over the years.
originally posted by: DeathSlayer
a reply to: rickymouse
Charity is VERY important it shows the love inside a man's heart.
We ALL should think more about our neighbor's and those who are in more need then we are.
originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus
a reply to: TinySickTears
So he prayed to God and got 1 virgin? I think he should be pissed for God holding out on him, I hear tell that other people get 72 of them.
I know this story is for somebody out there on ATS. Something told me to post this, for somebody who is about to give up BUT before you do read this:
originally posted by: ClovenSky
a reply to: rickymouse
Ah, but I enjoy a challenge. It wouldn't mean much if it was easy. Since he will no longer have medical benefits there is no choice but to give up those harmful drugs. Sometimes for a person to make it through the difficult stages in life, they have to embrace the pain and become one with it.
originally posted by: DeathSlayer
The nightmare God turned around in a moment