Michele,

I just wanted to tell you that it is a beautiful thing to see a person be totally transformed by the grace of Jesus Christ. I'll never forget my own transformation and I wanted to tell you that even though I can't get on here much anymore, I have been happy to see that transformation shine in your recent posts.

After I came to believe in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, I would pray for you whenever you came to mind. It is just lovely to see!!!

I've also seen most of my own family come to believe. Tomorrow my oldest son is going to go with me to Church! (my oldest, very rebellious-against-God son) However, I see many falling away which we all need to continue to pray for.

This got longer than I intended. Just wanted to say how beautiful it is to see a life transformed!!!!

Michelle

Amen!

Thanks! :) Those prayers worked, eh?

Today I am a bit conflicted as I am realizing that a few of my friends seem to be distancing themselves from our family since we came to believe. Calls not returned, playdates not being reciprocated, it is a bummer.

But, the payoff comes from the peace and comfort and joy we feel even as things are stressful.

Meeshi - ((HUGS)) Sometimes I think that those who are not religious at all have a hard time understanding when someone comes to faith because they just don't understand. And I've often found that those who are new in the faith want to share what they've learned and found, yet others don't want to hear it so they stay away a bit.

But you're right - what you get from God is so much more than anyone could give you here on earth. I was talking to some women today and we were agreeing that there's no safer place than being inside God's will - and that is right where we should be. It's amazing KNOWING the Creator of the universe, isn't it?? How humbling yet wonderful. :)

I'm so happy for you Michelle. I pray that God continues to teach you and guide you in your new walk with Him.

Thanks! :) Those prayers worked, eh?

Today I am a bit conflicted as I am realizing that a few of my friends seem to be distancing themselves from our family since we came to believe. Calls not returned, playdates not being reciprocated, it is a bummer.

But, the payoff comes from the peace and comfort and joy we feel even as things are stressful.
that can be true with any change of beliefs religious or not. Life is about change and growth and being true to yourself.
You *might* be assuming about your friends...or not. Just never ASSUME. OK? YOu could be right, but....
It is true, that most people do not dance and sing and rejoice when we grow and change. It threatens them....it is a shame, but the human species is special in this.

{{[Hugs}}} and so glad you are feeling peace.

that can be true with any change of beliefs religious or not. Life is about change and growth and being true to yourself.
You *might* be assuming about your friends...or not. Just never ASSUME. OK? YOu could be right, but....
It is true, that most people do not dance and sing and rejoice when we grow and change. It threatens them....it is a shame, but the human species is special in this.

{{[Hugs}}} and so glad you are feeling peace.

beautiful! You said it so well!

:heart:

Girl, I missed this for some reason. I'm SO SO SO happy for you. Let's pray for my atheist dh! I have tears of joy for you!!!!

I just wanted to add that I agree that sometimes people who are not religious find religious people "scary" for lack of a better word. We have found that if we give people time and chances to get to know us then they usually come around and figure out that we are normal people. I know you friends "know" you but this is something different for them. So if you give them time and continue to reach out to them you may just find that they will come around through time. They will see that you and J are still the same deeply caring people who now have a deep faith in their lives. So I guess I would say don't give up on them just give them time.

Maybe they are afraid of getting stung by a bee in the middle of winter if they hang around with you. ;)

Sometimes people are just busy too, it might have nothing to do with anything, kwim. But if it does, well, I'm sure you'll make lots of new friends at church.

:lol: Ann!

You are all right that I could be assuming. The one thing that sticks out, though, is that the last time we had one of our friend's daughter over, she told me girls, "My Mom said I don't have to listen to Veggietales music the whole time I am here." Not that that is all my girls listen to, either, but we have gotten a few CD's from the library.

We will wait it out. It is true that this is a busy season for everyone. We know that true friends will not stray away from us for too long.

Oh, Stephanie has discovered Veggietales. She loves them! The other day I asked her if she thought something was funny and she said, "I don;t know about you but I just wet myself!" She claims that came from a Veggietales movie:)
I know that most people at my church in Hawaii would not watch secular tv or listen to anything other than Christian radio. I felt as if I had to change who I was (more than just the former) and that was not the case. Your friends may think that you have morphed into a different person and once they see you're still who you always were they might come around. Or it could be that you're afraid they won't accept your religious beliefs. Except for the Christianity part, you are still the same person you always were- you've always come across as a generous, considerate person.

Coming back to add, maybe some of your friends think they won't have as much in common with you anymore...

you went from being pretty far the other direction ya know? If you've gone from there, and your friends are still there....well.... maybe they kind of feel like you flaked out a bit?!

Also, a persons spirituality is a big part of them, and when they move into a specific religion that is known for docrtine it can scare people off. I'm speaking about christianity in general, not your specific church..


I'd be a bit freaked out if a certain few of my close friends suddenly started going to church every week or more!

I know when I was searching and thinking I'd found a home in the catholic church people where flipping. I just needed to face a place I had some real hang up's about, find the positivity there, and move on to open myself up to a true belief in a god like life force.

(After giving it about a year and my all I've come to find out the bible and traditional christianity are definately not for me. but I don't have the prejudice against it I used to)