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| Back on the Horse |
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Every time I see the word Fisherman I feel covicted. I know I need to learn how to start conversations and was making quite an effort to learn how to witness. I've always struggled with past experiences in sales, but my past experiences with sales were with inferior products.
Christ is no inferior Product. But I struggle with keeping on the Topic. I've come a long way in the last few months but I'm a long way from perfect. I rented a room to what I thought was a christian brother who was trying to get his life together. But he continually chose liquor over life in the spirit.
So last friday when he showed up at my house $50 shy on rent and drunk he had to go. He of course had a few choice words for me and I had a few choice words for him. I used the "F" word a few times. I wish I hadn't reacted as I've been on my heals as witnessing goes ever since.
As yes I know I have a long way to go as far as maturity goes. But I think it's time for me to let go of what lies behind and press forward but for some reason I'm really struggling to move forward.
Sometimes I wonder if the enemy don't like to get the focus off Christ and just use us as a smoke screen. |
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| To add a comment to "Back on the Horse" |
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| November 06, 2007 |
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Dave - I'm guessing that when you spoke to your roommate you were angry; usually the case when F-bombs are dropping, isn't it? :-) Maybe you've already done this, but if not, you might consider apologizing to him for your anger (and maybe any unkind words that were possibly spoken?). By humbly asking his forgiveness, you will be witnessing to him with actions and not just words, showing him that Christianity isn't about being perfect. And in doing so, you will witness to others who hear about this situation or see you apologizing. I'm not that good at witnessing if it means evangelizing with words. I'm not shy about telling people what I believe about God, but mostly I just live my life and only open my mouth when people ask me questions about my hope/outlook on life/peace/contentment/beliefs/etc. When we share testimony, (what God has done in our life, even if it's re: a small thing), we are pointing to Christ because we are saying: Look what God has done! If He's in us and working through us, then "we" are bound to be a part of the conversation. As long as it points back to Him and not to us, then it's all good. :-) Blessings to you, brother! I know God rejoices to see you chasing after Him! |
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| November 06, 2007 |
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Ask your Lord for forgiveness, repent and get back on that horse as fast as you can. Every single time, knowing that you are loved and forgiven. Habits are hard to break, but you have a The Mighty One backing you up, brother. |
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| November 06, 2007 |
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Dave...U might not want 2 hear this...but I think my brain waves R channeling N 2 yours....Just minutes B4 U posted your blog...I posted 1 on "Fishermen verses catchermen"
http://www.mychurch.org/blog/92355/Jesus-said-Fishermenright#comment
if U want 2 check it out.
U know I M an addict....Addicts "needing 2 recover, have 1 of many definitions of the F word...and then I have another..mne..Bin' thew 1 that is gratiful 2 B sittin' N God's house wantin' 2 get high verses sittin' N the crack house needin' 2 get clean..just 4 2day...
So, 2 the definitions
Fear --> 1st word cleaned up 4 Christ like ears....Forsake Everything And Run
verses
Face Everything And Recover (or I like Repent)
so, impact moments R great...2 have no FEAR with your "movin' on" friend....but, God needs U 2 B safe....U can pray 4 him, and write him a note...God will deliver it N2 the guys hand N God's wise timing.....4 U...I gotta say...it is more important 2 B good...than 2 B nice...(My opinion)..The world and U may thing U should have been "nicer" 2 this guy...well God is N 2 goodness...Tough Love is tough 4 a reason....U just may have saved this guys life...and by the way...remenber..."The life U save may B your own" ... God wants U 2 stay safe. The enviroment U make around yourself, is important 4 U 2 stay serene..?spelling? N Christs arms....Rest GOODness tonight my friend...Love ya...but God loves U more
Biker babe...a gratiful addict N recovery...4 2day...Praise God |
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| November 06, 2007 |
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| Please note that a failure is a stepping stone to sucess in His vineyard. |
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| November 07, 2007 |
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Dave my good man!
You have now entered into the battle ground of a soul-winner, For the past few weeks or mounths you have been sharing you faith in Christ, you have tried to learn to tell others about Jesus Christ, you have been doing things that are unnatural to our Sinful nature!
You are now seeing the Devil kick up his heals to keep you from doing what God has commissioned you to do. ( SATAN) Does not like it! He wan'ts you back, Remember he had us for sooo long and when we go and try to do the will of the Father he will always raise his head and try to Get you out of your new Character! You have stood your Ground by repenting of the Sin you committed, Now as you said " I AM BACK- ON- THE- HORSE" So brother Ride that Hourse to Gods Glory and don't allow the enemy to knock you off. And when he does, And he will try with all his might you keep on getting back up until his push does'nt matter! Keep -on- Keepin -on! |
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| November 07, 2007 |
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| Dave, I've noticed in my own life that I am at my most ineffective when, after screwing up and showing myself to be most unworthy, I allow the Enemy's accusations (i.e. hypocrite) to take root. I've learned to pray more, meditate on scripture more, when I screw up, rather than feel guilty. Persevere with us Dave, you are an awesome child of God! |
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| November 07, 2007 |
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| Great blog, Dave and some great comments! Most of us can identify with the frustration you feel because we've "been there" when dealing with people. I agree with Jen's statement "When we share testimony, (what God has done in our life, even if it's re: a small thing), we are pointing to Christ because we are saying: Look what God has done! If He's in us and working through us, then "we" are bound to be a part of the conversation. As long as it points back to Him and not to us, then it's all good." Every one is not going to want to hear what you have to say or live the way you do but perhaps you plant a seed that will grow as time goes on. Your thinking about how you responded indicates to me that you are at least seek to be a witness to others. Yes, get back on the horse! :) |
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| November 07, 2007 |
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Dave,
There are times when we are on assignment and when the assignment is up, it's over. Biker Babe said it best, you need a safe enviornment. As for your boarder, you did your part, now your assignment with him is over.
Also, remember God uses us as we are (with all of our imperfections), this is how we grow. Never think that you must be perfect to do His Will, that's a set up for failure everytime, yet when we fall down (as children will do) remember to look up to our Father, who will lovingly embrace us, and help us to get back up, and listen when He says, "Now go get up and keep it moving!" The Lord is merciful to us, we ought to at least be that much to ourselves.
Pastor Aminata |
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| November 07, 2007 |
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Dave and Biker Babe doing a mind meld!! Awesome.
Dave, as you know, we are stuck in these earthen vessels and while the cracks are covered, they still leak from time to time. By letting the potter remold the vessel, sometimes He has to break off pieces that don't belong. He shows us those pieces and lets us see how ugly they really are. I don't know about you, but when that happens to me, I get really angry at myself, then fall down on my knees and plead for Him to change me. He does, and I don't usually know it until the next time something like that happens and I react differently (or I start to react the same and stop myself). God should have given up on me a long time ago, but I am glad He didn't. |
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| November 07, 2007 |
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Thanks one and all;
Personally I refuse to keep referring to myself as an addict. I repented for losing my temper, I also had to tell my boarder it was time to go. This went much better when he was sober. He's heading back to his home state tonight via Greyhound. I wish I had handled it better, but I reckon we live and learn. I reckon I'm gonna have to accept than sometimes I'll act on emotions. I was really hoping to be perfect by now.
I like that line pastor aminata "the lord is merciful to us we ought to be that way with ourselves" |
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| November 07, 2007 |
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The only way you really fail is to quit, not get up and try again.
~Robin 
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| November 08, 2007 |
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GREAT BLOG
I agree with Pastora Aminata & Evangelist Keith
Dave this is a spiritual battle and everyday it's a Victory for you just by you stepping out in faith. |
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| November 08, 2007 |
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Such harsh words! Well, honestly I feel you should apologize and remember where you use to be. We all let our anger control us time to time so apologize, repent and witness. This is just I would do if I had lost my mind like that and let my mouth and tongue go. I would feel bad and I do at times when I may say something in sacrcasim because here I am preaching Christ and I get angry and say such awful things and I get a guilty feeling deep in the gut and I know it pushes non believers away which I should conduct myself appropriately, christ like and win souls and make disciples. Be blessed |
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| November 08, 2007 |
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| Hopefullu in the future I'll do a better job of blessing those who curse me. I admitted where I was wrong. My former boarder is on his way to Florida. Thanks for the input one and all. |
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| November 08, 2007 |
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| Yep I remember the last time I fell off a orse and was getting drug along. I was so greatfull when the nice lady at Super K-Mart came out and unplugged that horse. I thought I was gonna die. |
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| November 09, 2007 |
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| Dave, it is good to see you in the "popular posts" section. You oughta be there more often if you ask me, your honesty is refreshing as you find your way along the road with Christ. In a way, you take us along with you. Oh, and thanks for letting us learn from your mistakes. :-) |
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| November 09, 2007 |
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Thanks Mike if I couldn't share my mistakes what would be the fun in making them. |
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