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| Broken Hearts |
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I have many people on my prayer list for salvation and each is critically important to me.
The last two Sunday nights at Graceway we have had parts of the service that were special enough that I was able to get my father to attend. Last week James had a solo and what proud grandfather would miss that? Yesterday Tassi & James both had roles in the "Miracle Grow" dramedy and again, what proud father-in-law or grandfather would miss that?
Many of you have been praying for his salvation with me and I really appreciate that.
Last week we didn't really have an invitation so he didn't come forward.
Last night we had a clear gospel presentation and an invitation and I was praying and praying and praying that my father would go forward or at least raise his hand. The more time that passed the more distressed I became. I didn't even realize it but tears were streaming down my face. I choked them back and wiped my face as the invitation ended.
I had to make a quick exit to get to a Finance Committee meeting so I stood up and thanked my father for coming to see the dramedy and I gave him a hug. That's when my broken heart took over. I started sobbing and I couldn't let go of his neck. I'm sure he didn't know what had come over me. He was trying to comfort me anyway. He is a good father. I was finally able to speak and I spoke into his ear "I don't want to lose you!" He said "you'll never lose me! I'll always be here for you." I didn't really want to have this conversation in the middle of the aisle in the Sanctuary so after a few more moments I released him from my hug, told him we would have to talk more later. He said, "of course we will." I told him goodbye again and went to the meeting...
My heart is still broken and I don't know what to do.
He's a good man, a good father, a good grandfather. He's good to others. He lives a good life. But as you and I know that will not get him into Heaven.
I feel like an blabbering idiot.
Please pray that I'll have the words and the opportunity and my father's softened heart before it's too late. He's 78. |
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| To add a comment to "Broken Hearts" |
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| November 12, 2007 |
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| Randy, what a heart you have for your father. That is a beautiful sentiment. I PRAY that you see him accept the Savior's atoning work as his own! ~mike |
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| November 12, 2007 |
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| Randy, I will pray for your dad every time I think of him. It's so sad when someone that you love refuses to give in to God, no matter what the reason. I will also pray that God will give you the wisdom and opportunity to talk to him some more. Prayer has been lifted. |
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| November 12, 2007 |
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| This really touched my heart. I will pray for you and your dad. |
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| November 12, 2007 |
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I agree with you that you will have the words and opportunity to share with your father.
~Coreena |
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| November 12, 2007 |
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| I am definetly praying for your dad. I pray that God will speak through you when you have the chance to talk to him. |
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| November 12, 2007 |
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| You are really doing all you can do. It is in God's hands to soften his heart and make him realize that there is going to be an end to this life and then there will be another beginning somewhere for eternity. I am blessed to have a husband that has such a burden for a lost loved one. |
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| November 12, 2007 |
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| Randy, as much fun as we have on this site as a church family, to me, this is what it is all about! I love the way that my dear brothers and sisters in Christ will share the depths of their hearts here. I know that our Heavenly Fathers feels the depth of your pain and holds on to each tear you shed! You really touched my heart and I will surely pray!! |
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| November 12, 2007 |
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| Some people only need an invitation to salvation once before they accept. Others need it several times. Keep praying, inviting and asking your dad. |
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| November 12, 2007 |
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| Randy my heart is breaking for you. I too have a family full of lost loved ones, so I can sympathize with your pain, frustration and desperation. I will be praying everyday for your father and for you. I love you. |
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| November 13, 2007 |
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| I'LL BE PRAYING...... I HAVE A SON WHO DOESN'T THINK GOD COULD LOVE HIM.....OH HOW WRONG HE IS...... |
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| November 13, 2007 |
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| I am praying that the Holy Spirit will start to draw him to the Lord even as I type.Don't give up Randy. |
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| November 13, 2007 |
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Tassi, Josie, and I had breakfast with him Monday morning. One of the first things he said was, "I want you to know that my love is unconditional. No matter what you do, what you say, how you live your life I will never stop loving you."
Good things to say and I believe him. He still thinks my comment the night before was about me thinking he might disown me or something. That's not as strange as it sounds because his ex-wife, my mother, has disowned me. So it's easy to see how he could have gotten to that from what I said.
I appreciate all your comments and prayers. I'll keep you posted! |
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| November 13, 2007 |
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| we love you Randy and we are praying for all of you!! what a loving man of God you are.. |
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| November 13, 2007 |
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Randy, I too add my prayers for you and your dad. He will be drawn by the love of Christ. Don't give up God says His word will not return void...He will come to know Jesus as his Savior.
~Robin 
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| November 13, 2007 |
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Randy.
Your words have really touched me. I will be praying for you, Tassi and the kids - that God might give you the opportunity to witness, the boldness of heart and the right, caring words to say - and for your dad - that his heart might be open and receptive to God's word.
As we get to know each other through church, mychurch or our various ministries - I find myself hurting when my church hurts, laughing when my church laughs, crying when my church cries and rejoicing when my church rejoices. We are a family! And you are my sisters and brother's in Christ!
We love you, Randy! |
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| November 13, 2007 |
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| Randy, thank you for sharing your heart. The great news is that your father has clearly heard the Gospel and God can now use that to work on your father's heart. Your most effective weapon now is prayer. |
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| November 13, 2007 |
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| Thank you for sharing Randy. You know we all love you and your family. We will be praying, too. God bless you. |
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| November 13, 2007 |
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| Thank you for sharing! Our family will be praying for yours!! | |
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| November 13, 2007 |
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| Randy, I have a brother who I have been praying for for years. I haven't even gotten him to come to a church service. I know of many people who have prayed for their loved ones for years, as many as 50 years! We can't give up the prayers, and you have to keep inviting him every time. The Lord is the one that has to do the work in his heart, and you can bet he is doing it. Sometimes it just takes a while. And it is hard to wait, because we see people die every day that are not saved. We just have to trust HIM that it will work out. |
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| November 14, 2007 |
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| We will be praying...we do understand the burden. Tim's dad came to church with us two weeks ago, and the Gospel was clearly presented. My heart just ached...
So, we understand. We will pray to our God who hears our prayers.
Don't give up on him, Randy.
We love you. |
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| November 15, 2007 |
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Randy,
Sometimes people feel in their hearts, that because they are a good person that God loves them.
That person believes that they are saved. They do not realize that in their heart they must believe without any doubt that the blood Christ sacrificed on the cross was and is our only salvation. We judge people by what they do and not by what they say. You are a perfect example for your father to see. You have planted seeds and they will grow. Your prayers will be the food and God will make the Son glow. Keep your father close, God knows what every prayer is in your heart. There will come a time when your father will need Jesus, and our prayers are Jesus will be there. |
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| February 17, 2008 |
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Dear Randy,
My heart goes out to you, and I lift you, your Dad and Mother and your family up to the Lord in prayer. What you are seeking and wanting for him is the most important thing in the world. God know your heart, and He knows your Dad's heart as well.
Know now, that many, many people are lifting your Dad up to God in prayer, and be comforted in that. In faith, give your Dad to God, and then let God comfort you.
God is full of love and grace, as you know. God bless you, Randy.
Joey |
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| February 17, 2008 |
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Joey: Thank you for bringing this blog entry back alive. The matters it discussed haven't changed at all, but it helps to know that others are praying too! |
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