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M.K., Creator And Moderator 🎉
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Jul 16, 2015 03:17PM

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Oh I'm sorry Grayson! That is sad): I'm sorry! Everyone has problems. I know this seems cliché but I have to say that Jesus can help you with all your problems. He already knows who you are so you never ever have to hide who you are from him!! He loves you anyway and can help you with all these problems. As John 3:16 says he loves you so very much!!! He can take away your hurt and pain. I'm sorry if that comes off as cliche or oldschool but I know its true! Just know I'm here if you need to talk. I will pray for you ! <3

Very very true friends!!! We are all in this together <3
Oh thanks for sharing that Gray! That looks cool!!!!(:
Oh thanks for sharing that Gray! That looks cool!!!!(:

Honestly, I would recommend taking out any media that reminds you of those websites. Try to really take all temptation out...Then pray. I mean, really pray! Pray while you're eating. While you're doing chores, while you're driving/riding in the car. And ask other people to pray for you...You don't necessarily have to explain your situation, just say that you're struggling with things and you need LOTS of prayer. Fast, meditate on Scripture, be still and know that He is God...I'll be praying and we at Real Christian will ALWAYS BE HERE!
Awesome Halee!! Just brilliant!! And so true Gray!!!! God hears every prayer!!!
*hand claps*
Great!! And yes oh yes(: We will always be here!!! :D
Always!
*hand claps*
Great!! And yes oh yes(: We will always be here!!! :D
Always!

Aww I'm so sorry Tina!! That sounds hard!!
I've had a touch of depression but never had any meds. I'm so glad the Lord never leaves us even though we have problems!!
#JesusIsLord(:
I've had a touch of depression but never had any meds. I'm so glad the Lord never leaves us even though we have problems!!
#JesusIsLord(:
Tina wrote: "I've had depression since I was young. Just diagnosed 15 years ago. Nothing but meds, I don't remember the therapy because of the dopey meds. I now have a wonderful nurse practioner familiar with m..."
Tina, I have bipolar disorder and have suffered bouts of severe depression since the age of 6. I also have an anxiety disorder. I know what it's like to feel abandoned by Christ, but in those moments, He is nearer than ever. He never leaves our side, even when we can't feel Him. What got me through my childhood, as I went unmedicated until the age of 17, was His Holy Mother. The comforting feeling of a mother was something I needed because my own mother is also bipolar and was very distant and emotionally unavailable. How wonderful is Christ that He gave His mother to us for just these reasons! When Christ seems distant, try reaching out to Mary. She has never failed to make her presence known to me in my darkest hours. Never forget, however, that Christ too is always with you.
Tina, I have bipolar disorder and have suffered bouts of severe depression since the age of 6. I also have an anxiety disorder. I know what it's like to feel abandoned by Christ, but in those moments, He is nearer than ever. He never leaves our side, even when we can't feel Him. What got me through my childhood, as I went unmedicated until the age of 17, was His Holy Mother. The comforting feeling of a mother was something I needed because my own mother is also bipolar and was very distant and emotionally unavailable. How wonderful is Christ that He gave His mother to us for just these reasons! When Christ seems distant, try reaching out to Mary. She has never failed to make her presence known to me in my darkest hours. Never forget, however, that Christ too is always with you.

Tina wrote: "Thank you Elizabeth. I will do that. And thank you for your story, let's me know I have fellow Christians with similar problems but are together in Christ!! I have a book on Mary I have yet to read..."
Also, after some time free of a full-blown depressive episode, I thank God for this struggle in life. People who have never felt abandoned by God, don't know as well what it is like to truly seek Him, and the overwhelming joy when you feel Him return. We very often do not seek God until we need Him, and depression is a difficult challenge that leaves us desperate and yearning for God, because only God Himself can set us free from this illness.
Also, after some time free of a full-blown depressive episode, I thank God for this struggle in life. People who have never felt abandoned by God, don't know as well what it is like to truly seek Him, and the overwhelming joy when you feel Him return. We very often do not seek God until we need Him, and depression is a difficult challenge that leaves us desperate and yearning for God, because only God Himself can set us free from this illness.

I was born and raised in a big greek christian family (if youve seen my big greek fat wedding, you know what a greek family is!).
I was attending Sunday school for more than 10 years. I was a good kid. I learned by heart the verses the teacher taught us, I answered all the questions, and I thought I was saved!
I went to christian camp every summer and I really thought that I was better than most of my friends because I was saved and they werent...
When I was 17, I was with my family in the car, and we had a fight and I was mad at them so I had my earphones and was listening to Love by Jaeson Ma and I paid attention to the lyrics: " the definition of love is Jesus Christ. He is love. The nails in his hands the thorns in his brow hanging on a cross for your sin my sins that is LOVE he died for you and me while we still hated him that is love. God is true love and if you don´t know this love now is the time to know perfect love."
I started crying! It was true! I was not saved, I was such a hypocrite.. That was the moment I realised what the Cross means. So I prayed, and since then I try to worship Him with all my heart!

Aw that's so amazing Alki!!!! God bless you and keep you!! Thank you for sharing that!! That touched me so :D
@Grayson- Aw Gray- look, if Goodreads is one of the things causing discouragement to your walk with God then you need to get rid of it. ANYTHING that keeps us from the Lord needs to be taken away so we can get closer to him and find peace. If you do have to then let me know for I will so so miss you here ): *teary eyed* But I want you to do what the Lord leads you too!! And I will continually be praying for you friend <3
God bless!!
~Mary Kate
@Grayson- Aw Gray- look, if Goodreads is one of the things causing discouragement to your walk with God then you need to get rid of it. ANYTHING that keeps us from the Lord needs to be taken away so we can get closer to him and find peace. If you do have to then let me know for I will so so miss you here ): *teary eyed* But I want you to do what the Lord leads you too!! And I will continually be praying for you friend <3
God bless!!
~Mary Kate
I know girl. And I don't want you to. But you pray about it and if you need to then you need to follow the Lord. <3
Wow!!! This was so amazing Jerrel!!! This touched me so!! Wow! The Lord works even when we don't see it!!! That's so so amazing!!! God bless you friend!! xD

Life as a new Christian is not for sissies. Is the Christian life a "bed of roses?" Well, with the roses... comes the thorns; with the sun... comes the rain. And so it is with trials, its offspring produces spiritual growth. This growth is cultured in the wallpaper of adversity. The Christian life is not a pleasure cruise. One cannot just sit back and partake of the benefits and yet refuse to drink of the cup. Life doesn't always flow like calm smooth waters. Sooner or later the rapids will come, the falls will appear, and all we can do is hold on for the ride! The question is......who are you holding on to?
In 1975, Stephen, our 2nd son was born. Stephen, a cute cuddly little baby boy was not growing and he was itching all the time. After 2 yrs of numerous bur-ages of tests, he was diagnosed with a rare liver disease. Early on the doctor told us..."There was no hope or cure. Take him out and have a good time." It was quite a sobering statement delivered to a young Christian couple who anticipated bright futures for their children. Life now took on a new meaning. The world looked different somehow, words, sounds and smells.... now priceless treasures. Liver transplants were considered "experimental", and Doctors were practicing on pig livers; therefore our insurance would not cover them. The whitewater churning beneath our boat begins its unsteady prelude to the rapids!
Bonnie and I asked the doctor if we could have more children. "Have my blessings, he said, its one in a million to have another child with liver disease." Two years later, in 1979 God blessed us with a soft pink little angel we named her Holly Marie. We were ecstatic! A girl is a rarity in the Deaube' families, so we embellished the bragging rights. A couple weeks later while at the doctor's office for her routine visit, abruptly the doctor blurted out... "Stop... she's got it too." Our hearts sank like a rock, a feeling of queasiness settled within us. We could hear the sound of the approaching falls just ahead! Our boat had just sprung another leak and was taking on water! Where was God when we need him? Where was he when it hurts? God was beside us, at the helm, in the Captain's chair! No bailing ship or life vests necessary, he was in complete control...... he always was.
Our faith will be tested from time to time. Our lives are on display in the "theater" of God. Is our faith real, or artificial? Is our faith exhibited in the very life we live or is it just meaningless words we speak? The eyes of believers, non believers and even hosts of angels are watching with anticipation. Will we trust him when the dark for-boding clouds appear on the horizon, when life gets difficult, and answers are few? Most of us will never know for sure until that day arrives. Be assured, if you are alive and breathing, it will come.
Eight years later, in 1987 liver transplants were being successfully done on human beings. God gave Stephen, Holly, and us a priceless gift...time. Stephen and Holly had their transplants that year. Stephen's transplant was successful, God is good! Holly's two transplants were unsuccessful and at 8 1/2 years old she left us prematurely. God is good! Circumstances doesn't change God's goodness. In early 2008, 20 years later, our son Stephen needed another transplant due to a Hepatitis C virus attacking his liver. He contracted this virus from blood transfusions given during surgery in 1987. The virus was now actively destroying his liver. Could God have prevented this? Yes! Could God heal him? Definitely! Could God provide him with a life saving liver? Most certainly! God has a plan in everything he does. It's not necessary that we understand his plan, it is necessary that we trust his plan. On May 1, 2008, while waiting for his new liver at the age of 32 Stephen reunited with his little sister Holly.
Why her...why him... why me... why us? Why not? Just because we are Christians does not exempt us from the tragedies of life, but it will add shoe leather to our walk. So-called tragedies in life are often disguised as opportunities for us to shine for him. I believe God picks his fruit, when they are ripe. Some ripen earlier than others. God loans us his garden to grow his crop, and when they are just ripe, he picks them one by one, by his will and to his delight, not ours! Our job is to prepare them for the harvest. Over the falls we went, but not out of his reach. You see, we had to go over the falls before we understood we were under his control. Our boat finds rest upon the reflective ripples on the pool below, although a bit battered, never-the-less firmly anchored.
Bonnie and I have been told by Christian friends and acquaintances, "I couldn't go through what you have." Wrong. God has been the only constant in our entire lives, and Jesus has been our common denominator. Who else can you turn to? There are not door #1, #2,or #3 to choose from. There is but one coherent choice, and his question to us was.... Do you trust me? It was a no brainier, how could we not.
It is said, the safest place in a hurricane is its center, the eye. In the midst of the hurricane there is eerie calmness, while outside, chaos and destruction runs its course. When we enter the storms of life, even there, in the midst of the storm, God gives us peace and security. Nothing can harm us, nor trial be set us, or pain endure us that God has not approved it. God will never burdened us with more than we can bear. These events and uncertainties in our lives not only have bonded our marriage and commitment to one another, but it drew us under the shadow of his wings, a place of comfort and security that the world does not, nor can offer. This world offers no hope or finality, except the grave. Our hope, unlike the worlds is found at the empty tomb.
The Christian life is composed of high mountain to deep valley experiences; from peaceful waters to stormy seas, none of which this voyage we ride alone, for he who holds the universe in the palm of his hand is the same hands that steer the ship! Are you sinking? Is your boat taking on water? If so, drop your anchor, release your burdens and come on aboard. Our Captain has everything under control!
One of the verses that sustained us during our whole ordeal with both Holly and Stephen, and one of my favorite verses is:1 Cor. 10:13 There is no temptation taken you but such is common to man, but God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.God is good, is he not? Amen!
First Baptist Church, Junction City, Oregon
September 12, 2010
I Will Praise You in the Storm: The Story of Stephen and Holly Deaube, a Journey of Faith

I got a small dose of what you are talking about this summer and it is hard. You know that God is right there with you when you are crying your heart out. But you think about how perfect everything was just hours ago and you wonder why, why does it have to be like this?
You really have to just grab a hold of Jesus and pray your way through everything. God is so good:)

I got a small dose of what you are talking about this summer and it is hard. You know that God..."
Karis, He is good indeed... :)

I was born and raised in a big greek christian family (if youve seen my big greek fat wedding, you know what a greek family is!).
I was attending Sunday school for more than 10 years. I ..."
Alkmini, I throughly enjoyed your testimony... :)

In 2nd grade, a boy gave me a porn website. I've been addicted ever sin..."
Gray, We are praying for you..You are among friends. God is able... <3

Ok so i guess ill start with I'm Catholic, have been since i was little anyhow I had always prayed and at the time i had always believed i was all for God. It wasn't until this year some months ago to be exact that i realized how lost i really was. The movie Gods not dead had just came out and my mom had been trying to get me to watch it but at the time i remember not wanting to until one night she had texted me GODS NOT DEAD for those who have seen the movie you will understand what this was for. So after that text i called her and was really confused and again all she said was that i needed to watch this movie so a few days past and i kept having this nagging feeling that i needed to watch it so finally i gave in and let me just say that movie really did save me and showed me the light. the entire time i watched this movie i bawled my eyes out and by the time it ended when i texted everyone i knew, GODS NOT DEAD I knew that this was the start of my journey with GOD. You see if i had been the person i used to be i wouldn't have sent the text to be honest i would have been embarrassed but once that movie ended i felt the most amazing thing in the world. I have never felt so much love and peace and i knew GOD was showing me the light and opening my eyes after that i vowed to follow GOD and really follow him i wanted to read my bible and i wanted to change. See in the past i was a hypocrite i thought i was following god but in reality i never was i was so blind i never saw the real picture i would judge and criticize other people who really followed GOD and it wasn't until night that i realized i was (to put it nicely) a real jerk. So after that i wanted to study the bible and be closer to GOD well sometime after Carrie Underwood's song "Something in the water" came out and again i bawled and it was like it was speaking to me and i knew the path i was headed on was where GOD wanted me. My friend that i work with we had started talking and she is Christian and she invited me to do this bible study they were starting and i was all for it and couldn't wait. i have been doing this for a few months now and it has changed my life in such a short period of time but now when i look at the person i used to be and how i would act I'm so embarrassed that i was that person. God really saved me from the destruction i would have done to myself. I can honestly say that this has been the best year for me and God has been with every step and i know in my heart that i really do follow GOD and his word and I'm really thinking of going to my friends church as i have felt closer to GOD being in the bible study and around other Christians than i have ever felt being a Catholic don't get me wrong not that there's anything wrong with being a Catholic but in my own opinion i have felt more welcomed and more of Gods presence now than i ever have and i know its soon to some people but I'm even thinking about being baptized as a Christian.

Ok so i guess ill start with I'm Catholic, ha..."
Monica, what a sweet testimony you have just written!!!!! Oh what a joy! I can see how the Holy Spirit is working in you :) You have a wonderful journey ahead of you. It won't always be easy...but it will be worth it ;) Looking forward to great things from you, and may God be honored through your testimony and your life! Go girl :) P.S. Thank God for GOD IS NOT DEAD movie. Did you see #1 or #2?

Ok so i guess ill start with I..."
right thank the lord for putting it in me until i gave in :) and i saw the first one but really wanna see the second one. I heard Warn Room is amazing as well really need to find it so i can watch it.

Ok so i guess il..."
War Room is equally well done :)
@Monica- Awwwww wow ((; That was such a beautiful testimony!! Just made me smile so!!! I will be praying for you as you continue this journey! This is just amazing how the Lord knows exactly how to speak to us!! <3 Bless you ((:

Ok so i guess il..."
God bless your dear mother too! <3

O..."
I'm excited for it :)

thank you, and the lord is amazing and i cant even begin to express how grateful i am he found me when he did to even think about if i was still being the way i was makes me so sad but GOD is good and i know there will hard times and bumps in my road but i know he will be there cheering me on :) and I'm so grateful for finding this group everything leading up to this point has fallen into place and i couldn't be more happy

O..."
thank you :)
Aw always <3 Simply amazing it is!! Its great!!!! :D
Aw, I'm so blessed to know this group has been a help! I pray the Lord will use it for His good <3
((:
Aw, I'm so blessed to know this group has been a help! I pray the Lord will use it for His good <3
((:

:)

Ok so i guess ill start with I'm Catholic, ha..."
Thanks for sharing for testimony Monica. I love hearing how God has worked in the lives of others:) Our God is great!!!
I love the movie God's not Dead. It is so amazing!

Through the years, I have always been a Christian and believed in God. Sometimes, though, I feel like He isn't there. But every time I think that, I pray. It helps a little.
Now, I am a teenager and it happens more often. I am really sad about it. I should believe in him. I mean, I am a Christian, right? But as I read more Christian books, it helps. I think the book that helped me the most is, Live Original by Sadie Robertson. I try to do that. The verses she wrote, really helped me. But sometimes I still doubt God. Any suggestions?
I still am a believer. Don't get me wrong. But Satan just keeps filling me with doubts and temptations. And it is especially hard in these teenage years. Sometimes, I just want rebel. You know, do things that are not meant to be done.
But, there ya go, that is my testimony. Sorry if it was too long.

I like your testimony! What I like most is you are honest, the "real" thing, God honors that :)Haley feelings come and go, just because we don't feel He is there, doesn't mean He's not :) What don't you believe?




I knew when I first met you here, you were special. Have you thought about recommitting your life to God? He has great plans for you :)))