Ain't Nobody Gonna Tell Me Nothin'! How Many Times Do You Have to Touch a Hot Stove Before You Finally Learn?

[seoulsearch]

Hey Everyone,

I've been doing a bit of an evaluation of my own life, and I was asking myself if I've finally gotten burned enough in some areas to at least be a little more cautious.

For several years of my single life, I was involved in ministries that wrote to and visited prison inmates (then later, war veterans/people in the military.) Please note that I am NOT in any way, shape, or form trying to say that there is any connection to inmates or military personnel -- I highly respect anyone and their families who serve their country and its citizens. Rather, the connection for me is that I was always attracted to ministries serving people who have been through extreme situations. When I spent several years volunteering in the children's rooms at church (reading the same story for the 20th time,) I begged God to send me back to the prisons because my mind likes to ruminate over difficult situations.

As could be expected, I had several times when concerned family, church family, bosses, and friends tried to have a serious talk with me and tell me to stop my more concerning ministry work. In turn, I would always cite passages like Matthew 25:36 -- "I was naked, and you clothes me; I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me." People would then just give me a look of concern -- followed by another look that I was just crazy.

I understand. But as someone who was adopted, I have always been drawn to the fighters, the underdogs, and the ones who are most often left behind and forgotten.

However, a news story came up (back in the days of actual newspapers) of a young woman in the same state who was doing the same thing with her church. The inmate she wrote had escaped, shot, and, horrifically killed her. The most tragic thing is that she was married -- participating in this ministry from a pure heart with the full support of her husband -- and she had been carrying the couple's first child.

Although I do believe God led me into the ministries I was part of, I also very much believe that with this story, He was telling me to stop. There are many times I've wanted to find something similar, but I know each time God has told me no, for obvious reasons.

After nearly 10 years of writing inmates, the best result is that I made a lifelong friend with someone whose life God has completely turned around. One of the best moments of my life was when I went to visit him and his family outside of bars and windows, and he introduced me to all the people who were helping him get through school and start a career. It was at that moment when I realized for my own self how God can take the smallest things we do -- like sending a letter -- and snowball it into transforming a life from the inside out.

But it took me a very long time for me to learn to listen to God's guidance and corrections.

And I've been the exact same way with relationships and sometimes friendships -- I made a whole bunch of wrong decisions. We all know how it is -- somehow we think we know better, and we won't change until we finally crawl out of the oven, burned and charred -- multiple times.

Sure, I live in almost completely isolation now, but for me, it's a whole lot better than chasing after the wrong people.

What about you?

* Are you someone who learned from what you were told, or from watching others, to avoid many of life's pitfalls (which ones?)

* Are you someone who has to touch the oven several times before you accept that it can hurt you (in what areas?)

* What made you finally decide to stop touching hot ovens?

* If you're in the middle of crawling away from a burning stove, what's been helping you to keep walking -- and recover?

* What advice do you have for others who have told themselves, "Ain't Nobody Gonna Tell Me Nothin'!" -- especially in the same areas you told yourself this?

I would like to please ask that we all be kind, encouraging, and compassionate in this thread.

I think almost every person has areas in life in which they were especially stubborn, and I hope we all help each other along as we repent, turn away, and choose what God wants for us instead.

Thank you so much for sharing!

 

[NightTwister]

Fifth time's the charm?

 

[seoulsearch]

Fifth time's the charm?

I ALWAYS appreciate your honest, @NightTwister.

May God bless you and your family!

 

[tourist]

Fifth time's the charm?

Third time was the charm for me. I have learned, the hard way, that when you play with fire don't be surprised if you get burned.

 

[Gideon300]

Hey Everyone,

I've been doing a bit of an evaluation of my own life, and I was asking myself if I've finally gotten burned enough in some areas to at least be a little more cautious.

For several years of my single life, I was involved in ministries that wrote to and visited prison inmates (then later, war veterans/people in the military.) Please note that I am NOT in any way, shape, or form trying to say that there is any connection to inmates or military personnel -- I highly respect anyone and their families who serve their country and its citizens. Rather, the connection for me is that I was always attracted to ministries serving people who have been through extreme situations. When I spent several years volunteering in the children's rooms at church (reading the same story for the 20th time,) I begged God to send me back to the prisons because my mind likes to ruminate over difficult situations.

As could be expected, I had several times when concerned family, church family, bosses, and friends tried to have a serious talk with me and tell me to stop my more concerning ministry work. In turn, I would always cite passages like Matthew 25:36 -- "I was naked, and you clothes me; I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me." People would then just give me a look of concern -- followed by another look that I was just crazy.

I understand. But as someone who was adopted, I have always been drawn to the fighters, the underdogs, and the ones who are most often left behind and forgotten.

However, a news story came up (back in the days of actual newspapers) of a young woman in the same state who was doing the same thing with her church. The inmate she wrote had escaped, shot, and, horrifically killed her. The most tragic thing is that she was married -- participating in this ministry from a pure heart with the full support of her husband -- and she had been carrying the couple's first child.

Although I do believe God led me into the ministries I was part of, I also very much believe that with this story, He was telling me to stop. There are many times I've wanted to find something similar, but I know each time God has told me no, for obvious reasons.

After nearly 10 years of writing inmates, the best result is that I made a lifelong friend with someone whose life God has completely turned around. One of the best moments of my life was when I went to visit him and his family outside of bars and windows, and he introduced me to all the people who were helping him get through school and start a career. It was at that moment when I realized for my own self how God can take the smallest things we do -- like sending a letter -- and snowball it into transforming a life from the inside out.

But it took me a very long time for me to learn to listen to God's guidance and corrections.

And I've been the exact same way with relationships and sometimes friendships -- I made a whole bunch of wrong decisions. We all know how it is -- somehow we think we know better, and we won't change until we finally crawl out of the oven, burned and charred -- multiple times.

Sure, I live in almost completely isolation now, but for me, it's a whole lot better than chasing after the wrong people.

What about you?

* Are you someone who learned from what you were told, or from watching others, to avoid many of life's pitfalls (which ones?)

* Are you someone who has to touch the oven several times before you accept that it can hurt you (in what areas?)

* What made you finally decide to stop touching hot ovens?

* If you're in the middle of crawling away from a burning stove, what's been helping you to keep walking -- and recover?

* What advice do you have for others who have told themselves, "Ain't Nobody Gonna Tell Me Nothin'!" -- especially in the same areas you told yourself this?

I would like to please ask that we all be kind, encouraging, and compassionate in this thread.

I think almost every person has areas in life in which they were especially stubborn, and I hope we all help each other along as we repent, turn away, and choose what God wants for us instead.

Thank you so much for sharing!

Yes. Around 45 years ago, I was infatuated with a woman about my age. I started to believe that it was God's will for us to marry. I had zero real basis. I was a youth leader and she came to the meetings. I started to manipulate things to try and impress her. There were many "signs" that I was on the right track. However, one vital thing was missing. I had no peace.

I knew better. I knew that peace was one sign that we are in God's will and lack of peace evidence that we are not. (Colossians 3:15). I could not sleep. My mind had a "Niagara Falls" of thoughts that kept me awake. I would finally sleep for a couple of hours before getting up for work.

After 6 months and a car accident due to tiredness, I began to accept that there was something wrong. I took time off work. I confessed to the Lord that I got it wrong. That night, I slept like a newborn.

The next night, I had this thought that it was a test, like Abraham with Isaac. I latched onto that hope, and the thoughts came back and sleep fled. That was it. I was finally convinced that I had been wrong. I beat myself up for a long time, then got mad at God for allowing me to be so deceived. So I added stupidity to gullibility.

The wise man learns from his mistakes. If you are really smart, learn from other people's mistakes. I hope my tale of woe helps someone.

Most of us are too wise in our own estimation. God allows us to crash and burn so we can learn to depend on Him and not ourselves. "There is a way that seems right to a man..........." You know how that goes. Yet God's mercy and grace brings us out of the pit we make for ourselves.

Perhaps my case was extreme. It also shows how great the grace of God is. It took a while, but God set me free and I've never been deceived that way since.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

Hey Everyone,

I've been doing a bit of an evaluation of my own life, and I was asking myself if I've finally gotten burned enough in some areas to at least be a little more cautious.

For several years of my single life, I was involved in ministries that wrote to and visited prison inmates (then later, war veterans/people in the military.) Please note that I am NOT in any way, shape, or form trying to say that there is any connection to inmates or military personnel -- I highly respect anyone and their families who serve their country and its citizens. Rather, the connection for me is that I was always attracted to ministries serving people who have been through extreme situations. When I spent several years volunteering in the children's rooms at church (reading the same story for the 20th time,) I begged God to send me back to the prisons because my mind likes to ruminate over difficult situations.

As could be expected, I had several times when concerned family, church family, bosses, and friends tried to have a serious talk with me and tell me to stop my more concerning ministry work. In turn, I would always cite passages like Matthew 25:36 -- "I was naked, and you clothes me; I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me." People would then just give me a look of concern -- followed by another look that I was just crazy.

I understand. But as someone who was adopted, I have always been drawn to the fighters, the underdogs, and the ones who are most often left behind and forgotten.

However, a news story came up (back in the days of actual newspapers) of a young woman in the same state who was doing the same thing with her church. The inmate she wrote had escaped, shot, and, horrifically killed her. The most tragic thing is that she was married -- participating in this ministry from a pure heart with the full support of her husband -- and she had been carrying the couple's first child.

Although I do believe God led me into the ministries I was part of, I also very much believe that with this story, He was telling me to stop. There are many times I've wanted to find something similar, but I know each time God has told me no, for obvious reasons.

After nearly 10 years of writing inmates, the best result is that I made a lifelong friend with someone whose life God has completely turned around. One of the best moments of my life was when I went to visit him and his family outside of bars and windows, and he introduced me to all the people who were helping him get through school and start a career. It was at that moment when I realized for my own self how God can take the smallest things we do -- like sending a letter -- and snowball it into transforming a life from the inside out.

But it took me a very long time for me to learn to listen to God's guidance and corrections.

And I've been the exact same way with relationships and sometimes friendships -- I made a whole bunch of wrong decisions. We all know how it is -- somehow we think we know better, and we won't change until we finally crawl out of the oven, burned and charred -- multiple times.

Sure, I live in almost completely isolation now, but for me, it's a whole lot better than chasing after the wrong people.

What about you?

* Are you someone who learned from what you were told, or from watching others, to avoid many of life's pitfalls (which ones?)

* Are you someone who has to touch the oven several times before you accept that it can hurt you (in what areas?)

* What made you finally decide to stop touching hot ovens?

* If you're in the middle of crawling away from a burning stove, what's been helping you to keep walking -- and recover?

* What advice do you have for others who have told themselves, "Ain't Nobody Gonna Tell Me Nothin'!" -- especially in the same areas you told yourself this?

I would like to please ask that we all be kind, encouraging, and compassionate in this thread.

I think almost every person has areas in life in which they were especially stubborn, and I hope we all help each other along as we repent, turn away, and choose what God wants for us instead.

Thank you so much for sharing!

When I was a kid my dad warned me not to touch the muffler on a Gravely tractor. He walked off and I touched it. Well I was burned with the shape of the muffler. I thought I would hide it so I ran to the bathroom to run it under cold water. Well my dad must have heard the sense of panic and asked me what happened. He asked did I touch the muffler and I said no.

Later in life, my dad told me he knew what happened because he could see the redness and the shape I was branded by a Gravely.

This took me once to learn .

I wish in other areas in life I needed once to learn a lesson but I carry the scars from stupid decisions, hearing loss, back pain, and sin that always brings me back to reality that I can not do life without the help of Christ.

The definition of insanity is the human condition. We want to be holy but yet do not meet the standard. We try and try expecting different results but only fail. The only place where sanity still stands is the place where the human condition was atoned. Where we can stop the cycle of failure and rest in the completeness of Christ? Allow Him to work in us and accept His timeframe not ours. We see a mess and see impossible but Christ sees a marathon not a sprint.

 

[Charlesiii]

Hey Everyone,

I've been doing a bit of an evaluation of my own life, and I was asking myself if I've finally gotten burned enough in some areas to at least be a little more cautious.

For several years of my single life, I was involved in ministries that wrote to and visited prison inmates (then later, war veterans/people in the military.) Please note that I am NOT in any way, shape, or form trying to say that there is any connection to inmates or military personnel -- I highly respect anyone and their families who serve their country and its citizens. Rather, the connection for me is that I was always attracted to ministries serving people who have been through extreme situations. When I spent several years volunteering in the children's rooms at church (reading the same story for the 20th time,) I begged God to send me back to the prisons because my mind likes to ruminate over difficult situations.

As could be expected, I had several times when concerned family, church family, bosses, and friends tried to have a serious talk with me and tell me to stop my more concerning ministry work. In turn, I would always cite passages like Matthew 25:36 -- "I was naked, and you clothes me; I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me." People would then just give me a look of concern -- followed by another look that I was just crazy.

I understand. But as someone who was adopted, I have always been drawn to the fighters, the underdogs, and the ones who are most often left behind and forgotten.

However, a news story came up (back in the days of actual newspapers) of a young woman in the same state who was doing the same thing with her church. The inmate she wrote had escaped, shot, and, horrifically killed her. The most tragic thing is that she was married -- participating in this ministry from a pure heart with the full support of her husband -- and she had been carrying the couple's first child.

Although I do believe God led me into the ministries I was part of, I also very much believe that with this story, He was telling me to stop. There are many times I've wanted to find something similar, but I know each time God has told me no, for obvious reasons.

After nearly 10 years of writing inmates, the best result is that I made a lifelong friend with someone whose life God has completely turned around. One of the best moments of my life was when I went to visit him and his family outside of bars and windows, and he introduced me to all the people who were helping him get through school and start a career. It was at that moment when I realized for my own self how God can take the smallest things we do -- like sending a letter -- and snowball it into transforming a life from the inside out.

But it took me a very long time for me to learn to listen to God's guidance and corrections.

And I've been the exact same way with relationships and sometimes friendships -- I made a whole bunch of wrong decisions. We all know how it is -- somehow we think we know better, and we won't change until we finally crawl out of the oven, burned and charred -- multiple times.

Sure, I live in almost completely isolation now, but for me, it's a whole lot better than chasing after the wrong people.

What about you?

* Are you someone who learned from what you were told, or from watching others, to avoid many of life's pitfalls (which ones?)

* Are you someone who has to touch the oven several times before you accept that it can hurt you (in what areas?)

* What made you finally decide to stop touching hot ovens?

* If you're in the middle of crawling away from a burning stove, what's been helping you to keep walking -- and recover?

* What advice do you have for others who have told themselves, "Ain't Nobody Gonna Tell Me Nothin'!" -- especially in the same areas you told yourself this?

I would like to please ask that we all be kind, encouraging, and compassionate in this thread.

I think almost every person has areas in life in which they were especially stubborn, and I hope we all help each other along as we repent, turn away, and choose what God wants for us instead.

Thank you so much for sharing!

I've always loved this line from Pirates of the Carribean, because its true of things like this.

"At least once more, Miss Swann, as always".

 

[Kainos]

Hey Everyone,

I've been doing a bit of an evaluation of my own life, and I was asking myself if I've finally gotten burned enough in some areas to at least be a little more cautious.

For several years of my single life, I was involved in ministries that wrote to and visited prison inmates (then later, war veterans/people in the military.) Please note that I am NOT in any way, shape, or form trying to say that there is any connection to inmates or military personnel -- I highly respect anyone and their families who serve their country and its citizens. Rather, the connection for me is that I was always attracted to ministries serving people who have been through extreme situations. When I spent several years volunteering in the children's rooms at church (reading the same story for the 20th time,) I begged God to send me back to the prisons because my mind likes to ruminate over difficult situations.

As could be expected, I had several times when concerned family, church family, bosses, and friends tried to have a serious talk with me and tell me to stop my more concerning ministry work. In turn, I would always cite passages like Matthew 25:36 -- "I was naked, and you clothes me; I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me." People would then just give me a look of concern -- followed by another look that I was just crazy.

I understand. But as someone who was adopted, I have always been drawn to the fighters, the underdogs, and the ones who are most often left behind and forgotten.

However, a news story came up (back in the days of actual newspapers) of a young woman in the same state who was doing the same thing with her church. The inmate she wrote had escaped, shot, and, horrifically killed her. The most tragic thing is that she was married -- participating in this ministry from a pure heart with the full support of her husband -- and she had been carrying the couple's first child.

Although I do believe God led me into the ministries I was part of, I also very much believe that with this story, He was telling me to stop. There are many times I've wanted to find something similar, but I know each time God has told me no, for obvious reasons.

After nearly 10 years of writing inmates, the best result is that I made a lifelong friend with someone whose life God has completely turned around. One of the best moments of my life was when I went to visit him and his family outside of bars and windows, and he introduced me to all the people who were helping him get through school and start a career. It was at that moment when I realized for my own self how God can take the smallest things we do -- like sending a letter -- and snowball it into transforming a life from the inside out.

But it took me a very long time for me to learn to listen to God's guidance and corrections.

And I've been the exact same way with relationships and sometimes friendships -- I made a whole bunch of wrong decisions. We all know how it is -- somehow we think we know better, and we won't change until we finally crawl out of the oven, burned and charred -- multiple times.

Sure, I live in almost completely isolation now, but for me, it's a whole lot better than chasing after the wrong people.

What about you?

* Are you someone who learned from what you were told, or from watching others, to avoid many of life's pitfalls (which ones?)

* Are you someone who has to touch the oven several times before you accept that it can hurt you (in what areas?)

* What made you finally decide to stop touching hot ovens?

* If you're in the middle of crawling away from a burning stove, what's been helping you to keep walking -- and recover?

* What advice do you have for others who have told themselves, "Ain't Nobody Gonna Tell Me Nothin'!" -- especially in the same areas you told yourself this?

I would like to please ask that we all be kind, encouraging, and compassionate in this thread.

I think almost every person has areas in life in which they were especially stubborn, and I hope we all help each other along as we repent, turn away, and choose what God wants for us instead.

Thank you so much for sharing!

Allowing sentimentalism to rule against discernment is like a hot oven which leaves me feeling half-baked.

A somewhat recent point in case would be a woman I crossed paths with. I was tasked with making good the property she was renting and we got talking. She was not of our faith, but a draped cross necklace she was wearing did not escape my attention. So, I asked her what, if anything, the cross signified to her?

She welled up with tears and told me how the necklace was a keepsake from her mother, who'd passed away when she was an infant. She had worn it ever since she was old enough to understand the significance.

This woman was separated and I was minded to see her reconciled with her husband. I shared what the cross meant to me and helped her with many things. Unfortunately, in the absence of her husband, she was using TikTok and Instagram for validation. Carnal men were showering her with flattering compliments and promises, and our contact dwindled. I refused to water something which had dried up, and she went back to toying around in the devil's playground.

In a word, I allowed her sad loss and her graceful choice to wear the cross as an emblem of her mother's life and faith to unsight me. I should not have made such provision for someone who chose to retake her seat at the same table of folly which eroded her marriage and crushed her spirit in the first place.

Sentimentalism is an unquestionable flaw of mine. I'm glad God is inimitable, because if a woman were second to none in my life, I'd find her in every song I listened to.

 

[seoulsearch]

Sentimentalism is an unquestionable flaw of mine. I'm glad God is inimitable, because if a woman were second to none in my life, I'd find her in every song I listened to.

Why do I feel like all these verses you always skillfully let flow should be collected and put onto parchments, creating some kind of Scroll of Remembrance, that's meant to be kept forever...

 

[Lynx]

"Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once."

Having said that...

I am a great believer in learning from other people's mistakes. There are some who will insist on touching the electric fence, no matter how much you warned them. Since I cannot stop them from doing things like this, I can at least watch and learn from their mistakes.

There is one major area in which my stubbornness has caused me to be burned. But the burn came long after... My mother never could get me to brush my teeth. right now I am down to nine teeth, and about to need dentures. Sorry mom. You tried.

 

[Me_Clay]

Hey Everyone,

I've been doing a bit of an evaluation of my own life, and I was asking myself if I've finally gotten burned enough in some areas to at least be a little more cautious.

For several years of my single life, I was involved in ministries that wrote to and visited prison inmates (then later, war veterans/people in the military.) Please note that I am NOT in any way, shape, or form trying to say that there is any connection to inmates or military personnel -- I highly respect anyone and their families who serve their country and its citizens. Rather, the connection for me is that I was always attracted to ministries serving people who have been through extreme situations. When I spent several years volunteering in the children's rooms at church (reading the same story for the 20th time,) I begged God to send me back to the prisons because my mind likes to ruminate over difficult situations.

As could be expected, I had several times when concerned family, church family, bosses, and friends tried to have a serious talk with me and tell me to stop my more concerning ministry work. In turn, I would always cite passages like Matthew 25:36 -- "I was naked, and you clothes me; I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me." People would then just give me a look of concern -- followed by another look that I was just crazy.

I understand. But as someone who was adopted, I have always been drawn to the fighters, the underdogs, and the ones who are most often left behind and forgotten.

However, a news story came up (back in the days of actual newspapers) of a young woman in the same state who was doing the same thing with her church. The inmate she wrote had escaped, shot, and, horrifically killed her. The most tragic thing is that she was married -- participating in this ministry from a pure heart with the full support of her husband -- and she had been carrying the couple's first child.

Although I do believe God led me into the ministries I was part of, I also very much believe that with this story, He was telling me to stop. There are many times I've wanted to find something similar, but I know each time God has told me no, for obvious reasons.

After nearly 10 years of writing inmates, the best result is that I made a lifelong friend with someone whose life God has completely turned around. One of the best moments of my life was when I went to visit him and his family outside of bars and windows, and he introduced me to all the people who were helping him get through school and start a career. It was at that moment when I realized for my own self how God can take the smallest things we do -- like sending a letter -- and snowball it into transforming a life from the inside out.

But it took me a very long time for me to learn to listen to God's guidance and corrections.

And I've been the exact same way with relationships and sometimes friendships -- I made a whole bunch of wrong decisions. We all know how it is -- somehow we think we know better, and we won't change until we finally crawl out of the oven, burned and charred -- multiple times.

Sure, I live in almost completely isolation now, but for me, it's a whole lot better than chasing after the wrong people.

What about you?

* Are you someone who learned from what you were told, or from watching others, to avoid many of life's pitfalls (which ones?)

* Are you someone who has to touch the oven several times before you accept that it can hurt you (in what areas?)

* What made you finally decide to stop touching hot ovens?

* If you're in the middle of crawling away from a burning stove, what's been helping you to keep walking -- and recover?

* What advice do you have for others who have told themselves, "Ain't Nobody Gonna Tell Me Nothin'!" -- especially in the same areas you told yourself this?

I would like to please ask that we all be kind, encouraging, and compassionate in this thread.

I think almost every person has areas in life in which they were especially stubborn, and I hope we all help each other along as we repent, turn away, and choose what God wants for us instead.

Thank you so much for sharing!

Is your faith producing good works or dead works?

 

[seoulsearch]

Is your faith producing good works or dead works?

I would like to think that my faith is producing good fruit, but of course, only God can be the true judge of that.

And of course, I have my stumbles and falls along the way, as we all do.

One of the most eye-opening moments was when I was able to visit my friend from the prison ministry (whom I'd started writing while he was still serving -- any contact we had was within the prison,) and he was able to introduce me to all the people whom God had sent to help him.

He told them all, "This is my friend, Seoul... She wrote and visited me almost the whole time I was in." He had told me years before that without my contact from the outside world, he would have become a lost and bitter soul. Society had long before dismissed him as a hopeless statistic.

But God completely transformed his life, and I tell him all the time that he's doing better than a lot of people I know combined -- who have never been to prison. God gave him an incredible work ethic that he put to use even when he was still incarcerated.

The most important lesson for me in this was Galatians 6:9 in full throttle: "Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not lose heart." All the hours spent writing letters and driving to visit -- to two different prisons -- was showing it's harvest literally right before my eyes.

And, we had decided on a "deal" long ago -- God had led us to help each other to work on ourselves and our lives -- he promised that someday when he got out, we would find a way to continue the circle. Now he speaks to young people who have also been dismissed, and tells them about how God rescued him from his pit in the midst of the miry clay. (Psalm 40:2)

Do I get things right 100% of the time? Of course not. Do I have times I want to give up? Many.

But God keeps nudging me forward, and I'd like to think I've gotten at least slightly more responsive to His call than in past times.

How about you?

What does your faith look like, @Me_Cla, and how do you avoid doing dead works?

 

[Lynx]

Is your faith producing good works or dead works?

Howdy and welcome to the forum.

As an outside observer, I would say it is producing nutty works. But it seems to be the happy kind of nutty, so at least she has fun with it.

 

[seoulsearch]

Is your faith producing good works or dead works?

I would like to think that my faith is producing good fruit, but of course, only God can be the true judge of that.

And of course, I have my stumbles and falls along the way, as we all do.

One of the most eye-opening moments was when I was able to visit my friend from the prison ministry (whom I'd started writing while he was still serving -- any contact we had was within the prison,) and he was able to introduce me to all the people whom God had sent to help him.

He told them all, "This is my friend, Seoul... She wrote and visited me almost the whole time I was in." He had told me years before that without my contact from the outside world, he would have become a lost and bitter soul. Society had long before dismissed him as a hopeless statistic.

But God completely transformed his life, and I tell him all the time that he's doing better than a lot of people I know combined -- who have never been to prison. God gave him an incredible work ethic that he put to use even when he was still incarcerated.

The most important lesson for me in this was Galatians 6:9 in full throttle: "Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not lose heart." All the hours spent writing letters and driving to visit -- to two different prisons -- was showing it's harvest literally right before my eyes.

And, we had decided on a "deal" long ago -- God had led us to help each other to work on ourselves and our lives -- he promised that someday when he got out, we would find a way to continue the circle. Now he speaks to young people who have also been dismissed, and tells them about how God rescued him from his pit in the midst of the miry clay. (Psalm 40:2)

Do I get things right 100% of the time? Of course not. Do I have times I want to give up? Many.

But God keeps nudging me forward, and I'd like to think I've gotten at least slightly more responsive to His call than in past times.

How about you?

What does your faith look like, @Me_Cla, and how do you avoid doing dead works?

To be honest, @Me_Clay, I'm surprised you didn't discern the answers to your own question by reading my first post. I tend to put a lot of detail into my introductory posts for that very reason.

My threads are designed for people who are interested in reading what people share, and in turn, sharing their stories as well.

I'm looking forward to hearing your stories of how you've handled both the fruitful and the dead works in your own life.

 

[Me_Clay]

I would like to think that my faith is producing good fruit, but of course, only God can be the true judge of that.

And of course, I have my stumbles and falls along the way, as we all do.

One of the most eye-opening moments was when I was able to visit my friend from the prison ministry (whom I'd started writing while he was still serving -- any contact we had was within the prison,) and he was able to introduce me to all the people whom God had sent to help him.

He told them all, "This is my friend, Seoul... She wrote and visited me almost the whole time I was in." He had told me years before that without my contact from the outside world, he would have become a lost and bitter soul. Society had long before dismissed him as a hopeless statistic.

But God completely transformed his life, and I tell him all the time that he's doing better than a lot of people I know combined -- who have never been to prison. God gave him an incredible work ethic that he put to use even when he was still incarcerated.

The most important lesson for me in this was Galatians 6:9 in full throttle: "Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not lose heart." All the hours spent writing letters and driving to visit -- to two different prisons -- was showing it's harvest literally right before my eyes.

And, we had decided on a "deal" long ago -- God had led us to help each other to work on ourselves and our lives -- he promised that someday when he got out, we would find a way to continue the circle. Now he speaks to young people who have also been dismissed, and tells them about how God rescued him from his pit in the midst of the miry clay. (Psalm 40:2)

Do I get things right 100% of the time? Of course not. Do I have times I want to give up? Many.

But God keeps nudging me forward, and I'd like to think I've gotten at least slightly more responsive to His call than in past times.

How about you?

What does your faith look like, @Me_Cla, and how do you avoid doing dead works?

DEAD WORKS = DEAD FAITH

 

[seoulsearch]

DEAD WORKS = DEAD FAITH

No answers from your own life as examples = Don't expect much of a response in these threads.

 

[AnOldLady]

Good post, seoulsearch. Lots to think about.

Not a deep answer here, but two things come to mind:
1. It was when I realized that what God tells us and what examples we see in Scriptures (old and new) really help life make sense. And since we can live by every word of God, I guess that should be obvious. Since His word is a light to our path, it would make sense that with light, we can see the obstacles and fall less often then wandering in a dark world without any light.
2. It is written that one should not plow with a donkey and an ox yoked together, right? I can recall plenty of examples where I tried to put two things together that didn't work together.

 

[Lanolin]

I can be stubborn, when I was younger, many thought I was actually deaf and dumb because I was often mute, or the quietist child in the room.

I learned to speak up when necessary though. I think some were surprised that I could actually speak English.

In terms of God warning me. I didn't have wisdom in that area and often went through things blindly, until I learned to read Proverbs and other books of wisdom, and that helped. If I'd prayed for wisdom and discernment, God would direct me to a verse in the. Bible, usually in Proverbs, that applied to my situation.

I'm slowly learning. I keep tidier now. Before I was messy, and things were all over the place, it was a sweet disorder. But it made life harder. God didn't give me 20-20 vision unless I put my glasses on. I'd pray that I wouldn't ever need to wear glasses, but it's not for me, even now I can't put contacts in, and lasik or whatever is out of reach.

I was often encouraged by Christians that had actual disabilities and how He gave grace to them, and it was sufficient. I need a lot of grace.

Some christians with disablities - that have a testimony of God working in their life - the guy with no arms, can't remember his name...Joni Earackson Tada,

Those who entered prison and helped to do God's work - Corrie Ten Boom, Jackie Pullinger, Gladys Aylward - note therse were all women entering what might be considered a man's domain. They were brave, and fearless, and I admire that, but sometimes the fear of God is a good thing and stops you from doing something stupid.

 

[Lanolin]

I never wrote to prison inmates, but I've been to a prison.
I applied for a job as a prison librarian. I had this idea, not sure if its true now, that prisoners just don't learn because most don't know how to read. If they had more books, maybe they would be more wiser and learn about life.

I thought just because I read books maybe I am smarter about life. It would be safer and I would stay out of trouble. But I learned in school people don't respect you if you display intelligence. You get labelled the nerdy kid or the brain. It's more exciting to take risks and be dumb...you get trophies for that. In New Zealand anyway.

There's this thing here called Runnit..where guys run headlong into each other for sport, a variation of rugby. It's popular, but so many guys get concussion from that, and a few have died. That doesn't stop them.

It's kudos to risk your life. You get bragging rights for surviving, for not being caught, or if you go to prison it just makes you a better crim.

 

[Lanolin]

Has anyone ever touched someone and they felt so hot it burned?
Is it because they had a fever?
Or is that a warning sign of something else.

I genuinely want to know. Like you hold someones hand and they could be cool, or warm, but if someone's hand is hot, what does that mean?