I echo the ones who wrote above me – don’t stop writing here or at your other blog. Even though I’ve not written much here or email I do want you to know you’ve been an inspiration and blessing to me since my first reading of this blog about 3 years ago and quite honestly I really would miss this if it were not here anymore. There have been times with my own SBC church where I play at that I’ve really wondered, along with my wife, if we even needed to stay and stick it out – at this moment we are sticking with it – it may not last but much of what I’ve read here has helped me to sort through things along with much prayer in these situations.

Thanks so much and keep up the writing, especially here at IM, it’s such a help, not to mention a favorite, of so many who walk this very lonely, at times, road in the evangelical wilderness. Hang in there – we’re hanging with ya!!

Randall (The Guy From Knoxville)

We become beautiful people when we give whatever we can give: a smile, a handshake, a kiss, an embrace, a word of love, a present, a part of our life…all of our life. It is sad that, in our highly competitive and greedy world, we have lost touch with the joy of giving. We often live as if our happiness depended on having. But I don’t know anyone who is really happy because of what he or she has. True joy, happiness and inner peace come from giving of ourselves to others. A happy life is a life for others.

You are en encouragement to others and we would love to offer you to join with us in encouraging others. We have started a not for profit organisation here in Australia on encouragement.

Have a blessed day!
Julia
http://www.theencouragementfoundation.com.au

Romans 14 helps me with the diverse walks of faith of those I love. I have an uncle who after years of following Christ with what I think of as ‘the mainstream body of Christ’, seems to be sectoring off with ‘Messianic Jews’ and a sister who seems to be a part of the ‘Prosperity Gospel’ but I know full well they both love Jesus and know that Christ crucified is our only hope. We’ve debated and discussed, but we all seem firm in what we believe God has led us to. I read Romans 14 and wonder which of us are of weaker faith (of course it couldn’t be me!), because it seems to be that each of us are stronger in some areas than the other. Only by the grace of God and the atonement of Christ will we all be together in heaven. I am thankful for that grace and I need the Lord to help me extend it to others.

As far as living what I believe goes… I’m finding it to be an ongoing process that will never end. Sometimes I have to stop and look back at how far he’s brought me instead of looking at how far I have to go.

Thank you for doing what God has gifted and called you to do.

Romans 14:12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Michael, I have been a fan of your both your blogs since the day I began perusing them. I am sorry I have been selfish in not being as open as I should have been. It is difficult to communicate in a blog all the study and experience you have had to go through for that session. You seem to do much better than many.
And thank you for these encouraging words on the day I need them.
As I read my Bible, I find that God has seldom greatly used anyone He has not greatly tried. We know two things; there is a God and we are not Him.
Today my bride of 33 years and I have arrived at the same agonizing conclusion. We must leave the ministry we are at, for the Lord will not bless us if we would remain. I have been unemployed since April and do not know what next week brings, but it will not be with those we have labored amongst for the last three years.
It is a different lonely path than yours, but I am so very encouraged that in the midst of your anguish, struggles and pain, your heart flowed out in this space to give others the courage to increase their faith, trust their Lord and move at His will without knowing His where.
For Sue and I; thank you for putting Denise and Michael before us.

But God responds well, and He does love to un-simplify our lives. My wife is half way through a six-month period of being unable to drive (long story). So I’ve been attending Mass with her during this time. And though there are the theological differences that I cannot reconcile, I have found this period particularly good for my soul.

So, “Six months with the Catholics.” You know, I love Her, His Bride that is, as well as mine!

Thanks for all the writing, and good luck with your wife – who knows, maybe she’ll grow out of it? (joke)