This week I have been challenged in my heart to look again at us as the Body of Christ and what this really means, one of the most important is being faithful both to God and each other, as I thought about this I remembered God’s constant Faithfulness to me over the years even when I ignored and hurt Him and I remembered my friends who have also been faithful through the good and bad times in my life. Dolly and Peter, have been very close friends for many years, you may remember that Peter gave me the ingredients for God’s Balm which I had pain relief and was also healed with a few times. (see link below)God’s Balm – https://freedomborn.wordpress.com/2013/03/11/a-special-gift-for-you/Dolly is a woman that knows what faithfulness is all about, she is compassionate for those who are hurting, she has supported and encouraged us and many others and is a committed and caring wife and Mother.Dolly is not over the top like me in her personality but quiet, steady, strong and supportive and willing to take a stand for God’s Truth, for many years she was my proof reader, which was also her part time Job, it involved her proof reading the Bible to insure accurate consistency. Dolly helped me greatly with many of my Power Points, I’m very blessed to be her friend. I would like to share with you now Dolly’s Story of weight control and also a Link to a Power point which I created for Dolly over 4 years ago, her favorite flower is a Calla Lily, when I found the P.P that I had Posted on Freedomborn in 2012, surprisingly it’s theme was God’s Faithfulness. Hmmmm, just a coincidence ?
Dolly’s Story …..My name is Dolly, I’m 53 and I have been married to Peter for 26 years and we have, 2 children Jarvis 23 and Jasmine 17. I battled with weight practically all my life. I attended 2 of Anne’s Christian Weight Control Workshops, I also continued Heavenly Lights with Anne over the phone when she moved to Queensland. We met both Ron and Anne 27 years ago at the Church we were attending and we have been very good friends since. Being a person of few words, all I can say of my experiences of attending Anne’s groups and dealing with these problems, it is comforting to know that I am not alone in them or with my long term habits and thought processes when it comes to food. I lost weight during the Workshops but realized there is no instant magic cure, God gives us the Victory when we seek Him to heal and help us. Thankfully I don’t have any health problems and I know that He accepts me as I am, weaknesses and all. Of course there is room for improvement and I have never given up seeking to be all God wants me to be. With eating when I have indulged on one day with more than is needed, I go easy for the following days as I lean to eat in balance. I think the thing I have also learnt through all of this is that everyone has their struggles and we can encourage each other through the tough times.Thank you Dolly, you and Peter are a blessing to us and to many others, may you as a family also be greatly blessed as you walk with the Lord through whatever life brings to you. Faithfulness’s Colourful Hue – https://freedomborn.wordpress.com/2012/05/04/faithfulnesses-colourful-hue/Christian Love from both of us – Anne..
If you don’t have a Power point viewer this link is for a free one that you can download then click and enjoy.
Freedomborn 
An inspiring story of faith, love, hope and friendship. The past 2 weeks had been a crazy whirlwind for me as part of my heart and mind are with my family in Capiz and my original home the Philippines. Till today, I can’t finish the images without having to stop and feel the pain of those who lost so much. I believe God will touch the hearts of many to help and rescue his children. That he will bring back hope, smiles and light in their lives once more. Prayers and actions together can move mountains. Thanks.
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I hope things are now settling down for you Island Traveler , life is sometimes a very hard Journey with times of trouble and pain and worry but we do not walk it alone when God is our focus….. your not alone dear friend , keep your focus on God, He understands how you feel and cares…..
Isaiah 43:1-3 – Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.”
I will keep you all in prayer , I can only imagine what you have been going through, I’m sure you will need time out.
I finished The Power point for you Island Traveler, I will post the link on your Blog, it is very much about what you shared, when we Love and care for others, it makes the world go around with God’s rotation, so no matter what happens we still have deep inner Joy and Peace and all things work for good in our lives , even disasters.
Christian Love from both of us – Anne
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Thank you for this post Anne, long-time friendships are treasures to be sure and I love that you highlight the strengths of your friends; for godly character is a rich deposit in the life that only becomes sweeter and more influential when shared with those around us.
Blessings,
Jacquie
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Thank you Jacquie for both visiting and your encouragement, I believe we need to look for the good in others and not focus on their shortcomings.
Christian Love – Anne
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I would be the first to agree with you Anne, Dolly is a real example of how someone can be consistent and calm and yet still good fun to have around . She is someone who doesn’t give up on you , or her determination to not let weight control her . A godly lady who is a pleasure to know.
Blessings
Ron
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Yes Dolly has supported me through some very hard times since we became friends, she is someone I can Trust and depend on if needed. Peter is a wonderful gentle and caring man, totally committed to Dolly and the kids, we are very blessed they are our friends, they don’t just know what faithfulness is they live it!
Thanks Love – Anne
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Beautiful post I loved reading and reasoning it out in my head. Now don’t laugh but I had to. Understanding is the key
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I agree Barb, to take something to heart we need to understand it but we need the right focus first, don’t you agree ? and God tells us His wisdom is the principle thing, sadly many trust in worldly wisdom.
I Love that how in the short time you have been seeking The Lord Barb, you show many of the qualities of a mature Christian. When you have shared with me on the phone, I hear your consistency in many things and your faithfulness to your friends and family regardless of their response , I’m blessed to have you as my new friend especially since you laugh at my jokes, a very needed quality, for any friendship!.
Did you know God laughs or we wouldn’t have the gift of laughter, we are made in His image, but there is a time for everything!
Christian Love and Friendship Always – Anne
Hopefully, you should get the U.S.B soon, please let me know when you do Barb.
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I have to check my mail sometime today so I will let you know. I’m up early wanted to have a bit of a look on the computer before my morning starts, inspection day today. I might be living in an old cottage but its a dam side cleaner than when I moved in and the has come to life, I just feel as though it is an invasion of privacy. I know they have to do it but I still hate it.
Enough ranting I loved your reply and found a couple of other christion blogs in five minutes this morning.
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Yes it’s True Barb, when we have a home even if we are paying rent for it , we still consider it our place of refuge or escape from the world or a place to invite the world to enjoy it with us, so I understand, it feels like your privacy is being violated by those who seek to intrude in whatever way they do.
Why do they, because they believe it’s their right, they own it and that means you don’t have a right to your privacy even though your paying rent for it but people soon leave when there is too much interference and go elsewhere, so in the end they loose out because word of mouth means others are warned and will also look elsewhere because no matter how good a house is if it is invaded by others without consent, then it is not a home and so they don’t feel secure in it.
At least they did ask you Barb but how would you like to come home and find everything you have done, or know and enjoy changed while you were out and without your consent or they started manipulating you through others to do what they wanted or to even believe what they think is right, even though it is in error, it’s sad but this is what some try to do.
I’m pleased your reaching out to other Christians Barb but remember to check with Jesus always for confirmation with what they share. He is our friend but also our Teacher and He will lead us in all our understanding and teach us all Truth through the empowering of The Holy Spirit, having asked for His wisdom and not Trusting in the fleshy worlds.
It’s very True from the time we choose to believe, we have received our Salvation but we need to understand what that is so we are not deceived and we walk just like Jesus did and in His Victory.
Christian Love – Anne
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Beautiful presented
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Thank you limbiley I’m pleased my message touched your heart , today friendship is mostly about what people can get out of it, I have been very blessed to have friends that give from the heart through the good and bad times, we agree on what is important and we are honest with each other and our Love comes from The Lord, I Trust them and they Trust me.
Christian Love from both of us – Anne
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