Dear Blogging Friends, at times as we know Life presents not only Blessings but Problems and Challenges that need to be faced or resolved and not denied and these may take time to do so as I found recently, this meant that I did have not have time to Post or Comment and so I have missed you all but look forward to catching up with you in the near future.
The personal problems I have are still not fully resolved but I’m seeking The Lord for His guidance in the difficult circumstances that at times feel overwhelming. I would very much value your prayers too.
A few of the good challenges that I was presented with during the last week was to help a young woman who has no home or job, Carla needed support and so is now living in our home and has proven to be a real blessing with her even helping me care for and entertain a needy friends five very active Children.
Also I can give Thanks that I have been accepted as a Volunteer in a Christian Day Care Center for Children and I will be very much looking forward to doing this.
But yesterday I was once again reminded about wrong Teaching in the Church, Vivienne a close friend of mine shared with me the turmoil she suffered as a new Christian when she was told that following Jesus means only good things happen to you and that life will be problem free but as she still experienced Trouble at the time and also later, she now knows this is not True and it is confirmed much more than once in Scripture but it is not God afflicting us and causing us to suffer, all good things come from Him but He will help us resolve whatever problems Life brings to us so we can walk in Victory.
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.”
Jeremiah 29 :11-12 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of Peace and not of evil, to give you a Future and a Hope.
Lamentations 3: 33 For God doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the Children of Men.
Below is a Cartoon clip that Vivienne sent to me not long after we talked, it also confirms the Armour we have in Christ Jesus (see link below)
Being Prepared- https://freedomborn.wordpress.com/2016/01/18/lets-be-prepared/
Yes I do have Problems needing to be resolved but I can give Thanks to God for His Strength to endure and for Special Friends who Care and Support both of us.
Thanking you our Blogging Friends for your Loving and Caring Spirit.
“Christ”ian Love – Anne.
Freedomborn 
If you haven’t checked out Graham Cooke’s sermons than, if you liked my perspectives, you will LOVE his!
LikeLike
I would prefer to read about your life Jan not perspectives, our Testimonies are very powerful that is why we read about many of them in the Scriptures.
Blessings – Anne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anne, I have known Jesus for as long as I can remember. My parents were missionaries in Cameroon, Africa for 6 years. My parents met at Wheaton College, a Christian university in Illinois. My father got his medical degree for the US military during world War II. He just completed his degree when the war was won and he was discharged then my parents felt lead to go as lifetime missionaries under the Presbyterian Mission Board to Africa. Before they left Chicago, Illinois my oldest sister, Judy, was born. 3 years later my parents found themselves in Paris giving birth to my middle sister, Marilyn. The Presbyterian board sent them to France and Switzerland to learn French before moving on to French West Africa, Cameroon. Then, finally, I arrived 3 years later in Cameroon. My mother raised me on stories of God’s faithfulness and miraculous rescues. They had to deal with false accusations from Russia, terrorism, death threats, little girl (me) losing her shoe while on route to another village. We all had malaria, my dad helped shoot rogue elephants destroying villages, crocodiles were scary hazards whenever we crossed rivers in hollowed canoes. We returned to the US, California when I was 4 years old. We attended a Presbyterian Church in Anaheim California. The Pastor spoke heresy on Sunday mornings and my mom, a Sunday school teacher would correct his errors the following week in her class. This pastor denied the Virgin birth, stated Jesus had older brothers. Just 2 examples. My mom was a warrior. A bible scholar. And a pain in the but for that church. I remember one evening the church elders filed into our living room and told my parents she had to stop or they had to leave the church. We left the church and began a comfortable season with the Evangelical Free church in Fullerton, California. It was at that time I had encountered Jesus as my King and Judge, not just my friend and I have never been the same since. I was in the 4th grade and went with my best friend, Patti, TO Mount Hermon Christian camp in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The speaker talked about the Great White Throne Judgement spoken of in the book of Revelations. He described a time when everyone who had ever lived would stand before,Jesus and everything that we had ever said or did would be played out like a recording for everyone to see. The speaker made me see that my life must be accountable to Jesus while I am alive here and now or He would make me accountable when it was too late to do anything about it. That evening I turned my life over to Jesus. I was filled with joy inexpressible.
LikeLike
My parents provided great opportunities to learn and grow in the Lord: Summer camps, Youth For Christ, Campus Crusade for Christ, Practical Missionary Training a couple weeks in Tiajuana, Mexico., volunteer counselor with the Billy Graham crusade, Bill Gothard Basic Youth Conflict seminars where Bible memorization was stressed. But through all of this I was a lonely person. I felt an outsider among my Sunday school classmates. No one seemed to want to be my friend. The girls, except Patti, only wanted their cliques. Then, after the 4th grade the school district moved district lines and I was the only one of my classmates sent to another school. This made me intolerably lonely. I cried out to my parents and they sent me to a private school where I combined 6th and 7th grade so, at least, I could be with my friend Patti in Sunday School who was a year ahead. Then our family moved and I ended up attending 3 more schools before graduation. I remember my mom saying that she was lonely. Finding a soul mate is rare and especially when you long after the Lord. The higher you climb to reach intimacy with Jesus the thinner the group of climbers get.
I found friends for a season at the Evangelical Free church in Orange toward the end of high school and college. There was a sweet spirit, an eagerness to hear more and share our journeys with each other. This is when Chuck Smith started Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa. The first one. We had amazing times every Saturday night listening to the bands and the testimonies and great teachings! Then I went to Biola University to get my degree in nursing. I was on campus my junior year. Kathy, a classmate that lived in Whittier nearby, invited me to her church and, by the way, I could meet a foxy guy there too! I married that foxy guy 6 days after graduation and we set up house together in Anaheim, California. We discovered and supported CBN, Christuan Broadcasting Network on TV that first year. We saw miracle answers to prayer and God healing and reaching the needy. We believed and loved and ate up the testimonies like candy but never experienced this in our churches. Lots of Bible learning but no power and along with that came a subtle burden of works, the disappointment that we never quite measure up. Yes, God loves us but does He like us? What’s that Jesus said about after He raises from the dead we are going to do greater works than He did? Apart from watching CBN/THE 700 CLUB we never saw or experienced that. In fact our churches taught that the Charismatic gifting were not for today. But this was all we heard so we just accepted that.
Seven years after we got married our first daughter, Kristin came into our lives followed 20 months later by Jaime. When Kristin was 3 years old and Jaime barely 2 a couple in our Sunday School class asked for a raise of hands if there were parents interested in having their children participate in a program they would be starting that would begin at age 3 and be a club called AWANAS (Approved Workman Are Not Ashamed). We raised our hands and the following week, without further communications with me and Ken, we were announced as vo-directors! Ken says we get just the same credit when we say yes as if we had volunteered. So we jumped in with both feet and no training and tons of kids and I felt, for the child with no parental support to learn the Bible verses they were set up for failure. I felt sad and went to our piano with only basic knowledge because I was a lazy, lousy piano student, and the Lord gave me our first Verse Song. And with the Lord’s help I put every Bible verse from every work book in the Cubby group (age2-3) and the first workbook for the Sparks group (age 4). And I felt our baby, Jaime should not be just baby sat whole Kristin learned so the Lord inspired me to write a curriculum including verse songs for 2 year olds called Guppies. Then I felt a need to put it all together, an overview of God’s salvation plan from Genesis to new life in Christ so I created Growing Godly Guppies. Put of all this
LikeLike
All the while God.was planting His Word in my heart. This has become the best gift He could have ever given me. It has taken root and finally the Lord has lead us to the Vineyard of Anaheim. I had been praying for several years that God would make me whole
as He defines whole. At the Vineyard ministry we have encountered humble, transparent, loving brothers and sisters in Christ all seeking to be whole and empowered. I am not lonely any more. I have a family in this group of believers we pray for and they for us and we see miracles and the bound set free. We know not only does God love us. He adores us! He’s thrilled when we trust Him. He sees us in all the potential He packed in us. He has a plan and vision for our future that is all about rescuing the lost and being amazing!
LikeLike
Thank you Jan for sharing about your life, how very blessed you were to have Christian Parents and yes there is error in the Churches today, Jesus tells us to Ask, Seek and Knock but many Trust in their own understanding or what they have been taught in error instead of asking for God’s Wisdom and Empowering or if they do ask they keep asking and doubt they have received them and so they don’t seek Jesus to lead them into all Truth.
Blessings – Anne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you asked. We know that in all things God is working everything together for our good. Romans 8:28 is my joy verse. God is so fun, so creative, and He makes us, with our foibles and quirks, heroes and winners because He never loses. Isn’t that so great?! I’m so glad to make a new friend in you Anne! Have a great day!
LikeLike
Yes I value you as a new friend too Jan and it is True when we ask God He does indeed create in us a new heart and renews a right Spirit within us, of course this is after we have come to heart repentance which means we choose to turn away from evil and yes not one of us will be lost, He knows us all by name.
Blessings – Anne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I find that, actually, God does place us in the middle of difficult, hard and perplexing circumstances not to temp or trip us up but to give us an opportunity to grow in faith, wisdom, authority and freedom. Why else would the Bible say in everything give thanks?! It’s all about perspective. It’s time stop feeling a victim. If you are a warrior would you resent boot camp or say “BRING IT!” because the Lord wants you SMART, STRONG, ALERT TO THE ENEMY’S SCHEMES, FASTER, BETTER PREPARED, UNDEFEATABLE! Now’s the time to welcome the next opportunity to upgrade our faith and ask the Lord what He plans to do with this mess because we wage war not with flesh and blood. All warfare is spiritual and only He can win it. He is just a sweetie to invite us to His party. Stand and see the deliverance of the Lord! Sounds like my kind of fight.
LikeLike
God tells us very clearly in Scripture Jan that He does not afflict us or cause us to grieve…..
Lamentations 3: 33 For God doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the Children of Men.
But we do reap the evil we sow as the Prodigal Son did till we come to our senses and God does not intervene or do we have fellowship with Him, this is His Discipline and He uses those who are Faithful in The Body of Christ to Chastise us until we have heart repentance and turn from the evil we are doing, we also suffer when Satan puts us to the test or those in his control hurt us, we see this in Paul’s life and with the other Disciples who were Martyred.
James 1:12-14 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that Love Him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Life itself brings hardship, we live in a fallen world that has sickness, suffering and death but all good things come from God not evil and the Scriptures confirm that to even say Believers do evil to bring good out of it is slander so would God deliberately plan evil to happen to us so He can teach us or control us, be assured He does not want puppets forced to Love and obey Him but for us to willingly choose to do so. His testing is not harsh or does in involve the fire of affliction, we are transformed by The Holy Spirit’s fire of restoration as we choose to walk in His Fruit He empowers us to do so putting the Carnal flesh to death.
Yes we do rejoice in affliction but not for what afflicts us but that we don’t go through it alone as we see confirmed below……
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.”
Yes some Christians are being Martyred today and we may be too during these end times as we follow Jesus but our reward will be great, we have a Hope far greater than all this world has to offer and we rejoice always and in all circumstances that we are God’s Redeemed Children Loved and cherished by Him, He is Love and Love can do no evil.
1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of Love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not because it knew Him not.
Luke 21:16-18 And ye shall be betrayed both by Parents and Brethren, and Kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.
John 15:17-19 These things I command you that ye Love one another. If the world hate you ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world the world would love his own but because ye are not of the world but I have chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you.
Luke 6:21-23 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you and when they shall separate you from their company and shall reproach you and cast out your name as evil for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day and leap for joy: for behold your reward is great in Heaven for in the like manner did their fathers unto the Prophets.
“Christ”ian Love Always – Anne.
LikeLike
I am in the same boat myself, Anne. Although I am finding my way back to my blogging page, I still struggle with posts and comments. Pray and be patient, (as if no one has ever told you that…Lol!) You will find your way again…
Steve
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Steve for your understanding and Compassion, I still have some personal problems to resolve, both health related and relational but do have Hope for resolution of both soon, I’m very appreciative of those who have prayed for us..
In regard to Blogging I’m planning to Post again in the near future but I do seek to respond now to comments and visit those who comment, they are my priorities and my focus in Blogging at this time.
I Hope you too Steve will be able to continue to encourage and uplift others as you have done for me.
Christian Love Always – Anne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a nice reply, Anne! It sounds like you are in the process of finding your way out of the problem areas which trouble you now…may a resolution come quickly to you and yours!
Take care and I’m sure we will be visiting and sharing as time goes on…
Steve
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Steve, your words are very uplifting and yes I have less pain now so I have been able to sleep better with medication but I still have a very bad infection in my gums and may need some teeth removed.
Yes we are seeking to resolve the other problem too but it will take time.
Thanks again for caring, Blessings – Anne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great witness of Christ’s love and compassion! Hopefully things will start to look up moving forward…yes Christ said whoever wants to follow me must pick up their crosses. It is through the difficulties of daily life great and small that we truly grow closer to him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Caleb for you kind and Loving thoughts and yes as we seek The Lord to help us in times of adversity we are strengthened but it is as we choose to and then are empowered to walk as He walked in Love and Holiness each day, that we experience His presence in a real and life changing way.
Blessings – Anne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen and Amen! Those words are so beautiful and true! Thank you for sharing them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m pleased you were blessed by them Caleb and yes God’s Truth is beautiful and Powerful too.
Blessings – Anne
LikeLike
Dear Anne ~ How precious you are as you continue to share the truths of God’s Word, even as you are facing various trials and troubles. I know that you and your husband trust in the Lord completely as you go through these times, for where else would we turn? My life verse tells me (Romans 8:28-29) That God uses all of the experiences to work together for the good of those who love Him, and that He can use these things to conform us to being like His Son Jesus!
I understand how busy life gets at times, and sometimes just dealing with various problems and trials can simply use up our energy. I am praying for you and Ron as you go through these difficult times. Love in Christ – Carolyn
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Carolyn, Thank you for your Loving encouragement and Prayer Support, to be honest , the Storm is raging, the cross of adversity presenting problems that don’t seem to have a solution but I have no doubt that God is Faithful and what is impossible for man is not for Him, I hold onto His promises and know that even in the darkness there is His Light.
God bless you for your Faithfulness Carolyn and I remember, Christian Friends New and Old Shine Bright like a green emerald refined and polished which surrounds the Throne because like us they are God’s own.
“Christ”ian Love Always – Anne.
LikeLike
Dear Anne — I was wondering if you live anywhere near to the area that I am going to copy and paste. I have a friend who lives in Dubbo, New South Wales. I believe she is actually from Gold Coast, Queensland. She and one of her adult sons are looking for a place where they can stay while he is in some Christian drug rehab (not residential) at Fairhaven Mount Tamborine. She is looking for a place to rent somewhere between Pimpama and Robina, due to his work. She is a strong Christian lady, but her son isn’t a Christian.
She currently doesn’t have a blog, but is on Facebook. Are you on Facebook, Anne. I’d love for you to meet each other.
I’m sorry that I haven’t been around much. The first half of this year has been both busy, and with me currently having pain treatments every two weeks since end of April – and homebound.
I trust all is well with you and Ron.
Love in Christ,
Carolyn
LikeLike
I’m sorry Carolyn but we don’t live in N.S.W anymore we live in Queensland on the North side of Brisbane.
Drugs cause a lot of harm, it must be a great concern for your friend to know that her son is addicted, praying he will find freedom in Christ Jesus from this bondage.
Christian Love Always – Anne.
LikeLike
I too have not been on line much at all, just looking around, this afternoon a bit and may post not sure. I have been struggling with strength, energy. I felt so good thought I would be better quick but not so. Time with appointment doctors and physios, bingo energy is gone. God is still with me I know, I am praying. Sleeping has been getting me. Chat soon
LikeLike
As they say Bj one day at a time and yes it’s good to hear your persevering despite the obstacles, I will continue to pray that you will get stronger everyday both Physically and Spiritually.
Blessings – Anne.
LikeLike
I did strongly pray for strength
LikeLike
You have received God’s Strength Bj as shown in your actions and in your words which come from a God focused heart. It’s easy to Praise The Lord when all is going well but to do so in times of suffering and hardship shows His Strength.
Blessings – Anne.
LikeLike
Thank you my friend
LikeLike
Liked the cartoon Anne, says it as it is in our struggles in life, we need to be backed up by the word of God, our weapon of defense.
Blessings
Ron
LikeLike
Yes so very True Love, Jesus The Living Word is our only defense, as confirmed in Scripture.
Christian Love – Anne.
LikeLike
Annie, When we don’t hear from you for a long time, I hope that you are on a wonderful cruise unplugged from the world. 🙂 But more often then not, when we are silent, it is because we are in the midst of trouble, and it is all we can do to stand!
I know that you feel God’s presence in the midst of turmoil. May you see His supernatural strength to bring you through it. Good to have you back!
LikeLike
Thank you for caring Debbie, yes I have had some personal problems to resolve as my Post explains but as I also shared, good challenges too, both have and do need time. I have missed you and my other Blogging friends and hope to be back Blogging again soon as I did before, but right now it’s just one day at a time.
“Christ”ian Love Always – Anne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anne you are a real Godsend to me. How much I have come to understand since becoming friends with you, and best of all is that whatever you share with me can be backed up by the God’s Living Word, scripture. I thank Our Heavenly Father for your precious friendship. You are my sister in Christ. Many blessing dear friend xxx
LikeLike
Wow Vivienne what a wonderful comment so filled with Love and you too are very special to me and I’m sure to many others. Thank you for the Joy that your Friendship has brought to me over the years and Stephen too is a good friend whom I’m very Thankful for.
I will be in touch soon dear Vivienne, perhaps we could take time out from our busy lives to enjoy a Picnic close to the water, it’s something I have wanted to do for a long time.
“Christ”ian Love – Anne.
LikeLike
God bless you, Anne, for being a living example of God’s love within you. My prayers will continually go forth for you, and I thank you for your inspiring posts on this blog.
I have found, in my life anyway, that my hardest trials usually become the best lessons learned and the strongest testimonies to share with others who go through similar trials.
LikeLike
Thank you jwtatfbc for your uplifting encouragement, I also value your Prayers very much.
Yes I agree God works everything for good in our lives including when life afflicts us, do we give Thanks for what we suffer No! we are not Masochists but we do give Thanks that we don’t walk alone, God is with us all the way.
“Christ”ian Love – Anne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your heart of love that accepts the homeless into your home and also cares for children of other people as a volunteer. You are fulfilling the Scriptures by so doing and Heaven is sure taking record.
As per your challenges, I know that the Lord will see you through. Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers him from them all.
LikeLike
So good to hear from you Victor, I have thought of you often and hope to respond to some of your Post Messages soon, I have saved them to do so.
It has been very stressful for me since Christmas although there were special times other happenings were very hard for me to bear and I’m still seeking resolution.
I’m not sure about your other Blog Victor it seems that different Bloggers are Posting on it or are they Reblogs?
Thanks for your Prayer Support – “Christ”ian Love Anne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
May the Lord strengthen you Anne.
For now I am still the only one posting on my blog. The other posts that seemed different are posts I made on another blog I eventually reblogged here.
Edmond Sanganyado the owner of Naked Christian blog invited me to be part of the people that will be posting on the blog while he goes on sabbatical.
Thanks for your comment.
LikeLike
Thank you Victor for your explanation in regard to the other Blog and once again for your Prayer Support.
I have to go to the Hospital today to visit a close friend who is having heart problems, he collapsed at our home and needed an Ambulance. Steve does not have any family living close by so I may have to look after him, we will know more today, we would value your Prayers for his recovery.
Blessings – Anne.
LikeLike
You are welcome Anne. May the healing power of God manifest in the life of Steve in Jesus name. Regards.
LikeLike
Thank you Victor for your Faithfulness, Steve came home today from Hospital, there are still a few problems but he is over the worst and should be able to manage OK now.
Blessings – Anne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s great. The Lord who has began a good thing in his life will perfect it. Thanks for your care.
LikeLike
Hi Victor, Steve asked me to Thank you for Caring and we too really appreciate your Christian Love shown in Actions.
Blessings – Anne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome Anne. My warmest regards to Steve.
LikeLike
This is a beautiful post. I am praying for you, Anne.
LikeLike
Thank you Linda for your encouragement,it’s very much appreciated, I hope to visit you tomorrow, I noticed you have now Posted a few times but I have not had a chance to read your messages fully but looking forward to doing so.
“Christ”ian Love – Anne.
LikeLiked by 1 person