Our future is in the hands of God. He alone has numbered our days and it is by his will that we live or die. Many people can trust God with their salvation but then find it difficult to trust him to work things out in their lives.
All around the earth, fear is mounting as we experience an increase in sickness, disease, famine, storms, earthquakes, floods and drought. There has always been sin and evil in this world, but it has now reached a point of no return. Darkness has blanketed the earth because mankind has chosen to remove all traces of God and his laws. When Jesus promised believers to give them peace that surpasses our understanding, he did not mean that our problems and struggles would end. He was telling us that despite the battles we face, his power would be the strength that we needed to overcome and be victorious. That fact is one that many find difficult to believe.
It is hard to wait out the storms of life and trust that things will work out. But, the truth is that God is just as much in power and authority in the darkness as he is in the light. Whatever problem you think you can’t overcome has already been overcome by the power of Christ! There is nothing that can move a believer from the position God has assigned to them from the beginning of time. The recent storms and hurricanes have destroyed houses and has taken down trees, but with all the power of God that is in me, I assure you that no storm ever has any power to hinder a child of God! Christ is coming back soon to make all things new. Do you actually think that he cannot take you to victory even now because of your painful trial?
Just this week my heart was broken by the pain of a man who had visited my blog and began writing to me. He said that he was feeling hopeless and weary. He felt he had no future and that God was just not hearing him. I pointed out to him that all that he was thinking was a lie from the destroyer from hell. God is with us in all things and in all of our pain. This man wanted to believe what I said but he was extremely overwhelmed by an obvious clinical depression. I prayed desperately for him. Yesterday, I got an email from his daughter. Sadly, she informed me that her father had killed himself. He could not take the pain of any more tomorrows. I am crying now as I write this.
Thoughts immediately began filling my mind: Did I say enough? Did I say too much? Did I pray enough for him? I soon realized that the enemy now wanted to discourage me with lies. I did pray for him with all my heart. I take seriously the mission God has given me with my writing. I care about every single person who visits whether they comment or not. I intercede on behalf of everyone who is led here. I could not stop this man from committing suicide, but I can continue to pray for his family and for those like him who feel like there is no hope.
My dear friends, remember that we are in the throes of a vicious battle with evil as time grows short. The enemy will try to take all of your joy and peace if you let him. He wants to destroy families so marriages are failing at an unbelievable alarming rate. Our children are his prime target and he has pulled out all the stops to lead them on the path of destruction. The economy is in a crisis situation as millions of people all over the world are losing homes and jobs with little chance of recovering. Crime, sickness and troubles of every kind are upon us. The struggle is escalating just to stay alive. And unfortunately for that reason, many grow tired and just give up.
We are told throughout Scripture that we will have to endure suffering. What the enemy doesn’t want you to remember is that all that you endure is working out a perfect divine destiny for you. You will not one day be a conqueror. You are one now! The power of the risen Christ is taking you through the darkness even when you can’t see or feel him. He has a purpose for all that he let allows but he knows how to give you his rest despite the battle.
Whatever dark situation you are in, please remember that you are not out of view from the One who sees all. It may seem like you are alone but you will never be. In the battle that you are facing, don’t give up! God is with you in your pain today and he holds your tomorrows in his hand. That is his truth. I ask that you take time each day to read your bible and let the promises of God give you strength in every struggle you face. I am praying now for all who need to understand that there is always hope through Christ.
For I am the LORD, your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you. (Isaiah 41:13)
I humbly ask that you keep the family of this suicide victim in prayer.
(Picture by Francesco Cosi )
God's Promises Are Real 
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September 3, 2011 at 4:18 pm
Philip
Let The Healing Begin
You were my brother, you were my friend
I don’t understand how it came to this end.
Life seems so cruel when it turns against us
even when we created most of the problems that haunt us.
I have nothing but questions with no end in sight,
when God allows one home to his eternal light.
My thoughts leave me empty and feeling alone,
I can’t understand God, why you’ve taken him home.
What comfort I find, comes only with time,
as I try to repair my life from despair.
I ask you O Lord to help me believe,
So my heart and mind may begin to conceive
how only Your way is the path to my end,
and with Your guiding light may my healing begin.
Aidan, the prayers you made late into the night,
were your cry for help from your troubles and fright.
Could I have done anything different to reach out to you?
There’s just no way of knowing what only God knew!
I can’t help but wonder along with those left behind,
how our enduring love couldn’t save you this time.
Not a day will go by that I don’t think of you,
and how different it could be if only I knew.
I ask you O Lord to help me believe,
So my heart and mind may begins to conceive
how only Your way is the path to my end,
and with Your guiding light may my healing begin.
Aidan, only you knew the reasons for your depth of despair,
but I sit and I pray that you knew that I cared.
Your death although tragic has given me light,
that you no longer suffer and struggle to fight
the depression that held you so strong in its grasp,
that the good Lord allowed you to go home at last.
If I could turn back the pages of time,
to a place you held dear in your mind,
I’d look to the heavens and ask God above,
to take all your pain and replace it with love.
Love for the lives I pray you held dear,
your family, your friends, who always were here.
I can’t visit the future or return to the past,
But my love for you will forever last.
I ask you O Lord to help me believe,
so my heart and my mind may begin to conceive
how only Your way is the path to my end,
and with Your guiding light may my healing begin.
When the end has come for those we hold dear,
“Is it our place to question God for the answers to our fears?”
Is it too much to ask for the pain to subside?
So that our heart’s no longer troubled and our soul is alive?
Our questions to the Lord, I only pray will be heard,
so that I begin to understand through His deeds and His word.
Aidan, you brought us together as we laid you to rest,
our lives changed forever but still we are blessed.
Blessed from your soul with God’s love on high,
we look to the heavens and know you’re nearby.
We love you my brother and we always will try,
to picture your face with love in your eyes.
For this is the look that we’ll remember the most,
as you go to rest with The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
I ask you O Lord to help me believe,
So my heart and my mind may begin to conceive
How only Your way is the path to my end,
and with Your guiding light may my healing begin.
(adapted by Philip Power)
Aidan Power 1947 – 2008
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September 3, 2011 at 4:44 pm
Pat
Hello Marianne
Another wonderful and encouraging post,you’re right you did your best to help and that’s all you could do.I thank God for you and the wisdom He has given you because I’m always blessed when I come here,as well as many,many others I’m sure.So do not beat yourself up just let God continue using you,we need you.
Love you 😀 😀
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September 3, 2011 at 5:23 pm
Cindy French
marinne, I pray for first, for God’s protection over you because as you are brave enough to bring the gospel to the forefront to anyone and everyone, Satan is not happy with that. He will definitely come at you with everything he has.This is I know because of course he has done the same thing to me this year. I didn’t see it at first, but as I have had to look back on my year, and recount what I have been thru, I see 2 things-all these major, in many case life threatening attacks-you know-you’ve read about them, but I also saw God working His majestic plan. That if I were not so weak and disheartened, so close to complete failure, perhaps I might have missed the lesson and the refining. Oh how thankful, I am for that refining, that teaching for it has literally changed my life again-praying rightly, specifically next to my salvation itself is probably the most wonderful lesson I have learned, much less watch happen.
You know, last night, I had a client ask me if I am a Christian–wow-first time I’ve been asked that by a client! but I answered Yes, and proud of it. He said he thought so, there was just a sparkle in my voice. Well, it is my God voice. The one HE gave to me because we know my vocal chords dont’s work–so maybe for some people it “sparkles” to identify me! who knows! but this client loves doing business with Christinans and wants to be equally yoked in his business-and began to tell me about his people who were-and I kept saying yes, they are, I placed them—and now we have another guy he is interviewing.
He really believes that this is is guy. he said to me, I think J—is a Christian too. And I laughed and said yes very much so! He was so happy. And then he said of course YOU would know.. . but I don’t always know, because God doesn’t always open the door for that conversation. but when HE does, I step right thru it! I could talk or write for hours about my LORD and how great HE is.
I am telling you this to encourage you. God knew that man. He knew exactly how desperate he was-I don’t know, can’t tell from your writing whether he was a believer or not, but if he was, then he’s wilth Jesus now and at peace. Sometimes Marianne, the burden is just too great. I’ve almost been there myself. but I am fortunate that because of my prayer life and my knowledge of the scriptures that if I will just go there, I wil find my burden lifted. I have to go there. I have to take the action. som just won’t, but that doesn’t mean that Jesus loves them any less or that you could have done anymore. Remember that before time began, the number of days that man would live was written in the book of life. God knew the man would take his life. He had the information, but he made a different choice. We may not know if he is there until we are there.-so all you can do now is try and minister to his family and make they make the right choice if they haven’t made any choices yet.-God will take care of the rest.
In the meantime, I am praying for you and your beautiful spirit to be lifted up and to be protected.
love Cindy
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September 3, 2011 at 7:03 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Pat, Thank you for once again encouraging me. This world is hard and so many of us get weary as we watch the lie of the enemy seeking to destroy believers. I am so saddened by it all and I know that you are also. Keep doing the work of Christ, Pat. I am so grateful to you for all that you do. You always are there for me.
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September 3, 2011 at 7:15 pm
Marianne Lordi
Cindy, I am so glad to hear from you. I really appreciate your prayers. I also pray for all of my blog friends who are reaching others for Christ. I know the health issues you have had and how you could have died with your asthma. God took you through that and showed you how to overcome fear.
You are right that sometimes the burdens are too great and we all stumble to some degree. This man was a believer. He knew Christ as Lord. The problem he had was physical clinical depression. His family tried so hard to help him. He was a great husband, father and grandfather. He was intelligent and kind. Unfortunately he was overwhelmed by his depression. I know that he is with God. I spoke several times with him and he literally broke my heart. I truly prayed for him. I guess I can’t help wishing that I could have done more. Because I take to heart all of those who come to this site, I still am crying for him and his family. I pray that the family will have peace to know that they did all that they could have. I know God brought him to my site for a reason. I don’t understand it all, but I am glad that I could talk to him even for a little while.
Thanks for sharing with me, Cindy, and for your prayers. They mean more to me than you know.
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September 3, 2011 at 7:28 pm
Cindy French
Marianne, I am privileged to pray for you. I understand your sorrow, And your concern for the family. Please share with them about the ministry of GriefShare. I am a GriefShare leader. something God called me into-nothing I would have sought. but I know that grieving is a process and it is especially important when there has been a suicide. Please let the family know that if they just type in Griefshare.org and their zipcode, they will find help near them. I know what the ministry has meant to me. We are starting our 3 rd year and have seen so many people healed and some come to the Lord. We accept anyone who has lost a loved one regardless of their beliefs-but it is so interesting watching God work thru those weeks to bring that person to Himself And we have seen people reach out and help others which shows real healing-it’s just all so marvelous to be a part of.
I am so gald that God is not finished with me yet. I had another attack this week in the middle of the night and so we were once again in the hospital. But this time, getting there so quickly and treated so quickly within 2 hours I was so much better, I got to come HOME-I didn’t have to stay! Yea! only because I have so much work going on right now and could not afford to be in the hospital and that is exactly what I told the Lord and asked Him to send me home-so He did. I love him!
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September 3, 2011 at 7:40 pm
Karla
Our struggle truly is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorites,against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12) We need the Lord, every hour of every day we need him. May his soul RIP and his family be comforted at this time
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September 3, 2011 at 7:48 pm
Marianne Lordi
God bless you, Cindy. You truly have a heart to help others! I will keep praying for you and your health issues.
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September 3, 2011 at 7:55 pm
Marianne Lordi
Thanks for visiting, Karla. We DO need the Lord every hour of the day. The battle on this earth is way to strong for us to go it alone. He is always there to help us.
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September 4, 2011 at 1:41 am
jeremy
Sister, your timing is always so good!
Jeremy
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September 4, 2011 at 9:25 am
Noel
Marianne, although I don’t pray much, I do pray that you find comfort in God in this troubled time. It is obviously not your fault what happened to this man…. God sometimes has plans that are beyond what we can ever comprehend. People like myself, who are struggling with faith and often question God because of the circumstances of this cruel life, are still responsible for our actions. Your prayers and concerns are always appreciated, but you should not take responsibility if someone makes a horrible decision. Like you said, the devil lies to us, trying to make us believe we are at fault and should not go on. But we should, because life does go on. Jesus did not say, “You will be happy and blessed if you follow me” He actually said “You will have tribulation…you will be hated….you will cry now….but your sorrow will turn into joy!” (it feels weird giving advice to a Godly person like yourself 🙂 ) God bless.
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September 4, 2011 at 12:34 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Jeremy, I am glad you were blessed by this message. I am praying for you and your family!
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September 4, 2011 at 12:48 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Noel, I appreciate your visit and your comment. I guess it is not that I take responsibility for what happened, just kept wishing I could have said or done something more. His family also is troubled that they could not have done something. When a person is this clinically depressed, it is hard to reach them. I am now praying for the family. You are right that Jesus did tell us that we were going to have many problems. This earth is perishing and it is not heaven. One day we won’t have these struggles. I know you question why God allows some things to happen. By his word, we are told that he will one day make all things new. Right now we are still in corrupt bodies. That is why flesh and blood cannot see God now. I await the day when these bodies of sin are replaced with glorious ones that will never corrupt. Noel, we both have to keep our minds on the kingdom despite the evil we see everywhere. We need to make a difference in trying to reach the lost. There will come a time when we will understand why we had to endure this suffering. It will be made clear. In the meantime, we just need to trust him.
By the way, I could always use your advice – and that from others too. I have not reached the pinnacle of understanding in my walk and I still have so much to learn. We all need to share the knowledge that God gives us with others. I appreciate your words of wisdom in this matter. Thanks Noel.
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September 4, 2011 at 4:27 pm
breezespeaks
Hi Marianne, I am the writer of “Truth as a Concept,” and I wanted to check out your site to see where you are coming from. As a true believer I say bravo. But I have a few questions . . .
How do you justify the pedophile scandal that has now gone worldwide, and the Church’s lack of outrage. Cardinals and Bishops have been forced to resign, yet few have ever spent a day in jail. Cardinal Law of Boston, who presided over some of the worst offenders, was rewarded with a plum job at the Vatican, instead of prison, which is where he belonged. If there is a God, why would he allow this loathsome activity to occur by those who work for him?
The last entry of yours I read claimed that everyone who visits your site does so for a reason. What’s mine? And don’t give me the old “God works in mysterious ways” routine. Sincerely, Breeze.
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September 4, 2011 at 7:27 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Breeze, welcome to my site. I am glad you stopped by. You ask about the pedophile scandal I am assuming you mean in the Catholic Church? I think it is a disgusting abomination! I believe whoever does such evil, whether it be priests, pastors or anyone in any capacity in any church should pay for their crime! Why does God allow this evil? Why does he allow any evil, Breeze? You have done evil and so have I. We are living in a fallen world, and unless you think God should wipe out all of mankind, he is waiting the time to allow those who would repent and turn to him to come to fruition. He is coming back very soon to judge the evil done on this earth. This is not heaven. It was because of sin that Christ came to this earth to offer his sacrifice to pay our debt. Jesus did not come to save us from hell. He came to save us from the wrath God. We have all sinned against a holy God! He did this while we were his enemy. Can you even fathom that kind of love? He left the splendor of heaven to redeem a rebellious and ungrateful people. He did this knowing ahead that most would not accept his free gift! You have tried religion before, Breeze, and religion can’t save you! Are you ready to now have a relationship with Christ instead?
Also, I can assure you that anyone who is using their position in a church to elicit sex from children is NOT working for God! Anyone can call themselves a Christian but that does not make you one!
In response to your last question asking what was the reason you visited this site? Because you were drawn to see the truth. Whether you accept it or not is your choice. And though you don’t want to hear this, I will say it anyway: I am now praying for you!
Hope you will stop back.
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September 4, 2011 at 8:45 pm
concernedx2
Sometimes we minister to…Sometimes we minister through…We always minister!
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September 4, 2011 at 8:53 pm
Marianne Lordi
Amen, Rev. York!
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September 4, 2011 at 11:03 pm
breezespeaks
Marianne, so you are saying the Pope is evil. Even under John-Paul, he was in charge of the ongoing scandal. Maybe he didn’t molest anyone himself, but in helping to cover up the scandal he is just as guilty as anyone else who participated.
As to the end coming soon, I’ve heard it all before, most recently by Harold Camping. I believe the Bible says only God knows when it will be. Isn’t it presumptive of you to claim “He is coming back very soon to judge the evil done on this earth?”
And you didn’t really address my questions about Cardinal Law and the Vatican. Are they God’s reps, or have they abused their authority to sweep these problems under the rug? Inquiring minds want to know.
And lastly, I didn’t come to your site to see the truth, I was just trying to figure out what makes you tick. And I welcome your prayers, as I think the mind is capable of much more than we can comprehend. Breeze
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September 5, 2011 at 3:01 am
concernedx2
Greetings Marianne, I am somewhat slow witted but as I read through your replies, I noticed that Breeze refers to himself as “AS A TRUE BELIEVER I SAY BRAVO.” If he is a true believer, he is the church and he seems to have the outrage. For the record, the outrage is for the most part cowering in silence throughout the Church due to the fact that “LIBERALS” ( which Breeze refers to as “brethren” in his blog ) have made it a “HATE CRIME” to speak against those who engage in homosexual acts As for God allowing such things to go unpunished, every time a living creature dies it is Gods punishment for sin that entered in at the Garden of Eden. There is a second death which is “BEING CAST INTO HELL” that has no power over those who have recognized Jesus Christ as the “Truth” and accepted him into their hearts. It isn’t God nor the Church that carries the blame for those evil deeds that Breeze responds to as justifiable reasons for being cast into prison but the liberals who embrace such actions. Breeze also has much to say about “GLOBAL WARMING” in his blog and questions the stance of the Church in the matter. Jesus and the Church has said for the past two thousand years “BUT THE DAY OF THE LORD WILL COME AS A THIEF IN THE NIGHT; IN THE WHICH THE HEAVENS SHALL PASS AWAY WITH A GREAT NOISE, AND THE ELEMENTS SHALL MELT WITH FERVENT HEAT, THE EARTH ALSO AND THE WORKS THAT ARE THEREIN SHALL BE BURNED UP.” That might indicate a slight global warming. Just to be sure, it is liberals such as Al Gore who preaches that ” theory” more than anyone. The truth of the matter is that the world is going to cease to exist for all sinners weather Jesus comes back again or not, and all Christians are going to pass from this life into a place of bliss where liberals and sin will never make entry. As for those such as Harold Camping, when we all stand before the judgement seat of Christ, he might not be considered as a part of the Church by the Head of the Church. Now that’s what makes me tick but I don’t have a clue about Marianne Lordi.
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September 5, 2011 at 7:15 am
breezespeaks
Concerned, I am not the true believer. In fact, I am doubting Thomas (Read my entry “Religious rants and views” back on my blog, under the catagory Religion.) It explains where I come from. My bravo was aimed at Marianne for HER faith. I bedrudge no one their faith.
As to the lack of tolerance you seem to expouse, especially towards Liberals such as myself, as in “a place of bliss where liberals and sin will never make entry,” and gay people, who’s acts you consider an abomination, I see a problem. Where is the love?
The Global Warming stuff was aimed at conservatives, but I have come to realize that conservatives and religious fanatics are one and the same.
And still no reply about the Pope, Cardinal Law, or my contention that the end days are privy to no one except God.
Since I’m here, I have another question. Why did God torture Lot just to prove a point to Satan, when God already knew the outcome? It seems a long way to
go just to prove a point to someone who didn’t care to begin with? Just asking.
(Read also “A Liberal Cause,” if you really hold liberals in such contempt.) Breeze
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September 5, 2011 at 8:57 am
Marianne Lordi
Hi Breeze,
By God allowing Satan to go against Lot, he was proving his power and might not only to Lot but to all of us who now read of it. Why does God allow Satan to come against any of us who are believers? If you read any of my messages I answer that. We are being molded and shaped into the image of Christ. When we go through a trial and see the power of our God at work, then we are strengthened in our faith. We are stronger for having gone through the trial! If everything was just perfect in your life, the first thing you would forget was your God! We are living in a fallen world. We still battle against a sinful flesh. It is only be crucifying our flesh through our sufferings that we are made strong. In Scripture, God could have stopped the three Jewish boys from being thrown into Nebuchadnezzar’s furnace but instead he showed his glory by going in there with them. These young Jewish boy got to see the pre-incarnate Christ while they were in that furnace. They came out unharmed and yet stronger for what they endured. In fact Nebuchadnezzar was so impressed that he promoted these young men to high office.
You were not there when God created the earth and everything in it. He didn’t need your counsel then and he doesn’t need it now. What knowledge do you have that you think is better than that of God? I don’t understand his reasoning for his ways are much higher than mine and yours. I just know one thing for sure……..HIS WAYS ARE RIGHT.
I have no problem with your questions, Breeze. I always invite people to share what they think and that is good. I have emailed you with some responses so that you can ask whatever you want.
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September 5, 2011 at 9:39 am
Juliet Perrault
Dear Marianne, I wanted to say “hello” to you and to thank you for your encouraging emails (both private and posted here) regarding the situation I experienced earlier this year. As a newly baptized SDA (Seventh Day Adventist) I am new to the SDA Church, but not new to Christ. I see now why my mother kept me out of the church and kept me in bible study. The church has its place as a meeting place for God’s children. A friend of mine described the church in this way “The church is a hospital…we go there to get our medicine”. My mother’s goal was to introduce me to Christ through bible study in our home, not through the church, so my experience with the SDA church is very different from that of a person who “grew up” in the church. Every denomination has it’s problems in the church, but cultivating a relationship with Christ is my primary goal. I have no regrets about being baptized, I DO regret the fact that so many SDA’s and other Christians are being misled about the nature of Christ. It is sad that I have encountered SDA’s who have such an elitist view of who Christ is, however I believe that He allowed me to experience this to help define who I am in Christ. Your support and prayers definately played a part on this part of my walk and although it is painful, I am trusting God to be made stronger for it. God bless you Marianne.
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September 5, 2011 at 10:47 am
Joe
I have visited your site often over these last several years Marianne and know what a blessing you are to your readers. We may not understand why this man is gone now or what burdens he faced, but know that you did all you could. You once reminded me that our time here is fixed and that those we care about are on loan to us from God. I think of that often and it’s helped me as I’ve tried to understand losses and why things happen as they do.
I’ve thought a lot this weekend about “the peace of God” and wondering how we really experience this in our lives. I think many of us throw that term around without really thinking it through. I’ll be trying to come to grips with it myself as I think more about Jesus’ words in John 14.
Thank you Marianne for all you do here and know that you are encouragement to all of us who visit. What a comfort to know that you pray for all of us…thank you so much for that. Blessings to you!
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September 5, 2011 at 12:04 pm
concernedx2
Hi Beeze; You ask “where is the love.” A great deal of the love is in the heart of Marianne Lordi and many, many others like her so I will ask that you hold no ill feelings toward her because of my “lack of tolerance.” Marianne was demonstrating wisdom by not branding the Pope as “evil.” It was the deeds allegedly comitted by Cardinal Law that she was calling evil. It was not I who said that “gay people” should be imprisoned…IT WAS YOU! You must remember that it was young boys of the same sex as those priest that raised your ire. Also, I said that “IF JESUS DOESN’T COME AGAIN,” Christians would go to a place of bliss where liberals and sin could never enter. I was referring to the same place that all people go if there is no God, and that place is total oblivion. You are correct in saying that the end days are privy to no one but God. That is because God has his eyes fixed upon the condition of the Church and God is asking the same question, “WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE?” It isn’t the abundance of evil that hastens the Lords return but the “FALLING AWAY OF THE CHURCH.” You are right in another thing; I am a conservative and I am a fanatic when it comes to the Church. My love for Jesus has never caused a single case of AIDS. Not one child is in a room at St. Judes because of my relationship to the church. My conservative values have never been to blame for a mother visiting her child in prison. My conservative hands raised the American flag in Germany and France instead of burning it on the streets of L.A. My conservative views on the Constitution of the United States of America gives people such as Breeze the right to challenge the faith of the marianne Lordi’s of the world. My conservative back labors at the wheel to provide a living where the cost has more than doubled for reasons that are none of my own. My fanaticism for Jesus would keep the 911 Memorial as a place of Honor for Americans instead of a victory garden for the Muslims that caused the distruction. My conservative arms would cradle every aborted human infant in the whole world if only I could. My conservative lips have never smoked a joint and my conservative nose has never snuffed up a line of cocaine that was carried across America’s borders by 30 million illegal aliens. My conservative ears still love the songs of old and my conservative knees still believe that the power of God is prayed down instead of legislated out. My conservative values would never cause the price of gasoline to skyrocket beyond reason by dumping a hundred million barrels of oil, a billion ton of asphalt and tar onto the ground to create a forty million mile ribbon of highway where sixty thousand tree huggers rush out to clean up a five gallon can of spilled gasoline at the cost of thirty billion dollars. SOME THINGS I DON’T UNDERSTAND.
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September 5, 2011 at 1:21 pm
Noel
Marianne, although you seem to be a wonderful person who welcomes different points of view, I am sorry that the original message of your post (Waiting for God in the darkness) seems to have been lost somewhere among the replies. This is why debating about the details of certain doctrines btw believers and non-believers is a waste of time, in my eyes. I encourage you and everyone else to continue to look at the big picture, which is to love one another as we love ourselves. Keep up the good work you are doing in your blog. God bless.
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September 5, 2011 at 1:26 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Joe, I am so glad you stopped by. And I appreciate that you reminded me of what we both know…….all that we have is on loan to us by God. I also ponder the peace of God in the turmoil that we live in on this perishing world. I believe that the only thing that stops us from having peace when we face difficulties is when we take our eyes from Christ and empower our trial instead! If Christ gave us his promise that he has overcome the world and all that comes against us, why do we still let our struggles rob us of joy? We know that all things are being worked out for us a believers for good and to transform us. Why can’t we focus on the fact that we are being groomed for royalty in a kingdom that will never end? We give too much power to our pain and forget too easily that it is part of the plan. That is why we must remind each other of the truth.
I truly appreciate you, Joe. I am praying for you always and for your wife. I hope all is well.
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September 5, 2011 at 1:32 pm
Marianne Lordi
Concerned, thank you again for your input. You have such a way of presenting the facts without compromise! I am with you on this, my friend! The truth has been compromised by this world and has made a lie more palatable and accepted as a choice that is good. Christ showed us the way but we, the dust of this earth, think we have a better way. Imagine that!
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September 5, 2011 at 4:28 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Juliet, I hope you are doing well. To be honest with you, I don’t understand why you had to learn through a bible study because your church was not doing what is right.
Remember what I told you before, a relationship with Christ is not about religion or denomination. If you do not Christ living in your heart than it doesn’t matter where you go to church or how much you go. You are not saved by a church. Seek a church where they preach salvation through Christ ALONE not by works or following special days. Christ alone can save you. He has the plan to bring you to victory over all that comes against you. For that reason we are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone. To add anything to that is to empty the cross.
I am praying for you Juliet. You are a beautiful woman with such potential. Stay strong and do what is right. It does not matter about what the rest do. Christ can take you through your pain. He knows the desires of your heart. And he alone is the only one who can give them to you.
God bless you Juliet. I am here for you anytime.
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September 6, 2011 at 6:30 am
Anonymous
Marianne, just wanted to let you to know that your blog has kept me going during this wilderness period that i have been going through and this is coming all the way from Africa. Sometimes i feel so weary but there is always a voice that keeps pushing me on despite the disappointments, its interesting how ave drawn closer to God and seen changes in myself, he surely has a plan! So please take heart and keep on doing what your doing and know your helping many. I shall pray for you. We CANNOT give up cause he will never give up on us. God bless
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September 6, 2011 at 7:15 am
breezespeaks
I see you erased my comment. Real christian of you. I can be taken to task by Concernedx2, but I can’t post a rebuttal? It was a mistake engaging you born-agains in the first place, and I would bet money this comment will also never see the light of day, either. To paraphrase Mr Rogers, “Can you say closed minded?”
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September 6, 2011 at 8:02 am
Marianne Lordi
Breeze, you told me in an email that the discussion was closed. Also, you can say what you want to me, but you were making comments against Christ who is my Savior. Say what you wish but please refrain from blaspheming the God I love. Christians are always labeled “intolerant” or “closed-minded” because we take God at his word. We believe what Christ taught. I am not closed-minded, but sadly you are.
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September 6, 2011 at 8:42 am
Marianne Lordi
Anonymous, How blessed I am that you wrote with such kind words! There are a lot of struggles going on in Africa and I will be praying for you. Your faith is what is giving you strength to endure and to keep going despite what is coming against you. My friend, you are right to say that God has a plan. The fact that you are being drawn closer to him is by his power in you! He is drawing you to him. Remember that when you start feeling weary. And I hope you know that I am here for you and praying. I pray for all who come to this site. Please email me anytime and let me know how you are doing.
You are right, my friend, we cannot give up. Our God is with us in everything. He is working out the plan and his purpose for you cannot fail. God bless you and may he give you favor in all that you do. Be strong for the eyes of God are on you!~
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September 6, 2011 at 8:46 am
breezespeaks
Our discussion was closed, I was simply replying to Concernedx2, who addressed me and made statements that were not true, like accusing me of saying gay people should be in prison. He also said some things about liberals I needed to rebut. And we could discuss intolerance and closed-mindedness until the cows come home, but I don’t think it would do a bit of good.
PS I guess I lost my bet. Good Bye.
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September 7, 2011 at 7:32 am
pbus1
Hello Marianne,
You are truly an encouragement to the body of Christ! You carry a heavy burden for souls, and I believe you love the Lord with all of your heart, and every fiber of your being! You also have a deep love for the people of God!
There is so much evil and darkness in this sin sick world today! The love of many has waxed cold! There is trouble all around. People are struggling, discouraged, hopeless, fearful, and the storms of life are truly raging! I thank God for your words of encouragement to all of us! Thank you for reminding us, that “There is nothing that can move a believer from the position God has assigned to them from the beginning of time.” Despite what we’re going through, our God is still Sovereign, and He is in control! Yes, we’re going through the storms of life, but as long as we keep our focus on Him, the Lord will give us a peace that passeth all understanding, right in the midst of the storm! Our God is EL Shaddi, The Almighty God! Enjoy the video of the song, “My Soul Has Been Anchored.” God bless you, Marianne! You’ll be in my prayers! Paulette
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September 7, 2011 at 11:30 am
charles woodruff
Marianne, This message was encouraging and sturdy. You have here a real ministry. Of course, in these perilous times, some will try to disagree with you very blatantly. Not to worry. Christ’s truth will prevail! Let me encourage you. Keep on, keeping on! God’s ultimate will— will be done! Thanks for all your praying, and help for me. Jesus is Lord!
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September 7, 2011 at 11:43 am
Marianne Lordi
Dear Paulette, you words were just what I needed right now and I thank you for your faithfulness to bring them! I remind so many of the truth that God is enough to weather every storm we face and yet sometimes I need to hear that promise myself. Yes, God is El Shaddi! He is my strength and my power! These winds of troubles that I face are nothing for the hand of God to cause to be used for my good. You reminded me of that and it is just filling my soul. I do love and pray for all that God sends to my site. He has given me a burden to pray for all and I do that willingly. I do grow weary sometimes, but as Doug Miller’s song says, MY SOUL HAS BEEN ANCHORED IN THE LORD! That Anchor is Christ. What can happen to me apart from his will.
God bless you, Paulette. You are just a blessing to me and I thank God for you. I will continue to pray for you and the work that you do. I appreciate your prayers with all my heart.
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September 7, 2011 at 11:46 am
Marianne Lordi
Hi Charles, I am so glad that you came by with your kind words of encouragement! God knows how to put the right people in my life. I know the heart you have for God’s kingdom, Charles. It is my joy to pray and help you in any way that I can. Each time I visit, your site, I find the uncompromised truth given by the heart of a man who loves Christ! Thank you for always being such a good friend!
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September 16, 2011 at 12:35 pm
Keiko
Hi Marianne,
I’ve just happened across your blog by accident, as I was searching Google to understand how God puts us through tough situations to nature us.
I’m a 31 yo female. This past week I stared suicide in the face, the devil trying to make me believe that God isn’t interested in me, that I am lost and will never be anything, that my financial situation is insurmountable, and that I will never get a job again.
In my depths of despair my family shunned me, I texted one aunt asking her to pray for me as I was so low and on the edge. I had no response, only to be told a week later when I saw her at family dinner that I should call her instead as it costs too much for her to send a text or call me. Other friends just acted like I had the plague.
I cried in my spirit to God, asking Jesus “where are you?” I didn’t know if he had heard me, I felt alone, but I now have an unexplainable peace and joy in my spirit, that can only have come from God.
He is REAL, true, and faithful to his word. He has spoken a word over ALL of our lives, and that is what satan hates and seeks to destroy.
I’m not out of the woods yet, and my faith is being greatly tested but I believe God is maturing me for something.
Everyone, just hang on in there, we’re in for a tough, tough time, but God is faithful.
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September 16, 2011 at 2:59 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Keiko, I am so grateful that God brought you o this site. I pray daily for those who feel like they have no hope and are considering suicide. My heart breaks that so many are led by the lie of Satan to believe that God cannot help them or will not help them. The truth is that God’s power is for all who believe. If Christ is your Savior, he is working all things out in a way that will be good for you even though you can’t see it now. I know you sometimes feel alone when you are in pain, and sometimes friends and family don’t understand. That is why we have a high priest, a Mediator between God and man and that is Jesus Christ. The veil was torn in the temple at the moment of Christ’ death. It signified that we now have access to God’s throne of grace and all his power and protection. Your circumstance may seem overwhelming to you right now, but in the center of it all, Christ is there and he is doing a divine, eternal work in you. You cannot be destroyed by your problem and you have a reason to hope for a better future because Christ is alive and he has the power to make it all happen. Never let the enemy feed you his lies. When you are feeling weak, go into your bible and let the truth fill you with the knowledge of God’s promises and his power. You will find all that you need. In Psalm 30, God’s word tells us that : “weeping may last for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” My sister, that is a word for you. It is God’s promise that your trial has a time to end. It will not last forever no matter what the devil tells you. All of your struggles are timed by God’s hand and he has a purpose for allowing you to go through them. But keep in mind that you cannot be destroyed by your problems – you can only be transformed by God’s power through them! You are not alone in your pain and you never will be.
Keiko, I will be praying for you. For whatever reason God brought you to this site, he has now made us friends. I lift all of my requests up each night to the throne of God. And, I am here for you to talk to. Stay in peace knowing that your victory has already been ordained! Please let me know how you are doing. God bless you, my sister.
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September 17, 2011 at 9:35 am
Noel
Keiko, I haven’t considered suicide, but can related as far as losing hope and faith. It is truly a struggle. But I am glad that you have found peace, I think peace is one of the virtues of living the Kingdom of Heaven. Marianne is a great counselor and friend. I believe God led you to her blog so that your faith can be further strengthen. Keep it up!!
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September 19, 2011 at 10:12 am
Henry
Hi Marianne,
Just read that very heart rending story although uplifting in many other ways. It saddens me deeply also that people can reach to the point where they feel they have lost all hope and that their only recourse is to commit suicide. I can appreciate that this must have been a very painful experience for you given your involvement in trying to encourage this man to have faith. I also understand how you may question yourself as to whether or not you did enough which then causes you to question yourself as to whether or not you could have done more to prevent this death. But stay encouraged and do not blame yourself. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. There is only so much that you can do and it is the Lord through His Holy Spirit who does the rest. You and I cannot save anyone – all we can do is impart the message of the Gospel and hope that it will take route in the heart through the enabling power of the Holy Spirit. May God bless you and strengthen you to not only be able to overcome this pain but in continuance of the work you are doing in bring light and hope to those who need it.
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September 19, 2011 at 11:42 am
Marianne Lordi
Thank you for your kind words, Henry. I know that I could not have done anything to save that poor man from his pain. I do continue to pray for his family. I just was so saddened because I know that the enemy is trying to steal the hope from everyone. And that is why I write and why you do also. In the darkness of this age, we must continue to shine the light of Christ’ truth. That is the only way that anyone can live in victory.
Thanks for stopping by, Henry. Keep up the kingdom work. I will be back to visit.
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September 27, 2011 at 2:30 am
John
Hi Marianne,
Hello and good’day to you Marianne. I am a bipolar patient and also suffering from severe trauma for about 5 years now. Today, i have learnt that my disability has come through. I should be happy, because in a way, i am being finally compensated for what i did for society’s workforce. A small sum, but i am not happy personally. I am happy that my dad can pay his debts though, i can share a lil more around but, i am not happy. This is not good money. This is money that cost me my mind, my body and my spirit. So i searched the web about if God would hear my pains ,I try my best to picture him with me, as myself in the better years as a child and i feel somewhat..very sad. I then came across your blog, i read about the man who killed himself..but after learning from this individual via you, who took his own life, by his story alone, it is an teaching by God, by itself..that i am still okay..despite all that i went through, and the many times that i tried to end it all but failed, and if i were to sit back, think about it, God has planned every single detail ahead, up to this point that by reading about this man through you, i find that even though i cannot imagine the amount of sorrow by his passing, to his family, his life became a tool in the end, for ALL to learn, VIA YOU, that by being alive right now, we are still..okay….and still can go on despite whatever pains there are. Though that man has lost his life by his hands, i hope he would be blessed in the end because he has taught me today, that the pain i feel NOW, can be overcome. That i can still drag my broken sword,and battered shield till the end. Also, God had planned it in such a way, that through YOU, i would never have come across your blog today. I would like to think that you were, and still are, in God’s plans. Otherwise i would not chance upon your blog. May God bless you Marianne..
Always,
John
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September 27, 2011 at 8:57 am
Marianne Lordi
Hi John, How happy I am that God brought you to this site. I want you to know that I will be praying for you each night also as I do for all that come here. I am sorry for what you are experiencing and the struggle you are facing. I hope you know that even in our lowest valley, Christ has a way to lift us up and take us to him. Nothing in this life has the power to defeat someone who has put his trust in him. He can always make a way even though it may seem impossible. Too many times, people focus on their problem instead of their God. They see their future based on the pain the that they are experiencing today. The enemy has convinced them that tomorrow has no hope. That is a lie. I have always been burdened by those who feel like giving up. For years I have been praying for those all over this world who are considering suicide. I pray that God will give them the help and the hope they need to hold on because there will be a time for the pain to end. I thank you, John, for writing. This man who committed suicide was clinically depressed. His family tried reaching him as did I, but his depression was deep set and physical. He could not help what he did but his family is still in so much pain over it.
John, I pray that you know that God does see your pain and he cares. Sometimes It seems like he is silent or that your prayers are not being heard. The truth is that he sees everything single thing in your life. He has a purpose and plan for it all if you will believe. This life is hard. The world is dark and evil is everywhere. The good news is that if you put your trust in Christ, he has a plan for your life that cannot fail. Just like he brought you to this site to read that message, he knows how to take you from your pain and into his peace. He has a way for you to live victoriously despite what you are enduring. Jesus has overcome the world. That means that those who belong to him, all that comes against us has been defeated and has no power to destroy us. That is his promise!
I will be praying for you, John. You have blessed me with all that you said. Keep the truth in your heart. Read your bible every day for just a few minutes. Let God’s truth fill you and equip you for all that you have to face that day. And know that all things are under the authority of God who will not fail to complete the purpose he has for your life. Please stop back or email me to let me know how you are doing. Stay blessed and in peace, my brother. You are not alone.
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September 29, 2011 at 1:07 pm
Michael
“And Jesus having spoiled principalities and powers made a shew of them openly; triumphing over them in it” – Colossians 2:15
My brothers and sisters Jesus has already defeated the enemy! All he is trying to do is get you to believe his lies or deceptions. Don’t fall for it!! Hold on to God’s truth.
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September 29, 2011 at 2:06 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Michael, What a powerful verse you brought out! By that verse, we are told without doubt that Jesus totally disarmed the powers and authorities of darkness that come against us and triumphed over them forever! That is exactly what we all have to remember in an attack. That struggle and trial that every believer faces has been rendered powerless to destroy us! And because Christ triumphed over them all, he has made us a victor in every battle we face. What a great promise to remember. Thanks for reminding us that Christ is in complete authority over ALL things in our lives.
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October 1, 2011 at 12:00 am
Victor
Hi all just thought I should write back and encourage some of you on this website as its been a major help to me during this season. I am the guy from Africa who left a comment sometime back. Well what can I say after several months of job hunting I finally got my breakthrough and God has answered my prayers and achieved so much in my heart!
I would like to urge you all who are going through similar trials or whatever trials to always know that God is there no matter how you feel or whatever the devil whispers to you. I had gone through so many disappointments during the process that I would just breakdown and cry and ask God why, I even remember one interview where my mind completely went blank and I ended up embarrassing myself to going to other interviews and getting no feedback. I would feel rejected and alone and the ones I loved would even make comments out of the blue that would really hurt me, I think it was the devil trying to bring me down. So in short all I saw was darkness with no end in sight, would I ever work again? Was God hearing my prayers Etc.. This is coming from a country where jobs are very hard to come by and everyone says you have to know someone or people to connect you to the job. All I had was my God and I told him I don’t have to know anyone if I know him. God is faithful, his accomplished so much in my heart, I was deep in his word and his delivered me from some addictions I was battling with during the process and showed me how selfish I was before. I would wake up one day and remember some beggar miles away that I had seen several months before and ignored, I would later be led to give something to him….. It just blows my mind the random things I have done that I would never do. I feel like I have a new purpose. I would get promises from his word and claim them over my life every time I got the chance, one of my favorites, Isaiah 41:10 “Do not be afraid –I am with you! I am your God-Let nothing terrify you! I will make you strong and help you!” Trust me when I say that the word of Gods gives you strength for each day, I would go through websites just as this everyday and get so much hope and strength. I also remember before my breakthrough watching Joel Osteen the TV preacher and him talking about speaking to our mountains in faith verbally and commanding them to move in the name of Jesus. My breakthrough came a few days later. Also if God is weighing something on your heart and asking you to do something, just do it, mine was to do with Tithe, I had never done so in my entire life and had always said that I dint have to, plus I was jobless and had no income coming in, but all I heard about was Tithing from every corner and it would just pop in mind at odd times, so I took the leap and told God I trust him to provide though I don’t have a source of income and the next day I got my breakthrough! I shall leave you to make your judgments on the above but I believe it begins and ends with God. I remember Marianne once said on this website that weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning-meaning that your trial has a time-frame for it to end, so PLEASE NEVER GIVE UP NO MATTER HOW YOU FEEL, GOD JUST WANTS YOU TO TRUST HIM AND RELEASE IT TO HIM TO WORK IT OUT, HE SAID HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU, THAT’S ALL YOU NEED. Marianne please be assured that what you’re doing on this site is from God no matter what others say and thanks for your prayers, I shall be praying for you too. I believe you are helping many through your words. GOD BLESS YOU ALL
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October 1, 2011 at 8:50 pm
Ken
WOW! My heart breaks for this man and his family. I will remember them in my prayers.
Reading this is quite scary. This is where depression can take someone to. I recently read a book called “Life In Spite of Me,” a true story by Kristen Anderson. Her pain was so deep and she wanted it to end so badly that she laid down on a train track in front of a moving train. She wanted to die, but only lost her legs. The Lord delivered her through it and she is now a Godly woman.
This is very scary because to a degree I suffer from situational depression from the loss of my wife and the darkness on my loneliness. My work schedule is such that I lose a great deal of time for fellow shipping and socializing. Even at work I am usually in a room all to my self and I am not allowed to leave. What if it took me to that place?
Psalm 42:5
“Why are you cast down,O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him
For the help of His countenance.
We must never lose our hope in God and no matter what, always praise Him.
Thank you Marianne for another powerful post. May God bless you,
You are such an encouragement to so many people.
Ken
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October 1, 2011 at 11:04 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Ken, I am so happy you stopped by. I was just at your site and you simply amaze me with the wisdom God has given you. We all have had a time when we wanted to give up. I know what you have been through and I know it has been tough for you. But I believe that God has strengthened you in your weakness and made you a man of faith to be used by him for his kingdom. Ken, you are never alone even when it seems like no one else is around. God has you surrounded by his angels and he is guiding the steps that you take. Keep up the good work because you are making a difference!
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October 1, 2011 at 11:29 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Victor, what an awesome testimony you just shared! The power of God never fails no matter how impossible our situation. It is difficult to make a living in Africa and yet God found a way to provide for you. I pray that you will live in the power that he has given you. Don’t let your circumstances dictate your future. Christ died to give you hope and a future no matter what trouble you face. Keep trusting him and let him continue to guide you. Be sure to read your bible each day and let the promises of God be the truth you live by. I will continue to pray for you, Victor. Stay in peace knowing that it is Christ whose plan for your life cannot fail!
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October 22, 2011 at 5:50 pm
Kati
Im 17. I have 2 little sisters. I just want to watch them grow as for myself. I cant seem yo relax thanks to all this “end of the world” mess. I mean of course i want my family and i to join God and all but not right now. Though i know i have no say in when he can take us. Its hard to focus on our lives if we are hearing others count down our last days. What do i do? Ive gone to church.
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October 22, 2011 at 7:21 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Kati, I know you may get a little fearful hearing people talk about ending times but if you have Christ as your Savior, you have nothing to fear. Jesus told us to watch for the signs of his coming. We won’t know the day or the hour of his return, but he gave us many things to watch for to signal his coming. If you look at the world, you see nothing but darkness and chaos. It appears the as though evil is taking over. This world cannot go on like this. There are things going on in the middle east and Israel which are heating up. It will come to a head soon. Those are all signs of Christ’ return. No one knows exactly when, but we talk about, it so that others will be on guard and ready for Christ when he comes. Maybe things are going well for you and your fanily and that is good. However, there are many people who are enduring persecution and suffering of every kind. They are looking for the return of Christ.
Kati, Jesus has prepared a wonderful place for those who love and trust him. It is a place where there will be no pain or suffering. There will be joy and happiness that will last forever. This world does not have that. Young people like yourself are being deceived to do all kind of destructive behavior and it is getting worse. They are following the wrong people and seeking the things of this world that will eventually ruin them. Trust that Jesus knows when the right time is. Pray that he will lead you to do what he had planned for your life. Pray for you sisters and your family. Then trust that when the time comes – you will have nothing to fear. If you have any questions or just want to voice your concerns, please write again or you can use my email that is listed on my site.
I will be praying for you and your family, Kati. Be strong and keep Jesus in your heart.
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October 31, 2011 at 1:48 pm
Anonymous
Please pray for my son Enosh, he is 3 1/2 and struggling to talk.
we only trust in God.
praise the lord
amos
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October 31, 2011 at 2:09 pm
Marianne Lordi
Amos, I will pray for your son, Enosh, to begin to talk. Keep your eyes on Christ and don’t waiver in your faith. God will make a way. God bless you, my friend. I will be praying.
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October 31, 2011 at 5:16 pm
Cindy French
Marianne and Amos, I will join in praying for your son to speak. And to ask the Lord’s leading for you on this matter…in case He wants you to seek more medical advice. But for me, I lost my voice for 18 months after a stroke. The doctor told me I would not get my voice back, but after my pastors anointed me with oil and prayed, believing that I would be healed–I was!! My voice is not the same as it was. Now it is low pitched and husky. I used to have a soprano voice and could sing very well, but not any more. Still the kicker was my doctor, he couldn’t believe it and stuck a scope down my throat immediately. And then he said, “I am right, you are not speaking!”
What do you mean was what I asked and he explained that my vocal cords did not come together to make sound. That they were bowed out like cowboy’s legs-never coming together. So how do I talk? It’s a God voice is all I can imagine-I have no other explanation. And that is true to this day 6yrs later. Of course this story brings HIM Glory! I am sure that is why He did it.but I tell it to you so that you can know and believe that He can heal your son.
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October 31, 2011 at 6:05 pm
Marianne Lordi
That is an awesome testimony, Cindy! I had no idea that you were unable to speak for a while. Praise God for his mercy! And God bless you for your prayers for this young boy. I love the way God’s people come together in prayer for one another! That is what sets us apart. Thank you for your kindenss Cindy.
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November 10, 2011 at 1:03 am
thel bernardo
MARIANE,
i don’t know how did i open this website inspite of a very busy day … i am a filipina (46 years old) with 2 sons my husband is in and out of our country (philippines) to provide us our daily needs … just want to thank the lord for opening may mails and i read your article (im sory im not fluent in english) . from now on i keep on going to read your articles and i know there’s a lot things that it will help me from my daily living …. GOD BLESS YOU …
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November 10, 2011 at 3:27 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Thel, I am so happy you stopped by this site. I know that everyone everywhere has struggles that they are facing. God gives me messages of hope to share with others. I am taken through everyone of them and I know that his promises are real. Please stop back. I will be lifting up your family in prayer. God bless you, dear sister! It is always nice to meet a new friend!
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November 18, 2011 at 7:48 am
Anonymous
am a a believer now i have always failed to give my life to Christ, i had some addiction problems and i always thought i would overcome them by myself now today my life has no brink of the future and any hope left. i have disappointed my family and friends and no true friend is left, i fear and when i pray, i feel completely ashamed and all i need is a second chance
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November 18, 2011 at 7:44 pm
Marianne Lordi
Anonymous,. I am so glad you stopped here. I will be praying for you, my friend. We have all had struggles and problems that kept us from the fullness of Christ. He knows our weaknesses and he wants us with him anyway. He sees where you are right now and he is with you. You server a God of the second chance. We are all blessed that he doesnt’ just give up on us when we fail. He keeps reaching down to lift us up. I know that you may have gone through some bad times and regret what you have done. The truth is that we all have done things against a holy and loving God.
There is no reason to fear, dear friend. God is willing to help you in your walk. Pray to him to help you surrender it all to him. He already knows your ways, and he has the power to help you to overcome them.
I want you to know that I believe God brought you to this site for a reason. I don’t have to know you to care about what happens to you. I believe that you know the truth. Now you need the help of Christ to walk in that truth. Please know that I will be here for you when you want to talk. My email address is on the main page and you can just write me there. Each night I will lift you up. There is always a way for God to help you. You cannot fall too far that his grace cannot reach you. Take hope, friend, for God is going to give you his strength! You still have a future!
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November 25, 2011 at 12:14 am
Katelyn D
I just wanted to thank you for the insight. I was searching tonight for scriptures about leaving problems in God’s hands. I needed something maybe even someone to tell me I’m going to make it through this. I have a family member sick with cancer and this holiday season has started off very rough for me.. Thank you. No matter how much us humans want to control life- I think more of us need to realize and learn that life isn’t in our hands. Thanks again!
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November 25, 2011 at 11:12 am
Marianne Lordi
Hi Katelyn, I know how hard it can be to have a loved one who has cancer. It is hard to trust during those times but that is when you must. Our lives as believers has been charted by our God. He knows where he wants to take us and he has the power to do it. Our problems and struggles are never too big for him to handls. Katelyn, if your faith is in Jesus Christ, you have no fear for the future. God has it all worked out. You need only to keep your eyes on him, no matter how big the wind and waves of trouble in your life, and he will cause all things to work out for your good and for the purpose that he intended. He is not going to fail you. You matter to him.
I am praying for you, dear sister. I pray for your loved one to be touched with the hand of God’s healing. I pray that you will understand that your pain is before his eyes and he has not forgotten you. You will get through this because you are not alone!!
Please stop back or email me if you want to talk. I care about your pain and God has put you on my heart. I will be praying.
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December 1, 2011 at 8:39 am
Sulemana Stevenson
Dear Marianne.
I read your article “Waiting in the Dark?”. It has helped me in some way to know that God is with me and has a definitive purpose for me. I don’t know who you are and where you are from, but I feel like writing to you for prayer support.
I have gone through very trying times, and I don’t know the end of the trials. Every area of my life has been tested and tried. I am reeling with diabetes and its complications. I have business failure. I am in the law courts, while the criminals are free to roam and even go to school, while my life is stagnated. Feeding my family is now a heck for me. I have 4 girls and they are all schooling (school fees, etc.), clothes, etc.
I love the Lord so much and He knows it. Yet He has permitted me to go through all these unending trials, without a word to explain why I have to go through them. For 3 years now, I have struggled to keep my faith from failing. Every week brings a different tormenting experience, just when I begin to be happy inspite of my trials, and to pick up my faith and look up to the Lord for a new direction and purpose for my life.
I am simply overwhelmed by the continuous unrelenting major storms of trials that started in my life since June 2008. Wave upon wave of storm have battered me so much that I feel as if Hell itself has specifically identified and picked me to be battered and shattered for whatever reason I don’t know. I thought by now the storms will relent and I will have some breathing space to start all over again, but it seems every facet of my life has to be tested and tried very sorely.
I am now convinced that it’s no longer I that lives, but Christ in me that has taken over and is living my life for me, because I have crossed my limits a number of times, and it seems there is no end to the trials in sight. I have burned out spiritually and don’t know which promise of God to hold on to again. I desperately need a break for now to rest a while before any other set of trials arrive to overwhelm me completely.
Or is God allowing all the trials I will ever face in life to come upon me in one go, at the same time? What do I do in the face of unrelenting trials? Is there rest for me at the end of the trials, that is, if there is any hope for an end of the trials.
Or will I live the rest of my life facing one devastating storm of trials after another, till I die and leave this world, as stated in Hebrews 11:13?
I have a growing feeling that maybe I have come to end of my life’s purpose, and maybe God has finished using me for what He planned to use me for, and so He is now releasing trials upon trials and storms upon storms into my life to refine me and polish me up for the rest of my life on Earth.
Pray for me. Thank you.
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December 1, 2011 at 11:53 am
Marianne Lordi
Hi Sulemana, I am so sorry that you are experiencing such trials and yet, if you belong to Christ, each one has a purpose and a plan and time for them to end. Yes you will have rest. In fact, Christ has said that you can have rest and his peace in the midst of every storm. It depends what you are looking at. If you are looking at the storm and your troubles, you are empowering them. However, if you are keeping your eyes on Christ, then peace will fill your heart despite what you are going through. My friend, look at the Apostle Paul. He was called to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles and the world. Yet he was beaten nearly to death, imprisoned, stoned and abandoned by his friends. Where was his God? Paul knew. He knew that Christ was right there next to him working it all out to fit the plan that he had for Paul. Your sufferings are never for nothing, my friend. If they are not the consequence of any of your bad choices, then God is allowing them for a reason. If there is something in your life that is not lining up with God’s ways, then He is allowing them to bring you to the path that he has set for you. Either way, you can’t lose if you belong to Christ.
Sulemana, God will not leave you in never ending pain and suffering. He will give you joy and he has a way to show you his rest. The bible tells us that: “weeping may last for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5) That is a promise that even the worst times you face have a time to end.
My dear friend, perhaps you are trying too hard to carry your own burdens. I have done that myself. You will just grow weary and feel defeated. Surrender them up to the Lord for him to help you carry. He will burden hearts to stand by you and help you during these times of trial. I will now be lifting you up in prayer each night. I trust that God hears my prayers and I hope you will know that he will not fail you.
I am here for you, sulemana. If you belong to Christ than we are together and one in his body. I will be here for you. You can email me whenever you want to talk. I have had a life of struggles too. I have carried much baggage from my childhood. But somehow, Christ has made me strong in his power. I look past my pain and to his glory. I know he has special plans for my life. You will see in all my writings that they come from a heart that knows the God I serve. Christ learned obedience from what he suffered the bible tells us. I am willing to suffer what I must for his sake now. And I have great joy and God has blessed me beyond my ability to understand. He will do the same for you. God bless you, Sulemana! Keep in touch.
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December 1, 2011 at 3:37 pm
Sulemana Stevenson
Dear Marianne. Thanks for the prompt reply. After pouring out my heart and its burdens to the Lord through writing to you, some answers have started filtering in. The Lord has since the afternoon been telling me that He boasted about my Love and Devotion to Him and His Course, and that He is testing that Love to make it purer and stronger. That is the message that has kept coming into my mind and spirit since the afternoon till now. I have a deep time of fellowship with the Lord in the company of brethren, and asked Him the many questions on my mind. This time, He has broken the silence (or He has made me to start lostening) and He has assured me that He will never leave me in the midst of the trials and storms. He said His Grace is sufficient to see me through as He allows my Love and Devotion for HIm to be tested. And when I asked Him why such prolonged tests and trials were necessary if He Knows everything in Heaven and on Earth, He responded that He is not testing me to know how strong my Love and Devotion for Him is, but He is rather stretching me, stretching my Love and Devotion and Commitment to Him and His Work.
In June 2005, He spoke to me one night and asked me if He could spend from my purse. I responded YES LORD,MY PURSE IS YOUR PURSE. And since then I have never held back from meeting the needs of other Christians and Ministries and Churches as He leads me to spend on, in my times of trials and crisis, (AND GOD IS HEAVY SPENDER…!!!!). So it was a great shock to many Christian brethren when storm upon storm and trial upon trial were unleashed on me. Some couldn’t stand it and deserted me, but Christ has been my Strong Pillar and Tower and Fortress of Refuge and Safety.
Now He says He is not testing me but He is stretching me out to build and refine my Love, Devtion and Commitment to Him and His Work. But why didn’t He tell that from the beginning? Wouldn’t that have helped me a lot, instead of leaving me in the Darkness and making me feel so miserable at times, as if He was too far away? Would it have changed anything if He had spoken to me more specifically as He has done today.
Anyhow, I am so very grateful for the prayer support you gave me. I know that has added to other people’s prayers to make me hear what He’s been saying to me today. Thank you, and may God increase His Anointing on your life and ministry always.
The direction and dimension of my prayers will change as from today. I will ask Him to strengthen me and increase His LOve in my heart and life so that my Love, Devotion and Commitment will increase and be more effective than it used to be before.
I will keep communicating when I have some questions to be clarified. GOD BLESS YOU RICHLY WITH WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING. May He continue to listen to your Prayers of Intercession for me and other suffering souls worldwide. Amen.
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December 3, 2011 at 1:00 pm
slyrags
hi marianne. i actually stumbled on your blog thru a google search. anyway. my wife moved out of our home. with most of our stuff and kid 6 mths ago. i have tried to make mends but issues always crop up. like i never supported them financially when she left me with nothing. now since a company we had started when down two months ago. she is claiming money she used when she was in the hse. am confused coz i know God hates divorce and separation. the thought of my kid out there is really bringing me down. now i dont know what to do or react. shes says there is no need of working things out since one day we will urge over something.
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December 3, 2011 at 11:36 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Sulemana, by faith we trust that Christ is true to his promises. When you read his word, God speaks to your heart and reveals his promises to you. Jesus said that he came to bring us life and to bring it more abundantly. He will always strengthen those who trust in him.
My friend, I pray that you are reading your bible and seeking Christ in his word. I pray also that you are open to hear his leading. You are not going to understand everything in this world. But if you belong to Christ, his Spirit will guide you on the path that he set for you long before he formed the world. Whatever storms you face, my friend, please know that Christ is with you and he is causing them all to work for your good according to his world. I will keep praying for God to give you the insight and wisdom that you need in your struggles. He always has a way! I am praying.
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December 3, 2011 at 11:45 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Slyrags, I am sorry that you are having problems in your marriage. It sounds like there is a lack of communication between you and your wife. When that happens, there will be a lot of blaming going on. I pray that God will touch your heart and that of your wife and restore your marriage. I pray that both of you will remember that you made a vow before God to honor and love each other. The enemy of this world wants to break up homes. You wife says that she doesn’t want to work things out because you always find something to argue about. Ask God to give you a gentle spirit, dear friend, and a heart receptive to love your wife unconditionally. Pray for God to soften her heart to try again. I will be praying for you both. Try not to get resentful or angry with her. Love her as Christ loves his church. Ask for his help and guidance to do what is right even if she is not! Be strong in faith and surrender to God all your pain and hurt in this matter. Then leave your wife to God. Be willing to hear from God and to do what he calls you to do for your wife. You child is worth the effort. I am joining you in prayer. I know that it is tough for you right now but keep your eyes on Christ. He will give you his peace and strength despite what you are going though.
\
Please email me if you want to talk. I will be praying for you. God is with you so hang in there!
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December 9, 2011 at 8:09 am
Bobby
I wrote this a while back and stumbled across it today i also stumbled into your page by googling (why me god how can a weak broken man be of any use to you) i am going through a crises of faith and self but even at our darkest there is hope
In the beginning you said i love you
and you said my name
you then sent me on my way
and you stood to wait
you watched me stumble
you watched me fall
and with every bruise you cried
but through it all you watched me
and through it all you waited
then in my darkest hour
I let my heart cry out
Lord i am not strong enough to carry on
and through my anger I can’t find love
Lord im lost in the darkness
and I can’t find my way
thats when I heard Lord
listen child you whisper soft
come to me
kneel at my feet and be still
For I am strong enough to carry you
My love is stronger then anger
and it touches all
I am the light in the darkness
I am the only way
then you bent down and gatherd me in your hands
leaned forward and kissed my head
then you said I’ve missed you child
I’ve waited for you here so long
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December 9, 2011 at 2:11 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Bobby, thank you for stopping and for sharing your wonderful writing. It is so beautiful and so right on. You were asking God how he could use a broken and weak man? The truth is that God ONLY uses those who are broken. When people have it “all together” they may be into themselves and their ways instead of God’s. It is only when we can humble ourselves to give our brokennes to Christ that he can use us mightily for his kingdom. Your weakness is made strong in him! He is the power not us! You don’t have to clean yourself up to come to Christ. You just have to be willing to surrender yourself to him and his ways. He does the cleaning up! He is our strength and the one who does his work through us! It is not of ourselves so we cannot boast of our good works.
My brother, I will be praying for you. You are on the right track. As long as you submit to Christ, he will guide your steps and open doors of opportunity for you. If you belong to him, he will do his work through you. Nothing on this earth or the sky has any power to destroy the plan he has for your life. Never give up or give in to the lies of the enemy. God has surrounded you with his angels and has given them charge to protect you. Your problems will never be bigger than your God so you need not be anxious for anything. He is working out the purpose he has for you, Bobby.
Be blessed and keep your eyes on Christ. Keep reading your bible every single day. God will speak to you through his word. I will keep up my prayers for you! Stop back to let me know how you are doing.
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January 22, 2012 at 11:50 pm
Santosh
Love you so much mom.. M really touched by this post. Mom please pray for my Job. M jobless since 6 months.
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January 23, 2012 at 12:15 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Santosh, I am so glad that you are blessed by this post. Whatever your problems are and whatever your job situation is, if you can trust it all to Christ, he will make your plans succeed. Santosh, I will be praying for your job situation. My heart is with you but I know that God will provide for you if you trust him. Read your bible and get to know God and his promises. Let his truth be your guide. I don’t know where you live or what the economy is there, but I will be praying. God bless you, my friend!
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February 5, 2012 at 1:30 pm
I will not say my name
I just don’t want to say my name but I have a comment when I turn on the news I see darkness so have I felt sin before I read your wisdom I fell in a pool of sin but your news made me cry and I felt much better that god will be next to me where ever I go I’m 12 years old thank you
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February 5, 2012 at 1:44 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi my friend, You do not have to give your name for me to pray for you. You are so young and yet you seem to have a lot of wisdom. I am praying that God will watch over you and meet you in your struggles. We all are facing battles of every kind. It is hard to stand in faith when this world is so steeped in sin. But we have a Mediator, Jesus Christ, who prays for us and who intercedes for us with the Father. We are not alone in our struggles nor can anyone take our future when Christ paid the price for our victory. God is with you, my young friend. He will never leave those who have put their trust in Jesus. Do you have a bible? You need to read your bible each day in order to have the truth of God’s promises in your heart. That is how you stand against the devil and his lies. Whatever sin you fell into, Jesus is more than able to take you from it. He will help you in all things.
Please know that you can email me confidentially if you ever want to talk. My email is lordi.marianne7@gmail.com. No one but me reads those emails. I will be praying for you. Keep your eyes on Christ. He is with you now.
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February 12, 2012 at 11:32 am
vuyoe
I thank God for you and your writting,in the middle of reading this I broke down and cried because it was as if your were speaking to my situation,I was faced wth a challenge that I did not know how to handle or wat to do but your writting made me realise that it is GOD who fights our battles and not us,even in the midst of darkness HE is there to give that light.Again I thank GOD for you!
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February 12, 2012 at 2:09 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Vuyoe, I am so glad that God brought you here. You needed the reminder that indeed God will fight our battles. He never leaves us alone to fight the forces of evil and the situations that this world throws at us. He is the Author and Finisher of our lives. He has a plan to take us through our struggles and bring us into his peace. Dear friedn, I pray that you read a little of the bible each day. That is where you will find your strength and get the power to continue on no matter how bad it seems. Each day is an opportunity for God to show you his love and his power. Do you really think that he created you perfectly in his love and then stepped away to leave you to fight alone? The bible says that he has every hair on our head counted. He knows your name, my friend, and he sees the beginning and end of your life. Most importantly, he knows how to keep you on the path that he has planned for you long before you were born. I am praying for you. There is always hope because Christ died to buy you your freedom and to give you a future. I am here if you ever want to talk. My email is on my blog. Be in peace!
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February 20, 2012 at 5:30 am
Minister Aiken
Good Morning Marianne.
I love you and want you.
I will continue to keep the believers lifted up before God’s throne in these trying times. I will continue to pray for the salvation of the unbelievers also, that God may remove the scales from their eyes, that they too, may be able to see what God sees.
Be encouraged and know that God has your back. He has you in the palm of His hands.
I love you my sister.
Debra
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February 20, 2012 at 8:11 am
Marianne Lordi
Debra, You always have a word of encouragement for me in my dark times. I appreciate your prayers for me and for you coming along side of me to help me in what I go through. You are a true sister in the Lord. I truly believe that God put us together for a reason. You have been such a help to me. I pray you are blessed with much favor for your willingness to help others.
I love you dear sister!
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February 20, 2012 at 8:24 am
Minister Aiken
Marrianne,
I believe that God would not have it any other way. I know that we met by divine providence, no doubt about it.
Psalms 37:23- The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delights in his way.
I know without a doub that God is ordering out steps and directing our path.
One plant and one water! God gives the increase. GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY!! LOOK AT GOD!!
He is truly doing a mighty work in His daughters in these last days.
I love you my sister. Be encouaged and know that greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.
Be blessed!
Love ya.
Debra
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February 28, 2012 at 8:38 am
Allyn Gilstrap
God bless you for the work that you do. God is good. My father died suddenly when I was 17. My brother died alone in my apartment in 1999. Watched my mother die about seven years ago from ALS. I had a special young woman in my life who wanted a family. However I was living in fear and would not commit. She says there is no chance of a reconciliation. I am 33 and am not where I thought I would be at this age. Been in a fog since I was 17. I am tired of living in fear. I am haunted by a feeling that I should have married the young lady. That I took a wrong turn. I feel like I let the one that was meant for me get away. If God has a plan for my life, can I mess that up with my foolishness? Thank you for reading this.
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March 6, 2012 at 2:38 am
mmlady
Dear Marianne,
Thanks for sharing your article with us. It let me know i have hope in life.
I am a sufferer from depression for years. Lasy year, i graduated and depression attacked me seriously. It prevent me from getting a job or seeking happiness. I had been so hopeless and i can’t sure whether i have a future. I’ve prayed, read bible and meditated, i waited long for God’s healing and guidance. But, All prayers seem to be unanswered. After a long wait, i feel tired and depressed again. I doubt whether God is faithful to me. I doubt my waiting will be wasted.
Today, i come to your blog and read your message. I feel like God is talking to me. He teachs me dont surrender to the Devil. In waiting times, it is easy to listen to Devil. It always tells me waiting is a waste of time. It tells me if i have been idle for long, my future will be failed. Thanks for your blog. It gives me hope to wait for God’s healing and guiance. I will keep praying and reading God’s words.
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March 13, 2012 at 2:34 pm
Lesley
I’ve stumbled across your blog but what a tremendous gift you are to all who read it!!! God has truly blessed you and I thank you for blessing me!!! God is love
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March 13, 2012 at 3:17 pm
Marianne Lordi
HI Allyn, I have been praying for you. I hope you have been feeling better. Please let me know how you are.
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March 13, 2012 at 3:19 pm
Marianne Lordi
mmlady, I am praying for you to overcome your depression and let the power of Christ work in you. I know how dibilitating you can feel when you are in a depression. Christ has the way out. Keep your eyes on Christ and let him guide you. He knows exactly what you need. I am here for you. Please stop back and let me know how you are doing.
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March 13, 2012 at 3:21 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Lesley, I am so glad that God brought you to his site. I pray for him to bring those for whom he has given me the message to write. Stay blessed, dear friend. No matter what you are going through, Christ has a way to take you through your pain and to give you hope and a future. Nothing is impossilbe for him!! I am here for you if you want to talk. You can email me anytime. I alwasy have time for a friend.
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March 14, 2012 at 3:01 pm
Jordan
HELOO,i am brother in Christ I am 20 years old I was saved 6 months ago,
Before that i was severely tormented by the enemy i just dont have the words to describe the inner suffering that i had..,i ve been on drugs,i have nearly commited suicide but thanks to our god Jesus Christ,i was saved that day .
It was horrible dark day,but i got saved i am so glad.
My past is still hunting me but everyday is somehow better i just could not understand it but it is!!Glory to Jesus :).
I have some questions and concerns i am really troubled for these ..
Marianne,coudl you please tell me to what extenct do you feel the holy spirit..,when i got saved i experienced it verry little,but i meditated almost everyday,and now after 5-6 months when i sti in silence i feel a good amount of peace and joy.,my hands and feet get numb also
For how long have you been saved?
But is this enough to meditate in silence in order to grow in spirit more,Marianne?
And i know that maybe it is too earlyy but how to understand how to acquire my inheritance that is kept,i don’t want to go in face to Jesus and be burned :),pleasee,pray for me or tell me please,how do you know what should you do for Jesus Christ.WIll Jesus make it clear in the future i just only have to sit in silence spent time with him and wait(rejoice in the lord and he will give the desire of your heart),.
I discovered that when i am filled with the holy spirit,i could use Jesus power to heal my head if its hurting i believe that i have healing gift from god.WIll Jesus direct me i think that i have strong faith given by him,i just feel know that everysecond he is watching me and that i shouldnt fear anything:).
Also my family is not saved :(,i am confused because 5 monttsh ago i was dead man and know it is mind blowing that i am saved i feel presence of Jesus,and the funny thing is that i just cant realize what has happened to me.
The big problem for me is that i havent met any new born again christian,here in my city, i am alone i even realized that i couldnt have close fellowship with unbelievers..what is your opinion about that,what should i do i feel alone even though i feel the presence of god,
Sometimes my past is still haunting me and i am little discouraged but i immediately go to god in his holy ghost :).
I am sorry that i scattered all that information above but i am in a hurry and i am so interested to know everything,
I am also little sick my body is not healed ,i have hypothyroidism,but god is healing really slowly I think because He wants to learn me patience,because i feel that i am impatient i want everything rightaway,even though i have been saved only for 5 months.:D
If you can please pray for my healing and my family Marianne,i am so confused,it seems that i am the only saved person in my city and i feel so bad about others..especially my mom and my dadd
Lastly could you tell me what to read in the bible somewhere i saw that the bible wasnt publish until 1566 and before that people that were saved ,didnt read it but the most important thing is to spend time in meditation to tap in the holy spirit,and i feel that the gospel is just to acquire faith and to share with others,and when you have the holy spirit after believing,the most important thing is to spent time with him,is this right?
Sorry again for my scattered reply,i hope that you read it all please
Your brother in Christ
Love peace to you and to the other brothers and sisters
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March 15, 2012 at 11:02 am
Marianne Lordi
Hi Jordon,
I am so glad you stopped by and I would like to talk to you regarding all of your questions.
You have been through a lot in your life but Christ has brought you to him! Praise God! Despite your past, Christ has given you a new future. Those whom the Son has set free are free indeed! The bible tells us as believers that there in now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. That means that once Christ comes to live in you, God will only see Jesus when you come before him. He will remember your sins no more, as far as the east is from the west. We are now a new creation and have been given a heart of flesh that is willing to follow Christ. There will always be a battle with our corrupt flesh, but we now have the power of Christ in us to do what is right instead of falling into sin.
You asked what extent do I feel the Holy Spirit? Jordon, actually I do not “feel” the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit comes in you when you first believed, he works in you to do good. I don’t “feel” him. But when I find myself seeking the things of God instead of the things of the world, I can see that he is at work in me. Nothing I do good is from me. It is the Holy Spirit working through me to do good so I cannot boast of myself. You need to read your bible each day, Jordon, because God will speak to you through his word. It is by reading the bible that I came to know Christ! There is power in God’s word and that is why you must read each day and know the truth of Christ so that when attacks come against you, you will have the strength and knowledge to stand in faith.
Try to find a church where you can fellowship with other believers. Even though your family is not saved, the prayers of a righteous man is powerful so keep praying for them. If you can’t find a church right away, go to Christian blog sites and talk over your faith. God will put someone in your path to help you in your walk. Don’t keep letting your past use up your future. If God has forgiven you, it is sin for you to keep dwelling on it. Surrender your past to Christ and leave it with him!
As far as your hypothyroidism, I want you to know that I have had that for over 30 years. I take thyroid pills and it is not big thing. You can live perfectly healthy just by taking the thyroid pills. There is always going to be sickness in this world. No matter what you have, Jesus is with you in it. Sometimes he may cure you. Most times he takes you through it.
In biblical times, they had the first five books of the bible or the Torah. The rest of the bible was written under inspiration of the Holy Spirit. About the year, 325 AD, Constantine compiled the writings of those appointed by God to write and he put them into a book that we now call the bible. He made Christianity legal. Look it up on the internet to read about how it all came about. The writings of the prophets, apostles and disciples are those that have been inspired by God and have lasted almost 2000 years. You should start in the book of John and begin reading a little from there each day. Read one of the Psalms a day too. Once you start getting an understanding, you will be able to get into the Old Testament and see how God worked in his people as it all led up to Christ coming to earth to pay the price for our sin. The word of God is power. Read and study on it and God will unveil your eyes and give you greater understanding.
I am here for you if you have any questions. You can email me: lordi.marianne7@gmail.com and we can talk over anything on the word of God. I am praying for you, my brother. You need to continue to learn and seek Christ out in these dark days. God will be with you!
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March 15, 2012 at 2:55 pm
Jordan
Marianne ,I AM so thankful,for your answer,lets shine away evil together with the power of GOd and if i have something in mind i will write to you and ask you as a brother needs advice from a sister 🙂
Peace love in Jesus CHrist ! Bye
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March 15, 2012 at 2:57 pm
Jordan
Also Marianne,i would write you if i have problems with bible passages since i haven read that much ,and i will need your help much!
Thank you in advance ! 🙂
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March 16, 2012 at 9:55 am
Marianne Lordi
Hi Jordon,
Please write with any of your questions. God has the answers for all that we need. You are my brother in Christ and I will help you in any way that I can. God bless you, brother!
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March 16, 2012 at 12:20 pm
Jordan
Marianne,hellooo again siter in Christ :),
I have a tough question please read it..
It is written to not have fellowship(close assosiation) with unbelievers,
and not particiapte withe them in sin,.
SO what means to participate with them in sin,if you just sit with them and they drink and get drunk did i participate with them in sin since i havent drunk.
SInce all my old friends are unbelievers what should i do,the quite often get drunk and smoke weed.
They doesnt seem bad people at all,but the scripture tells otherwise.
The problem is that since i got saved i just dont know what to do
I also live in a small town and cant find believers to have communion
You see the picture i am really alone that scares me a little :(,
I have always had friends before i was unbeliever..
Now i only go to work ,then come back home,and i cant have close communion with unbelievers since they particiapte in sin almost everyday,.
I come back home and spent time with the holy spirit,this is the only help and good thing that i have,.
In real sense i only have god nothing else.
Marianne do you have close unbelieving friends,
My 2 best friends who are unbelievers went to study abroad,now i only have friends that smoke weed regularly and drink,
Now i live with my parents and i am going to Sofia the capital city of Bulgaria to study there.
But it is going to be in October and since then in this town where i live it is impossible to find believers it’s just too small.
My main concern is that i might become somewhat antisocial,there are 7 months before i will go to Sofia,and probably meet believers..
But what should i do before that time ends..I have never been so alone in my liffe
Also since i am going to Sofia to study and you know college life is drinking partying a lot of the time and i am not allowed to have close fellowship with unbelievers,
I am really social person ,before i was saved i have had so many friends acquintances and 2 3 best friends..
When i go to Sofia,and particularly in the college there will be so many young people studying t here and wanting to party,you know,Sofia is famous for the night life,.Even in the so called “college city”where 90 percent of the students are living ,there are pubs,disco clubs,very very beautiful young girls,and everyone is crazed about having sex,
And you see the picture i am going in a college to study and 90 percent of the people there are wild partying ,having sex all the time,and i shouldnt have fellowship or communion with a big percentage of the people there.
I am so confused,i should also defend from all the sin,the beautiful girls,parties,also i will have to study in order to have a stable income in the future,and also find believers in Sofia,spend time with god,and simply being in the world but not of the world is so so confusing ,i just dont know what to do.
Everything is different after i am saved,i am starting from the scratch i just dont know where i am goin,but please pray for me that Jesus is directing me in his marvelous light,please pray to God for me to find me believers for my friends,as soon as possible 😦 😦
Sorry for the another unstructured answer that i wrote but again i im in a hurry ,love n peace Marianne!
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March 16, 2012 at 11:11 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Jordon,
As long as you are in this perishing world, you will have unbelievers all around you. Let your light shine for them so that they can tell that your life is different. Without saying a word, you can show them Christ through how you live. If you stay in the word of God and let his truth fill your heart, you will have the armor and strength that you need to face the battles in this sinful world. I am sure that if you look for them, you will find some believers with whom you can fellowship with. Is there a bible teaching church nearby where you are going to school? I will be praying that God will surround you with other believers to help strengthen you. Jordon, you will see your friends doing things that you know are sin but if Christ is in you, you will have the power to do what is right despite how they may try to get you to join them. Read your bible every single day and let the truth be your guide. Arm yourself with the knowledge of the God you serve so that you will have his power working in you. I have unbelieving friends and family. I love them and pray for them but as a child of God, I am an alien in this world. I am not comfortable with those who belong to the world. Never sell yourself short, my brother, and join your friends with drugs and alcohol. Keep your mind clear and focused. You will never lose and God knows how to keep you from falling.
I will be praying for you everyday, Jordon. I am happy to see that you truly desire the things of God and not to fall into the trap of sin. You are not alone, dear brother. I will be praying and interceding for you. Be strong and stay focused. keep your eyes on Christ and don’t give in to sin. God will be with you. He will help you.
God bless you, Jordon. I am praying for you.
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March 17, 2012 at 5:26 am
Jordan
i thank you veryy much again ,nice to see someone like you
I will do that t
Blessings from Jesus Christ to you 🙂
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May 8, 2012 at 3:00 pm
Nora
Thank you Marianne! Your posts are really speaking to me. When I read of the gentleman who took his life it reminded me of my old boyfriend who also took his life. Any one of us who knew and loved him would have been there to see him through all of his darkness. I’m now going through my own darkness and deep spiritual warfare but GOD IS GREATER AND WE ARE VICTORIOUS IN HIM! PRAISE HIM FOREVER!!!!! God bless you for all the many lives you’ve touched. We will thank you in person when we all meet in Heaven.
Blessings,
Nora
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May 8, 2012 at 3:37 pm
cindyhfrench
Marianne, so good to see a post and reply-was thinking of you just last night! God has been very busy with me! Just wish for a gentle, peaceful break for even a few days!–but I guess that since neither James nor Peter talks of that in the NT, I should expect that. They say a life of trials and tribulations is what we should expect!!
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May 8, 2012 at 10:46 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Nora,
Sorry that you are going through a dark time now but know that the light of Christ will always be enough to see you through. Never give up or surrender to the enemy. You troubles are and opportunity for God to show you his power that you might be strengthened to stand firm when you are attacked. It is sad that your boyfriend could not see that Christ would always have a future for him. So many people can’t see that troubles have a time to end. God will not leave us forever in our struggle.
Thank you for your kind words. I look forward to one day meeting up in glory with all the wonderful people that God has brought to this site. I am indeed blessed. Although I am going through a trial of my own, I am comforted to know that I am joined with so many wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ and together we hold each other up in our battles. God bless you, dear sister. I am so glad you stopped by and commented. You made my day!
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May 8, 2012 at 10:52 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Cindy, I hope that you are feeling a little better. I know you have had a rough time with health issues. I pray for you, my sister. Even though you suffer through trials of every kind on this earth, Christ still has a time for rest for you. As long as we live in this dark perishing world, we will not have perfect peace. However, we will have the kind of peace that surpasses understanding as we know without a doubt that all we endure is being used by Christ for a divine deliberate reason. His purpose for us is unstoppable despite what we go through. And the good news is that our pain and struggles are molding us into the image of Christ and showing us the power of our God to keep us victorious in spite of all the battles we face. He will give you rest, my sister. For right now, God is using all that you suffer to take you from where you are to where he is! I will keep praying for you.
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December 22, 2012 at 11:34 pm
KT
Hello,
I just stumbled across your site, but I must say that it’s been a blessing reading your articles. I have felt quite overwhelmed as it has been a rough terrain these past two years for me. Then having to face the ills of the world in everyday life emotionally consumes me at times.
The Lord has been my GREATEST hero, yet I find that I still become consumed by what I hear and see in the world….
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December 23, 2012 at 12:26 am
Marianne Lordi
Hi KT, glad you stopped by. We all get overwhelmed at times by the things of this world. The darkness is now filling the earth and we grow can grow weary. Our defense is to focus on the truth in God’s word. Be sure to read your bible daily and let the truth and Christ’s strength fill you for the day. It is too hard to live this life without Christ as our force and the perfect plan he has for us. I will pray for you, my friend. Stay strong and remember that you are never alone to fight your battles.
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February 10, 2013 at 11:44 am
Lubomir
hello, I am new visitor, I found this page by sudden, looking for a topic – Did
God hear our prayers ( which led to me here).
I read some of the topics and I really got smile in my face. I am 33 years old man, and for the last 11 months I live in a darkest storm ever in my life. My wife left me, without much expalanation, and she dont even want to talk to me. This kills me. My family looks broken. I never stopped to ask God to preserve my marriage and to be together with my wife again, cause I love her a lot. 11 months day by day and night by night I pray the same prayer to God, and the things even went worse. 3 weeks ago I send her a mail, which Holy spirit lead me to write, and there is no answer yet, and this start makes me feel that God dont listen my prayers and I am complete alone, facing the reality which is really painful. Last week I didnt even had a desire to pray, feeling myself tired of praying and asking the same things from God and now answer from Him. I felt lost and desparate.
But thanks to what I found out, I notice that my faith is returning back. And I know God led me to here for encouragement just to tell me that I am not alone using ur words. Thanks to God.
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February 10, 2013 at 6:59 pm
Nora
Lubomir, I just wanted to encourage you. I was going through a similar situation in 2011 and I also found Marianne Lordi’s site in the same way. God DOES hear your prayers. He loves you very much. He has a plan that He is implementing EVERY DAY no matter what your circumstances are. GOD ONLY DOES GOOD THINGS even though bad and distressful things happen to us. He WILL turn your situation around and bless you despite the pain you’re going through now. Marianne is a wonderful person who deeply cares about all human beings and she has blessed and helped countless thousands of people. I’m glad you found her site. You will be encouraged by it. I will be praying for you too. Know that God is in control and He sees you and all your struggles. He will never abandon you or leave you hopeless and without help. Continue to pray and trust God through your situation and you will see amazing things happen. God is not worried or distressed. He knows how to turn it all around and He most assuredly will. God bless you and keep you always.
Nora
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February 10, 2013 at 7:18 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Lubomir,
I am so glad that God brought you here. This is a place of love and so many prayer warriors here will be praying for you.
I know the pain that you are in for I am going through it also. It is a time of brokenness but it is not going to destroy you, my brother. It is good that you wrote to your wife. You gave her something to think about. We will all pray that she will get to the end of herself and be open to to do what is right and return to her marriage. God does listen you you, my friend. Just because you do not see right now what he is doing behind the scenes right now does not mean that he is doing nothing. You need to trust him, my friend. He not only sees your struggle, he knew that it would happen even before he formed this world and he planned a way to help you. It may all seem so overwhelming right now but you are not in this battle alone. God is right beside you and he is the one who is holding you up. Stay in prayer and don’t give up. No matter what happens, the plan that God has for your life will still go on. He will not let you be destroyed by this as long as you can trust him. Read your bible each day and let the truth of God’s word fill you and strengthen you for the battle. I will be keeping you in prayer and I know that you will find that God is more than enough to help you no matter what the outcome is. You always have hope because Christ died to give you victory.
Nora gave you some very good advice. She went through a similar situation as yours and she got to see God’s power in action as he took her through her pain and made her whole. She knows that God does not fail. You will see that too, dear brother.
We are all here to pray and encourage you. Please feel free to email me or stop back here and let us now how you are doing. You are being prayed for, friend. And you are never alone! God bless you.
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May 31, 2013 at 11:39 pm
Chanda chris
Thank you for the work welldone. I’m a pastor in deep Africa, you’ve no idea what this work has done to my life.
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May 31, 2013 at 11:47 pm
Marianne Bernard
Hi Chanda,
God bless you, my friend, for the work you are doing in Africa. I know it cannot be easy. My prayers are with you. Please know that I am here if you ever need prayer or someone to talk to. My email is on the home page. Be blessed, Chanda and know that your work is being watched over by our Lord. He has equipped you and he will fulfill your purpose.
I will be praying for you.
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