tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086200971361892093.comments2012-03-15T15:35:34.220-04:00BREATHE DEEPLYMelissa G. Pickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16590645561139853759noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086200971361892093.post-50613038173350933912012-03-15T15:35:34.220-04:002012-03-15T15:35:34.220-04:00Wow I am at awe. That is quite inspiring.Wow I am at awe. That is quite inspiring.glenn hughesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086200971361892093.post-11552381153922140092012-03-09T14:31:48.583-05:002012-03-09T14:31:48.583-05:00Melissa, Thank you for your heart to see through t...Melissa, Thank you for your heart to see through the stuff of this life to the real stuff behind it. I love your heart and so does God. Your post has jewels of God's mercy, faithfulness and wisdom within. Thank you for sharing this "launch forward". <br />Much love in Christ,<br />SharonSharon Ardizzonenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086200971361892093.post-67069302664304771592012-03-09T06:51:22.370-05:002012-03-09T06:51:22.370-05:00Oh, Melissa.... I am so glad you are able to put w...Oh, Melissa.... I am so glad you are able to put words to your thoughts and feelings. I will be praying with you through your postings as you continue to process and express. Love you, friend.....Litanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086200971361892093.post-71053145784016958572012-02-14T01:03:37.150-05:002012-02-14T01:03:37.150-05:00Captivating is written by a married couple, so you...Captivating is written by a married couple, so you get both of their views in the book. It is really interesting to read what men think of women in general, end especially of their wives. Stasi is very good at describing the female heart.Italiahttp://familynothing2dobirth.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086200971361892093.post-12807118547667085272012-02-14T00:03:04.327-05:002012-02-14T00:03:04.327-05:00What did I like the most about this book? The clea...What did I like the most about this book? The clear and honest discussion of how God views marriage and what the Bible has to say about marriage. I also appreciated the authors honesty about the ups and downs of their own marriage through the years and the basic step by step insight on how to achieve a joyful and deeply loving marriage.Brasilhttp://dream8doit.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086200971361892093.post-47682170486255185912011-06-18T10:21:42.150-04:002011-06-18T10:21:42.150-04:00Forgiveness is not easy. We think it easy for God ...Forgiveness is not easy. We think it easy for God to forgive, that is one reason people sin so much. They don't see the hurt their sin causes God. Our Father had to stand by and watch His Son's vicious, violent death. And then, He forgave the people who perpetrated this cruel act (That's us). I could make a case that unforgiveness is the unforgivable sin. I don't make that case, but I would point out that the Bible says that those who do not forgive are not forgiven. <br /><br />I once ministered to a man who told me, "I don't ever think I could forgive my father, but I want to be right with God." What his father did left deep, lasting scars on him and his siblings. This man thought that forgiveness meant that he would have to forget (not a Biblical mandate) what his father had done. <br /><br />Forgiveness is not denying the pain that another person has caused us (or, in some cases, the pain we have caused ourselves). Quite the opposite. Forgiveness never means that what the offending party did was ok. <br /><br />I asked the man if he would allow God to walk him through the process of forgiving his father. He agreed. I asked him if he was willing to be made willing. He said he was. Forgiveness did not happen instantly. But, the man was able to get to the spot where God healed him. He found real freedom. The scars remained, but they no longer limited his growth in Christ.F. Joseph Lennonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086200971361892093.post-82103351607575800632011-06-17T23:32:20.489-04:002011-06-17T23:32:20.489-04:00How can forgiveness be easy when it's staring ...How can forgiveness be easy when it's staring you in the face every morning, all day, and every night? I know God heals all wounds, but I've been trying to rid myself of this unwanted hatred and vile feelings for many years. It's just not easy when you live with the person. I do however, believe that my prayers are what keep me from going over the edge. God speaks to me when I need peace the most, but I really need to look more into myself and try to find that focal point of forgiveness.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086200971361892093.post-72370694962184551522011-06-15T20:10:51.439-04:002011-06-15T20:10:51.439-04:00Satan's lies can be a strong fortress around o...Satan's lies can be a strong fortress around our hearts and minds. I have a similar story to you. <br /><br />Fear. An unraveling. God walled me in too. And I'm so glad he did. I pray that prayer often for others and have for myself, "Lord come through the fire and get me. Save me from myself." <br /><br />Enjoyed your testimony.Jessica Kirklandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08204341085303471808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086200971361892093.post-90602287229562864632011-04-25T12:35:47.392-04:002011-04-25T12:35:47.392-04:00There is a lot of wisdom in your post. You are rig...There is a lot of wisdom in your post. You are right, there is only One who can restore to us what was taken. And he can. He is risen indeed!Peggyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02766321902838500896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086200971361892093.post-18348836737608723182011-04-22T15:58:30.770-04:002011-04-22T15:58:30.770-04:00Thanks for sharing your story on Mary DeMuth's...Thanks for sharing your story on Mary DeMuth's site. I could relate to so much you said. The sexual abuse as a young child, the years of trying to be good enough, listening to satan's lies, and most importantly, to the great healing that has could and continues to come though Jesus. Blessings to you and your family this Easter weekend.Peggyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02766321902838500896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086200971361892093.post-3193525309073043462011-04-21T19:07:08.013-04:002011-04-21T19:07:08.013-04:00Melissa, I read your story at Mary's site. Th...Melissa, I read your story at Mary's site. Thanks so much for sharing it. I'm so sorry for all the pain you have gone through in your life, but what a blessing that Jesus set you free. I, too, was emotionally, spiritually, and sexually abused by a minister. Those chains can be so heavy and tight, because Satan doesn't want us to praise our Savior. But Jesus lives, and we are free! I still need to be reminded and rescued again and again, but some day we will be able to dance the victory jig 24/7!Trudyhttp://trudydenhoed.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086200971361892093.post-57493901141026590872011-04-10T17:05:45.698-04:002011-04-10T17:05:45.698-04:00Hello :)
Just wanted to thank you for congratulat...Hello :)<br /><br />Just wanted to thank you for congratulating me on the She Reads blog after the scholarship contest!<br /><br />Neat that you mention that He is the "Lover of our Souls". I just mentioned that on my blog this morning :)<br /><br />Have a wonderful week! And thanks again!<br /><br />Blessings,<br />Katie :)JottinMamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15510635521273373323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086200971361892093.post-29208087188558329602011-01-05T10:38:51.288-05:002011-01-05T10:38:51.288-05:00I am so glad you are writing. I am saved but Satan...I am so glad you are writing. I am saved but Satan still has me trapped in his lies! He tells me I am not saved and I am not worthy. I am the guilty-one; the pain of my past IS my fault and the pain inflicted on me is my fault. I am as worthless as trash and people can see me in all my shame. I am hiding, suffering, pretending... I pray everyday but am not free.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086200971361892093.post-3466380249594661972010-12-13T11:25:25.944-05:002010-12-13T11:25:25.944-05:00"Starting to overcome my pain. Looking forwar..."Starting to overcome my pain. Looking forward to more words of advice".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086200971361892093.post-33368150854453208262010-12-02T16:42:12.739-05:002010-12-02T16:42:12.739-05:00Thank you for sharing your message of hope! God be...Thank you for sharing your message of hope! God bess you!Samanthahttp://www.thehopeofsurvivors.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086200971361892093.post-21976276556093130072010-11-18T00:53:17.383-05:002010-11-18T00:53:17.383-05:00Thanks, Odie! It is always humbling and encouragin...Thanks, Odie! It is always humbling and encouraging to hear what God is doing!! And thank you for sharing--one small flame can ignite a forest, sending hope and healing to the world!! That is the heart and passion here!<br />BlessingsMelissa G. Pickenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16590645561139853759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086200971361892093.post-26196636670538345872010-11-17T07:47:48.155-05:002010-11-17T07:47:48.155-05:00Just wanted you to know that I have been reading y...Just wanted you to know that I have been reading your messages and they are really blessing me so very much and I will be sharing your site with others. I also have a blog. http://odielangley.blogspot.com<br />Have a blessed day.<br />OdieAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00920831144240024660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086200971361892093.post-56972495794580497132010-10-21T23:31:53.362-04:002010-10-21T23:31:53.362-04:00Melissa, I have gotten so much encouragement from ...Melissa, I have gotten so much encouragement from reading your blog. Love it!! Can't wait to read it now...thank you for taking the time to write from your heart! Pam <br />SandersAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086200971361892093.post-40207137423696850742010-09-10T12:26:53.658-04:002010-09-10T12:26:53.658-04:00In hopes to prevent any misunderstanding, I want t...In hopes to prevent any misunderstanding, I want to expound upon a statement in the blog, "We keep grasping for the smaller pleasures in life that eventually leave us empty and cost us dearly, when the Living Water we long for that will never run out is FREE!"<br /><br />It is true that we cannot do anything to earn the Life that God offers; no amount of good works, no amount of penance. However, though I thought it clear, I'll make it clearer. Our redemption is not free. It cost God everything. Yet He did it out of love..."for God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son..." John 3:16<br /><br />God stands before us, offering us life or death, begging that we choose life!! Deuteronomy 30:19-20,"This day...I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life..."<br /><br />Choose wisely dear friends!!Melissa G. Pickensnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086200971361892093.post-25528152747855435732010-08-12T11:51:10.828-04:002010-08-12T11:51:10.828-04:00Thanks for your words. I too found freedom in Chr...Thanks for your words. I too found freedom in Christ about 6 years ago. The freedom He can give is like nothing in this world.Christyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11553921253123354727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086200971361892093.post-30782475294073988882010-08-05T18:35:23.839-04:002010-08-05T18:35:23.839-04:00I am SO glad you are writing!I am SO glad you are writing!Amy S. Trosenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15637672440031668093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086200971361892093.post-376435953588652382010-08-05T09:03:44.250-04:002010-08-05T09:03:44.250-04:00Melissa, thank you for so honestly sharing. I have...Melissa, thank you for so honestly sharing. I have been thinking you have such a helping ministry on facebook (I don't know anyone else that does.) always encouraging people, but with this I'm sure you can deeply touch the lives of many. God bless and I look forward to "reading" you.mburyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08483273685455106230noreply@blogger.com