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Thursday

Calling for Help!

     I first called for help while abuse was still part of my life. I tried to talk to an Assistant Minister at my church about it. Once he realized where the conversation was headed, he covered his ears and told me in a loud voice, "Don't tell me! I don't want to know! Don't say his name!" So I didn't.... and the burden remained with me.
     Years later, after the abuse had stopped, I tried once more... this time speaking to the main Minister of my church. He listened to me, asked questions, and became very angry. "Damn him!" he said in a loud voice. "Damn him for doing that!" He got angry for me, because I couldn't. Then he asked me if I had told my husband about it. When I said "no", he said "good." And that was the end of it. And I still carried the burden.
     About ten years ago, I told my secrets again, this time to a Counseling Minister. The sessions were helpful to me. He asked questions and listened carefully to what I told him. He sat through my tears, and did not turn away when I told him the worst of what had happened. He helped me understand that forgiving myself was very important. But still... the burden hangs on.
     Most recently I heard a sermon in church that brought memories of the abuse flooding back over me once again. I identified so closely with the woman who preached and all she said that Sunday... I still cannot let these memories  go.
     So, here I am... calling for help once again. Perhaps writing it down will lift the burden from me... because even though my abuser is dead and gone, he's alive in me... and I want him out of my head!

BIBLE VERSES TO HELP ME___________________________________

Psalms 37:40—"And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him."

Jeremiah 23:1-4—"Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture" declares the Lord. Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: "You have scattered my flock and have driven them away, , and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil deeds," declares the Lord. "Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing," declares the Lord.

MORE_____________________________________________________

FURTHER READING ON THE WEB [click here]_______________

RELATED VIDEOS ON THE WEB [click here]_________________

HELPFUL WEBSITES [click here]__________________________

HELPFUL BOOKS [click here]_____________________________

DEVOTIONS AND MEDITATIONS [click here]_________________

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UNFINISHED MELODY

Someday, Lord I pray,
there will be a place for me,
where ears take time to listen,
where eyes take time to see.
A place where I can laugh and cry
and know that I belong.
Someday, that's where
I will sing my song.

And someday, Lord I pray, in a place......
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SERMONS

The Power of Pentecost
This sermon helped me so much... and gave me the push I needed to begin the healing process in earnest. Thank you to the minister who wasn't afraid to preach it!
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Looking Forward In Faith
[part 1]


[part 2]

During a recent Sunday morning worship service I was blessed to hear a sermon that spoke to my heart, and reminded me that I am forgiven. I will cling to these words as I continue to move from victim to survivor to thriver.
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Oh, For the Wings of a Dove

[Mendelssohn]
Oh, for the wings,
for the wings of a dove,
Far away,
far away would I rove!
Oh, for the wings,
for the wings of a dove,
Far away,
far away, far away,
far away would I rove!

In the wilderness
build me a nest,
And remain there
forever at rest
In the wilderness
build me, build me a nest,
And remain
there forever at rest