I’ve enjoyed reading the posts from all 3 of you. I was somewhat like cc - raised in strict catholic discipline but when I was 13 yo my folks started requiring an additional hour on Sunday for family Bible reading out loud in a circle one by one. took me another 5 years to make my ‘peace’ with Jesus and another 33 still figuring out what it all means...
Got a scripture to back-up the one below, melsec? I’ve heard it plenty but never straight from the Word.
“If they never do accept and follow Christ when we are long gone and overjoyed in the Lord’s presence it is he that will hold the heartache of memories of the lost - we will no longer remember or mourn.”
I’m trying to hold fast to the one [paraphrased] ‘train them up in the fear and admonition of the Lord and they will not depart.’
I hope and pray for all - esp. my kids and other loved ones - but I see more reasons for doubt than unbridled joy - I think it’s mostly b/c of the current state of US cultures.
I do hope we’ll see every liberal begin repenting soon over the Sanctity of Life and of Marriage - rather than this sick embrace of abortion and sexual perversions.
There are a few verse that alude to what I have said but nothing concrete - maybe others would be better at that. I just know that every tear could not be wiped from my eye and that joy would not come if I knew and remembered that my kids would not be with me in the Lord. I cannot rest now seeing through a glass darkly what awaits for us but also what waits for those who reject Christ.
For both my boys I wonder at times where their heads are and if they even believe any more.
Yes they have been affected by poor doctrine from churches and by feeling looked down up by hobnob Christians who looked down their noses at them, but they know the love of Christ and they have heard His voice calling them I am sure.
Mel
I assume melsec is thinking of this verse,as do I when I contemplate remembering the lost forever.
Rev 21:4 "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away"
We're either incapable of emotion (which would also preclude joy),or we do remember and simply don't care (hard to reconcile),or we no longer remember.
"For both my boys I wonder at times where their heads are and if they even believe any more."
I wonder the same thing myself sometimes,especially when I look in the mirror.God knows His grandchildren children and nothing is immpossible with Him.You've trained them in the way they should go and in the end we have to trust that He will get them.I know your two as you know mine and when the god of this world pushes them to the point where they will have to hate and fear us they will turn around and kick him in the nuts.I believe this because we do not instill in them that "stench of death".They are not blind,they just have blurry vision right now.