Encouragement...

[NathanATX]

I just feel compelled to send out a brief message to encourage you all. I want you to know that I believe God has good things in store for you and your life. I believe God does have a plan for you... and it is good.

You may be really stressed out this week, but take a few moments right now and remember...

...that God said you are the apple of Her eye...
...that God sings over you...
...that God delights in you...

And most of all, as we go through the season of Lent, rememember that God loves you so much and wanted you to know that love at any cost... so much so that Jesus came and lived & breathed that love and eventually suffered & died trying to help us realize it.

Take a moment and watch this video called "rain." It plays in a small box, but if you right click on it and click "zoom" and "full screen," you'll get the full effect.

http://www.nooma.com/Shopping/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=270&Mode=WMV&PMID=122

Take care my friends,
Nate

[pnggrad79]

Thank you so much for reminding me of God's boundless love for me. Sometimes with all the opposition we face as GLBT people, it is nice to hear words of encouragement from someone, even if it is from a soldier fighting right alongside of me. Press on dear brother in Christ and may God's love, peace and grace surround you in all you do and wherever you go.:) :)

[Zerbie]

Nathan. :love: :love:

Back atcha.

Sometimes when I see your posts I feel not only moved but even - in some strange way I cannot explain. . . embraced and even protected

You have a strong presence. Thank you for being here.

[Vanessa White]

How did you know how much I needed this today? On my way to work this morning, I felt confused, shaken, disheartened, and needed so much, today, to hear these very words, Nate. I want you to know all of this as well, how much God has for you, what great things are in store for you, and I consider your presence here to be one of the many blessings in my life. I, like Zerbie, also feel protected and watched out for by you, always there with a kind word or supportive message.

God Bless you now and always, and thank you for everything you are and do. :love: :love: :love: :pray: :pray: :pray:

[tdogg]

Powerful, moving, encouraging and uplifting. Thanks for the message Nathan and have a wonderful day!:love:

[keltic63]

I watched the video last night. I can't tell you how much I needed it. My teenage son had called to talk about how he thinks he's being mistreated by his mother (I agree, he is being mistreated) then I had my youngest son, and I noticed that he might be doing the hair-pulling obsessive/complusive behavior. Also, because the ex is going out of town on Friday, I won't be having my youngest for an overnight visit, again.
I was really down, and even watching the video I had a difficult time pulling myself out of it. Doing fine today though. Thanks for the encouragement.

[NathanATX]

Thank you all for your wonderful feedback... talk about encouragement. :love:
Nate

[Emproph]

Thanks Nathan :rainbow:

[trulyme212]

Being new to this site I have been reading through various threads....

This one struck me....

So many times I have been told how wrong I am and how horrible my feelings are (directly or indirectly).... but this was just a reminder/confirmation of what I know in my heart....

My girlfriend and I always say that we believe in a God that loves all people and therefore I know he loves us. He created me and therefore loves me exaclty the way I am.

Although I can say this and she is always there to remind me its so nice to hear it from other people!

Thank you so very very much. :good:

[Zerbie]

Jumping back in to say how moved I am by everyone else's responses to Nathan's post. I want to add how much I feel blessed by the presence of all of you here, and how important you have already become to me. Like we said in Jennifer's thread, I look forward each day to reading the things you all have to say, and look forward to hearing what is going on in your lives.

Trulyme, welcome again to the forum. Glad to see you posting. You are always welcome to be who you are, here, and I'm sorry that sometimes people have discouraged you. Happens to all of us. :( But this forum is remarkable for all the compassionate and kind people who flock here. :)

All of you are wonderful people, and you bring a lot of joy to me. Know that you have my prayers and best wishes. Here: :pray: :pray: :pray: :pray:
:love: :love: :love: :love: :love:

[Emproph]

Warning: Possible spoilage of ending: Do not read further if you intend to watch video. It’s short and sweet, I say watch it first. :)

The Second Coming, Judgement Day, I call it remembrance day, reconciliation day I think is a happy medium. On that day, everyone will understand that we have always been apart of each other, in addition and at the same time, everyone will understand that everyone else understands this too.

In regard to the part of him saying that protecting his son was one of the best memories he ever had, as with us, humans, life, Stressful and/or traumatic experiences create a special and indelible bond.

When the day comes that we are suddenly faced with the understanding that we have always been apart of each other, it will be the recognition of this trauma of having shared this fear of separateness and all its implications (human history and now), that will cement, further, that bond we have with each other, in the context of the eternal bond that we could never not have.

This is how God makes more Love out of what is considered to be unchanging everlasting Love. Create an illusion of the impossible and then rip it away. Look at the intensity of that emotion, look at the surprise.

In an instant they will understand that their belief in a book, the Bible, over their belief in compassion for others was motivated by naked pride. They will never forgive themselves, and especially for not having believed themselves.

It is the very hell that we’re going through right here and right now that will solidify the lasting heaven of that day, today for that matter. The more the hell, the deeper the well, the more room there is for the infusion of Heaven, Grace, and the stronger and deeper the bond we have with those who made it through, by having helping others to make it through too.

The Second Coming is in realizing that there is only one arrival, we are it and here we are. God's presence cannot be here any more than it already is. This is Judgement day, the day we realize every day is Judgement day.

We are already here.

Time to share this, with “them.” :rainbow:

[freeasme120]

Your note made me smile and made me think.

It also made me count my blessings and remember how truly blessed I am. I have a gift few people truly find - I have found happiness, true happiness in myself and in my surroundings. I know now that I am me - the me I was meant to be. I have a smile on my face, a song in my heart, and God by my side.

My girlfriend and I are both firm believers in that God created each of us and he loves each of us. We hold this near and dear to us, but it's nice to see that we're not the only ones.

Thank you.:)