I am putting away my pride.

[CookieRaider]

Hello, I am new to this forum. My username is, if you
were wondering, exactly as it is. I love cookies,
and raid my mother's cookie jar all the time. I know, arrest
me, I am just terrible.

The reason I am not in the forum for those who are new,
is because I know you all pretty well from looking at your
posts the past couple weeks. I finally sucked up my pride
and joined, knowing what I had to do.
My mother passed away a month ago. The only one
I live with now is my older sister and her husband whom
she married a year ago. I feel like a burden, but they
insist I am welcome.

My mother was a a Jesus lover. She prayed all the time,
in public and private. She said grace before every meal,
read her Bible, praised God even for the smallest thing,
like 'thank you God for these wonderful blooms that face
the road so everyone can see their beauty.'
...and I put her down for it. I told her she was a Jesus freak.
I told her when she tried to pray for me that it would not
do anything for me. I told her I didn't want God's blessings,
that I could live by myself.

Since she died, I have visited our house almost every day,
sat in what used to be her room, and think about all
the terrible things I have said. I picked up her Bible,
and out fell a picture of me and my mom, and on the
back was a verse stating God loves me and forgives anyone.
I thought denying Christ was an unforgivable sin.
I want to know about Jesus. I am not sure yet.
But could I possibly be fixed? Could I be forgiven?
Does my mother forgive me? I feel I will always be in darkness.
Why does Jesus love someone like me? I don't deserve it.

Thank you for your time reading my post...

 

[dannibear]

I love cookies,
and raid my mother's cookie jar all the time. I know, arrest
me, I am just terrible.

You are hilarious! :giggle:

I thought denying Christ was an unforgivable sin.
I want to know about Jesus. I am not sure yet.
But could I possibly be fixed? Could I be forgiven?
Does my mother forgive me? I feel I will always be in darkness.
Why does Jesus love someone like me? I don't deserve it.

Cookie, you came to the right place.
The Bible is full of real life stories of men and women
just like you. It isn't a book full of rules of how to
be perfect like most people think. It tells of the struggles
people went through, and how Christ helped them and
forgave them despite how bad and sinful they were.
Sarah doubted God could give her a baby. Abraham
had given up on God ever answering his prayers.
Job tried to run from God, but God loved him even
at Job's lowest point. And God forgave them all.

Your mother forgives you cookie. She loves you,
and telling from your story, she never gave up
on you. I am sorry for your loss, and I want you
to know that she is with the Father now, praising
Him like she did on Earth, thanking Him that she had
a son like you. God can right now, see you in your despair
and loneliness, and wants you to run back to Him.
He wants the creation He created to love Him again.
I want to suggest you read the story of the prodigal son,
and I think that will tell you exactly how God reacts
when His children want to come back to Him.

I will add you brother. You can message me anytime.

 

[Mrs. Neomi]

Hi Cookie,
well to start off i'm proud of you for taking the first step and asking questions. God is forgiving and He will forgive you for all you past. Jesus's apostle Paul(he was named Simon before Jesus changed it) use to persacute christians that was his job but God changed him and he became one of the best. He built churches preached and did so much more. Paul did fail a few times he denied Jesus 3 times and when Jesus resurrected he forgave him.

I'm so sorry for your loss I know it can be difficult but from what I read your mother was a wonderful and Godly woman who loved you very much. I do believe your mother forgive you and she loved you so much she continued praying for you. There.s nothing like the love of a mother and when she prays for her children things happen.

Right now you are unsure and I want to let you know that God is love He will be there always. One of the best ways to create a bond is through prayer. Prayer doesnt need fancy words or any of that talk to him like you would your mom. Here are some basics to prayer....repentance-tell God your sorry and you are willing to change, thanksgiving-thank him for making changes in your life for all he's done for you,petition-ask for what you need (he gives you what you need not always what you want) in your case strength a new view and understanding of who God is.

God loves us because He made us and He knows our potential. He knows with His help we can do great things that we are beautiful inside and out. It.s a heart thing with God meaning when you were sinning in your past saying things to your mom He knew you didn't know or understand. He looked at your heart and saw who you could be.

I'll add you so if you have anymore question I'll be glad to help. I'll keep you in prayer.

 

[CookieRaider]

Thank you for answering me. I didn't feel I deserved it for everything I said to her for being a Christian. And thank you dannibear for messaging me with links to Father's Love Letter and Why Believe in Christianity, or I think its called. It cleared a lot of my questions.
I feel a tug on my heart, but I don't know if it is God or not.
I have never wanted it to be in the past, and made excuses for my feelings. Now I don't know what it is.

Now, I know many Christians say God is a spirit. And I understand
that Jesus was God in human form. Does this mean that maybe...he understands pain? That he doesn't just ignore my pain? That he understands what it means to be fatherless, hurt, made fun of, and put down? Does he feel my pain? Because sometimes I feel God doesn't care or see me. I must be small compared to God....how could God understand what I go through?

 

[Thiscrosshurts]

Wow dude your first post broke my heart.I can certainly feel your pain and your love for her.How could anyone Not love someone like that.
I did the same thing to my Mom who also constantly manifested the love of Jesus.
I was 29 before I was tired of self.When I wanted to be something else she was what I wanted to be.

The earth is missing an awesome person,if only someone on this earth new your Mom well enough to carry on her work.
If you can think of anyone who could pull that off you should talk to them about it.
Lets see..mm..who could that be???

 

[CookieRaider]

Wow dude your first post broke my heart.I can certainly feel your pain and your love for her.How could anyone Not love someone like that.
I did the same thing to my Mom who also constantly manifested the love of Jesus.
I was 29 before I was tired of self.When I wanted to be something else she was what I wanted to be.

The earth is missing an awesome person,if only someone on this earth new your Mom well enough to carry on her work.
If you can think of anyone who could pull that off you should talk to them about it.
Lets see..mm..who could that be???

....Jesus? lol. If I get the question right, do I get a cookie? :cute-animated:

 

[dannibear]

....Jesus? lol. If I get the question right, do I get a cookie? :cute-animated:

That is too cute!
Have you visited your local church yet? Maybe
you could attend the church your mother went to.
And yes, you can always talk to Jesus. He is not
far away.

 

[Thiscrosshurts]

This site gave your computer a cookie when you logged on!
I'm glad you haven't lost your sense of humor.

Man does not live by cookies alone,but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God(this does not specifically mean there are no cookies in the afterlife).

Since we can't download edible cookies yet here's a verse
Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

 

[Thiscrosshurts]

Clue:

if only someone on this earth

Follow the crumb trail.

 

[Mrs. Neomi]

I'm not sure how to quote so here.s a reply to Cookie[HIGH-LIGHT][/HIGH-LIGHT]Raider on if Jesus feels pain. Jesus understands pain he lived through the most imaginable pain plus more before he resurrected. He was beaten beyond recognition, mocked,alone in the sea of enemies,and much more. All so we can be forgiven of our sins! Have you seen "Passion of Christ" by mel gibson he gets it closest to what truely happened to Jesus but he is still a bit off on the cruelty the brutal and extreme pain our Jesus endured. If you can you should rent it and watch it with an open mind. He sees your pain and he is your way out..

1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

Lamentations 3:19-33 NLT
19 The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words.20 I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss.21 Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this:22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.23 Great is his faithfulness;his mercies begin afresh each morning.24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!”25 The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.26 So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.27 And it is good for people to submit at an early age to the yoke of his discipline:28 Let them sit alone in silence beneath the Lord’s demands.29 Let them lie face down in the dust, for there may be hope at last.30 Let them turn the other cheek to those who strike them and accept the insults of their enemies.31 For no one is abandonedby the Lord forever.32 Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love.33 For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

I thought denying Christ was an unforgivable sin.I want to know about Jesus. I am not sure yet.
But could I possibly be fixed? Could I be forgiven?
Does my mother forgive me? I feel I will always be in darkness.
Why does Jesus love someone like me? I don't deserve it.

Your mother leaving Scripture citations for you to find is a sign of her undying love for you. Here's a wonderful web link that will answer many, if not all, of your questions:

Ask Questions about Life and God

Spirit Led Ed (SLE)

 

[CookieRaider]

I'm not sure how to quote so here.s a reply to CookieRaider on if Jesus feels pain. Jesus understands pain he lived through the most imaginable pain plus more before he resurrected. He was beaten beyond recognition, mocked,alone in the sea of enemies,and much more. All so we can be forgiven of our sins! Have you seen "Passion of Christ" by mel gibson he gets it closest to what truely happened to Jesus but he is still a bit off on the cruelty the brutal and extreme pain our Jesus endured. If you can you should rent it and watch it with an open mind. He sees your pain and he is your way out..

1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

Lamentations 3:19-33 NLT
19 The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words.20 I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss.21 Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this:22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.23 Great is his faithfulness;his mercies begin afresh each morning.24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!”25 The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.26 So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.27 And it is good for people to submit at an early age to the yoke of his discipline:28 Let them sit alone in silence beneath the Lord’s demands.29 Let them lie face down in the dust, for there may be hope at last.30 Let them turn the other cheek to those who strike them and accept the insults of their enemies.31 For no one is abandonedby the Lord forever.32 Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love.33 For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow.

In verse 32, it states that he brings grief and compassion. What kind of grief? Like, taking away a loved one? I don't understand...

 

[CookieRaider]

Thank you Ed, I read some articles and it did give me the help I was searching for. I have some unanswered doubts, but then I realize, like my mother used to say all the time, that we are not supposed to know everything because we weren't made to.

 

[AudreyNicole]

Thank you for answering me. I didn't feel I deserved it for everything I said to her for being a Christian. And thank you dannibear for messaging me with links to Father's Love Letter and Why Believe in Christianity, or I think its called. It cleared a lot of my questions.
I feel a tug on my heart, but I don't know if it is God or not.
I have never wanted it to be in the past, and made excuses for my feelings. Now I don't know what it is.

Now, I know many Christians say God is a spirit. And I understand
that Jesus was God in human form. Does this mean that maybe...he understands pain? That he doesn't just ignore my pain? That he understands what it means to be fatherless, hurt, made fun of, and put down? Does he feel my pain? Because sometimes I feel God doesn't care or see me. I must be small compared to God....how could God understand what I go through?

Hello! I clicked on your post because of the title. One year ago I decided to put away my pride too, and I have been living the life since. I was a very prideful person, but God has definitely humbled me, and it has been the best thing to ever happen to me.

I hope we can be friends because I am a cake raider. I like cookies too though... especially the chocolate chip cookies from Subway... yum!!


First of all, none of us deserve the love of God, but He chooses to love us anyway through Christ. So you are no more or less deserving of His love than anyone else. So don't worry about that part. Just know He loves you... He told me so

Secondly, the tug you feel, it's God no doubt. Jesus is knocking at your door and you've opened it! You have one foot in the door... now you just need the rest of you, and GOOD NEWS, you are well on your way to being completely in! So don't worry about that part either. All you have to do is walk in!

Thirdly, Jesus does know your pain... He was made a man for that very reason. He knows exactly how you feel. He knows exactly what you like/what you dislike. He knows exactly what you want, and exactly what you need. He knows every moment of your life past, present, and future. He knows everything you've ever been through, He knows everything you're going through, and He knows everything you will go through. He knows you better than you know yourself. He understands everything you feel and everything you're dealing with. He made you! You are His great creation!

Look at this Bible passage: In Matthew 10:28-31, Jesus tells us, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather be afraid of God, who can destroy both body and soul in hell. For only a penny you can buy two sparrows, yet not one sparrow falls to the ground without your Father’s consent. As for you, even the hairs of your head have all been counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth much more than many sparrows!”

God knows when every sparrow dies. If that's how much He loves the birds, how much more must He love you? Let me tell you... lots more! He knows even how many hairs are on your head, and He knows every single one that falls out.... do you know those things about yourself? God knows you more than you could even begin to imagine! You are small compared to God, but think of it this way. A newborn baby is small compared to his mother and father, and yet they love Him more than they love themselves and they would do anything for that precious little child. That is how God feels about you. You are His precious little child that He would do anything for. He's greater than you but that should be a hopeful thing because it means He can help us to be great, too! God cares about everything, big and small... and He especially cares about you.

I'm so excited to hear your story and your new found faith... Praise God! I hope I've been able to help you a bit and please feel free to keep asking questions. We all here will do our best to help you. Again, I've been walking on this path for a year now so I kind of know the initial process... all the beginning stages and doubts and fears and hesitation.

I hope and pray that God will be able to reach you and speak to you greatly; and I pray that He will fill you with His spirit and lead you to all truth! God Bless you!

In Christ's name,

 

[CookieRaider]

Thank you Audrey for that. That lifted my spirits.
(Subway was my first job and I bought a cookie or two at work every day.)

I am trying hard to open my mind and understand everything
that everyone here is trying to help me understand. It is hard for me because some of the things in the Bible are just hard for me to accept. I feel like some things are against my better judgement, I am convinced that everything about God is not real. But I remember the faith and awe my mom had, and I wonder, how can THAT be fake?
I don't think my mom would have lied to me about God. She didn't even tell me Santa was real. She was the most honest person I know.
My head tells me that God is not real but my heart and feelings say another. Maybe something around here will set off a lightbulb. I just....don't know.

 

[CookieRaider]

p.s I am also not afraid to say I don't know.
I feel pretty bad that most atheists are rude to others about their beliefs, whether Christian, Jewish, Pagan, etc. just because they feel they absolutely have to know every little thing. I don't know much about every president, but I am not going to have a debate about it with every person I meet for example. Yes I am an atheist, but I would hate to give humanity a bad name. :\

 

[AudreyNicole]

It is hard for me because some of the things in the Bible are just hard for me to accept. I feel like some things are against my better judgement, I am convinced that everything about God is not real. But I remember the faith and awe my mom had, and I wonder, how can THAT be fake?
Maybe something around here will set off a lightbulb. I just....don't know.

I certainly can feel you here. Before I was "really saved", there were so many questions I had, and so many things in the Bible that I didn't understand... and quite honestly... things I didn't agree with. Then I felt bad because I knew that in order to be really "Christian" I had to agree with everything in the Bible because it was, after all, God's word... how could I disagree with God... so then I was like, "OK, if I don't agree, then He probably doesn't want me, and the real Christians are gonna hate me... so I might as well just keep away"

The thing that really changed me though was my situation in life. I was really going through a hard time and continually felt God tugging my heart strings to turn to Him. I didn't want to... I wanted to do things myself, on my own, if anything, I didn't want to burden God... why would He want me, I don't even agree with His word?

After a while... when He didn't stop tugging.... I opened my Bible and decided to start reading, try it out. Thus began the journey. God opened my eyes to meanings and wisdom beyond any human comprehension, and answered so many of my questions. I had many light bulb moments, and the best thing was, it all made sense. It was all SO incredibly simple and sensible. It just made sense. I got it.

There are still things that I don't understand in the Bible; things I don't understand about God; but every week He continues to turn on another light bulb and every week I continue to gain understanding. I think you said that we weren't made to know all things, and that's true, the mystery of God is a mystery for a reason. We have to wait til heaven to find it all out. But, there are still so many other things open to our knowledge, things that are only understood with God's help.

I sure hope you have your light bulb moment! Maybe you should try asking God for one. Those that seek Him shall find Him.

I know for a fact that God wants to do amazing things in your life x 10! And now, all you have to do is let Him. He wont force us to do anything, it is entirely up to you. But, once you do say yes, the miracles, wonders, and plans you will see from Him will take your breath away... He sure has taken away mine, and opened my eyes like no other.

Continue eating cookies... I believe your light bulb might be in one lol! God can use anything and everything to reach people






and P.S. I am so jealous that you got Subway cookies everyday!! That is literally a heaven on earth!! Thank God for cookies!!! Have you tried the new strawberry cheesecake ones?

 

[AudreyNicole]

OK Cookie Raider....... I just had to say this.......
My mom just got back from the grocery store, and she brought home Chips Ahoy!!! Hahaha... heaven!!

Don't be hatin!

 

[dannibear]

I am trying hard to open my mind and understand everything
that everyone here is trying to help me understand. It is hard for me because some of the things in the Bible are just hard for me to accept. I feel like some things are against my better judgement, I am convinced that everything about God is not real. But I remember the faith and awe my mom had, and I wonder, how can THAT be fake?
I don't think my mom would have lied to me about God. She didn't even tell me Santa was real. She was the most honest person I know.
My head tells me that God is not real but my heart and feelings say another. Maybe something around here will set off a lightbulb. I just....don't know.

Some things that might seem impossible in the Bible can be explained
physically, and others just have to be accepted as they are, miracles.
God invented time and space, he created everything to have order,
how the planets spin right now, how Earth is the only planet with life,
how the rain cycle happens, etc. Science can only explain how things
work and how they happen. But God answers the question, 'Where did I and everything around me come from?' I respect the fact that in chat, you
understand that our faith is based upon such miracles that can't be scientifically explained. We believe that Jesus is who He said He was
because of such miracles. If He claimed to be God, then how could
we believe Him without that proof? I hope I cleared some
more of your doubts and questions.

 

[Thiscrosshurts]

You are here because of your Mothers belief and it's effect that is tangible to you.That is called "evidence" of the unseen.
How long did science deny electricity?The first true scientists were always put down by the lesser scientists who knew it all.
In reality the scientific community was just to stupid to even listen to these visionaries.

Even after Volta,Ampere and Ohm proved by evidence that electricity was quantifiable and could be stored and controlled,the scientific community all said it would never amount to anything but a parlor trick.
We are enjoying some pretty cool parlor tricks now.

Your mother had evidence that was just to difficult to explain in the English language.She was a pioneer and you are the lofty,scoffing scientist who is just too proud to believe you don't know everything.

I was a science freak and agnostic(atheism requires faith and that's unscientific)),when my life turned sour I remembered my mothers faith and I was willing to be wrong(put down my pride)just to find some of the peace she showed me.
I felt that she was Noble and good and I decided I would rather die being like her than have all the stuff in the world.Because quite frankly this world sucks without love.
In the end I found my whacky Mom was right.She was the pioneer and I was the know it all pathetic scientist opposing the next great discovery.
Modern science is stupid,they say they know everything but they search for the yet unknown.
I turns out Einstein was wrong about a lot of things but that didn't stop him from giving us the ability to destroy the world.Ya thanks for that one science.
Love is powerful stuff.