Is There Any Hope? (These are models, not the actual couple)
in a stable environment where I was Ilovedgrewandupaffirmed. However, my husband’s folks
were drinkers. Even though Jim was loved, the dynamics of his home-life were dysfunctional. We dated throughout high school and married before I graduated. When our first child was about a year old, Jim went into the military, and shortly thereafter moved us to another state. It wasn’t long until I discovered Jim’s struggle with pornography. Throughout the first several years of marriage, I’d frequently find magazines and videos, but he’d lie to my face— even if I had the evidence in my hand! Our marriage was riddled with countless deceptions. I soon lost all trust and respect for him, and my self-esteem was crushed after only a short period of time. He’d make promises and break them just as easily. I kept fighting to keep us together, pretending our marriage was great and that he was the best husband in the world. I succeeded in making everyone believe it, including myself. Right before he came home from a deployment, he confessed to multiple affairs. Even though I was absolutely devastated, I decided I’d try to forgive him and work through it. My world was in turmoil, but I felt I needed to keep our home together for the kids. Learning about the affairs was very painful, but there would be an even deeper wound ahead. You see, he and one of my good friends fell morally, and I seemed to be the last to find out.
by “Robin Henry”
He’d go to her house so our sons could play together. People started talking about how much time he was spending over there. Our entire church family knew, and now I was forced to face it! At that point, I was done and cut myself off emotionally! We lived together for the sake of the kids, but I began preparing myself for divorce. My lack of respect for Jim became more real to me than ever, and I hated him for what he’d done. My heart was full of anger, bitterness, pain, resentment and pure hatred! I decided it was my turn to enjoy life! I’d devoted more than half my existence to Jim, but now I began to do fun things without him. I started horseback riding and exploring othe r activities I’d never done before. I knew they weren’t bad, as we all need to be individuals and take time for ourselves. However, I took it way too far! About six months after discovering Jim’s fifth affair, I began one of my own with a co-worker. I enjoyed being with “Frank” as we were very comfortable together and able to talk about almost anything that concerned us. We laughed a lot and he always seemed so happy. He was unlike Jim, who stayed in a sour mood, yelling at the kids over practically nothing, always tense and anxious. “Frank” was an escape from the mess of my life. Although I liked spending time with him, the affair was more about getting revenge. I didn’t feel guilty about it, and in fact, I left
his house each time laughing to myself. I was sick of feeling miserable because Jim had broken what I thought was a beautiful bond. I wanted him to experience the pain I’d felt for so many years, but I wasn’t even sure it’d matter to him. I never really hid anything because I didn’t care if he found out. Actually, I wanted him to. After I’d already ended the affair, Jim discovered the phone bill and asked if I was seeing someone. When I admitted it, “All hell broke loose!” My husband started acting psychotic—fits of rage became his norm! One day he called my boss and lied to her in order to get “Frank’s” address. He went to his house and took some pictures. Plus he texted him threatening words. His behavior became erratic. Some days he’d act civil and others he’d make my life totally miserable. He continually harassed me at work, and I had a hard time concentrating because of his frequent texts and phone calls. Also, he’d often ride by my office to see if my car was there. I was in constant fear that he’d either tell our kids, or his actions would cause the people at work to start questioning me. Though I’d broken off the affair with “Frank,” we maintained a neutral, professional, working relationship. I was ashamed that I’d compromised my values and standards. I was also disgusted with myself for purposefully hurting Jim. I didn’t like being an angry person. I wanted nothing more than to have peace in my life and in my family, but I had no clue how to make that happen. We’d been married twenty years, which is a long time and a lot of hurt! I cared about my husband, but there was so much water under the bridge! I had a lot of negative feelings in me concern-
ing our marriage, and I didn’t even know if it was possible to make a new beginning. We tried everything—counselors, marriage retreats, books, etc. And I had to admit, my faith was growing weaker and weaker. This was the state I was in when we contacted Faith Family to see if they could possibly help. Jim had already repented and begged for my forgiveness. He was so hopeful that we could begin anew. He wrote me a love letter, but it really meant nothing to me. I just brushed it off. My feelings were so numb that I couldn’t even begin to tear down the walls I’d built. I was broken-hearted, beaten down, bitter and full of hateful feelings! Our marriage was on its deathbed, and nothing he tried seemed to reach me. However, after much coercion, I agreed to go to FFM with him. Jim was insanely hopeful! So I had to ride on his faith since I had little of my own. What ensued the three days we were at Faith Family is almost impossible to put into words! All I know is God unlocked my heart and let Jim back inside. We forgave each other, and the love I thought was dead, was rekindled! That’s just one of the wonderful miracles God performed! The “light bulb” came on, and the truth of God’s Word was illuminated to me! My entire understanding of the Christian life was metamorphosed! I learned that Christianity is not about rules and regulations. It’s about Christ living through me. I’d never understood that concept before. Spending time in the presence of the Holy Spirit those three days was a divine interception in our lives! The Morgans guided us into healing and gave us the tools to maintain our freedom. It was so amazing! Jim and I have a bright future ahead! And our hearts are overwhelmed with gratitude!
A Sugar Cure HealthPoint
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here are many causes of urinary tract infection—bladder inflammation from hidden food allergies, recent catheterization, hot tub water jets, tight pants, laundry and hygiene products and swimming pools, just to name a few. According to Dr. Sherry Rogers, MD, the bacteria in the gut, E. coli, is the number one cause of this infection. Antibiotics are usually prescribed, but they can cause an overgrowth of the yeast Candida in the intestines, vagina, prostate and/or bladder. This can lead to chronic symptoms which are difficult to eliminate. She also states that antibiotics foster the development of bugs which become resistant to common antibiotics. More potent ones are then usually prescribed which can cause permanent deafness or kidney disease. Urinary infection causes pain, frequent urination, abnormal urgency, as well as burning. Fortunately, in one or two days 90% of this infection can be cured with Dmannose. This simple sugar doesn’t cause the often related side effects of irritable bowel
syndrome, yeast infections or resistant bacteria. D-mannose is found in cranberries, blueberries and other fruits. In the potent form of one level teaspoon, which equals 3.6 grams, it fools E. coli into grabbing onto the mannose like Velcro, instead of attaching to the bladder wall. In this way the bugs are literally washed out of the bladder without having to kill them or your good gut bugs in the process. Dr. Rogers recommends that at the first sign of bladder irritability, use one teaspoon of D-Mannose Plus in a glass of water every 3-6 hours. This is a safe amount for adults, as well as children. Even though the symptoms will probably clear within a day or two, she advises that you continue the treatment for a couple of days longer, but at just half the dose and frequency. Obviously if it does not solve the problem or if you pass blood, you will want to consult your physician immediately. D-Mannose Plus from Vitamin Research can be purchased by calling 800.877.2447.
Prayer Affects The Brain tudies show that certain areas of the Sbrain are directly affected by our prayer
life. Praying results in an improvement in brain function and an increase in the capacity for compassion. In general, prayer activates the more rational parts of the brain (the frontal lobe and anterior cingulate) and deactivates the more negative areas (the parietal lobes and limbic system). This brain activity brings about a sense of comfort and reduces stress, depression, anxiety, resentment and other negative emotions. Prayer can also help to lower your blood pressure and heart rate. The brain is like a muscle, in that the more you use it, the better it works. It makes sense, then, to spend time in an activity that, not only exercises your brain, but also enhances your spirituality. Any focus—from getting closer to God, to expressing gratitude, to seeking strength, to lifting up others or yourself to the Lord—can activate the brain and
strengthen its capacity to work well. Studies show the degree to which prayer makes a positive impact on the brain depends on the frequency and amount of time spent praying. As little as twelve minutes a day spent in communion with the Lord, will produce tangible results. R e m e m b e r, however, that the Apostle Paul tells us to “pray without ceasing.” (I Thes. 5:17). This means we will always want to be in an attitude of prayer—talking and listening to God. The positive impact that prayer has on the brain is impressive, but the impact it has on the spirit realm is even more impressive! If one can put a thousand to flight and two, ten thousand, just think what a whole church can do! Our hope and prayer is that you will grasp the need for helping your brain function at its best and give a boost to your relationship to the Lord at the same time!
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Doors Along Life’s Path
e all encounter doors along the path of life. We must make a choice as to whether we’ll open those doors and go through, or ignore them and continue on the path we’ve been traveling. By allowing Christ’s life, which is in us, to give us guidance, we will be on the right road, going through the right doors, following the right path, because that LIFE will never lead us astray. Just be sure your focus is on His desires, not on your fleshly desires, which requires Christ-consciousness rather than self-consciousness. You see, the destination of our life is not the goal. The true goal is the journey itself. Learning to let the life of Christ flow through us is really living! Jesus let God flow out of Him all the time. His Father’s life was leading His every move, every choice, every direction. Do you remember the occasion in Jesus’ life when a woman caught in adultery was brought to Him? This event was a door presented by Satan in an attempt to trap Jesus into saying or condoning something that could be used against Him. Scripture tells us that, at that point, He leaned down and wrote in the sand. What He actually wrote has been the source of speculation by many scholars over the centuries. I think He was talking to His Father, saying, “Dad, this is a tough one! How should I handle it?” And then He listened for God’s guidance before going further. Our Lord kept an open line to His heavenly Father, making sure His thoughts, words and actions were always properly aligned with the One Who sent Him. Christ now desires to lead us as His Father led Him. So, our job, if you want to see it that way, is to step aside and let Him flow through our life, no matter what path we are following. If you’re struggling with a decision about which direction to take, which door to open, which path to choose, take time to, not only ask Jesus for His will
to be done, but listen for Him to share His thoughts with you. Let me illustrate how this has worked in our life. Prior to going into full-time ministry, I was working in the computer industry. After eleven years, I was offered a position in another state which, of course, meant a move away from our family, friends and church. Toni and I knew this was a good career move, but before making such a big decision, we wanted confirmation from God. Our desire was to be in the center of His will. We put this decision in His hands and listened for His direction, His leading. His peace was there to assure us the move would work well. Had we made a different choice the Lord would have still been with us, of course. Our relationship with Him isn’t dependent on making the “right” choices, because, as I said, the destination is not the goal. The true goal is the journey itself! The key to all of this is to stay yielded to Christ’s life—to be dependent on His grace flowing through you. When you are in this kind of relationship with Jesus, the choices you make may not always be the best, but He can use them none the less. He works in you, through you, and sometimes even, in spite of you. It is the yieldedness that makes the choices work to your benefit—whether they appear that way to you or not. The “door” of dependence on Christ is the only door we must keep open, and that takes Christ-consciousness. So, when you come up to a door and are wondering whether or not to open it, be sure your communication with the Lord is on a clear line. Talk with Him about it and listen for His direction. Peace is always an indicator in our life, and will be in your’s as well. God is in control! He is with you on this journey called life. Stay yielded to Him!