im a little confused

[Scottie_Brooke]

I'm a little confused right now.....I believe in God, and I love Him dearly. I pray, read my Bible, and go to Youth Group (my fav. place), but I am still unsure if I have a close relationship with Him. If the Rapture were to take place, would I go to Heaven or be left behind, like those fascinating books, Left Behind and Left Behind:The Kids....but anyways, I'm not sure yet if I'm really close to Him....Sometimes I hear Him speak to me in my heart, but sometimes I do things I'm not supposed to do, like pick on my sister...I pray for both of my sisters, but they haven't improved yet...Don't get me wrong, I mean, I believe His power, because I've experienced it, but will this work? My sisters are still...you know...evil....I asked advice from Billy Graham and I write to Him, but I never got a reply from my questions of my being unsure.....I know I'm just rambling on and on, but I need to get this all out in the open...am I close to the Lord, or am I going down the way towards the Evil One himself?

Brooke N. Robinson, Scottie_Brooke ( not completely Scottish) p.s. HELP!

[thespitfiredragon]

Brooke,

Your post was charming! I could feel your sweet spirit through your words.

Do you mind if I ask how old you are? Let me tell you a little about me...I'm 19/F/California. I work in the entertainment industry as a casting director. But first and foremost I'm a Christian...and I love the Lord. I'm also a Sunday school teacher...I teach the 12 to 15-year-olds.

Sweetie, I wouldn't put too much stock in the "Left Behind" series. They may be based on biblical events, but they're still fiction...and I can promise you that a lot of what's going to happen isn't going to be EXACTLY like the books.

Your sisters are "evil"? Explain. I have siblings too, they can be wearing on your nerves, but I've never considered mine "evil".

If you reply to this post I'll explain something to you that should be able to help answer your question. But I don't want to force the knowledge on you if you're not interested. You can reply here or feel free to email me.

God bless,

thespitfiredragon (Megan)
thespitfiredragon@hotmail.com

[Scottie_Brooke]

hi, spitfire. I am 15/F/Indiana... I do know about "Left Behind" being fictional...I just worry that I will get left behind.

When I mean they're evil, I mean that they're both ghetto and I guess they're not too fond of the Lord. My older one smokes and drinks and swears and always tells me I'm no Christian (that upsets me a lot) and my younger one is spoiled, and my mother thinks she's a little angel, but she's really not... none of us are! So, she swears, but when I ask her about it, she denies it (I know the truth though) and she hangs around a bad crowd, like my older sister. I begged my younger sister to go to youth group just once to see how she likes it and the othres are defending her...I mean, this is her spiritual wellness at stake- hers and my older sister's!

Oh, no! I am totally interested in the knowledge you have to share...it's what I want to hear!

Anyways, I have an email too and it's b_roc12@hotmail.com and I'll email you sometime.

[thespitfiredragon]

Brooke,

I lived in Lawrenceburg, Indiana for 5 years. In case you don't know where that is it's about a half an hour from Cincinnati, OH and 15 minutes across the border to Florence, KY. Whereabouts in Indiana are you from?

It's good to be concerned about your sisters, but have you ever thought that the rebellion could just be a phase? Were you raised learning spiritual principles? I'm only asking because I was raised with the Lord, but when I was 16 and 17 all of the sudden being "religious" just wasn't "cool". I still loved God and prayed, but I didn't read my scriptures like I should of and kind of took everything for granted.

I started going to youth group and I had an amazing youth minister. He was a total nut. I was 17 and he was only 18...sometimes he could be a total jerk and we fought all the time. I think the only reason I kept going was because he was cute and I enjoyed the lively debate. But the great thing about this guy was that he gave me so much opposition that I read the Bible cover to cover in three weeks just to spite him. Through my experience with him I was able to grow closer to the Lord. I'm happy to report that even though I've moved away my youth minister and I are now good friends.

What do your parents say about your sisters not wanting to be involved in church?

Are you leading by example to show them (your sisters) how living a Christian lifestyle can enrich your life?

Okay, here's the knowledge that I have for you. You can take it with a grain of salt, pray about it, etc...it's just something that I've come across in my studies.

As a "hobby" I study copies of ancient manuscripts claiming to be religious documents. There is a particular set found around the same time as The Dead Sea Scrolls that I find particularly interesting. In the manuscripts there is talk of a "spirit counterpart" that dwells with the spirit that God has put in the body. The "spirit counterpart" comes from "the archons" which would be Satan. The "counterpart's" job is to try to tempt you to do things that will make it so that you can't return to your Father in Heaven.

According to the manuscripts we all have to live with these "counterparts"...think of it being like the little devil that sits on your shoulder in cartoons. The counterparts can be controlled by prayer, fasting, righteous living, etc. But some people live life with their COUNTERPART being entirely in control.

Taking measures to control and subdue the "counterpart" makes life more...peaceful. You're not as quick to get angry and you can feel God's spirit a lot more.

Try reading C.S. Lewis' "The Screwtape Letters". It deals with this subject. If you haven't read it, please do, it's short and it's really thought-provoking.

Anyway, reply and tell me what you think...I've got more info for you.

thespitfiredragon

[Scottie_Brooke]

spitfire,

I live in Marion, Indiana...it's 40 minutes away from Fort Wayne and an hour away from Indianapolis..I think it's on a map, but I forget.

Well, I'm not exactly sure about their rebellion being a phase...they're been like this for a few years...my 13 year old sister wants to be just like my older sister- which I forbid! She wants her belly button pierced and she has her hair the same way as my older sister. They're even the same height I'm still praying for them, and really hoping to get a result...like I have before wit my rabbit and being stuck last year in the middle of Manhatten with a broken-down car...I just hope THIS works!

Wow! You read the Bible in just 3 weeks? I dunno if I could read so much in on day, especially when I read for my youth group's Bible challange- I mean, I'm always interrupted!

Well....my sisters can be pretty stubborn and since they don't think I'm a Christian either ( they think they have a right to say this when they aren't?!) they never listen.

My mom and her boyfriend said she shouldn't have to go to youth group, and not even I know why. I went to the current youth group I am in now after my other hypocritical youth group....I said shut up jokingly, sure it wasn't nice but the new pastor's daughter (adopted) said a WAY worse word..and no lecture...they wanted me to pay 25 cents for that so I quit. My friend got me involved in the one I'm in now, and boy, they rock! Literally! It's the best place for a teen to know God and afterwards and during it, I feel a certain closeness to Him.

Um, I have a question.. I know we don't know each other well, but what should I do as a career? I want to work for God, but being a minister won't work- I am too shy and I never say words I can remember and stuff...I tend to get people shy. I have another question...my sister's dating a phyco and I want to object them to marry I really do...should I? The young ones (his sister's kids) are over here now- and without permission from my mom..I'm sorry, I'm not racist or anything and I love children, it's just that they're LOUD and irritating. So many problems with me.

Brooke

[thespitfiredragon]

Brooke,

Sweetie, it sounds like you have a different kind of lifestyle. I'm sorry that your mom and her boyfriend aren't supportive of you trying to help your sisters.

Why do your sisters think that you are not a Christian? If you believe that Christ died to save us and are trying your best to follow Him that makes you a Christian. Don't let them discourage you. The Bible tells us that we will not be judged by men, but by God alone. Pretty much that means that as long as we're doing what is right it doesn't matter what other people think.

You know, I love the Bible so much that sometimes I wish I could devote my entire life to studying it and old religious documents...but that doesn't really pay the bills, does it?

As far as what you should do for a career...that's an interesting question. Here's something that you might not have thought of. You can serve God no matter what career you choose. God needs people to help Him in all areas of life...not just in the ministry.

You say that you are shy around people...did you know that Moses wasn't a good public speaker? The Lord was still able to use him. Not only was Moses not a good public speaker, but he stuttered when he got nervous. God provided Moses' brother Aaron to help.

Here's something that's important...if you want to know what career you should choose, ask God! He'll give you an answer...just make sure that you're listening. James 1:5 says, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." That means that if you have a question you can take it to the Lord and He'll freely give you wisdom...AND He'll NEVER say "that's a stupid question".

So your sister is dating a psycho? And you want to object to their getting married? Am I getting you here? Why is it...other than him being a psycho...that you want to object?

It seems like your sisters need a friend right now. Someone that's a good influence. I think that they may not listen to you because you're their sister. If they want internet pen-pals I'd be glad to talk to them. You can give them my email if you want: thespitfiredragon@hotmail.com

I hope that I'll be able to help you out.'

Your friend,

thespitfiredragon (Megan)

[Scottie_Brooke]

spitfire,

My mom got mad at me for not calling her boyfriend ( he's like my pal) that we weren't going to be there for dinner...but I had no idea that I'd be at my cousin's for long and I begged my sister to take me home!

My sisters say that every time I'm being mean or something similar to that. My mom even says that- and it hurts to know that they think I'm a fraud. My sisters shouldn't talk because they are non-Christians.

Yes, I do recall Moses. I did want to be a paleontologist beecause I love to find fossils but I think that'll just be a hobby. I do have another idea. I could be a...well, I forget right now but I know it, and these people search for things from Bible times..likes Noah's Ark they found.

Well, this physco is from a different race. I'm not a racist or anything, but I'd rather have a white clan...you know? I always liked people from other races but marrying them wasn't exactly on my to-do list...

Brooke