[Faith-talk] Prayer class

[Everett Gavel]

Hi Chelsea, and all,

Now Chelsea, first, it's not necessarily your house, is 
it?  If you're living with your mom, it's probably her 
house, right? (smile)

Second, the Catholic versus Protestant thing is an old, 
old, bias.  The reasons for the split from the Catholic 
church, in fact, are at the base, here.

No disrespect to your mom, but, why do you need her 
permission anyway?  You're a college girl.  Just go, 
and trust in God to keep you safe.  If you go in fear, 
thinking you need your mom or anyone else bsides Jesus 
to get through your days and life, you're going to miss 
out on a *lot* of blessings in life that God could 
bestow upon your day, just by you venturing out and 
trusting in Him.

Think of that cliche that many supposedly quote from 
the Bible, which actually isn't in the Bible.  You 
know, the one that says, "God helps those who help 
themselves?"  Well, while it's not in the Bible, it is 
true in many ways.  Meaning that He can bless you much 
easier by you getting out into the world, into society, 
and interacting with others.  By putting your trust in 
Him, and venturing out more, He will, most certainly, 
grow you and bless you more. Because you're opening up 
many more opportunities for Him to do what He does 
best, the way only He can do it.

And no disrespect meant to any parents, but kids, 
teens, and young adults are *supposed* to learn from 
their successes as well as their failures.  It's a part 
of a fuller life, of learning, of growing up properly 
and more successfully.  When a parent does too much for 
their kids, for whatever reason, in the long run it is 
actually hurting the child more than helping.  What it 
is doing more often than not, is simply giving into the 
parent's own fears, and avoiding natural growth for the 
youth. Every kid, absolutely every kid, should get 
bumps and bruises and scratches from venturing out on 
their own.  Every youth should have a chance to make 
decisions for themselves, try what they think is right, 
and learn from it when they find it didn't work that 
way.  But with disabilities, I find more and more (and 
it saddens me) that many parents don't let their 
disabled kiddos go through many such experiences which 
the child's peers, are allowed to go through and learn 
from.

Now, while I don't necessarily recommend the Catholic 
church, which I grew up in, I'm not against it. 
Because I've come to realize thankfully, that it's 
*Jesus* and only Jesus, that truly matters.  And He, 
Jesus, can be found anywhere, in any church, in any 
sort of Christian denomination.  Of course, you need to 
search Him out, because He is missing from many 
churches even while they claim to have Him and know Him 
there.

Chelsea, I'll take a bus over to where you are, my 
friend, and happily walk with you a time or two if you 
would like a friend at first.  No worries there.  It's 
all in God's hands.  Let me know on or off list.  And 
no matter what, keep talking to Jesus, praying to 
Jesus, and doing your best to put your trust in Him.

Lastly, my friend, if you still live over where you did 
back around '02, that's actually near my church, a 
non-denominational Jesus-based, Jesus-loving, 
Christ-centered church with members who'd be happy to 
pick you up and take you home, as they do me most 
times.  (smile)

You can check out my church's site at 
www.changinghistory.org if you'd like to know more.  Or 
just contact me.  God bless your efforts either way, 
Chelsea.  Searrch Him, Jesus Christ, out with your 
heart, not just your noggin, and you'll find Him. 
Definitely.

God bless your efforts!


His,
Everett
everett at everettgavel.com
www.everettgavel.com


----- Original Message ----- 
> Could you guys pray for me? I'm struggling with my 
> mom. I just asked her if I could go to the Catholic 
> church around the corner, and after a really, really 
> long pause, she said: "Well,  for one, you have to 
> dress up to go to that church." I didn't even ask her 
> what her other reasons were. She was leery even when 
> I was going to that Baptist congregation. I should be 
> able to express myself religiously in my own house.
>
> Thanks,
> Chelsea
>