Hi everyone!

We need major prayers at my church. I will post this in prayer requests, but I need advice here. My fiancee is the Children's Ministry director at my church. She has been under attack, as well as several church members/ staff from one woman in particular. She need office space for this new ministry, and my g/f graciously offered to share her office- half of it. WEll, this woman basically wanted to overtake it, paint the walls, move in furniture, etc. etc. She blamed the pastor's wife, stating it was "her" idea, when now I'm believing it's not. In my church, the only people who have office space are paid staff, which my g/f is one of them. She is a church member...longtime tradition growing up in the church (parents still go there, her children go there, etc.). So when my g/f put some restrictions- and very reasonable ones, this lady went off on her. Upset her greatly. Well, she was talking about my g/f spreading lies about her around the church, etc. A lot of people are believing them. Some (the smart ones or the ones who know my g/f the best) are not believing it, which does help her. So, this last week, the pastor's wife said that this lady called, along with someone else on staff, stating she wanted to meet with her to make amends. My fiancee was open to that. Well, it was a snare, and another opportunity to attack my g/f. She was so upset that she wants to quit her job. I have never seen her like this. She believes God has left her. What's worse is this woman has threatened to tell everyone in the church to pull their child out of Sunday School because she's a liar and a bad example to children (the only lying she does is keep our relationship a secret from those who would do something like the above). Personally, this woman is acting immature and unChristian-like. It hurts me because it's causing divisive and desention among church members. It's the opposite of what Christ wants for the church. And it's crushing the Spirit of my beloved. All I've been doing is praying. And I'm in need of major prayer and advise. The pastor today did a great sermon about getting news straight from the source, tying in what's going on. IT's horrible. Short of going to another church, which I believe this woman wants us to do, we need to make it through this. Any advice would be great. Personally, I think this woman is making an excuse to get her out, along with the pastor's wife and pastor, and the associate pastor (all of them have been attacked by her, but not are harshly as my fiancee). I believe that she found out about us and using the office space issue as a way to get us out, and also using my g/f support system in the church to help do it. PLEASE, PLEASE PRAY FOR ST. PAUL UMC!

Blessing,
Abigail

Isaiah 40:31

Praying for all of you Abigail! That The Holy Spirit comes and heals all of the upset! Watch and pray and see what He's doing!

GOD'S HEALING FOR ALL,
ROSE




Isaiah 49
1 Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.

2 And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of His Hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in His quiver hath He hid me;

3 And said unto me, Thou art My servant, O Israel, in whom I will be Glorified.

4 Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my Judgment is with the LORD, and my Work with my God.

5 And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be Glorious in the Eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my Strength.


If you tell a lie, don't believe it deceives only the other person.
- Unknown


IT'S A LOVE THAT NEVER ENDS
TRET FURE

Thanks Rose! That means more than you know. God Bless!

Abigail

Isaiah 40:31

Praying for this situation..........

Abigail...

This is a hard one to handle. I know as I have been attacked by people before as well. In my workplace there is a woman who thinks of no one but herself and really got me into a tight-spot at work last week (someone referred to it as backstabbing). It's hard to handle for sure.

I prayed about the situation at my work (for days and days). What it boiled down to is what we read in proverbs all the time. A foolish person opens her mouth and is seen as a fool. A wise person waits patiently for the right opportunity to speak...if it ever comes along. Your fiance is a bigger person than this woman and God has a reason for them to be working together.

Allow Him the time to work in the heart of this woman and hold fast to His promise to never leave or forsake us!

New Song,

That is great! I never thought about Proverbs. When we get together today, I'll suggest that....any proverbs in particular you can think of?

Thanks for the prayers- they are making a difference. My g/f mentioned last night that she has felt some weight lifted. Praise God!

Abigail

Isaiah 40:31

Good luck Abigail - my only advice is that your g/f have a long heart-to-heart with the pastor. This not only alerts him to the situation but he would know this woman, and the situation, better than anyone.

1 Cor 13:13 (NLT)
"and the greatest of these is love."

Abigail:

Here are some of the Proverbs that I read in my devotionals this week. These ones come from a devotional on gaychristian.net. It's really hard to hold our tongues when we are under attack, but God is clear that speaking too soon makes us look just as foolish as those who are attacking us!

Proverbs 12:15
The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.

Proverbs 18:2
A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.

Proverbs 25:15
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

Proverbs 16:32
Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.

Proverbs 14:29
A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.

Tell your g/f to hold tight and wait for God to work. The more she smiles at this woman, the less this woman can fault her later on! At the same time...your g/f should be careful around her while God works his miracle in her heart.

And if they are sharing an office...she'll have plenty of time to minister to this woman! Perhaps she can get creative with her ministry...imagine this woman's surprise if your g/f asked to meet with her once a week to pray for the minintries they share!

God will work if you and your g/f lean on Him! God Bless...and let us know how things improve!

Carol

Thanks for the proverbs! I will relay them to my g/f.

Our pastor already is very aware of the situation...she went to him the day it first started, and she's informed important people about the situation so that they wouldn't hear things and wonder. She's been very assertive in this situation- in a very positive way.

Luckily, they do not share an office...after the first incident, this woman changed her mind, but blamed my g/f for being inflexible. When they talked again a week later, there were some points that this woman brought up that my g/f disputed. Then this woman called her a liar and was going to tell everyone. This woman is not only attacking my g/f but the pastor's wife, the pastor and the assistant pastor. People are now starting to see that it can't be a coincidence with the staff.

Some positive things today- prayers have been working: The pastor's wife talked to someone who believed the lies and have been cold to my g/f. She cleared this up with him, and now they're "seeing the light." Hopefully the good news spreads! Keep praying- it's far from over!

Abigail

Isaiah 40:31

We are having the same problem at our church, though I am not aware that there is one person at the center of it. I go to a Congregational Church. It is not officially Open and Affirming. The Pastor, a female, is. She has brought it up, and stands in her convictions that gays should be in the life of the Body. I, and one other gay woman attend this church. At this time, a few people have left in a huff over this "issue" and the Body is in an upheavel. Nobody seems to want to come to get-togethers. People seem to run out of the church after the service is over. One woman and me have a counter-attack. I personally don't think this is about "gay issues". I think that is the straw that is breaking the camel's back. Maybe I am wrong. We have decided to pray. We come every Sunday Morning at 8:30 am or thereabouts. Last Sunday's prayer time was FANTASTIC. One of the ushers even noticed a "glow" on the face of the other lady after we finished last week. Each week I also get up and invite others to pray with us. Nobody comes, but God is moving. We pray for the Church and our Pastor. I am also asking other people to make a commitment to praying for the church and pastor on a daily basis which I do myself. I know that this will have fruit. I know that this is what God wants. That is ALL He wants for right now- to pray. The Congregational Church tends to be an older Body that likes the old hymns and muted prayers. They would have been surprised that the Prayer Time is closer to Pentecostal..Spirit filled. So, I am suggesting maybe you get a group together that prays once a week and commits once a day to pray for the Pastor(s) and the Church. Prayer works. If no-one comes, pray yourself until people do. Maybe this is not where the Lord is leading you. He may have a different vision for your body. But I wanted to tell you what we have been doing.

Wondering how things are going this week. Still praying!

Blyth,

What an awesome idea! I think that is definitely what our church needs. WE do have a lot of gays and lesbians that attend our church. However, we do have an older population like yours that is against change. Granted, one person in particular is trying to get feathers ruffled, but the "issue" is a big topic at our church, and people have left because our pastor is supportive of gays. Our choir director is "out" pretty much- he doesn't announce it, but he doesn't deny it. He has been married for a long time and talks about his husband frequently. I know with my g/f, many people know about us, but are too afraid to ask the question. She doesn't want to tell too many people, because it could jeopardize my employment if the word gets out (and it can....there is someone at my church that teaches in my school district, and many families that are associated with the past district where I taught...I'm in a good sized city, but the gossip travels here!!). There are many others...many our director have brought in. My g/f and I are skeptical about saying "come to our church" with all the stuff going on (a major turn-off). However, a prayer group is something I need to think about. Thanks for the idea!!

Abigail

Isaiah 40:31

New Song,

Thanks for your prayers...it is still slow, but there have been some people who know the situation talking to those who don't. I think it's working. This Sunday is going to be the true test: we have the Sunday School kick-off and picnic after church. Everyone will be there. My g/f didn't want to go initially but is now going to go, as far as I know. If anything, I think that she's been praying for strength and protection. Some people have been doing that specifically. Our secretary said it best: she's giving this woman too much power. That definitely changed my g/f's perspective. So, we'll see. Pray for Sunday. This Wednesday went well, but she wasn't in the office that long to be attacked! thank you so much for the prayers..they are working! Praise God!!!

Abigail

Isaiah 40:31

Hi Y'all!

I haven't been on in a while cuz work is sucking all my energy...and church stuff, too.

Well, welcome to the world of the ugly church world. Now, this lady stirring the pot is trying to get my g/f fired. She found out she was gay or assumes so. She even had the nerve to call the office for my address so "her girls could send me a thank you card." Funny, I have yet to receive it....
Anyway, this family has gone to a church catty corner from our church. They are (the pastor) VERY outspoken against gays. Guess it's her kind of church. We still are reaping the effects of her handiwork. Our pastor did a sermon last Sunday on gossip. I hope people were awake to listen! Anyway, just an update. Please keep praying!

Abigail


Abigail
Isaiah 40:31