Comments for letters from Christ

Comment on Good lessons … by oakesclan

oakesclan — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:32:36 +0000

Freedom’s over-rated. I used to come and go as I pleased…with no one to have to report to. If I wanted to see a movie…I could just up and go…whenever. If I wanted to play ball…or take a trip…or buy a car…there was no one I needed to check with, as long as I had the money…and the time off.
Now…it’s different. Gloriously so! I have all kinds of strings attached. I no longer live mainly on my whims. I don’t wish to go to the movies unless my wife can make it too. I wouldn’t make any significant purchase without sharing/talking with her about it. My time is accounted for…family…grandchildren…work. And that’s exactly how I want it to be.
Do I have to tell my wife where I’ll be? Yes…but not that kind of “have to.” I have to be because I love her and don’t want her to worry needlessly. Do I have to involve her when it comes to what we’ve agreed are significant purchases? Yes…but not that kind of “have to.” I have to because we are in this life together and I wouldn’t have her feel left out.
I really like the point of the Story of the Day. I appreciated illustrations you shared. It was a great reminder for me. I am glad I am free to not be “free” anymore. When I went my own way, it was the pigpen for me. I’d much rather be found, be welcomed, be wanted, be loved, hugged and kissed, and be responsible for something worthwhile in my Father’s house.
Merry Christmas, Paige!

YOUR COMMENT MADE ME THINK OF THIS QUOTE, “REAL FREEDOM IS DOING WHAT’S RIGHT, BECAUSE YOU WANT TO.” CHOOSING SOMETHING OPPOSED TO HAVING TO DO SOMETHING REALLY DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

WHEN YOU LOVE SOMEONE, LIKE YOU’RE DESCRIBING, YOU DO THINGS BECAUSE YOU KNOW IT’S WHAT THEY NEED. THE BEST RELATIONSHIPS ARE FORMED WHEN TWO PEOPLE WANT WHAT’S BEST FOR EACH OTHER. THEIR HEARTS FUNCTION BEST WHEN DOING FOR SOMEONE ELSE. I KNOW THAT’S THE HEART OF JESUS. AND I HAVE A VERY STRONG SUSPICION, BASED ON THE MANY WORDS I READ FROM YOUR HEART, THAT YOUR HEART IS LIKE THIS TOO.

Comment on Hokey-Pokey by Cyndi

Cyndi — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:02:58 +0000

thanks paige for your words. they make me feel good.

YOU’RE SO SWEET CYNDI. I APPRECIATE YOU STOPPING BY SO OFTEN. YOU ARE GOOD FOR MY HEART.

Comment on Distracted by oakesclan

oakesclan — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 19:01:31 +0000

I admire the desire you have where your students are concerned. The lack of respect that some of them are showing you, no doubt reflects the lack of self-respect that lives inside them. How they need what you are laboring to give them. I pray that the light will turn on for them and that it will result in lots of other good changes and growth in their lives. I’m convinced they have the right teacher for the job. God bless you in this.
I admire also the discipline you have to be doing course work, while teaching and while writing another book. You’re tough, kid!
I’m another one of those who also profits from your insights and your way with words…I’ll be hoping to get a peek at this latest effort from the pen of Page Turner (still love that pseudonym).
May God continue to give you strength equal to your days and your tasks…and through it all…the comfort of His presence with you.

I HAVE TO REMEMBER THE MISERY THAT MANY OF THOSE STUDENTS LIVE WITH ON A DAILY BASIS. I WANT TO BE A BRIGHT SPOT FOR THEM … NOT ANOTHER SOURCE OF FRUSTRATION.

THE BOOK STILL NEEDS QUITE A BIT OF EDITING, BUT YOU ARE ON THE LIST TO RECEIVE ONE AS SOON AS IT’S DONE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGING WORDS. YOUR TAKE ON THINGS ALWAYS BRINGS ME BACK TO WHAT MATTERS … THANK YOU.

Comment on Distracted by Sarah

Sarah — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 02:45:25 +0000

Paige I pray that God will win your kids over to you. I pray that God will help them submit to your authority and remove any stubbornness that might be lingering in those kids.

I APPRECIATE THAT PRAYER SARAH. I REMEMBER LAST YEAR AND HOW MANY PRAYERS WERE SAID FOR YOU AND YOUR KIDS … NOW THIS YEAR YOU ARE HAVING AN AMAZING YEAR. I’M SO GLAD. IT GIVES ME HOPE.

Comment on Distracted by sherryfisher

sherryfisher — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:26:48 +0000

I know how full your days are and how exhausting it must be some days to try to deal with the things that come your way…much less trying to stay ahead on your work. I really don’t know how you found time to write 50,000 words…with your technology battles and all

You definitely have a gift for expressing yourself and I love to read the things you write. I just re-read your story from last year…laughed all over again at those stories!!

I pray for you every day…sometimes specific things, other times just that God will hear your heart. I pray that God continues to use me to help people. I don’t feel like I’ve kept up my end of that deal very well this last year so I want to do better.

Thanks Paige.

MY ONLY EXPLANATION IS THAT CDO IS AGAIN, WORKING IN MY FAVOR.

I APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT WITH MY WRITING ENDEAVORS. MORE THAN ANYTHING I APPRECIATE THE PRAYERS. WE’VE SEEN WHAT THOSE PRAYERS CAN DO AND I WILL NEVER AGAIN UNDERESTIMATE THEIR POWER. KNOW THAT I SPEAK TO GOD ON YOUR BEHALF AS WELL … LOVE YA.

Comment on Distracted by Cyndi

Cyndi — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:49:19 +0000

Paige anything that you write is good. I have read your stuff with such pleasure. You make me laugh so much, and that is what I miss the most about you. I pray for you all the time and I know that you pray for me as well. My prayer is that Andrew’s business is a success. I can not wait to read your 50,000 words story. love ya

Cyndi

YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SO SUPPORTIVE OF MY WRITING. I DO PRAY FOR YOU AND APPRECIATE THE PRAYERS YOU OFFER FOR ME … I FEEL THEM. MISS YOU SO MUCH.

Comment on The Words I Would Say by sherryfisher

sherryfisher — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:16:51 +0000

I like it! I like the thought of love finding you where you are. And of course God having His hand on me

AMEN!

Comment on I Beg to Differ … by Email Girl

Email Girl — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:26:09 +0000

When someone hits you it stings for a little bit, occasionally it leaves a little mark, but for the most part its quick and jolting but when its over, its over. Words intended to slander you, on the other hand, never go away. I have been wounded both ways by someone who was supposed to love me and I have to say that I’d rather be hit than be called names, belittled, reminded of all my failures, made fun of, degraded. There was a time I didn’t protect myself from the words and it nearly destroyed me…it killed my spirit. I have learned to protect my heart from words now but its not easy…little bits get through cracks in my walls and infect my soul still today. Words will hurt you … I know for certain.

I HATE THE WORDS THAT HAVE BEEN SPOKEN TO YOU THAT BELITTLED, DEGRADED, AND REMINDED YOU OF FAILURES. I ASK GOD TO HELP YOU FORGET WORDS THAT HAVE BEEN SPOKEN TO HURT. MAY HE HELP YOU HEAR HIS WORDS LOUD AND CLEAR, “YOU ARE PRECIOUS … YOU ARE MINE … ALWAYS.”

Comment on I Beg to Differ … by oakesclan

oakesclan — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:34:20 +0000

“This children’s taunt was first listed in ‘Folk Phrases of Four Counties’ (1894) by G.F. Northall and is first attested in the United States in ‘Miss Lindsey’ (1936) by S.G. Gibbons.”
So, I guess a child may have come up with the phrase to use against some verbal bully…but more likely a parent invented it for their child to use as ammunition against said bully.
But the fact that this is a lie is made crystal clear to me by a moment’s reflection. Various situations come readily to my normally forgetful mind even across decades, going back to childhood, when but one stabbing word made the moment indelible so that I can’t forget it, hard as I try. I don’t wish to be the author of such moments for anybody else.

WE ALL HAVE THOSE WORDS THAT WE JUST CAN’T FORGET. I HAD A TEACHER IN JUNIOR HIGH THAT TRIED TO IMPRESS UPON US THE POWER OF WORDS. HE SAID, “THEY CAN LIVE IN A PERON’S HEART FOREVER.” HE WAS RIGHT. GOD PLEASE HELP ME TO CHOOSE MY WORDS CAREFULLY.

Comment on Enough by oakesclan

oakesclan — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:21:04 +0000

Paige, I have come away from visits with people who were going thru the wringer with a very empty feeling. I questioned whether my time with them was in any way helpful to them. Was anything I said encouraging? Did I talk around the most pressing needs without ever really touching them? Did I strengthen their hand in God? The older I have gotten…the more experiences I’ve learned from…the more I have determined to wade on out there where the issue really is. Most people make all kinds of allowances for my pathetic efforts and seem to be really appreciative that I came. The one question that I ask as soon as the time seems right (and there are ways we have to earn the right to ask it)is this one, phrased in any number of ways, “How’s your heart?” I’m pretty sure that I do more listening than speaking. I know that it isn’t easy. To enter into another person’s pain is one of the most difficult things for any of us to do. But as our hearts grow to be “loving hearts” there’s nothing else for us but to enter in as best we’re able. I’ve heard what sounded to me to be glib advice offered to a sufferer by a casual acquaintance and it had the effect of scraping fingernails on a chalkboard. Then again, I’ve heard the very same glib-sounding words offered in a different context to a beloved friend and they had the effect of the very wisdom of God. If we are able to speak easily at such moments, we probably ought to keep our mouths shut. If it is difficult for us to speak, then we are prepared to be of help. Of course, I plead with God to make me useful to the one in need.
This I know, from the heart you have revealed in your writings and that has been reflected in the thoughts of your friends who know you best, if I was in trouble, needing advice or encouragement or just a bit of comfort, a visit from you…or a note…or a prayer on my behalf would most welcome.

I BELIEVE YOU ARE RIGHT … ASKING “HOW’S YOUR HEART?” OR EVEN “ARE YOU OKAY?” THEN LISTENING INTENTLY IS ONE OF THE BEST HELPS ONE CAN GIVE. TOO MANY TIMES I THINK I FEEL LIKE I HAVE TO TALK A LOT TO BE OF ANY HELP. BUT REALLY … THEY’RE THE ONES THAT NEED TO TALK. USUALLY WHEN ONE SAYS IT ALL OUT LOUD THEY CAN SOLVE MUCH OF IT THEMSELVES.

YOUR WRITING HELPS SO MANY … I HAVE TO BELIEVE THAT YOU’RE EVEN BETTER IN PERSON.