Is it time to move on?

[Maureen]

Thank you Bruce
for your openess.

I cannot say my husband is an alcoholic as such, he can go up to 3 weeks without drink, but then he would binge drink, drink enough in that one night that would do 3 weeks.
I don't think he can be termed an alcoholic then.

Such a differant person he is without drink though, you rememeber Dr Jeckall and Mr Hyde, bringing about the term, 'your a Jeckall and Hyde' well that is him.

I do believe him being diagnosed with Diabetes is subject to this, because I have prayed even in tears, Lord take away the drink from him, then he is diagnosed with this, and was ever so good on going out drinking with only taking a few, so I believe, until last week end when he blew it.
I believe also the Lord is in all of this.
I know it's the drink keeping him from Jesus, he won't admit to that, says it's not the right time, whenever is the right time I ask you, it's always right.

Well with him being stripped away, it will be good to watch the Lord work in him.

I do not want to be a hinderence to God's plan, it is the work of His Holy Spirit, so it's only a matter of time.

I just thank the Lord so much for bringing me through these times too, only for His hand, guidence, love, oh there's so much He gives, were I'd be without Him in my life doesn't bear thinking.

Thank you again for writing. I'm glad the Lord came to your rescue too.
Psalm 50 v 15
And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

And your right drinking, and alcoholism is sin.

 

[JonathanAB]

My prayers are with you Maureen.
When God came into my life, I no longer felt like drinking.

For me, it was a 'tough man' thing. Once I learnt how to cry without shame, my heart opened, and the tears were as the blood of Jesus, washing away the past. For me, the drink was a drowning of sorrows; but once I learnt to give my heart to God, the sorrow was gone, and I just did not need the drink anymore.

I have come to learn, that it is a strength to cry at misery, and a weakness to hide one's misery in oneself. I hope this helps a little bit.

God's Sunniest blessings from South Africa.

 

[Brother Mike]

Wow

great Post everyone..... Get ready for the Change.

If it is any help. I use to drink a case of beer a day!!! (Cheap beer :embarasse)

Anyway, All things are possible with God. I don't even think about beer anymore.

So, lets get ready for the praise reports. Nobody can stay the same once God gets A hold of them. His Word can never return void. God's Word can not fail those that refuse to be moved............

Jesus Is Lord.

 

[Maureen]

Encouragement or what!!!!
That sure did me good.

It is only the Lord Jesus that can take away desires and give new ones.
I think it's amazing, I couldn't read when I first got saved, I could read but wouldn't read, if you understand my meaning.
I prayed and told the Lord, not that He didn't already know.
But I said I have to read my bible and I can't, well it wasn't much later, a few days guess what, I was reading away pages and pages, and am same ever since, even books but they must be of a spirtual nature no interest in anything other.

There's been much more but that'll do for now.
Thanks brothers.

 

[Maureen]

Are we saying that alcohol is not a sin then?
Then smoking wouldn't be a sin either.
So were do we draw the line from something being sinful and something not being sinful?

Surely our bodies are the Temple of God, it is written.
1 Corinthians 3 v 17
If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

This is always a battler, some say it's okay to drink, some not, I think if it would become a stumbling block for one, it is best to aviod it.
Myself, I prefer not to, I was convicted sat in a bar soon after getting saved, even though I was drinking lemonade. I've not been back.
That is me personally.
I know I would not like to sit in company in a bar drinking, I see it as that's a worldly thing, I did that in my old life, I have a new life, praise God.

It is interesting though to bring up these things.

I really don't think alcoholism and cancer can be linked in the same sentence though, one is begun by our action the other is not.
Congratulations SLE isn't our God marvelous.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

Maureen,
I know your pain, not as a spouse of one with a drinking problem, but a former alcoholic. We have been married 38 years, I finally gave it up in 1983. I never physically abused my wife or children. I did use verbal and emotional abuse, part of the problem was my refusal to admit that I was sinning. AA and the AMA said that alcoholism is a disease and it's not my fault. That is not true alcoholism is sin!

My wife sought help through Al-Anon and prayer It helped her understand how to deal with it and to realize that God is an ever present help.

You and your husband are in my prayers!

Blessings!
In Him,
Bruce

Alcoholism is not a sin any more than cancer is a sin. You can arguably make a case for a person who knows he's alcoholic, who knows the damage his drinking can do, taking a drink. But, I don't buy the idea that being alcoholic is a sin because it is ludicrous to think that anyone would take their very first drink hoping to achieve alcoholism.

AA did correctly tell you that your alcoholism wasn't your fault, but it never told you that you were not responsible for bad things you did when you were drunk. On the contrary, the whole purpose of the Twelve Steps of AA is to encourage members to come to grips with the damage they did when they drank and move into a sober and productive life by the grace of God.

SpiritLedEd (a sober member of AA - sober 25 years)

 

[natty threads]

(((((HUGS)))))

Bless up!

 

[Maureen]

ah thank you, hugs are nice.
much appreciated.

In our Ladies meeting last night, one of the women said she had been going there 51years and still not saved, she said she had things going on at home and she couldn't get saved, don't know what she meant and didn't want to pry either.

The visiting Pastor told her she could get saved right there were she stood, but she said no she can't.

I thought it sad, she is an elderly lady in her eighties, imagine hearing God's word all them years and not saved, but we shouldn't let anyone or thing stand beteen us and accepting Christ, it's not worth it, or they're not worth it. Jesus willl never disappoint, and help with the problems, I hope I can get to talk with her next week, although if all those preachers haven't got through in all those years....

My Uncle went to church for 54years and was 81yrs old and got saved 4 months before he died, and gave me the greatest pleasure pointing him, God has accurate timing.

 

[ImmanuelWithUs]

Maureen. You precious woman of God. It sounds like you've been to hell on earth in this marriage. The only words of wisdom I can contribute would be that the Lord came to this earth and died for us to make us free. He bought your freedom. You are free; take that however you wish. I will pray for you. This is all I can say...

 

[Maureen]

Dearest Sister ImmanuelWithUs
Pray for my husband please, Evan is his name, the Lord knows all about him.

Thank you for your kind words, I know we would not be together but only the Lord stepped in and saved me, He has held my hand through the storms, truly, I could not have hung on without Him in my life.
All glory is His, if I can glorify Jesus in my marraige and my walk this will be so pleasing to me.

You said it all sister when you say Jesus died for us, if we just sit and actually take in just what it cost our Saviour as He knew all what lay ahead of Him and for us He gave His all, makes me wonder why, but it's cause He loves us so very much, what a tremendous love.

It's this love that is captivating, and re-bounds back to others, otherwise I couldn't love my husband as I do, it's the love of Jesus.

I'm sure there are people out there who have suffered violent abuse by their spouses, much worse than I have been through, though it's been tuff at times, but by God's grace I am alive and I want to tell of Him.
I only wish I could do it more and better, sometimes I feel a failure at spreading the gospel, and not very good at it, but I'm sure whatever we can do, so long as it's done in Jesus name, I'm sure the Father is pleased.

Thank you for your reply sister.

 

[Whendancer]

Sister to sister...

:girl_hug:My Dear Sister Maureen,
Your words have, once again, brought back memories of being in a similiar situation years ago. The main thing that gave me the courage to walk away was the protection of our daughter. When I saw that with each explosive episode was escalating to violence, I took what we needed and moved in with family. Back then, I was a scared wife and mother in her mid-twenties. A woman, who though a believer, could only see hopelessness and anger in a marriage that did not honor God. But, today, I am an elder-woman of fifty and I know who I AM IN CHRIST and I can attest to God's faithfulness. AND (!!!) I believe in the power of prayer more than anything on this planet! My Sister, I am sure that you, too, have been witness to what happens when faith and prayer have been applied in the lives of others around you. I believe that that is why you have called on us to pray with you and why so many have answered that call...amen?

The scriptures are true: WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!
And, He allows certain circumstances in our lives so that we can be witnesses to what can transpire when His Word is applied with faith!

FIRST:
HOPE IN GOD!!!

SECOND:

BELEIVE IN THE POWER OF PRAYER

We believe in the power of prayer and we believe that there will be a testimony that will glorify God, IF WE FAINT NOT. But, it doesn't matter if YOU don't believe it YOURSELF! This is YOUR marriage. This is the soul of YOUR husband. If you want some of us to join with you in a fast, give us a date. If you are going to organize an INTERVENTION with friends and family, give us a date so that we can pray for all to go well.

REMEMBER: The prayers of the righteous availeth much. And, when we come together on one accord there is so much more to be availed!!=O)

(And, the righteous, are ALWAYS clear on who it is that gives us the authority to have such power. We do all things IN HIS NAME FOR HIS GLORY!)


AND LAST:

May I recommend, for you and your husband, Neil Anderson's Freedom In Christ Ministries? They have resources that address the needs of both of you at this time. His need to be free of an addiction. Your need to remember that your hope is anchored in an Almighty King. Your marriage is, now, being covered by the prayers of those that have come along side you and help in the battle for your husband's soul.

BE ENCOURAGED!!!!!!!!!!!
When you have done all that you can to stand,dear Sister, just keep standing...in faith...in trust...for love. Remember, you are not standing alone!
Shake your fist at the Enemy all that you want! Say outloud as often as it takes, "Get out of my house and leave my marriage alone! By the authority that has been given to me by my King and Brother, Jesus, I hereby officially EVICT YOU OFF THE PREMISES! I have not made any provisions for you and you have already stayed WAAAAAAAAAAAAY TOO LONG! GET OUT AND TAKE YOUR BAG OF DOUBTS AND DISCOURAGEMENT WITH YOU!!!"

LET THE PRAISE GO UP
After, that, you may want to put on some praise music and get some worship sweeping through each room like a sweet refreshing incense!!

Meanwhile, we who have joined in prayer for BOTH OF YOU will be waiting for that praise report.
BLESSINGS!!!!
YOUR SISTER IN COMBAT,
WHENDANCER aka BEVERLY

 

[Maureen]

Sister Beverly
I take it you never got back with your husband then?

Thank you for all that wonderful advice, I sincerely mean that, and for taking time to write it all.

I am at present taking a 'back seat' so to speak, trying to let the Holy Spirit work without me putting my 2 big feet in.
Only if I'm prompted by the Holy Spirit to speak a word to Evan then I will obey.

As some things grip your inner being and you just have to carry them out.
It is marvelous when it happens though because a strength comes that is not your own and carrys you to do the task at hand.

I am 5 years more than yourself, but years of living that way got me to the cross nearly 6 years ago, I'd had enough then, I didnt care if Evan left me because I knew I had Jesus with me and He wouldn't, so I confidently told him I'd got saved, expecting him to leave me, he always told me never to become a Christian, but the Lord beckoned, and was worth more than anyone to me.

I've had a great life since then, Evan has tried with satans help to break it but we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, and I did.
I don't want to paint a picture of gloom, it has had good times, and bad times, I now await Jesus to save him, He gives me the strength to wait, as I couldn't do it, I love my life with the Lord, and my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Thank you again Beverly, it means so much to have sisters in the Lord who care and genuinely care not as the world cares.

He gives strength to me
as I worship Him
and my heart is filled with praise