My past is one God truly made for me. I was adopted as a baby not knowing any natural parent. Many of my adopted family did not recognize me and accept me into theirs. I believe that does hurt and hold me back some. Once I accepted Jesus they further found fault with me. Even friends of the family just couldn’t accept my choice. I was told by one uncle not to trust Jesus too much. I’m a person who observes situations and people. What I remember from my childhood were the godly loving members in it. What I got from that past was my lack in self confidence. I watched those prideful members and family friends fall and lose their way. I did my best to show an example to them how God was trustworthy. Now many of those people are gone and I saw how their lives ended. I can’t say the went to be with Jesus or they didn’t. I do know many trusted more in themselves than Jesus, so sad to me. There is sadness in my past but I choose to not dwell there and remember the good out of it. I now know some of the talents God has given me and am just recently began to use them. I love the new friends I’ve made and pray I can keep them. Thank you for being one of my new friends. Thanks to many on here I can talk to that I can count on , like Cathey, Tricia, Anne and Heidi. I will forever be grateful for the ones you and God have brought into my present.🙏
Oh Cindy, you just brought a smile to my face my friend. I'm so glad we had a chance to meet. You are a friend, and I'm always here! I'm truly blessed to know you!
Cindy this is precious ❤️ Sometimes life is hard and we make mistakes and often grow from them. I’m thankful you found Jesus in your life and I couldn’t imagine growing up in a home without knowing the love of Jesus. I’m thankful for you my friend, you’re a blessing to us all 🙏
Yes ma’am, It amazes me to sit back and think of all the distance between some of us and the reality of God’s work hits me. For a shy, small town girl I never thought I’d have friends all over the world ❤️ We are blessed and Donny is a Hugh part of that too🙏
Good morning Donny! I am amazed how God works through you and something I felt just yesterday. I was able to share with a friend yesterday a little of what I've been feeling for the past week or so. That four letter word FEAR! Fear of the unknown, fear of making the wrong decision, and just plain fear for stepping out on this new phase of the journey I'm on. When you read Isaiah 44, verse 1 stood out to me. In my translation, twice it says "Do not be afraid" and "Do not fear" and "Israel, my chosen one." Twice God says to Jacob, "do not fear" and "my chosen one."
Right then as I reading along and you reading it to us, God said, "Anne, trust me, I will show you," but you have to let go of something, a memory that you thought about just yesterday which was Tuesday. While reading along with you, I knew it was a memory I had about my own dad. The memory I've held on to about him was not being around as much as I would like for him to have been. He was a workaholic. He was an accountant and had his own business. The memories I held on to were that of him working day and night at the office and not being around more at home. Growing up, I craved for that attention from him. I blamed my mother a lot for this because she had a way of "nagging" him, and I feel when he couldn't take that anymore, he ran away to the office to escape it. When he did, I felt neglected. That's the long and short of it. But I also remembered the time when my father taught me to drive. I learned to drive in a large Ames department store parking lot. My dad did take the time to teach me that. Also, he would let me take hold of the steering wheel while he was the one who had has foot on the gas and the brake of course. I was sitting right next him and that was a good memory that came flooding back. I felt a bond and closeness during those times. I believe God allowed that good memory of him to come forth to remind me of the good times and not concentrate on the FEAR part of him running and escaping back to his office. Last October, I finally forgave my father for those resentments, and forgave myself, and asked God for His forgiveness. I've also forgiven my mother years ago. I've let those resentments go, but the Devil has a way of bringing them back but the pain of the resentments are no longer there.
But yesterday and this morning listening to your prayer walk after reading my devotions, something clicked. I feel when my dad ran away to the office to escape from my mother, maybe he ran in fear. He ran away like I was putting off or running away in fear myself of what God's plans are for me in this next phase since I recently retired. It's all new to me, and I was running away in fear of failing of making a wrong decision. Instead of running away in fear, I need to run to the Father, to Jesus, to God himself. I am a lot like my father, but I also have a bit of my mother in me. My father gave a lot of himself in his work. I'm a lot like that as I want to give back to others before taking care of myself. Then there's my mother who says, yes be the giver but also think and take care of yourself too. I think that's what she was always trying to get my father to do.
Either way, those childhood memories do come back from time to time, and they stop me in my tracks. The Devil would want me to remember the running away part which would be the fear portion, but the good memories I believe are placed there by God himself to remember that my father was there teaching me to drive like Jesus is always there for me now. My job is to have to faith and trust Him because He chose me and each of us. God does not want me or you to walk in fear. God took the nails and He was crushed for our sins so that would not have to live in fear or shame. We are forgiven. Today, after letting this fear of the unknown or fear of failure on this new phase of the journey take over, I'm choosing to let go of those fears and let Jesus take the wheel. I will hold on to this for now until the next time the Devil knocks.
Remember each of us are chosen, so do not be afraid. We are His children, so I hope to go forth with childlike faith and trust the decisions that I make are of His will and not mine. All I can promise is to try. If I fail or make a wrong decision, God will teach me what to learn from that. Thank you Donny. This prayer walk along with what I've read this morning and lately have helped me see maybe why I was running in fear and hesitating to start or hold back on this phase of the journey. God bless you and to all in this wonderful community.
Aug 23, 2023·edited Aug 23, 2023Liked by Donny Mac
Thank you for this prayer walk, Donny. I found it to be calming when talking about the past but then more thought provoking as the discussion turned to worthiness of blessings that God is offering. My childhood was an idyllic one in the 50s and 60s. My parents and siblings were loving. We attended Catholic schools, attended church and went on vacations. It was peacefully boring. I use the term boring as a good thing. When I met my husband, who has more faith that anyone I have ever met, my life was no longer boring. Things did not always go as planned. My past did not hold me back but it did not prepare me for bumps in the road. I found, however, that my husband’s faith was contagious. The more I saw how God took care of us the more I grew. I gained a confidence that I never realized before, including in my relationship with God. As far as being worthy of blessings I love Psalms 103 but particularly verse 12, “as far as the east is from the west, so far as He has removed our transgressions from us.” Jesus died for us all. We are worthy of the blessings. I have found accepting His blessings humbles me even more. God cares for me so much to shower me with blessings. You are a great example of a humble servant of God. Thank you for your inspiration and example. God bless you on your journey and be open to receive them.
Thank you Donny for another prayer walk. I am always blessed with the message and Bible verses that you share. I have many things to be thankful for.I am back from our trip to the Philippines.We celebrated my 80th birthday with our family reunion in a fancy restaurant.All my children and grandchildren were present which I am so grateful they made themselves available and took their leave from their jobs just for me. Two days before we departed we had a Despedida party (farewell party) and said goodbye to everyone in Grand Hyatt Hotel.Now I am back to Canada back to normal. This trip I prayed for 3 years and saved for 3 years just for this trip. This was my dream to see everybody when I turn 80. My Lord answered my prayers I am the happiest mom in the whole wide world. I can say that God sees us and hears us.I am alone again but I was able to see my love ones on my 80th birthday. God bless Donny and everyone who is in this prayer walk.
Memories! As you were talking about visiting your childhood home; I was reminded of my visit to my childhood home. 6 months ago I revisited my home and school I grew up in as a little Amish girl. Unbelievably it’s still standing; I hadn’t been back since I was 9 when I moved away. It was very nostalgic! Many good memories; a lot of my family lived there at the same time: aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents..... we did so many things together. I shed a few tears; cause those were/are the same people who later rejected me when I chose to accept Christ instead of their religious cult. I admit I could have gone down a dark path then but God gently brought me to a place where I could see those memories as blessings. Many, many wonderful things I learned that I probably would not have learned otherwise. And now years later some have joined me in faith in Christ.
But I do have a fear....
we do serve an awesome God; many times these prayer walks go right along with other things I’m reading/studying/listening to. Just today I was finishing up a Bible study I was doing when “our past” came up. Here’s a quote from the book/Bible study “Your New Now” by Nicki Koziar::: “Sometimes we hold on to seasons thinking it’s our best or only option. Other times we’re afraid to admit it’s time for that chapter to close. And sometimes we doubt God has anything new or better planned.” God took me to a place that He and I have been working on lately is::: I’m holding on to the memory of what my life used to be. When my husband had a stroke 4 1/2 years ago; that’s the day I “lost” my husband: he has never been the same since. But I have been living in denial and in that memory and it’s keeping me from experiencing the future God has for me!!! I have to accept my “new” now and make new memories and plans; step out in faith. “Courage” is the word God has given me this year along with the verse “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil. 4:13. Yes, I have a friend who calls me out and encourages me; whichever is needed. I’m so thankful for her and God; I should say God and her. So God and I have a journey ahead of us... and I couldn’t do it without Him!!! I’m just amazed how He brings so many things together when I’m reading and listening to things.
Donny my child hood past was not a good one my mom had a sickness and I had to go live with my grandparents till I was 16 then I moved back with my dad I guess the one thing from my past that really worried me is that I will end up with the same sickness my mom had but that kinda led me into bad relationship then I had my son and my adopted dad took me in and got a place for me and my son to live so we would never be homeless again 🙏🙏 my dad asked me one time how my life ended up the way it has and the only thing I could say was when you make a cake or whatever you don't have everything it calls for it wont come out right now i know that parto
Of my life was messed up cause of my past with my mom and all🙏🙏 but thank God he has been right by my side the whole time 🙏🙏 GOD has really really been a blessing to me and my son 🙏🙏 Thank you again For what you do causse it means more to me than you know ever know 🙏🙏 so greatful that Heidi told me about you 🙏🙏
Robin God allowed you to go all those moments to mold you into who you are today. His love never fails, have faith because we know He will always make a way on this journey. I Love you and I’m thankful for you.
As you said, memories of the past may just be nostalgia, but for some people it can be disturbing.
Often, things that happened in the past don't stay there. They stay with us, popping into our minds when we least expect them.
We all have unhealed “wounds” that can leave us connected to the past.
“I want to remember what gives me hope” Lamentations 3:21
I have this verse engraved in my heart and whenever some "negative" memory invades my mind I speak this scripture and pray.
And of course, I couldn't stop talking about “Therapy” as an effective means to help access these internal processes – lol (this laugh is because I'm always selling my fish – despite my specialization being in Organizational Psychology – lol).
Donny, do you believe that there is a hereditary curse, that a person is penalized for the actions of past generations?
What is your opinion about these scriptures, Proverbs 5:22 and Exodus 20:5 which are biblical references used to defend this idea of hereditary curse...
I'm not sure how Proverbs 5:22 defends the idea but I understand what you are saying. There are many scriptures in the old testament that clearly state "He punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation."
As you know, it is important to remember context. like in...
Exodus 20:5-6 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
The scripture speaks of "of those who hate me."
And then there's the fact that we are all broken because Adam and Eve sinned. BUT...
It all brings more light to the love, grace and sacrifice God showed us through Jesus on the cross.
Jesus paid the cost to full fill the law and clean us of that curse on the cross.
That said, I do believe that evil spirits can attached themselves to peoples children and grand children. Which is why we must be mindful, pray and cast them out. But that's another conversation.
Aug 25, 2023·edited Aug 25, 2023Liked by Donny Mac
You're welcome, DONNYYY! LOL
I'm glad you took the time to respond, I'm honored.
According to the studies I have seen using Proverbs 5:22 as a reference for this theme, it is about the cumulative action of iniquity. For these preachers, the Bible shows different types of iniquities that add up according to the way one lives and what one receives as an inheritance from parents and ancestors.
Complemented with the idea of the “hereditary curse of Adam” that generated in us the tendency to sin, they approach that a person who systematically commits a sin “can” transmit to his descendants the tendency to live in the same way.
For me, this thought has a certain logic, since the construction of our identity takes place, to a certain extent, through the first examples. They are usually established by the link with the environment and the people around us.
Our path to sanctification has so many challenges, right?!
Glory to God because Jesus took upon himself every curse, giving us the possibility of living in freedom WITH CHRIST. But still the Bible exhorts us, as 1 Peter 5:8 says.
Anyway, as we know, God works in mysterious ways and this topic is just as mysterious.
My past, wow Donny, I love how you encourage us to explore all these emotions. The reference you used like a warm blanket, symbolic of comfort is a perfect example for me of my childhood. As a family of 9, we never struggled financially, we farmed so we never worried about having a job, we had a nice home and knew we were loved. Though we worked hard it was a wonderful life. My past generally doesn’t hold me back, it’s actually the opposite. My past motivates me to push harder towards my goals to make a better life for my family. As I mentioned to you about our cabin, every time I drive up I think of all those freezing days in 2000 that we worked in the snow sawing logs to put the walls up, and the memories of us walking up the stairs for the first time once we finished the loft. Thank you Donny for taking us down memory lane.
As a little girl, growing up in the 40's and 50's, my dad was a very mean drunk. He seldom worked and my wonderful mother worked and kept 3 little girls fed and clothed. My dad would take us with him and we would be around his drunk friends who would put their arms around me feeling my breasts as I got older. My dad didn't seem to care. As I got older there was a little church down the street from where we lived and my middle sister and I would go to it. Thank God for that little church. My sister and I both accepted Christ as our Savior there. I don't know what my life would have been like if it hadn't been for that little church. My sister and I often talk about how our lives could have been so different. When I started dating my then boyfriend, we were high school sweethearts and would go to church every Sunday together. We had Christ in our lives and married and were together for 53 years before he went to his heavenly home. I miss him so much, but I know I will see him again.
I would say that the main thing from my past that holds me back is the sense that I am not good enough. I have had this sense for many years and I am just learning to try and get it out of my mind. I even wrote a poem about when Graham Wardle challenged us to write poems back in August 2022. It is a struggle and especially in my walk with God. Even though I know Jesus has removed all my sin and made me a new creation this sense of not being good enough still pervades my life, especially when it comes to doing things for God or seeking God for something I don't feel I am good enough to receive it.
My past is one God truly made for me. I was adopted as a baby not knowing any natural parent. Many of my adopted family did not recognize me and accept me into theirs. I believe that does hurt and hold me back some. Once I accepted Jesus they further found fault with me. Even friends of the family just couldn’t accept my choice. I was told by one uncle not to trust Jesus too much. I’m a person who observes situations and people. What I remember from my childhood were the godly loving members in it. What I got from that past was my lack in self confidence. I watched those prideful members and family friends fall and lose their way. I did my best to show an example to them how God was trustworthy. Now many of those people are gone and I saw how their lives ended. I can’t say the went to be with Jesus or they didn’t. I do know many trusted more in themselves than Jesus, so sad to me. There is sadness in my past but I choose to not dwell there and remember the good out of it. I now know some of the talents God has given me and am just recently began to use them. I love the new friends I’ve made and pray I can keep them. Thank you for being one of my new friends. Thanks to many on here I can talk to that I can count on , like Cathey, Tricia, Anne and Heidi. I will forever be grateful for the ones you and God have brought into my present.🙏
Oh Cindy, you just brought a smile to my face my friend. I'm so glad we had a chance to meet. You are a friend, and I'm always here! I'm truly blessed to know you!
The feeling is mutual.
Cindy this is precious ❤️ Sometimes life is hard and we make mistakes and often grow from them. I’m thankful you found Jesus in your life and I couldn’t imagine growing up in a home without knowing the love of Jesus. I’m thankful for you my friend, you’re a blessing to us all 🙏
Thank you for doing for Donny what you did and leading us into so many great things. I knew it was Jesus leading you.
Yes ma’am, It amazes me to sit back and think of all the distance between some of us and the reality of God’s work hits me. For a shy, small town girl I never thought I’d have friends all over the world ❤️ We are blessed and Donny is a Hugh part of that too🙏
You have so many wonderful qualities. It is my privilege to be your friend.
Thank you. It’s good to have new friends like you.
Good morning Donny! I am amazed how God works through you and something I felt just yesterday. I was able to share with a friend yesterday a little of what I've been feeling for the past week or so. That four letter word FEAR! Fear of the unknown, fear of making the wrong decision, and just plain fear for stepping out on this new phase of the journey I'm on. When you read Isaiah 44, verse 1 stood out to me. In my translation, twice it says "Do not be afraid" and "Do not fear" and "Israel, my chosen one." Twice God says to Jacob, "do not fear" and "my chosen one."
Right then as I reading along and you reading it to us, God said, "Anne, trust me, I will show you," but you have to let go of something, a memory that you thought about just yesterday which was Tuesday. While reading along with you, I knew it was a memory I had about my own dad. The memory I've held on to about him was not being around as much as I would like for him to have been. He was a workaholic. He was an accountant and had his own business. The memories I held on to were that of him working day and night at the office and not being around more at home. Growing up, I craved for that attention from him. I blamed my mother a lot for this because she had a way of "nagging" him, and I feel when he couldn't take that anymore, he ran away to the office to escape it. When he did, I felt neglected. That's the long and short of it. But I also remembered the time when my father taught me to drive. I learned to drive in a large Ames department store parking lot. My dad did take the time to teach me that. Also, he would let me take hold of the steering wheel while he was the one who had has foot on the gas and the brake of course. I was sitting right next him and that was a good memory that came flooding back. I felt a bond and closeness during those times. I believe God allowed that good memory of him to come forth to remind me of the good times and not concentrate on the FEAR part of him running and escaping back to his office. Last October, I finally forgave my father for those resentments, and forgave myself, and asked God for His forgiveness. I've also forgiven my mother years ago. I've let those resentments go, but the Devil has a way of bringing them back but the pain of the resentments are no longer there.
But yesterday and this morning listening to your prayer walk after reading my devotions, something clicked. I feel when my dad ran away to the office to escape from my mother, maybe he ran in fear. He ran away like I was putting off or running away in fear myself of what God's plans are for me in this next phase since I recently retired. It's all new to me, and I was running away in fear of failing of making a wrong decision. Instead of running away in fear, I need to run to the Father, to Jesus, to God himself. I am a lot like my father, but I also have a bit of my mother in me. My father gave a lot of himself in his work. I'm a lot like that as I want to give back to others before taking care of myself. Then there's my mother who says, yes be the giver but also think and take care of yourself too. I think that's what she was always trying to get my father to do.
Either way, those childhood memories do come back from time to time, and they stop me in my tracks. The Devil would want me to remember the running away part which would be the fear portion, but the good memories I believe are placed there by God himself to remember that my father was there teaching me to drive like Jesus is always there for me now. My job is to have to faith and trust Him because He chose me and each of us. God does not want me or you to walk in fear. God took the nails and He was crushed for our sins so that would not have to live in fear or shame. We are forgiven. Today, after letting this fear of the unknown or fear of failure on this new phase of the journey take over, I'm choosing to let go of those fears and let Jesus take the wheel. I will hold on to this for now until the next time the Devil knocks.
Remember each of us are chosen, so do not be afraid. We are His children, so I hope to go forth with childlike faith and trust the decisions that I make are of His will and not mine. All I can promise is to try. If I fail or make a wrong decision, God will teach me what to learn from that. Thank you Donny. This prayer walk along with what I've read this morning and lately have helped me see maybe why I was running in fear and hesitating to start or hold back on this phase of the journey. God bless you and to all in this wonderful community.
I totally understand that fear of the unknown! Yes, with Jesus at the wheel we can go forth with courage!
Thank you for this prayer walk, Donny. I found it to be calming when talking about the past but then more thought provoking as the discussion turned to worthiness of blessings that God is offering. My childhood was an idyllic one in the 50s and 60s. My parents and siblings were loving. We attended Catholic schools, attended church and went on vacations. It was peacefully boring. I use the term boring as a good thing. When I met my husband, who has more faith that anyone I have ever met, my life was no longer boring. Things did not always go as planned. My past did not hold me back but it did not prepare me for bumps in the road. I found, however, that my husband’s faith was contagious. The more I saw how God took care of us the more I grew. I gained a confidence that I never realized before, including in my relationship with God. As far as being worthy of blessings I love Psalms 103 but particularly verse 12, “as far as the east is from the west, so far as He has removed our transgressions from us.” Jesus died for us all. We are worthy of the blessings. I have found accepting His blessings humbles me even more. God cares for me so much to shower me with blessings. You are a great example of a humble servant of God. Thank you for your inspiration and example. God bless you on your journey and be open to receive them.
Thank you Donny for another prayer walk. I am always blessed with the message and Bible verses that you share. I have many things to be thankful for.I am back from our trip to the Philippines.We celebrated my 80th birthday with our family reunion in a fancy restaurant.All my children and grandchildren were present which I am so grateful they made themselves available and took their leave from their jobs just for me. Two days before we departed we had a Despedida party (farewell party) and said goodbye to everyone in Grand Hyatt Hotel.Now I am back to Canada back to normal. This trip I prayed for 3 years and saved for 3 years just for this trip. This was my dream to see everybody when I turn 80. My Lord answered my prayers I am the happiest mom in the whole wide world. I can say that God sees us and hears us.I am alone again but I was able to see my love ones on my 80th birthday. God bless Donny and everyone who is in this prayer walk.
happy birthday Elisa
Wishing you the happiest birthday Elisa.
Thank you Heidi God bless you
Memories! As you were talking about visiting your childhood home; I was reminded of my visit to my childhood home. 6 months ago I revisited my home and school I grew up in as a little Amish girl. Unbelievably it’s still standing; I hadn’t been back since I was 9 when I moved away. It was very nostalgic! Many good memories; a lot of my family lived there at the same time: aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents..... we did so many things together. I shed a few tears; cause those were/are the same people who later rejected me when I chose to accept Christ instead of their religious cult. I admit I could have gone down a dark path then but God gently brought me to a place where I could see those memories as blessings. Many, many wonderful things I learned that I probably would not have learned otherwise. And now years later some have joined me in faith in Christ.
But I do have a fear....
we do serve an awesome God; many times these prayer walks go right along with other things I’m reading/studying/listening to. Just today I was finishing up a Bible study I was doing when “our past” came up. Here’s a quote from the book/Bible study “Your New Now” by Nicki Koziar::: “Sometimes we hold on to seasons thinking it’s our best or only option. Other times we’re afraid to admit it’s time for that chapter to close. And sometimes we doubt God has anything new or better planned.” God took me to a place that He and I have been working on lately is::: I’m holding on to the memory of what my life used to be. When my husband had a stroke 4 1/2 years ago; that’s the day I “lost” my husband: he has never been the same since. But I have been living in denial and in that memory and it’s keeping me from experiencing the future God has for me!!! I have to accept my “new” now and make new memories and plans; step out in faith. “Courage” is the word God has given me this year along with the verse “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil. 4:13. Yes, I have a friend who calls me out and encourages me; whichever is needed. I’m so thankful for her and God; I should say God and her. So God and I have a journey ahead of us... and I couldn’t do it without Him!!! I’m just amazed how He brings so many things together when I’m reading and listening to things.
wonderful. Thank you for sharing Laura
You are amazing Drew.You are in the right tract with God.God bless you always.
Donny my child hood past was not a good one my mom had a sickness and I had to go live with my grandparents till I was 16 then I moved back with my dad I guess the one thing from my past that really worried me is that I will end up with the same sickness my mom had but that kinda led me into bad relationship then I had my son and my adopted dad took me in and got a place for me and my son to live so we would never be homeless again 🙏🙏 my dad asked me one time how my life ended up the way it has and the only thing I could say was when you make a cake or whatever you don't have everything it calls for it wont come out right now i know that parto
Of my life was messed up cause of my past with my mom and all🙏🙏 but thank God he has been right by my side the whole time 🙏🙏 GOD has really really been a blessing to me and my son 🙏🙏 Thank you again For what you do causse it means more to me than you know ever know 🙏🙏 so greatful that Heidi told me about you 🙏🙏
Robin God allowed you to go all those moments to mold you into who you are today. His love never fails, have faith because we know He will always make a way on this journey. I Love you and I’m thankful for you.
Thanks Heidi love you
As you said, memories of the past may just be nostalgia, but for some people it can be disturbing.
Often, things that happened in the past don't stay there. They stay with us, popping into our minds when we least expect them.
We all have unhealed “wounds” that can leave us connected to the past.
“I want to remember what gives me hope” Lamentations 3:21
I have this verse engraved in my heart and whenever some "negative" memory invades my mind I speak this scripture and pray.
And of course, I couldn't stop talking about “Therapy” as an effective means to help access these internal processes – lol (this laugh is because I'm always selling my fish – despite my specialization being in Organizational Psychology – lol).
Donny, do you believe that there is a hereditary curse, that a person is penalized for the actions of past generations?
What is your opinion about these scriptures, Proverbs 5:22 and Exodus 20:5 which are biblical references used to defend this idea of hereditary curse...
thank you for sharing,
I'm not sure how Proverbs 5:22 defends the idea but I understand what you are saying. There are many scriptures in the old testament that clearly state "He punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation."
As you know, it is important to remember context. like in...
Exodus 20:5-6 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
The scripture speaks of "of those who hate me."
And then there's the fact that we are all broken because Adam and Eve sinned. BUT...
It all brings more light to the love, grace and sacrifice God showed us through Jesus on the cross.
Jesus paid the cost to full fill the law and clean us of that curse on the cross.
Galatians 3:10, Galatians 3:13-14, Romans 5:18, Romans 8:1-2
That said, I do believe that evil spirits can attached themselves to peoples children and grand children. Which is why we must be mindful, pray and cast them out. But that's another conversation.
You're welcome, DONNYYY! LOL
I'm glad you took the time to respond, I'm honored.
According to the studies I have seen using Proverbs 5:22 as a reference for this theme, it is about the cumulative action of iniquity. For these preachers, the Bible shows different types of iniquities that add up according to the way one lives and what one receives as an inheritance from parents and ancestors.
Complemented with the idea of the “hereditary curse of Adam” that generated in us the tendency to sin, they approach that a person who systematically commits a sin “can” transmit to his descendants the tendency to live in the same way.
For me, this thought has a certain logic, since the construction of our identity takes place, to a certain extent, through the first examples. They are usually established by the link with the environment and the people around us.
Our path to sanctification has so many challenges, right?!
Glory to God because Jesus took upon himself every curse, giving us the possibility of living in freedom WITH CHRIST. But still the Bible exhorts us, as 1 Peter 5:8 says.
Anyway, as we know, God works in mysterious ways and this topic is just as mysterious.
I loved this dialogue, thank you!
Praise be to God
My past, wow Donny, I love how you encourage us to explore all these emotions. The reference you used like a warm blanket, symbolic of comfort is a perfect example for me of my childhood. As a family of 9, we never struggled financially, we farmed so we never worried about having a job, we had a nice home and knew we were loved. Though we worked hard it was a wonderful life. My past generally doesn’t hold me back, it’s actually the opposite. My past motivates me to push harder towards my goals to make a better life for my family. As I mentioned to you about our cabin, every time I drive up I think of all those freezing days in 2000 that we worked in the snow sawing logs to put the walls up, and the memories of us walking up the stairs for the first time once we finished the loft. Thank you Donny for taking us down memory lane.
As a little girl, growing up in the 40's and 50's, my dad was a very mean drunk. He seldom worked and my wonderful mother worked and kept 3 little girls fed and clothed. My dad would take us with him and we would be around his drunk friends who would put their arms around me feeling my breasts as I got older. My dad didn't seem to care. As I got older there was a little church down the street from where we lived and my middle sister and I would go to it. Thank God for that little church. My sister and I both accepted Christ as our Savior there. I don't know what my life would have been like if it hadn't been for that little church. My sister and I often talk about how our lives could have been so different. When I started dating my then boyfriend, we were high school sweethearts and would go to church every Sunday together. We had Christ in our lives and married and were together for 53 years before he went to his heavenly home. I miss him so much, but I know I will see him again.
I would say that the main thing from my past that holds me back is the sense that I am not good enough. I have had this sense for many years and I am just learning to try and get it out of my mind. I even wrote a poem about when Graham Wardle challenged us to write poems back in August 2022. It is a struggle and especially in my walk with God. Even though I know Jesus has removed all my sin and made me a new creation this sense of not being good enough still pervades my life, especially when it comes to doing things for God or seeking God for something I don't feel I am good enough to receive it.