I thought I was saved when I was little. I said the prayer after all, and got baptized to the applause of the onlooking congregation. Boy was I deceived. It wasn't until I was truly redeemed and given a new heart that it was clear that I did that out of vanity. Its what I was told to do, and it was a way to gain acceptance from people. You could say I took the Lord's name in vain.

God works in mysterious ways though. That life now serves as proof positive of the work God started in me when I was very very young, probably even before the foundation of the world. And as He promised, he leaves no work unfinished.

I was saved at a young age and I understood the decision I was making. It wasn't until I was 13 or 14 that I realized, when I became baptized, what it truly meant to be a Christian. I grew so much after moving to ND and being taught by my Pastor (Jeff) and he really helped me grow in the faith. Sadly, he left the church where I was at and went to work for the Dakota Baptist Association. Which that leads into another conversation at this point so I'll stop. It just shows us that even tho we understand the decision, we don't fully understand until much older.

interesting

The truth is, I dont know how God works. I know I had an experience when I was probably 5 or so of God pointing at me from the sky, and I immediately started asking my mom about Gods will, and asking if he had his finger over all of us, controlling what we do. She had no answers, of course. Sunday school was off and on, then we stopped going. Then I was a teenager, and my school mates went to church, so I wanted to go to, to make friends and find acceptance and validation that was seriously lacking at home. I may have already prayed for God to lead me at this point, i can't remember. But the preacher gave me the words to pray to ask for salvation, then he baptized me.

By the age of 16 I was doubting all of it, by 18 I was a proclaimed Atheist (ikr). But still Atheism left me unsatisfied for this question that sprung forth as a child. I started learning the secret things, the Occult things. I was only getting angrier and more volatile through this whole ordeal. Started doing drugs, seeking spiritual experience through them. I can't even tell you when it all clicked into place, that I DID believe in God, and all of the things I was learning were against god, for it is all Deification of the Self. This is something fairly new, since I hit my 30's. My true repentance, and acceptance of the sacrifice literally changed my whole everything.

Who knows how much destruction I caused during those times, how many were led astray or influenced by me. But it was only after that true repentance that scripture was revealed to me when I read it. Before it was just a bunch of nonsense from the stone age. Praise Him who reveals all things in the fullness of time. Praise the Almighty.

I felt the same way (in understanding scripture) after being taught by the best pastor I have ever meant. Something that I held onto was Anxiety which actually caused me to doubt God's Plan which is something I harbored for many years until 1 1/2 to 2 years ago. Once you finally recognize what your doing, that's when God can truly Save you.

And like Jesse teaches, I had to forgive my parents and siblings before I could be forgiven. I grew up in an abusive home, what I once believed to be the cause of my bitterness. But once I accepted that they too were raised in abusive homes, and were no more in control of the destruction they caused than I was, and I didnt want the grudge any more, forgiveness replaced whatever it was I felt before. Blame? Resentment? It really does seem so far away now, like I'm trying to describe how some other person felt.

New question: **According to Jesse, he said 'divorced single parents should not remarry'. In relation to single moms who are raising their children in single family homes without maintaining much contact with the father: what advice or counseling would you give to that single mother to help her raise those children right?** (Remember, father is limited)

@Deleted User That's a pretty good question. I would advise her to seek someone willing to mentor the children. Probably best if it was a couple, maybe people who have already raised children successfully.

She can't do it on her own, simply because she won't be able to provide a living example of a positive intimate relationship.

Same advice to single dads as well.

@DasBoles I appreciate that answer. I'm not a single parent (never married), but the conundrum that see in this is that a couple who has successfully raised a child together, can't possibly give the best advice because it takes two to raise a child.

what?

I think you contradicted yourself.

However, in reverting back to your question above in single parents not getting remarried, what if a good man/single father comes along and takes the time to teach the kid. Then what?

I had to write this second part^

I didn't contradict myself.

How can a couple give a single parent advice if they haven't been single parents?

A couple cant...because it takes two

That is what I just said.

a couple is two

its not about giving advice to the parent, its about mentoring the children of the single parent

So why mentor and not just find a good Godly spouse who will take the responsibility of being a father?

because this godly spouse would be better off having his or her own children

You don't have to make new children with a new spouse.

so if you find yourself as a single parent, my advice is to find a couple to mentor your child/ren

Why would I want a couple to mentor me as a single parent?

With your supervision, because you are still the parent.

you're not getting it.

That is bringing two additional people into the kid's life. No different than a spouse.

I'm playing 'devil's advocate' here.

Because if I let a couple mentor my child, I may as well give my child up to foster care.

I would say dont see a man unless you intend on marrying him and establishing him as a constant in your life. That would apply until child was an adult.

not quite the same, but maybe that's a good idea too.

@Deleted User That would be a good point before all of that transpires. But what about afterwards?

Afterwards what?

Sorry I just want to make sure I understand before answering.

I'll repost the question for you:
New question: According to Jesse, he said 'divorced single parents should not remarry'. In relation to single moms who are raising their children in single family homes without maintaining much contact with the father: what advice or counseling would you give to that single mother to help her raise those children right? (Remember, father is limited)