Would you share your testimony with me?

[coveredinharmony]

Hi, brothers and sisters! I was wondering if it would be possible for you to share your testimony with me. I don't necessarily mean your salvation testimony (although in conjunction that'd be great), but a testimony of your married life and family life. What has worked and what hasn't? What have you percieved to be God's will for your life? How have you raised your children? What has been the outcome? What do you think of being "Quiverfull?" Anything you can think of. I am really curious to see how this Christian married life works out in the "real world." Thanks

Love in Christ,

Sarah

[kscarle]

I will tell you about when we got rid of TV.

We started to do like many people under conviction, we stopped cable first, then we stopped public television, then we decided just to go to the movies or to rent movies. We went to a movie we thought would be alright "cheaper by the dozen" (we now know about Disney) and it seem to be fairly alright, but after the movie we waited through the credits to not get crowded with people leaving. During the movie trailers it showed the son making out with the mom. WRONG THING to have small children see

We tried one more time after that. Again it was another deadly Disney film. It was somewhere in the beginning. Parents were signing there children up for a sports team and one of the parents were sodomite women. Our daughter was at home then and we all walked out. that was the last time for the movies.

The videos was different. we tried old show like Andy Griffith and john Wayne movies but we were still under conviction because of the drinking scenes. John Wayne movies were associated with saloon girls and under age drinking (north to Alaska). The final blow was in a film he did in his later years and he had a young boy cussing God repeatedly (cowboys) that was the end of that phase.

My husband called me into the living room and asked me what I saw. I said the living room. He asked me again what I saw, and I said our living room. He asked me what we do in here. He wanted to know what was the first thing I noticed when I come into the room. I wasn't sure where this was all going. We spend family time together here was my response. again he asked me what do we do in here . I said we sit down, relax and watch a movie. That's it, he explained; that we come in here to spend hours in front of the TV set and its not really family time and yet we had a family Bible over in the corner.
We burned the television.

we also searched our house for any non King James materials and any thing that was related to Hollywood. It seemed to lift a great bondage off of us. My husband and I grew closer to the Lord and the Holy Spirit was not hinder from working in us like before. This didn't have the same affect on my daughter, she was rebellious and left home when she could. Regretfully we should have done it sooner. She is now married and expecting her first child, she is very worldly. Alot of what she saw on television she is now doing. I pray for her and her husband to get saved.

[SisterNancy]

wow, there is so much to tell. I will tell you what you may already know but I didn't in the hopes it will save you time.

Being raised in a non Christian home w/divorced parents. That's the background part. My dh and I were married for 23 years and it wasn't until about 5 years ago I thought about being submissive. I just assumed he was the head of the house because he led our devotions etc. WEll God worked on me and I realized I was not all that submissive like I thought I was. I started to do research on the subject and found that there wasn't a whole lot out there. I mean there were plenty of Christian books that said to be submissive but none that gave practical examples of how to be submissive and I had never had the example. At the same time I was homeschooling my children using Rod and Staff Cirriculum I bought some books out of their catalog and then learned how to be submissive and what our roles should be in the home. Because my husband has a quiet nature and I have a strong personality In a lot of ways even though he really was leading it didn't look it outwardly. I did respect my husband but I needed practical ways to show it. Books that helped were Love and Respect, The Wedded Life(R&S), Building Christian Homes(R&S), and The Christian Home also Rod and Staff. Now our priorities are in order, Our roles are in order and I am still learing to be submissive. Everytime I think I have arrived God shows me another area. I hope this helps you.

I tell teens that I work with don't marry a man you don't think you could submit to. My husband is a wonderful man to submitt to and it is so freeing to do so.

Can you answer me a question: How do you pm on this thread?

[coveredinharmony]

Wow, thanks, both of you! I really need all the encouragement I can get, starting a Christian home from scratch. There will be no TV, Jay and I have already decided. We will have a computer with VERY filtered internet, though, since it does have some practical uses (we're thinking paying bills online and homeschooling, etc).

Jay is for all intents and purposes someone who I feel I can submit to pretty easily. We're working out the kinks before we marry. We made that an agreement, that he wouldn't propose to me until the problems are worked out satisfactorily. We both figure that'll save us a lot of trouble in the end.

Sister Nancy, I'm not sure if there's an easier way to do it, but I know if you click someone's user name, and under their little picture there is a file looking icon. Click on it and you can PM them.

Thank you for your encouragement. I literally crave and never tire of it!

Love in Christ,

Sarah

[wife]

Wow- this is a tall order. I have been married to Scott going on 13 years. During this time I have gone from being a feminist to being myself today. I can't say it was any changes I would have made myself- as I didn't know I was miserable back then. All I *did* know is that I was supposed to get married, have a couple of children (not many- 2 was the limit because we believed the lies of overpopulation as well as that we couldn't afford more children- I had a tubal ligation after our 2nd daughter 9 1/2 years ago- and I regret it), then dump them off at some daycare facility (which all the socialization was supposed to be better for them than being isolated with their mother and siblings all day), and go to work for someone else. I also thought that since I worked my husband should do at least half of all of the housework as well as child care. Wow-- I never was happy- I was very contentious and miserable, but I thought it was because my husband would not get with the program! Little did I know that he was raised in a feminist society and was just as in tune with that way of thinking as I was. There came a time when our youngest daughter was in daycare and was about 6 months old. She was getting sick all the time and he had to go et her from there and take her home. I had gone back to college to "do something worthy" with my life. Anyway- long story short- he put his foot down and told me that a woman's place was in the home as long as there were little ones there (until they were 5 and went to school I was thinking). So I quit school and came to be at home. I was totally out of my element for a long time. Over the years the Lord worked patiently with me and introduced me to other women who were at home with their children and loved it. I began to see my husband as more than just the guy with the paycheck- more of the head of our family. I started thinking of our daughters as blessings. I also began to regret heavily the decision to not have any more children via surgery. Fast forward about 6 years: the Lord moved my husband and me to homeschool the girls because we know now that we only get one chance at this raising the children thing- and we'd better do it the way the Lord intends- which we found can't be done as long as they were away from us 8 + hours a day, 5 days per week. About 5 years ago- I personally came under heavy conviction about the way I dressed- not at all modest nor feminine. Well- I might be modest sometimes but I was dressed like a man (down to a baseball cap) or I might be feminine but was anything but modest. Only recently ( last month or so) has my husband asked me to wear head covering (also our daughters do too). I know there's many holes in this time frame so if you have any questions, please ask me.

[brommd]

Our testimony is a work in progress. I love my helpmeet deeply. We married unequally yoked (she was a catholic and I grew up in a Christian home). Although it must be said I was deeply backsliddin' at the time. Um lets see we separated for just a bit. I chased her down and she indicated she wanted our children raised in a Christian home (among a few other things) and a light went off in my head!!

We started attending a succession of Christian Non Denominational Churches (big mistake) and she just wasn't getting fed or learning how to feed herself and to be honest neither was I. Its a shame I knew alot and didn't take my God given role and teach her and the pastor certainly didn't encourage it either. She gave up at our last Non D Church for several reasons including the above.

God in His providence broke our washer (this is just a joke folks but the washer did break) and she met a lady at the laundrymat. The lady indicated she knew of just the sort of Church I wanted to attend A KJB ONLY church.

We attended the IFB Church and wow!!!!!!! Shes getting fed and somewhat learning how to feed herself. Shes read Debi Pearl's "Created To Be His Helpmeet" and Martha Peace's book "The Excellent Wife". I have read "Reforming Marriage" (highly recommended for the menfolk). We both have a loooong way to go but we feel we have a good start.

The kids are being home schooled, we try to live frugally, we have no TV and no questionable movies, no video game unit or games, I occasionally do devos at night with the wife and kids. Shes struggling with submission and headship, covering and dresses. But, she is trying.

I am a firmly believe that if I pray in God's will that He will hear and answer so that in the end He alone may receive all the Glory. So I do pray for her and the kids.

[kscarle]

I really am glad for these testimonies...I do cover mostly except my husband enjoys seeing my hair down when we're alone... He believes it is right for a woman to cover...

Another great book for the ladies is "Me, Obey Him" I have a copy of it if your wife wants to get in touch with me or you can order it from "Sword of the Lord" It was something I read from the Pearls I believe. I'll have to admit I bought it before and gave it away and actually recommended it to others before I even read it myself. One day I was under conviction about being a hypocrite to recommend something I had not even read, but when I did, it was a real eye opener.

Sister Kristie

[floridamom]

Before I even had children, I knew I wanted to raise them in a Godly home. I was impressed with my husband's manager and their methods. They are raising 4 children with homeschooling and Bible study. They also use the rod too. I can say, they have the sweetest, most polite respectful kids I have ever seen.

I had my daughter 4 years ago. Every night I prayed over her crib and read Bible verses to her, even as an infant. I heard about Michael and Debi Pearl from a lady at church. For some time, I had become interested in the Amish way of life. I have no idea why, I have never been around any Amish or Mennonite people. I grew up and lived in the Atlanta area almost all of my life. I guess I was looking for simplicity and something old fashioned as a way of rejecting modernism. My mother sewed our clothes back in the early 70's and was a devout homemaker.

I read all the Pearl's child training books and implemented their techniques at home. I rod trained my daughter, teaching her to obey. She responded quite well and though we're not perfect, she's growing into a sweet child who says, 'please and thank-you." And is well behaved most of the time. At night I read a Bible story to her and try to teach her what God expects from us. Recently I taught her about Adam and Eve and how they disobeyed God. This made an impact on her because she will tell me, "Don't eat it, the tree." She says this every time I pull the Bible out. Its hard getting across concepts of good and evil to a 4 year old, but I'm trying as best I can.

We moved to Florida about a year and a half ago and were faced with having to find a new church. We started attending a very large mega church in the Orlando area, but I wasn't quite satisfied with the teaching there. I sat in some of my daughter's classes and they never read the Bible or discussed anything Biblical with the children. The kids were simply baby-sat. Also the church had a wordly air about it. People didn't act on fire for the Lord, it felt like a social club, and very elite because of the church's wealth. People showed up on Sunday wearing shorts, t-shirts, just looking casual and sloppy. The pastor always preached happy, warm hearted sermons, designed to make you feel good, but didn't use a whole lot of Bible. Many times he was 15 minutes into his sermon before scripture was even mentioned. I never heard the gospel preached. Never a mention of sin, repentance, hell, none of that, just happy little sermons to assure the congregation that God loved them. My husband and I changed churches when we moved further away and am so glad we did. We found a good Bible believing church that doesn't shy away from telling the gospel and sounding harsh. I've seen people get saved there because they preach the gospel. The pastor doesn't preach warm and fuzzy sermons, but tough Bible principles. We like it a lot better.

Last Sunday, we were in the area so we attended worship at our 'old' church, the mega church. It irritated me. It was all contempory music, chanting, "God is amazing" No doctrine, putting on a big glamourous show with big orchestra and sound, no gospel. Pastor got up and delivered his warm and fuzzy sermon about being a worker. He mentioned a tiny bit of Bible, 1 verse from Nehemiah, there was no invititation that day, because the pastor wanted to talk about his big project for the church. I left, feeling a bit disgusted. I noticed all the t-shirt and shorts crowd, and sloppy dress and felt glad not to be a part of that anymore. I discovered Ray Comfort's ministry not too long ago and listened to Hell's Best Kept Secret. It has changed my whole outlook on how to preach the gospel. I'm so thankful for him and his ministry.

[SisterNancy]

Floridamom, WELCOME! What an awesome testimony! Thanks for sharing it. You are so lucky to have found a grounded church to attend. Do you cover? are you the only one in the church that does? Just wondering.

[floridamom]

Sister Nancy,
Hi there. no I don't cover. I've always been a member of Southern Baptist churches which are pretty mainstream. Our new church is Independant Baptist and the main difference I noticed is more people dress up on Sunday, but no one covers.

In my area of Florida, I live in a small town and I have had a hard time finding dresses. Wal-mart doesn't carry anything except pants and silky type clothes or loud prints and the closest clothing store is Kohl's and they don't carry any dresses either, just silky, slinky fabrics, loud prints, pants, etc. So I feel stuck.

I may have to order something online. I've been looking at a lot of websites for modest clothes so hopefully I'll find something. Shopping for clothes in this day and age has been depressing. They just don't make clothes that suit me. I am an average size and short. (5ft1- size 12)

[kscarle]

floridamom,

Although there is a usually a difference in independent and independent fundamental Baptist, there should be some women willing to help with finding clothing. Perhaps some think this is wrong but our church and two sister churches have a dress code for men and women both at church and outside of church. Since we are a family and have fellowship one with another we are obviously going to be seen if we don't do right, but if you express an interest and ask some of the ladies they should fell blessed to help and by not asking for help you may be taking away an opportunity for them to be used of God. I am IFB.

Do you sew?

[anabean]

Well, I must give a quick one. I am in my mid 20's. I was raised in a non-church home. God saved me at 19. I now am married to the same wife, and have 3 wonderfull children. God's plan really does work. Discipline and love according to the scriptures work. I am not boasting when I say this...but I say this as encouragement that the scriptures will not lead you astray....we have had older people with fewer kids tell us we have well behaved children, and that they are ashamed of their children as we have 3, are younger, and they are better behaved! The Bible plan works in comparison to the worlds plan. I could not survive with 3 children the worlds way. I would be so stressed out...but God's way....DOES work! It's not always easy...but dont give up! You will begin to notice the difference soon enough. Those who reject the Bible way: Their children pitch fits in the stores, and disrepect mom and dad. Do it the Bible way: Even if you have 3 children...they listen in Wal-Mart....stay with us....and do not scream and pitch fits. We were members of an IFB church and attended for almost 5 years. We met some anabaptists, and now we are proving members of a wonderful Amish-Mennonite Church. It is one of the more conservative....but the environment is wonderful and none of the members have yet to lose their children to the world. Praise God, and praying for you...

Anabean

[SisterNancy]

{but the environment is wonderful and none of the members have yet to lose their children to the world. Praise God, and praying for you...}

Praise God and AMEN!

[Sister Penny]

My testimony is posted here on the boards somewhere but since that time I believe sincerely the Lord continues to work in our lives.

My husband and I have 5 children in our family, only our 15 year old is home now, and she is such a blessing to us both.

We both came from Baptist backgrounds, he was far more involved than I was, out witnessing for nearly 10 years and very active until their church split.

We attended an IFB church locally and we left for reasons of immodesty, women were wearing tank tops, halters and men in shorts, I guess our search for finding a church that believes in modesty and the KJV only is still in progress....until the Lord directs, we homechurch.

As a wife I had no issue changing from jeans to dresses and skirts only, I prefer it, and am far more comfortable in them, my husband prefers this as well of course. Being dressed like a lady and being a Christian, there really should be no question as to how we should dress, it is very clearly written in The Bible.

Please feel free to read my testimony posted before.
God bless!!
Sister Penny

[kscarle]

I have met a family that home churches and we have considered it before.

One thing that I have learned from scripture is that if we don't help a brethren by teaching them what the scriptures say on modesty them we are not doing well. Churches are not going to get any better (any denomination) unless the brethren are willing to help another.

Too often I think we forget what God has delivered us from. God has allowed me the priveledge to help other women in the area of modesty. Sometimes women just don't know what the Bible says about it. And yes they can actually be ignorant to anyone having a problem with the way they are dressed. Snide comments breed bitterness, but if the ladies were to confront these inappropiately dressed women, it might make a difference.

From experience I know a person can nit pick their way out of a church without realizing God could have used them there. We should ask ourselves What have I done to help"

Pro 27:2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.