How are we to reckon ourselves as being dead to sin?

[VictoryinJesus]

Jesus said come to me all who labor. and he will give us rest.

Paul said in Romans 5 that we have peace with God. because we have been justified by faith..

its not how good we are. it is how good he was

I’m not suggesting it is how good we are. I’m suggesting what we call good and crowd around to protect or preserve… may be the very thing that enslaves us unto envy, greed, lust, coveting, hatred, back-biting, and lack of brotherly love. Rejecting those to preserve it.

A bad analogy but Say I have a precious artifact I’m convinced someone wants to take it from me. To me this precious artifact is the most fantastic thing in the world but by my constant worry, squabbling, preserving that nobody take it from me. I despise, hate, reject, slander, lust, envy and covet over my artifact. Causing me to disconnect from others. War to protect what is mine. What if my artifact causes me loss …what if someone gave me the news that my artifact isn’t as precious as I thought, diminishing its value. Telling me instead what was most precious to me, is what kept me from what was most valuable. Waking up to this knowledge I would first think “oh my. All the time I spent preserving something that was actually useless.” It would not be (Imo)because someone told me “hey you can have both.” You can have No fear, no worry, no resentment, no dread , no coveting, and keep my artifact too. No. To me it would be by putting what was causing the division in its place. Putting it away. that is what I was suggesting on being told the good news is; you can keep both. A message of you can still obsess over your artifact and at the same time be free from it. Why would I want them to tell me I can have both? If I truly was convinced it was useless? Then wouldn’t it already be pointless to try to hang in to?

 

[Eternally Grateful]

I’m not suggesting it is how good we are. I’m suggesting what we call good and crowd around to protect or preserve… may be the very thing that enslaves us unto envy, greed, lust, coveting, hatred, back-biting, and lack of brotherly love. Rejecting those to preserve it.

A bad analogy but Say I have a precious artifact I’m convinced someone wants to take it from me. To me this precious artifact is the most fantastic thing in the world but by my constant worry, squabbling, preserving that nobody take it from me. I despise, hate, reject, slander, lust, envy and covet over my artifact. Causing me to disconnect from others. War to protect what is mine. What if my artifact causes me loss …what if someone gave me the news that my artifact isn’t as precious as I thought, diminishing its value. Telling me instead what was most precious to me, is what kept me from what was most valuable. Waking up to this knowledge I would first think “oh my. All the time I spent preserving something that was actually useless.” It would not be (Imo)because someone told me “hey you can have both.” You can have No fear, no worry, no resentment, no dread , no coveting, and keep my artifact too. No. To me it would be by putting what was causing the division in its place. Putting it away. that is what I was suggesting on being told the good news is; you can keep both. A message of you can still obsess over your artifact and at the same time be free from it.

what is the artifact you speak of?

eternity?
Hope
Peace of God?

that may help me to understand what your saying

 

[Jim B]

Regarding the OP... We reckon ourselves as being dead to sin by accepting the sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf.

Romans 6:1-11, "What then are we to say? Should we continue in sin in order that grace may increase? By no means! How can we who died to sin go on living in it? Do you not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, so we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. But if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all, but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus."

I don't see anywhere in this section that we are still trapped in sin and in need of constant rebuke by self-styled OT prophets! As I have said before, some people, in their false self-righteousness, just "get off" on ripping others, including (and especially) Christians, to pieces.

We are the people and the sheep of His pasture. Jesus is our shepherd, nobody else! Is the Lord incapable of managing His own flock? Does He really need self-righteous bullies to constantly torment His flock??

 

[Johann]

Jesus spent a lot of time debating with, arguing with, and correcting the prideful scribes and Pharisees. Matthew 23:1-4, "Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’s seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it, but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others, but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them." I have never read any post from "amigo de christo" that does anything but criticize and rebuke others, including Christians and their churches.

I am aware that rebuking, correcting, and reproving are indeed expressions of love, but only if they are done with love! Read my post #2214.

Here is the complete verse that "amigo" used to justify his unceasing criticism of others: "Leviticus 19:17-18, “You shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin; you shall reprove your neighbor, or you will incur guilt yourself. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord."

The red, underlined part is the part that Jesus quoted in the New Testament. Don't you find it odd that He didn't quote the part about reproving your neighbor?

As I have said over and over -- and will continue to do so -- that rebuking others (a euphemism for tearing them to pieces) is NOT Christian love! It is self-glorification! "I AM RIGHT! i AM YOUR JUDGE! i CONDEMN YOUR BEHAVIOR! REPENT, EVIL PEOPLE! etc." Which of these phrases are correcting someone in love?

I don't see @amigo de christo tearing anyone to pieces--it is you who are getting very personal.

Jer_2:19 Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.
Pro_9:8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

Pro_19:25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.

Pro_30:6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
2Ti 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

2Ti 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

rebuke. Greek. epitimao. One, twenty- nine times, twenty-four times "rebuke", five times "charge". All in Gospels, save been and Jud_1:9. The difference between these two Greek. words is that the former means to bring to conviction, as used in Joh_8:46; Joh_16:8; while the latter can be used of unjust or ineffectual rebuke, as in Mat_16:22. Luk_25:40.

Reprove (elegxon). First aorist active imperative of elegchō. “Bring to proof.” Eph_5:11.

Rebuke (epitimēson). First aorist active imperative of epitimaō, to give honour (or blame) to, to chide. Common in the Gospels (Luk_17:3).
Exhort (parakaleson). First aorist active imperative of parakaleō, common Pauline word.

Reprove (ἔλεγξον)
Rather, convict of their errors. See on 1Ti_5:20 and Joh_3:20. In Paul, 1Co_14:24; Eph_5:11, Eph_5:13. Comp. ἐλεγμόν conviction, 2Ti_3:16.

Rebuke (ἐπιτίμησον)
In Pastorals only here. oP. Mostly in the Synoptic Gospels, where it is frequent. It has two meanings: rebuke, as Mat_8:26; Luk_17:3, and charge, as Mat_12:16; Mat_16:20, commonly followed by ἵνα that or λέγων saying (Mat_20:31; Mar_1:25; Mar_3:12; Mar_8:30; Luk_4:35), but see Luk_9:21. The word implies a sharp, severe rebuke, with, possibly, a suggestion in some cases of impending penalty (τιμή); charge on pain of. This might go to justify the rendering of Holtzmann and von Soden, threaten. To charge on pain of penalty for disobedience implies a menace, in this case of future judgment.

Exhort (παρακάλεσον)
See on consolation, Luk_6:24; see on comfort, Act_9:31. Tischendorf changes the order of the three imperatives, reading ἔλεγξον, παρακάλεσον, ἐπιτίμησον. In that case there is a climax: first convict of error, then, exhort to forsake error, finally threaten with the penalty of persistence in error.

With all longsuffering and doctrine (ἐν πασῃ μακροθυμίᾳ)
Πάσῃ, every possible exhibition of longsuffering, etc. For doctrine rend. teaching. The combination is suggestive. Longsuffering is to be maintained against the temptations to anger presented by the obstinacy and perverseness of certain hearers; and such are to be met, not merely with rebuke, but also with sound and reasonable instruction in the truth. So Calvin: “Those who are strong only in fervor and sharpness, but are not fortified with solid doctrine, weary themselves in their vigorous efforts, make a great noise, rave,... make no headway because they build without foundation.” Men will not be won to the truth by scolding. “They should understand what they hear, and learn by perceive why they are rebuked” (Bahnsen). Διδαχή teaching, only here and Tit_1:9 in Pastorals. The usual word is διδασκαλία. Paul uses both.
Vincent.

You are stepping out of line Jim--get back in line. Since I know you are not going to read a word I have posted--the average concentration span is about two lines--anything more is lost-

2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

2Ti 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Don't overstep your God given talents and boundaries into those of others, amigo is a fellow brother in Christ.

 

[VictoryinJesus]

what is the artifact you speak of?

eternity?
Hope
Peace of God?

that may help me to understand what your saying

Religion?
Preserving of self?
Our earthy Image?
The outward man?
That old man?
Flesh?

 

[Eternally Grateful]

Religion?
Preserving of self?
Our earthy Image?
The outward man?
That old man?
Flesh?

what about your soul?

the part that is dead because of sin, that needs born again?

 

[VictoryinJesus]

what about your soul?

the part that is dead because of sin, that needs born again?

When I go to sit with my mom…she does this thing of deflecting. Any time I say “mom you need to use your walker.” She comes back with wanting to talk instead, about what I need to do. You know what I’ve learned. She doesn’t like hearing my telling her to use her walker.

 

[Enoch111]

Quoting a single verse from Revelation (out of context), proves nothing.

It proves everything. Don't try to dismiss the words of Christ. And that was definitely NOT out of context.

 

[Eternally Grateful]

When I go to sit with my mom…she does this thing of deflecting. Any time I say “mom you need to use your walker.” She comes back with wanting to talk instead, about what I need to do. You know what I’ve learned. She doesn’t like hearing my telling her to use her walker.

what does this have to do with the saving of your soul? Why don't you want to talk about the one thing that really matters?

I am not deflecting anything. I am trying to get you to realise the most important thing you will ever decide.. Non of the things you asked me about have anything to do with the saving of your soul. What if you crucify all those things, yet end up lost? what good will it do you?

Did you read romans 5 and peace with God?

 

[Jim B]

I don't see @amigo de christo tearing anyone to pieces--it is you who are getting very personal.

Jer_2:19 Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.
Pro_9:8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

Pro_19:25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.

Pro_30:6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
2Ti 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

2Ti 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

rebuke. Greek. epitimao. One, twenty- nine times, twenty-four times "rebuke", five times "charge". All in Gospels, save been and Jud_1:9. The difference between these two Greek. words is that the former means to bring to conviction, as used in Joh_8:46; Joh_16:8; while the latter can be used of unjust or ineffectual rebuke, as in Mat_16:22. Luk_25:40.

Reprove (elegxon). First aorist active imperative of elegchō. “Bring to proof.” Eph_5:11.

Rebuke (epitimēson). First aorist active imperative of epitimaō, to give honour (or blame) to, to chide. Common in the Gospels (Luk_17:3).
Exhort (parakaleson). First aorist active imperative of parakaleō, common Pauline word.

Reprove (ἔλεγξον)
Rather, convict of their errors. See on 1Ti_5:20 and Joh_3:20. In Paul, 1Co_14:24; Eph_5:11, Eph_5:13. Comp. ἐλεγμόν conviction, 2Ti_3:16.

Rebuke (ἐπιτίμησον)
In Pastorals only here. oP. Mostly in the Synoptic Gospels, where it is frequent. It has two meanings: rebuke, as Mat_8:26; Luk_17:3, and charge, as Mat_12:16; Mat_16:20, commonly followed by ἵνα that or λέγων saying (Mat_20:31; Mar_1:25; Mar_3:12; Mar_8:30; Luk_4:35), but see Luk_9:21. The word implies a sharp, severe rebuke, with, possibly, a suggestion in some cases of impending penalty (τιμή); charge on pain of. This might go to justify the rendering of Holtzmann and von Soden, threaten. To charge on pain of penalty for disobedience implies a menace, in this case of future judgment.

Exhort (παρακάλεσον)
See on consolation, Luk_6:24; see on comfort, Act_9:31. Tischendorf changes the order of the three imperatives, reading ἔλεγξον, παρακάλεσον, ἐπιτίμησον. In that case there is a climax: first convict of error, then, exhort to forsake error, finally threaten with the penalty of persistence in error.

With all longsuffering and doctrine (ἐν πασῃ μακροθυμίᾳ)
Πάσῃ, every possible exhibition of longsuffering, etc. For doctrine rend. teaching. The combination is suggestive. Longsuffering is to be maintained against the temptations to anger presented by the obstinacy and perverseness of certain hearers; and such are to be met, not merely with rebuke, but also with sound and reasonable instruction in the truth. So Calvin: “Those who are strong only in fervor and sharpness, but are not fortified with solid doctrine, weary themselves in their vigorous efforts, make a great noise, rave,... make no headway because they build without foundation.” Men will not be won to the truth by scolding. “They should understand what they hear, and learn by perceive why they are rebuked” (Bahnsen). Διδαχή teaching, only here and Tit_1:9 in Pastorals. The usual word is διδασκαλία. Paul uses both.
Vincent.

You are stepping out of line Jim--get back in line. Since I know you are not going to read a word I have posted--the average concentration span is about two lines--anything more is lost-

2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

2Ti 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Don't overstep your God given talents and boundaries into those of others, amigo is a fellow brother in Christ.

I don't accept your personal criticism of me, nor your personal insults. This is a prime example: "Since I know you are not going to read a word I have posted--the average concentration span is about two lines--anything more is lost". => Then why post more than two lines??? <=

Don't you overstep your God given talents and boundaries into those of others, This nonsensical comment is a prime example of "the pot calling the kettle black".

 

[Johann]

I don't accept your personal criticism of me, nor your personal insults. This is a prime example: "Since I know you are not going to read a word I have posted--the average concentration span is about two lines--anything more is lost". => Then why post more than two lines??? <=

Don't you overstep your God given talents and boundaries into those of others, This nonsensical comment is a prime example of "the pot calling the kettle black".

Personal criticism?--stating a fact Jim--my apologies for offending you, not my intention.
Let's make it easy on ourselves, if you don't like me for any reason--put me on ignore, your prerogative.

I am tired of fighting--Christian against Christian--when our warfare is NOT against blood and flesh.

 

[Jim B]

Personal criticism?--stating a fact Jim--my apologies for offending you, not my intention.
Let's make it easy on ourselves, if you don't like me for any reason--put me on ignore, your prerogative.

I am tired of fighting--Christian against Christian--when our warfare is NOT against blood and flesh.

You wrote "it is you who are getting very personal". That is personal criticism by any measure. Unlike yourself, I want to discuss the issues, but that can include disagreeing with people who post views I consider to be erroneous.

Of course our warfare is NOT against blood and flesh, since none of us have met personally (that I know of). People have different ideas, opinions, and ideologies. If they didn't there would be no forums. So, there is disagreement primarily over doctrine. That is the way it has always been, since "we know in part".

If you're tired of "fighting" -- Christian against Christian -- then why are you fighting?

Again, I don't accept your personal criticism of me, nor your personal insults, but I have no intention of putting you on "ignore". Why should I?

 

[Johann]

If you're tired of "fighting" -- Christian against Christian -- then why are you fighting?

Who says I'm fighting Jim?

Of course our warfare is NOT against blood and flesh, since none of us have met personally (that I know of). People have different ideas, opinions, and ideologies. If they didn't there would be no forums. So, there is disagreement primarily over doctrine. That is the way it has always been, since "we know in part".

Of course we "know in part" but there are major disagreements on the fundamental doctrines--some a totally heteron gospel.

No Other Gospel

Gal 1:6 I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from the One who called you by the grace of Messiah, to a different “good news”—
Gal 1:7 not that there is another, but only some who are confusing you and want to distort the Good News of Messiah.
Gal 1:8 But even if we (or an angel from heaven) should announce any “good news” to you other than what we have proclaimed to you, let that person be cursed!
Gal 1:9 As we have said before, so I now repeat: if anyone proclaims to you “good news” other than what you received, let that person be under a curse!

Gal 1:10 Am I now trying to win people’s approval, or God’s? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Messiah.

Gal 1:11 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the Good News proclaimed by me is not man-made.

Gal 1:12 I did not receive it from any human, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Yeshua the Messiah.

Gal 1:13 For you have heard of my earlier behavior in Judaism—how I persecuted God’s community beyond measure and tried to destroy it.

Gal 1:14 I was even advancing within Judaism beyond many my own age among my people, being a more extreme observer of my fathers’ traditions.

I'm not saying YOU are promulgating a heteron gospel brother.

Allow me to show you--

3) "Unto another gospel," (eis heteron euangellion)"with reference to, or with regard toward another kind (of) gospel." The (Gk. heteros) "another" gospel distinguishes it as a spurious, putrid one, in contrast and conflict with the gospel of Christ, Rom_1:16; 1Co_15:1-3.

Any gospel that mingles law, (ceremonials and rituals) with grace, as a means of acquiring or retaining justification, sanctification, or salvation is "another gospel." The proclaimer (Preacher) of such is still under the curse (anathema) of God! Gal_1:8-9. Ceremonials and rituals and pictorial ordinances of Christ no more impart grace in obtaining or retaining salvation than did those of the Law. Those who preach that they to are under God's anathema of preaching "another gospel today," by perverting the gospel of Christ, Act_10:43; 2Jn_1:8-11; Rom_4:5; Eph_2:8-9; Rom_11:6.

Unto a different gospel (eis heteron euaggelion). See note on 2Co_11:4 for distinction between allo and heteron as here.

It is not here or there a mere difference in emphasis or spirit as in Php_1:18 so long as Christ is preached. These men as in 2Co_11:4 preach “another Jesus” and a “different gospel” and so have fallen away from grace and have done away with Christ (Gal_5:4). Hence the vehemence of Paul’s words.

There shouldn't be divisions, isms and schisms in the soma of Messiah--so why is there?

I'm here to learn and be corrected Jim, not to slog it out with you or other members in different stages in their walk with our blessed Lord and Savior Christ Jesus, in the sphere of the Holy Spirit.

And because of the different ideologies, opinions and ideas there is the tendency to go all out on the attack--not responding-not willing to be corrected-but to impose what is clearly false, we have to come to terms that there are people in various stages in their walk IN Christ--to these we should show mercy and grace, lovingly rebuke and pray the eyes of their understanding being enlightened-
PS--I am really glad you have Epi on permanent ignore--late here 1:28 AM morning-tired and can't think straight.
Shalom
J.

 

[ChristisGod]

We must be able to consider the crows and pawns in every situation...

more ad hominems-

 

[ChristisGod]

Are you not aware that rebuking, correcting, and reproving are indeed expressions of love? Jesus said : AS MANY AS I LOVE I REBUKE AND CHASTEN. BE ZEALOUS THEREFORE AND REPENT.

many do not understand love and God disciplines those He loves and so does the church have the God given authority to discipline as well. Matthew 18 principle and Paul's instruction in 1 Cor 5

Matt 18
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.


1 Cor 5
I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11 But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister[c] but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.
12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you

But the pharisees reject the above since they are lone rangers with no accountability.

 

[Lizbeth]

The parable of Lazarus and the rich man makes me think of saying a little prayer and saying you have accepted salvation into your heart. What I mean is almost every one thinks they are on the side of the rich man. Similar the the rapture doctrine. One where if you have set under this doctrine, all most always you see yourself definitely as one selected that will be included in being rapture out. I can relate because growing up hearing about an elite group that God will rapture…I had my hand up saying “that is me. I’m one of them.” When I did not know or care about God at all. All I cared about was being included. “Sign me up.”

Now. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus is not about which side you think you are on so you can point across the way at those “filthy” on the other side…but instead of the parable being about Lazarus or the rich man…to me it is about Him who stood in the breech,; Him who laid down His body. Him who tore down the partition between.

It sounds like that was you before you truly came to faith in Christ. It isn't everybody.

That parable warns and exhorts, that's what it does. Nothing more, nothing less. And Jesus hadn't yet died on the cross when He spoke it. To the Jew first it would have been a warning about keeping the Law and the spirit of it.....just being a descendant of Abraham was not to be taken as a guarantee of salvation. And then to the Gentile we can take it as a warning about needing to show the fruits of repentance and of knowing Christ (eg, it agrees with teachings such as faith w/o works is dead, not storing up treasures on earth, and the last will be first, etc).

But maybe overall the lesson can be seen to be this: under the Law, God promised prosperity and health to Israel if they kept the Law, so Jews assumed that those who were doing well in life must be more acceptable to God personally than those who were poor and sick. That's why some were assuming there must be personal sin involved as a reason for the blind man being born blind, either his sin or his parents'. Jesus came along and began pulling the rug out from under that belief and attitude. This parable corrects that wrong attitude, for both Jew and Gentile....because that unfortunately is also an attitude that self-righteous believing Gentiles can have as well.

 

[Michiah-Imla]

 

[Lizbeth]

Blessings John. "The free sample of initial grace" There is that word "sample" "Sample" is what you give of your music in hopes it will sell. The Holy Spirit is not a "sample". "Behold I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears My voice and opens the door I will come into him and sup with him" "An everlasting fruit that is pleasing to God" Do you really think your fruit is pleasing to The Lord?

Amen, it's more than just a "sample". Too much reliance on one's own analogies leads to a carnal understanding which misses the mark, not a spiritual understanding.

We are to increase and grow in the measure we have been given and the way to do that is to be "investing" what we have been given and thus be buying more oil for our lamps. In other words, the increase comes from what we have already been given. And the Lord showed this to me in spirit one time. That's what it means where the bible talks about the fountains of the deep being broken up and springing upward...increase and growth and especially the final redemption, as someone mentioned.... it springs from within, from what we already have received within, His Spirit is our connection and lifeline to God and eternity.....Christ in us the hope of glory.

 

[Johann]

View attachment 31321

Of course you will--don't count yourself out.

 

[Lizbeth]

When I go to sit with my mom…she does this thing of deflecting. Any time I say “mom you need to use your walker.” She comes back with wanting to talk instead, about what I need to do. You know what I’ve learned. She doesn’t like hearing my telling her to use her walker.

It's not easy growing old. She doesn't like being spoken to as if she is a child, by her child. And it is for her child's sake that she still tries to maintain her "motherhood" because we will always feel our children need us to be their mother. Lord bless her.