Dear.......

With regards to your comment ' Don't rehearse it'.  My concern is for receiving prayer for abuse from my mother which is happening now , not abuse in the past. The Counsellor has told me that the abuse which is concerning me is not historical , but alive and dynamic. It's abuse that's been happening right now.  It's not past abuse. I spoke with my dear friend Alex Robb who is a Christian with a considerable knowledge of the old and new testament. He states that neither the old testament or new testament mistake forgiveness for amnesia.  Amnesia and forgiveness are very different things.  I have forgiven my mother for past offences but i am not mindless nor is my mind empty.  I am aware of my mother's behaviour both in the past and in the present.  And I need prayer for healing of current abuse by my mother not past abuse. 

My friend Alex assures me that what I have written about is a direct and faithful reflection of the teaching of Jesus.  Which may be summed up as Christians are called to forgive but not have amnesia. Also we should 'share one another's burdens and thus fulfill the work of Christ.'

King Saul said to David ' Forgive me and come back to live with me in the palace.  David replied ' I think it best that I remain on this hill and you on the other hill', He did not have a failure of memory.  He was well aware that although Saul had been forgiven by him, Saul could not be trusted.  My situation is exactly the same, I have forgiven my mother, but I am well aware that she cannot be trusted.  

Alex assures me the teaching of the old testament is identical to the new testament on the topic of forgiveness and salvation.   Jesus said not a single part of the law would be denied by Him.  That He came to fulfill the law not to abolish it.  Alex said it would be a good idea for people to move on from the milk of the word to the meat of the word.  And there are too many Christians  that are bottle-fed babies.  Anyone who denies the old testament denies the new testament. The old testament is as important as the new testament.  The teachings of the old and new testament stand or fall together.  If one can be ignored then so can the other be.  

The teaching that all people will be saved is a Christian heresy called universalism.  The actual teaching that noone will be lost is universalism.  It says that Judas went to the place that was appointed for him and he would not be saved.   It says there is no rest for the wicked, so prayers for wicked people are definately not always appropriate.  Our assumption is that our thoughts are the same as Gods thoughts, but God says my thoughts are higher than your thoughts and my ways are higher than your ways.   Prayer is about agreement with God in what God intends to do.  With regard to sum of the things I've been urged to pray about, it is far from certain that they reflect what God intends to do.  It says we are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling and it is my mothers responsibility to do this.  There is no Biblical evidence that suggests I can substitute my actions for my mother's actions or lack of actions thereof.  My mother needs to work out her own salvation with fear and trembling, not say that's my daughter's job.  The idea that I could do so is an  historical Catholic idea and not part of a protestant thinking.  

Much love in Christ, 

Julie

My Director friend of the Healing Rms reply letter to me "Hi Julie,

I agree with you all the way. Yes we do continue to forgive actions as they occur - Jesus says 70 times 7. Past actions are forgiven, and also present ones. That way we live in freedom, free from bitterness. But as you say, forgiveness doesn't mean forgetting. But when the reminder of offences come, we can say, "Yes, she did that, but I have chosen to forgive her. Father God bless her in every way."And if you are choosing to bless your mother every time satan prompts you to recall what happened, it won't be long before he will stop reminding you. 

Nor does forgiveness necessarily mean reconciliation. As you have said, people who have hurt you have broken a relationship, and that cannot be restored overnight. Trust has to be earned, and it would be unwise to do otherwise. 

So we bless you Julie in your journey, deeper into Him, the lover of your soul.

With many blessings

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