Bible Discussion Thread

The "Trifecta"

Well; I may as well make this the final lap of my race today; and seek the winning side in responses to these requests from those wiser than myself.

Anyway; I have an additional request in terms of how to speak to my Dad about the Lord. I see him once weekly and usually with a Christian friend. It seems she has tried every type of bait such as "Jesus loves you" to handing out Gospel tracts; etc. I told my Dad the Lord was good to me and such. Apparently he rolled his eyes when my friend discussed the subject today.

His dementia is at the point to where he gets his entertainment from the cars that go in and out of the driveway at the facility. Truly sad to see but overall he isn't in too bad physical health and thankfully since not smoking in months coughing a lot less.

I need to really get clarity in what to say; perhaps spending a few days at the cabin in the next month or so will help (have to wait for some reinforced stone so my car won't sink in the mud; etc.)

I guess I can also ask for prayer on the VBS our church has July 14-18. We are hoping for good attendance; it seems there is enough staff to be there. I'm hoping the video presentation (I suppose like Power Point) is something I'll get right there. I'm also praying for my friend who has grandkids planning to come but her son's former wife now living with another man apparently is not too consistent in remembering when my friend has time with her grandkids.

I guess that's it since it's 1:30 AM I should get some rest. I'm not sure if anyone has any suggestions on my postings; since I haven't gotten any input lately I'm not sure if it is very helpful and I'll admit I am repeating some of the same concepts perhaps in slightly different dressing as of late. It helps me to look up verses on search engines for my own study but I need to pray more that things are edifying as I don't want to just write for the sake of my own interest to see what I have to say.

Agape..RP

Richard, This is some old fashioned advice so you can take it for what it is. On the subject of your father, you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink. You and others have shared the gospel with your father. He may come around and accept Jesus. However, he may not. You have done everything possible to help him get there. Only God knows if he will. You have been a great son from what I have read of your postings. You have nothing to feel guilty of. On the subject of your friend, you can't help someone who isn't willing to help themselves. There are jobs he may be able to get that doesn't involve art. At this point he should be willing to get whatever employment he can find to help himself and not become a financial burden on you. Maybe I misunderstood your posting but I don't see where he is trying too hard. I always enjoy your posts and can tell you live your life for the Lord. Jesus wants us to help others but I don't think that means being taken advantage of. Sorry if I over stepped. I will be praying for your father and your friend. Bless you for trying so hard to do right by others.

I appreciate your prayer. My friend has had gout for 17 years now; apparently. He also has pancreas issues and diabetes along with arthritis and is quite obese. I decided it is best to accompany him to the local VA Tuesday in case I can attest to having to take him in extreme pain a couple weeks ago to the hospital when they refused to call in the meds that have helped him in the past with a severe outbreak. Since he had lyme disease multiple times in the past I can't help but think that may tie into current issues as well; although they are supposed to be cognizant of this fact. Hopefully he can get the first record at least of when he was in Germany and had to go to the hospital for migranes as since his unit was upset he couldn't go on active duty at the time they were deployed for one hundred percent participation they may have conveniently lost some of his record from the second attack he had.

So as you can see there are a lot of physical issues; nonetheless I am trying to navigate between possibly having to cut him off at least for a time or going all out which seems to be the balance of the two pieces of advice I have received here so far. How to handle things on course with regular assistance is something I need to assess; especially once I go back to a regular work schedule in the fall. I am going to carefully assess his attitude at the doctor; he mentioned something about physical therapy and I hope he is open to that and whatever other treatment is available. He had to stop working last year as he couldn't physically keep up with his pharmaceutical warehouse duties but since he is fairly savvy on computers and such I would think there may be something he could do. He should be able to get some more help the end of this month turning 60; I understand with some of the conditions in the local VA not being too pleasant in the city at least. Nonethless; I don't see how he can take out a loan if he has no way to repay it or I foot the bill.

Richard,

Tell your friend to ask his doctor if he can drink black cherry juice, it will help with the gout.

Will pray for your dad, as one said, all we can do is plant and water.

God bless,

RLW

He does that already; thanks. Appreciate the prayer.