The Mailbox
by Anonymous

GREETINGS

Dear Sirs:

For a number of years now I have been receiving The Intercessor on a regular basis. May I commend you for carrying on the work of God and sustaining the memory and wisdom of Norman Grubb through your publishing efforts. And thank you for including me in your mailings.

More than ten years ago I had the privilege of attending a three-day retreat with Norman in Florida. For some years thereafter, until of course his passing, we corresponded. The clarity of Norman’s teaching and his subsequent observations remain a Damascus experience for me in my life with Christ.

I can only assume, somehow, the Holy Spirit moved my address from Norman’s files into your files, and I have been receiving The Intercessor ever since. However, I have been remiss in my encouragement for you and your staff’s efforts.

I look forward to your next issue. God bless you.

In His love,

William L. Peterson
Miami, FL

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Hello! I received the March/April Intercessor on Wednesday, and by Friday at 7 a.m. I’d read this issue cover to cover. Each article was a great help to me as I was going through or had gone through similar experiences. The article “The Rescue” was so encouraging as my son has been wandering and involved in Satan’s world. I am his intercessor and know God will bring good out of evil.

I look forward to ordering Who Am I?. How many times I’ve asked this question. Praise God I know the whole Total Truth. I am Christ in Vicky form. This is truly the key to freedom.

Much to my surprise, in the Max bosection was my mother’s, Elaine Barneko, and my sister-in law’s, Sue Barneko’s, letters. God’s timing is always perfect. I do believe this issue came at the exact time my Father knew I needed it. I’m looking toward the day we will all be together with our Father, singing and rejoicing at His feet.

I know God will continue to bless each of you as you send forth The Intercessor so others can receive the Total Truth-Christ in you, the hope of glory.

In His Love,

Vicky Arthur
Twin Falls, Idaho

ENCOURAGEMENT TO A BROTHER

Dear B.,

I hope you’ve not been feeling too badly since we spoke. I’m writing because I wanted to put on paper some of what I said on Thursday morning. I know you were very upset then and may not remember some of what I said.

I hate it for you that you are in the pain and torment you are in, even if it’s only now and again. I know the biggest pain is probably the hate (for my father)- it was for me-and not being able to do any-thing about it. God can change it-I don’t mean make it go away in a second, but He can take the sting out of it. You can confess it once and for all and any other known sin, and ask Jesus Christ to come into your life as your Saviour. He will do that immediately. You may not feel different, but you can know you’re for-given and God is now in you to operate and control your life. If you have a Bible, read Rev. 3:20 and Col. 1:13,14.

As for as your life being ruined and your heart broken, I know that’s how you feel at the moment. Your life is not over yet and broken hearts do mend. God does not allow anything to happen to us that He does not know about Himself and control tota.lly. As Jesus said, “Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs on your head are numbered. Therefore, do not fear; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Matt. 10:29-31). It’s difficult to explain that, but I know it’s true.

A big part of your pain and torment is the hate, and the guilt you have because of it. Do please deal with that straight away. Then you are free to change other things. I don’t mean you alone. God will be in you to change whatever needs changing. Jesus died for all the sins of the world. We can only personally experience that salvation when we receive Him into our lives and accept that He has indeed died for our sins and we are guilty no longer: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

I know from what you said that the past and the memories of it are very painful for you. So it would be, as you were only a child and totally defenseless then. God knows all about that too. He says in Psalm 139, “You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, You know it completely, O Lord.”

But the past is past, and with God’s help and Jesus in you, you can put it behind you for good. I don’t mean you will ever forget totally, but you can have a future to look forward to and concentrate on. Gradually, some of the hurtful memories will fade and hurt less.

One good thing is that you are talking about how you feel. Do continue to do that, and call me anytime day or night that I’m here. The more you talk about it and the more you get out, the less there will be inside to hurt. I know I always feel some release and relief when I share something painful with someone else. I know Mom and Dad are in pain too, and God has it that way to propel them to turn to Him with their whole lives, as I’m telling you to do. God loves us all equally, wants and all. His highest desire is for us to know Him and understand why we’re here and what life is all about.

My prayer is that both Mom and Dad and all the family will get to know and experience this for themselves-the sooner the better. The key for them, and for all of us, is to realize we have lived life “our way,” and we need to change that to His way. We need to turn around and say “Okay” to God, and He will do the rest.

Mary Walsh
Romford, England

A CRY FOR HELP AND AN ANSWER

Dear Gail,

I’m going against all feelings here in sending you this message. Satan is telling me I don’t need to talk to anyone, no reason to, nothing to talk about. And feeling-wise, that is exactly what I want to do. I want to disconnect the phone, turn off all the lights, and bury myself in my room. I feel as if I want to cut all contact with the world, but most especially from those who love me. Last night was a battle. My impulse is to not talk about this, but when Satan wants me not to talk, that’s when I have to.

I’ve been in a downward spiral for about two weeks. I’ve felt depressed, overwhelmed, irresponsible, and undependable. I’m feeling absolutely crazy, and I know I’ve got to get talking to folks. I’m feeling so depressed since my daughter went to stay with her dad. I’ve never allowed myself to feel it so intensely before. I feel like I want to the. It is an awful feeling, but a wonderful opportunity for faith to trust my Father in all matters. I don’t like being alone. I don’t like knowing that the house wifi be empty one more night. No wonder I used to bring home one-nighters before I became a Christian-I didn’t want to come home to an empty house.

Just writing this helps me realize that this time last year I was still relying on food to comfort me, while this year I’m coming to the rea.li7.ation that food can’t do the comforting but God can. I guess this is an S.O.S. So if you have time this week-end, maybe you could give me a hollar. Thanks for listening.

T.P.

Dear T,

I appreciate your honesty about what you are going through. I know it’s not easy. But this is God’s perfect way for both you and your daughter. I can see where it is a very valuable experience for her to have to face the challenges of the summer on her own. It is so easy for two people (any two) to become co-dependent because they are used to relying on each other for emotion-al support. When I was raising my family, I don’t think it really dawned on me that my calling as a parent was to equip my child to face life without depending on me. It is very healthy for you to learn to live day-by-day without the emotional sup-ports of the “familiar,” in this case, your daughter.

I’m glad you are speaking faith against your feelings. The circumstances you are in are PERFECT. God is knocking out the supports, knowing that this wifi push you to trust Him in every circumstance, no matter how hard it feels. When I feel like driving off a cliff (a fairly regular experience) I remind myself of a few things. First of all, I have lived the life of an addict–relying on any-thing to keep away fear, anger, and other “scary,” uncomfortable feelings. In fact, all my life has been about manipulating my soul-feelings. So if I feel like an addict in withdrawal some of the time, that’s probably what I am! Secondly, I’m safe. I’m exactly where God knows I need to be and “He will never leave me nor forsake me.” So it’s okay if I feel unsafe because that is not truly my condition. Thirdly, I’m God’s “pot” to live in as He will. I don’t have to like where I am all the time, but I trust Him and know of no other way of living that gets results. I don’t want to waste any more years running from reality.

Love, Gail