Robert's Testimony

[Robert Cragg]

When I was a young boy about 7 I was sexually & physically abused. This is hard to wright because part of my own family never heard this, but I want to possibly help others by sharing with others. When I was about 40,
my niece told her mother she was molested when she was about 4, I was there and it was like someone through a spear through my heart, I had never told anyone about my problem. I had stuffed it down inside, I got ill when I heard what my niece went through.
Some time later the man who had molested me went to the doctor with stomach pains. The out come was they finally had to do exploritory surgery, well when they opened him up he had what they called spider cancer and as soon as the air hit him it spread all over througout every organ in his body. Well the sent him here to Buffalo to Roswell Park which is considered one of the best cancer reseach centers in the country. Well my whole family was going to see him. I could not figure out what to do my feelings were numb. Finally I deceided to go, but had no idea what I would say. On the way in my heart I knew I had to forgive him. He was origanally about 240 lbs. & about 6 foot tall. When we entered his room he was about 80 lbs. like a skeleton with a layer of skin, he was so sick looking I just stood there and said nothing. I kept thinking about forgiving him, finally I prayed that he would except Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior. The next day he had a disscussion with a minister then he died.

Now moving ahead to July 2001 my grand daughter drownd in a swimming pool that ripped out my heart. I still havent completly healed from that I went into deep depression which I still deal with today. Over the years my wife has been unfaithful many times. So I have my problems.

My desire is to offer some help to others because I learned the hard way what emotional pain feels like, I also know that men have the hardest time dealing with any of this. So bottom line if there is anything I can do to help people deal with anything like this let me know and I'll be glad to give some pointers on how to deal with this stuff.

God Bless All,
Robert

[gibby]

Wow, Robert. Thanks for sharing. We are blessed to have you here with us. God definately has a purpose for your life. Keep close to Him, Robert. I mean that everyone else too!

[canny]

Robert, sharing something of this enormity takes such courage. You have my understanding,,, and no,,, its not only men who cannot express. You would be so surprised Robert at how many on so many forums have suffered the same way.... We are not alone, we have support and we have love and understanding.


God bless
Canny

[JIP]

Dear Robert,
Once someone me told that
1st you forgive those who hurt you
2nd forgive yourself
And 3rdly God will forgive you.
You did good by forgiving that man Robert.
You may have saved his soul too.

God allows one to go through trials and tribulations in
order that HE may use that person to witness to people
who were or are in the same situation. Please consider
this as God's own doing to use you for His purpose.

Gibby I think you have to have this thread on top always. I don't
know what you call it. Is it called a sticky thread? That will
enable visitors to read and contact Robert for counsel.

Be Blessed

[Robert Cragg]

Thank You, The main reason I gave my testimony is to be a help to tell others there is ways to cope and they need to draw close to God. Men & women have to learn to talk out there problems if they just Talk to God guys like myself have been raised to be macho men. They have been raised not to cry, but that is garbage. At my chuch we are going to have a men's ministry that will be Christ centered. My part will be to try to reach out to others and hopefully give them some help. The Church is great but they don't really deal with the tough problems. I believe that my ministry that God wants me to do is minister to men and use my experiences to be a help others. Anyway thank you for you kind words.
Bless You
Robert

[JIP]

Be Blessed too Robert.

[Robert Cragg]

I just wanted to add that one major problem with any of this is that you may notice, is anger can become the center of your life, I refer to as your root man. Anger can bring on a spiritual battle, you may not believe this but I believe that there is denomic influence with this, I do not believe a Christian can be possed do to the presence of The Holy Spirit but we can be oppressed and going through misery, God did give us the equippment to do battle with our enemy satan. It is all listed in Epesians 6: 10-20.
What can be hard to do is apply the word to make it effective. God gave us all we need and the Help of the Holy Spirit to fight for us, so often God wants us to make the first move, or we could end up like the Church Laodicea in Revelation 3:20. You see this is the Church age we are in. God is looking for his Special Forces to join in the battle, there is spiritual warfare going on all the time. If satan can't take use with him, he will cause as much trouble as he can. The worst thing we can do is just sit and say let God do all the work.

[canny]

I will pray for this venture Robert, it is much needed and long overdue.

God Bless You

[Faith]

Originally Posted by Robert Cragg

When I was a young boy about 7 I was sexually & physically abused. This is hard to wright because part of my own family never heard this, but I want to possibly help others by sharing with others. When I was about 40,
my niece told her mother she was molested when she was about 4, I was there and it was like someone through a spear through my heart, I had never told anyone about my problem. I had stuffed it down inside, I got ill when I heard what my niece went through.
Some time later the man who had molested me went to the doctor with stomach pains. The out come was they finally had to do exploritory surgery, well when they opened him up he had what they called spider cancer and as soon as the air hit him it spread all over througout every organ in his body. Well the sent him here to Buffalo to Roswell Park which is considered one of the best cancer reseach centers in the country. Well my whole family was going to see him. I could not figure out what to do my feelings were numb. Finally I deceided to go, but had no idea what I would say. On the way in my heart I knew I had to forgive him. He was origanally about 240 lbs. & about 6 foot tall. When we entered his room he was about 80 lbs. like a skeleton with a layer of skin, he was so sick looking I just stood there and said nothing. I kept thinking about forgiving him, finally I prayed that he would except Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior. The next day he had a disscussion with a minister then he died.

Now moving ahead to July 2001 my grand daughter drownd in a swimming pool that ripped out my heart. I still havent completly healed from that I went into deep depression which I still deal with today. Over the years my wife has been unfaithful many times. So I have my problems.

My desire is to offer some help to others because I learned the hard way what emotional pain feels like, I also know that men have the hardest time dealing with any of this. So bottom line if there is anything I can do to help people deal with anything like this let me know and I'll be glad to give some pointers on how to deal with this stuff.

God Bless All,
Robert

Hi (((Robert))),

I do understand how you feel about your granddaughter.
I also know where you have been can be the demoralising and self-loathing and lonely place to be. I am glad you got help and are coming through to better days.

Love Faith.

[JIP]

Originally Posted by Robert Cragg

I just wanted to add that one major problem with any of this is that you may notice, is anger can become the center of your life, I refer to as your root man. Anger can bring on a spiritual battle, you may not believe this but I believe that there is denomic influence with this, I do not believe a Christian can be possed do to the presence of The Holy Spirit but we can be oppressed and going through misery, God did give us the equippment to do battle with our enemy satan. It is all listed in Epesians 6: 10-20.What can be hard to do is apply the word to make it effective. God gave us all we need and the Help of the Holy Spirit to fight for us, so often God wants us to make the first move, or we could end up like the Church Laodicea in Revelation 3:20. You see this is the Church age we are in. God is looking for his Special Forces to join in the battle, there is spiritual warfare going on all the time. If satan can't take use with him, he will cause as much trouble as he can. The worst thing we can do is just sit and say let God do all the work.

Keeping Romans 8:28 in the forefront I wish to give my views on the matter of anger - spiritual battle. I think here we have to consider "strife" too. We find many Christian groups, fellowships, organizations, clubs, and the like, fighting against each other (and within themselves) over varied stances as regards God’s Word. Thank God, his Word endureth forever is spite of all this. On the surface these self-righteous actions seem like they are righteous-but are they scripturally based? Let us look at the scriptures, and let’s stand fast in faith on whatever the Holy Spirit contributes to our understanding. Please relax and know that Acts 5:38-39 is on your side.

Consider the following:
Matthew 5:25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, Matthew 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil:
Luke 9:54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
Luke 9:55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
Luke 9:56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
Luke 12:51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
Luke 12:58 When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; (don’t strive-get freed - get delivered).
Acts 7:60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. (No striving here-just forgiveness).
Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil.
Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath:
Romans 13:13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, NOT IN STRIFE and envying.
Romans 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace,
2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds
Comment: Striving will demand the use of carnal weapons of the flesh-God’s might is harnessed in His Word-His might is released, when we claim His Word-then the strongholds come tumbling down - in His perfect timing, and not ours.
Galatians 5:20-21 - Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Comment: My goodness, strife is in with some pretty heavy company, isn’t it)?
Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory;
Question: Nothing? That’s what it says-nothing!
Philippians 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: (All? Yes, all!)
1 Thessalonians 5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; (Does none include me? Sure does)?
Hebrews 6:15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
Hebrews 6:16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
James 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. James 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. (God’s Words - not mine).
1 Peter 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: (No strife here - only commitment to him)!
1 Peter 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: (Confirmation, or what)?

The above scriptures tell me, that we do not have to battle, or fight, or strive against the evils of this world. They are part of God’s perfect plan, and he has already accounted for their defeat. All we have to do is be patient, and endure. Jesus came to us with a message of love guys.


Please read the following verses about strife before we continue.
They may provide some spiritual insight into this subject.
Matthew 12:19; 1 Corinthians 3:3; Mark 3:24-25; Philippians 1:27; Luke 13:14 1 Timothy 6:4; Rom 15:30; 2 Timothy 2:5; 1 Corinthian; 2 Timothy 2:24

After considering what these scriptures ar telling us, isn’t it clear that we should not be striving among ourselves - or with the world‘s conditions? The scripture verses on strife, tell us how to react to the “spiritual warfare” call to arms. However, many other verses about this subject-as follows may be considered to complete what I am saying here.
1 Corinthians 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Ephesians 6:13-17 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Note: These Ephesians scriptures verses have been the ones cited by people, who hawk the spiritual warfare agenda. The same verses speak differently to me. We are in reality to use the Word of God. It is the Word that does the fighting and protecting if we follow orders-God’s orders, that is. After all, why should we fight again a warfare already fought and won on Christ’s cross?
2 Timothy 2:5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
Question: How does one strive lawfully? Could the answer be by staying in line with God’s Word in whatever we do?
2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds
Question: If our weapons are not carnal-what are our weapons? Could it be that our weapons are God’s Word (the two-edged sword)? You know it guys!
Philippians 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Note: “Thinking on these things” negates all the supposed reasons for participating in spiritual warfare. Don’t you want to agree that God’s Word is the power?
1 Timothy 1:18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
Question: Would you agree that a “good warfare” is one that is warred within the bounds of God’s Words? We should I think so!
2 Timothy 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
Question: Can this “servant of the Lord” be involved an any kind of warfare-spiritual or otherwise? Shouldn't the President be such a servant of the Lord?
John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
Comment: Seeing that God’s kingdom is not of this world, this verse says that God’s servants (you and I) should not fight.
1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith,
Comment: Synonyms for “faith” - assurance, sureness, reliance, trust. We servants of God exercise all these in God’s Word. We fight the good fight within the bounds of God’s Word.
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Revelation 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
Comment: Jesus fights with the “sword” of his mouth, which is his Word. As joint-heirs with Christ Jesus, shouldn’t we brandish the same “sword”.