Henry,

you have my prayers along with the others' here!

as Nan said, with God's power, Go and Sin No More!
i will add a couple logistical-practical suggestions re: Sinning No More that may be useful in wading thru the mire you're experiencing.

1. Don't be So Nice!
A. Do Not make Commitments You can't Follow Thru
B. Do Not Feel Compelled to tell people whatever will make
them feel good - in spite of the truth. Tell the
Truth! Henry - other people's insecurities are Not
Your Responsibility. Of course, be gentle, don't be
brash or rude or use honesty as an excuse to spout
your opinions that also aren't others' biz. But You
won't do that, that is not like you. You are the Too
Nice Christian.

2. Tell the Truth
I don't just mean when you tell a Lie on Purpose cuz You are Purposely avoiding telling the truth. Everytime you make a commitment you can't keep, everyone time someone asks your professional opinion and you do not give it to them cuz it will not be so favorable - you are lying.

To begin with, there may be times when you want to Plead the 5th rather than telling the Full Truth, or tell someone part of the truth and not the whole shibang. That's okay - that is not lying given a proper context. That's responsibly taking situations and feelings into account. You know your professional situation and how that moderates Proper Contextual Behavior.

Try these behaviors out for 21 days. That's how long it takes to "make" a New Habit. First - Don't make Commitments You Can't Keep!

I would love to see a reply from you b/c I hope this makes sense. Just baby steps, Henry. I'll be praying for your unbelief, not just your character and behavior!

Well, it's 2 years and one month later since I last posted. Thank you all for your prayers. 2008 and 2009 were challenging as I battled depression and suicidal thoughts; but God managed to pull me through, often in spite of myself. I struggle with unbelief, yet I see the invisible hand of God guiding and protecting me.

I thought my procrastination and lying were under control, but then I screwed up (i.e. lied) once again - badly. And this time I don't think the issue will be resolved without serious consequences. Due to God's goodness I have the means to pay the financial damage; but the damage to a friendship may be irremediable. My family will suffer, not just the financial hit, but the stigma that "dad" is a liar.

The words to that great hymn, "It is well with my soul" ring true to me today - My sin, O the bliss of that glorious thought; my sin not in part but the whole; is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more; praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul.

I commend my fate to God, and claim His forgiveness. I bear not the penalty of my sin, though I may face temporal consequences, and I type these lines with a heavy heart. I pray not that I escape the consequences, but that His Will for me and my family be done.

Well Henry will be adding you to our pray list. And thanks for posting that.

pk

I'm so glad that you have returned with an update for us, Henry!

Praise God that He has been your help in your distress! It is the contrite heart, the heart of brokenness, that feels its need, that God is closest to. My prayer is that when you are humbled in the sight of the Lord that He will lift you up :)

HENRY

YES I will be praying for you this issue and
GOD is working for sure

I hope you will come back before 2 more years

dgrimm60

HEnry we both share the same problems, it was very hard to say no to somebody so often i lied. But nowadays i am not like that anymore. You see, you don t have to humble and lower yourself for other people because we are all unworthy and selfish in our first natural nature. Rather humble and lower yourself for our Lord Jesus Christ and realise that people are so much lower than God is. Walk with the Lord and make that your priority and don t even worry about what other people think of you. No person has the right to judge you, even if you are not nice to somebody.

I just prayed that your faith might grow...

What helped me a lot were the presentations of Walter Veith. They are a real Faith-booster!

http://www.amazingdiscoveries.tv/

Thank you all for your prayers.

God has answered my prayers; the man I wronged has forgiven me. Praise God.

HENRY

WELL that is great news and yes PRAISE GOD

dgrimm60

Praise the Lord Henry!!!!

pk

Beautiful prayer by a beautiful Christian, and I'm not just saying that because I have a new-bornagain daughter named Stef(anie).

And Henry, you are very fortunate to recognize your weaknesses as your Father in heaven has a few promises just for you. (and whoever else needs and accepts them)

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."2 Cor 12:9 KJV

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."1 John 1:9 KJV

And remember this, as you rejoin the flock on your way back in, those who hold you in abeyance to past sinful conduct of which you've asked forgiveness, are disbelieving of the underlined above, if you've exercised your faith in that Word as God's promises to you.
JOY!!