New Christian husband. What do I do? (Full Version)

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thorkraki -> New Christian husband. What do I do? (6/17/2008 7:02:33 AM)

Hi! I am a new (or newly serious!) Christian. I have a wife and three sons. What do I do with them as a new Christian? I mean how do I go about being Christian to my wife? Sorry if I am not explaining myself too well, English is my fourth language!

Thor



evryknee -> RE: New Christian husband. What do I do? (6/17/2008 8:25:09 AM)

Thor,

To start with, get into God's Word daily and study what He says. The answers are in the Bible and the Spirit will speak to you. As you pursue Christ-likeness in everything, you will be becoming the husband & father that God desires you to be. Turn away from sin, seek forgiveness from your wife & children, and follow Him.

So, what's your first, second, & third language?



thorkraki -> RE: New Christian husband. What do I do? (6/17/2008 8:49:43 AM)

Hi Yzguy!

I will do what you say. We are a very loving family and get along very well, probably because my wife and I don't work much, and what we do, we usually do at home. And we take the kids with us when we visit our other properties!

My first language is Danish (also Norwegian, which is really a dialect of Danish, so I don't count that), my second is German, and my third is Italian. My fifth is Swedish, my sixth is French, and my seventh is Latin!

Thor



Lady_Bear -> RE: New Christian husband. What do I do? (6/17/2008 9:39:48 AM)

[:)] Hello Thor ... I am KAREN aka Lady_Bear and I am sure that things will be hard in the beginning but I will be praying for you new little family & so all I can tell you is invite them to go along with you to church service and do not be pushie about it just let it be a gradual thing ... just take little baby steps. It's hard in the beginning but I am sure that you can get through this. I will be praying for you and if you are ever wanting a friend in the states to chat with ... I am here ok ?

blessings & hugs



soundDRwife -> RE: New Christian husband. What do I do? (6/17/2008 10:12:04 AM)

Just as someone posted before and that is always be Christ-like in everything you do, Read,Study your Bible, Pray. I be be praying for you and your family.



thorkraki -> RE: New Christian husband. What do I do? (6/17/2008 2:31:45 PM)

Thanks everyone for the advice! My family goes to church on the holidays, but I have invited them to come with me this Sunday. My wife said she would if I want her to, and my sons said maybe.

I know that people who prefer to read in English have a lot of choices about bibles to read. I have always read the bible in Latin most often. I also have a German bible. I think that I will read both.



evryknee -> RE: New Christian husband. What do I do? (6/17/2008 2:37:19 PM)

quote:

My first language is Danish (also Norwegian, which is really a dialect of Danish, so I don't count that), my second is German, and my third is Italian. My fifth is Swedish, my sixth is French, and my seventh is Latin!


What?! No Greek, Hebrew, or Spanish?!! Slacker! [:D]



thorkraki -> RE: New Christian husband. What do I do? (6/17/2008 2:52:05 PM)

I actually read a little bit of ancient Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic. I had to take them in school! I don't know them enough to say that I am fluent though. I can sort of understand Spanish and Portuguese, at least the European kind of these, because they are close to Latin and Italian.

In Europe you often have to know at least two languages just because the countries are close together. Plus, if you've been to university and higher degrees, you almost always learn English. In Scandinavia where I am from, nearly everyone knows some German because we get their TV and radio!

I live now part of the year in the USA, and I speak English pretty well I think. It seems like maybe I should learn Spanish because it seems like many people there also speak that language. However, I also think that maybe this is a political issue in the USA, and since I'm a guest there I shouldn't comment on it?

Anyway, thanks! My wife and sons said that they would come to church with me this Sunday. Now I have to decide which one to go to! We are currently visiting family in Rome, and there are 1,200 churches here. There are seven within a block of our townhouse!



evryknee -> RE: New Christian husband. What do I do? (6/17/2008 3:12:39 PM)

quote:

Anyway, thanks! My wife and sons said that they would come to church with me this Sunday. Now I have to decide which one to go to! We are currently visiting family in Rome, and there are 1,200 churches here. There are seven within a block of our townhouse!


That's great! Decisions, decisions..... I'll be praying for you Thor. This may be a good time to learn to listen to the Holy Spirit. Asking Him where to go to church.

BTW - As you're reading and learning form the Scriptures, you may want to include your wife and children into your thoughts and what you have learned so that they walk with you through your journey of faith (at least as long as they welcome it).



APZR -> RE: New Christian husband. What do I do? (6/17/2008 3:14:25 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: thorkraki
I live now part of the year in the USA, and I speak English pretty well I think. It seems like maybe I should learn Spanish because it seems like many people there also speak that language. However, I also think that maybe this is a political issue in the USA, and since I'm a guest there I shouldn't comment on it?


Why would you think commenting to be taboo? That's the beauty of our freedoms protected by the Rule of Law... everyone is free to express their opinion, whether well supported or not. [:D] Anyway, I too have been thinking about learning Spanish. Being able to community with a large portion of our customer base just makes good business Cents. [;)]



thorkraki -> RE: New Christian husband. What do I do? (6/17/2008 3:27:58 PM)

Thanks APZR! In the USA, I have expressed comments before, never until asked for an opinion, and then sometimes I have been told that I am not American so I should stay out of it. I am happy to hear that not all Americans are like that!

Danes are the opposite. We always express our opinions, and encourage others to do so also. However, we are famous in Europe for not arguing, and for always wanting a solution that makes everyone happy. They say about the Danish people that our meetings all take ten hours because we don't stop until everyone is happy! We have obviously come a long way from when we were Vikings, and just chopped people's heads off!

I was wondering about the Spanish because I have had some Americans tell me that speaking Spanish is catering to illegal immigrants, which I understand is a hot political issue in the USA. In Europe we have some illegal aliens, but the big political issue is the legal immigrants. Anyway, that's probably a topic for another forum!

Thor

See? I even have a Viking name, named after the Thunderer



Lady_Bear -> RE: New Christian husband. What do I do? (6/17/2008 3:55:58 PM)

Hello Again Thor ... I am guessing that you must be Roman Catholic ? Since you said that you were Danish ... my daughter has a friend who is from The Nertherlands he is is Dutch and attends the Catholci Church over there and speaks very good English too.

At least you have a start ... if she does go then AMEN to a awnser prayer and if they kids good there is a PRAISE ... so I will continue to be praying for you that all goes well !!

Hugs & Blessings



thorkraki -> RE: New Christian husband. What do I do? (6/17/2008 4:02:44 PM)

I am Lutheran, I was raised in the Danish National Lutheran Church. My wife is Roman Catholic, and our boys were all baptized and confirmed Roman Catholic. Since we are now in Roma, there are only about ten non-Catholic churches in the entire city, and about 1,200 Catholic churches! Really!

Yes, some Dutch are Catholic, as is the Dutch royal family. Others belong to the Dutch Protestant Reformed Church. The Dutch and the Danish are very similar. And in both countries, nearly everyone learns English, since Dutch and Danish are both what I call "one-country languages," they are not widely spoken elsewhere, like English or Spanish or Chinese or Arabic.

Anyway, my wife said that she would go to church and my sons said they would too! Luckily they were all raised speaking both Danish and Italian, so they will be able to understand the lecture! The rest of the service will probably be in Latin since they do that a lot in Roma.



notmycity -> RE: New Christian husband. What do I do? (6/17/2008 4:05:18 PM)

For starters.....

2 Tim 3:16-17
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
(KJV)



I Jn 3:18
18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
(KJV)


Eph 5:25-33
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
(KJV)



Col 3:19-21
19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
(KJV)



1 Pet 3:7-9
7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
(KJV)

Get in the Word of God and you will learn to be the husband that the Lord wills you to be...



thorkraki -> RE: New Christian husband. What do I do? (6/17/2008 4:10:56 PM)

Thank you for these very beautiful verses! I am fortunate because my family is very much like this already! I am going to read these verses in German because I think I understand it a little better, the subtleties, you know what I mean? I am going to talk about it then with my wife!

I want to make certain that my wife and my sons understand that I want everything we do to be for the honor of the Christ.



notmycity -> RE: New Christian husband. What do I do? (6/17/2008 4:19:50 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: thorkraki

Thank you for these very beautiful verses! I am fortunate because my family is very much like this already! I am going to read these verses in German because I think I understand it a little better, the subtleties, you know what I mean? I am going to talk about it then with my wife!

I want to make certain that my wife and my sons understand that I want everything we do to be for the honor of the Christ.


Happy to help if I can. Those are but a very few.

Here are some more...

Ps 1:1-6
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.


Deception is all around us, and it is only through studying God’s Word that we can discern between truth and error; good and evil.



lindakaye -> RE: New Christian husband. What do I do? (6/17/2008 7:11:08 PM)

Dear Thor,
Just think how God can use you with all of those languages. You have blessed me with your posts.

Your family life will just get better and better. You sound like an outstanding man.
God bless you



thorkraki -> RE: New Christian husband. What do I do? (6/17/2008 7:15:59 PM)

Thanks very much! Languages, history, art, music, and food are my talents, I was born with them. My dear wife's are mathematics, organization, etc. That's how we divide our work. I think I have the best part though! Especially the food, which is our line of work. I can taste a piece of feta cheese blindfolded and tell whether it is Greek, or Cypriot, or Israeli, or Californian!

Thanks for the encouragement about my family! We have always been a very close and loving family, and I want them to become serious for Jesus like I am. They are all going to church with me this Sunday, now I have to decide on a church to go to!



deermousie -> RE: New Christian husband. What do I do? (6/17/2008 11:02:50 PM)

Welcome to God's Forever Family, Thor! May God save your whole family (which is very likely).

A couple of books that have really made a big difference for my husband were two by Douglas Wilson: "Reforming Marriage" and "Federal Husband."

You can get it cheaper used - here's a start:
http://www.amazon.com/Reforming-Marriage-Douglas-Wilson/dp/1885767455

Are there any Bible-believing churches near you? I know they aren't as common in your country as they are in America. I will be praying for you and your family, that God will bless you all with salvation and a good church home for fellowship and good Bible teaching. God bless you all!



thorkraki -> RE: New Christian husband. What do I do? (6/17/2008 11:54:30 PM)

Thanks for the book suggestions! I am going to find out about bible believing churches. We live between Roma, where nearly everyone (including my wife) is Roman Catholic, and Copenhagen, where nearly everyone (including me) is Danish Lutheran. There are some bible believing in both, I think. Our house in USA where we live in the coming fall is in New York, in Manhattan, so maybe it is easier to find there.

God bless everyone here who are so friendly and welcoming to me!

Thor



futuremartyr -> RE: New Christian husband. What do I do? (6/19/2008 2:13:15 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: thorkraki

Thanks everyone for the advice! My family goes to church on the holidays, but I have invited them to come with me this Sunday. My wife said she would if I want her to, and my sons said maybe.

I know that people who prefer to read in English have a lot of choices about bibles to read. I have always read the bible in Latin most often. I also have a German bible. I think that I will read both.


Since you are so good at learning languages, I would learn Greek and Hebrew too, then you can read the Bible in it's original language.



thorkraki -> RE: New Christian husband. What do I do? (6/19/2008 2:28:31 PM)

I do read Greek and Hebrew, and some Aramaic too. Plus a little Akkadian and Egyptian! But those are not useful for the Bible generally. I studied ancient history and languages in graduate school. But being able to read Greek is not the same as being able to read the Bible in a language you speak every day.

I have been reading the Bible in German (the Luther translation) or Latin (the Vulgate of Saint Jerome) and I do look up particularly difficult or striking passages in Greek. But it has been a long time since I read a lot of Greek!

I want to get Bibles for my sons; they do most of their reading these days in English so I am going to look at different English translations for them. I realize that there are many!

Thor



lpt -> RE: New Christian husband. What do I do? (6/19/2008 4:05:40 PM)

Thor -- great news! Being reconciled with our Creator, being adopted into His family, is the best thing.

My counsel is to get involved with church, especially with some of the guys at church. If they have men's meetings, go. If they have men's small groups, find one and join it. Ideally, you'll end up with a handful of guys with whom you can become friends. We guys need friendships with other Christian men.

Hope that helps!



thorkraki -> RE: New Christian husband. What do I do? (6/19/2008 5:06:20 PM)

lpt:

I will look for such groups as you describe! We have men's organizations at our churches in Denmark and Italy; these are primarily societies for doing benevolent work for those who need aid, prison inmates, the sick, etc.

We will be living in New York in the fall, where there are probably opportunities such as you describe.

Thanks!

Thor



KPOP -> RE: New Christian husband. What do I do? (7/4/2008 3:53:14 AM)

HI THERE.

WELL YOU CAN START TALKING ABOUT YOUR NEW FAITH IN GOD

YOU CAN TELL THEM YOU GOD HAS TOUCH YOUR HEART

AND WHEN DID YOU START BELIEVING IN JESUS CHRIST AS THE ONLY SON OF GOD AND HE IS THE SAVIOUR

YOU CAN ALSO ASK THEM TO SHARE THE READING OF THE WORD

YOU CAN START SMALL SHORT DEVOTIONS

YOU CAN BUY A BOX OF VERSES -- I FORGOT WHAT THEY CALL IT

BUT YOU CAN READ ONE VERSE BEFORE DINNER AND ASK THEIR OPINION

YOU CAN SHOW THEM THAT YOU ARE A NEW CREATURE BY MAYBE BUYING STEAK ONCE IN A WHILE -- SUPPOSE TO BE A GOOD PROVIDER -- CHRISTIANS I MEAN

ONLY IF YOU HAVE MONEY

IF NOT -- TELL YOUR WIFE -- YOU GOT NO MONEY

AND THAT YOU BOTH NEED TO EARN A LIVING --

MAYBE EVEN TOGETHER

I KNOW SOMEPEOPLE -- OR SOME COUPLE --

THEY WORK TOGETHER --

LIKE BOTH LAWYERS

OR BOTH REAL ESTATE BROKER

THEN YOU CAN WORK APART -- AND HAVE CHATS ABOUT YOUR WORK

YOU CAN ALSO SHARE YOUR WITNESS TO HER

BUT FOR SOME REASON -- DO NOT FORCE IT ON HER

OR DO NOT MAKE HER UNSECURE ABOUT YOUR LOVE FOR HER JUST CAUSE YOU ARE NOW A CHRISTIAN

A LOT OF THESE NEW BELIEVERS -- THEY TRY TO MAKE IT HAPPEN REALLY QUICK WITH THEIR FAMILY

MY DAD -- PRAYED FOR HIS MOTHER FOR 26 OR I THINK 28 YEARS BEFORE SHE GOT SAVED

ALSO -- HAVE HER INVOLVE IN THE CHURCH THAT YOU GO TO

FOR EXAMPLE -- IF YOU DO GO TO A CHURCH

AND LIKE -- THERE IS A MANNA MEAL?

ASK HER --IF SHE WOULD LIKE TO GET INVOLVE

TELL HER -- WHAT MANNA MEAL IS

SOME CHURCHES MANNA MEAL IS LIKE PREPARING A HOME COOK MEAL FOR SOMEONE WHO IS NOT ABLE TO

SO ASK HER THAT -- AND SEE IF YOU CAN SIGN UP AND SHE COOKS THE MEAL

SHE MIGHT LIKE IT

THEN ASK HER TO ATTEND THE WOMEN BIBLE STUDY -- IF YOUR CHURCH HAS ONE

THEN YOU MIGHT WANT TO ASK HER TO GO TO CHURCH WITH YOU

OR YOU CAN HER TO PRAY WITH YOU

AS FOR YOUR KIDS

YOUR EXAMPLE WITH YOUR WIFE

MAY PLAY A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE IN THEIR SALVATION

BUT YOU CAN ALSO HAVE THEM INVOLVE --

SOME CHURCHES HAS YOUTH MINISTRIES

OR CHILDREN MINISTRIES

YOU CAN TELL THEM TO GO WITH YOU TO CHURCH BE INVOLVE WITH THE YOUTH OR CHILDREN

IF THEY DO NOT WANT TO GO

THEN TELL THEM THAT YOU WILL REWARD THEM

SUCH AS PERHAPS FOR EACH VERSE MEMORISE

YOU WILL GIVE THEM $0.10 CENTS

AND FOR EVERY VERSE MEMORIZE AT HOME USING THE VERSE BOX

YOU GIVE THEM $0.25

JUST DO IT FOR FUN

YOU CANNOT FORCE CHILDREN SOMETHING THEY DO NOT WANT TO DO

BUT YOU CAN DIRECT THEM

THE BIBLE TEACH " TEACH ME THY WAYS OH LORD"

SO IF YOU ARE THE HOUSEHOLD MASTER

YOU NEED TO DO LIKEWISE

TEACH THE WAYS OF GOD IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD

FOR ME AND MY HUSBAND

WE DO NOT HAVE KIDS

BUT I DO TEACH ONCE A MONTH SUNDAY SCHOOL

BUT I HAVE NOT DONE IT FOR A WHILE

I ALSO USED TO LEAD WORSHIP ONCE A MONTH

BUT I HAVE NOT DONE IT FOR A WHILE

SO HAVE YOUR CHILDREN INVOLVE IN YOUR LIFE AND CHURCH LIFE AS WELL

GOOD LUCK

KATHY



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