In Christ Alone!

"Lonely In a Crowd?"

Hello my fellow Homeschool Bloggers!

It has been sooo long since I've been on here, it's shameful! However, I have been extremely busy and my dear Heavenly Father has been teaching me more than I could have ever imagined. I could go on and on about what I've been up to, but I don't have time tonight. I did however update my other blog (www.xanga.com/krowned1) so if you really want to know what I've been busy with, and see some neat pictures, go there!  hahahaha

The following is an article I found in the Ladies Home Journal written by Rick Warren author of The Purpose Driven Life books. I was extremely impressed with it, and wanted to share it with you all. If any of you still visit, let me know what you think!

God Bless,

Stephanie

LONELY IN A CROWD?

If I were to ask you what you considered to be the most common pain people suffer, what would you say: Depression? Stress? Resentment?

     How about loneliness?

     After all my conversations as a pastor over the past 30 years, I'm certain loneliness is not only common, it's epidemic. I started noticing this when people would admit to me they were lonely -- extremely lonely. Ironically the holidays only heightened it.

     Perhaps you and your husband are not talking to each other much, or you're dealing with the death of a loved one. Perhaps in the busyness of raising kids you've lost meaningful adult connections. A recent study found that, compared with 1985, Americans report that they have fewer people with whom they can discuss important matters. Nearly 25 percent of the people said they had no one with whom they could discuss such issues. That means roughly a quarter of Americans don't have anyone with whom they can share their deepest fears and greatest joys. Isn't it ironic that as we've become more "connected" by cell phones and the Internet, we've really found more anonymity and isolation?

     God doesn't want us to be lonely, and that's why he offers us several ways to reduce the pain of loneliness:

     He Gives Us a Plan for Life

It's likely that you're surrounded all day long by people who need you -- a spouse who needs your companionship, coworkers who need your expertise, children who need your protection, friends who need your laughter and parents who need your care. But you may still feel that no one really knows you or understands what really matters to you. Frankly, you may be lonely.

     Yet God says this to you: "I made you. I put you on this earth for a purpose. I care about you. I love you and I have a plan for your life." When you're focusing on living God's plan for your life, it gives new meaning to all your relationships.

     He Gives Us Other People

Most of us think we're to busy to have these kinds of relationships -- and the truth is we are! So many things cut into our time and energy and distract us from building relationships.

     God's plan to overcome loneliness is for us to get the focus off ourselves and onto the lives of other people. One of the purposes of the church is to provide you with opportunities to develop deep, close relationships. You may be involved in many groups, like scrapbooking clubs, an exercise class or the school board. But I encourage you to take the initiative and get involved with a small group of people who are interested in building deep relationships -- even if that means giving up some other groups. For example, instead of taking an anonymous exercise class, invite a coworker or neighbor to join you for a jog or walk a few times a week; as you exercise, you'll likely see a real friendship blossom.

     He Gives Us His Presence

We were made to have an intimate, personal and close relationship with God, and no person, pill possession, experience, success, fortune or fame is going to fill that aching hole in your heart. Regardless of the source of your loneliness, God is right there with you. He knows your deepest hopes and concerns, and you can call on His help to conquer the loneliness in your life. He will help you out and see you through.

hey Stephanie

7:23 PM, Oct. 30, 2006 .. Posted by PinkFlamingo

I am going to come back later and read the article but I just wanted to let you know that I'm still checking in on your blog! :-) Praise God that He is teaching you and working in your life...I know just what you mean! I'm there too.
I hope things are going well. If you have a chance to email me, I'd love to hear what's going on with you these days.
Prayin for you,
Ashley

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2:49 PM, Oct. 31, 2006 .. Posted by CrazyAboutMonkeys

Hey~
I am so sorry I haven't been on your blog in a while,
How are you?
Ashley

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12:35 PM, Nov. 3, 2006 .. Posted by friends4tea

Hi There! Just had to see what was new with you! I'll have to check out your other blog. I did one time before but it wouldn't let me leave a comment...boo hoo!
Anyway, hoping you have a great weekend!
Hugs,
Leah

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9:13 AM, Nov. 4, 2006 .. Posted by tatertots

Hi! Tatertots here. I'm JB's sister and I noticed that you posted a comment on my blog when I first started and I was wondering if you would like to be friends. I hope you'll stop by my blog.
Taters

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11:10 AM, Nov. 4, 2006 .. Posted by tatertots

You know what, I was wrong about that. I was getting confused with you and someone else that posted a comment on my blog, sorry about that. I would still really like to be friends;-).
Taters

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5:15 PM, Nov. 4, 2006 .. Posted by tatertots

Hey! Thanks for stopping by and for adding me to your friends list. I hope you'll stop by again soon.
Taters

Hey!!

6:07 PM, Nov. 5, 2006 .. Posted by friends4tea

Stephanie!!! You are the best! Thank you sooooooo much for your long comment all about how you are doing and what's been going on in your life. I know how time consuming that must've been and I want you to know that I SO apprecitaed it! You are too sweet! Thank you!
I don't have time right now to chat much but I did want you to know that I moved all my posts to "registered users only". So you have to login in now and then visit me to see all the latest stuff. ;) Let me know if you have any trouble.
I will talk to you again soon and I hope you have a great week!
Hugs,
Leah