TALKING IT OVER with Dr. Clyde M. Narramore
Dr. Narramore, graduate of Columbia University, New York City, is a psychologist and Consultant in Research and Guidance with one of the largest school systems in the United States
I CAN 'T BELIEVE Question. / am 11 years old and need help. I have talked with my pastor, but it didn’t seem to help. I’ve talked with others of my church but it hasn’t done much good. So I was talking to a friend of mine and she told me about you. M y problem is this: I don’t believe in the H oly Bible or in God, y et in a sense I MUST believe. You see I don’t know whether I believe or not. I just DON’T know. Most of my thoughts point to my disbelief. I was supposed to have accepted the Lord two years ago. I can’t go on any more doing things for Christ, thinking and feeling the way I do, disbelieving. People say ‘just believe, just trust, just accept it.” How can I? I want to believe. But I don’t know that I can. I believe, but y et I don’t. I am all confused. Please help me if you can. Answer. The source of faith is the Bible. As we read it, the Holy Spirit witnesses to us. Note this portion of Scripture: Now faith cometh by hear ing and hearing by the Word of God. On the other hand, your basic prob lem may not be spiritual. It is alto gether possible that you have a psychological, mental or health con dition which may be interfering with your thought processes. If so, you would benefit greatly from consulting a Christian psychiatrist or psycholo gist in your area. OUT OF DARKNESS INTO LIGHT Question. I am so grateful to you for writing such a wonderful book, “ THIS WAY TO HAPPINESS.” It has given me a better understanding of myself. For years I’ve lived with a guilt complex and a terrible fear. A ll my prayers were based on fear and still are to some extent. M y mother is in a cult, and she has used a lot of influence on me. 26
talk with your good pastor. He will help you with some of your residual problems. In addition he will assist you in setting up an effective pro gram for spiritual development. Your growth will depend largely upon your submission to His will and time spent daily in reading His word. Remem ber, He who saved you will continue to lead and guide you. IN-LAWS Question. M y son-in-law has v e r y little use for “ in-laws” because of childhood and other experiences. I try hard not to be too “ in-lawish.” I am afraid to say what I’d like to because he will think that I am trying to run their lives. Should I try to talk to him about it, saying that I’d like to feel as a mother should to her son? I do love them both so very much but I do not want to make matters worse. Answer. There’s a wise saying: “ If you don’t take people where they are, you won’t take them at all.” This applies to your situation. You must accept your son-in-law’s feelings as normal and natural for him. If you don’t do this you will not be able to help him resolve his attitudes. If he has had experiences which have caused him to dislike or not to confide in in-laws, these feelings will not likely change very rapidly. Your responsibility is to show patiently your appreciation and re spect for him. Your actions will tell him more than your words. Love, but don’t smother him. The Bible says, “ Love never fail- eth.” If you give yourself enough time and proceed thoughtfully and in a Christ-like manner, your son-in-law will undoubtedly come to love and appreciate you as his own mother! Friends in the Los Angeles area may hear Dr. Narramore daily, Monday through Friday, over KBBl , 107 .5 on the FM dial from 12:45 to 1:00 p.m. THE KING'S BUSINESS
During recent years I’ve been study ing their books and going to their meetings. A ll along I was sincere about it, but I never quite accepted it. I never knew why. I just never could accept their way of religion. Several months ago my husband left me, and I asked my sister who is a cultist to pray for my husband. But she told me, in all sincerity, that she could not ask God for any special favors. I think that was the turning point in my life. I always believed that my Lord was merciful, kind and loving. So I went to a good Gospel church, not knowing what would happen. Do you know what? I felt like, at long last, I had come home, because originally we were members of a fine, respected church. I went to the altar after at tending a few meetings, not exactly understanding what this wonderful gift of salvation really meant. Not quite believing how wonderful it really could be— that I, sinner that I am, could find the peace and hap piness of walking in His way. I’m like the Jane in your book, THIS WAY TO HAPPINESS, wanting to be a good Christian. For the first time there is hope in my heart—and even peace. Before there was only fear and dread. I have hesitated to talk to my pas tor. You see, there is still so much of the cult teaching stuck in my mind. I guess I’m ashamed. How does one put all his trust in Jesus? How do I yield my all? Thank you for your help. Answer. This is a thrilling story and I am sure all our readers are grateful to you for sharing it with us. It en courages us to witness to those in cults and isms and to lead them out of darkness into His freedom and light. Now that you are saved and in a Bible believing church you should
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