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Post by gloryintruth on Aug 11, 2007 0:33:16 GMT -5
Short thought:
I think most of us are handicapped in some way or other. We each have secrets and secret hurts, desires and temptations. And we each have a private orientation on the "zeal-o-metre" ranging from apathetic ("I give up on God. What's the point?"), to lukewarm ("Hot when the feeling's upon me, cold when it's not"), to zealot ("My every waking thought focusses on God").
If only we could be honest with each other! Sadly, it seems we have a habit of setting ourselves as an island, shoring up our personal suffering, confusion and pain in our isolation (we live in a fallen world, after all).
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Post by wanttobewithGod on Aug 11, 2007 0:47:51 GMT -5
Oh boy, do I *agree* with that post, GIT! I think a lot of the reason is fear of rejection. Now, I'm generally a pretty upbeat, bubbly person....on the other hand, I've been having a lot of feelings that don't even come close to upbeat and bubbly lately. LOL. It seems to me, unless you are *very* close to someone they just reallyyyy don't wanna hear about it, or want you to just suck it up. It's kind of like when you see a friend on the street and you say "Heyyyyyyy!! How ya doin' " Unless it's a close friend, most people don't even pause for the actual answer...they keep going...because it's mutually understood that it was simply a greeting...not them actually inquiring as to how you were. That said, I wish we *could* care more about one another....when I ask someone how they are I would like to know how they are...and to care. And when someone asks me how *I* am, and I'm really not having a great time in my life...I wish they really actually cared to listen. You know? We can't all be happy all the time...too bad we ALL can't get more support when we need it the most instead of "fine" "oh good..me too..see ya later!" *sigh* How many people REALLY stick around though when you start saying things like "I've been so depressed lately; my dog died, my car died, I have so many bills, can't get enough hours at work, my relationship is suffering, I wish I'd never done this, that and the other, and I feel lost and confused." Okkkkkkkkkkkkkk. Most people would say as they RUN, NOT walk to the door! Heh..ya know? True though. Anyway, your post made me think. Yeah, I wish things were different too. Thanks. Mich PS..by the way, I've been guilty of being "lukewarm" myself...but I do want that to change to *moderately* hot. M.
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Post by ithascome on Aug 11, 2007 1:24:39 GMT -5
Yes... and this is one of those handicapped parking spaces.... problem is we all seem to fight for the same space at times.
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Post by Legless on Aug 11, 2007 12:11:02 GMT -5
I have only one leg
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Post by Sylvestra on Aug 11, 2007 13:31:58 GMT -5
Short thought: I think most of us are handicapped in some way or other. We each have secrets and secret hurts, desires and temptations. And we each have a private orientation on the "zeal-o-metre" ranging from apathetic ("I give up on God. What's the point?"), to lukewarm ("Hot when the feeling's upon me, cold when it's not"), to zealot ("My every waking thought focusses on God"). If only we could be honest with each other! Sadly, it seems we have a habit of setting ourselves as an island, shoring up our personal suffering, confusion and pain in our isolation (we live in a fallen world, after all). Dear git, I agree. As I've said before, I've been reading the book "Toxic Faith". According to the writer, these "secrets", depression, etc. are exactly what leads to toxic family relationships and often into toxic religions and having toxic faith (as well as other addictons such as eating, alcohol, drugs, perfection, and sex). The "toxics" keep us from actually having a relationship with God, instead of with "whatever makes us feel good"! Interesting to consider. Best, Edy
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Post by Bill W on Aug 11, 2007 14:40:57 GMT -5
Before we can begin to be honest with others, we have to start by being honest with ourselves.
We are as sick as our secrets.
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Post by diet coke on Aug 11, 2007 16:15:24 GMT -5
And we each have a private orientation on the "zeal-o-metre" lol...what a great description! I wonder, in general, where the healthiest setting on the zeal-o-metre would be.
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Post by zealometer on Aug 11, 2007 17:29:19 GMT -5
Maybe we all have little zeal-o-meters over our heads, invisible to all, except to the most spiritually advanced. These spiritual adepts would see our meters...some of which would say high zeal, or low zeal, or so-so zeal; some might even indicate "saved", or, "not saved". I don't have such powers. Only God can read my zeal-o-meter. I'm not too sure I want to know what it reads.
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