| Author | Message | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 1965 Registered: 3-2004  |
There are some things I like to share with everyone on the forum and this one is cute. SOOO, To all the pumpkins in my life. Diana From one pumpkin to another!!!!!!! A woman was asked by a coworker, "What is it like to be a Christian?" The coworker replied, "It is like being a pumpkin." God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. Then He cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff. He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, and greed. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see." This was passed on to me by another pumpkin. Now it's your turn to pass it to other pumpkins. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- HAPPY FALL to all of you!! | ||
| Lynne Registered user Username: Lynne Post Number: 58 Registered: 10-2005 |
That is really cute. The light inside is the candle. I must say, this morning I was going to put in a prayer request because I'm not feeling good today. I'm feeling really sad. When I began with the SDA church, I felt new life as a Christian as you have shown in this cute post. However, over the years, 18 years to be exact, it is an effort now for me to smile. Turning the light back on inside is something I sometimes have a hard time doing. I can' relate to other Christians that learned what was right from the beginning. It isn't like like I wasn't sincere about Jesus and deliberately fell into sin. I read MY EXPERIENCE OF TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS IN ADVENTISM by D.M. Canright at http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/avoiding/avoiding13.htm - He is speaking about 1840 to 1868. If anyone hasn't read it, I highly recommend reading it. It is very interesting. He speaks of some ministers at Battle Creek as "Many poor souls have gone there full of faith and hope, but have soon gone away infidels." Today though, how many of us have gone into the SDA church filled with faith and hope and lost it. The leaders of the SDA church "Mr. and Mrs. White," were abusive, and in their spirit, the abuse continues. I know personally that I will get through this. Without going into detail, I'm experiencing some painful moments now, a necessary grievance. | ||
| Lynne Registered user Username: Lynne Post Number: 59 Registered: 10-2005 |
Sorry, I made a mistake above, D.M. Canright born in 1840. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 2850 Registered: 12-2003  |
Lynne, I also found Canright's book to be very revealing and helpful. I understand the feelings of sadness, although I don't know the specifics. I'm finding that being a Christ-follower really does include a lot of sadness and loss and pain--partly because we are now living more and more firmly rooted in reality instead of in our fantasy of what life should be like. At the same time, God's faithfulness is real. He is with us in all those losses, and He redeems the years the locusts ate. His joy and presence are real. Being willing to know and embrace whatever truth about your life God is dealing with in you is the key to emerging from the darkness. Thanks for the wonderful pumpkin analogy, Diana! Colleen | ||
| Seekr777 Registered user Username: Seekr777 Post Number: 342 Registered: 1-2003  |
Colleen I'll need to reread a few more times what you just posted but it seems to resonate in my "spirit". I've been puzzling through some of the emotions I've been feeling recently. A great deal of sadness and pain and loss but also a great sense of peace. It has felt sort of strange and even a little unsettling. A friend told me, "Richard you seem to be quietly centered." I hope so ! ! ! Annie tested "dirty" at the sober living center and so has had to leave. We are staying in contact with her and I'll be having dinner with her tomorrow after her work. Please keep her and our family in your prayers. In Christ, Richard rtruitt@mac.com | ||
| Lindylou Registered user Username: Lindylou Post Number: 88 Registered: 1-2005 |
Dear Lynne, I can understand your desire to have the "light" turned on in your life. I sometimes struggle with a darkness that lurks in the corners of my mind and soul. At times it has been connected with "religious" matters - and others it just seems to be a sense of melancholy that creeps in upon me. There was a time that I tried to deal with this darkness by either pretending it wasn't there - because after all - it shouldn't be - or tried to fight it with all my might. However, I have learned to acknowledge the darkness rather than deny it and then work on figuring out how to get through it - rather than battle against it. I like this quote by Sue Monk Kidd: "Whenever new life grows and emerges, darkness is crucial to the process. Whether it's the caterpillar in the chrysalis, the seed in the ground, the child in the womb, or the True Self in the soul, there's ALWAYS a time of waiting in the dark." This morning quite early I was driving my husband to the airport - feeling quite "blue" because we were parting with some unresolved matters between us. (He is working for FEMA in Louisiana and has been gone for 2 months -was just home for a brief visit and headed back to work till Christmas) - Anyway.... the ride to the airport was heading west in the dark. On the ride home, I let tears fall - as I faced east into the sunrise. As I watched the newborn sun paint the sky in baby blues and pinks - it struck me how true it is that after every period of darkness comes a beautiful light. And I was reminded that God can work all things out for His glory. It gave me a sense of hope. There's a neat text in Micah 7: "Therefore, I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me. Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy; When I fall, I shall arise; When I sit in darkness, The Lord shall be a light unto me. He will bring me forth to the light; And I shall behold His righteousness." So take heart.. When darkness comes your way, wait with patient anticipation for the light of dawn to come. Trust that it will reveal the wonderful results of the workings of the night. And most importantly, remember- God is right there with you - whether sitting in darkness or standing in light! | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 2873 Registered: 12-2003 |
Thank you, LindyLou. Colleen |
