| Author | Message | ||
| Olga Registered user Username: Olga Post Number: 57 Registered: 11-2005 |
Found another EGW gem in the White Estates online library of her writings. The Book is called: Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene (1890) - the quote below appears in Chapter 3 of this book: Through the use of stimulants, the whole system suffers. The nerves are unbalanced, the liver is morbid in its action, the quality and circulation of the blood are affected, and the skin becomes inactive and sallow. The mind, too, is injured. The immediate influence of these stimulants is to excite the brain to undue activity, only to leave it weaker and less capable of exertion. The after-effect is prostration, not only mental and physical, but moral. As a result we see nervous men and women, of unsound judgment and unbalanced mind. They often 36 manifest a hasty, impatient, accusing spirit, viewing the faults of others as through a magnifying glass, and utterly unable to discern their own defects. {CTBH 35.3} When these tea and coffee users meet together for social entertainment, the effects of their pernicious habit are manifest. All partake freely of the favorite beverages, and as the stimulating influence is felt, their tongues are loosened, and they begin the wicked work of talking against others. Their words are not few or well chosen. The tidbits of gossip are passed around, too often the poison of scandal as well. These thoughtless gossipers forget that they have a witness. An unseen Watcher is writing their words in the books of heaven. All these unkind criticisms, these exaggerated reports, these envious feelings, expressed under the excitement of the cup of tea, Jesus registers as against himself. "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." [MATT. 25:40.] {CTBH 36.1} ************************************************* Every other week a group of friends and neighbors in my neighborhood meet for Bible Study. Coffee, tea and pastries with sugar are usually consumed during the Study. Gossip and not the Word runs amok at such gatherings! Just KIDDING! I often wonder how she came to know all of these things, was she ever present in places where people were drinking coffee or whatever and did she actually witnessed them engaging in 'unholy' conversation? My guess is that since she was so busy writing/copying the angel would provide her with such information. Both Ellen and her so called angel were big on tattling. Just my thoughts. Forgot to add that I was invited Friday night to a round of gossip (with the Bible Study group) at the Barnes & Noble bookstore nearby. Maybe I should cancel? (Message edited by olga on March 21, 2007) | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 495 Registered: 6-2006  |
"As a result we see nervous men and women, of unsound judgment and unbalanced mind. They often 36 manifest a hasty, impatient, accusing spirit, viewing the faults of others as through a magnifying glass, and utterly unable to discern their own defects." If she didn't drink coffee or tea, I wonder what was HER excuse??!! Interesting observations, Olga. I'm curious too, how she knew about all this gossipping, and how it related to drinking tea and coffee? What a riot. I'm getting the impression from her writings that Ellen wanted people to think she was omniscient and omnipotent... None of the other Bible prophets had that talent.  Leigh Anne I say throw caution to the wind and go to that gossip session! | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 3492 Registered: 3-2004  |
Yes Olga, go and enjoy the coffee and gossip(Bible study). Pass some of the good tidbits to us afterwards. Diana | ||
| Haroldo Registered user Username: Haroldo Post Number: 7 Registered: 5-2005 |
Ok, Olga... Go... if you feel things are getting out of hand, order a round of Decaf for everyone... | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5572 Registered: 12-2003  |
Ha! Go on behalf of us all, Olga!! No wonder I had so much guilt associated with coffee for the first several years I drank it. (I started in college and never got very far away from it...) This sentence in particular is daunting: "As a result we see nervous men and women, of unsound judgment and unbalanced mind. They often manifest a hasty, impatient, accusing spirit, viewing the faults of others as through a magnifying glass, and utterly unable to discern their own defects." I know I read that sometime in my past...no wonder so many former Adventists also have to get over a deep resistance to coffee (not that they have to drink it, of course). It's not just about "health"óit's about moral failure. My goodness, the sins one commits as a result of drinking caffeine! Colleen | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 615 Registered: 9-2006  |
Oh me, I have drank lots of tea today, guess I better cancel church tonight, all that tea may turn me into a big gossip. That rock that hit that old gal in the head sure put her up high in the medical field and all the students wasting their time in med school when all they need to do is get out on the school yard and hit each other on the noggin with a big rock, somebody needs to clue them in. River | ||
| Honestwitness Registered user Username: Honestwitness Post Number: 240 Registered: 7-2005  |
River, you make me laugh! "That rock that hit that old gal in the head sure put her up high in the medical field and all the students wasting their time in med school when all they need to do is get out on the school yard and hit each other on the noggin with a big rock, somebody needs to clue them in." Thank you so much for your humor! Actually, I found out something about coffee that makes me not want to drink it. My allergy doctor told me that most adults have acid-reflux disease and don't know it. They have a very mild form, evidently. It can cause all kinds of interesting phenomena, including a constant cough, which is what I had. He gave me a list of foods that are known to cause acid reflux in many people. Coffee, tea and chocolate are high on the list, as are fatty dairy products, tomatoes and even raw onions. Of course, there's also eating too much food at one sitting and eating too close to bed time. Anyway, even though I love a good cup of coffee, I've been drinking Postum instead for the past six months and I've noticed a big improvement in the way I feel, including much less coughing. Sometimes, though, a good cup of coffee has enough benefits to outweigh all the seeming disadvantages. Some days I just feel like I need a little "kick", so I'll have a cup. Sometimes, too, coffee (or any caffeine) will enhance the effect of pain medications, too. I hope to keep a healthy balance about food and drink and not make them my master, either by overindulging or by avoiding certain kinds. Legalism Advances Will-worship Honestwitness | ||
| Agapetos Registered user Username: Agapetos Post Number: 736 Registered: 10-2002  |
*psst* Did you hear about...? I heard that...! ...He said "it's FINISHED"... *Shhh* ...the work is done, that's what I heard!... ...did you see the news? ...rose from the dead, can you believe it?... And He said He's coming back... ...I got filled with Him... ...He still talks to us today... (Good News makes GREAT gossip!) | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5577 Registered: 12-2003 |
Love it, Ramone! Hey, how's that baby Timothy doing? Any signs of arrival yet? Colleen | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 617 Registered: 9-2006 |
We used too go down and get a double shot of Americana just before we went scuba diving, the big jolt of caffeine did help to offset the strenuous dive in the cold water of the Pacific North west. A dive doesn't last all that long but it is strenuous. If I remember right the water here is only about 54 degrees most of the time whereas Diving Florida waters isn't half as strenuous. Diving these waters makes you feel like you been whacked with a 2x4 so I would take a double shot, go diving and then take another one. River | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 618 Registered: 9-2006 |
P.S. And then of course we would set around and Gossip about dives we had been on, fish we had seen or caught and all the great things we had done so apparently caffeine causes bragging too. Di di di did you ever hear that? | ||
| Olga Registered user Username: Olga Post Number: 58 Registered: 11-2005 |
Honestwitness, I've heard about acid-reflux being linked to caffeine too; my doctor in fact asked me to quit (which I did for a while but the headaches were unbelievable so I slipped back). Anyways, the one thing I don't get is this: my doctor thinks some of my symptoms are related to the caffeine, however, I drink coffee everyday (been drinking for almost 20 years) yet I don't have the acid-reflux symptoms every day. In fact, I've gone weeks without symptoms, so I'm not sure he's right. I'll be seeing him in another hour or so and plan on asking him @ this. You're right about not making anything our master...I would probably quit if I knew I wouldn't suffer from the headaches again. | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 621 Registered: 9-2006 |
Olga, Ask your doctor if the caffeine causes "Gossiping" while your at it will you? WE need an expert medical opinion here. River | ||
| Mrsbrian3 Registered user Username: Mrsbrian3 Post Number: 76 Registered: 8-2005 |
However ... It sure is a lot easier to blame our carnal weaknesses, such as gossiping, on caffeine rather than the condition of our heart! Don't cha think? | ||
| Leigh Registered user Username: Leigh Post Number: 156 Registered: 2-2003 |
Good point, Mrsbrian3! | ||
| Olga Registered user Username: Olga Post Number: 59 Registered: 11-2005 |
I presented my logic to the doctor (I've been drinking caffeine for over 20 yrs. and didn't have acid reflux, etc. before so how come now caffeine is the culprit?) His answer: my stomach is now older (I'm glad he didn't refer to me 'cause I feel very young at 40!). Oh well... The nurses have told me he tells every patient of his to quit caffeine; If I had shared EGW's writings on coffee and its effects I bet he would print the info. (well, except for maybe the 'gossiping' part) and hand it to his patients like one of the other medical brochures he has. In any case, I got my Prevacid so goodbye acid-reflux. I agree Mrsbrian3!! | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 496 Registered: 6-2006 |
Olga, I believe that acid reflux is also a peri-menopausal symptom. I started having acid reflux along with night sweats, etc. within the last couple of years (I'm 40 now) and the acid reflux was on the list. I did cut down on Diet Coke (instead of every day I have it maybe once a week) but I will still get bouts of the acid even when I'm not drinking caffeine at all. Now I don't know what River's excuse is!! Leigh Anne Mrsbrian3 I totally agree! | ||
| Loneviking Registered user Username: Loneviking Post Number: 554 Registered: 7-2000 |
Acid reflux? Hmmm, been drinking coffee since I was about 14, reguarly since 18 and I'm older than you ladies with no acid reflux disease. No high blood pressure either. Go figure........ | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5580 Registered: 12-2003 |
Hmmmm--I began to notice a bit of acid reflux about four or five years ago. I've discovered that over-the-counter Zantac equivalent works whenever I need itócoffee and all! Great point, Mrsbrian3! Colleen | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 622 Registered: 9-2006 |
My wife gets acid reflex when I start aggravatin her. I can tell by the way she speaks she is having an acid reflex just before the attack. I just took my BP it was 120 over 76 that's about the way it usually runs. River | ||
| Ikilgore Registered user Username: Ikilgore Post Number: 32 Registered: 11-2006 |
Guys, that's pretty funny about the whole caffeine deal. When I used to be an Adventist, I would always ask for "real" Pepsi and Coke. I would be enjoying the good stuff while all my Adventist friends would be gagging down Sprite/Sierra Mist! My dad, I think still does the Sprite thing, but he also likes an ice cold Coke every now and then. My mom on the other hand has taste for Red Bull. I got her hooked on that one! I get one before church on Sunday mornings and she is usually fighting me for it by the time we get to the parking lot at Northwoods. (the church I attend each Sunday morning) I think the whole deal about caffeine is really just another way Adventists just like to control people. Much like the way communism strangles people and the way they choose to live thier lives. Same deal. Now where is that Red Bull can I was working on???? Isaiah PS: If you are in the Peoria, Illinois area this weekend, I would like to invite you to Northwoods as they are having the kicker from the Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts. See nwoods.org for more info. I hope that plug for Northwoods didn't offend anyone... | ||
| Melissa Registered user Username: Melissa Post Number: 1566 Registered: 7-2003 |
Just think about the stress they add to their lives worrying about the ingredients in every little thing...That's gotta take a toll somewhere. My ex used to spend more time reading food labels than the Bible. I decided all the life he lost worrying about those things more than made up for any life I lose for not. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5586 Registered: 12-2003 |
Melissa, that's not a joke! Reading labels is a science among many good Adventists. You know what's interesting? The Mormons also prohibit caffeine and alchohol. (They have a bit of tension, though, in that they own RC Cola. But regular coffee, Coke, etc., are forbidden.) When I visited Salt Lake City in the early 90s, you couldn't even get regular coffee at restaurants in SLC. It sort-of reminds me of the no-mail-on-Saturday in SDA university towns. My mom in Loma Linda gets her mail on Sunday. Colleen | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 3499 Registered: 3-2004 |
Ikilgore, Your church visitor is quite okay with me. At our church since the first of the year we have had Steve Baldwin(Alec's brother), Mr T, Michael Irvin and the week after Easter we are having Dog the Bounty Hunter. It is always interesting to see how God is using them. Diana | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 497 Registered: 6-2006 |
Diana, I LOVE Dog the Bounty Hunter! Please share about it after he visits. I get such a kick out of it when they pray before they capture someone, then he always gives the bad guys a "sermon" in the car on the way to jail. Gee whiz. All we ever get at my church is the Gideon rep! hehe! | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 3501 Registered: 3-2004 |
Grace_alone, Send your address to Colleen to send to me and I will send you a cd or tape of Dog, the bounty hunter. I will share what he says. Diana | ||
| Benevento Registered user Username: Benevento Post Number: 141 Registered: 4-2005 |
Hey Guys On this caffeine business--just to burst your bubble a little--I was a coffee drinker,a few years ago I became very ill, lost 22 lbs in about 2 1/2 weeks. Certainly don't blame it on caffeine, but I was supposed to give it up and I didn't, had some fairly serious surgery still didn't give it up, and recently they sent me to an allergy doc for chronic hoarsness, no allergies, to ENT to look at my larynx, it is o.k. irritated,because I have a hiatal hernia, and I must stop drinking coffee, eating chocolate no alcohol and something else--and the irritation can cause trouble in your esophagus, which is almost impossible to repair they tell me--so coffee is somewhat of a culprit--along with some other things. And I take 20 mg prilosec before breakfast and dinner, So keep an eye on the acid reflux and maybe change to prilosec or something a little stronger than Zantac--see your Doc-I didn't even have enough acid reflux to think it was worth mentioning. It isn't a sin to drink it, but it might be smarter not to if you have symptoms, it is an irritant. There's my cheery suggestion for the week. Peggy |
