oak Posted June 28, 2011 Group: Senior Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 67 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 503 Content Per Day: 0.09 Reputation: 31 Days Won: 0 Joined: 06/14/2008 Status: Offline Share Posted June 28, 2011 We live in a society that praises self-reliance, self-sufficiency. The American Dream was propagated, innocently enough by such writers as Horatio Alger, but it is still here though it has a black eye. It is also advocated by TV shows like the Kardasians (hang out with Paris Hilton and be pretty), Ozzie former black sabbath member and, Kisss former black rock theatrical group, Gene Simmons. . The lowest form of entertainment is offered as the American Dream since writing, production, set design etc., are not needed and certainly not God.. Our newspapers pump out the American Dream, such as the NY Times. The American Dream is instilled by the poor people getting rich in a land of freedom while the financial institution are being bailed out with our tax money. And our Supreme Court is wasted on giving us Roe vs. Wade who was later found chopped into pieces by pro-abortionists; the right to an abortion, grants homosexuality (on state level), and gives porn their freedom of speech while stifling the Christians need to express themselves. What a sad day for our Constitution. Anyway, after reading all my post replies, I have settled on this issue of. self-reliance; it is good but how does it relate to ones walk with Christ. This brings in my own character into conflict, I am extreme in nature. The gray in life is most difficult to accept. But I have to say, the victories that I had are sweeter when I dont share them with anyone, meaning they are my own (pride). I know that this not right for a person who confessed Christ but what is the reasoning behind being taken care of and taking care of oneself in terms of God. How can we reach the Atheists, Muslims etc, and other Christians who we feel have not taken the authentic narrow road, if some of us have not weighed the issue of self-reliance out properly? Oak Ps I trust this forum enough to post this, so I dont always expect the finger pointed at me. Point it at yourselves and overcoming, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrClark Posted June 28, 2011 Group: Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 3 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 28 Content Per Day: 0.01 Reputation: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 03/03/2010 Status: Offline Share Posted June 28, 2011 I once read a description of humility as the ability to have built the most magnificent cathedral on earth and know it as such, and be no more pleased with that than if someone else had done it. A little simple, perhaps, but I like it. Self-reliance isn't contrary to living a Christian life, pride is. We can be self-reliant, but humble in knowing that our strength and fortitude to rely on ourselves come from God. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oak Posted June 29, 2011 Group: Senior Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 67 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 503 Content Per Day: 0.09 Reputation: 31 Days Won: 0 Joined: 06/14/2008 Status: Offline Author Share Posted June 29, 2011 I once read a description of humility as the ability to have built the most magnificent cathedral on earth and know it as such, and be no more pleased with that than if someone else had done it. A little simple, perhaps, but I like it. Self-reliance isn't contrary to living a Christian life, pride is. We can be self-reliant, but humble in knowing that our strength and fortitude to rely on ourselves come from God. That is truly a beautiful reply. Look, I am a bit off center because I'm waiting for my biopsy results and maybe guilty of over posting, but I was intrigied by self-reliance and God. And the first web I found was written by Rabbi Morrison. Who say's the real question is this: "when are we do to our outmost to remedy the situation ourselves and when should we rely on God? Christianity brings to mind Christ saying, "without me you can not to do anything." [paraphrased]. On the other hand we get Christians that die because they refuse to be helped by anyone but God. You say, "we can be self-reliant, but humble in knowing that our strength and fortitude to rely on ourselves from God." This is great but then why do Christians make so many bad decisions? And it's encouraged at least by my Priest to give my burdens to Christ, but that is not always easy. Anyway, thanks for you're reply. Oak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 Praying~! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oak Posted June 29, 2011 Group: Senior Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 67 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 503 Content Per Day: 0.09 Reputation: 31 Days Won: 0 Joined: 06/14/2008 Status: Offline Author Share Posted June 29, 2011 Thank you Fresno Joe: I feel I had an epiphany today and it is due to you, my priest and Mr. Clarke. It started with the self-reliance issue and spread into my walk with Christ. We all have different levels of faith, and sometimes people are surprised at the questions, asked and answered in this forum. But the first questioned leveled at me about self-reliance was by a priest who said, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrClark Posted June 29, 2011 Group: Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 3 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 28 Content Per Day: 0.01 Reputation: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 03/03/2010 Status: Offline Share Posted June 29, 2011 I once read a description of humility as the ability to have built the most magnificent cathedral on earth and know it as such, and be no more pleased with that than if someone else had done it. A little simple, perhaps, but I like it. Self-reliance isn't contrary to living a Christian life, pride is. We can be self-reliant, but humble in knowing that our strength and fortitude to rely on ourselves come from God. That is truly a beautiful reply. Look, I am a bit off center because I'm waiting for my biopsy results and maybe guilty of over posting, but I was intrigied by self-reliance and God. And the first web I found was written by Rabbi Morrison. Who say's the real question is this: "when are we do to our outmost to remedy the situation ourselves and when should we rely on God? Christianity brings to mind Christ saying, "without me you can not to do anything." [paraphrased]. On the other hand we get Christians that die because they refuse to be helped by anyone but God. You say, "we can be self-reliant, but humble in knowing that our strength and fortitude to rely on ourselves from God." This is great but then why do Christians make so many bad decisions? And it's encouraged at least by my Priest to give my burdens to Christ, but that is not always easy. Anyway, thanks for you're reply. Oak I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers, Oak. I wouldn't feel guilty about over-posting though, forums are for sharing after all. I think Christians (especially this one) make so many bad decisions because we are human. We are torn between what God wants of us and what we want for ourselves. Even when we try and choose to do what we think God would want of us, how can we be sure that we are truly doing his will? This is something I wrestle with often. I try and remind myself though that no matter how horrible a mistake I may have made, there is none that God cannot use for good. I heard a joke about self-reliance and God a while back. You may have heard it... A small town near a river flooded and everyone scrambled to the roofs of their houses. A little while later a boat came along picking people up. When the boat got to a certain house they told the man on top to get in the boat so they could leave for safety. The man replied 'No thanks! God will save me,' and so the boat went on its way. As the flood waters rose a second boat came along and again told the man to get in the boat, as he would soon be underwater. 'That's alright!' The man replied, 'God will save me!' Unable to convince him, the boat left. As the waters climbed higher, a last boat came along. 'I don't need your help, God will save me!' The man said. The people on the boat tried and tried to convince him but he wouldn't budge. Finally they gave up and left. A while later the waters rose even higher and the man drowned. As he stood before the gates of heaven he said to God, 'I don't understand! I waited for you to save me but you let me drown!' God replied to the man, 'What are you talking about? I sent you three boats!' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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