Ever been in a room full of dead people? (meditations of a Hermit)

[*Zion*]

Gary, I think it's possible to feel that way not be proud about it, but still stuck in that isolation.  We are in a fallen world filled with people who are spiritually dead.  We need to preach life to them!  It's hard sometimes, the resistance can be so great.  Even Elijah felt like that, but God was the one who encouraged him that he was not alone.  We need that encouragement.  Let's encourage one another, though at times rebuke may be needed.  

[spiderman1917]

On 3/8/2016 at 0:09 AM, gdemoss said:

We are commanded to condescend to men of low estate.  Whenever I get lifted up like this I know I am headed for a fall.  There have been times where I was so far above all the 'walking dead' that I felt very alone.  I would treat that loneliness with isolation for fear that the 'dead' might have their stink waift on me and I should smell like them!  Then reality kicks in and I see myself as the Pharisee that I am being and I become the publican again who cannot lift his eyes unto heaven.  Thank God for his loving kindness that sought me out, sat with me in my death and reconciled me unto him in Christ THEN sent me out to do likewise.

Peace

At this time it's precisely that I don't feel above them enough, which is why I feel if I jump into the water to minister to them, I will drowned with them, though I share what I feel can help them.  But in order for my words to help them, they need to see a strong and stable person.

These are the people that Jesus came for. He said he came for the Sinners , not the righteous. There is more rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner than 99 righteous people who have no reason to repent.

It is the sick who need a doctor, not those who are well.  These are who Jesus would spend time with so they are who God wants me to hang out with , but I need to have the strength to be able to do more good than harm for the both of us.

I assume that is why John the Baptist, Elijah, Jesus, and many of the prophets had to spend a lot of time in solitude before their Ministry.

Meditation:

I'm feeling very pathetic today and I cannot manage my own life. Only God can.  May He do so soon.

[Catsmeow]

On 3/19/2016 at 2:18 PM, spiderman1917 said:

At this time it's precisely that I don't feel above them enough, which is why I feel if I jump into the water to minister to them, I will drowned with them, though I share what I feel can help them.  But in order for my words to help them, they need to see a strong and stable person.

 

Brother Spider: Here's something that helped me to realize how specialized some parts of the Body are:

1 Corinthians 12:22-25New American Standard Bible (NASB)

22 On the contrary, [a]it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 23 and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, [c]on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, 24 whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, 25 so that there may be no [d]division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.

I eat and drink with sinners. I listen to their music and hear their laughter. They share their hearts with mine. I know when they're angry or frustrated; I know when they feel alone and forsaken; I know when they're overwhelmed by the world. They share their private thoughts off open forum and I know what they're afraid to let other people know. 

God uses us in different ways. Stay strong, my brother.  God will use you according to your own special gifts and talents and many other people will not likely understand the high calling with which you've been called.   Your Sister in the Lord, Cats

[JTC]

On 3/19/2016 at 4:18 PM, spiderman1917 said:

Meditation:

I'm feeling very pathetic today and I cannot manage my own life. Only God can.  May He do so soon.

I too, often feel this way, especially since the beginning of March. It seems as if I can't handle my life everyday. I know in my intellect that God will always be here but I don't always feel it neither. I've reached the stage of life where I wonder why I'm still here. The only sensible answer is because God wants me here. But why? This is what makes me feel pathetic. I've spent most of my life doing things similar to what you 2 are doing. I was usually around people who where either lost or searching for they knew not what. I could tell them about God but that's not very effective. I had to show I had strength because I knew God, but I often felt I was becoming like the people I wanted to help, more than I was helping them. But I persisted because as you both said, I felt that was where God wanted me. But they have all been removed far from me and I am alone except for God. But it's not as easy as I'm making it sound. I know how you both feel. May God be with us all.

[spiderman1917]

1 minute ago, JTC said:

I too, often feel this way, especially since the beginning of March. It seems as if I can't handle my life everyday. I know in my intellect that God will always be here but I don't always feel it neither. I've reached the stage of life where I wonder why I'm still here. The only sensible answer is because God wants me here. But why? This is what makes me feel pathetic. I've spent most of my life doing things similar to what you 2 are doing. I was usually around people who where either lost or searching for they knew not what. I could tell them about God but that's not very effective. I had to show I had strength because I knew God, but I often felt I was becoming like the people I wanted to help, more than I was helping them. But I persisted because as you both said, I felt that was where God wanted me. But they have all been removed far from me and I am alone except for God. But it's not as easy as I'm making it sound. I know how you both feel. May God be with us all.

Yes... so what are some things you reflect on that God has done for you in times where you feel abandoned by him?

[spiderman1917]

James 1:2-4 

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

[JTC]

19 hours ago, spiderman1917 said:

Yes... so what are some things you reflect on that God has done for you in times where you feel abandoned by him?

Well, to be completely honest I haven't felt really abandoned in over 5 yrs. Back then I had a job I enjoyed and I was earning enough to meet my expenses and even save about $20 a month. And then it started to change, drastically. I had to move, I lost the job, and became so depressed I needed Cymbalta. Those meds almost never do a thing for me. I just couldn't understand where God went. I had the worst crises of faith I ever had. I also felt more alone than ever. I've often heard that hell is a total separation from God. Eventually this passed and I think God wanted me to experience what hell might be like. To have to feel that way for all eternity with no hope of it ever ending because you can't die from the 2nd death, is a horror beyond words. After a few years I slowly regained my faith. I still feel lonely often, but not like that. So that's 1 thing I reflect on. Over the years I started to say a personalized version of the Lord's prayer at least once a day.

Somehow I don't think this is the kind of answer you were hoping for. I'm sorry for that. I don't have any great success stories that some people do.

Oh, as of late I reflect on the way the original Apostles had to live. There's a very good dramatized version of the NIV and it's an audio Bible. I've read Acts maybe 4 times, but listening to Acts on this site I use gave me a new perspective on it. It's done like a play only without a visual. This is probably like the radio plays my parents listened to. As bad as things are here in America it's nothing compared to ancient times. Paul was whipped and beaten more times than he remembered. I hate to say this, but that's the kind of stuff Christians in the mid east go through. And I'm crying because I have no one to speak to. Shame on me. I may be alone and dirt poor but no one beats me up. I'm always out of money at the end of each month, but I never have to go a whole day hungry. I know God is with me. I learned a long time ago to stop saying "things can't get worse". Oh yes they can. And I remind myself that the bottom line of worse is the 2nd death. Kinda like being in a vacuum out in space, no light pure blackness, so cold Antarctica would feel warm, and endless screaming with no one to hear me ever. I felt a taste of that and no thank you. I talk about God to anyone who speaks to me. I remember when I once felt ashamed or scared to do that. Not anymore.

Actually Spiderman, you quoted how I now try to feel. James, below is how I should always feel. It's just not easy.

God Bless. 

I almost forgot this:

https://www.biblegateway.com/

3 hours ago, spiderman1917 said:

James 1:2-4 

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

 

Edited March 24, 2016 by JTC
added a url

[Reinitin]

I saw a cartoon once, Satan standing near Christ in the clouds/heaven a window was open with a scene below. A guy passed out with a rubberband on His arm, a needle beside him and a half naked girl laying over the bed. Satan was saying "not that one Lord he belongs to me". Jesus answer was "not anymore".

[Catsmeow]

OOooooh. Too cool. I'd like to see that on Google images. Nice idea. I'll look for it. 

[simplejeff]

'monks' has nothing to do with spiders post.

why bring them up ? 

7 minutes ago, algots said:

Monks are just as prideful of life as those they wish to separate themselves from.

Saying they're not worthy of your time is just as much pride as them saying you're not worthy of their time.