a small rant

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

This is a small rant...just to get it out of my system.

::clears throat::

I am SICK TO DEATH of being told "You should be looking at Jesus as an example, not at other people."

Well...guess what? What if I can't SEE Jesus??? What if *other* people can't see Jesus? Who are we then to look at to find Jesus?? HUH? WHO??? It's been my understanding that Christians are supposed to be representatives of Christ. If they aren't, then by golly, why call themselves *Christian*?

Yes, I realize people are not perfect. But when someone screws up, then ADMIT IT!! Pointing to Jesus so nobody will look at you is ... well...it's pretty lame. And it doesn't win any favors out of *my* Cracker Jack box.. <img src="/adventist/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

::sigh::

okay.. I think the rant is over.. <img src="/adventist/images/graemlins/smileywithhotflashes.gif" alt="" />

[cricket]

No one can be a perfect example of Christ. Only Christ Himself can do that. We should be able to catch glimpses of Him through each other though.

For me, every smile, kindness and act of love is a glimpse of Him abiding in someone else.

[aldona]

((((((((((((Pam)))))))))))))

Please don't feel bad about ranting, it encourages those of us who just shut up and see and feel things and don't always have the courage to rant.

I got up this morning and the news headlines were full of the descendants of Isaac and Ishmael killing one another and terrorists everywhere committing atrocious acts "in the name of God"...

...and politicians lying, manipulating each other and oppressing their people supposedly because God put them there...

...and the forum (and no doubt many other Christian forums) is full of people sniping and picking at each other in the name of Jesus...

...and it's time to go to church, where no doubt there will be more politics and in-fighting and people with stuck-on smiles pretending to be nice to one another while keeping the knife hidden behind their back...

...so I start thinking, "well, maybe if I study the Bible and pray more, I can become more like these people too!"

Or I can go and spend some time with the atheists and agnostics in some of the community organizations that I'm involved with, many of whom seem to have more Christ-likeness in their little finger nail than all of the "church" types I have ever met put together.

...or, as my father-in-law said once after a particularly heated and nasty church meeting..."Even the drunks at the bar down the road treat each other better than that."

end of my rant, too...

sorry, just having another moment of disillusionment. Normal broadcasting should resume shortly, after I have another herbal tea and put on some soothing music.

aldona

[Gerr]

That is why we are told to follow in the Master's footsteps, so that when people see the good works, they may glorify Him instead of bringing curses upon His name.

The only Jesus that many people will see is the Jesus that is shining through us, whether that picture is good or bad.

Gerry

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Aldona, I'll join you for some nice herbal tea! []http://img.inkfrog.com/pix/Rudywoofs/tea.gif[/]

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />

Gerry Cabalo said:

That is why we are told to follow in the Master's footsteps, so that when people see the good works, they may glorify Him instead of bringing curses upon His name.

The only Jesus that many people will see is the Jesus that is shining through us, whether that picture is good or bad.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

Aye, and that's what I thought the Bible says. I don't understand why so many people dont think it's important. Jesus didn't say He was going to lift Himself up....it is *people* who have to lift Him up, isn't that right? <img src="/adventist/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

[Nicodema]

I second that rant and will join the herbal tea party.

Too bad we can't have a "Boston tea party" over this issue, though ... hmmm, what would we throw into the harbor ... copies of The Visitor and Our Little Friend maybe? <img src="/adventist/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

[Nan]

No you cannot throw Our Little Friend overboard - my niece was a cover girl on the Australian version (long since defunct I think) at the age of three <img src="/adventist/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />. I am quite happy to join in the herbal tea though.

[Gerr]

Absolutely!!! And what an awesome responsibility!!! No place for bragging or self-exaltation here!!!

Gerry

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

*bump*

It is generally *people* - their friendship, their words, their actions - who bring other people to Jesus. From what I've read, it was thus in the Bible, and it is thus today.

To say that *people* are not a deciding factor on whether a person LEAVES Jesus is, in my thinking, a denial of God-commanded responsibility. The Bible talks about millstones and stumblingblocks.

I think, but I may be wrong, that it all depends on which particular Spirit/spirit is guiding those *people*..

BTW, I thank God for the MANY *Spirit*-filled responses and comments from people here on C/A!!! <img src="/adventist/images/graemlins/Falling.gif" alt="" />

[aldona]

I love your avatar, Pam...a sheep triumphantly leaping over hurdles.

I think that is appropriate for all of us struggling believers.

aldona

[olger]

It is in relationships where most of us are "wounded." That is why God has ordained it that healing would come from relationships. First with Him and then with others that He brings into our lives.

You see, there are a lot of myths in our society. One of them is "Time heals all wounds." Does it really? No!

People either grow better or worse as they get older. Here's why.

Time will provide us with many opportunities to forgive others, to reach out to those who are alienated and to love people as He does. But time will not automatically heal us, we must accept the tools that God has provided.

Ephesians 4:32: "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

This will bring healing into our lives. Who does God want you to forgive today?

gcw