What's the point? Everything is selfish.
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There's some truth in there. It's the way you say it that gives it a bad feel.
First and foremost you gotta look out for yourself, anything left in the tank then help others, common sense.
Your common sense just doesn't seem to mesh in with the sacrifice of Jesus and His agony on the cross. He emptied Himself. Gave Himself up for others. All others.
First and foremost you gotta look out for yourself, anything left in the tank then help others, common sense.
Your common sense just doesn't seem to mesh in with the sacrifice of Jesus and His agony on the cross. He emptied Himself. Gave Himself up for others. All others.
K
Quote "The preacher or healer isn't greater than the one who cleans the bathrooms in the church."
He was referring to me and my testimony. And yes,Ive cleaned bathrooms and done whatever else was needed in my home church. Cleaned a pastors home from top to bottom so he and his wife could have a night out. Talk about being rewarded. She had four kids under the age of five and was in tears when she came back to a sparkling home. You can do a lot of little things in life and be rewarded but that depends on what you consider a reward.
Quote"So what do you mean by every dream having a selfish connection no matter what. Also, the traveling preacher or healer or what ever can have selfish motives as well.
Yes,we can all have selfish moments in our lives,we're human. That doesn't mean everyone is entirely selfish or have wrong motivations.
W
Dai, I think I understand what you are saying.
Life on this earth IS bland, dark, pointless or cruel (depending on our situation) ... because we live in a fallen world.
Be it our own sin or other people's sin, it harms us, whether it is a bully at work or an enemy killing civilians.
Thing is though, like it or not, we are here, and THAT is not a mistake, nor chance. We are here because God put us here.
Why did he do that? I haven't got a clue...
....maybe because we cannot know what love truly is if we haven't seen hate,
if we haven't known of war, we cannot know what a gift peace is.
Or maybe it is an altogether different reason.
We are here though, so we have to make our lives meaningful.
- To some it is to preach or heal like you mentioned
- To some it is to help with charity
- To some it is to lend an ear to a grieving friend (trust me, that is important!)
- To some it is to keep the family alive by working, or happy by spending quality time
We just have to realize that sometimes even the seemingly pointless and boring tasks and events do have a purpose
If you ever find out how to keep remembering that ^ , please let me know
Life on this earth IS bland, dark, pointless or cruel (depending on our situation) ... because we live in a fallen world.
Be it our own sin or other people's sin, it harms us, whether it is a bully at work or an enemy killing civilians.
Thing is though, like it or not, we are here, and THAT is not a mistake, nor chance. We are here because God put us here.
Why did he do that? I haven't got a clue...
....maybe because we cannot know what love truly is if we haven't seen hate,
if we haven't known of war, we cannot know what a gift peace is.
Or maybe it is an altogether different reason.
We are here though, so we have to make our lives meaningful.
- To some it is to preach or heal like you mentioned
- To some it is to help with charity
- To some it is to lend an ear to a grieving friend (trust me, that is important!)
- To some it is to keep the family alive by working, or happy by spending quality time
We just have to realize that sometimes even the seemingly pointless and boring tasks and events do have a purpose
If you ever find out how to keep remembering that ^ , please let me know
Okay, so what HAVE you given to God lately? Have you given him thanks for the fact that He's always with you? Or that He has and will bring you through all your trials? Have you given Him thanks for your pain and illness? Did you give Him a thank you when you woke up this morning? Or when you came on here and found people who care enough about you, to try and help you? Because I do care, yet I'm beyond frustrated with you, yet I am STILL here trying to help you..
K
Ok but Im telling you I traveled in hundreds of churches and know many pastors and wives who opened up about their struggles. They aren't happy and positive all the time either. I told a story of a thriving church I was in where the pastor and his wife were wonderful,young at heart and full of plans for the future. Before we had a chance to return the pastor was hit and killed after stopping to help someone stuck in snow,leaving his wife and family devastated. You cant know what goes on behind closed doors. People go through a lot of crud that no one else knows about. And pastors in particular cant share and have no one to talk to because they cant turn to their congregation. You'd be surprised at the crud some people go though just like you do.
Dai, think of how much you have suffered. Now think how much more JESUS suffered on the cross. Beaten, whipped, stripped naked, spit on, ridiculed, having the literal weight and emotions of ALL the sins in the world upon Him. All of what we will ever experience pales in comparison to what He went through. Name any emotion or situation, and Jesus has felt it. He knows the pain of liver problems, the terror of cancer, the hopelessness of depression and suicide..
NOTHING we go through will ever compare to what Jesus endured for US. What are you willing to do for Him, and others, and yourself??
NOTHING we go through will ever compare to what Jesus endured for US. What are you willing to do for Him, and others, and yourself??
Dai, I think I understand what you are saying.
Life on this earth IS bland, dark, pointless or cruel (depending on our situation) ... because we live in a fallen world.
Be it our own sin or other people's sin, it harms us, whether it is a bully at work or an enemy killing civilians.
Thing is though, like it or not, we are here, and THAT is not a mistake, nor chance. We are here because God put us here.
Why did he do that? I haven't got a clue...
....maybe because we cannot know what love truly is if we haven't seen hate,
if we haven't known of war, we cannot know what a gift peace is.
Or maybe it is an altogether different reason.
We are here though, so we have to make our lives meaningful.
- To some it is to preach or heal like you mentioned
- To some it is to help with charity
- To some it is to lend an ear to a grieving friend (trust me, that is important!)
- To some it is to keep the family alive by working, or happy by spending quality time
We just have to realize that sometimes even the seemingly pointless and boring tasks and events do have a purpose
If you ever find out how to keep remembering that ^ , please let me know
Life on this earth IS bland, dark, pointless or cruel (depending on our situation) ... because we live in a fallen world.
Be it our own sin or other people's sin, it harms us, whether it is a bully at work or an enemy killing civilians.
Thing is though, like it or not, we are here, and THAT is not a mistake, nor chance. We are here because God put us here.
Why did he do that? I haven't got a clue...
....maybe because we cannot know what love truly is if we haven't seen hate,
if we haven't known of war, we cannot know what a gift peace is.
Or maybe it is an altogether different reason.
We are here though, so we have to make our lives meaningful.
- To some it is to preach or heal like you mentioned
- To some it is to help with charity
- To some it is to lend an ear to a grieving friend (trust me, that is important!)
- To some it is to keep the family alive by working, or happy by spending quality time
We just have to realize that sometimes even the seemingly pointless and boring tasks and events do have a purpose
If you ever find out how to keep remembering that ^ , please let me know
Philippians 4.4: Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice!
That is from a man who suffered for the Lord. Look at his suffering.
2 Corinthians 11.24-28: Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. 26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; 27 I have been in labor and hardship, [through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.
You are not alone, and you are not the first.
Hebrews 11.32-40: And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; 36 and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated 38 (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.
39 And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.
That is from a man who suffered for the Lord. Look at his suffering.
2 Corinthians 11.24-28: Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. 26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; 27 I have been in labor and hardship, [through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.
You are not alone, and you are not the first.
Hebrews 11.32-40: And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; 36 and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated 38 (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.
39 And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.
Hmm, I thought about this a bit today as I was out and about and as I was walking home just now. Makes me think of a particular Preacher. I think he is right and I think his words are applicable to your questions. I will put them below along with some words of my own.
I heard the cardinals sing, and I wondered for what do they sing? For what does the male cardinal in red coat sing for? Does he not sing for the females and they sing back to him? It is for vanity, it has no purpose outside of himself. I saw the squirrels running to and fro and I thought, for what reason does he run to and fro for? He does it for vanity, there is no purpose outside of himself. I saw a multitude of people coming and going in their cars and I wondered for what reason are they in such haste driving up and down the roads and going to their places? It is all for their vanities, there is no purpose outside of themselves. I saw a child, even a little girl child riding her tricycle down the sidewalk and I thought, for what purpose does the girl child ride her tricycle down the street? It is all for vanity, there is no purpose for it outside of herself. I thought to myself, why do I keep walking, why do I do such menial work with my hands, why do I keep thinking, and wading around the shallows and deep ends of wisdom in my mind? It is my vanity, there is no purpose for it outside of myself.
Ecclesiastes 1
1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
[SUP]2 [/SUP]Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
[SUP]3 [/SUP]What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?
[SUP]4 [/SUP]One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.
[SUP]5 [/SUP]The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.
[SUP]6 [/SUP]The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.
[SUP]7 [/SUP]All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.
[SUP]8 [/SUP]All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
[SUP]9 [/SUP]The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
[SUP]10 [/SUP]Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.
[SUP]11 [/SUP]There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.
[SUP]12 [/SUP]I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
[SUP]13 [/SUP]And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.
[SUP]14 [/SUP]I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
[SUP]15 [/SUP]That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
[SUP]16 [/SUP]I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.
[SUP]17 [/SUP]And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.
[SUP]18 [/SUP]For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
I heard the cardinals sing, and I wondered for what do they sing? For what does the male cardinal in red coat sing for? Does he not sing for the females and they sing back to him? It is for vanity, it has no purpose outside of himself. I saw the squirrels running to and fro and I thought, for what reason does he run to and fro for? He does it for vanity, there is no purpose outside of himself. I saw a multitude of people coming and going in their cars and I wondered for what reason are they in such haste driving up and down the roads and going to their places? It is all for their vanities, there is no purpose outside of themselves. I saw a child, even a little girl child riding her tricycle down the sidewalk and I thought, for what purpose does the girl child ride her tricycle down the street? It is all for vanity, there is no purpose for it outside of herself. I thought to myself, why do I keep walking, why do I do such menial work with my hands, why do I keep thinking, and wading around the shallows and deep ends of wisdom in my mind? It is my vanity, there is no purpose for it outside of myself.
Ecclesiastes 1
1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
[SUP]2 [/SUP]Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
[SUP]3 [/SUP]What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?
[SUP]4 [/SUP]One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.
[SUP]5 [/SUP]The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.
[SUP]6 [/SUP]The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.
[SUP]7 [/SUP]All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.
[SUP]8 [/SUP]All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
[SUP]9 [/SUP]The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
[SUP]10 [/SUP]Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.
[SUP]11 [/SUP]There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.
[SUP]12 [/SUP]I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
[SUP]13 [/SUP]And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.
[SUP]14 [/SUP]I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
[SUP]15 [/SUP]That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
[SUP]16 [/SUP]I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.
[SUP]17 [/SUP]And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.
[SUP]18 [/SUP]For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
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