Homesteading/Christianity/Life-A thought to Ponder(Religion/Christian)(Thank you John Leake)

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This thread is not to convince, threaten, belittle, judge or anything else of the kind. But I came to a realization-a lightbulb moment. I may have know this all along, but I own the thought now.

I have a feminist friend. We agree on very little, but I have more respect for her than almost anyone because she know why she believes what she believes and insisted that I become responsible to know what I believe. It took a while but I did it. That is much the same as what John Leake's ideas have helped me, that and a little diplomacy. When you know why you believe what you believe you can speak with confidence, that doesn't mean people are gonna agree with you. In what follows I'll say this is what I have learned instead of continually saying I think or I believe. This is what I have learned at different stages of my life:

I have learned through my life(over 48 years) that homesteading is the best lifestyle for me, so I see no reason to look at any other lifestyle other than for information/understanding. I have learned that when I make/do something myself, it is much more satisfying than paying someone else to make/do it. I have learned the value of friendship, so I have learned how to take care of my friends and not look for those who would hurt me. And most importantly, I have learned that Jesus is my savior, the only one I need. He is the only one that will always be, He has no end. There's no need for me to seek after other gods.

This is not to say that I won't learn other things for information and understanding, but I know I am content with those things that I have learned. I have learned other things-marriage, kids, grandkids,other things, but this is what's in my heart now.

I think once we learn something we should keep expanding that knowledge. I have searched and sorted out all the roots and strangling vines that will harm the rest of the tree in these areas. The roots are planted and now the fruit will grow. Too many roots and you get rootbound. I still have others to sort in different areas, but my tree is getting stronger and becoming strong enough to bend(understanding/forgiveness).

What lessons have you learned?

-- Cindy (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), January 09, 2001

Answers

To stay away from the jesus freaks threads. This one faked me out. Bye.

-- JLS in NW AZ (stalkingbull007@AOL.com), January 09, 2001.

I have learned to be proud to be called a Jesus freak! I think we should continue to grow in our walk and not become stale. Thanks Cindy.

-- bwilliams (bjconthefarm@yahoo.com), January 09, 2001.

"God Bothers!", Bah! humbug!

-- John (john@cnd.co.nz), January 09, 2001.

Whoops! Sorry, that should read "God Botherers"!

-- John Hill (john@cnd.co.nz), January 09, 2001.

I would hardly call Cindy a "freak". But following that line of thinking...

A person of conviction IS a freak to those who are members of the "Church-of-the-Month" club or "Church-of-the-None" Club.

A person of conviction will draw praise, scorn and ridicule. There's very little middle ground.

A person of conviction comes in all ages, shapes, sizes, and genders (just two come to my mind) :)

A person of conviction is not afraid of love, commitment or hard work.

A person of conviction listens more than she hears, sees more than she looks, and believes more than she feels.

If Jesus is YOUR answer, so be it. Be happy with your conviction. No one will convince you otherwise. But then, you know that already, don't 'cha?

(:raig

-- Craig Miller (CMiller@ssd.com), January 09, 2001.



Very well said Cindy. Do not be discouraged by those who are apparently incapable of reading, rejecting the thought and simply moving along without negative comments. Obviously,you gave a great deal of yourself in your comments above...I wish we were neighbors, you sound like a great person; thoughtful, kind, and striving to be a true witness. God bless.

-- Lesley (martchas@bellsouth.net), January 09, 2001.

I have learned that we have more in common with each other than we have in "difference" with each other. That goes for the whole world. There are some exceptions I guess (I doubt that a murderer and I would share a comparable world view) but despite political differences, religious differences, and hair color, most of us like peace and safety, the love of our families, health, clean air, and good bargains at yard sales (or equivalent.) Etc....

I have learned that people have strong convictions, for a number of reasons. Some hold them out of heartfelt experience. Some hold them out of fear. Some hold them out of something like superstition. Some just recognize that civilization has to be based on something (respect and law, for example.)

Most people have their positions pretty much figured out by a certain age (I don't know what that is anymore? Late teens perhaps?) and modify these positions through life experience somewhat (college, bad times, whatever), but only relative to their foundational core value system.

With that as my take, my opinion is that since we do have mostly common stuff in life, and that people are for the most part going to only slightly modify their views according to their core beliefs, there is really not much value in me spending my time in trying to change people. They can change if they want to. (What's that joke line that ends up with "...but they have to WANT to change?")

I just like sharing my thoughts with others here and have learned a lot of “how-to-do” things from many people. But I don't think I'm going to become something radically different than what I already am. I really value trying to keep an open mind, but it's not a realistic probability that I am going to change my political orientation, my sexual one, my theology, or my syntax. So respectful dialog is appreciated by me, but not pedantic attempts to get me to change. I will if I want to. And I try to behave toward others in kind.

-- sheepish (WA) (rborgo@gte.net), January 09, 2001.


Sorry Cindy, my earlier response went off topic (I got crabby and went where I do not really like to go) sigh.......What have i learned????? I guess the biggest thing is that I need to keep learning every day..it never ends. For instance, I read the Bible each day..not an old habit, but one that I decided on several months ago..Last night in reading Romans, I came across a passage that I do not recall reading before where paul writes that Christians need to be tolerant of other Christians' beliefs in the way they choose to worship God..i.e. if someone believes that by not eating a certain food that they will please God,and you do not believe that it matters, you should abstain from trying to convince the other Christian to your way of thinking because if you do, you are guilty of causing that person anxiety regarding worship. How cool is that to ponder?????? I can't tell you how many times I have been in heated debates with other Christians about forms and standards of worship..now I have learned that God says, no, do not do that because it is not helpful nor Christian.So again, I have learned to keep learning...I guess one can never be bored! God bless.

-- Lesley (martchas@bellsouth.net), January 09, 2001.

Thanks Craig.

-- Cindy (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), January 09, 2001.

I read the bible every day and I try to learn something from what I read. I also try to learn something every day from someone or something I see. I also try to become closer to Christ every day through prayer. I find it difficult sometimes, but I also pray for those who scorn me for believing. Jesus said it is good when we are persecuted for our faith. Often I get a good laugh out of those non-believers who think this world and universe came about by accident. That's a heck of a lot harder to believe than Jesus being lord and savior.

-- Joe (jcole@apha.com), January 09, 2001.


Sorry you put John Leake's name on the subject line; I thought this was going to be something more interesting...

-- jumpoffjoe (jumpoff@echoweb.net), January 09, 2001.

Cindy, thank you for the insight. You have put out some stuff here lately that really has encouraged me, especially at this difficult time in my life. Thanks again.

-- Judy (allsmile@ctnet.net), January 09, 2001.

One teacher told me, "When and arguing spirit comes in, the Spirit of the Lord goes out." I don't believe in arguing what I believe. But if someone ASKS why I do what I do, then the door is open for my say. And I can't judge (thinking, "I am sooo much better than YOU, sinner!"), 'cause there, but for the grace of God, go I(and I have been a sinner, too). But if someone asks if I believe that "wxyz" is sinful, I have to answer honestly. I stand accountable to God for holding on strong and fast to my convictions. I will not cower and be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. For those who think I seem less than loving for insisting on the truth of the Gopel, might I say this: To a child, the street might look like the most fun place to play. He doesn't understand that the cars and trucks will harm him, and might scream in frustration at his folk's insistance that he stays away from harm. He thinks his parents are being MEAN and unloving...when in actuality, their unwavering insistance is a product of their love, and their desire that he stay healthy. If we Christians seem insistant, maybe it is because we are concerned about others' welfare.

-- Leann Banta (thelionandlamb@hotmail.com), January 09, 2001.

I love to do Bible Studies also. The hardest thing I have learned in the last couple years is that people (not here, out in the world) will either take you into their heart or they won't. Some people have never made room in their hearts for others because they won't push a little of themseves to the side and make room. God made our hearts to have no limit, people put limits on themselves. When we feel the overflowing love of God, we can't help but want it to overflow to others around us, because He first loved us.

God has taught me not to get my feelings hurt so badly, to not take it personally. That's the hard part. Some people just don't want to be loved or show love, they see it as a threat, like they might loose some of themselves. And that's backwards, by loving, you gain. They are looking through their own eyes, and not God's eyes. Like if you're nice to them, they think you want something. Yeah, it's called friendship. But I will never beg anyone to like me, either they do or they don't.

And I am thankful for the heart God has given me. Because there's room in it, and it laughs and it crys with others. And I can still feel it, it's warm, it's not cold and it's not hard. I would much rather feel it breaking, than not ever feel it at all.

-- Cindy in Ky (solidrockranch@msn.com), January 09, 2001.


Cindy, I thought your question was quite lovely and moving, and sounded very sincere. I especially like the last line, about real strength manifesting itself in forgiveness and understanding.

Blessings,

-- Earthmama (earthmama48@yahoo.com), January 09, 2001.



Cindy: I'm glad I could help, tho I'm not sure how but thats ok. You are so right tho in knowing and understanding WHY we believe what we believe is important.

Re: your second paragraph and the choice of being a homesteader. Personally I think it boils down to character and confidence building- --to being genuinely self reliant. Even the counsel of scriptures leads us in that direction. We give our selves to Jesus or the universal spirit and He/It gives us ourselves.

-- john leake (natlivent@pcpros.net), January 10, 2001.


Cindy-ditto on appreciatiating your point about knowing why you believe what you do. Nothing is more beautiful to me than a spiritual person whose love for others is sincere despite differences in belief. I know why I believe what I believe and that in itself is an armor attacks to it cannot penetrate. Shoot, I don't even get flustered by it. It is an inseperable part of me, but I don't take it personally because any attacks on what I believe are just on that part of me, not me as whole person. Blessings to you and yours!

-- Epona (crystalepona2000@yahoo.com), January 13, 2001.

If some one does not agree, why must you be disrespectful?

-- Patty (fodfarms@hotmail.com), January 13, 2001.

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