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RE: How should we then act??? - 4/14/2008 3:39:47 PM
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stampinlady
Posts: 1933
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Dakota, thanks for the great post. It really hit home.
_____________________________
Deb
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RE: How should we then act??? - 4/14/2008 3:56:18 PM
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Dakotasunbeam
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You're welcome! God bless!
quote:
ORIGINAL: stampinlady
Dakota, thanks for the great post. It really hit home.
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RE: How should we then act??? - 4/14/2008 7:30:17 PM
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armydude
Posts: 12259
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quote:
ORIGINAL: stampinlady
It seems like the latest "feel good" movement has put to shame many of us believers that just don't jump for joy over every ache, sickness, trial and tribulation. Ya, ya we are to "count it all joy" when trials come, but ..... Does God really expect us to always be "jumping for joy?" or .. Is it ok to have down days? Am I making any sense?
Is it okay to have down days? I certainly have them.
The bible says to "count it all joy" when trials come, but nowhere does it say that we need to count it all joy for the trials.
For example, I just got a layoff from a job. I'm going back to school, but it's definitely stressful. Can I count it joy that I'm starting over after working various jobs for 18 years? Yeah... right.
What can I count as joy? Well, for one, my employment situation did not change the fact that God is still in control. It did not change the fact that I have a heavenly Father that loves me. It did not change the fact that the glory that waits me is SO much better than the situation I'm going through now. I could go on, but you get the idea.
The song says, "Count your blessings, name them one by one". The stresses don't go away, but focusing on all God has done for you can take your stresses off center stage.
_____________________________
Faith without obedience is impossible.
Obedience without faith is unlikely.
Together they are powerful beyond measure.
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RE: How should we then act??? - 4/15/2008 3:56:36 AM
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RJR_fan
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quote:
Does God really expect us to always be "jumping for joy?" or .. Is it ok to have down days? Am I making any sense?
At a very low point in my life, I cried out to God in frustration, "How am I supposed to serve You?" As I stepped into the shower, He gave me a two word answer -- "With joy," and a verse of Scripture -- Deut. 28:47. A lifetime's indulgence of a petulant disposition began to be repented of right then. It takes time to change an adult personality, but God has time, and patience. Joy as a discipline undertaken out of white-knuckle obedience!
That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!
_____________________________
Tutto posso in colui che me da la forza! (Fil. 4:13)
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RE: How should we then act??? - 4/16/2008 3:02:03 AM
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TheHermit
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I think that we often have a wrong view of what joy is. "Joy" and "rejoice" are the same word in the Greek, so when we encounter Paul saying, "I count it all joy", it could also be loosely translated, "I always rejoice". Not that rejoicing in trials is easy, but it does have a different connotation. Joy represents a heart attitude, but rejoicing is an action. It may be hard to be happy during a trial, but maybe not as hard to praise God that He is still in control.
Just a thought, was Jesus "jumping for joy" in the Garden? Was he "jumping for joy" when he cleared the temple? Was he "jumping for joy" at Lazarus's death? If He wasn't always jumping for joy, how could we?
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RE: How should we then act??? - 4/16/2008 7:01:27 AM
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RJR_fan
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quote:
If He wasn't always jumping for joy, how could we?
While the full range of emotions is valid, perhaps "joy" is the default setting, the disciplined attitude that bobs to the surface before, during, and after the episodes of testing. Headlines make headlines because they are not routine. I like the way G K Chesterton wrapped up his magnificent book Orthodoxy:
quote:
Joy, which was the small publicity of the pagan, is the
gigantic secret of the Christian. And as I close this chaotic
volume I open again the strange small book from which all
Christianity came; and I am again haunted by a kind of
confirmation. The tremendous figure which fills the Gospels towers
in this respect, as in every other, above all the thinkers who
ever thought themselves tall. His pathos was natural, almost
casual. The Stoics, ancient and modern, were proud of concealing
their tears. He never concealed His tears; He showed them plainly
on His open face at any daily sight, such as the far sight of His
native city. Yet He concealed something. Solemn supermen and
imperial diplomatists are proud of restraining their anger. He
never restrained His anger. He flung furniture down the front
steps of the Temple, and asked men how they expected to escape the
damnation of Hell. Yet He restrained something. I say it with
reverence; there was in that shattering personality a thread that
must be called shyness. There was something that He hid from all
men when He went up a mountain to pray. There was something that
He covered constantly by abrupt silence or impetuous isolation.
There was some one thing that was too great for God to show us
when He walked upon our earth; and I have sometimes fancied that
it was His mirth.
_____________________________
Tutto posso in colui che me da la forza! (Fil. 4:13)
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RE: How should we then act??? - 4/16/2008 8:26:49 AM
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Consecrated2God
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I'm not familiar with Dr. Pauche, so I can't answer to that part of the question, but I can tell you my own experience.
It's been the hardest times in my life that I have experienced the greatest joy. It was not a question of how I should act, because it wasn't an "act". It was real joy, coming up from the inside, from the Holy Spirit. Hard times tend to drive me close to my Savior's side because I realize so keenly how desparately I need Him. He's the one who gives me joy. There is such a peace in just giving your troubles over to an Almighty God and knowing He will bring you through.
The times I struggle with maintaining my joy is when life is going smoothly. Honestly, I think much of my relationship with God is based on Him fulfilling the role of Provider in my life, and when I am not in need I don't know what to ask for. I don't have that feeling of needing to stay close to him so desparately, and I begin to lose my joy. I find myself feeling down and discontent for no reason.
It's so important to abide in the Lord daily. That is what brings us joy, not trying to act happy when we are not. Stay in the Word, through hard times and good times. I have learned to be content in difficult circumstances, now I need to learn to be content in the good times as well. 
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<--Me at age fourteen
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RE: How should we then act??? - 4/16/2008 9:47:55 AM
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Consecrated2God
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People who have nothing to do with Jesus have no joy on the inside, no matter how they might appear. If they feel good at all, it's only for a season.
_____________________________
<--Me at age fourteen
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RE: How should we then act??? - 4/16/2008 9:27:31 PM
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SonInMe1
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I wonder, can we feel God's joy....without the tribulation?
_____________________________
You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:4
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RE: How should we then act??? - 4/16/2008 11:05:19 PM
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Ignited-Faith
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AMEN Dakotasunbeam!!!
I lived most of my life with Severe Depression.
I had Me, Myself, and I always on my mind, and I was miserable.
After the Lord delivered me from Depression, I find it is true, JOY is a choice! Someone once told me, to have JOY, Put;
Jesus first,
Others second, and
Yourself last.
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RE: How should we then act??? - 4/16/2008 11:21:23 PM
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Cloak
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I believe we should be honest with ourselves. When I am not feeling well or have had a bad day, it's really hard to pretend otherwise. However, when I have to meet people; I have to put on a little smile not bc I am fake or phoney, but rather because of keeping up with appearances and it's not the fault of people what had happened to us this morning or last night.
_____________________________
And My God shall meet ALL Your Needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4: 19)
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RE: How should we then act??? - 4/17/2008 9:35:31 AM
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sparkleingsnow
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From: Payson, Arizona
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The most painful thing anyone ever said to me at church, was during a very dark painful time in my life. She asked me how I was and I told her (a little bit of how I was feeling). She responded that I shouldn't say how I really felt, but just smile and say ok. She didn't know it of course, but she couldn't have hurt me more if she had hit me over the head with a sledgehammer. The feelings of worthlessness, and hopelessness were so strong, and now I wasn't even worthy enough to speak of the pain I was in.
We can and should be real about our feelings with each other. How do we know we need to lift someone up, if we don't know they're in pain? We need to be atone to each other and everyone around us, and respond to they're needs in a loving way. That's what God's word tells us to do. Love one another, encourage one another, help one another.
_____________________________
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is
within me, bless his holy name.
Psalm 103:1
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RE: How should we then act??? - 4/17/2008 10:45:33 AM
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Liveloved
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quote:
The most painful thing anyone ever said to me at church, was during a very dark painful time in my life. She asked me how I was and I told her (a little bit of how I was feeling). She responded that I shouldn't say how I really felt, but just smile and say ok. She didn't know it of course, but she couldn't have hurt me more if she had hit me over the head with a sledgehammer. The feelings of worthlessness, and hopelessness were so strong, and now I wasn't even worthy enough to speak of the pain I was in.
We can and should be real about our feelings with each other. How do we know we need to lift someone up, if we don't know they're in pain? We need to be atone to each other and everyone around us, and respond to they're needs in a loving way. That's what God's word tells us to do. Love one another, encourage one another, help one another.
Sparklingsnow,
I think what we are observing and your experience emphasizes is that it is extremely difficult for people to get beyond themselves. We are, by nature, self centered and without the work of Jesus in us and for us, we will never get beyond ourselves.
So instead of responding to others as Paul taught in Philippians 2, "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interest of others"(3-4), it's all about ME and they can't get into your skin and see things from your perspective and relate to you with compassion. I am frequently reminded of the look of compassion Jesus had when he observed others and their needs. He immediately SAW THEM. He was the perfect picture of One who is beyond Himself.
Oh, that is my desire and His goal for me---to get me beyond me, always thinking of my concerns, how I'm doing, etc, etc, etc, and instead to have the interests of others as primary and my priority. THAT is the life of Jesus.
I want to see with compassion and HEAR what others are saying. And then respond in love as Jesus did.
Bless you, dear!
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RE: How should we then act??? - 4/17/2008 11:25:17 AM
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sparkleingsnow
Posts: 3441
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From: Payson, Arizona
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Love the scripture, Liveloved.
quote:
Original: Liveloved
Oh, that is my desire and His goal for me---to get me beyond me, always thinking of my concerns, how I'm doing, etc, etc, etc, and instead to have the interests of others as primary and my priority. THAT is the life of Jesus.
I want to see with compassion and HEAR what others are saying. And then respond in love as Jesus did.
YES.
_____________________________
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is
within me, bless his holy name.
Psalm 103:1
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RE: How should we then act??? - 4/17/2008 11:27:32 AM
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armydude
Posts: 12259
Joined: 2/12/2006
From: NC
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I've noticed that (especially in church) when people ask, "How are you?" they really don't want to know how you are. They're just asking because it's the thing people usually do. I've learned (slowly but surely) who does and who does not care. The ones that do care hear how I'm doing, and pray for/with me. I do the same for them. The ones that don't care usually get "Okay" as an answer.
_____________________________
Faith without obedience is impossible.
Obedience without faith is unlikely.
Together they are powerful beyond measure.
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RE: How should we then act??? - 4/17/2008 1:46:18 PM
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Knolt
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I think people in church often times prefer false piety to honesty.
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RE: How should we then act??? - 4/17/2008 2:38:32 PM
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sparkleingsnow
Posts: 3441
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From: Payson, Arizona
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armydude, I just thought I would add that this was someone who I thought cared, and I had trusted and looked up to for years.
Knolt, I agree, and that's the point. We're to be caring, loving, lifting each other up, not beating each other down. In Church and elsewhere.
God's word says that we will be known by the way we love one another.
_____________________________
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is
within me, bless his holy name.
Psalm 103:1
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RE: How should we then act??? - 4/17/2008 8:36:59 PM
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armydude
Posts: 12259
Joined: 2/12/2006
From: NC
Status: online
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quote:
ORIGINAL: sparkleingsnow
armydude, I just thought I would add that this was someone who I thought cared, and I had trusted and looked up to for years.
Sometimes the people we look up to will let us down. Sometimes we let down those that look up to us. But I know that Jesus will not let us down.
_____________________________
Faith without obedience is impossible.
Obedience without faith is unlikely.
Together they are powerful beyond measure.
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RE: How should we then act??? - 4/18/2008 9:50:06 AM
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stampinlady
Posts: 1933
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: Northern IL
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quote:
Sometimes the people we look up to will let us down.
Yes, something this is something I've struggled with in the last few years.
_____________________________
Deb
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I think my confussion comes from hearing these stories of folks so joyful on the outside, but having nothing to do with Jesus on the inside.
