Paradise Cafe Discussions - A Place For Bible Research And Christian Encouragement

Hi Brothers and Sisters,

I just wanted to take a moment to allow us to share our imperfections, ways of overcoming them, and how we help others to look at theirs so that they can grow.

I'll start by admitting that I have passive-agressive tendacies. Actually, everything about me screams extreme. When I'm happy, I'm very, very happy. And when I'm angry, I'm very, very angry. Its really hard to read the bible when tears are streaming down my face from anger. Or to even lift the bible and hold it when depression has its grip on me.

Does the bible have any encouragement for us? What happens if we don't look at our own flaws and work on them but instead find other peoples flaws and weeknesses? What if we are not happy and find a spirit of fighting and arguing as an emotion that covers the pain that we would feel if we didn't take on a spirit of contention?

Some personality flaws are from imperfection and some are chosen weapons or a chosen course of life. Television exploits personalities that are to our detriment. I remember being in my early twenties and loving Heather Locklear on Melrose Place. I would plot evil against my enemies and plot ways to make money against any command of God.

What about if we just 'wake up' in a bad mood? Do we try to walk quitly and get throught the mood phase trying not to affect everyone around us, or do we take the bad mood and RAHHH! on everyone else? A couple of cups of coffee and PMS can make me RAHHH! on my household. I try to tiptoe and know that I still fall short.

What about Christians who use the bible as a weapon to announce denunciations on others? Is it Christian ferver or an excuse to cover up their own imperfections. Is it acceptable to point out Christian wrongdoing and rant continuously about it when in the company of Christians that aren't practicing the wrongdoing? Does it build up the holy spirit or is there something else at work? Are we told to point out wrongdoing when in the company of fellow Christians or are we supposed to build each other up? What about the scripture that says we are to keep confessing our sins and pray for each other to be healed? (James 5:16) So does that mean that we should do personal inventory and confess our imperfections? I would say, "Yes!" That judgement should absolutly start within our own body. If we cannot identitfy and share our own shortcomings, how in the world can we help another? And what right do we have to point the finger at another Christian when there is work to be done with our own spirit. Does that mean that if we are imperfect that we can't help someone else from taking a false step? I would say, "No." The one having insight helps their brother from taking a wrong step.

I hope this thread is used to share our shortcoming and sins, to incite us to pray for each other, and to help us to heal from our shortcomings and sufferings.

With Christian Love, Debbie

I talk like Jonathan Swift. ;) For those of you who know what it is he wrote.

That makes for great literature and rhetoric, but not so good for converting people to your side.

I guess it would be easier to forgive you for having a satirists sense of humor, but do you have Swift's hairdo?...unacceptable! LOL.

With Sisterly Love, Debbie

IMHO, which I realize isn't worth very much, but closing threads because of personality flaws and clashes is not wise. If people find some things not to their liking, they should be free to ignore them, rather than trying to create an illusion that some are better judges of how to think than others. :whistle:
It is watchtower-like.

Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

Galatians 6:1

"Brethren, if a man also may be overtaken in any trespass, ye who [are] spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of meekness, considering thyself -- lest thou also may be tempted;"

freyd...I PM'd you, bro!

Thanks Rez. I appreciate your diplomatic bent. ;)

Can I please ask a favor?

Can we use this thread to bare our soul and build each other up?

Let thread bygones be bygones. I started this thread for other reasons.

Thank you.

With Sisterly Love, Debbie

Hi Debbie,

Well, I for one, am glad you started this thread. :clap: When you wrote about Rarrrrhhh! kind of days, I totally related to that. Today has been one of those rarrhhh kind of days. :rant: Basically, I have no Christian fellowship with anyone. Period. My husband and I do not share the same beliefs and whenever we talk about spiritual matters it always results in an arguement. Not good. I'm trying hard to just keep my mouth shut and let my behavior serve as an example like Paul said. Anywho...so I know intellectually that others have shortcomings and difficulties but when I don't ever hear about it or see it then I start thinking I'm the only one. It's that WT mentality, be 100% perfect, 100% of the time or your out. Which I know of course, is not only impossible but flies in the face of Jesus' great sacrifice for us. But the emotional side takes over sometimes and I feel that I'm the only one who struggles and am always falling short in the eyes of Jehovah. So I'm grateful to you for sharing and it came at just the right time for me today. :D

-Misty :happyheart:

Hi Misty,

Well, I would have to admit that I have an A+ in imperfection.

My husband and I are at each other throats a bit, right now. The soft kind, but still contention the same. My husband does not share my spiritual obsession and even aluded to my activity in a new forum being caught in a trap (like the conspiracy theories from Dec to around Feb this year). Like he would know one. Sorry, but he wouldn't know a trap from a bad movie, spiritual enlightment from a steak, and spiritual endurance from sit ups. He just doesn't have it.

Is he wonderful in his own imperfect ways, ABSOLUTELY!!!

Just not the same.

I thank Jehovah for giving him to me. Honestly, I was quite lonely for too many years with four children. BUT that doesn't mean that there are not new trials and tribulations. So, I thank my God for my blessings.

Spiritual endurance is very difficult when we are moaning and groaning from the badness around us and the difficulties of everyday life. Like I mentioned, holding a bible hurts under severe depression, never the less opening the book!

My prayers are with you, my sister.

With Love, and Love, and Love, Debbie

For me I tend to hold things inside too long until I feel like I'm about to burst from anger :rant: or sadness:cry: or indignation :angry: and then I let it out in one oft times hurtful turrent that doesn't leave anyone around me feeling very well about me or even themselves. And I always feel AWFUL about it.

For me I combat it with lots of tea, meditation, my journal and prayers in which I usually try to give up my problems to God. :heartbeat:

But I know those ARGH days. They suck, they're horrible, horrible things in which sometimes I just want to break something (thank goodness I never get that far), and I'm sure we've all been there.

Thank goodness for good friends:friends:, good tea (or coffee) :coffeeread: and a God who loves us without measure. :D:cheer:

Is that not the principle behind Heb 10:24-25?

OK, I'll throw in another doozie.

What about WTBTS haters? Do some become overzealous with their hatred that they forget the individuals that sacrifice everything they have to try to be pleasing to Jehovah?

How have some reached out in the past to share their concern? Has anyone been successful? What did you say that was successful?

Does anyone have a relative or friend inside the oraganization that they fear may not make it throught the great tribulation because they feel the organisation is part of Babylon the Great? What do we do?

I thank anyone before hand for sharing their heart.

With Christain Love, Debbie

peoples condemnations of others reflect what they see and because their eye is full of imperfections of others the body (i mean your being, not just the physical body) is also full of imperfections. Anyone should be carefull about looking at other people. Observing someone or something changes the look of what you observing.

The tongue is a sharp two sided sword and what it spews forth is what pollutes too many of our beloved but judgemental brothers and sisters. Civilization is still way too focussed on the differences between people and tends to forget that we are one or another way all sons and daughers of God and all Human. If you look with two eyes you have opposing perspectives (that create conflict) but when your eye is single you are in harmony and happyness.