Well Jesus said the first shall be last and the last shall be first, but didn't mention anything about being in the middle! lol
Praying for a Grumbling America
- Thread starter bobinfaith
- Start date
That’s true haha
But Jesus did say blessed are the peacemakers.
We are in a special category of our own lol
Israel is in the MIDDLE east though.
And if you are the centre of everything, I suppose the world has to revolve around you anyway.
NZ is the film location of Middle Earth. China saw itself as the Middle Kingdom. People in the Mid-west of USA and the Midlands in the UK seem friendlier than those rough and ready people on the coasts.
some call it the Heartland in NZ, those people who live in the middle in the Mainland that don't draw too much attention to themselves, but just get on with it. The middle classes tend to be the most comfortable and not worried so much about money as the obscenely wealthy (over losing it) or the extremely poor (over gaining it).
So there are some benefits to being in the middle.
And if you are the centre of everything, I suppose the world has to revolve around you anyway.
NZ is the film location of Middle Earth. China saw itself as the Middle Kingdom. People in the Mid-west of USA and the Midlands in the UK seem friendlier than those rough and ready people on the coasts.
some call it the Heartland in NZ, those people who live in the middle in the Mainland that don't draw too much attention to themselves, but just get on with it. The middle classes tend to be the most comfortable and not worried so much about money as the obscenely wealthy (over losing it) or the extremely poor (over gaining it).
So there are some benefits to being in the middle.
There’s something else I’ve noticed when I’m grumbling about things.
I don’t exactly know what it is I want.
Ok well, yes I want to change the things I don’t like, but sometimes it’s like I can’t say explicitly or with absolute certainty whether the things I could have would make me happy.
Psychologists and philosophers have known this and it’s like the Bible says we shouldn’t trust our own hearts because they are deceitful. I struggle with “wanting” things that probably won’t make me happy for long.
I mean, I craved living by the sea for a long time, and now I have it I don’t even care about it anymore! It’s crazy how we loose our satisfaction after the novelty has worn off. Maybe that’s why God says it’s better to pray for others!
I don’t exactly know what it is I want.
Ok well, yes I want to change the things I don’t like, but sometimes it’s like I can’t say explicitly or with absolute certainty whether the things I could have would make me happy.
Psychologists and philosophers have known this and it’s like the Bible says we shouldn’t trust our own hearts because they are deceitful. I struggle with “wanting” things that probably won’t make me happy for long.
I mean, I craved living by the sea for a long time, and now I have it I don’t even care about it anymore! It’s crazy how we loose our satisfaction after the novelty has worn off. Maybe that’s why God says it’s better to pray for others!
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Well, I meant more of being a peacekeeper in the way of when other people squabble. We can help calm things bit, seeing things in a more sensitive way not our way, but Gods.
But to be honest I'm not always good at this, in fact I can shy away from conflict a lot even in my own dealings. Sometimes I just avoid other peoples beefs but when the Spirit decides something I tend to get a huge green light and an urge to say something or act on it and it usually turns out well. Its not a skill I was born with whatsoever, I tend to either fight or flight. But learning diplomacy is better I find.
The other day at work people were picking on me and somehow the Spirit intervened and kept me calm and I spoke to them without getting angry, or running away and it felt good later on. They even never mentioned the beef again. But, I also sensed they definitely backed off....I hate to be a pushover as I hate to cause trouble.
I know you have had trouble with horrible bosses too, and I have had to learn( the hard way) how to give as good as I get, and when to step into someone else's squabbles or not. and even if we cant keep the peace, or God wont budge, we learn something, about ourselves or others thats valuable for another round.
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I just say no I can't help you to a lot of people if they seem like they are asking for favours continually.
Some bosses think bullying people is a good thing to do though. They want things their way, cos they are 'the boss' Most people do not like being bullied though so even if they do it the bosses way, they end up hating the boss while doing it.
However if they don't do it, they end up being fired or let go. Or quitting.
People who continually moan about their own country ALL the time should seriously think about immigrating elsewhere which may be even worse, like Antractica. lol. Or they could stay and work to make their own situation better perhaps? I'm not sure if shifting people all the time works when they end up with the same problems that they started with moving to another place!
Some bosses think bullying people is a good thing to do though. They want things their way, cos they are 'the boss' Most people do not like being bullied though so even if they do it the bosses way, they end up hating the boss while doing it.
However if they don't do it, they end up being fired or let go. Or quitting.
People who continually moan about their own country ALL the time should seriously think about immigrating elsewhere which may be even worse, like Antractica. lol. Or they could stay and work to make their own situation better perhaps? I'm not sure if shifting people all the time works when they end up with the same problems that they started with moving to another place!
Yeh, We all need boundaries and I cant stress it enough to build them.
But when we have been so used to helping others without stepping back and evaluating how its impacting our lives it becomes destructive.
Change is pretty scary, but once we take the first step it gets easier.
I saw on a public school marquis a saying something to the effect, "It's better to gain joy by being grateful".
I thought to myself 'thankful to who or what'?
This I believe touches at the nerve of a grumbling America. We've lost any fear or respect of God no thanks to godless worldviews like evolution.
I thought to myself 'thankful to who or what'?
This I believe touches at the nerve of a grumbling America. We've lost any fear or respect of God no thanks to godless worldviews like evolution.
The best thing to do when being picked on is to go along with it and join them in doing it. It disarms their power over you and they don't get the satisfaction of irking you for the reaction.
sorry I’m not sure I understand what you mean here big moose.
Can you elaborate a bit. Thanks.
I worked with guys in the field of construction who had long hair. They all would get picked on for looking like a girl and what not. Some would get upset and call names back or cuss or grumble. Those guys invited more of the teasing because they gave a reaction which encouraged those who started it. Others would go along with it by saying something like, "Yeah, I grew it out just to turn you on". This would disarm the teaser and end the back and forth. That was on a construction site so coarse talk was the usual.
In a different setting, say, a woman is wearing wild colors that may not match very well. Someone starts to tease her, so she could react with hostility, which would cause more of the teasing quite often. Or, she could come back with something like, "Yes, I also was considering hot pink shoes to go with it, but I thought it was a bit too much." This shows agreement with the other's viewpoint and playfully disarms further teasing.
Oh I yes, I see. I know what you mean now. Yes this is normal fun jibes, playful among men. I am fond of this type. My family playfully call me a gnome and its entertaining..
Im not talking about fun loving teasing, im talking about women who can be little more sinister... Think-; Mean girls. 
can you elaborate on that a bit cross note? im not sure I really understand why evolution would cause sufferings. Do you mean in that we cannot effect any positive changes because things evolved from monkeys? sorry im a bit dense today lol, I dont really get how evolution worldview would cause any problems.
The Gratitude Attitude to Him is really hard to be in all the time. I struggle with this. When things go wrong, I loose it sometimes. I forget to take a step back and become aware that sudden trials and temptations are normal and should be happening to strengthen our reliance on Him. He has His reasons.....I think our resistance to this belief is a major cause to my walk. God said there will always be sufferings, so I must get used to it. thanks for the reminder.
This is where Romans 12 comes in:Oh I yes, I see. I know what you mean now. Yes this is normal fun jibes, playful among men. I am fond of this type. My family playfully call me a gnome and its entertaining..
Romans 12:
16b ........ Do not be wise in your own opinion. (Don't think your opinion is the only one that matters.)
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. (Be encouraging and pleasing to you bosses and co-workers.)
18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. (If possible, keep the peace.)
19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. (Let God take care of the mean girls.)
20 Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." (God is so brilliant! Doing nice things for mean people will drive them crazy with confusion.)
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Good ALWAYS beats evil. Evil causes more evil.)
Simply put, any secular worldview will exclude God and man’s accountability to Him.
Yes, a lot of it is a matter of growth in the faith.The Gratitude Attitude to Him is really hard to be in all the time. I struggle with this. When things go wrong, I loose it sometimes. I forget to take a step back and become aware that sudden trials and temptations are normal and should be happening to strengthen our reliance on Him. He has His reasons.....I think our resistance to this belief is a major cause to my walk. God said there will always be sufferings, so I must get used to it. thanks for the reminder.
ok had to look that up...
Secular Worldview – Mankind at the Center
The Secular Worldview is a religious worldview in which “man is the measure” -- mankind is the ultimate norm by which truth and values are to be determined.
ah yes, I see now.