| Author | Message | ||
| Jude the Obscure |
George, Thank you for that courageous testimony. I think what most people who think Victorians were "repulsed" or "revolted" by normal sex are missing is this: The question is: Did the "midnight raider" with "masturbation on the mind" get a sexual charge out of what she/he was doing? I have read a fair number of scientific and clinical books and articles on this subject. And I have realized a key point that adult victims of this sort of child abuse need to see but in the main do not see, and that is this: Yes they do! They perpetrate not to improve the morals of their youngster. They do it IN ORDER TO GET THE SEXUAL CHARGE or FIX they're addicted to. So you cannot correctly see the writings of EGW on this subject as being "above" sex. Rather they must be seen as "beneath" sex. Call sin for what it is -- sexual abuse of children by adults who are "getting their sexual jollies" at the expense of their own children and under the guise of "justification," "sanctification," "holiness," "sinlessness," a "higher morality" or whatever they want to call the hypocritical mask they're hiding behind. And the fact that they may be in denial about it does not mean they are not responsible for it and should not be held to account. And I'm not talking about "recovered memory syndrome" either. I'm talking about events that have always been remembered. Thanks again, George, for your courage, Jude | ||
| Gary Mayo |
I would like many things investigated about dear Ellen. I would like to have her exhumed and her remains tested for mercury poisoning. I would like to have a thorough investigation into the deaths of her young children. I would like to know how much money, to the penny, has gone to pay relatives, as per her will. I would like to have a complete audit for the past 150 years. I will settle for what we know; she is a false prophet, or a charlatan. | ||
| Bruce H |
George What do you mean By "I so sincerely wanted a relationship with God and I gave him every chance for 40 years to so". George I can assure that I have an intimat relationship with God and you can have it and know it for sure. Bruce H | ||
| Colleentinker |
GeorgeóWelcome to our site! I am so sorry for the pain you are still enduring. I'm not surprised you are angry and depressed; the molestation you endured in the name of holiness was an evil deceptioin to your young psyche. One thing I am finding out: God can and does heal and redeem our pain. It certainly doesn't happen all at once, but it does happen. It's almost impossible to imagine trusting God with all that pain, especially when it was put in place in His name. But here is an absolute truth: The truth will set you free. God allows us all to do what we want to do. He doesn't always stand in the way of evil people perpetrating evil on innocent victims. He allows us to exercise our freedom to choose, even when it's hurtful. But the remarkable thing is, he can transform that evil into unimagined strength and wholeness. You have one obligation: you must risk trusting. You can even be angry when you risk trusting God! Tell God how angry you are. Be courageous and tell him what you are angry about, and how it hurts. And tell him you want to be free from the bitterness and anger and hate (all of which is justifiable in light of what you endured) and that you want peace. Tell Jesus that you acknoweldge your brokenness and sin. (Yes, when people perpetrate sin on us, our brokenness is a by-product of sin. Our brokenness is something we have to be willing to admit, confess to God, and give to him.) Thank Jesus for dying to cleanse you from your brokenness and sin. Confess your depression, your anger, your hate, your confusion. Lay it out before him, and ask him to take it and carry it for you. Ask Jesus to send his Spirit into those deeply wounded, locked-away places in your heart and touch them with grace and forgiveness. Ask him to come into your heart and make it new. Jesus loves you, George. He forgave every one of your sins, past and present, when he died on the cross. He's just waiting for you to open up to him. God will not go where he's not invited, unlike Satan, who barges in uninvited whenever he can. God waits for us to invite him in. And he won't overwhelm you; gradually, one thing at a time, the Holy Spirit will help you to know what hurt or habit you need to offer up to him for healing. Tell Jesus that you're tired and ready to get rid of the dreadful burden you're carrying. Let him give you peace in the place of your (justified) anger. Allow him to tell you, deep in your heart, that you are a treasure to him. Let your new identity in himóa forgiven saint and child of Godóbegin to shape your life. You are no longer wounded and outcast; you are loved and cherished. Let God's love heal you gently over time. And if you invite him in with your heart and not just your head, you will experience him. When you accept him, you are absolutely saved! It's guaranteed! His righteousness covers us, and our own broken, sinful flesh no longer defines us. Jesus saved us "while we were yet sinners." We are his! We will be praying for you, George. | ||
| Colleentinker |
JudeóThank you for persisting in pointing out how EGW twisted people's attitudes about sex. I've known for a long time that something was gravely wrong sexually in an awfully high percentage of Adventist families. I had never tied it into Ellen's twisted "testimonies" before. No wonder abuse rates (hidden deeply inside families and sealed with a "don't tell the family secrets" code of silence) are so high! You are absolutely right on. | ||
| Lynn W |
George, a heartfelt welcome. This is a good, safe place. No one can blame you for your anger. Believe me we've all been there. I think some of what you're feeling is more than just guilt & depression, but possibly some grief over the loss of your childhood innocence, the loss of your privacy, the loss of your love and trust in God. You've had many losses in your life. I can speak as an expert when it comes to feeling victimized to the point of rage. It took me a few years into my marriage for God to heal this rage. I remember the hatred I had for everyone, especially myself. I remember the anger I had towards God. It took a while for me to learn that the "god" I so mistrusted was the not THE God - the great God of love & compassion who hurts when you hurt, who loves you so much He sent His Son to experience abuse at the hands of men so He would be moved by our pain. As Colleen has said, He's there waiting. And yes, you can tell Him all, He can handle it. He will not betray your trust. He's waiting to give you the love you've been missing. I don't mean in some abstract way. Read the testimonies on here and you'll see that people have found real love and peace through Him. He has restored the years Satan has robbed from me. Love in Christ, Lynn | ||
| George |
Hi again, As to who I am. I have never been on this or any other forum under a different name. Heck, I didnít even know what a forum was till a week or so ago. Also, I am old enough to have been in the military in the 60s. Yes Iím bitter. At what, Iím not sure. As a young person, I had some bumps as anyone has in about any way of life. The things that were unhappy were, for the most part related to EGWs interpretation of what the ìtrue Christian lifeî was. My distinct memory as a kid was that we were to be judged on every idle word, bad thought etc. etc., therefore we werenít supposed to laugh and have ìnormalî clean fun, jokes, pranks etc. as these things would not bring you in closer communion with God. This was very confusing to me! God was supposed to be a God of love and David seemed to be joyful and even danced unto God. Yet I was supposed to keep this somber/holy look which in my mind created a conflict with normal human behavior. A conflict of this nature is very detrimental to a young fella because the conflict can not be resolved. God created us to be happy and that is all I wanted and EGWs heaven sent edicts said the opposite and she seemed to have the final word. Got a question. Reading Shakespeare is not a sin. We should be able to agree on that. Suppose Iím taught that Shakespeare is a sinful author and told never to read it. I believed that it was sinful because I was taught that. One day Iím given his works and knowing from what I was taught it was a sin to read, did I sin when I read it? It WAS against my conscience BUT it was NOT a sin to start with. So did I sin?? Well, you guys chew on this and see what kind of answers you can come up with. Also, there has been some interesting posts lately. Iím not really understanding some of them. I figure that if some one is agitating, just ignore them and they will go away. For myself though, I really donít perceive any agitation. Nit picking could ruin this forum and I think that would be a shame. Iím actually enjoying this forum a little! To my knowledge, the ìnight raidsî were not participated in by the raiders. The restraints were a humiliation to put me in line with EGWs twisted sense of morals. Hope to hear from you............George | ||
| Lynn W |
I once read a story where Ellen White visited a college and saw the students having a picnic, playing tennis, & just generally having a good time. She gave the board of that school a good, hard, scolding & lecture. The next time she visited, she saw them sitting around with what she called somber faces looking miserable. This made her rejoice and she said that's much better. I can print the actual story if someone wants it. | ||
| sondra |
George, you are a precious soul and I thank God for your honesty. You just lay it out there and that is not easy to do! I would like to respond to your sin question. If one is a believer and has asked Jesus Christ into his heart, then Christ takes over that person's desires. Self begins to die and Christ now lives within that person. Our goal as Christians is to get ourselves out of the way allowing Christ to be revealed in us. Therefore what I do each and every day is to ask Christ what he would have me do that day who he would have me talk to about him and who he would have me pray for...now I will get to the sin part. When I do anything independent of the Spirit and without Christ, that is sin. And yes I make mistakes all day long, but the next day I get up and seek God's plan for my life that day as well. It is a daily walk! I only get enough strength for that particular day. Christ dwells in us and changes us into His image. Whether or not you read Shakespeare is not the issue, but did you submit yourself to His plan for your life that particular day or any day? Christ died 2000 years ago to have all the sins we have, do and will commit washed away. He asks us to repent of our sins and accept Him into our heart, to change us, and transform us. We do not strive to be perfect because that is impossible...we strive to know Him and to allow Him to be seen by others in our lives. My question is have you done that? Have you asked Him into your heart? It is so simple but you must be willing to allow His Spirit to teach you and you have to get out of the way and let Him. George, we have all been wounded by the LIE, but God gets the glory here. It is not about us...it is about having a personal relationship with Jesus. Fall in love with Him now... | ||
| Cas |
Hey Lynn, I would like to read the story you are referring to about Ellen White at the College. It's amazing to me how many faces Ellen White has. A family member recently was saying that Ellen White was just a really nice little lady that went about doing good! I don't see that in her. I see Ellen White as critical, judgemental, and thinking to know the hearts of others. Lashing out at those who did not see things her way. When I was very much into reading Mrs. Whites writtings,(which I did for years) rarely did I ever come away from it feeling good about myself. I felt I would never be good enough to attain salvation. This feeling is perpetuated down through the generations of Adventists, sad to say. I will never forget my saintly little Mother a few years back telling me she didn't think she would make it into heaven. The thought always haunted me. It's like if my Mom couldn't make it then who could! I am happy to say I don't think she thinks this way anymore. Gotta go, Peace to all. | ||
| Gary Mayo |
The SDA-EGW Historical Society Hey George! I am glad you are comfortable here, you are in good company. I like you, am new here. Refresh my memory, how long have you been out of the Church? Are you still a Christian? I rejected Christ for a time after I exited the Church. Many people do that. | ||
| Lynn W |
Well, I found the first part. I'm sure I remember reading the followup. Perhaps I'll come across it later. Notice all this is on a holiday where they were required to spend the morning sitting through a lecture by Ellen White. Yet they get busted for having some clean fun in the afternoon. (emphases mine) Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students Chapter 50 - The Danger in Amusements pg. 348 Recent experiences in our colleges and sanitariums lead me to present again instruction that the Lord gave me for the teachers and students in our school at Cooranbong, Australia. In April, 1900, a holiday was appointed at the Avondale school for Christian workers. The program for the day provided for a meeting in the chapel in the morning, at which I and others addressed the students, calling their attention to what God had wrought in the building up of this school, and to their privilege and opportunities as students. After the meeting, the remainder of the day was spent by the students in various games and sports, some of which were frivolous, rude, and grotesque. During the following night I seemed to be witnessing the performances of the afternoon. The scene was clearly laid out before me, and I was given a message for the manager and teachers of the school. I was shown that in the amusements carried on at the school that afternoon the enemy gained a victory, and teachers were weighed in the balances and found wanting. I was greatly distressed and burdened to think that those standing in responsible positions should open the door and, as it were, invite the enemy in; for this they did in permitting the exhibitions that took place. As teachers, they should have stood firm against giving place to the enemy in any such line. By what they permitted they - 349 - marred their record and grieved the Spirit of God. The students were encouraged in a course the effects of which were not easily effaced. There is no end to the path of vain amusements, and every step taken in it is a step in a path which Christ has not traveled. This introduction of wrong plans was the very thing that should have been jealously guarded against. The Avondale school was established, not to be like the schools of the world, but, as God revealed, to be a pattern school. And since it was to be a pattern school, those in charge of it should have perfected everything after God's plan, discarding all that was not in harmony with His will. Had their eyes been anointed with the heavenly eyesalve, they would have realized that they could not permit the exhibition that took place that afternoon, without dishonoring God. On Wednesday morning when I spoke to the students and to the others who had assembled, the words that the Lord gave me to speak, I did not know anything of what was to take place afterward; for no intimation of it had come to me. How could those at the head of the school harmonize with the words spoken the proceedings that followed, which were of a character to make of no effect the instruction that had just come to them from God [Ellen White]? If their perceptions had not been greatly beclouded, they would have understood this instruction as rebuking all such proceedings. I felt deeply the importance of the words that the Lord gave me at this time for teachers and students. This instruction presented before the students duties of the highest order; and to efface by the amusements afterward - 350 - entered into, the good impressions made, was virtually saying, "We want not Thy way, O God; we want our own way; we want to follow our own wisdom." In the night season I was a witness to the performance that was carried on on the school grounds. The students who engaged in the GROTESQUE mimicry that was seen, acted out the mind of the enemy, some in a very unbecoming manner. A view of things was presented before me in which the students were playing games of tennis and cricket. Then I was given instruction regarding the character of these amusements. They were presented to me as a species of IDOLATRY, like the idols of the nations. There were more than visible spectators on the ground. Satan and his angels were there, making impressions on human minds. Angels of God, who minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation, were also present, not to approve, but to disapprove. They were ashamed that such an exhibition should be given by the professed children of God. The forces of the enemy gained a decided victory, and God was dishonored. He who gave His life to refine, ennoble, and sanctify human beings was grieved at the performance. Hearing a voice, I turned to see who spoke to me. Then with dignity and solemnity One said, "Is this the celebration for the anniversary of the opening of the school? Is this the gratitude offering you present to God for the blessings He has given you? The world could render as acceptable an offering on this memorial occasion. The teachers are making the same mistake that has been made over and over again. They should learn - 351 - wisdom from the experiences of the past. The careless, godless world can offer an abundance of such offerings as these, in a much more acceptable manner." Turning to the teachers, He said, "You have made a mistake the effects of which it will be hard to efface. The Lord God of Israel is not glorified in the school. If at this time the Lord should permit your life to end, many would be lost, eternally separated from God and the righteous." [notice they just lost their salvation over tennis] ... It took time and a vast amount of labor and sorrow to wipe out the influence of the proceedings at the Avondale - 352 - school on that Wednesday afternoon. But the experience was a lesson that helped those in charge of the school to realize the tendency of such amusements. What an exhibition was this to be reported by the students to their distant friends and acquaintances! It was a witness that showed, not what God has accomplished in the school, but what Satan had accomplished. Serious is the consequence of even one such departure from the instruction that God has given concerning our schools. Once the barriers are broken down, the advance of the enemy will be marked, unless the Lord shall humble hearts and convert minds. The effort to regain that which was lost by the proceedings of that afternoon cost the teachers much labor. They were severely tried. With the students there was seen a desire for further pleasure and less regard for the instruction of God's word. The Lord of heaven was thus dishonored, and the indulgence of the desires of the human heart in sin and love of pleasure was the education received. Let those who are educating the youth govern themselves according to the high and holy principles that Christ has given in His word. Let them remember that, as far as possible, they are to recover the ground that has been lost, that they may bring into our schools the spirituality that was seen in the schools of the prophets. The Bible as Our Counselor Teachers need an intimate acquaintance with the word of God. The Bible, and the Bible alone, should be their - 353 - counselor [Does she ever read her own advice?]. ... Useful Employment Versus Selfish Pleasure In the place of providing diversions that merely amuse, arrangements should be made for exercises that will be productive of good. Students are sent to our schools to receive an education that will enable them to go forth as workers in God's cause. Satan would lead them to believe that amusements are necessary to physical health; but the Lord has declared that the better way is for them to get physical exercise through manual training and by letting useful employment take the place of selfish pleasure. The desire for amusement, if indulged, soon develops a dislike for useful, healthful exercise of body and mind such as will make students efficient in helping themselves and others. [She must be one of the reasons why child labor laws were passed] God bestows talents upon men, not that these talents may lie unused or be employed in self-gratification, but that they may be used to bless others. God grants men the gift of time for the purpose of promoting His glory. When this time is used in selfish pleasure, the hours thus spent are lost for all eternity. | ||
| Jude the Obscure |
My reaction to this is that EGW was denying the "sinful pleasures" that lurked in her own soul, such as eating oysters, and projected them onto the Avondale students. I myself have done that very thing. It is a blatant violation of Jesus' commandment, "You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." Matthew 7:5, NIV. | ||
| Cas |
Thanks for the article Lynn. For the life of me I cannot figure out how Ellen White got away with all this NONSENSE. Why, why, why??? And still continues to get away with it all. Does any thinking person really think we needed a prophet to come up with hundreds of frivious "visions" to set people straight? NOT. | ||
| Lynn W |
It's true many ex-Ads are bitter. But it seems it's mostly the ones who only knew Ellen White's god. It's so sad to see so many either follow her or when they reject her, they reject God because that's their only concept of God. So often they don't realize they're rejecting Ellen White's god who's nothing like the God of the Bible. | ||
| BRUCE H |
GEORGE I found God by asking Him and Him alone to show himself to me. I did not go to any pastor or person or church but to the word of God alone. Ask him to reveal Himself the True God. Not the God of ADVENTISM, or of this forum or of that church or this church, or this person or that person, but the Eternal Almighty Powerful God, the God who created the Stars and you. When he does reveal himself be prepared for YOU WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN!!!!!!!! FOR THE GIFT THAT HE GIVES YOU IS TO MAKE YOU HIS SON FOREVER........... B | ||
| Sinner |
George... Your story is identical to mine! At an early age I too fell into the secret SIN! When my folks directed me to the writings of EGW, to gain the victory over this unforgivable sin, I only read of unforgiveness, shame and my total unfitness for the kingdom of heaven. I was guiltridden, depressed, and at the age of 17, tried to commit suicide. As a result of EGW, I had no hope and I too gave up. It was only when I embraced the true concept of grace and followed the steps of repentance and a true willingness for the Holy Spirit to come into my heart and change me did I find the power to not only submit to the work of the Holy Spirit but to let that Spirit operate without my interference. This work of the Holy Spirit was never subscribed to by EGW nor was the true work of the Spirit in dealing with our state of sin. She believed we ourselves had to become perfect. Throw out everything EGW ever imprinted on your mind and get your Bible and start reading the New Testament and I suggest you begin with John. Pray that the Holy Spirit will give you complete enlightenment as you read and you will slowly but surely find the power of the Word and the Holy Spirit will truly emancipate you. God bless you in this effort...Secret Sinner | ||
| Colleentinker |
Hi, Georgeówelcome again! I agree with Sondra and Bruce and S.S. above. As God to heal and light the places in your mind and memory where EGW was imprinted, and begin reading the New Testament. John is a great place to begin! I knowóyou had Bible ad nauseum in school, right? Guess what? It's not the same book that you thought it was! The Holy Spirit really will help you to read it for what it saysóif you're willing to take the risk! You being an ex-military guy and all, I suspect you're up to taking risks! There's true freedom ahead, George! Remember: you are a treasure in God's heart (bitterness and all!), and you are loved. He is faithful. Our prayers remain with you. | ||
| George |
I am Georgeís acquaintance and helped him with his last postís. George spent hours composing and typing this on his own with no help from anyone. Heís now on his own! Here goes. I though this would be a good time to tell you how much I appreciated all of your responses and to let you in on some of the things I have learned about anger and what to do with it. If you donít prejudge what I have to say, and read all the way through, you may find some things that will help you too. I sure hope so! It does not take too much to send someone back to all the anger and hurt of the past. I just found that out for the 100th time a few days ago, when in the course of a conversation I was told I would never be happy unless I was a ìChristianî. To which I answered, ìI never was happy as one either and left.î All the criticism, accusations and hopelessness came flooding back. I guess there is just no hope for me, I said. When I got home I was seething. Later, when I found the kitchen faucet leaking for the tenth, time I lost it, yanked all the drawers out of the cabinet and let them fly across the room, so I could see what was the matter, but, that wasnít good enough so, I picked up a wooden TV tray and threw it down , picked it up again and started beating it against a chair again and again hoping to break it and the chair, all the while cussing. When I pinched my finger between the legs I got really incensed and kept hitting the chair until I had only two little pieces of the legs in my hands. Then being amazed at how calm I was, I started to fix the leak. I tightened the side that was dripping and, thinking the other side might be loose too I started to tighten it, when it then started spraying water all over. Now I REALLY lost it and picked up a meat cleaver knowing that I shouldnít do it, tried to stick it in the wall on the other side of the room. Again, being amazed at how calm I was, I went on to fix the leaks. ( Before you get too worried I should tell you that I live alone.) There is nothing we can do to change the past so we just have to go on. How ever there is a lot we can do about the way we go on. There are two ways we can deal with anger; confront and resolve it at the time it happens , or stuff it, which is just storing it. The first thing we do when we are hurt or feel anger and shame, when we are ìgoodî little kids is, to act like it never happened. This we are told is being good, Christ like, etc. but, all we are really doing is stuffing our anger, which is the worst thing we could do. If we were to properly dispose of our anger we would be told we are talking back and not honoring our parents or those in charge. (Which is a ìsinî.) But, this only makes us more angry because we were only trying to explain ourselves. So we stuff that too. Then, we get even angrier at having to stuff that also. Around and around we go and where we stop no one knows. Or do we? With all this injustice and stuffing going on we become frustrated and see ourselves as losing control, or, not having any to begin with. Then we start to loose our self-respect and self-confidence because we think we must not be doing things right, but, we know what we tried to do was right. After we do this long enough we go on to the next stage, RAGE. Anger is a legitimate emotion that helps us set the limits of the behavior we will accept from other people. (If I get angry at your behavior, I then know I must tell you about it so we can work it out. Not stuff it.) Rage on the other hand is when we can not stuff anymore and it comes boiling out. There are several stages of rage ; yelling , throwing things, and violence toward others or ourselves, to mention a few. The next step, and perhaps it comes before rage, is depression. This is where we turn all that anger and rage in on ourselves . If we havenít already shown violence to others, we turn it on ourselves. Soon we are spiraling down into oblivion, where we just give up and, maybe start planning an end to it all. Perhaps I should say something about stuffing. What I think it is and what I think it feels like and what we should do about it, or how to avoid it. When I was young, I had a real fear of bees, especially when they were swarming. An old bee keeper told me if I just wasnít afraid of them they would not sting me. The next time I had to walk through a swarm and felt the fear ( the hair standing up on the back of my neck.) I simply decided I would not feel that any more and it started to go away. I was happy about this and went on my way. Everything was O.K. But, when we are angry and have a similar feeling and donít do anything abut it, that is stuffing. Another way is when something is said that makes you angry and you leave with out saying anything, then a short while later you throw a little fit that only you see. The are many others. So what do we do? The best thing is to say something right then. It should be something that is not confrontational. Such as, I really donít appreciate what you said/or what you just did. Are you having a bad day? A little arrogant arenít we? Most of the time if they are at work they know the next step is for you to go to the boss, and they donít want that, so that is usually the end of it. You have to read the people and the situation before deciding what to say. Another important thing to consider in deciding what to say is their size. You donít want them to think they are big enough, and, need to take a swing at you. Nor do you want them to think you are about to take a swing at them. Just another way to keep control of the situation. If you decide there are times you should not say anything, and there are many, there is still something you can do. Simply CHOOSE not to do anything. Then, you are still in control. You have NOT stuffed it. You have simply thrown it away. Sound simplistic? Itís not. By choosing to do nothing you take charge, and are then in control. Ainít that nice. Can you do this all the time right away? Probably not. It didnít take you only one day to get this way and, it wonít take you only one day to stop either. But, if you donít give up, keep learning and, stop beating up on yourself for your slips it will happen for you. While you are learning to stop stuffing things, you will begin to have a sense of inner peace. Then, when you have gotten pretty good at not stuffing more in, you can take some of the old stuff out and get rid of it. Because of the amount of time that has past, all you can do with a lot of the old stuff is choose to throw it away. (Remember when you choose you are in charge and are not just stuffing it in another place.) For some of it, you can talk to those involved, and resolve it. Finally, there is some of it you may never be able to do anything about. Here you can choose to put it behind a door and close it forever. Remember, if you choose to do this, it need not bother you anymore. You deserve some peace. Try it you ëll like it. I know some of you are thinking I missed prayer as one of the things you can do about anger. Well, I didnít. I didnít include it because it never seems to do any good, for me anyway. To those of you that will be incensed by that statement and, say ì There is no other way, you must pray,î and can not see the value in the rest of the article, I would say , ìIt is just this sort of sentiment that has made me feel like a failure and, there can be no hope, so I might as well give up.î You see, the rest of us need something to do that will get rid of anger, and this will work even without prayer. Now, if you want to use these ideas, and, pray you may perhaps get it done easier or faster, but no less sure. Some of you are sure to be thinking of the verse that says ìWithout Me you can do nothing.î To you I would ask : Did you ask if you could get up this morning? Did you ask if you could go to the bathroom? Did you ask if you could go over the speed limit? Think of all the things you did today that you didnít ask for help to do. Are you saying donít be ridiculous? Yes? Then there must be some things we can do by ourselves wouldnít you say. On a more serious note, think about all the people in alcoholics anonymous that have come from the depths of helplessness where they are almost useless, and turn their lives around to become useful people again. Before you say AA is a religious organization, and they must have been saved, let me tell you one of their basic belief; To believe in God as you understand Him. This can be anyone from Jehovah to Buddha and to the Spirit World of the ìAmerican Indian,î and from a Tree to a Person, it is anything or anyone that you place higher than yourself. You see AA has to be available to everyone, not just the ones that believe in the God of the Bible, as, many of them thumb their noses at Him because of all the things that were done to them in the name of God and religion. They site this kind of ìreligionîas well as sexual and physical abuse as some of the main reasons they sought comfort in the bottle to begin with. I would guess that with this kind of an attitude they probably are not ìsavedî yet, they still are able to stop drinking and live productive lives. How can they do this if, ìWith out Me you can do nothing.î George | ||
| Susan |
George, I'm so glad that you've chosen to share your heart with us. Thanks for the advice on dealing with anger. Much of what you've said can be helpful. But I have to tell you that I believe prayer to be the most powerful of all! I'm sorry for your discouragement with it, but perhaps you just need others to pray for you. Sometimes when we're at the end, we don't know how to pray or what to pray for. This can be an opportuinty for others to intercede for us. I don't have answers for all of the horrible things that go on in this world. I'm truly sorry for all that you've been through. But you see, God has lead you here for a reason. He loves and cares about you so very much! Now you can have people all over the country/world praying for you. You probably don't feel you need it, but I'm sure we'll all pray for you anyway. Sometimes, when all else fails just say the name "Jesus". There is MIGHTY power in the name. May God be with you in a special way George. I will be praying for you. In Christ alone, Susan |
