Go to Bumpy Road of an Unconventional Christian
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approval addiction
is something that i knew nothing of, but was afflicted with. i still struggle with what others think sometimes. but, i have realized that to the extent that you worry what others think, that they will own you. this will be a source of great resentment and anger if it is not resolved.
posted by
avant-garde
on June 16, 2005 at 1:11 PM
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integrity is a real tough word to come by these days. and even the most Christian of Christians, I guess, would still not be perfectly believable.
perhaps it has something to do with the "boxes" each one of us has been caged into. the "boxes" of "first impressions" and the like. we are too often judged even before we open our mouths to speak. for me though, a genuine, heartfelt smile never fails. it opens doors to friendship... and belief for those who don't.
posted by
mutyancore
on June 16, 2005 at 7:02 AM
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Calebs blogger
Take a hint from who Jesus hung out with--sinners. If they can't accept you, then they have a hard time with Jesus, too. They just don't know it yet.
posted by
Make2short
on June 16, 2005 at 5:27 AM
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Writing as someone who has failed..
I must confess that I have failed to live up to the higher standard a couple of times. It is a source of shame but if I believe in Jesus I think I must also believe in grace. Therefore, I have confidence that God has forgiven me of my sins. In fact I feel that God has used these situations for my own good and I have grown as a result.
However, there is a problem. Often, our loved ones who have been hurt have a harder time forgiving us than God does. God is able to forget but they can't. I guess I have to accept that while God no longer holds my sin against me God has not made the consequences here on earth go away.
Here is where another sin kicks in, I think. The sin of unforgiveness. Some people cannot seem to let go despite claiming to also be Christians. They are unable to give the same gift to others that Jesus gave them.
posted by
calebs_blogger
on June 15, 2005 at 8:27 PM
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Passionflower
I address this column to Christians, about Christianity but open to all. I agree that Christians aren't the only ones with integrity, and often don't have it.
posted by
Make2short
on June 14, 2005 at 10:18 PM
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Talion
I'm sure that you are right, but i do care. I want to be accepted by Christians, but often am not. The other problem is that I am always questioning my own judgment. I am mellowing out, but that is the way that I am. Besides, churches ordain pastors and without their approval, my education has meant nothing as a career. But you are still right.
posted by
Make2short
on June 14, 2005 at 10:13 PM
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Make2short
Stop worrying about what everyone else thinks and you'll soon discover that the road isn't so bumpy.
posted by
Talion
on June 14, 2005 at 8:42 PM
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The integrity thing knows no bounds.
And has nothing to do with Christianity except that I believe Christians should live to a higher standard. I've met many sinners who had much more integrity than preachers I've known.
posted by
Passionflower
on June 14, 2005 at 8:41 PM
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