By My Own Power

Of myself I can do nothing.

God is he who place potential within us and who decides the time to actualize it.

"Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good."

Genesis 1:11

Do you see the connection? The good fruits come from God, who has also planted them. So we pray for him to send laborers, to cultivate us and to water and nourish us. Not only that, but that we may grow well. Good will is necessary.

Peace to all.

a reply to: backcase

Of myself I can do nothing.

I weep for your psychological self-mutilation, and I condemn any philosophy which has encouraged it.

a reply to: backcase

If I remember the story correctly, God created Adam to tend his garden.

Sorry, but the Biblical God is an absentee landlord, and neglectful father.

a reply to: windword

Perhaps you do not remember the parable of the tenants:

Mark 12

Jesus then began to speak to them in parables: “ man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. But they seized him, beat him and sent him away empty-handed. Then he sent another servant to them; they struck this man on the head and treated him shamefully. He sent still another, and that one they killed. He sent many others; some of them they beat, others they killed.

“He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’

“But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.

“What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others. Haven’t you read this passage of Scripture:

“‘The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
the Lord has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes’”
Then the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders looked for a way to arrest him because they knew he had spoken the parable against them. But they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went away

a reply to: backcase


Yeah, I know the story. It's a useful cautionary bedtime story to keep the kids in line, "Just wait till your Dad gets home", "Don't make me come down there!"

A lot like the story of God sending 2 bears to devour 40 bratty children who dared to call a prophet "baldy".

a reply to: backcase

So we pray for him to send laborers, to cultivate us and to water and nourish us. Not only that, but that we may grow well. Good will is necessary.

So here you have three 'laborers', who are attempting to cultivate, water and nourish you. Give yourself a break, and stop feeling like you're a born loser. You can grow better if you don't harbor self-loathing and inadequacy. Rid yourself of that baggage!

Really.
I mean it.

Peace to you also.

a reply to: windword

I thought that story was effed up too, but it is still of value.

See the "children" were mocking God's messenger who was full of the Holy Spirit. The children were challenging Elisha saying 'go up' like Elijah just had in a chariot of fire.

Not only that, it is said in the old law that you must respect a man old in age and also that he who curses his father or mother must die.

Elisha cursed them and the power of God allowed the punishment for their action to come upon them. God's messengers are to be revered, and God is not to be tempted.

I would agree it is harsh, but I would also say that paul has said that these things have occurred for the correction and understanding of man

a reply to: BuzzyWigs

"Give yourself a break, and stop feeling like you're a born loser. You can grow better if you don't harbor self-loathing and inadequacy. Rid yourself of that baggage! "

You assume I have such baggage. I do not hate myself, I know myself. As I am an imperfect man, the good thing to do is bear myself with mercy and good will. The body is my baggage.

a reply to: backcase

Okay, but God gave you the skills you need to make it through this life. Use them, and don't put yourself or others down.
None of is perfect - and none of us deserve "hell-fire." We are how we are made. We must be true to ourselves.
THAT is what God (who is not a person) wants for you.

Live your life - love your life - learn from your mistakes. Be gentle with yourself and others.

Good luck!