Is Your Cross too Heavy to Bear?
Unicorn
The young man was at the end of his rope. Seeing no way out, he dropped to
his knees in prayer. "Lord, I can't go on," he said. "I have too heavy a
cross
to bear."
The Lord replied, "My son, if you can't bear its weight, just place your
cross
inside this room. Then, open that other door and pick out any cross
you wish."
The man was filled with relief. Thank you, Lord," he sighed, and he did as
he was told. Upon entering the other door, he saw many crosses, some
so large the tops were not visible. Then, he spotted a tiny cross leaning
against a far wall. "I'd like that one, Lord," he whispered.
And the Lord replied, " My son, that is the cross you just brought in."
When life's problems seem overwhelming, it helps to look around and see
what other people are coping with. You may consider yourself far more
fortunate than you imagined. YOUR CROSS Whatever your cross, whatever your
pain.
There will always be sunshine after the rain.
Funny how you can send a thousand 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread
like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord
people think twice about sharing.
FUNNY, ISN'T IT? Are you laughing? Are you thinking? Spread the Word
and give thanks to the Lord for He is good! Funny isn't it when you go to
forward this message how many on your list are not receiving it because
you're
not sure they believe in anything?
Funny?.........Sad.
Captain Irony
To me, this is worse than a get over it message. I am not Christian. I used
to be, but there are aspects with which I cannot agree. I have turned to
other avenues. Now, I think that there are a lot of people who can take
comfort from Christianity, but this kind of message says to me, "If your
were just Christian, you would not be so lonely." Well, there are lots of
different gods that lots of people turn to for comfort. There are those that
derive great comfort from other forms of spirituality. I have yet to meet a
really pissed off Buddhist or Taoist.
And by the way, just because others have it worse does not make my pain any
less. As a matter of fact, it adds to my pain as I dislike seeing others in
pain. How does that make my cross any lighter?
Mike
Jeremy Styron
> To me, this is worse than a get over it message. I am not Christian. I
used
> to be,
by some opinions, you still are...
> but there are aspects with which I cannot agree. I have turned to
> other avenues. Now, I think that there are a lot of people who can take
> comfort from Christianity, but this kind of message says to me, "If your
> were just Christian, you would not be so lonely."
well to me, this message says, since you are a Christian, you can more
easily cope with loneliness. now i know for a fact being Christian doesn't
just automatically take away all the pain. i have a lot of angst...i am
lonely, i'm 22 with a serious lung condition that reminds me everyday how
disappointing life is sometimes. i am also a Christian though. i don't
think any message should say, "if only you were a Christian thing will be
all better" because that's not true. it is comforting though and i guess
that what makes coping with life a little easier.
jeremy
Zeno
"Captain Irony" <Capt_...@prodigy.net> wrote in message
news:<8drcfu$2esa$1...@newssvr04-int.news.prodigy.com>...
>
> To me, this is worse than a get over it message. I am not Christian. I
used
> other avenues.
That's where I started as well. The more I thought about it
and the more I found my Self, the more incompatible certain
aspects became. So I mutated. To something for which
I neither have a name, nor need one.
> Now, I think that there are a lot of people who can take
> comfort from Christianity, but this kind of message says to me, "If your
> were just Christian, you would not be so lonely." Well, there are lots of
> different gods that lots of people turn to for comfort. There are those
that
> derive great comfort from other forms of spirituality.
True, but though it used Christian themes, save for the comment
at the end it does not to me sound Particularly Proselytory
> I have yet to meet a
> really pissed off Buddhist or Taoist.
I have spent many a year as a Really Pissed off Taoist.
Just because you Believe in it,
Does not mean you Succeed at it.
> And by the way, just because others have it worse does not make my pain
any
> less. As a matter of fact, it adds to my pain as I dislike seeing others
in
> pain. How does that make my cross any lighter?
This, to me, seems the main crux of the Post. I have mixed feelings
about this argument. There are those who feel better when that they
recognize that they are not alone in their suffering, that there are others
who can share their Anger and Frustration, Pain and Despair. Indeed,
it can be argued that this is a Primary Purpose of ASL.
With this I can agree.
The idea that one should feel better, that one should "pick up and
move on" because others have it far worse and you shouldn't feel
so bad in comparison - makes me more uncomfortable. When it has
been directed at me, typically with examples of how awful someone
else's experience has been, it just made me feel somehow "Guilty"
for feeling as I felt and sharing with those even less fortunate. It did
little to make me feel better, and in fact, both made me feel worse
and made me feel reluctant to share further.
I think everyone's cross is their own, and can never be truly perceived
in proper perspective by any other. Just because a certain difficulty
may only seem bad to degree X to one, does not mean the same
problem may not hurt to degree Y to another. My approach has
always been, to accept another's problems as they present them,
and to offer solace and/or solutions with Respect for their Pain.
Just MHO, of course,
--Zeno
Me
to share this with people or try to influence others into accepting your own
beliefs? I say this only as an atheist, who is saddened to learn that people
are often judged simple because they do not have God in their lives. You can
be a good person and not believe/accept the notion of a God.
If people don't believe in anything, that does not make them bad people. We
are all sure our own beliefs are right, but that does not mean we have the
right to condemn those who do not share those beliefs.
Sorry for sounding rude, I really don't want to start a religious flame war.
But it had to be said. Many good people do not have or need a God. Maybe
their (our) cross to bear is eternal damnation and that's one mighty big
cross.
Me.
--------------------------
All you need is love
Unicorn wrote in message ...
Unicorn
I accept others that are not aware of God, we are a free people with free
choice
however, I would hope you accept others that have the knowledge of God as
equally.
The freedom of speech goes both ways, but I will never be one to argue the
point, I will listen to your opinion though for your opinion counts. Please
give me the respect of having my own as others do too.
I will post religious information if it will provide peace to but one the
key is support to loneliness.. and support has many flavors, you don't have
to accept my flavor, that's ok too..
as I have no qualms that you do not believe in God, that is ok, you do not
have to read or agree with it..
it would not be support for you, but it can and will be for others that hold
the same belief in God
the stories interpretation was not just about God..
their is much symbolism behind it.. the symbol has to do more with our
burdens
We have seen alot of it right here in this very group..
When we speak of our burdens that we carry, often we are so centered on OUR
burdens
we don't look around to see other's may have greater burdens.. and by seeing
this fact.. we are not so alone
and it helps us to cope with ours by helping others through theirs..
Pamela
"Captain Irony" <Capt_...@prodigy.net> wrote in message
news:8drcfu$2esa$1...@newssvr04-int.news.prodigy.com...
>
> To me, this is worse than a get over it message. I am not Christian. I
used
> to be, but there are aspects with which I cannot agree. I have turned to
> other avenues. Now, I think that there are a lot of people who can take
> comfort from Christianity, but this kind of message says to me, "If your
> were just Christian, you would not be so lonely." Well, there are lots of
> different gods that lots of people turn to for comfort. There are those
that
> derive great comfort from other forms of spirituality. I have yet to meet
a
> really pissed off Buddhist or Taoist.
>
> And by the way, just because others have it worse does not make my pain
any
> less. As a matter of fact, it adds to my pain as I dislike seeing others
in
> pain. How does that make my cross any lighter?
>
> Mike
>
>
Unicorn
Well, I respect the fact that you are an atheist,
Please respect the fact some of us, myself included are Christian.
I am not a holy roller who is going to pound my faith down your throat, but,
I believe.. simple as that
I have as much right to speak of my awareness as you have in Atheism.. Kay
I have no qualms with free will and free speech as long as we agree to
disagree without hurting another and you allow me to give my flavor of
support which is born of my awareness of him.. Kay
The burden of the cross is symbolic of fixing on your own burdens and not
looking at the total picture..
and being aware other's carry burdens too..
Pamela
"Me" <cwr...@freeuk.com> wrote in message
news:%4jM4.2316$rR2.2...@nnrp3.clara.net...
dravazed
indicate SP religion, which means spoiler: religion, for those who don't
care to open and waste their time with that drivel.
Hope that's a clear suggestion--it is followed in respect to quite a number
of things on another thread I post to. Seems to work fine.
--
-------------------------------------------------------
Perverse person that I am, I do not want to be "happy"--what I want is
something far more unlikely: the total, unmistakable truth, and for me to
be able to endure that.
"Unicorn" <Unicorn...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:u9tUCYHr$GA.231@cpmsnbbsa03...
dravazed
"you open it, you take your chances"...that's a way to go, too.
--
-------------------------------------------------------
Perverse person that I am, I do not want to be "happy"--what I want is
something far more unlikely: the total, unmistakable truth, and for me to
be able to endure that.
"Unicorn" <Unicorn...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:#ezpbOKr$GA.269@cpmsnbbsa04...
> Good suggestion, but since it is an open forum, belonging to simply the
> people who post here, none are leaders, we are but lonely in many
flavors..
> I think people should be allowed to simply post, no rules actually except
> mutual respect for each others opinions, faiths and religions as well as
> lifestyles, etc.. etc..
> .. if you don't like it don't read it.. and it is always better to give
your
> opinion.. I will ever agree to disagree.. actually I find conversations
like
> that kinda stimulating of the brain cells.. and.. I want my brain to grow
> out of feeling of isolation, others out of depression and staying forever
> lonely..
>
> I can honestly tell you.. if I see something I think I wish to share with
> others who are lonely of any flavor, from grief, to lifestyle changes to
> depression to kinda clean to silly jokes.. to chicken soup.. to suicide to
> whatever that doesn't contain offensive material.. .. I am just gonna post
> it... Kay.. I won't promise to remember.. when I go ooooohh.. sharing..
it's
> spontaneous, part of me once again.. I like that part of me.. and I hope
to
> goodness it doesn't change either.. tis fun to be spontaneous..
>
> and I think it's wonderful that people who don't believe in God have the
> right to be so verbal about non belief.. however..
> I retain the same rights.. I am aware he exists.. it's part of being aware
> and what makes me, ME.. I don't plan to hide this part of who I am
inside..
> sometimes people get on the kinda pedestal about it either way.. it's ok
if
> you don't agree with my beliefs..
> you are you .. and I am me.. always.. I will like you anyway and listen to
> your words.. kay
>
> As for spoiler.. it isn't a spoiler, however, I may if I remember head
them
> FAITH, or HOPE, but in honesty, from every story of CHICKEN SOUP be it
> religious or not.. it has a story to be simply read when anyone is lonely
> and need not be an argumentive point..
>
> I'm giggling and not upset in anyway.. but .. people are unpredictable..
and
> I would not limit anyone who simply reached, posted or sought to be less
> lonely.. If I don't like them.. or I don't trust them.. I won't post on
> them.. I ask the same..
>
> HUGS ..
> Pamela
>
> oh.. and pssss... I have been posting materials of faith and hope for 2
> years now.. <grin> no one ever complained but, now this is twice.. and I
> would love to have more thoughts.. for if even one that is lost is found
in
> faith.. I done good.. kay
>
> "dravazed" <drav...@postalzone.com> wrote in message
> news:iElM4.1233$JN3....@newsfeed.slurp.net...
Unicorn
Captain Irony
Hello,
I agree with your right to post whatever you wish. However, you did not
address the point that I made properly. You stated that the story was about
seeing that others have bigger burdens than we do and that we are not alone.
This also has never made me feel any better. If another person has a bigger
burden, yet they are holding up OK, should I feel guilty because I cannot
endure as well? If all of the crosses in your parable were the same size,
this would properly convey the message that you want to convey. Perhaps even
if the man could not tell a difference. This shows togetherness. Showing
that your burden is the "itty bitty cross" in the corner singles you out and
makes you different. It does put you in the set of "those with burdens," but
it also places you in the subset of "those with insignificant burdens" which
is unfair to those who feel the weight of that burden. By making the point
that their burden is small, you add that knowledge to the burden. Also, how
can you expect someone to even want to share a burden with someone else,
when their burden is so much less? Would this not seem to indicate that they
should be the one helping something else? and why are they sitting around
moaning about how heavy their burden is?
Mike
Just pointing out the flaws that I have seen over and over when people have
used this same argument with me. Hit me with something new, I have heard
this argument a lot, so it will be difficult.
Unicorn
Ewwwe.. I will like chatting with you.. you challenge me to think.. and
re-read.. and think some more to try to word it correctly.. or try to see
what you say.. I say.. we say.. and even if we say the same thing.. or
opposing poles of opinion..
No.. I don't think it is about guilt, I think it is simply about awareness
that in the world.. though your burdens may weigh heavy on you.. that if you
look about you, you will see others have greater burdens and it will help
you to put your own in a better perspective perhaps..
For me.. personally.. though sometimes my burdens feel like they are
crushing the breath out of me.. I am a single mom, I survive, sometimes it
is very hard, sometimes it falls together ... I have had dreams destroyed..
I have had many upheavals and challenges to confront from single parenting
to financial to health to figuring out how to climb on a roof in the middle
of winter and tar a leaking roof, to lessons learned in never weedwacking a
thornbush.. to how in the heck do I check oil in a lawnmower and change a
spark plug or a belt.. to sitting alone with my little people on the top of
the Rocky Mountains in the middle of the night with a van that is broke now
and a popup trailer towing behind me... but when I look around and see
others and yes, maybe listen to them complain, I would rather not hear the
constant complaints.. I would rather see them grow past it somehow for I had
one grandpap like that.. he blamed the world for his failures as he just sat
there doing nothing to resolve it.., but in listening I do not feel so
alone.. does that make sense.. and I do not see my own burdens are as much
of a burden because by reaching out and feeling others.. it puts mine into
perspective inside of me, it maybe gives me a little more strength or
resolve to face my challenges <I am thinking on this>.. I am strong enough
to carry a bigger cross, and I will accept the challenges of my own life as
they come.. because it is my burden, my cross to bear.. and even if it
smaller, larger or somewhere in the middle.. there is always someone who's
cross is heavier.. and I do not feel so alone for we are all challenged in
life, but differently are our paths that we walk for they are our own..
actually for me.. my own experiences, challenges, achievements as well as
failures.. help me to help others.. and for me that is good, it feels good
to me..<hope that makes sense, I don't know how to clarify it more>
More please of your thoughts
Pamela
"Captain Irony" <Capt_...@prodigy.net> wrote in message
news:8du7mp$2phs$1...@newssvr03-int.news.prodigy.com...
Demiurge
I will trade.
I could use a little sunshine, I have been having a psunami so far and no
silver lining or light. I would say that I must be underground since I never
see the light.
Even Job had some hope!! And when things went to crap for him at least he
had the memories.
--
Paul
Patron Saint of lost causes and Hopeless endeavours.
"Unicorn" <Unicorn...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:uzLdRN6q$GA.237@cpmsnbbsa03...
Robert Maas
A cross as used here is an ancient device for slowly torturing a person
to death. Could you please use less offensive language when you post?
ric
you can focus on the positive and skip posts from those who offend
you... personally, I wish everyone would... but for your own positive
perspectives and healing, I suggest you skip or filter posts that bother
you... I've tried every other way of dealing with online conflicts and
filtering is the only way that has worked... feels much better and I
find a lot more positive feedback :)
honest love, ric
"To watch the distant moonlight fill
The coming of the tides
To understand that life is more
Than always choosing sides"
~~ John Denver ~~
Robert Maas wrote in message ...
ric
thanks, inside I'm always happy... I love me :)
outside life has definitely been happier and more fun,
but I make the best of it and focus on the positive...
hope you are happy too...
honest love, ric
"What is behind us and what is before us are tiny matters
compared to what is within us."
~ R.W.Emerson ~ (paraphrased)
Unicorn wrote in message <#68FuJys$GA.361@cpmsnbbsa04>...
>HAPPY RIC..
>Hope so
>
>Pamela
>
>"ric" wrote ...
ric
she was ten last night
so the song I write
is to help me remember
her face
precious piercing eyes
so innocent so wise
a vision nothing will ever
replace
I can still feel her cuddled
in my arms some nights
I can still feel her heart beats
dancing her to sleep as I carried her to bed
I can still feel her breath
on my checks some night
as kissed her good night
sometimes counting every hair on her head
she was ten last night
and it's been two years
since I held her and told her
how much she means to me
so this song I write
is a way to shed the tears
as I dream I still hold her
the way it used to be
I can hardly believe
she is all of ten
another year goes by
again
precious memories
missed her turning ten
another dream goes by
again
I can still feel her cuddled
in my arms some nights
I can still feel her heart beats
dancing her to sleep as I carried her to bed
I can still feel her breath
on my checks some night
as kissed her good night
sometimes counting every hair on her head
she was ten last night
she is my heart's light
I don't know what else I
can say
she was ten last night
so this song I write
is to help her know me...
someday...
someday...
someday
honest love, ric
For Nicole