A defeated Christian is a Christian with no joy. They are not blessing others, therefore they are receiving little blessing from on high. The Bible calls this the law of "sowing and reaping." Candy B.
My comment to Candy's latest post:
What would you say to Steven Curtis Chapman and his family right now?
Elena, I probably wouldn't say anyhing to he and his family, because I don't know who he is.
I guess if I saw him on the street, maybe I'd say "hi," or something.
Steven Curtis Chapman is a Grammy-winning, Christian singer-songwriter. I'm pretty sure if you saw him or heard one of his songs you would recognize him.
His little 5 year old daughter was accidentally struck and killed by the family car driven by her teenage brother in the driveway of their home.
Steven Curtis Chapman and his family have done some interviews on Good Morning America and Larry King to talk about how they are dealing with their grief and their faith during this difficult time.
The scriptures tell us that there is a time for everything, including a time to be sad.
9 comments:
I'm speechless re: Candy's attitude. Even this heathen knows SCC and the story of his family's tragedy.
I am not surprised. If she admitted to knowing, she'd have to retract her post.
Elena, I had no idea who the Chapmans were until Maria was killed. Yes, I have been accused of living in shoebox or under rock. :)
I think that the death of Maria Chapman actually demonstrates Candy's point that a Christian can grieve and be sorrowful without being "defeated." I saw the Chapman family on that news program the other day, and they seemed to exude peace and to still be glorifying God even through their sorrow. Of course maybe I'm misunderstanding Candy's point altogether, but that's what I got from what she wrote in that post.
I have not seen evidence of her putting forward a "health, wealth and prosperity gospel," but rather a make the most of it kind of attitude.
I thought of this too when I read her latest post.I've been thinking about alot lately. I get a sickening feeling that perhaps Candys religion is plastic,a religion for glassy eyed plastic people, showcasing their 'joy'.
What an afront to the wonderful truth of the incarnation.
It seems Candy is currently allowing a few comments through ( even from Elena, wow!)
In this new spirit of glasnost perhaps she'll post mine too. But I'll include it here anyway:
"This is also in Gods word Candy:
" Sorrow is better than laughter,
because a sad face is good for the heart."
I lost my baby last year and have come to understand the deep truth in those words.
Let those who seek to understand understand. Life with God is a beautiful mystery and he is close to the broken hearted.
Ecclesiastes 7
Wisdom
1 A good name is better than fine perfume,
and the day of death better than the day of birth.
2 It is better to go to a house of mourning
than to go to a house of feasting,
for death is the destiny of every man;
the living should take this to heart.
3 Sorrow is better than laughter,
because a sad face is good for the heart.
4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,
but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.
5 It is better to heed a wise man's rebuke
than to listen to the song of fools.
6 Like the crackling of thorns under the pot,
so is the laughter of fools.
This too is meaningless. "
Good to see you Doc.
I agree Rachel.
Sara, I didn't get that from her post which is why I questioned it. As someone, like Clare, who has gone through a deep period of grief and sadness, I am having a difficult time relating to Candy's post.
Thank you for the verses Clare!
What is she trying to pull? Every Christian blogger discussed SCC when the accident happened. Candy didn't have to watch television in order to know. If she truly doesn't know who he is or what his family is going through, then you know what? She is not a good "blogger friend" to any of her friends, because that would mean that she has never read any of their blogs.
I didn't know who SCC was at all until the accident. But, it was discussed in every blog I read, Christian or not. It was on message boards. It was on every online news site.
She is obviously only concerned with what she has to say and things like that show exactly how little she actually thinks of other people. Sometimes, people truly make me sad.
If one doesn't know sorrow, they cannot fully appreciate the joy.
She has commented abotu Joel Osteen (sp?) and his "false ministry" because they do not preach of sin, God's wrath, etc. They apparently only preach of "good things". But, isn't that exactly what Candy herself is doing? Doesn't she continually preach of joy and happiness - for herself? She only speaks of suffering when speaking of others, specifically Catholics.
And, finally, if she has never truly known sorrow, then good for her. But, until she does, she has absolutely no idea what it is or what it does to a person. The five stages of grieving are not a myth; they are all emotions and feelings human beings go through in order to deal with something tragic. If she's never had to go through those stages, she is one lucky woman. Then again, maybe she isn't, because maybe she has yet to learn how to truly cope in life. In that case, I hope she never, ever has to experience something painful and tragic.
with all the meez prayz party and the christian music they have used that is all along the line of songs SCC sings.. I would be very surprised if she didn't know who he was.. but she'll never admit to it.. as Rachel said.. she would have to retract her statement and that my friends is NOT gonna happen.
It must be nice to live in a box where you are always right, and you never have to hear sad stories that challenge your always joyous feeling.
I've struggled with the teaching that suffering is one of the ways God draws you close to Him because I've wondered why you would have to suffer to have that closeness. However, I do agree with it because in times of suffering I have felt a closeness to my Lord that is very special and unique compared to my everyday relationship with Him. Is this a purely Catholic teaching? (I honestly don't know.) And if it is, I wonder what Candy would think of it.
Clare- I am so sorry for your loss.
OMG - As far as true Christians not feeling sadness - I beg to differ. I lost my 47-year-old husband almost six years ago. I am not meaning to boast. I just want to illustrate a point. I tried to be brave and kept my head held high with a smile on my face - Mostly for my kids. Don't get me wrong. I showed emotion. I think that is important. What I did not do was shut myself off from the rest of the world. My husband's funeral was on a Friday and I was back in church on Sunday leading my choir. It was the only thing I could do. I had to keep busy.
I have had so many people tell me what a "rock" I have been. What they could not see was my breaking heart. They have no idea how many nights I have cried myself to sleep (if I even slept at all). They no nothing of the regret I have that my grandkids will not know the joy of sitting on their grandpa's lap or the thrill of riding through the wheat fields with him. They did not feel the lump in my throat when I watched my son escort my daughter down the aisle at her wedding instead of her father. All of the plans we made - gone.
Sadness? Heavens yes there was and still is sadness!! A person would not be normal if they did not feel grief or sadness.
I hold my own grief close to my heart. It is mine. It has helped me to grow as a Christian in ways unimaginable. The Lord knows what I have been through. Heck, he has been beside me every step of the way. Sometimes I even feel a little pity for the always "joyous" people who have no idea what it is to truly depend upon the Lord for every move you make. My prayer life expanded like you wouldn't believe.
Maybe I did not understand what Candy was trying to say in her post, but I am pretty sure I did. Just because a person has sadness in their lives does not make them any less of a Christian.
Post a Comment