A FORM OF FREEDOM

[Jay Ross]

It can be fear. I do not believe that one size cage fits ALL!!!

Sadly many people want their cage to be the same size as everybody else's, not knowing that the size of the cage is determined within their own mind.

Now will you please pass the half filled glass of misunderstanding to the next person, please.

 

[Helen]

J.R.

You write as if " The Cage" is something that only you understand from some mystical verse of scripture or something and everyone else is wrong!!
It is ALLEGORY for heaven sake...nothing "written in stone"..give me a break!..

....

 

[Nancy]

That is an assumption on your part. All people suffer from self worth, it is not restricted to just one of the sexes.

Pearl said : "It's just that women seem to have more problems with self worth issues than men." That hardly constitutes as "restricting to just one of the sexes." Just sayin

 

[Jay Ross]

J.R.

You write as if " The Cage" is something that only you understand from some mystical verse of scripture or something and everyone else is wrong!!
It is ALLEGORY for heaven sake...nothing "written in stone"..give me a break!..

....

Was not the whole thread so? With people speaking from some mystical verse only they understood.

I had come to understand what Freedom was back in the days of the Peace Protest movement, many years ago, so it was not a mystical verse that I was drawing on.

 

[Jay Ross]

Pearl said : "It's just that women seem to have more problems with self worth issues than men." That hardly constitutes as "restricting to just one of the sexes." Just sayin

True, however, it was the put down on Pearl's part by suggesting that as a mere male, I would have no understand, as you do not really suffer from this demise of self worth like I do.

But picking up on this is deflecting from the purpose of the thread.

Self worth is just one of the issues that cause people to give up their freedom. But, it is not the only cause of people losing their Freedom In Christ/God. Know what I mean.

 

[Butterfly]

Yes, I noticed there are seven! I am a reader and this sounds right up my alley. I will have to get it. I will see if one of our libraries have it, or just read it online...then we can discuss! Hey, maybe @"ByGrace" and @Butterfly would read it as well, time permitting and we can have a little book club convo on the side
...or not
♥

I would love to do that, I will see if I can get the books on my ereader xx

 

[farouk]

A really important thing is the idea of freedom to do God's will: "Thy will be done".

 

[farouk]

I would love to do that, I will see if I can get the books on my ereader xx

I'm glad it works for you; I find a lot of close reading on a screen does make the eyes tired; I do like regular books, especially if the print is a good size.

 

[Butterfly]

I'm glad it works for you; I find a lot of close reading on a screen does make the eyes tired; I do like regular books, especially if the print is a good size.

I love ' real books ' and if it's a Christian one I often underline and make notes - that doesn't suit everyone as they like their book clean. However it helps me to remember and think about things if I read it again. Maybe I need a hard copy if it's going to be something we discuss !

 

[farouk]

I love ' real books ' and if it's a Christian one I often underline and make notes - that doesn't suit everyone as they like their book clean. However it helps me to remember and think about things if I read it again. Maybe I need a hard copy if it's going to be something we discuss !

I like what you say about hard copies...

 

[Butterfly]

I didn't mean to be facetious and if I came across like that I apologise. It's just that women seem to have more problems with self worth issues than men.

I am not sure I totally agree with that, men have to external be a certain ' man ' to be exceptable, they have as many issues with identity, image and expectations. I think the fact that ' as women ' we feel it is different is part of the problem. Men have to hide much of what they feel because it's not considered ' manly ' to struggle, to have emotional expression ' God gave men and women emotions , society has dictated certain expectations over the centuries , depending on what culture you live in. Men can be as trapped in a cage as we can be, but the problem is we allowed to admit it, they are seen as weak if they do.
Rita

 

[farouk]

I am not sure I totally agree with that, men have to external be a certain ' man ' to be exceptable, they have as many issues with identity, image and expectations. I think the fact that ' as women ' we feel it is different is part of the problem. Men have to hide much of what they feel because it's not considered ' manly ' to struggle, to have emotional expression ' God gave men and women emotions , society has dictated certain expectations over the centuries , depending on what culture you live in. Men can be as trapped in a cage as we can be, but the problem is we allowed to admit it, they are seen as weak if they do.
Rita

Yes, I can see that culturally men are often expected to hide their feelings. In some ways, not a bad thing, though not always.

 

[Butterfly]

Yes, I can see that culturally men are often expected to hide their feelings. In some ways, not a bad thing, though not always.

I have seen the harm it can do x

 

[marks]

I am not sure I totally agree with that, men have to external be a certain ' man ' to be exceptable, they have as many issues with identity, image and expectations. I think the fact that ' as women ' we feel it is different is part of the problem. Men have to hide much of what they feel because it's not considered ' manly ' to struggle, to have emotional expression ' God gave men and women emotions , society has dictated certain expectations over the centuries , depending on what culture you live in. Men can be as trapped in a cage as we can be, but the problem is we allowed to admit it, they are seen as weak if they do.
Rita

There's a certain "at risk" feeling to being genuine with people. Because you are right, in my view, everyone is the same inside, we all have some sort of issue or issues, and so many have learned to hide who they are, or who they feel like they are.

And then people get so used to hiding, they forget who they are. And they construct false images of themselves, which they feel portrays someone better than they really are, and then get invested in propping up that image.

And as anyone on this forum knows . . . show any weakness, prepare to be eaten alive!



Much love!
Mark

 

[Helen]

And as anyone on this forum knows . . . show any weakness, prepare to be eaten alive!



Much love!
Mark

Or act wise and say up front, with the hand open palm up a must-
"I know nothing".

Helen

 

[Episkopos]

I didn't mean to be facetious and if I came across like that I apologise. It's just that women seem to have more problems with self worth issues than men.

Men and women are blind in different ways. Men look at themselves and see something better than what they really are. A woman sees herself and esteems herself less than she actually is.

Of course there are exceptions....but mainly so.

 

[marks]

Or act wise and say up front, with the hand open palm up a must-
"I know nothing".

Helen

LOL!

 

[farouk]

and @Nancy
Hi ladies,

We all do what comes naturally according to our nature, whether the old nature, or the born again of the Spirit of Christ nature. If by the old nature, then yes you are trying to perform "works" not in accordance with your carnal nature. If by the new nature, it is easy to do what you love. However, a born again Christian must also guard their heart and not be unequally yoked with too many temptations. That is when we ARE responsible to not grieve or quench the Spirit. But when totally abiding in Jesus, it is easy and FREE.

The new birth (John 3) is indeed the key.

 

[1stCenturyLady]

The new birth (John 3) is indeed the key.

Absolutely, farouk! Some people do not discern the power of the all-powerful Holy Spirit in their lives, changing them, and believe they are saved, but show no signs of having the Spirit of Christ. That's concerning to just have head knowledge, but not experiential knowledge. I know. I didn't have the Spirit for the first 30 years of being a Christian, but thought I was saved. But what a difference the Spirit made, after finally repenting of all sin, and receiving a flood of power from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet.

 

[farouk]

Absolutely, farouk! Some people do not discern the power of the all-powerful Holy Spirit in their lives, changing them, and believe they are saved, but show no signs of having the Spirit of Christ. That's concerning to just have head knowledge, but not experiential knowledge. I know. I didn't have the Spirit for the first 30 years of being a Christian, but thought I was saved. But what a difference the Spirit made, after finally repenting of all sin, and receiving a flood of power from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet.

So much so called evangelicalism is devoid of a true experience of the new birth as per John 3.