"The next time you feel like God can't use you, just remember....

Noah was a drunk

Abraham was too old

Isaac was a daydreamer

Jacob was a liar

Leah was ugly

Joseph was abused

Moses had a stuttering problem and was a murderer

Gideaon was afraid

Samson had long hair and was a womanizer

Rahab was a prositiute

Jeremiah and Timothy were too young

David had an affair and was a murderer

Elijah was suicidal

Isaiah preached naked

Jonah ran from God

Naomi was a widow

Job went bankrupt

Peter denied Christ

The diciples fell asleep while praying

Marthy worried about everything

Mary Magdalene was, well you know

The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once

Zaccheus was too small

Paul was too religious

Timothy had an ulcer

and Lazarus .... was dead!

God can use you. Besides, you aren't the message, you are the messenger.

In the circle of God's love, God is waiting to use your full potential."

My 15-year-old brought this home the last day of school. Her religion teacher passed it out to the kids.

Pep

In the answer to your first question ... the title of your thread. YES. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" />

Spinning - Cheer up, it does get better.

<small>[ August 04, 2004, 04:31 AM: Message edited by: Broken Vessell ]</small>

<small>[ August 04, 2004, 04:32 AM: Message edited by: Broken Vessell ]</small>

Gee, Pepper, I read the list and I'm hardly any of those things! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

Remember, God can use you...if only as a bad example!

A.M.M. "if only as a bad example"

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

Your theme is so often ... "through a glass darkly" .... and I find you fascinating.

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

Since I have a history of seeing "through rose colored glasses".

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

YES.... bad examples DO help.

I can think of many bad examples in my life, things that shocked me, that have kept me away from danger.

Pep

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by Lor (Lor):
<strong> Gee, Pepper, I read the list and I'm hardly any of those things! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">HA!

Tell ....which ones?... LOL

Pep

My answer was a HUGE YES this morning. I've slightly pulled out of it at this point. I'm trying guys, I really am!!!

Kas, I know how you feel. I wish I could be giving more support to you and pal in particular. It is very hard for me to be reaching out right now too but i do believe it is key.

Spinning, i have not seen your name before but hang in there.

thanks pep for the message in this thread.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by Broken Vessell:
<strong> ps. Yes I am... I feel totally worthless and useless and undeserving of forgiveness by anyone.

I love to post to others but have difficulty in accepting forgiveness myself....

Kas </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Go write a 100 word essay on why NOT accepting forgiveness is an act of pridefulness and not obedient!

Go on now.... double spaced and put references in your bibliography!

The due date is Sunday .... golly gee.... that's tomorrow!

BV ... better get a move on!

You will be graded on a curve. (don't ya puke when you hear that?)

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

Pep

<small>[ June 12, 2004, 03:43 PM: Message edited by: Pepperband ]</small>

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by spinning the drain:
<strong> In the answer to your first question ... the title of your thread. YES. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">If you are feeling hopeless and worthless ... take a small measure of joy in this ...

We are all humbled by our pain. Healing follows.

Pep

Well, you are in a chipper mood today, Pep! Thanks for the observation. Probably true. Funny how we can't see ourselves as others do.

la de da

<small>[ June 12, 2004, 03:50 PM: Message edited by: Pepperband ]</small>

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by Pepperband:
<strong> </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by A.M.Martin:
<strong> Well, you are in a chipper mood today, Pep! Thanks for the observation. Probably true. Funny how we can't see ourselves as others do. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">AMM

My rose colored glasses have gotten me in plenty of trouble, I assure you!

Pep </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">

I'd vote for him.

Oh, wait I can't I'm not an American.

Thanks for this Pepper, a lot of people seem very down at the moment.

Jenny

Hi Pep and all.....ya know- since h left I don't feel worthless like I did when he was here. I knew ow was still in pic and he wouldn't admit it... but the profound sadness is deeper. something traumatic or dramatic happens everyday concerning h leaving. crazy. and my faith has grown even stronger- so hopeless isn't the feeling either. I miss my friend. thats it. I'll never quit praying for him and us- maybe he doesn't have these thoughts as he isn't here-but so many things remind me of h.....and I pray.

anyone out there who left and came back? what did you think about the family you left behind?

thanks Pep-

PEACE OUT

pep...great thread here. I wanted to add my 2 cents worth. I was thinking about this very thing one day when I was wallowing in my self pity over all the reasons that God shouldn't forgive me or still be able to use me.

He gave me a beautiful analogy of the love that I have for my children to use as my comparison of His love. Even with this limited earthly ability that I have to love there is absolutely nothing that my kids could do to ever stop me from loving them and being there for them. All they need to do is come to me and I will gladly, if they would let me, hold them in my arms as when they were little and comfort them. Sure there have been times when I've been disappointed in their actions but never have I stopped loving them.

How much more does God love us. We truly have to come to Him as a little child and crawl up in his lap and just let him hold us. No one would want to see their child continually beat themselves up over a mistake that they made. You wouldn't want your child to quit talking to you because of their same but yet we do this very thing to God. We withdraw from praying and seeking him because we don't feel worthy. No one is worthy and the great thing is that He loves us anyway and just wants to comfort us. Why do we resist?

Ya know,...

One of the trite little sayings I heard as a teen really stuck with me, and here it is....

God doesn't grade on a curve.

I still find this very comforting.

And I second the pride thing. To say "God can't forgive me" is to diminish God and to show your lack of trust. (not that I haven't been there!)

<small>[ August 04, 2004, 04:35 AM: Message edited by: Broken Vessell ]</small>