I'm writing this for almost all the wrong reasons........
If the pastor who baptized me were still alive, he’d likely say a prayer for me, and wonder where things went wrong. Not only am I still not acting "appropriate" at service, but I’ve spent my adult life(22) mucking around with some pretty sinful topics: I’ve studied one-night stands, incest, homicidal fantasies, and man’s hatred for his fellow man. Goodness, I could even publish a couple of papers suggesting that going to church may be just another mating strategy.
Most people think my M.O(modus operandi) for a great post with a lot of hits is: Pick a topic that is normally not even whispered about in polite company, and shine a big spotlight on it.And there's no denying it.
But today is different.Its about this one person who i attribute most of my life to.Its her "empowering" me to be ME, and hoping that one day i might inspire someone the way she inspired me.Its about the phenomenon OPRAH WINFREY.
Oprah Winfrey is a shining example of a strong woman bootstrapping herself, making choices, committing herself to them and moving forward. That lady stuck her flag in a particular hill a long time ago and I say, “Brava!”.For this, no doubt, I will have more scorn heaped upon me by someone, and you know what? That’s okay, too! Not fun, but okay, so long as we stay away from the bodily harm threats .........
Let me tell you an almost "cinderella" story ,about a girl.She was beautiful.The apple of her fathers eye.Had a mother who loved her to worlds end.But she had step sisters.Lots of them, in the form of sexual abusers.Who killed the person she could have been everytime,everyday.She did everything she could to "fit-in".Just as cinderella had to wash,clean and scrub to be accepted ; she kept quite about her abuse,smiled and laughed the hardest.Never showing signs,but little did she know that in the process she stopped believing in "happily ever after".Then one day there came a fairy-god-mother(oprah winfrey),who liberated her from all the guilt and shame she was carrying all these years.Who gave her the strength to stand up and speak.And told her that it wasn't her fault.She let her understand why she attracted the people she did,and why she dealt with suppressed anger all her life and why she made a "STEP-MOM" out of her MOTHER for she did not protect her.This cinderella killed her father,for he wasn't around to beat the bad guys.And for a long time kissed a lot of frogs(today's very different).
Oprah winfrey changed this cinderella's life by simply making her realise her worth,so what if she made a little moolah in the bargain.Yes, she maybe flaunts a bit too much, but every now and then she never forgets her roots. Rags to Riches. Yes, consumerism and spiritualism can co-exist. Maybe I should not put it that way and should put it this way...God wants us to be successful, have abundant lives, be happy. There's nothing sinful of becoming rich, unless you have done it against the Book of Law. She showed it. Believe and you shall receive.She made people relate to the stories she shared and never shied showing emotion.She made people no longer look for how someone is different and in what way they can change themselves so that they are loved and noticed, but for the ways in which they are the same, and what they’re here to teach . Or atleast try.
My strong reaction to anything is something to examine. (After a bit of a cooling-down period. Remember, the end of this trajectory am I not at. Thank you, Yoda.)When a person puts themselves out there to be judged some people aren’t going to like him/her. And I think that’s a good thing.
Oprah is doing her thing. I am doing my thing. You, I hope, are doing your thing.
It would be nice if we could all start with that one area of overlap and wish each other well. But no matter what, I’m done converting. Hate on Oprah—or me, if you like. From now on, I’m taking it as a sign that I’ve finally stuck my flag on a hill where it can be seen…(And for the record:Oprah is cool,in a dorky way,yet still cool)
While there's nothing sinful about becoming rich, unless you have done it against the Book of Law, the Book of Law also tells you what to do with your richness :P
which is this "Book of Law" we're talking about??...Also she's doing every bit she can with her richness... P.S: i know you meant the BIBLE,but that book contradicts itself in more ways than one...
Lol. It does? You don't know it enough, then, and are clearly misinformed :) like so many others. Does it say garner wealth and get rich? Does it say use a small portion of it on good and noble things and the rest on your happiness? Is wealth even a primary factor in it?
And would also like to hear your version of the contradiction theory :)
Titus 3:9... But avoid foolish controversies and arguments about the law because these are unprofitable and useless...
the bible contradicts itself at several places because the reason being a canon of scripture is missing....
Do you have a verse that also ask one to be ignorant and feign non-ignorance and wisdom in the process? I'm curious :) LOL. There is canon of scripture. It's just that people disagree with it. The reason you have many canons is because people choose to believe what they liked from the first canon, that's after we knew that certain books were "removed" for clear authenticity based on five clear principles. And those those books are available now as well, FYI.
Okay. I m just gonna enter this stupid conversationa and stop you guys from going at it. Well First of all. THE LAW was there for a reason. People should do research on why God said dont put tattoos before telling ppl dont put tattoos? There's a reason for everything he says. And two arguing about the law is pointless. It just is.
Therefore my anti-theory that getting rich is not a mandate of God, nor is there "nothing" wrong with it. I don't see an argument yet :)
The Law also says shave your sidelocks off. Are you telling me you dont choose to enforce that? Why? But you ll enforce anti gay rules!! What's the difference between you and the pharasees then?
@ Johan, I ask that the Law be enforced, each one, also in the full context that Jesus provided :P I'm on your side :)
Kathy was right when she said Oprah uses her wealth for good. Being close to the poor and the needy is what the bible says. Also. The bible says it is HE who gives poverty and wealth. He humbles and he exalts. Are you telling me Oprah got rich on her own?
Two. We're under grace now. Not under law. Did Jesus enforce the law by throwing that stone at the woman who sinned? he could've. He had every right to.
And John says anyone who claims to love Jesus must walk as he did. So what right do we have enforcing the law on people?? I love you bro but please know the heart of the father before pointing fingers at his children. That includes Oprah.
Oprah could not have possibly rich on her own, even in her wildest dreams. My point is, if say, I have 1 billion dollars. If I give away say 100 million away, I still keep 90 million to myself. Am I making peace with the world with the 100 million I give away as charity? What about the 900 million which I can give as well? Is my giving to the poor a lifestyle or an act of charity? Does want care for the poor to be the former or the latter?
And we are under grace, as well. Thankfully.
sorry, 900 million to myself.
*Does God want, nor Does want
Haha. Job had so much wealth. So did solomon and so many kings of Old. Are you telling me they were wrong to amass wealth like that??
I had no intention of arguing with you or belittling you bro. But Let's not fight. We're the bride of Christ. We cannot be divided in these last days. Peace.
:) Who said anything about being divided? I thought things like these lead to greater understanding :P I am not belittled, though :D My question was not about being rich. It was about how you became rich and the difference between the values you profess and the things you did because of them. more over, whether charity is a lifestyle or an act. is it about how much you keep or how much you keep or how much you give - if that's the horn you blow.