The percentages aren't any different than the rest of fat America.
You definitely "shot from the hip" on this one. My wife recently went to a laidies banquet/fellowship engagement. The number of big women (my wife said "huge") was appalling. The sad thing was, pastors wives were the worst.
They lined up at the tablespread, gorging themselves with one plate after another. They'd giggle and eat, laughing away the truth of a condition that is killing the church and telling the world we don't care.
I've been in the Apostolic movement for 30 years. I've watched my many friends grow fat, and the numbers are staggering. We are big, and we stumble greatly with this issue, I think because we give up other vices in repentance, and then turn to gluttony with a snicker.
My personal opinion is, the example of the ministry is lacking, choosing to indulge by convincing the saints with a "Joke".
This is no joke. We are sick, we are fat, and ultimately we are hypocrites. Our statement is clear. Our actions speak louder than words. No wonder our young people roll thier eyes at the convicting message that bellows from a man who weighs 400 pounds. It's no wonder they are leaving the Church!
Despising hypocrisy is why I left the church of my youth!
You definitely "shot from the hip" on this one. My wife recently went to a laidies banquet/fellowship engagement. The number of big women (my wife said "huge") was appalling. The sad thing was, pastors wives were the worst.
They lined up at the tablespread, gorging themselves with one plate after another. They'd giggle and eat, laughing away the truth of a condition that is killing the church and telling the world we don't care.
Ok, are you seriously saying that your wife had nothing better to do than to watch these women do what you say above? Didn't she have anyone to talk to? I mean, I've been to lots of ladies meetings and such like, but I can honestly say that I've never sat around to watch people eat and how much they were eating, and I'm a people watcher!
Quote:
I've been in the Apostolic movement for 30 years. I've watched my many friends grow fat, and the numbers are staggering. We are big, and we stumble greatly with this issue, I think because we give up other vices in repentance, and then turn to gluttony with a snicker.
I've watched the same thing happen at the family reunions I've attended for the past 30 years. They started out on the skinnier side, but as they got older, they got fatter. NONE of them are Apostolic.
Quote:
My personal opinion is, the example of the ministry is lacking, choosing to indulge by convincing the saints with a "Joke".
This is no joke. We are sick, we are fat, and ultimately we are hypocrites. Our statement is clear. Our actions speak louder than words. No wonder our young people roll thier eyes at the convicting message that bellows from a man who weighs 400 pounds. It's no wonder they are leaving the Church!
Despising hypocrisy is why I left the church of my youth!
NFS
"Excuses are the dark reason of Failure"
Surely you aren't serious that young people are leaving church because of a fat preacher!! If that's true, it's a new one for me. I've heard all kinds of excuses, but having a fat pastor was NEVER one of them. LOL!
__________________
I've gone and done it now! I'm on Facebook!!!
With obesity considered the #1 health epidemic in America, causing irrepairable damage to the human body (our temple), how should we as Christians approach this subject? I was told as a new convert, take care of your temple (body). Be moderate. Have temperance (have self-control).
Repent of things that destroy and be a good example.
Obesity is proven to cause diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer; and the list goes on.
We tell folks to quit smoking because of the dangerous side affects caused by this unhealthy habit. Are we able to take this stand if we accept the "overweight" issue by looking the other way?
I've seen many preachers "joke" away at this subject to calm the air of thier obvious lack of self-control in this area. In reality, being fat is not funny, it's unhealthy. I've watched them preach strong and hard to live holy; Live holy? I guess I'm a little confused here, as holiness covers our physical and spiritual being.
Don't mean to offend here, just stating the facts of how the lost may (are) looking at our ability to justify gluttony. In past churches I've attended, visitors were very suprised at the amount of overweight people on the pews. I'm not just talking about a few pounds either; 100 or more.
I have many good friends who are big. One of them is 400 pounds and he is only 40. He laughs now, but in the next few years laughter will turn to tears.
I do believe mercy plays a role in this somewhere. But, where do we draw the line? How far do we go? Will the church simply end up "full" of the sick because we can't push the plate away or get off the couch?
The prayer line would shrink and we would feel better if we would learn the blessing of proper diet and exercise.
If you are overweight and are reading this, please, I have compassion on your dilema. We have great abundance in this Country and many convienences that now take away the "task" where calories were once burned. There is hope, though. Find people who enjoy getting out, who have the same desire as you to shed the pounds and get in shape.
People can revolutionize thier existence by good old fashioned discipline and motivation. Not only will you feel better, people will notice you care about yourself and your Light will shine with new vigor. The doctor will be stunned when you show up to your next appointment with normal blood pressure and no more need for "PILLS".
This may have already been mentioned as I didn't read the whole thread but wanted to add my two cents.
OBESITY is NOT a sin.
GLUTTONY is a sin and even skinny people can be gluttons.
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"The only thing worse than murder in the desert is to know where the water is and not tell it!"
This may have already been mentioned as I didn't read the whole thread but wanted to add my two cents.
OBESITY is NOT a sin.
GLUTTONY is a sin and even skinny people can be gluttons.
Yes... this point has been made and NFS is not interested in buying it.
He clearly has a personal disgust for fat people and loves to rail on their sorry low down sinnin' no good for nothing lazy behinds.
This is a personal issue on his part that will only stop until others cease to discuss it with him or when we all come into this thread and proclaim...
Indeed... all fat people are disgusting pigs who ruin their own lives, bodies and witness by the disgust of people having to look on them and they should hide in caves until they wither away to an acceptable size for the kingdom.
If you ask me... if I had somebody that needed witnessing to... I would send an overweight person with a kind spirit over the skinniest rail that possesses and exudes condemnation and ridicule.
I find these types of spirits to be the worst witness of all and there is simply no diet that can fix it.
Yes... this point has been made and NFS is not interested in buying it.
He clearly has a personal disgust for fat people and loves to rail on their sorry low down sinnin' no good for nothing lazy behinds.
This is a personal issue on his part that will only stop when others cease to discuss it with him or when we all come into this thread and proclaim...
Indeed... all fat people are disgusting pigs who ruin their own lives, bodies and witness by the disgust of people having to look on them and they should hide in caves until they wither away to an acceptable size for the kingdom.
If you ask me... if I had somebody that needed witnessing to... I would send an overweight person with a kind spirit over the skinniest rail that possesses and exudes condemnation and ridicule.
I find these types of spirits to be the worst witness of all and there is simply no diet that can fix it.
__________________
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV
Yes... this point has been made and NFS is not interested in buying it.
He clearly has a personal disgust for fat people and loves to rail on their sorry low down sinnin' no good for nothing lazy behinds.
This is a personal issue on his part that will only stop until others cease to discuss it with him or when we all come into this thread and proclaim...
Indeed... all fat people are disgusting pigs who ruin their own lives, bodies and witness by the disgust of people having to look on them and they should hide in caves until they wither away to an acceptable size for the kingdom.
If you ask me... if I had somebody that needed witnessing to... I would send an overweight person with a kind spirit over the skinniest rail that possesses and exudes condemnation and ridicule.
I find these types of spirits to be the worst witness of all and there is simply no diet that can fix it.
I have many good friends who are overweight, whom I love and care for. They are wonderful people and I enjoy being and visiting with them.
That being said, obesity is still a problem.
And, you are judging me. You're spirit comes clearly through that you are offended by the facts. This doesn't change anything. Our hurt feelings are a poor guide to a solution.
How do you suggest we handle this problem? Is it OK for a 4 year old to be 50lbs overweight? Are 400lb preachers a bad witness? Is not caring about this, or just ignoring the problem, a godly approach to this National Health crisis?
Should the Church lead the way to good health, moderation, and the joy of treating our bodies with respect?
Change never comes easy. People always try to find the path of least resistance. The pain of correction leads to life and transformation.
I have many good friends who are overweight, whom I love and care for. They are wonderful people and I enjoy being and visiting with them.
That being said, obesity is still a problem.
And, you are judging me. You're spirit comes clearly through that you are offended by the facts. This doesn't change anything. Our hurt feelings are a poor guide to a solution.
How do you suggest we handle this problem? Is it OK for a 4 year old to be 50lbs overweight? Are 400lb preachers a bad witness? Is not caring about this, or just ignoring the problem, a godly approach to this National Health crisis?
Should the Church lead the way to good health, moderation, and the joy of treating our bodies with respect?
Change never comes easy. People always try to find the path of least resistance. The pain of correction leads to life and transformation.
God Bless, NFS
My daughter is extremely overweight. Her problem began soon after she turned three, after being in the 10th percentile. She started gaining weight and I was glad. She was almost 3 and weighed 26 pounds.
By the time she was 5, she weighed 69 pounds. I kept track of her eating habits and took her to a dietician who said she wasn't even getting what she was allowed for daily caloric intake, which at the time was 1800 a day. She was averaging 1300 a day and very active, as she was also in daycare and went to dance classes and swimming.
Today, she's 15 and extremely overweight. She doesn't overeat, is active as much as her body allows, but the doctors have no idea why she continues gaining weight. She is having more bloodwork done next week, which has been a routine most of her life. Nothing is ever wrong with it.
But go ahead and judge her. Let her know that her witness to her friends is flawed by her appearance. Tell her what a turn-off she is to you. Suggest to her how she should follow your ideas about a godly approach to this National Health crisis.
What you don't know is that people aren't as judgmental to her as you are. She has lots of friends, is involved with church and her school community, is popular, and loves God very much. People aren't leaving the church because of her appearance, even when she's speaking in the front of the church.
Love is a wonderful thing.
__________________
I've gone and done it now! I'm on Facebook!!!
Location: Where God can see me and direct my path.
Posts: 30
Re: Is Obesity a Sin?
Quote:
Originally Posted by HeavenlyOne
My daughter is extremely overweight. Her problem began soon after she turned three, after being in the 10th percentile. She started gaining weight and I was glad. She was almost 3 and weighed 26 pounds.
By the time she was 5, she weighed 69 pounds. I kept track of her eating habits and took her to a dietician who said she wasn't even getting what she was allowed for daily caloric intake, which at the time was 1800 a day. She was averaging 1300 a day and very active, as she was also in daycare and went to dance classes and swimming.
Today, she's 15 and extremely overweight. She doesn't overeat, is active as much as her body allows, but the doctors have no idea why she continues gaining weight. She is having more bloodwork done next week, which has been a routine most of her life. Nothing is ever wrong with it.
But go ahead and judge her. Let her know that her witness to her friends is flawed by her appearance. Tell her what a turn-off she is to you. Suggest to her how she should follow your ideas about a godly approach to this National Health crisis.
What you don't know is that people aren't as judgmental to her as you are. She has lots of friends, is involved with church and her school community, is popular, and loves God very much. People aren't leaving the church because of her appearance, even when she's speaking in the front of the church.
Love is a wonderful thing.
My swan song on this topic:
Hmmm. Now I see why you are so passionate about this you Registered Nut. Your daughters condition is unfortunate, I'm sorry to hear of it. It is really the first case of ever heard of where weight gain is unexplainable. I won't lie or cling to my lines, I tell you that you've opened up a world to me who's existence I doubted (Have you consulted alternative medicine? There's some good stuff in there). While I empathize with her condition, I still cannot believe that this is a common occurrence, but I can see where my worldview might cause misjudgement.
To AQuietPlace: I believe you are right that most people don't think about fat the way that NotforSale and I do. Most of the time, because they lack self-control in so many other areas of their lives they feel they are in no position to pass judgment. However, the Bible does instruct us to edify one another.
Given the passionate responses that the question raised in this thread has generated, I would say that this issue seems to be somewhat polarizing. And it also seems to be a hot button one. I agree we must show the maximum love and patience with weaker brothers and sisters, but I also believe that it is the duty of prayerful, thinking saints to push buttons the church doesn't like to be pushed, to ask questions we are afraid to answer based on Biblical imperatives. Though it may cause temporary pain, it shall, in time, cause good things to happen. Yes, we should inspect our eating habits and how we treat our bodies. This spirit of self-searching was embodied in King David's prayer "search my heart O Lord and see if there be any wicked way in me!" When we ask this, and look into ourselves, how do we view excess? What excesses are permissible? I will be the first to say that a slice of pizza "ain't gonna' kill ya'!" But what happens when that slice becomes a whole pie every time, or part of an unbreakable daily routine? The Bible tells us to "let our moderation be known to all men" (Philippians 4:5). Whether we skinny people are observed liberally gorging ourselves at a pot-luck church function, or when our bodies reveal the damage of private eating indulgences, can we justify ourselves in light of the holy scriptures?
No one is saying taste not, touch not here. What we're saying is, as Christians, we are so concerned about the many aspects of how we live our lives, and still, how many will still allow their belly to be another god in their life (Philippians 3:19)? We can't act like a lack of self control in consumption isn't there. We've all seen discretion go out the window at church picnics where the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life rear their ugly head in a display of unbridled food worship-- of both the fat and skinny alike, RN.
There is one more thing I'd like to address if I may. I read a disturbing post about spelt bread, fruit/veggie toxins, etc. I've been down that road to. I've even made my own spelt bread with home-ground grain, and refused to eat non-organic produce! Only the best nutrition for my body was my motto. But as with everything, I found that, as people, we can go into unsustainable extremes (which can also be sources of pride, one thing healthy eater's must look out for. Food worship works both ways!). I found the supply of these things so hard to come by at the time, that I was starving myself by refusing the "better" foods that were available to me. So pesticide toxins, mercury-laden fish and food distributor conspiracies aside, we can't let these things make us throw our hands in the air and say, "hang it all!", and eat like it's our last meal. There are better alternatives to Wonderbread, cold-cuts and Kraft dressing. (Disclaimer! Yes, I do: shop at Whole Foods; think that arugula makes an cool insanely cool salad if you add walnuts, raisins flax-seeds and apple-cider-vinegar; and I do buy fair-traded organic chocolate.):
What I come away with, is, however we view food or fat, I believe we can all agree that never in the history of the world have ordinary folks (on a daily basis) dined like American's have for the past 100 years. I also believe we can agree that most of the church could stand to take some starting measures to make their diets healthier.
Thanks for a fascinating conversation everyone, and have a great weekend!
Yes... this point has been made and NFS is not interested in buying it.
He clearly has a personal disgust for fat people and loves to rail on their sorry low down sinnin' no good for nothing lazy behinds.
This is a personal issue on his part that will only stop until others cease to discuss it with him or when we all come into this thread and proclaim...
Indeed... all fat people are disgusting pigs who ruin their own lives, bodies and witness by the disgust of people having to look on them and they should hide in caves until they wither away to an acceptable size for the kingdom.
If you ask me... if I had somebody that needed witnessing to... I would send an overweight person with a kind spirit over the skinniest rail that possesses and exudes condemnation and ridicule.
I find these types of spirits to be the worst witness of all and there is simply no diet that can fix it.
You forgot to mention that the youth are leaving the church because of the fat pastor!
__________________
I've gone and done it now! I'm on Facebook!!!
There's nothing like judging others to make you feel holy I guess.
__________________
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV
Hybrid Mode
