Comments on: Bonsai Christians http://www.veitchsmith.com/2008/07/21/bonsai-christians/ articles on Christianity, lifestyle and more... Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:41:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Ella Moss http://www.veitchsmith.com/2008/07/21/bonsai-christians/#comment-618 Ella Moss Mon, 25 Aug 2008 02:45:17 +0000 http://www.veitchsmith.com/?p=59#comment-618 Dear Fiona, your post has been published at Carnival of Walking with God, hosted at http://underzodiacclock.com Please, let everyone know, and link to that site. Thank You, Ella Moss Dear Fiona, your post has been published at Carnival of Walking with God, hosted at http://underzodiacclock.com
Please, let everyone know, and link to that site.
Thank You,
Ella Moss

]]> By: Fiona http://www.veitchsmith.com/2008/07/21/bonsai-christians/#comment-528 Fiona Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:21:16 +0000 http://www.veitchsmith.com/?p=59#comment-528 Yeah, I was rather smug writing it until I got to the end too! Yeah, I was rather smug writing it until I got to the end too!

]]> By: Endlessly Restless http://www.veitchsmith.com/2008/07/21/bonsai-christians/#comment-525 Endlessly Restless Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:21:54 +0000 http://www.veitchsmith.com/?p=59#comment-525 Hi Fiona I was reading this entry quite happily (smugly?) until I reached the last few sentences where you talk about your own risk-averse atttiude in case you get drawn in to new ministries. Then I realised that you were describing my current state very accurately! There's a complacency - and pride - about being involved in specific areas for a long time, which sometimes needs to be challenged. On the plant side of things I find Bonsais intriguing but not particularly appealling. Having said that many plants - and people - benefit from regular pruning, encouraging growth in the areas desired by the gardener rather than the plant. In some cases this increases fruitfulness, in others it's a question of control. Now - like an un-pruned bramble - I'm rambling, so I'll stop. Thanks again. Hi Fiona
I was reading this entry quite happily (smugly?) until I reached the last few sentences where you talk about your own risk-averse atttiude in case you get drawn in to new ministries. Then I realised that you were describing my current state very accurately!

There’s a complacency - and pride - about being involved in specific areas for a long time, which sometimes needs to be challenged.

On the plant side of things I find Bonsais intriguing but not particularly appealling. Having said that many plants - and people - benefit from regular pruning, encouraging growth in the areas desired by the gardener rather than the plant. In some cases this increases fruitfulness, in others it’s a question of control. Now - like an un-pruned bramble - I’m rambling, so I’ll stop.

Thanks again.

]]> By: Fiona Veitch Smith http://www.veitchsmith.com/2008/07/21/bonsai-christians/#comment-509 Fiona Veitch Smith Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:03:24 +0000 http://www.veitchsmith.com/?p=59#comment-509 On the plant front: each to their own! I know some very nice people who love Bonsai, but they really do disturb me (the plants not the people!). Whatever side of the bonsai divide we fall on, it's still a useful metaphor. How touching that people actually apologised to you for limiting your abilities! Now that's God's grace in action. On the plant front: each to their own! I know some very nice people who love Bonsai, but they really do disturb me (the plants not the people!). Whatever side of the bonsai divide we fall on, it’s still a useful metaphor. How touching that people actually apologised to you for limiting your abilities! Now that’s God’s grace in action.

]]> By: Pauline Grant http://www.veitchsmith.com/2008/07/21/bonsai-christians/#comment-508 Pauline Grant Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:42:26 +0000 http://www.veitchsmith.com/?p=59#comment-508 I wouldn't call it hate mail, that's a bit strong. Stuart has a couple of seedlings that he's been growing for he past few years for the express purpose of growing a bonsai. I think sometimes we need to think outside the plant pot because God shapes, hones and prunes us to make us better and more effective. I think these wee, miniature trees are more beautiful than their huge brothers and sisters. I agree that Christians' growth can be stunted by not just their leaders but others around them limiting what they're capable of (certainly, I didn't really feel I blossomed as a person and Christian until I moved away from Belfast). It's funny because a few of my friends did comment and apologise for limiting my abilities. I guess sometimes people are more aware than we given them credit for and therefore I am probably guilty also of the stunting. Isn't life completely cyclical?!! Sorry rambling now. Love P I wouldn’t call it hate mail, that’s a bit strong. Stuart has a couple of seedlings that he’s been growing for he past few years for the express purpose of growing a bonsai. I think sometimes we need to think outside the plant pot because God shapes, hones and prunes us to make us better and more effective. I think these wee, miniature trees are more beautiful than their huge brothers and sisters. I agree that Christians’ growth can be stunted by not just their leaders but others around them limiting what they’re capable of (certainly, I didn’t really feel I blossomed as a person and Christian until I moved away from Belfast). It’s funny because a few of my friends did comment and apologise for limiting my abilities. I guess sometimes people are more aware than we given them credit for and therefore I am probably guilty also of the stunting. Isn’t life completely cyclical?!!

Sorry rambling now.

Love P

]]> By: Fiona Veitch Smith http://www.veitchsmith.com/2008/07/21/bonsai-christians/#comment-501 Fiona Veitch Smith Mon, 21 Jul 2008 11:48:15 +0000 http://www.veitchsmith.com/?p=59#comment-501 Amen to that Karen. And I'm glad I've opened your eyes to the horror that is bonsai. I'm still waiting form my first hate mail from bonsai growers ... Amen to that Karen. And I’m glad I’ve opened your eyes to the horror that is bonsai. I’m still waiting form my first hate mail from bonsai growers …

]]> By: Karen Hall http://www.veitchsmith.com/2008/07/21/bonsai-christians/#comment-500 Karen Hall Mon, 21 Jul 2008 11:31:40 +0000 http://www.veitchsmith.com/?p=59#comment-500 I had never thought of bonsai in that way - I always thought they looked rather good and quite fancied buying one. Now i feel sorry for them! But how true that so often in the very place where we should grow and flourish we end up stunted and grown only into the position that church allows us, as if we can grow to the edges of an invisible box but no further. It may not be intentional but the result is lack of development and understanding of God. May we all find the level and direction of growth that is right for us. I had never thought of bonsai in that way - I always thought they looked rather good and quite fancied buying one. Now i feel sorry for them! But how true that so often in the very place where we should grow and flourish we end up stunted and grown only into the position that church allows us, as if we can grow to the edges of an invisible box but no further. It may not be intentional but the result is lack of development and understanding of God.
May we all find the level and direction of growth that is right for us.

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