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Sit down with me as we think through some tough topics in a reflective way and examine some of the difficult issues that can trouble followers of Christ. My hope is that you’ll always come away with more to think about… RBC Ministries
One to One
Posted by Mart De Haan
February 2nd, 2010
Filed in Life in Christ
130 Comments »
According to an online encyclopedia there are probably more than 100 billion galaxies in the observable universe. The smallest have as few as 10 million stars. The largest ones have a trillion stars.
The same summary of astronomical projections goes on to say that our own Milky Way is thought to have between 100 to 400 billion stars, is roughly 100 light years in diameter, and is about 2.5 million light years away from our nearest sister galaxy, Andromeda.
At this point am asking you to humor me in even writing about such things. My mind shuts down over why there is even one star, moon, earth, or molecule (with seemingly infinite atomic micro-universes of its own… anywhere.
Yet within the darkness of what I know I don’t know I keep bumping into and worshiping One who gives me reason to believe that he not only understands what I cannot understand– but that he is the One of whom it is written, “In the beginning, God…
While becoming increasingly disillusioned with myself and everyone and everything else… my opinion keeps growing of the One…
Who seems to reduce all of the countless complexities and imponderables of life to… One.
That’s how many of our own kind could ever claim to be such a “God with us”/Immanuel (Matt 1:23; John 1:1-3).
One is also the number of religions/faiths that net out to…
What God has done… is doing… and will do for us.
Am guessing this is in some way related to what Paul writes when he says, “For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height — to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever” (Eph 3:14-21).
Could this also be why the same Apostle writes in another letter, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1Thess 5:18)?
Is this because he goes on to say, “Faithful is he who calls you… who also will do it” (1Thess 5:24)?
Seems to me that the one thought that deserves the rest of our lives has to do with a Gospel/good news that–like our physical universe– just keeps getting bigger and bigger, long after our minds shut down…
Qumran Rocks of Remembrance
Is anything more life-changing than even the smallest gratitude for the One who offers to handle all of our God issues for us?
And if this is so, why do I keep focusing on what we cannot answer… or on what we have or have not done for God… rather than on what He has done for us…??
Note re: rocks: When people in Bible times wanted to remember something God had done for them, they sometimes piled up stones as a reminder… Found this pile recently at Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Today maybe it can remind us of the One… who offers to do everything for us… The One I want to remember continually… until he comes for us… or calls us to himself…
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Mart, I couldn’t help but be focused on your comment, “while becoming increasingly disillusioned with myself and everyone and everything else…”
The longer I live, the deeper my need for God becomes. Not because the closer death becomes, but because I know less and less as I learn more and more.
I have to place all the hidden things over into my faith pile, for now. Believing that God will allow me to know what I need to know. For my peace.
As we search out the unanswerable questions of God or of life. We come to realize that we don’t know a great deal. That some think they do, because what they have come to believe, gives them peace, for the moment.
I think sometimes that is why love is so important over everything else. We just have to love each other enough to coexist without clear answers to lifes questions. While giving each other the time and space to look for themselves and try to share what they have or have not learned. While being patient with all.
Mart you do very well. Don’t be too hard on yourself.
Other people may let us down, but we followers of Christ believe that He, Jesus, is closer than a brother and will never let us down. Never means never.
I don’t thank you enough Mart, for this blog and your attention to it. We are all here because we are looking for fellowship, answers and place to share our thoughts. You have made this possible for us all.
Anytime you need a vacation from it, do as Moses did and get a helper to share your load.
Steve
If you beleive the theorist, and they make sense, although they do not reason beyond the physical, The Universe started at a single point called a “singularity”
There was no space(Physical matter) and no time.
Then it all just kicked into exsistence.
Now GOD Spoke(Jesus The Word) and everything that exsists came into being.
As there was no time then Six Days or 14 billion years really does not mean that much to us mere mortals.
So The God who is ONE created everything from one point in space and time.
All make sense, doesn’t it :-)
Now that same God who is ONE made you & me in His own image to be One with Him. Body, Soul & Spirit are to be one with Father, Son & Holy Spirit. All One in Him, Christ Jesus.
“being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height — to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
Notice Paul used four dimensions to discribe Gods Love for us.
Just as God created four dimensions when He created the universe… width, length, height and depth(time)
What God has done in the physical He longs for us in the Spiritual.
One to One with Him, that’s how God made to be.
Bob
One to One with Him, that’s how God made US to be.
sorry
Bob
Thank you Mart for reminding me that I should be thanking Jesus everyday for everything. Also…liked the altar of rocks. He is so good. His ways are higher than ours and His thoughts higher than ours. How could we ever think that we are going to understand everything about Him? Just a closer walk with Him is what I want right now. To know Him! To thank Him for His great love and sacrifice. I will never forget what He has done for me.
Was just reading the “bible in a year” on the Daily Bread site. Exodus 29-30 explains in detail how the priests in the Tabernacle were to perform certain sacrificial rituals. It got me wondering if there was any other diety in history that is claimed to have shared in detail how they wanted to be worshipped and inspired their worshippers to write it down for posterity. Of course, the old passed away when Jesus Christ came and fulfilled the requirements for us, but what LOVE – to not keep us guessing and muddling about trying by trial and error to figure it out. He know our frames that we are dust and He knows that this is how He made us. But He makes Himself available to me whenever I call out to Him in sincerity and truth, knowing that I need HIM!
I have been listening to Genesis ans Exodus and noticed how often Abraham, Isaac or Jacob would build an alter to the Lord. With Moses God commanded that the stones should not be fashioned with any tool or they would be defiled.
The Scripiture and your picture Mart reminded me of what Jesus said that if we did not praise Him then the very stones would cry out to Him.
Like pegramsdell, it seems all creation is praising God.
How much more as redeemed children should we Worship and Praise and give thanks to Jesus Messiah, The Holy one of Israel.
We have an alter in our hearts and Jesus said He would turn our hearts of stone into hearts of flesh! Not fashioned by man but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.
Mart, like Steve I also clocked your comment…
“While becoming increasingly disillusioned with myself and everyone and everything else… ”
I know you qualified it with… “my opinion keeps growing of the One…
Who seems to reduce all of the complexities and imponderables of life to… the simple number 1.
And rightly so you should be focusing on Him.
Did something happen in Israel to make you loose focus on your ministry?
I echo Steves thoughts and words…”I don’t thank you enough Mart, for this blog and your attention to it. We are all here because we are looking for fellowship, answers and a place to share our thoughts. You have made this possible for us all.”
I don’t know where I would be without this place and Steve and the others right now.
Please don’t give up as we need you and we all love you in Jesus Name :-) there you go “IN JESUS NAME” lol
Maybe it is a habit to say that, but sometimes there is nothing and no one else’s name to rely on.
God Bless
Bob
Mart –
I too, was caught by your words, “While becoming increasingly disillusioned with myself and everyone and everything else… my opinion keeps growing of the One…”
Your opinion of “the One” I understand and I understand becoming disillusioned with people and the world, but I don’t understand how you’re disillusioned with yourself. Self doubt? I heard this poem for the first time, Sunday night while watching Akeelah and the Bee with my children.
Our Deepest Fear by Marianne Williamson
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Whatever the issue is that has you disillusioned with yourself, you should know that your presence liberated me. I’ve dared to speak, I’ve dared to grow in the short time I first dared to comment on this blog. Because of you, and with the help of others here, I’m thinking about how I can shine and manifest the gifts of God’s glory.
Stacy
AMEN Stacy, AMEN!
Amen and Amen Bob and Stacy! Keep up the good work Mart, I appreciate you more than you know.
Come Lord, Jesus!
I appreciate your concern and questions about being increasingly disillusioned with myself… Where do I start :-)… After writing that I have been more concerned that the comments that followed (about everyone and “everything” else) not be misunderstood by family, co-workers and friends whom I deeply love and respect.
The disillusionment I’m referring to (in part) is that I sense that, in ourselves… none of us knows the way ahead…
The rest of it I don’t mean in a scandalous way– unless desperately needing the grace and help of God is scandalous…. I just sense that life is far too precious, and way too fragile to be entrusted to someone as nearsighted as me/us…
SFDBWV says: Steve: Thanks you said all I need or wanted to say. Thanks Maart your thought to day was God answer to some very heartfelt prayers over the past week.
I work for a faith based organiztion. Have been dissillisoned with my self and them. Thanks for reminding me it’s not about me, or the agnecy it is all about God.
Mart, you opened the last post with “This question has divided followers of Christ for Centuries”. That seems so silly but it is so true. There are several issues that cause followers of Christ to look at vain philosophies rather than the Love that God has for us. That out of everything should be the thing that would cause us to be thankful in all circumstances yet we hold to the pride of being right or wrong about many things.
I have either read or listened to teaching then asked what did the teacher say only to see that the lesson was picked through to have the point so misinterpreted and misunderstood. I imagine that is perplexing for the teacher. Reading scripture I have noticed that Jesus went through the same problems while even giving parables to relate the stories to the listeners. Like the Luke 7:37-49 passage for reading today.
Anyway my point being so much fuss over many issues within the body that the Love of God gets forgotten. He knows the name of everyone of those stars and He calls us by name. He knows what is in our hearts and minds yet He continues to want a relationship with us. No matter how good or smart we think we are, that is nothing in comparison with the all knowing God, the ONE that we are ALLOWED to know.
A love that is beyond human understanding. We are awestruck when we come face to face with celebrities, presidents, queens, rock stars but when we think about the relationship we have with God the creator of all things I wonder how much we fully understand what being in His presence is equal to. My hunch is we do not have a clue but yet we are called to have a One to one relationship with Him. He even goes as far as letting us know what He has planned for the universe.
I personally can not wrap my mind around nor can my words express what that is equal to. My understanding is so very limited and I know nothing. I am silenced by just the thought. There is nothing I can do or say that would even come close to the wonder of it ALL.
But Mart, we (the son’s and daughter’s of Christ) do know the way ahead. Our way is His way; our path is the one He has set forth for us.
I have faith that we’ll (mainly) stay on it. The good thing about His path being the narrow one, it’s harder to get lost once you’re on it and you know quickly when you’ve strayed from it.
I don’t need to see the path, or where it leads, because I’ve faith in the assurances that at the end of it all will be treasure beyond comprehension.
….and besides we can’t see around the corners. He is a lamp unto my feet, because we can’t see in the dark either. The Holy Spirit guides us and teaches us all things. (all) things. All things we need to know. Maybe some things we don’t need to know right now, we just want to know them. Too much info is not always good. :)
It is already way beyond my comprehension that “…God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1) and He is also my intimate one on one friend.
Accurate scientific research is “God-embedded.”
I just love this blog.
dachshund, I am with you just the creation is beyond my frame of reference, lol.
Mart, you added to the post… no fair! lol
You said, “I just sense that life is far too precious, and way too fragile to be entrusted to someone as nearsighted as me/us”
2 Cor 12:9 …My grace is sufficient for you…
Obviously, the Lord believes you worthy. He gave you a gift. He gave you the opportunity. He’s given you the means. I say this with love, who are you to argue with Him? Furthermore, if not you(us) then who? Is there someone more qualified?
I used to believe that my thoughts and beliefs were unworthy, I constantly asked myself, what *right* do I have to share them with anyone? I didn’t consider myself nearsighted, I believed myself to be completely unworthy. Recently, I realized something, we’re all unworthy – but if we don’t step up and proclaim our weakness then He won’t have our voice to proclaim His Power.
Ultimately, you are right. Life is far too fragile and incomprehensibly precious for us – but Mart, the Lord gave it to us, will we waste it?
How audacious is my post? Honestly, I must wonder why I believe I have the right to tell you, a man who is far more learned than me, these things. Truly, I have the right because He told me I could. He gave me these words, they aren’t mine – I would never be so bold to say these things.
Mart, this is my first posting on this website.
For the last couple of weeks, I’ve been reading alot of the comments that have been posted and found them all to be encouraging and uplifting. I thank our Lord Jesus Christ for giving us the opportunity to share our opinions and views on issues that are affecting our everyday life and situations. Praise be to God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ for the breath of life that he has given to us all. And in regards to your posting for today, I can honestly say that of all the wonders that he has shown through all of his creation and above all “His Love for each and every one of us” is absolutely a blessing and a miracle in itself! I thank God for you Mart and all my fellow believers and brethren in Christ for sharing your comments. I deeply find that this website is truly a help to me with my walk with the Lord.
God bless all of you in Jesus’ name,
Manuel
Lively, I agree with you. Christ is entirely sufficient. But what I cannot duck is how woefully I fall short of yielding to, trusting, and allowing Him to live through me.
I think the Apostle Paul expressed something similar when he wrote to the Corinthians about the crushing wretchedness of his own flesh (1Cor 7:24)… that had driven him to see his need of Christ.
… and to the Philippians with the words, “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me… I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead…I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philip 3:12-14).
More interesting facts:
Out of all the stars in our galaxy, none of them are bright enough to be observed by the human eye, ror any in Andromeda for that matter. Every star we see is a colossal specter at far greater distances away. If you think about it, if a star is 10 times further away, it has to be 4200 times the brighter to appear as bright!
When a star in the bootes galaxy (too far away to know which one) went super nova it gave off enough gamma radiation to sterilize any possible life in that galaxy, and from 2.7 billion light years away foiled some our satellites for a moment.
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say rejoice.
:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
:6 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and suplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Who among any could say that they are satisfied fully with what they have accomplished for Christ? Who could ever do such a thing? Seeing that it is Christ who accomplishes any good thing through us anyway.
The flesh fights against the spirit, always. This will be the way of things until the end.
We all fall short, but we all should continue to strive toward the goal, keeping our eyes fixed clearly on Christ. Not on the race, but on the goal.
Yes it is well stated that the same God that created all of what exists, seen and unseen, is the same man who suffered and died for any ONE of us, the same God who can exist inside our beings, the same God that is everywhere His creation is, all at the same moment. that this same God wants to have a relationship with each ONE of us…ONE to ONE.
Humbling? Yes. Do any of us feel worthy? No. But… The one who is worthy allows us to share in His glory.
This same God did everything, for any ONE of us. Because He loves us.
Steve
I think I know what Mart is saying, that the universe is so vast, and an atom is so minute, and there are all kinds of extraordinary things that I can’t grasp that I can’t wrap my thinking around them and feel insignificant about them, but that our God has all of it in His control. Indeed, He created and sustains all of it.
In this blog, a lot of us say what things we ought to be doing for the kingdom, and how best to obey His Word. At times like these, contemplating the complete “otherness” of God that I feel like saying,”what little piddling thing can I do for this all knowing, all seeing, ever-present, omnipotent Person?” Its like a flea asking me what can I do for you? God has done it all. The best I can do is relax and enjoy being in the kingdom. I can tell folks the little I do know about God, and say that He is sufficient for all my needs and the needs of the entire universe. He’s made provision for all my sins at Calvary, so just enter into what He has done and enjoy it.
Something tells me that we will accomplish more for the kingdom by not “doing” but by living there. He’s capable of doing without my help. He does welcome me into ministry of loving others and telling them of His love, and trusting Him more and more.
Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessèd, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great Name we praise.
Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might;
Thy justice, like mountains, high soaring above
Thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.
To all, life Thou givest, to both great and small;
In all life Thou livest, the true life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish—but naught changeth Thee.
Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;
But of all Thy rich graces this grace, Lord, impart
Take the veil from our faces, the vile from our heart.
All laud we would render; O help us to see
’Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee,
And so let Thy glory, Almighty, impart,
Through Christ in His story, Thy Christ to the heart.
Hymm words by Walter C.Smith
Our former pastor, who lead us for over forty years, said that to understand this eternal mystery, let alone communicate it, would be like trying to download the contents of the United Airlines scheduling software on our own personal computer. Too much information. It just won’t fit.
But I can thank Him and praise Him for his goodness, even if I don’t understand it. That’s what I’m called to do.
Thanks for the song Bob
That is so good about going to church, the singing and praising of our God with all our voices together.
Imagine this great God still says to me,(a flea, even smaller to Him):
Let me hear your voice
Song of Solomon 8:13
We can talk with Him, and relax with Him (rdrcomp yes, that’s how I want to live with Him).
Yes, I agree that ” the one thought that deserves the rest of our lives is that the Gospel/Good News keeps getting bigger, like our physical universe, long after our minds shut down.”
Reminds me of these words from the hymn “The Love of God”:
Could we with ink the ocean fill
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry,
Nor could the scroll contain the whole
Though stretched from sky to sky.
Was just about to comment and that song sprang into my head, I thought I would share :-)
rdrcomp, you just said:
“Something tells me that we will accomplish more for the kingdom by not “doing” but by living there.”
Once in Church, someone said we are not “Doings” but we are “Beings”
So we just Be! Just as God is I AM we BE,
Letting ourselves “Be” as “Beings” means to rest in Him and not worry about what we have to do.
One to One, God & Man. Reunited by the Sacrifice of Jesus Messiah. The First Born of Many Brethren. Our Brother!!
Our Lord, Our King, Our Friend.
There is nothing left for us to do but Be in Him and He in us.
Wow!
No I havn’t been on the wine. lol
but it is getting late here.
Bob
Dear Mart
Our God is an awesome God!
To set the record straight:
“The galactic disk of Milky Way) has an estimated diameter of about 100,000 light-years. The distance from the Sun to the galactic center is estimated at between about 26,000 light-years and 35,000 light-years. The disk bulges outward at the center. ”
Source:http://space.wikia.com/wiki/Milky_Way
As a physicist I am awestruck by the grandness of the astronomical and the miniscule atmoic dimensions.
Wonder of all is His love to reach out to us – who are nothing more than dust!
I like that Bob….”we are not Doings but we are Beings”…I saw a kindly, wise, pastor/counselor today for the depression I am under. He knows I have been searching and seeking out answers that are not possible to know…thus, my reason for “being” here at this site. He did warn me of something I am already aware of but he used a catchy phrase I had never heard…”We can over analyze until we are paralyzed.” This has been my condition while searching for big answers in a vast universe of observing and being. I read too much. I ask too much. I read too much. I ask too much…and I still don’t quite get some things. But, God made me this way…and for good reason. We are curious “Beings” so that we will seek Him and grow.
We are miniscule and yet we are important to our Creator in this vastness. There is nothing like the constellations or meteor showers, or to see anything so awesome beyond our grasp. My husband believes there could even be another planet with “Beings” on it…his argument is “why would God make so many galaxies with no more life than just us?” But, I like to think we are His only children. Who is to say? I am happy to be one of HIS…forever.
Hey Mart:
I wonder where the line is of being and doing? Most days I like the thought of “being” -it’s relaxing. But, then I think about the “doing.” And I know that it’s there to do as well. I don’t feel “worthy” to teach Childrens Church or Bible Stories to the Wednesday night kids -I know that there are so many more folks better able to do these jobs. However, while doing these activities I have been experiencing and learning things from so many different angles. I know that you have learned much from all that you do here because you share it with us. Thank you. God has blessed you and because you share and ask and care, you have been given the opportunity of bringing God glory! How wonderful is that??
Hey Scout1,
There is no line between “Being” & “Doing” Jesus said abide in me and I will abide in you. I am the Vine and you are the Braches.
Did you know a vine branch cannot root of itself it has to be grafted to an existing vine. (I was told that, so maybe someone could confirm it?)
So unless we are “Being” grafted to Jesus we cannot grow and bear the fruit of “Doing” His Will.
A branch cannot grow of itself, only by “Being” in THE VINE and this is why Jesus needs us, a Vine Cannot bear fruit unless it has branches.
Yes, as branches we have to be cut back and pruned, but that is only so we bear more fruit.
A branch that is in the vine does not have to work at producing fruit, all that is needed, the sap or life blood, is provided by the vine.
So “Doing” is the result of “Being”, not the other way round!
I am off to work and leave you with that thought.
Bob
Scout1, that’s an important point when considering God’s offer to live his life through us. How passive can we be?
I think Bob and others are on to something. There is a real overlap between the right kind of being and doing.
Am sure my explanation and understanding are very imperfect… but I’ll add my thoughts to what I hope others will add…
Seems to me that “being” means to be in an active mode of “trusting” (i.e. trusting who God is/what he is like/and what he has said).
Knowing what we should “be” in the presence of such a God is then our best indicator of what we should be/doing.
As we step out in our best understanding of faith (like David with his slingshot)–we do so with a confidence that God will do what he wants to do in us– whether it fulfills our expectations or not.
“Waiting” and “relying” on God therefore involves using all of the energies he has given us to both rest and work…
How’s that for muddying the waters :-)…
When it comes to being and doing, I am reminded of Isaiah 58.
Here in this chapter, God speaks as to what he considers a right attitude and a right action with reguards to it. He also says the reward for this is His guidence in all things.
it is a lengthy read which is why I haven’t just rewritten it here.
Steve
It is certainly in the “being”. Being God’s forgiven son/daughter, living by faith in the One who loved us and gave Himself for us.
Think of being with say president Obama for a day. I wouldn’t think of telling him I didn’t vote for him. I would have my best suit on, my shoes polished, and try to use the best manners and be as dignified as I possibly can be. I would leave his presence with a determination to be the best citizen I could be, vote in every election and try my best to abide by the laws of the land. Is that doing? It is being.
Catch my drift? We are in the presence of the One Who said I will never leave you nor forsake you. Do we really believe these words? Isn’t being in the presence of Jesus Christ enough to change our minds? That by the way is the essence of repentance. Isn’t being “in Christ” enough? Just think, we’re walking constantly with the King!! Presidents are in office 4 to 8 years but Jesus is the same yesterday today and forever, and loves us with an everlasting love. Talk about not being able to get your mind around something. If we could get ahold of this, our doing would push right out of our being.
Bob (NC)
Sometimes it’s harder for me to rest and rely on God than it is to do and say.
Sometimes during times of disillusionment, I forget some of what God has done and wish that I had piled up rocks of remembrance as Mart ended his thoughts with. Being able to read what God has done in other peoples’ faith lives here helps me to remember.
Sometimes during times like lately that we’ve been going through there is no way to see where Jesus is leading but from past times I’m remembering that Jesus knows the way and can take us step by step through.
I think of the rock that was rolled in front of Jesus’ tomb. I guess everyone thought that was it:over and done. But three days later:resurrection of Jesus.
Sometimes my prayer is like the father who went to Jesus to heal his son and the father ended up saying,”I have a little faith, please give me more”. Jesus didn’t yell at that father or mock him for that, but gently and lovingly showed that father what God can do. It’s what He’s been doing with me and my family lately too. That this same Triune God Who created all still has the love and patience to take us step by step through each second of each of our lives is amazing and humbling.
I write awkwardly but I hope that the caring can somehow come through. Again, Mart, thanks for this blog.
I like what our friend Bob (NC) said. Attitude and action.
Imagine if you will for a moment, that your walk with God is perfect. What do you think that would like?
God is God, we are not. So waliking with God in perfection would mean that we would be in concert with His will.
Maybe the whole purpose of your being here is for one moment in time. To be at the right place at the right time. To accomplish one goal God wanted accomplished.
As I read accross scripture, many people were used of God to do just such a thing.
While we await or after we have accomplished God’s goal; we are to live the the rules of the Kingdom life. Love one another, even as Christ loved us.
Our life is not always a huge epic event. For some it may be. For some they may be called to be a Moses, or a John the Baptist. For others they may be called to a lessor roll. Tho not lessened by it’s nessesity, nor desire of God.
It is for us to be going about life, obeying the principals of living in the Kingdom, and when called upon by God for any task, be ready to heed and respond.
It not mattering how trivial or how grand. God being the provider of any talent to accomplish either.
Steve
Yes! The overwhelming feelings of disillusionment…dis illusion….to negate illusion of self others and situations perhaps isn’t all bad…
God says to trust in Him alone and the only reason I can see for that is that He is the only One who is trust-worthy….totally!
I forget that more than is healthy for me…but when I come to my senses I realize that putting my trust in God alone what I truly need…it keeps me safe, secure, loved.
Be still my soul, trust in God alone…in Him alone is my help…
Thank you Mart,
You know the Bible tells us to not lean on our own understanding. It’s been several years now that I can honestly say that the most profound thing that I am most certain of is that I don’t have a clue, today I actually find that to be refreshing and comforting.
I like the pile of rocks, I find it interesting that the symbol that reminds us of our faith has been a cross or a fish, should it have been a pile of rocks? Ooooo, there’s a market out there, should we capitalize on that? :) I can see it now little necklaces of rocks, rings with rocks on them, etc, etc
Xavier
Steve
God Gave me Isaiah 58: about three years ago. I read it from the message bible and my mouth dropped open. I shared it with my church.
9-12″If you get rid of unfair practices,
quit blaming victims,
quit gossiping about other people’s sins,
If you are generous with the hungry
and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out,
Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness,
your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight.
I will always show you where to go.
I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places—
firm muscles, strong bones.
You’ll be like a well-watered garden,
a gurgling spring that never runs dry.
You’ll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew,
rebuild the foundations from out of your past.
You’ll be known as those who can fix anything,
restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate,
make the community livable again.
Isaiah 58: 9-12(The Message)
Nows there’s Attitude and Action.
A state of Being and doing!
Steve, you said “Maybe the whole purpose of your being here is for one moment in time. To be at the right place at the right time. To accomplish one goal God wanted accomplished.”
I’ve thought that myself, and said as much to others as well. Such a simple idea that is almost impossible to grasp in fullness.
I love Bob’s example of the vine.
Mart “ONE to ONE”
God said if we draw near to Him He will draw near to us.
It seems this topic of our God wanting to be One on One with us in a universe that is incomprehencibly large, is drawing me closer and closer to Him.
How amazing that through this electronic media God’s Spirit can shine through and touch our lives. Sometimes it is as if God is talking directly to me.
That may be because the same Spirit they raised Jesus from the dead LIVES in each one of us.
Sometimes we forget just what a powerful God He is.
Bob
That may be because the same Spirit THAT raised Jesus from the dead LIVES in each one of us!
:-)
Scout, I agree. We may be inadequate by our own admission but I have thrust myself into teaching, Bible school, etc..because it made me study…to be prepared…to be ready for questions. In being a teacher, one is held more accountable. Moses felt unworthy, too. I can teach Bible stories and know how to conduct myself but the biggest questions do not have answers and I am quick to point that out…and must remind myself daily that I CANNOT know everything…but I can question everything. I want to think that God is using me no matter how insignificant I think I am to carry out the task God has put before me. I trust He will help me in all of these things.
God bless you, Mart.
Hi Bob in Cornwall…..I hope you day/evening is going well. Your post about us drawing near to God and He will draw near to us…I am living it daily. Since last March, I have been drawn to God in a most humble of ways. It tells me that He is truly protecting me in a One on One way…for right now, I feel like I am the only person in the world who is struggling with a tragedy that has taken me to hell and back. God has been with me all of the way. I cannot post all of what was told to me yesterday…waaay too long…but it was another affirmation of His loving arm taking me to where I needed to be for peace and comfort and a realization of sorts. ONE ON ONE…is how I will think of this now. And yes, I am well aware I am not the only one who is going through heartache but it seems that way on occasion.
This blog…I call it my Bible Blog…has been a part of His One on One with me….and I believe it is that way with all of you here on this site. We are on a ONE ON ONE course with Him. I am thankful each time I read something posted here that seems to speak to my particular grief. It is God.
I meant to say One to One….sorry…
So many good comments and observations on this site. Thank you Mart for the opportunity to interact with other Christians thru this medium. One thought about disillusionment; Could it not be considered selfish as it concerns OUR feelings and would God have given us such a sense. It seems to me that anything that does not lift us up,brings us down…and we all know where those things originate.Disillusionment with a bad lifestyle is one thing,but to be disillusioned with ourselves??
Something I heard said about faith:
Faith to the true believer means that
when we step off into the black abyss,
we will either land on solid rock or
we will sprout wings!
Your comment on questions makes me think of a beautiful song by Benji Cantwell called “Questions To Your Answers.”
To SFDBWV,
I’ve been reading this blog for a long time, but never posted anything, in fact I only just registered to post today. Anyway, your initial post about needing God more as you get older and the reference to how how life gets increasingly confusing as the years tick by (at least it does for me,)was very comforting for me to read today. I cannot quote the Bible and am not a terribly deep thinker (as many other posters on this blog are, and I tip my hat to that ability) but I felt the need to simply thank you for your post. For some reason God allowed something in your caring words for the author to connect with me as well today, and for the first time in a while, I didn’t feel alone. Again, thank you.
Dale
In my primitive form of west country english I can’t really see a distinction between “One on One” and “One to One”
James, If we really had total faith in what we say we believe. IE. That the Bible is the Word of God and that every promise in it is True and binding as God cannot lie, then we would all be walking on water and trust Him in all things and for all things.
As modern day diciples we are only just begining to scratch the surface of who God is and what He has and will do for us.
Todays “Our Daily Bread” reading was interesting.
“Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” —James 1:22
“Act on what you hear!” Message Bible
We have been sharing about “Being” and “Doing”, your namesake James makes it clear we should take action on what we here, and Paul said “Faith comes from hearing and hearing by the word of God”.
So we are instructed to hear the word of God and then Act on it.
Just imagine some of the promises God has made to us.
“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.” Deut.7:9
“But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm” Proverbs 1:33
” Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine” Isaiah 43:1
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” Heb.11:1
“We live by faith, not by sight” 2 Cor. 5:7
Bob
From wikipedia.org
Diameter 100,000 light years
Don’t let them repeat that evangelicals are barely literate, poorly educated, easily led, Mart!
TTSRF –
Steve’s words have touched me like that, too. It’s a wonderful balm, his kindness and caring, isn’t it. I hope you post again.
Stacy
TTSRF
Yes I echo Stacy’s words about Steve and welcome you to this little comunity of “bloggers”.
God knows our hearts.
Bob
TTSRF, Thank you for your kind words. No, we are not alone….
Thank you also Stacy and Bob. We grow together.
Stacy, we have a weather alert for Friday over thru Saturday with a warning of 20 inches of snow. A storm similar to Decemer 19th. ( we recieved 24 inches for that one). We still have 14 inches on the ground today.
I will give thanks that my plow is runnung good and I have a full tank of gas.
Good night dear friends.
Steve
Steve – been following the alerts. Looks like we’re in the same storm path, they are calling for the same here. Heard there’s more to be had on Tuesday and similar weather patterns to follow the next several weeks. We’ve melted a bit more than you, about 6″ left – 4″ from last night. Rain washed away most of the 24″ inches we got on the December hit.
I’ll pray for your plows continued health and your gas status! I need to get some kerosene, just in case. As long as we have electricty, I’ll have some fun cooking and baking with the kids this weekend :-)
Stacy
Hello all :) I have been reading “Our Daily Bread” for many years now, and other than daily prayers, that was about the extent of my relationship with God. I’ve always had faith, but have not given God the attention and thanks that He deserves. I’d been selfish and thought “this is MY life, I’m going to live it as I see fit.” Last year, I suffered a devastating loss, and felt so grieved that I did not want to live any more. I prayed that God would take me and let me be done with this awful place and all of the pain I was going through. Instead of “taking me”, he “brought me” back into the church and into HIS life! I have picked up the Bible, for the first time, and have seen His love for me manifested in so many ways! He has brought people into my life that have helped me to appreciate life again, and has shown me that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.I found this blog today when I received an email from Mart (thank you so much!) and have enjoyed reading the message and all of your comments. It is so nice to feel a part of a community of others that share the same feelings of wonder and amazement at what Gods love can do for all of us. I plan to visit this site daily. I am very moved by the love and support I think I will find here. I still have so much to learn, and even though the answers I am looking for may be elusive, I’m sure I will find plenty of food for thought here that will take me down the right path. Thank you to all of you, and God bless all of you.
Thanks for a post that not only enlightened me with some good Physics but also gave me a glimpse of God’s astronomical love illuminating the darkness—shining through all the gazillion stars in those galaxies which are spinning away in space!
And thanks also to ppostma1 and arulraj52 for the additional interesting facts that have further enriched this discussion!
My mind does not shut down… but the sheer grandeur of the starry skies pluck the strings of my heart makes me sing to the tune of the shepherd-King’s harp:
“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained. What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You care for him?”
And to think how such fragile lives, stubbornly refuse to recognize the Creator’s authority over us… and play “god” with our own lives to allow it to be ruled by our own self-conceived agendas… is something my mind will never be able to understand!
Instead of living in humble and grateful dependence upon our Maker, we arrogantly assume to take control of our precious lives… to deny Him the right to display the glory of His character through us. We take pride in the illusions of our humanistic wisdom and strength and forget that every breath we take is a gift of God.
As a result, we fail to glorify God for who He is and tour vain humanistic thinking darkens our minds which then concoct all kinds of virtual truths to eventually live out a big lie!
It “is a rebellious people, faithless…children who will not hear the law and instruction of the Lord; Who [virtually] say to the seers [by their conduct], See not! and to the prophets, Prophesy not to us what is right! Speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceitful illusions. (Isa 30:9-11).
The Msg reads: “…Don’t bore us with obsolete religion.”
When circumstances drive us to the place where we fail to make meaning out of our lives, and to find a purpose to it, it results in disillusionment.
Like the Prodigal son, we rebel against God pushing Him out of our lives and insist to have our own way according to our twisted understanding of His Truth—the laws which He has set down to make all life work… presuming to know better about how to live life than the Creator himself!
Thankfully, sooner or later we find ourselves constrained within the pig pen… faced with harsh reality that everything is but vanity!
It is through much pain and suffering we are ultimately disillusioned. It helps remove the veil from over our eyes and tears down every falsity of our human confidence to help us gain the right perspective… of God’s divine purpose for our lives!
At this point if we continue to stay squatting within the shack of our piggy pals, be assured we will never experience the grace of our loving father! As long as we worship self, we will remain shackled to our deceptive illusions.
When everything fails and despair drives us to our wits end, we realize the truth which then sets us free… to humbly turn and trace back our steps (i.e. repent) so we may offer our true worship to God!
So, I wholeheartedly agree with Hephzibah610, it is good for me that I am disillusioned with self, everything and everyone else.
It awakens me to the truth that apart from Christ, I am nothing… that the “One” and only true God, there is to be first—the highest priority—in my heart and mind!
Gratitude for what He has done for us is not just limited to mere words or thanksgiving. Since God who has called us is faithful, it is also our responsibility to be faithful…we are indebted…to complete the work we have received of the Lord (Col 4:17)
Followers of Christ are not called to simply “be” sitting on the finished work of Christ like a broody hen sitting on her eggs! When we become “one” with God then we become united with His will…Just like the Father and the Son who are of “one” mind and purpose.
And then along with Jesus we will say, “My food is to “do” the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work” and to do the will of the Father. And towards this end, He fully endured the cross and completed His part and… now, we also have our part of the work to finish. For, we are God’s fellow workers…
Yes, it is He who does the work in and through us but for that to accomplish, we have to remain steadfast, “to stand firm…and always give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord”
I don’t know about you, but as for me the older I grow the more I know “my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus” Acts 20:24
Finally, “Who then is a faithful and wise servant? …Blessed is that servant whom His master, when He comes, will find so doing” (Matt 24:45-46)!
Mart,
I’m glad you wrote: “As we step out in our best understanding of faith (like David with his slingshot)–we do so with a confidence that God will do what he wants to do in us– whether it fulfills our expectations or not.
“Waiting” and “relying” on God therefore involves using all of the energies he has given us to both rest and work…
How’s that for muddying the waters :-)…”
..as that really clarifies what you said in your blog for me.
God has really been getting bigger for me, and my hope is my understanding in Christ and the power of his resurrection will also grow. By His Grace, it will. Paul said, “That I may know him” and He had encounters with the risen Christ. Yet, he still crave to know Him better.
Just getting a bigger picture of the God of the universe makes me think how ridiculous it is for me even to try to grasp or live anything apart from HIm.
When I think of some of the old testament believers–those who recognized the greatness of God–I gain an even greater appreciation for the awe they had and respect for Him. This in no way diminishes my appreciation of His love, they go together. He is a great God who loves greatly.
No matter how much we think we lack without Him, we probably don’t know the half of it!
I’m glad God says that He will reward me–as I diligently seek HIM. I’m not always diligently seeking Him, but I find that I must confess it and keep coming back.
It is my hope that in the rest of my life “I” will diminish and He will grow greater so that others truly see Christ in me, whether they like it or not.
Wow. Mart’s comment really resonated with my current frame of mind…
I am involved in a 24/7 prayer ministry called Watchmen on the Wall; my watch is from Midnight until 1AM EST every Thursday. Tonight as I knelt to pray, my mind was both whirling and numbed with thoughts of some life-changing circumstances my family and I are facing. I prayed for a bit and then confessed to God honestly, “I’m not feeling it tonight, Lord…I’m sorry.” I wrapped up my prayer and headed for this blog. Mart’s candid musings and the comments that followed soothed my spirit. The circumstances haven’t changed, but I know The LORD is with my family and me. He promises in Jeremiah 29:11 that He knows the plans that He has for [us]…plans to prosper us and not to harm us; plans to give us a hope and a future. I don’t know how He’s going to bring that about, but I’m clinging to that promise today. Thank you all.
Hello gatormaw
It is so good to here from you and welcome to this amazing place God, and Mart, have provided for us.
I too was just bumbing along with daily devotional reading and the occasional prayer. But since I found this site last year my whole spirit has become alive. I lost my job and had a drink problem and was desperate for something to move in my life. Like you, He has brought me back into His church and into His life! I have emersed myself in His Word and have seen His love for me manifested in so many ways!
“Come sing with me!
How Great, How Great is Our God!!”
May The God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Messiah, be with you and bless you now and forevermore!
Bob :-)
gatormaw, welcome to the blog. You will find fellowship and caring people here. We all learn and grow together.
As nearly all of us have had to go through the trials of life,… and still are.
Steve
Well, Steve. They are now calling for 18-24″ here and near blizzard conditions. Last time they were almost a foot short in the prediction. Maybe the wind will blow the roads clear? lol
Stacy
Perhaps arulraj52 will correct me if Im wrong but if we shrink our sun to the size of an orange, the earth would be a size of grain of sand 3 feet away. Pluto would be about 2 miles away and the next galaxy is about 1000 miles away. Of course our God is bigger than that!!
For me I find that perspective quite humbling. Here we are mere nano-specks (if you let me coin such a word) on a speck yet we are God’s most valued treasure! He could so easily ignore or eliminate us but we are so valued that He sent His only Son to die for us! That rocks!!
I, too, will read something in the Bible only to find myself scratching my head. The more I look and understand the ways of God, the more I realize that God’s ways loom even larger by several folds. Even Billy Graham has this same complaint yet like him, we just need to humble ourselves and just trust in Him. Ps 37:3
Recently, after nearly 5 week stay in a children hospital, my daughter finally came home. My prayers during that time was for the comfort of my daughter plus other children that were there. There were times I thought God was going to call her home.
I didnt complain but did ask for some understanding of why my daughter was inflicted with a disease that happens 1 in 100,000 cases. Of course, I thought of other innocent children who were there receiving treatments as well. I did see various memorials of other innocent children who God did call home.
I kept saying to myself, “There is a reason.”
However during her stay, the earthquake occurred in Haiti. I felt guilty about the care my daughter received while thousands died in Haiti since my daughter was seen not by one doctor but by several teams of doctors. (I did find out that a number of doctors from that hospital did went to Haiti.)
After all this, I just need to let God be God and just praise Him for His grace and mercy He bestowed on all of us. “RJ”, just another treasured nano-speck of God
Gatormaw, I am among those who is fairly new to this blog. I can tell you without wavering that these wonderful people have had the right words for me at this time of tragedy in my life. I feel the pain in your words about loss and wanting to die because of it. God has been constant even in the doubt and despair, the cries and the searching…in that searching, I found HERE. I know you will be comforted.
Dale
Rokdude5 I am praying for your daughter this morning and for your family. I hope that her prognosis is for good health and complete recovery.
dale
This topic has been bringing to mind so many songs for us…I want to share a title to a song that the choir sang in our high school. It’s words were awesome but the title says it all…”How Small We Are, How Little We Know.”
rokdude5, your comment about your daughter brought to mind the thought about how precious our children are to us. We have such anguish in our heats, souls and mind when we see our children suffer. I was reminded that our Glorious Lord created this wonderful world for us (His Children) to enjoy and knows that we will experience all kinds of heartbreak and He is willing to walk with us through those things.
Although we may never know fully the vastness or complexity of our God, we do know the love He has for us. We are so important to Him he created all the stars, earth, plants, animals, universe and just in general everything for our enjoyment and fascination. He gave us brains and imagination to discover, learn and grow in the knowledge of His Glory. I hope we never forget how utterly important we are to Him.
God has gone to extremes to have a relationship with us, His creation. Even when we might consider ourselves enemies He still made a way for us to come into His presence. We look to those who have fame and notability who could careless about those beneath them but God cares. GOD CARES!!!
He created us with the foreknowledge that we will rebel and go our own way but He has not for thousands of years since the flood given up on us and had the hope that we would seek Him. That kind of love is immeasurable. So if we feel unimportant I think we need to look at that again. Look how important our children are to us and His love is far greater than anything we can imagine.
What wonderful thoughts! Interesting. . . .there was a quick little 5 minute ‘thing’ on PBS the other night about the 3 stars in the Belt of Orion. They said the middle star’s diameter would be the size of 30 of our own sun. (Mind boggling for me. . AND that these 3 stars were 1,000 light years away. If that is so–the light we see tonight from those stars left around the year 1,000 or so. So, from their perspective, when we look into the night sky, we are really seeing the past.
Now, there are some people who think the earth/everytthing made is around 10,000 years old. Their thoughts are that the billions/millions of years other say helps the evolution philosophy. {am not trying to cause an upheaval over the age of the earth} Does is REALLY matter anyway? God knows. But, how can something be so far away if the creation isn’t very old? Or, does the verse in Genesis:” . . .He made the stars also” mean this was an afterthought meaning He made them at an earlier time than the earth? This is something that really puzzles me, but the Lord will reveal all things to us when we are with Him.
The heavens declare the glory of God. . . His creation does help keep us humble when we think how HUGE and great it is, and how small we humans are. And to think, God spoke, and there it was, but He formed man from the dust of the earth. . . does it seem like He took more time to create Adam than to create the rest of creation? This is what is thought about here when I’m able to sit in the dark and watch the sky.
Truly our Father is WOMDERful.
Have also been studying Ephesians. What a delightful little book! It is such a blessing to study it!
To be honest with you Mart, my mind had shutdown almost right away, lol when I saw references to space and stars and galaxies. It has always been too vast for me to understand it all. Although, I do enjoy an occasional picture viewing of space related things like flames tearing away from the sun and the rings and particles surrounding saturn and the likes. How about that vehicle they placed on Mars and it got stuck and last I heard they’re trying to get it moving again?
As for my one to one with the Lord is all I ask for. He said….here is me and there is you and in between is my commands, your actions and consequences. What are you going to do? I told him that I’m working on it and that the part I’m having most trouble with is working on it “sincerely”.
Thank you to all of you who have responded to me. My heart is so full of gladness and appreciation for all of you. Its so nice to know I have a place to come to for comfort, support and more knowledge about God. Its nice to know that none of us are suffering alone. Reading the bible has been a little daunting. A lot of it I don’t understand and have to go back numerous times to reread and see if I can grasp what it is saying, but I’m sticking with it and am sure it will sink in eventually. Thanks again all of you, and I’ll see you again tomorrow!
“Been Thinkin’” a lot lately about how much Christianity, i.e., the church focuses on what God can do for me, how He can bless me, etc. We seem to have taken the focus off of God.
I know it has to start with me. As Paul says, I am the worst of sinners, especially in this case. It’s almost like I can’t comprehend how great God is so I put Him in a box that I can understand. He needs to be AWESOME in my life.
Gatormaw, you stay with it buddy, it’ll be easier in no time. I’m already looking ahead to next year when I do the bible in one year over again and the next and the next…..well, you get the picture. :-)
Praise Jesus!
Well you said it Rajnesh…. PRAISE JESUS!
Everything is so AWESOME all we can do is WORSHIP our GOD
in AWE!
Psalm 27:4 (Today’s New International Version)
One thing I ask from the LORD,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.
This is what I ask!
Bob
Gatormaw –
I feeel the same way about the Bible, it is daunting. I still haven’t read it all the way through, I’d guess about 90%! But, part of the reason is the whole rereading and not happy until I “get it” problem.
Posting here has helped a great deal, but sometimes it takes forever to write a post because I have to search for the verse I want – sometimes I know exactly where it is, but often I don’t. Even if I am sure of it, I still go look at it because I don’t trust *myself*. But… the coolest thing about having to look it up is the other verse I come across and there have been times that I get “lost” in my research just because I become enthralled with His Words.
I have to go out this morning, even with the impending storm. Hubby has a doc appt. The schools are already closed, thank goodness!
Steve – keep safe, this is a monster system with strong winds.
Mart – Now I’m even more with Bob regarding a forum – have you thought about adding a forum here? I know there would be difficulties – but pray on it, please.
Bubbles,
I love the way you express yourself, I’ve had those same thoughts as well.
When I hear about carbon dating going back millions of years & to think that God created the heavens and the earth according to what we have interpreted from the word seven thousand years ago, there’s a miscorrelation there.
So I too look at Genesis, and see where it says in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, and now the earth is without form and void.
Hmm, what happened here? if God creates everything perfect why is the earth now with out form and void? Could He have destroyed it once before?
Because I’m the guy who likes to read deep into things I ask myself this other question, If God has in fact been around forever, and forever is a bit longer than seven thousand years, is this really all that He has to show for?
The way I see it we will never know until we see Him face to face, but its comforting to know that there is someone out there that is greater than us, watching over us.
Xavier
Pooh,
Thank you for reminding me that we have a loving, caring and forgiving God and not one that is eager to unleash His wrath on me even for my repeated shortfalls.
Bob,
How cool is that? That’s what I’m trying to say with my post earlier. Funny thing is I like to stay in the present when it comes to ODB, never look ahead. It’s so eerily beautiful. I’ll take these as subtle confirmations that I feel and know that the Good Lord is working with me.
Yes!……Thank You Jesus!
rockdude5, thanks for sharing about your daughter. May this experience of God’s wonderful care through sickness and suffering greatly enrich not only yours but also your daughter’s faith.
Been there with my own daughter… and know what it is like. It brought me to a place of disillusionment where I finally realized that He is God and I am not. This understanding enabled me to let go of my possessiveness… not due to defeat but with a jubilant surrender to His will so that whether He heals or chooses to take her away… He may be glorified!
And after that, even amidst the darkness of that storm it was so awesome to sense the light of His blessed peace flow like a river within the innermost depths of my heart, soul and mind!
About the Qumran rocks…
It is very true, we often fail to trust God because we forget the great things He has done for us in the past. Joshua set up a pile of twelve stones in the river Jordan, to mark the supernatural leading of God through parted waters.
The purpose of this memorial was to teach their children about the great things which the Lord had done, so that His gracious provision and protection would not be forgotten for generations to come.
As a result even the faith of our children and our children’s children remains strong… because they have been told about the riches of God—His eternal love, His wonderful grace and His tender mercies which endures forever and forever.
rxman: in your comment “…about how much Christianity… focuses on what God can do for me…” you have raised a very important point! Sadly, 75 % of Christianity comprises of those who seek Jesus not for what they can give but for what they can get.
And sadder still are those who never really pursued a personal relationship with Christ to feel secure in His love, mercy and grace. Hence, they spend their whole Christian lives as “Fair weather followers”…
Whether we like it or not, this is the undeniable truth… the nature of our selfish human love that always seeks what we can get out of a love relationship rather that what we can give out of our very best to enrich that relationship.
In Deuteronomy 6:4 Moses declared “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!” and to further to drive home the point he tells the Israelites, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”
The patriarch Jacob, erected a stone at “Bethel”, as a reminder of his personal experience in the house of God and also a reminder of his vow to serve and give back to God…of all He provided.
So, it is my prayer for all of us… that after years of being saved and nourished with His love and goodness and the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us (Eph 1:7-8), ask not what God has done or will do for us, but let us ask what we can do for God.
Just some of my pensive Friday thoughts…
Mart, I have been to several other locations at RBC and am happy to come across so many other articles and videos that are very helpful to me. I do not know any other place to post this comment, though. I want you all to know that the Faith In Crisis video was one that answered so many questions…even when it had no answers to life’s deepest questions. I liked the way it was set up as a forum with you, the counselor and pastor. I have directed several others to this video…moms, who like me, have lost a child recently and are in a faith crisis of sorts. I am so blessed each time I find another treasure here.
I agree with Bob (Cornwall) and others who have requested a forum that allows us to ask any kind of theological question that comes to mind. People always have questions about what does this and that mean when reading the scriptures. Just something to ponder.
Thank you,
Dale
Pooh,
Thanks for what you just said, but Jesus is the one who is growing not me, I am diminishing I hope.
It is due to this site, Ron Bens chastisiment of me last year, Marts wise words and my exceptance of them that has had a profound effect on me.
Listenening to the Bible in MP3 format whilst working in the mornings has also started to transform my thinking and renew my heart.
The fact we can share our feelings, fears and thoughts here is such a blessing.
Thanks to Jesus and the fact He came to Earth and lived One to One, Side by Side with us and shared our fears and hopes our sadness and joy.
Thanks to Jesus that He laid down His life as the unblemished Lamb of God. And thanks to God The Holy Spirit who raised Him up from the dead to become the first of many brethren.
Thanks and Praise and Worship to our Holy Father who WAS and IS and IS to come.
One God who has chosen to make His home with men.
Bob
Has anyone read “The Naked Gospel”. I would be interested in hearing what your thoughts are. thanks
A weather update… I just measure our snowfall – deep. Hehe. Actually, we’re at 26″ with at least 6 more to come. Thank the Lord, the winds have gone down and we still have electricity.
Hoping and praying you are ok, Steve. I know it’s hitting you just as hard over there…
So off topic but I just wanted to say:
Boogity Boogity Boogity…Let’s go racin boys!!! The Shootout is tonight so Go Joe Gibbs Racing Go….
I look forward to this as a “release” to the week’s events. The latest incident was having mom in hospital last night with severe pains under her right rib. No broken ribs but the attending physican in emerg thinks it is bruising from her transfer belt. Tylenol for pain every 4 hours and no more transfer belt for at least a week. I am praying that this is what it is and there is no further underlying cause which was missed. She is so frail….
“No One Ever Cared For Me, Like Jesus” is forefront in my mind this morning. Thank you Lord Jesus for Your love for her.
This has been and interesting week of reading. The topic has bounced around a lot of different ways, but comes back to the ONE true fact that God is the center, whether we acknowledge it or not – (people ‘we’ in general).
I have been blessed at the comments from new members, and, as I still feel a bit new, am blessed at how easy everyone here makes it for us to participate without fear of condemnation. The mild guidance given when one strays from Biblical overview of topics, has blessed my heart and opened my eyes to areas I am in need of working on.
In response to this weeks questions, I can only say that I am so very, wonderfully, elated that my God is
S O O O O very big, that I can not comprehend Him, yet so attainable that I can walk with Him. Many of the religions in society (every society) try to bottle God and say they know all about Him – I am very glad my God does not fit in ANY CONTAINER.
Many have said, and I totally agree, “the more I know, the less I know.” I am just so blessed that God loved me and (Eph. 2:8-9) gave me the faith to accept Him. He doesn’t ask me to understand everything about Him, just to believe that He will accomplish all He has said He will do.
Thank you all for your sharing – I am blessed and growing from your words, here.
InHisHands
Amen to your post above!
Especially “the more I know, the less I know.” That whole paragraph expresses my thought on the matter.
“HE” gets bigger, “I” get smaller. And the smaller “I” get the more of Him there seems to be.
Stacy, Thanks for the concern, I know there are 30,000,000 people effected by this storm. It is good to know God has his eyes on every one. A very ugly affair.
We have 33.1 inches of snow from this snow storm. 27 overnight and 6.1 more inches today. To date we have had 163.7 inches of snow this season. Lot of winter left to go.
It has been a very busy day for me and I still have crews out working to open things up.
Took a minute to check on the blog.
Pat I am sorry to hear about your mother’s difficulties. I never used transfer belts after I got Matt home from the rehab hospital. He and I worked out a system that worked for us. He and I are big strong fellows and that is the difference.
I hope you have some fun release time…
Steve
31.5 (unofficial) here – it’s hard to tell exactly how much as there was a lot of drift from the winds last night. I would guess it was pretty close to 36 – we’ve drifts close to 6 foot. Send a plow to my driveway! lol A neighbor has one, I think I’ll hike down to his place tomorrow and ask if he can clear us – it’s too much for us to do on our own.
Keep safe tonight and tomorrow, everyone!
Hello all. I just wanted to put in my 2-cents worth regarding a forum where we can post thoughts, questions, observations, etc. I have so many questions about what I am reading in the bible, in My Daily Bread, what God wants for and from me in my daily life, and how I can be closer to Him. Mart I’m sure you have plenty to keep you busy with this site and everything else you have going on. Perhaps some computer savvy soul can get involved and get it up and running (I would if I knew how!).
My thoughts and prayers go out to all, especially those on the east coast getting all the dreaded snow! I moved from MI to LA 7 years ago and must confess I do not miss snow one bit! I do love seeing pictures of it, but thats about all I care for it.
Thanks to everyone for the valuable input I read here. Hopefully one day soon I will be able to contribute more.
gatormaw,
I know you did not ask me the question but if I may give you a simple answer. It is from the book of James chapter one verse five; “5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” When we find things we do not understand, God who is the spiritual author of the bible will show you. It has happened to many before us and will continue to happen. You might even read the whole book or chapter of James. God will show you, it may not be within the moment you ask but He will reveal it to you in a way you will understand and then be able to apply it to our own life. We all have many questions and sometimes in our human reasoning we mess up what the intentions of the scripture were. So it is always best to go to the source.
gatormaw, good morning. In responce to your comments. Pooh is correct in my opinion. It starts with and ends with the writen word.
But be careful, there are all sorts of Bible translations out there are everyone doesn’t agree on the accuracy of many.
Find a Bible you can understand. One I can recomend is the *Living Bible* Tynsdale publishing. Get a good concordance and have a good old King James version handy.
You also, if not already need to find a church that you feel comfortable with and get into bible study with them. The tougher questions of theology you can discuss with your Pastor or church elders.
But always check for yourself what the Word says, pray on it and as you search out the answers, they will come with conformation from the Holy Spirit.
Steve
Can’t imagine what some of you are looking at in this storm. I remember once back in the 60s seeing Chicago brought to a complete standstill by only 17 inches of snow.
Here in West MI we are only getting cold air and a dusting.
Am working on another post but since the conversation has been so good, and so many of you have plenty of other things on your mind today, will wait until later tonight or tomorrow morning to change the subject.
Will also check to see what it would take to provide forum site…
Stacy, looks like we got a whoopin from ole man winter yesterday. Our storm totals are 33.9 inches. It is official since I am the weather observer for my community. Of course everyone wants it to be more, but that’s enough.
We have to open a road into our cemetery this morning as the the unpleasentness of life and death didn’t care about the weather. Viewing yesterday and funeral today. I am sure we won’t be able to have a burial until Monday and that prolongs the grieving for the family. But we will do our best.
I am glad you have a good neighbor to help you out. Stay warm as it was -3 for us this morning, but has already warmed up to 10…
Steve
Steve, I’m impressed by a community that can provide a winter burial after almost three feet of snow. My husband was cemetery superintendent in our small town for 10 years, and managed to provide winter burials when families requested it. It is quite rare for cemeteries in our part of Maine to open a grave in the winter; most are held over until spring. It makes it so much harder on the family to have the burial delayed for weeks or even months.
We’re used to large amounts of snow here, but a two or three foot storm is still a major challenge. My Dad plowed snow for 30 years, and in the big storms, it can be a life or death situation.
Mart & All,
I am thankful this subject was approached. God is giving me a crash course in understanding what it is to know how much I don’t know.
Without going in depth, I discovered a technology in use that two years ago I was saying impossible. I strongly disagree with the way it is used. My first approach was to try to tell God about a situation He knew perfectly well, and to tell Him what to do. He obviously corrected me in my approach to Him concerning the situation.
To sum up, God gave me innocent children as to ally with me because they have not yet conformed to academic and social norms, and they are not afraid to make comment on what they see and experience.
In view of the magnificence of all God created, it is good that we recognize how awesome God is, and simply ask,”Your will be done, not my own”.
I have enjoyed the comments, and the insight you folks have shown.
My best to you in the Lord Jesus Christ,
Timothy
Timothy – I loved your comment about children – “they are not afraid to make comment on what they see and experience” How true that is! Another great example of why we should come to Him as little children :-)
Mart – A forum would be simple awesome!! I noticed that your following on Facebook has increased. I fanned the page less than a week ago and it was at 72 fans, now it’s 103!
Steve – I hope you’ll be able to do the burial Monday.
Stacy
Well, Mart said he is about to post a new topic, may I say how wonderful this one has been. So much sharing and so many new people.
How Awesome is our God!
I do feel and pray for you Steve & Stacy in all that snow. I know I don’t live on a tropical paridise, but our daffidils are in flower in the comercial fields and all the spring wild flowers are ready to burst open in a few weeks. +10C today with clouds and no wind.
No wonder the pilgrim fathers had a shock the first winter spent on your shores.
Looking forward to your new topic Mart and this “Forum” if you can get it working.
God Bless
Bob
Stacy and saled, Will be able to bury her on Monday and have another planed for Tuesday.
Another strange thing about small town living is that nobody dies alone. There are always 2 or 3 burials at the same time. Within a week of each. Odd but true.
The winter burials are made possible by people who care about other people. Even when they don’t know the deceased, they understand the sorrow and heartache that families feel. So with the aid of a few good volunteers, we do what has to be done.
Still have crews out clearing back snow from the streets and alleyways. Expecting another foot Tuesday over thru Wednesday.
I hope someone caught that groundhog, he’s outta control.
Just stoped by for a quick visit and a cup of coffee.
See you all next time.
Hello Everyone –
I have been enjoying reading all that you have been writing on this blog …. I’ve been struck speechless! (or to be more accurate – writeless even though I know that’s not a word!) What a blessing.
I have been praying for all of you on the East Coast. You are just getting pummeled! I pray that God will meet your needs, and only God and you know what those needs are. And as we, as believers have discovered, God knows our needs before we even ask. Such a great God we serve! Stay warm!
Gatormaw – Your hunger for the word is refreshing! The advice Poohpity and Steve gave you is right on. Our understanding of the Word of God comes from God himself through his Holy Spirit. We just have to ask for his guidance. As Steve said, finding a translation that helps you understand, while being accurate is important. I have found the New American Standard Study Bible so helpful. I also use the New King James to kind of cross reference. You are in my prayers. Accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior has been the greatest blessing I have ever known.
I just started joining in on “I’ve Been Thinking” on the last topic “Can You Lose Your Salvation”. Thank you Mart for allowing God to use you in this way. It is such a blessing to share with, and learn from, fellow believers – so helpful. In the short time I’ve been enjoying this blog, I have felt such a great connection with so many of my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
Because of my life circumstances right now, I am a bit isolated as far as fellowship goes, so this is truly a blessing!
Thank you everyone for sharing from your heart.
Anna
I hope folks do not concentrate on what we say but on God’s Word we tend to mess it up. What I said earlier was a quote from the book of James so please look to the bible.
Anna – I know how you feel about being isolated in terms of fellowship! I kept praying that He’d find a way for me to have more and it came by way of this blog.
Just got another “URGENT” storm warning, for Tuesday! Uggh! I’m praying it will miss us this time. But, I’m grateful for the opportunity that I’ve had to make bread, literally. It really is amazing stuff, bread. But, we’re really going to need to go to the store again – before the “new” storm hits.
I’ve been wanting to try out true sourdough, but was put off because it is difficult. It can take months to create the starter needed to make a true sourdough; you need time and patience to grow the yeast needed to leaven the loaf. No “man made,” premade yeast for this bread – it “wild grown” yeast – God’s own. Often, it is the “natural” world that humbles me, the power and glory of His work is amazing. That, given time and care a substance that could potentially cause you to be ill will make the most amazing food – and somewhere along the way, He made sure someone knew this and today we have the bread as proof (pardon the pun, fellow bread makers!)
Stacy
Steve & Stacy
My son would love to take about 4 ft of the white stuff from your hands. He snowmobiles and since our January 25th thaw (record rainfall), we have had only just a trace of snow since. He is beginning to pace the floors hahaha.
Pooh –
I can’t speak for others, but I always look it up. What I like is the other view points. Often other peoples comments open my eyes to more of Him and His Word.
Stacy
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I think we’d both gladly send it! I know I would.
Stacy
To comment respectively and uncontentiously on the comment made about “is this all that there is to God’s creation?”
When we visualize eternity as a never-ending line, and the entire history of the earth as a pin head sitting on that line, yes, it does seem so small, but can our finite human minds comprehend the mind of an infinite God? Did God NEED to make us/anything here? God is self-sustaining and perfect. But, He chose to create and said “it was good.”
When an earthworm is dissected and ten tiny aortic arches can be seen, when the heart is considered–the various valves–seminlunar, tricuspid, mitral. . .when the invisible CO2/O2 cycle between plants and animals is considered, when one considers the soil upon which we tread, how each snowflake is beautiful and different, and then gone quickly, how DNA is composed and how it can unzip to form RNA, how God’s thumprint of precision is on all creation down to the subatomic level, etc. When the vastness of space is considered–how God knows the ends of the universe, and what each cell in each of our bodies is doing right at this moment in time,
How can it be asked, “is this all there is?” in the span of eternity? I often ask, “how CAN there be such creativity? Whatever God was doing before He began the earth had to be right, and good, and perfect.
Rambling thoughts–for what it’s worth-if anything. . Again, not to be contentious or hateful to anyone here–
p.s. we were blessed here with only ice/wind and only
EIGHT inches of snow this time! Yay! :)
The first day of spring: March 20! It’ll be here before we know it!
Bubbles – you blew my mind… eyes glazed over… lol it is really cool when you stop to think about all the “little” things we have that so many dismiss under the guise of “nature” I’ve come to so dislike that word, and I shouldn’t. Sadly, when you use the word “natural” anymore – it no longer automatically means, God’s Natural World. Bah. Phooey on those silly people – and may God give them eyes to see.
Laughing at your comment about spring – bet it comes in with snow on the ground! lol
Have a lovely (warm), blessed night – everyone.
Stacy
bubbles, your comment shows how we just see the surface when there are so so many intricate details to everything God created. Mind blowing isn’t it?
Stacy – You are so right! This blog provides such great fellowship. Such a blessing.
I’ve never made Sourdough bread. I’ve thought about it but gave up for the same reason! I remember back in the 80’s it was all the rage to make homemade Sourdough bread and people would share their “starters”…. like for a gift they would give you some of their starter and you would then be able to use it to make your own. I didn’t realize what a gift that the person who gave it to me thought it was. I let it “die” and she was so upset about it. It had been passed on in her family. I had no idea about starters or anything to do with bread making! Now I love to make it, but stick to whole grain and, of course, cinnamon rolls! Yum!
I hope that storm misses you! I remember one year here in the Pacific Northwest we had an incredible ice storm. Everything was frozen and everything was at a standstill for several days – well, maybe not several but for sure 4 or 5! It felt like 30! My prayers are with you!
Blessings,
Anna
I have four Bibles, been to two Discipleship training courses, many Bible studies, am a Stephen Leader and Minister, many resources by many different authors whom I trust…etc…I say this to emphasize that I am still in need the need of the community of Christ. We all have questions to ask and toss back and forth. I always get a blessing when someone is concerned about the very things that have me questioning. I know to read the Bible and ask for guidance but who am I to say that God wouldn’t like me to ask these questions of others so we can all discuss what we have learned. I think a forum is great stuff…isn’t that what we are doing here? Why not have a forum where we don’t have a specific topic? Where we don’t feel guilty for mentioning something monumental or even smaller to us personally. I think it would be a great undertaking but a worthy effort. I appreciate this site and all the administrators and all that is already offered here.
I for one like the adherence to a topic because even with the guidelines many go off topic. If there is a forum it will be hard to have guidelines for the protection of those who could be lead others astray and prevent harm to people with advice that may not be asked for or healthy for the injured. Here we are given a topic to discuss that has been what this was about for years. It would be nice for folks to develop relationships outside of this blog to develop spiritual growth and maturity. It is like there is a purpose for each of the ministries that RBC has developed and this one is for discussion on a topic the creator has deemed important or that God had prompted for discussion.
I have always enjoyed and been blessed by the thoughts of Mart. I have also seen how important the topics are for everyday life. It fascinates me how the topics seem to fall into things that are happening presently and God brings it all together. Mart’s knowledge and love of the Lord shines out with every topic.
It seems like it would be hard to regulate an open forum because already when typing I think people say things without thought to another’s spiritual growth by presuming to know all the answers.
I wouldn’t want a forum to replace this!
I guess I was thinking of the off topic things that we bring to these discussions – like Steve and my weather woes! lol (forcast just jumped to TWENTY more inches on Tues/Wed) And, perhaps for questions that someone would feel uncomfortable posting in a public blog.
I suppose, I was thinking registered only for read and post for the forum for more personal issues so it wouldn’t take away from this blog.
Thank you Pooh and SFDBWV for your help and guidance. I have been reading the Douay-Rheims version, but I also have a King James version, a Guideposts “The Book” version, and a Catholic Family Daily Missal, which seems to be more of a book on masses. I started out reading the old testament and was thoroughly confused, so I started on the new testament and have had a little better luck understanding that. I have a question though, should I read it from the start to the finish, or is it okay to skip around? I want to get the most out of it, but as this is my first time reading it, I’m just a little unsure. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all of the help I have received from folks on this site. God brought me here for a purpose, and has all of you working in my life. The wonder of all of it brings tears to my eyes. He is truly amazing.
RBC ministries has “Our Daily Bread” on the internet which also contains daily scripture reading guide to get through the bible in a year. It is also linked to biblegateway.com which has the bible in 35 languages and 50 versions. It is rbc.org on the left of the page is ODB.
Poohpity – Point taken. I realize I am guilty of going off topic. I am sorry for that.
I totally agree with you regarding how important it is to have good discipleship. If I have said anything in my blogging that has suggested anything other than that I apologize.
Thank you for your great contributions. You bring up a lot of excellent points.
Blessings!
Anna
Oh Anna, your posts have never disappointed me and I look forward to reading your words. We all go off topic and what I said was just a general statement and not pointing a finger at anyone especially you. Thank you so much for the kind and encouraging words. I think it would be good for me to step back for a while because what I have always wanted to achieve here and every other place in my life is to point folks to the bible rather than anything I say. I have a hard time relaying what is in my heart because I do not have the skills for writing that I would like.
Xavier,
Went back and read your response from the 5th. I’ve had the same conversation with someone else, and they had similar thoughts to yours about what happened to make the void etc. I understand where you are coming from.So
sorry that your comment was misunderstood on this end.
I am sorry if I made it sound like I would like this blog to be replaced. NOT SO! In fact, there are a few who manage to point out when we go off of the topic for whatever reason and it seems to bother them. I HAVE QUESTIONS other than the ones that are born from a certain topic. I am not alone. It would be nice to have ANOTHER forum for those of us who are struggling with issues and can bring up any question we like without feeling like we have strayed from an ongoing discussion. For instance, I have been told that it is biblical about our loved ones who are in Heaven, that they can see us…not interact but can actually see us. I cannot find that in the Bible. I want to know if it is true but it is far off of the topic. I have other questions that pop up at midnight and it is so easy just to post it here…since there is a host of varying opinions on certain biblical subjects, I think it would be interesting to have an open discussion on whatever….this is just my humble opinion. I love Been Thinking About as it is. I have learned much.
Poohpity –
You, my dear sister in Christ, are a blessing! Your passion for the Lord is evident!
Romans 10:17 “For faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” kind of explains why it is so important to do what you do – point people to the Word!
I learned that verse when I first came back to the Lord and it has always been such an encouragement to stay in the Word. Before I read the Bible, I always ask God to open up the ears of my heart and mind to what truth he wants to teach me. He is faithful – and I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer! LOL
The scripture that Mart cited above (Ephesians 3: 14-21) is so incredible. …”To be strengthened with might through his Spirit in the inner man, that Christ might dwell in your hearts through faith…” I see that so much in your postings. It’s quite evident where your strength comes from! I know how you feel about having a hard time relaying what is really in your heart….I struggle with that as well.
This topic has been almost overwhelming in a way to me. Well, not almost, it is! When I think of all that God has created, things that are still yet undiscovered, and yet he love us so much is beyond me. I am so thankful.
kingsdaughter, I had also heard such things that the dead can see us. It is from the story of the rich man and Lazarus…. and that is simply a parable. To my knowledge, this is the Bible’s teaching about the dead:
“The living at least know they will die, but the dead know nothing…Whatever they did in their lifetime…is all long gone. They no longer play a part in anything here on earth… For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.” (Ecc 9: 5-6, 10)
Been praying that you will not have any more of those dark days…may God continue to comfort the anguish of your soul…
Kingsdaughter, I would like to comment, but have to go in a minute. All these questions I have too. But nowadays I am getting older, and can wait longer for an answer.
I learned a lot of things from Sadu Sundar Singh. An indian Brahman who became a christian just like Paul was grasped by Christ. A very powerfull ministry he had in the years around 1920.
He has a book written, He saw heaven opened.
It is not the bible, but this man saw many visions. And they do not counteract the bible.
He says, people in heaven sometimes are able to see people on earth, in perilous times they are allowed to see and so they can pray for them in their trial time.
Bible verse to back this up:
Hebrews 12:1, 22-24
Many things that are a question to me, I now want to learn to trust God more. If He sees fit I know the answer, He will in due time give it. Be patient in not knwoing all the answers yet.
Deborah(pooh)
You are a silly goose! As my grandmother would say. You were on my mind last night as I said my nightly prayers before falling asleep – I do the ones that are important to me first, sometimes I fall asleep before I get done.
You write perfectly well. If you are struggling, this is what I do, RELAX and let the thoughts just stream out – no matter where they lead don’t try and guide them at all(I suggest you do it in a word processing program) and then walk away from them and try to forget what you just wrote. If you do think of something new to add, add it. DO NOT EDIT YOUR FREE FLOW!!! After an hour or so, go back and edit. You’d be surprised how much easier it is to clarify what you’re trying to say after you come back to it.
Stacy
What Daisy wrote about the dead, is what I have been taught by my church, the dead are dead, waiting in their graves for the resurrection, either the first, for those who knew Christ, or the second for those who didin’t Revelation 20:4-5,11-15 and the one in Ecclisiastis.
But after I left that church, and came in contact with other christians, they would be scared to bits if I told them, aren’t we to sleep in the grave not knowing anything? They all thought they would go straight to heaven.
So here is the thing: for the ones knowing Christ, being His, it is a good thing to live after death, and then in heaven.
But in turn it would scare me to bits to know that all those who didn’t know Christ, and had not live da very good life, they would live on as a spirit after they had died. It troubled me sooooo much, all these wandering spirits, lost and vexed.
zIt was such a vexation to me.
But GOd was very mercifull to me, very very. One day I was playing the piano, some hymns, and I was playing the one which talks about dancing on the streets of gold, words out of Revelation 21, and peace streamed into me, peace like a river, strong and quieting my worries.
They are all gone now.
Is that an answer?
God didn’t actually explain to me how exactly things would go, just gave me the vision of the streets of gold in the new Jerusalem, when worrying about lost wandering souls.
I am thnakfull for my God, He is so mercifull, so full of goodness, the First and the Last, the Alpha and the Omega. He is the beginning of everything and the end too.
There is no end to His love.
His love endures forever Psalm 136.
Thank you Forever and Daisy for addressing my concerns. I shared on the new topic about my dream I had that was, I know in my heart, from God. I have never ever had a dream about God in my life. This was a good feeling dream. I don’t pretend to know the meanings of dreams but this one is all about Light and God…
I will post it again here: I was standing in front of a huge window with large panes…it was daylight outside..a very big wreath of stars..big as the sky…was coming at me…and I just stood there at the window..in awe…it came through the window (not breaking it) into me…and I was saying Praise God! This is God! ….there was a wonderful sensation…that I cannot describe. But, I felt this dream not only saw it…
It was wonderful and I wish I knew an interpreter who could put it into the perspective that the biblical interpreters did. But, I know for certain that is was GOD and that is good enough for me.
Dale
God is the one who can interpret the dream. It just sounds like what it was just in tune with the One to One topic the awesomeness of His majesty was displayed to you. To rest in that awesomeness and put all your fears and questions in His hands.
Thank you….I do believe His message was obviously connected to months and hours spent questioning in His presence as I grieve. It has taken so very long…to me, of course, but never did I expect such a wonderful experience during all of this. He IS awesome.
I have always believed that when we, as believers, die we go immediately to be with the Lord. Luke 23:42,43 says: (referring to the thief on the cross) “And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” (43) And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”
I’ve never questioned that. I have heard story after story of believers who have passed away and it was clear at their passing that they were not looking into a dark cold grave! These were family members.
I was once very ill. I learned later that my doctor did not think that I was going to survive. I was out of my body, and I could see the doctor look at my husband and say “If your Catholic call your Priest.” Everyone was running around (the nurses) sticking needles in me, and I remember thinking “Why are they so worried? This is beautiful!” I felt no pain at all. Then I could hear, what I am sure was the voice of God telling me that this was not the time for me to be with him. He said I needed to go back! And here I am! I was never looking at a dark grave, but a glorious light that goes beyond anything I could describe.
You guys are really making me think! My brain hurts! LOL.
Anna