A question for you: Why do think God took my brother at age 10, which caused my mother and me to live a life full of sorrow, suffering, and grief; without any real healing? My mother was a devout Christian, and from what I was told, my brother was
a very loving and sweet child. As I mentioned to you before (I think), I was 3 years old, and I'm left with very few memories of him. Sadly, the one that is predominant is witnessing his death and my mother's frantic but futile attempt to revive him. I still cry over her pain.
I realize this is probably a difficult question to answer.
One more question, not directly related to the above: Should a Christian feel responsible and guilty and remain in that mode, for the crucifxion of Jesus? How SHOULD I feel?
Please, please be assured, I am not being contentious with these questions. If anyone else wants to chime in, I welcome that.
For more clarity on what I last posted to you, I was not aiming my comments specifically towards activity on this site; but instead, in general terms on everything we say, do, and even think in our private thoughts towards everyone, in all circumstances and events. This is especially important in what I see as our "special" relationships, i.e. family and what we consider close friends. These are more often than not more challenging and typically need healing and active ongoing forgiveness in some manner. At least, this is what I've experienced. Yet, I think everyone we meet or speak to are forms of relationships worthy of these considerations.
Of course, I'm not speaking of physical attacks upon the body, in which we sadly may need to defend ourselves and others.
Please be assured, I'm not assuming that you were thinking that I was speaking SPECIFICALLY regarding this site. I do feel though I needed to further clarify.
To those on this site who have perceived me as attacking them, I do not doubt that their feelings are justified. I sincerely apologize.
I recall that in my late teens, I attended a conference at the Oakland Coliseum, put on by a Christian man named Bill Gothard. He provided round pin-on buttons that said PBPGINFWMY, meaning "please be patient, God is not finished with me yet". I can't say that over the years,I've always afforded others this courtesy, which I suspect has caused me and others unnecessary turmoil. With the Holy Spirit's help, we're working on it as much as I will let Him. The Holy Spirit does not limit His giving is my belief; Simply, I've limited my receiving.
Father, in the Name of Jesus, I pray for myself that I would be more open to your correction, to be forgiving of myself and others, and to be willing to understand and accept your Perfect Love. Amen.
I did perceive that you were speaking to how we think, speak and act towards others in general.
I think that on this site, since we cannot really know each other as we would people we meet with in person regularly, we do need to employ the motivations, attitudes, graciousness and patience that you mention.
Thank you for your kindness and openness. I appreciate you.
I agree, all of us sin and God allows it; otherwise He would be violating our free will, which He created us with. Therefore, we would be the cause of bad stuff due to our sinning, not God.
I won't go any further than this in response to your reply, other than I also do not fully perceive the Mind of God. Yet, I perceive correctly I believe, it is worthwhile more than anything to endeavor to do so, and that those who do pursue to do so , will.
GiGi, you have no clue how thought provoking your replies are; and also the comments on this site by others. Even if I don't necessarily agree with everything. Thank you: in my mind all of you are worthy of taking into consideration of EVERYTHING you say.
One final comment: I've arrived at the conclusion that since love is obviously not sin, that everything that is not love, is; and that those, including myself that sin, it is a cry for help, due to a lack of Love. Although at times, in my own mind, I fail to recognize this. But when I accept this as true, it helps me to reconsider how I react or respond to others by not perceiving their attacks on others as evil or bad done to me or others as such; instead though as a cry for help. This helps immensely; because now I don't see myself as a victim, allowing me not to feel the need to attack in return. Seeing sin (doing something unloving) as a cry for help due to a lack of Love, is rewarding because in this way I won't attack back. I realize, from a lifetime of perceiving and returning attack, that it is ONLY an attack upon myself! And there is NO peace in that.
Dear One eighty. Thanks for your reply and kindness.
I am glad you are finding what I post thought provoking. That is certainly one aim I have is to inspire people to think on topics and learn from the Scriptures what is true. We should hold whatever anyone says on this forum up to the light and truth of Scriptures. It is our authority and way to know God through the working of the Holy Spirit.
We are to do and say all things from love from the heart. I try to do this here. I think it is fine to discuss, disagree, and offer a rebuttal on what someone says on this forum. But. like you said, our motivation should not be to attack another person here personally. It is ok to have strong opinions and reasoning. It is ok to strongly disagree with another, and it is ok to choose to exit a conversation that seems to be antagonistic. Disagreements are not necessarily attacks unless they are put forth in a contentious, sarcastic, demeaning, and/or disrespectful way. Thanks for your comments on this topic. We can discuss things lovingly with God's help.
This loss and trauma are terrible even if it has been decades since your brother's passing. I cannot read God's mind on this one as to why He allowed your brother to die so young. He knew that you and your mom would endure much pain and sorrow of this. may He continue to comfort you in the best way.
But I will have to say that I do not know God's reasons and don't wish to speculate on it. I can only encourage you to lean on Jesus. He will comfort you and lead you. You can be assured that God does not do evil. He is wholly good. But in His great surpassing wisdom, He allows sin, evil, sickness, and accidents, and traumas to occur for purposes we may not ever know in this life.
As to the other question concerning our guilt in the death of Jesus. Yes, all have sinned, therefore all humans have a part in His death because, though He chose to die for us out of love, it was our sin that He took to the cross to bear the wrath of the offense of sin for God once and for all. We can accept our part and confess that we our own sinful choices are the reason for the Holy Son of God's death. And then we can also agree with God that Jesus' death accomplished completely the purpose for His coming=to save us from our sins and give us eternal life. Therefore, we can be thankful to God for this immeasurable sacrifice and gift of salvation AND continue in belief in our Lord and in the Father and in the Spirit as the God we worship and no other. We can commit to growing in our knowledge of who God is and how He has worked in the world, history and in our lives. This knowledge will deepen our faith and commitment to serving only Him and no other made-up god that our minds create.
One eighty. Thank you for these questions. I don't think I gave very good answers, but I hope that others will chime in.
A question for you: Why do think God took my brother at age 10, which caused my mother and me to live a life full of sorrow, suffering, and grief; without any real healing? My mother was a devout Christian, and from what I was told, my brother was
a very loving and sweet child. As I mentioned to you before (I think), I was 3 years old, and I'm left with very few memories of him. Sadly, the one that is predominant is witnessing his death and my mother's frantic but futile attempt to revive him. I still cry over her pain.
I realize this is probably a difficult question to answer.
One more question, not directly related to the above: Should a Christian feel responsible and guilty and remain in that mode, for the crucifxion of Jesus? How SHOULD I feel?
Please, please be assured, I am not being contentious with these questions. If anyone else wants to chime in, I welcome that.
Peace be with you
I agree 100% with your last posting to me.
For more clarity on what I last posted to you, I was not aiming my comments specifically towards activity on this site; but instead, in general terms on everything we say, do, and even think in our private thoughts towards everyone, in all circumstances and events. This is especially important in what I see as our "special" relationships, i.e. family and what we consider close friends. These are more often than not more challenging and typically need healing and active ongoing forgiveness in some manner. At least, this is what I've experienced. Yet, I think everyone we meet or speak to are forms of relationships worthy of these considerations.
Of course, I'm not speaking of physical attacks upon the body, in which we sadly may need to defend ourselves and others.
Please be assured, I'm not assuming that you were thinking that I was speaking SPECIFICALLY regarding this site. I do feel though I needed to further clarify.
To those on this site who have perceived me as attacking them, I do not doubt that their feelings are justified. I sincerely apologize.
I recall that in my late teens, I attended a conference at the Oakland Coliseum, put on by a Christian man named Bill Gothard. He provided round pin-on buttons that said PBPGINFWMY, meaning "please be patient, God is not finished with me yet". I can't say that over the years,I've always afforded others this courtesy, which I suspect has caused me and others unnecessary turmoil. With the Holy Spirit's help, we're working on it as much as I will let Him. The Holy Spirit does not limit His giving is my belief; Simply, I've limited my receiving.
Father, in the Name of Jesus, I pray for myself that I would be more open to your correction, to be forgiving of myself and others, and to be willing to understand and accept your Perfect Love. Amen.
Again, to all, Blessings and Peace
I did perceive that you were speaking to how we think, speak and act towards others in general.
I think that on this site, since we cannot really know each other as we would people we meet with in person regularly, we do need to employ the motivations, attitudes, graciousness and patience that you mention.
Thank you for your kindness and openness. I appreciate you.
Thank you for your thoughtful reply.
I agree, all of us sin and God allows it; otherwise He would be violating our free will, which He created us with. Therefore, we would be the cause of bad stuff due to our sinning, not God.
I won't go any further than this in response to your reply, other than I also do not fully perceive the Mind of God. Yet, I perceive correctly I believe, it is worthwhile more than anything to endeavor to do so, and that those who do pursue to do so , will.
GiGi, you have no clue how thought provoking your replies are; and also the comments on this site by others. Even if I don't necessarily agree with everything. Thank you: in my mind all of you are worthy of taking into consideration of EVERYTHING you say.
One final comment: I've arrived at the conclusion that since love is obviously not sin, that everything that is not love, is; and that those, including myself that sin, it is a cry for help, due to a lack of Love. Although at times, in my own mind, I fail to recognize this. But when I accept this as true, it helps me to reconsider how I react or respond to others by not perceiving their attacks on others as evil or bad done to me or others as such; instead though as a cry for help. This helps immensely; because now I don't see myself as a victim, allowing me not to feel the need to attack in return. Seeing sin (doing something unloving) as a cry for help due to a lack of Love, is rewarding because in this way I won't attack back. I realize, from a lifetime of perceiving and returning attack, that it is ONLY an attack upon myself! And there is NO peace in that.
Peace to all
I am glad you are finding what I post thought provoking. That is certainly one aim I have is to inspire people to think on topics and learn from the Scriptures what is true. We should hold whatever anyone says on this forum up to the light and truth of Scriptures. It is our authority and way to know God through the working of the Holy Spirit.
We are to do and say all things from love from the heart. I try to do this here. I think it is fine to discuss, disagree, and offer a rebuttal on what someone says on this forum. But. like you said, our motivation should not be to attack another person here personally. It is ok to have strong opinions and reasoning. It is ok to strongly disagree with another, and it is ok to choose to exit a conversation that seems to be antagonistic. Disagreements are not necessarily attacks unless they are put forth in a contentious, sarcastic, demeaning, and/or disrespectful way. Thanks for your comments on this topic. We can discuss things lovingly with God's help.
This loss and trauma are terrible even if it has been decades since your brother's passing. I cannot read God's mind on this one as to why He allowed your brother to die so young. He knew that you and your mom would endure much pain and sorrow of this. may He continue to comfort you in the best way.
But I will have to say that I do not know God's reasons and don't wish to speculate on it. I can only encourage you to lean on Jesus. He will comfort you and lead you. You can be assured that God does not do evil. He is wholly good. But in His great surpassing wisdom, He allows sin, evil, sickness, and accidents, and traumas to occur for purposes we may not ever know in this life.
As to the other question concerning our guilt in the death of Jesus. Yes, all have sinned, therefore all humans have a part in His death because, though He chose to die for us out of love, it was our sin that He took to the cross to bear the wrath of the offense of sin for God once and for all. We can accept our part and confess that we our own sinful choices are the reason for the Holy Son of God's death. And then we can also agree with God that Jesus' death accomplished completely the purpose for His coming=to save us from our sins and give us eternal life. Therefore, we can be thankful to God for this immeasurable sacrifice and gift of salvation AND continue in belief in our Lord and in the Father and in the Spirit as the God we worship and no other. We can commit to growing in our knowledge of who God is and how He has worked in the world, history and in our lives. This knowledge will deepen our faith and commitment to serving only Him and no other made-up god that our minds create.
One eighty. Thank you for these questions. I don't think I gave very good answers, but I hope that others will chime in.
I'll leave you this verse:
Ephesians 1:15-17
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