VideoGameJunkie Posted June 22, 2016 Posted June 22, 2016 I trust God in all that I do, but only after I make my best effort.
salgare Posted June 22, 2016 Posted June 22, 2016 10 hours ago, VideoGameJunkie said: I trust God in all that I do, but only after I make my best effort. indoctrinated much?
consiglieri Posted June 22, 2016 Posted June 22, 2016 16 hours ago, JLHPROF said: I'm not sure I agree with this 100%, but I'd give you a rep point for a very well thought out post. There is definitely some truth in this progression you describe. But I give God more benefit of the doubt than you seem willing to. After all, he HAS blessed me a lot, sometimes in very unexpected and wonderful ways that could only be the result of his intervention. There aren't enough coincidences in the world to explain to my satisfaction the miracles I've seen. That still doesn't change my difficulties trusting a God whose blessings seem to flow inconsistently. But I know that he can be trusted, I just haven't learned how. Hence my title for this thread. Here is a favorite quote in this regard: “There is a wisdom that is woe; but there is a woe that is madness. And there is a Catskill eagle in some souls that can alike dive down into the blackest gorges, and soar out of them again and become invisible in the sunny spaces. And even if he for ever flies within the gorge, that gorge is in the mountains; so that even in his lowest swoop the mountain eagle is still higher than other birds upon the plain, even though they soar. ” ― Herman Melville, Moby ****
VideoGameJunkie Posted June 22, 2016 Posted June 22, 2016 3 hours ago, salgare said: indoctrinated much? No, just 30 years of life experiences. I've experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows and seen miracles in my own life.
Five Solas Posted June 23, 2016 Posted June 23, 2016 On 6/21/2016 at 9:22 PM, VideoGameJunkie said: I trust God..., but only after I... It's not much of a trust if you have to make it conditional, VGJ. Your reader might reasonably infer the one you trust is--yourself. Am I wrong? --Erik
VideoGameJunkie Posted June 23, 2016 Posted June 23, 2016 9 hours ago, Five Solas said: It's not much of a trust if you have to make it conditional, VGJ. Your reader might reasonably infer the one you trust is--yourself. Am I wrong? --Erik I trust God regardless. I just feel He's more inclined to help out if we do our parts.
Atheist Mormon Posted June 23, 2016 Posted June 23, 2016 On 6/21/2016 at 10:09 AM, bluebell said: It makes absolutely no sense to say that because no one answered your question it's because deep down no one holds any real expectations of God. That's not a logical or a reasonable assumption. When you say "no one holds any real expectations of God" , This is very realistic because there's no way of knowing God thing works or not.....Some of us (like me) cannot put this theory to test (Or got got tired of waiting) so we discard this option and put all trust on ourselves (we don't have a choice)... In my case, I wanted results and I wanted it now.
bluebell Posted June 24, 2016 Posted June 24, 2016 15 minutes ago, Atheist Mormon said: When you say "no one holds any real expectations of God" , This is very realistic because there's no way of knowing God thing works or not.....Some of us (like me) cannot put this theory to test (Or got got tired of waiting) so we discard this option and put all trust on ourselves (we don't have a choice)... In my case, I wanted results and I wanted it now. If this is your experience then go with it. Speaking for myself, i have put the theory to test and received evidence that supports my beliefs. I have expectations of God because of my interactions with Him. 1
Guest Posted June 24, 2016 Posted June 24, 2016 God is a parent, a perfect parent. I am not a perfect parent, but there is nothing I won't do for my children, having said that my children don't always want my help. Or the help I am trying to give is not what they want. But they have the benefit of seeing me there with my hand outstretched or my "hands" outstretched, and can reach back or turn away. In scripture we always hear that God has His hands outstretched, but we fail to see it, by sight or by faith. I find myself constantly looking behind hoping to see God's hand reaching out, or looking forward reaching back...just in case.
Atheist Mormon Posted June 24, 2016 Posted June 24, 2016 39 minutes ago, Pa Pa said: God is a parent, a perfect parent. I am not a perfect parent, but there is nothing I won't do for my children, having said that my children don't always want my help. Or the help I am trying to give is not what they want. But they have the benefit of seeing me there with my hand outstretched or my "hands" outstretched, and can reach back or turn away. In scripture we always hear that God has His hands outstretched, but we fail to see it, by sight or by faith. I find myself constantly looking behind hoping to see God's hand reaching out, or looking forward reaching back...just in case. I find this parent example so weak (no offence intended) I was a parent (sucked big time) my parents were parents (they sucked big time) not that They or I was a miserable failure but knowing what I know after few decades of experience, I'd never became a parent again, ever! Dig this, God knew all this and still went ahead and create this dysfunctional race of Humans...Go figure.
Guest Posted June 24, 2016 Posted June 24, 2016 1 hour ago, Atheist Mormon said: I find this parent example so weak (no offence intended) I was a parent (sucked big time) my parents were parents (they sucked big time) not that They or I was a miserable failure but knowing what I know after few decades of experience, I'd never became a parent again, ever! Dig this, God knew all this and still went ahead and create this dysfunctional race of Humans...Go figure. "Dig this", when do you become a parent...two? You use that term often, "no offense"...tell me what do you think it means? But, worry not, not offended.
Atheist Mormon Posted June 24, 2016 Posted June 24, 2016 47 minutes ago, Pa Pa said: "Dig this", when do you become a parent...two? You use that term often, "no offense"...tell me what do you think it means? But, worry not, not offended. What part of my post was not clear? When I said no offense to other parents, I meant respect. No I wasn't parent of two, they are four.... I don't regret being parent since I can't change the past, I like them......
Guest Posted June 24, 2016 Posted June 24, 2016 13 hours ago, Atheist Mormon said: What part of my post was not clear? When I said no offense to other parents, I meant respect. No I wasn't parent of two, they are four.... I don't regret being parent since I can't change the past, I like them...... It was all very clear, you will note (if you can to) that I pointed out Gid is the perfect parent, and that no one else is...but those who admit or say of themselves they sucked at being a parent; not God's fault. God's will is not always done, but that is not his fault, that is our fault. The sadness is that too many see parenting as a part time occupation. Anytime a parent says they would never choose to be a parent again is a devastating comment if heard by their child, and a sad commentary of admission by the parent. In the darkest hours of being a parent, regardless of trials, I have never said that to my children. I am truly sorry that your experience with your parents has caused such sorrow in your life. You do not need to carry the sorrow of past experiences into your life as a parent. No matter the age, it is never to late to be a good parent. Brother, you need to forgive, and lay these burdens of unbelief down before they crush you. Truly.
Atheist Mormon Posted June 24, 2016 Posted June 24, 2016 1 hour ago, Pa Pa said: It was all very clear, you will note (if you can to) that I pointed out Gid is the perfect parent, and that no one else is...but those who admit or say of themselves they sucked at being a parent; not God's fault. God's will is not always done, but that is not his fault, that is our fault. The sadness is that too many see parenting as a part time occupation. Anytime a parent says they would never choose to be a parent again is a devastating comment if heard by their child, and a sad commentary of admission by the parent. In the darkest hours of being a parent, regardless of trials, I have never said that to my children. I am truly sorry that your experience with your parents has caused such sorrow in your life. You do not need to carry the sorrow of past experiences into your life as a parent. No matter the age, it is never to late to be a good parent. Brother, you need to forgive, and lay these burdens of unbelief down before they crush you. Truly. PaPa I do respect your spirituality but where do I miss the fact that God being a perfect parent? Since I made the comment about "wouldn't choose to be a parent again:" I don't find it devastating, my kids never were worse than any other kids, my friends or anybody else raised. The fact however remains that I spent more than half of my life raising them. I had good parents, I saw their struggles and learned from their dedication..... I don't see how my unbelief could be a burden......The real burden I always felt was believing in something which never was real.
Guest Posted June 24, 2016 Posted June 24, 2016 3 minutes ago, Atheist Mormon said: PaPa I do respect your spirituality but where do I miss the fact that God being a perfect parent? Since I made the comment about "wouldn't choose to be a parent again:" I don't find it devastating, my kids never were worse than any other kids, my friends or anybody else raised. The fact however remains that I spent more than half of my life raising them. I had good parents, I saw their struggles and learned from their dedication..... I don't see how my unbelief could be a burden......The real burden I always felt was believing in something which never was real. Only this, unbelief usually leaves the non-believer to carry alone every burden of life, and a life that ends with no relief. As I type this I am watching the movie "Everest", making even more clear the need for others to help us carry the burdens of life. Your comment just stuck me as sad, that both you and your parents "sucked" as parents. We all do at times, and good,parenting is not always outcome based. If it were, you would be right and we should all just throw in the towel. God forbid. I just worry when I read your comments. You know tonight my wife and I will be having seven of our eight grandchildren for a sleepover...by morning we both may be questioning "Papa and Nannyhood". Pray for us tonight, even if you don't believe...we will take it.
Recommended Posts