tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9665353.post2286672914454459433..comments2023-10-20T05:50:34.162-05:00Comments on with devotion: Don't Confuse God With Lifekc bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17440862813109808755noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9665353.post-56104440317510770132009-10-29T16:03:00.102-05:002009-10-29T16:03:00.102-05:00Great story, Brian.
Bob, that reminds of Barbara ...Great story, Brian.<br /><br />Bob, that reminds of Barbara Ehrenreich's recent visit to the Colbert Report to promote her book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bright-sided-ebook/dp/B002SKDGQ0/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2" rel="nofollow">Bright-sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America</a><br /><br />I haven't read the book, though I may, but what I took away from the interview is that some in our society put people down for not being all happy and positive, when some people just aren't wired that way.Mike aka MonolithTMAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08385705390882035829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9665353.post-58989880724709383182009-10-29T15:51:19.192-05:002009-10-29T15:51:19.192-05:00Bob,
I haven't seen the ad you're talkin...Bob, <br /><br />I haven't seen the ad you're talking about. But, I have heard people say that serious or even terminal illnesses have been blessings. I've heard many parents of specials needs children talk about what a blessing they are.<br /><br />I think almost everything has an upside and a downside. But, with many things it's very difficult to see the upside while you're going through it. I think Mike made a great point though. I've heard many Christians give God credit for something as small as getting them a good parking spot, while giving Satan the blame for them not getting a good parking spot. I don't think it works like that.Brianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06035489123868573312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9665353.post-50204686235138600232009-10-29T15:44:47.266-05:002009-10-29T15:44:47.266-05:00Love that story Brian - maybe :)
It does show the...Love that story Brian - maybe :)<br /><br />It does show the relative nature of things we often call blessings and curses. Have you seen the ad showing these days where a gal calls cancer a blessing? My wife and I think that it is a bad ad. IMO calling bad stuff good is just using <a href="http://redeemed.kansasbob.com/2009/05/religious-lipstick.html" rel="nofollow">religious lipstick</a> and is never a good idea.kc bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17440862813109808755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9665353.post-78122886576249694852009-10-29T15:33:37.468-05:002009-10-29T15:33:37.468-05:00Mike's question about crediting God with good ...Mike's question about crediting God with good things while not holding him accountable for bad reminds me of this story:<br /><br />There is a Taoist story of an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit. “Such bad luck,” they said sympathetically.<br /><br />“Maybe,” the farmer replied.<br /><br />The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses. “How wonderful,” the neighbors exclaimed.<br /><br />“Maybe,” replied the old man.<br /><br />The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown, and broke his leg. The neighbors again came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune.<br /><br />“Maybe,” answered the farmer.<br /><br />The day after, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army. Seeing that the son’s leg was broken, they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out.<br /><br />“Maybe,” said the farmer.Brianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06035489123868573312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9665353.post-41126714795623952342009-10-29T13:27:59.659-05:002009-10-29T13:27:59.659-05:00Well, I completely agree on living a thankful life...Well, I completely agree on living a thankful life, I guarantee on my worst day someone somewhere is have a day 10 to 100 times worse than I am.Mike aka MonolithTMAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08385705390882035829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9665353.post-73758326872064740842009-10-29T13:24:14.374-05:002009-10-29T13:24:14.374-05:00"Why is it that some bad things are beyond Go...<i>"Why is it that some bad things are beyond God's influence, but he gets all the credit for the good things?"</i><br /><br />Good question Mike! Sorry I am a bit slow in responding.<br /><br />In a sense I do see "good things" coming from God and "bad things" coming from within His creation. I probably view it that way because I see God as a good and loving entity.<br /><br />Now what we call good is pretty relative.. one person's beautiful snowfall is another's blizzard.. if you get my drift :)<br /><br />Anymore I try to not focus too much on stuff like that and try to just live a thankful life. But I still find it hard to give thanks when life sucks and times are dark.. I guess that is the rub.. to separate life and God but not divorce them entirely.<br /><br />That is the best I have Mike.. nothing black and white.. my life is full of grays.. guess these days I kind of like living from a non-fundamentalist perspective :)kc bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17440862813109808755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9665353.post-66519210920569040792009-10-29T12:34:34.423-05:002009-10-29T12:34:34.423-05:00Sorry if I came off as being negative or if I brou...Sorry if I came off as being negative or if I brought anybody down, but it's an honest question that I have.Mike aka MonolithTMAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08385705390882035829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9665353.post-47004748968569976212009-10-28T12:34:53.694-05:002009-10-28T12:34:53.694-05:00Yancey's book Dissapointed With God was one of...Yancey's book Dissapointed With God was one of the last books I read as a believer.<br /><br />Does the concept of not confusing God with life apply to good things too? Why is it that some bad things are beyond God's influence, but he gets all the credit for the good things?Mike aka MonolithTMAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08385705390882035829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9665353.post-76173109718700532342009-10-26T18:25:56.767-05:002009-10-26T18:25:56.767-05:00Great post. I think there's a depth of relatio...Great post. I think there's a depth of relationship we can have with God if we don't become bitter but look for His Presence in the suffering. Thanks.duopastoralehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05629791757005585762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9665353.post-65922218937712472242009-10-26T17:48:49.475-05:002009-10-26T17:48:49.475-05:00Wonderful truth. Thanks for sharing. So much is ...Wonderful truth. Thanks for sharing. So much is about the season's we are in. As long as we are where God wants us to be, close to Him, He will sustain us, even if it be in the belly of a whale.<br />SusanSusanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11360047123820906113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9665353.post-75414652336640494782009-10-26T16:21:50.380-05:002009-10-26T16:21:50.380-05:00Well said, Bob.Well said, Bob.Brianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06035489123868573312noreply@blogger.com