Susanna Hope is Growing Up!
November 27, 2007 - 12:27 a.m.
5 lbs. 14 oz. - 20 inches long
"Stay, stay at home, my heart, and rest;
Home-keeping hearts are happiest,
For those that wander they know not where
are full of trouble and full of care;
To stay at home is best."
~*~ Longfellow ~*~
Mar. 27, 2006
Who Is God?
Well, here's a good homeschool
assignment to do with the kids. It's also an excellent topic for blogs
today if you so wish. If you do post on your own blog, please comment
here so our readers can follow your link back and read what you have to
say.
If you were to die, and had taken great pains to write
out a will and journal spelling out exactly who you are, what your
instructions are regarding your children and property, and your reasons
for doing so, down to the letter, you would expect the reader of that
document to take it for what it is and not change it to suit himself,
yes? Would you not expect the one reading it to apply it? To understand
it? Or would it be OK for them to change it based on their "feelings"
about it? Many people, when asked, "Who is God?" respond like this:
"To me, God is this...." or, "I feel that God's word said this to me
today when I flipped the Bible open and my eyes landed on such and such
verse." ....or, "God represents love and I am basically a good person,
so that is what God is: Love. So God loves me."
When God gave us His word (bible), He did so with a clear intent on
what He wanted to say. He is not a big fluffy entity in the sky that we
can shape and mold into whatever our finite brains suggest He might be.
That's stupid reasoning. We cannot just re-name Him "Love" and then use
that as license to ignore His clear mandates given in His word. (Would
"Love" in the sky send little old me to hell? I've never killed anyone.
I'm a good person, right?)
For instance, the homosexual says
that "his" god is one of kindness, tolerance and love. And that his
lifestyle is one that is pleasing (or at least quite accepted) to God
because.....(fill in whatever blank here because the excuses are
numerous). But what does God's word really say?
The mom
contemplating leaving her husband might say that God is love, and He
understands that she just cannot live with that man anymore. God has
seen her tears of frustration; He understands that her "self esteem" is
sinking fast and she just MUST get out of there. God understands and
tolerates; after all, He is Love, right?
Yes, the one true
God is full of love and kindness. And He does tolerate a lot from us.
We are sinners. He sent Christ to die for us for those sins. Talk about
love! He sent His son to die for worms like us. Without that sacrifice,
every one of us would be on our way to hell. But if we claim Christ,
then we have to do so on HIS terms. We have to accept the Christ of the Bible,
not the fake one that we've made up in our minds. It's so easy to try
and make God into what we "feel" would be best. Anyone can twist
Scripture or take it out of context to make it say whatever feels good
to him or her. But that is dangerous ground. Very dangerous. It's
hellish ground.
So I ask....Who is God?
Not - Who is God to you. Simply....Who does God actually say He is? Do
you know? If not, there is one way to find out. Read His word. Ask Him
to reveal Himself to you today if you are uncertain. The teens and
pre-teens are welcome to participate in this; anyone can. Or, you may
want to just contemplate it quietly with your Lord in prayer. It's so
very important to make sure that you "have the right God".....and that
means the God that has given you His word in the bible. You know, the real One. Who is He?
Post A Comment!
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Comments
Mar. 27, 2006 - Untitled Comment
You are a mean spirited person. A God who hates sin is just not fair. Don't you know that we are Americans and that we won't put up with things that are un-fair? I'll give Him a choice, either He can be what I say He should be or I am going to start a boycott. He can't just go around telling everybody what to do! I mean really, who does He think He is... God?
How is that for logic? yee ikes. I will serve Him faithfully. I care far more about HIS opinion than my fellow Americans.
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Mar. 27, 2006 - You mean you want me to write a book ... today?
Just kidding ... deep question though. One that takes thought. The teens and I are reading through the "Stranger on the Road to Emmaus." I think that kids and adults alike need to understand the God of the whole Bible to truly know God. We need the big picture, not just a few verses that are our favorites that make us feel fuzzy and warm.
(http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Pattycake/38824/)
Understanding Israel is very important, because through Israel God showed the nations that He is a specific God with specific attributes and expectations. His choosing of a nation to work through was inclusive, rather than exclusive, because His glory was shown through them -- whether they obeyed or disobeyed. Through them He has revealed that His Word is GOOD. He is RIGHT ON with everything he speaks.
Cain tried to make God the god you speak of above. Our fuzzy, warm grandfather who winks at our sin. Thinking we can come up with our own terms. (You must have heard my Pastor's sermon yesterday!).
Well, if I don't stop I'll do the whole thing here and now. And I wanted to think about it. More later (I'll blog this and link you to it).
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Mar. 27, 2006 - ok, I'm feeling brave
And a little feisty.I'll take this on. However, I can't do it in the smack dab middle of school time, so it will be a little later.
Woo-ee. I love these kind o' questions. :)
~Annemarie
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Mar. 27, 2006 - Hi Gena!
Thanks for stopping by my blog and asking about Italian soda's. I decided to leave a comment there in case anyone else was wondering.
Of all the days for you to stop by and read my blog it had to be on a lame post day!
I just love reading your everyday, and I soooooo agree with what you have written here today. Just this morning I was thinking about one of my children and wondering why he would choose to be disobedient when he wants us to love him. Why would he choose to do something that he knows would make us angry? Instantly I thought, "For the same reasons you choose to be disobedient to Me, even if you know it will make Me angry or cause Me to hurt because of your actions."
All right God, I get it. Abiding in the Vine!
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Mar. 27, 2006 - Untitled Comment
It seems to me you can't "prove" anything about God one way or other on a level that satisfies the standards of modern science -- i.e. you can't put God in a jar and study Him. He's not a tame lion you know! The way I see it, we have to start with faith, then proceed to a faith in the authority of the Bible, then the contents of the Bible, whereupon we arrive at a Christian understanding of God. The people in the world who adhere to the "love gospel" confuse "love" with "grace." Bonhoeffer wrote about "cheap grace" versus "costly grace." Anyway, the Statement of Faith from my old web site addresses some of these issues:
Statement of Faith
We of the Ryan Family are Christians. We love Jesus and believe in the Bible. At one time, it was enough to just make this simple profession. However, in the present time, a statement of faith is often precisely formulated doctrinal boilerplate, and sometimes includes theological disclaimers about "original autographs" and such things. But we aren't theologians and don't know all the answers. We simply seek to know the LORD by studying His Word, and to humbly stand before Him as sinners redeemed by His grace. What follows is a short list of things we understand from God's Word....
Faith
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
-- Hebrews 11:1
People in this world so often comment that they "see no proof of the existence of God." But in a way, faith is the opposite of proof. And in another way, faith itself is our proof. Many times faith is a choice. We first choose to have faith when when we first trust God and accept Jesus. We continue to choose to have faith as we walk with Jesus. We especially choose faith through times of tragedy and despair. And by faith we choose to accept the Bible as the inspired Word of God.
The Bible
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." -- 1 Timothy 3:16,17
From the Bible, we find God's plan for humanity and instruction for living a life pleasing to Him. And in so doing, we learn how to live harmoniously in our families, communities and societies. The Bible also includes many other things -- narratives of the past, prophecies of the future, and literature and wisdom that sit at the foundation of western culture.
Some today do not place a high standard of authority on the Bible. Some would pick and choose and dismiss whatever they don't like. But if we follow that process to its logical end, we open the door for dismissing the entire Bible. And others try to rationalize the miraculous elements of Scripture, to bring God's Word into harmony with human understanding. But if we enthrone human rationalism as the standard for judging Scripture, we essentially elevate Man over God. But even a quick glance at the newspaper would prove the folly of that.
The Creation
"In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth."
-- Genesis 1:1
"Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."
-- Hebrews 11:3
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and godhead; so that they are without excuse." -- Romans 1: 18-20
From God's Word, we understand by faith that God created the world in seven days. We read that plant life was created on the Earth on the Third Day, and that the Sun, Moon and stars were created on the Fourth Day. Having already chosen to put our faith in Jesus, and having seen His powerful work in our lives and the lives of others, we also choose to hold to these things as God's revealed truth.
But this goes against the grain of the human rationalism prevalent in our modern culture. Some modern thinkers insist that the miraculous stories of the Bible are mere fairy tales. But upon comparing the works and nature of God to the works and nature of Man, the Ryan Family would rather choose to place faith in God's fairy tales than Man's wisdom.
Humanity Lost to Sin
"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."
-- Romans 3:23
"As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one." -- Romans 3:10-12
Through the disobedience of Adam and Eve, our first human parents, sin entered the world, and through sin we are all thereby separated from God. And the evidence of sin abounds in the world. The newspaper each day attests to murder, greed, and corruption. But even "nice people" have at times done wrong things, and have placed their own selfish interests over those of others. And so compared to a perfect God, we are all found lacking in the balance, and cannot stand in the presence of His righteousness.
Jesus -- God's Solution
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." --John 1:1-3, 14
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life." -- John 3:16
We understand from these verses and others that Jesus is the pre-existent and co-eternal Son of the Father, who with the Holy Spirit form the three persons of the triune Godhead, the Trinity. Jesus is the Word of God through whom the cosmos and all things in it were created.
And it was this Jesus who was pleased to enter human history as an incarnate man, to be born of flesh in a most humble fashion. Having a dual nature, both fully God and fully Man, Jesus lived among humanity for over 30 years. During Jesus's public ministry great lessons were taught, and miraculous signs and wonders were performed, including healing the sick, controlling natural forces, and raising the dead.
God's purpose was fulfilled in Jesus's sacrificial death on the cross, in which the collective sin of Man was atoned. And in rising from the dead, Jesus conquered death and opened the door of heaven, thereby providing a single path through which men and women of all nations and cultures may enter into the presence of God.
Through God's unmerited grace plus nothing else, we are redeemed by the perfect atoning sacrifice of Jesus. In this way, our sins are washed away and we are made acceptable to God by placing our faith in Jesus.
Science
"It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter." -- Proverbs 25:2
In the first couple centuries of modern science, early scientists such as Galileo, Kepler, Newton, and Faraday labored to discover the mathematical order concealed within the natural world, "to think God's thoughts after Him." And these workers and many others discovered many mathematical principles of nature that can be controlled and manipulated in our present modern technological world.
But emboldened by the tremendous success of these early workers, a scientific establishment later arose that presumed that all things could be discovered through scientific investigations, including things existing very far away in time and space. This same establishment today works largely on inference rather than observation. Increasingly sweeping conclusions are drawn from increasingly slim physical evidence, such as in modern fields that have grown out of traditional classical astronomy. Since the 20th century, it appears that "science" has become mostly a reflection of consensus opinion among members of the scientific establishment.
In essence, the body of scientific discoveries should be regarded as a product of human reasoning, and must be constrained by the finite limitations thereof. While people may be able to use scientific methodology to uncover true things about the natural world, they can never uncover truth.
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Mar. 27, 2006 - Great post
..and a topic that has been on my mind so much the last year. Really learning who God is. My mind has a hard time comprehending the big picture. Not that I struggle with the concept of who God is. It's my brain. Putting all the "pieces" together for the full picture of God and His ways. I'm so glad He's patient and teaching me.
Letitia
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Mar. 27, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Why do you obsess so much about homosexuals? Aren't there plenty of other sins to occasionally mention? How about being prideful? Being a homosexual isn't a sin in the bible - acting on homosexual desires is. Not capitalizing "God" when talking about "the homosexual's god" was your attempt to bait someone into responding in a derogatory manner, but all it served to do was showcase how little you understand the theology of your own dogmatic beliefs. There are plenty of Christian homosexuals praying to the same God you claim. Are you God to judge such? Shame on you.
Who is God? Nobody knows until they die. God didn't write a book; man did.
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Mar. 27, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Amen and amen. I love what I am seeing so far. This really stood out:
But upon comparing the works and nature of God to the works and nature of Man, the Ryan Family would rather choose to place faith in God's fairy tales than Man's wisdom.
It sounds so....crazy. But it's true. I'll put my stock in God's word over man's "wisdom" any day. - gena
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Mar. 27, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Dear Doc, Thanks for coming (again). I am personally praying to the one true God for your salvation. In fact, Doc, I've been praying for you all week. This is not meant to inflame; rather, I'm very sincere when I say that I care about your soul - I mean it. Take it up with God as to whether or not He hates homosexuality or not. It's all in His word, which is true and inspired. His very word. But really, this post is not about homosexuality. It's about who God is (what His word says). You were put here Doc for one reason, and that is to love and serve the one true God (Jesus Christ). You are very open about your "orientation" and so I will be open with you on my own blog since you have come here to visit. I love and care for you. I don't know you; I know you despise me and those who don't think the way you do. But my heart is soft towards you....I choose only to love you. And I'll continue to pray for you. May you find the great God and Saviour who hanged for your sins. And may you hear His voice.
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Mar. 27, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Yawn, like I said, God didn't write a book. And you don't know anything about "my" salvation. Or anyones. And now you are making the post about homosexuality, which of course, was your intention all along. God also hates liars; why don't you make a pretty post about that now. If you want to debate doctrine, I'm up for it. Paul hated homosexuality, because Paul was a homosexual. Paul was obsessed with sexual sin. God never said anything about hating homosexuals. God doesn't talk to mortals, nor does he write books. Man does.
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Mar. 27, 2006 - Well...
OK...started commenting and got WAY too long. I could go on for hours on this one!! lol www.homeschoolblogger.com/redmom
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Mar. 27, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Ah, the old "Paul, the self-loathing homosexual" theory. If we wish to engage in a debate on the authority of the Bible, we should equally debate the authority of politically-motivated scholarly theories such as this. There are no historical sources or other evidence that teach that Paul was a homosexual, it was simply some wild inference that sprung from the mind of some academic type about 20 years ago.
We see again that if we hold everything to a standard of scrutiny, we find that we really have no evidence of anything. Someone "prove" to me that George Washington existed. How do I know that Mt. Vernon was really his home? Other than taking someones' word for it, there is no incontrovertible evidence that can establish such facts.
As was included in my post above, "faith is the evidence of things not seen, the substance of things hoped for." We can all wander around this world all our lives and never be able to hang faith on anything. As for me and my house, we chose long ago to plant our staff onto the Bible.
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Mar. 27, 2006 - Untitled Comment
AMEN!!
Lis
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Mar. 27, 2006 - What a Question
Wow! I have no clue Who God Is. I have clues to his nature based on what I have read in The Bible. When I was a child, I envisioned him 'Zeus like' on a golden throne in the sky...this is only a picture to help my poor, unable brain along. I am unable to answer this question, but am enjoying others posts.
I do want to say, I agree with Doc on one thing, it is not up to us to judge others, but to love others. Judgment will be meted out on judgment day. We can share what is in The Bible with others, and it is our command to love others...all others (but not what they do), but it is not our job to judge them.
Thanks for the question, now my mental wheels will have something to churn over while we are out planting strawberries this afternoon. The snow is gone and the temps are going up...Just think we are just a hop, skip and a jump apart:) Hope you enjoyed your early spring snow!
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Mar. 27, 2006 - C.S. Lewis
From Jay's Comment:
He's not a tame lion you know!
To which I must respond:
But He is GOOD!
(I probably even quote such a simple phrase from Narnia wrong, but I just had to say it nonetheless!)
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Mar. 27, 2006 - Faith
Just a few more of my thoughts --
I do not believe that faith was necessarily meant to be leap in the dark faith. God gave us evidence (even the creation, as stated in Romans 1). Besides the creation, He gave us proof that the Bible is unique, unlike any other book in any other religion. Only the bible has prophecy, spoken in DETAIL unlike the vague references from Nostradomus (sp?). Fulfilled. Recorded in History. Much of that has to do with all that has happened with Israel.
Now, Jerusalem is a cup of trembling -- just as prophesied at a time when it was nothing. And it IS nothing compared to other nations -- in a practical sense. It is tiny, tiny, tiny. And yet, the peace of the whole world depends upon little Jerusalem. Why not CHINA or RUSSIA?? Why Israel/Jerusalem?? Because God said so. Because God spoke of these things in His Word thousands of years ago. Because He MUST be true to HIS Word. Books such as Josh McDowell's "Evidence that Demands a Verdict" spell some of these things out to us. God's signature is all of the pages of the Holy Bible as it is in every sunset. There is no prophecy, spoken and fulfilled -- recorded by history -- in the Koran. In Buddhism. In Hinduism. There is no risen Son of God -- also the subject of MUCH fulfilled prophecy! Psalm 22 -- imagine, crucifixian being described, and the dividing of His clothing, hundreds of years before Roman crucifixian was even imagined in the dark places of the heart.
God has truly written it all down for us. It's all right there, in the Bible. The most incredible, LIVING BOOK ever written -- written by men, but inspired by God.
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Mar. 27, 2006 - Untitled Comment
You're right Jay, there isn't any proof. I didn't form my opinion of Paul's homosexuality from someone's else's tired opinion - I read what works were available and came to my own conclusion. Since you can't prove otherwise, no debate is called for. Neither of us has evidence beyond our own biblical interpretations. I trust mine.
Now, I am bowing out of this ridiculous commentary - and my only motivation in announcing that is because it's likely someone will expect me to respond to them. I won't.
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Mar. 27, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Well, Gena, you've certainly stirred the pot today! My mind has been on this all day. Someone on here said we can't know who God is, but we can know His nature, and I think that is true. I believe, if we are seeking to know God, we will spend our whole lives learning that. He does show us very clearly in scripture many of His attributes, but to really KNOW Him, to have that "big picture" will be a lifelong persuit. Hopefully, I am learning more of who He is every day. Someone else here said what I was going to say. No matter what the circumstance, God is GOOD. He is good and loving, and He wants to draw us to himself.
Well, there's that "judging" issue that Christians can't agree on. Everyone says we aren't supposed to judge others. What about the verses that say we are supposed to judge? They are there. True, no one but God and that person can know 100% whether someone is saved. But our words and actions speak volumes. We are not supposed to judge hypocritically, but we are supposed to judge, in love, if someone is walking or living in sin. A very deep subject that I won't get into anymore here.
Whether she wants me to or not, I do feel very sad for Doc. (And, no, I am not looking for a response from you if you are still reading. I prefer not to debate with you. I am not a debater, and I will not argue with you over whether God's word is true. It simply is.) It is obvious that she is bitter and lost. I, too, will pray for her, because we will never convince her of who God is, and of His love. Her heart will only be opened through the conviction of the Holy Spirit. She continues to come to this site for a reason. She thinks it is to set us straight or to defend her beliefs or to rile us up, or whatever. But, the truth is, she continues to be drawn here. And, I will join you, Gena, in praying for the Spirit's conviction to be so strong that she cannot ignore it, and that Truth will be revealed to her.
Letitia
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Mar. 27, 2006 - Hello Mum!
Boy, do I miss you mom!
I finaly got a chance to write a little comment... I do need to get off soon. :(
I love you guys so much and thanks for the the birthday post!
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Mar. 27, 2006 - Untitled Comment
I've posted something similar over on my blog, but I focused on who JESUS is....and who we say He is....and how we mess it up!
www.justenjoythejourney.blogspot.com
Sorry, i cannot figure out how to double-blog at blogger & TOS!!!
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Mar. 27, 2006 - Untitled Comment
I love it! My son calls me "Mum" now that he's in the UK. 'Bout time he was able to get online! To Paulie if you are still on: Take care of Dad! Do not let him eat too many scones. I love you and miss you; hurry home. We have QUITE the little surprise planned for you when you get back (hint: Happy Birthday). I LOVE YOU!!
Your Mummy
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Mar. 27, 2006 - Untitled Comment
I want to thank you for such a thought provoking post. I am so saddened by people who consider the bible to be a "suggestion" or "story" instead of God's instruction manual. If He didn't want us to follow the bible's plan, then why did He give it to us?
Jonatha
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Mar. 27, 2006 - This is My Absolute Favorite Subject!!!
I'm so excited! This is absolutely my favorite subject in the whole entire world!!! I am so serious. I love God. I love God because I KNOW God.
Some have said you cannot know God. Jesus came that we might know God. He and the Father are one. AND - Jesus said in His prayer in John 17 (now that is a chapter to really READ) that He would have us be ONE as He and the Father are one. He wants us to know Him so fully that we would be ONE with Him. Not that we can BE God, but that we can know Him fully - and yes, it will take a lifetime of getting to know Him, and that is the joy - we have this wee bit of time here on earth to dig for the deep treasures of the knowledge of God in His Word and have a relationsip with His Son that is personal and intimate. That is what "to know" means - to become intimate with. And even then we will be seeing through a glass darkly, but when we die, we will see Him face to face. But why wait til then when He has revealed Himself in His Word to us. His Word, the Bible, is not just ink on a white page. His Word is living and active. It is different from any other book in the world because it is ALIVE. His Word will not pass away - ever. It's His Word that spoke this world into existence. It's His Word that was breathed into men to be written down for us for all ages. His Word is the very breathing of God. It is alive and able to divide between the soul and the spirit. It is profitable for reproof and correction and instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect, lacking nothing, thoroughly furnished for all good works. It is not only a History book, It is His story from beginning to end and WE are in it. All men for all eternity are written about in this book. I am in it, you are in it, we all are in this book. And we can know God by reading it.
Okay, forgive me, I get carried away sometimes. Back to the subject. Can we know God? I say yes. I say that is what He desires from us. That we know Him. Can we know Him fully? He knows that our minds are finite, so He has given us all the finite resources to do so to a very full extent. Admittedly, we will still be awed, dazed, and terrified at His appearing when we truly see Him. But, our hearts will know Him because we have spent our lives pursuing Him and getting to know Him intimately.
Do you know Him intimately? Can you say that you are ONE with Him? Are you so close to Him that you can say He actually dwells IN you? Jesus prayed that we would be. He prayed that we would know the God who loves us with the same love He pours upon His son. How much does God the Father love the Son? That same love is poured out upon us - to the point of offering His son's life for ours. Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for His friends. And, that WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS, Christ died for us.
I cannot say that I know God fully, but I am making it my life's goal to do so. And I am digging up the treasures hidden in His Word to find out more and more. And I am becoming intimate with His Son through prayer and communion with Him.
I will post on my blog soon a talk I gave at a women's retreat on "Who Does God Say that He is?" That's where we need to start in knowing God. Who does HE say He is? I will let you know when I get that done. This is so exciting! Can you tell I am thrilled? That's because I know Him - if even just a little bit. And the bit I know is life changing and heart changing and thought changing and I'm about to bust with my knowledge of Him so that I can't help but share Him with others. After all, it's the excellence of His power that dwells in this earthen vessel. And it is God who is at work in me to will and to do His good pleasure. And He is pleased when we make it our goal to know Him.
Deborah
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Mar. 27, 2006 - Can God Write a Book?
This is an interesting thread, for many reasons, but I notice a point to which I would like to respond: the allegation that God cannot write a book, made by a writer who seems to also assert that he or she is a Christian (and possibly also a homosexual, which is not an issue I am going to address here). I mention the fact that the writer claims Christ as a necessary preface because the Bible tells us that the things of God are "nonsense" to a natural man (or woman) and that such a man or woman is incapable of understanding them. If the writer is not truly a Christian efforts to debate scripture are useless because I would be speaking with someone attempting to debate an issue he or she cannot understand, which is as futile as discussing molecular biology with a four year-old child - one cannot debate a point with someone who cannot understand the topic.
That said and that assumption laid:
God can, and did, write a book. That He chose to use a biographer - or a set of biographers, as it were - does not make the words any less God's own. Plenty of individuals have used biographers to tell "their" stories. The words, experiences and facts stated therein are no less valid simply because another's hand held the pen or tapped the keys.
The very function of news media involves (theoretically) faithful reporting of words and events observed - or learned about through communication with the parties involved. Yes, human beings make mistakes, but there are faithful and honest reporters in the world, people who honestly reproduce exactly the words spoken by the subjects of their interviews. The Creator God knows, without error, who these faithful reporters are and it makes sense that He has picked them to report His words to the rest of us. To assume otherwise defeats the very purpose of the Bible itself as well as the truths God reveals therein.
If you believe the Bible to be written "by man" and not the faithfully reported Word of God, then you cannot be a Christian. A Christian by definition must believe (at a bare-bones minimum) that Christ Jesus was born of a virgin, simultaneously True God and True man incarnate, that He walked the earth, was crucified for our sin, died a man's death, was bodily resurrected from the dead and ascended to Heaven to stand at the hand of God the father, with whom He (Christ) is one and the same. The primary evidence and teaching which establishes this is the Holy Bible. If it is not true, but merely a story "written by men" then it has no authority to bind on earth and you cannot follow Christ.
If, on the other hand, the Bible is a faithful and honest telling of Christ's life and words, then you must accept as true the Old Testament prophets as well, because Christ's own words validate the Prophets as men who heard directly from God and spoke the words of God Himself, at His request. This makes a least those portions of the Bible which repeat special revelation and the Word of God "written by God" - albeit through an intermediary scrivener.
God can, indeed, write a book. We are blessed that He has done so.
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Mar. 27, 2006 - Who is God?
Okay, so I actually posted about this question. If anyone would like to view it -
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mrssulli/107223/
What a great idea, definitely a conversation starter :) It's like jumping off a cliff at times when you speak out on your faith!
Jonatha
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Mar. 27, 2006 - Untitled Comment
I just love you Gena.
It occurred to me a few years agao, that we go everywhere but God's Word. He is so gracious to give it, and shows Himself so clearly in it, but we are busy pursuing our own version of "Him" in somebody's novel, painting, song, and we are refusing to look for Him where He told us to. In His Word, and His creation.
We need to have His Word IN US and we need to have it IN OUR CHILDREN. Anything else is a waste of time without that.
Thanks for bringing up these great thoughts and questions.
Move to Washington Gena. Hurry.
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Mar. 27, 2006 - Who is God?
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Pattycake/107268/
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Mar. 27, 2006 - Who is God?
An interesting question.
Since the frame work here is the Bible (The inherent Word of God) I am going to use one verse for this comment and then post more on my blog when things are quieter around this hoppin' place.
Psa 90:2 "Before the mountains were born Or You gave birth to the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God."
From this short verse we see 3 things. There is one God and it is He (You are God). He eternal (from everlasting to everlasting). And finally that He is the Creator (You gave birth to the earthand the world).
God is a Spirit. We see that in John 4:24.
God is invisible. (1 Timothy 1:17)
God is One. That is in the Old Testament and quoted by Jesus in Mark 12:29.
I don't think that a list is what you are looking for so I will not continue that. However, God reveals so much of Himself in His Word that it is impossible to be a serious student of the Bible and not see a very good picture of Him. Yes, it will never on this earth allow us to see the fullness of who He is, yet it reveals enough that we are left without excuse when it comes to sin.
Anybody can come to the Bible and get what they want out of it. Satan himself did that with Jesus. What an old trick that is. But when you couple the truth that God reveals about Himself throughout the Bible with the doctrine (fundamental beliefs about how we are to live with Christ indwelling us) in the epistles, there is no doubt as to what is sin and what is not sin. None. To call something that is sin not sinful, oh for example, homosexuality, you must deny basic truths about who God is. You must deny that He is a God of order. That He is a God of order is clearly seen in creation and throughly substantiated in the Bible.
More later on my blog.
~Annemarie
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Mar. 27, 2006 - Untitled Comment
First of all, I don't remember reading anything about God hating ANYONE. And no, I do not believe He hates liars either, otherwise He would probably hate 99.9% of the world. Lying is a sin and yes, He does frown upon it, but I believe he frowns upon JUDGING too. Can you read Gena's blog and analyze what she is thinking....Isn't that judging? I don't know her exact intentions, nor do you. I belive her intentions were out of love and obviously you don't.
Nevertheless, you or anyone else can disagree with Gena or anyone else all you want. You can live your life the way you want and we can live ours, BUT the question is HOW!
How does one choose to live their life?
This may not be the exact topic, but it is related. I choose to live my life for Jesus Christ the Son of GOD! I will try my best every way possible. I'm not perfect, and FAR from it. I trip and stumble everyday and yet God STILL loves and forgives me. So I have a duty to return my love for Him. NOT in a convenient or inconvenient way, but in a TRUE, SINCERE, DEEP DOWN LOVE for Him! I also believe we can make mistakes and He will help us through, but He can only help us so much, it is for us to decide how we are going to live for Him.
This is a story that I heard from a very SPECIAL SOMEONE: There once was a man who was on a boat fishing in the middle of the ocean. There was a storm, the boat sank and the man was stranded in the ocean. "Lord save me," he cried. Shortly after a boat came to rescue him, but he rejected the boat and said, "No, the Lord is going to save me." Next, a helicopter came to rescue him and once again he rejected it. Some time later the man drowned. After her was dead the man asked the Lord why He didn't save him. The Lord answered saying "I tried, I sent you the boat and the helicoptor, but you rejected my help."
The point is the Lord WILL provide the help we need to be saved whether we like it or not. He'll even give us many chances too, the question is, are we going to accept His help before we drown and it's too late? The choice is ours.
God Bless,
Amber
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Mar. 27, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Actually, I did have a motive in my post today. It was one purely of worship. This morning, as I lay in bed missing my husband, who is out of the country, I was praying and worshiping the one true God. Yesterday I had been praying for several people, and for myself, and the realization hit me that the Lord is completely in control of all things. Always on the throne, always true to who He says He is. From the beginning of time, He has not changed. I worshiped him this morning and praise His name...and then thought I'd like to post on Him. God does want us to seek Him, to know Him. He says too that if we draw near to Him, He will draw close to us. Isn't that neat? All we have to do is draw close to Him....seek Him. He's faithful to not turn us away. I can't get over that. So there you have it. My motive is that I love Him and wanted to speak of Him.
Thanks to all of you who posted. Some really neat posts were among them. Thank you, and let's keep each other in prayer. Love to you all - gena
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Mar. 27, 2006 - Have you read any Ray Comfort books?
You'd like them, I expect.
One of his replies to the sinner stating, "I'm a good person; my god would never send anyone to Hell,"
is "You're right. Your god never would send anyone to Hell because your god cannot. He doesn't exist."
www.livingwaters.com Book: The Way of the Master
I hope to comment later on my blog. I'm on Japan time and I just got up and truly should begin my school day. I will trackback should I get to comment.
I agree and with your sentiments on God.
Shellie
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Mar. 27, 2006 - O.K.
I didn't see I wasn't logged in on this Firefox tab. I sure was in the other one....
I am the anonymous shellie above.
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Mar. 27, 2006 - I just wrote a post about this last week.
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/underhiswings/103627/
But, I may add more in an additional one.
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Mar. 28, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Wow. With so many comments there's no way I could read through all of them before breakfast. :) I may post something that has already been said, but I'll say it anyway.
Who is G*d? He tells us who He is - What He is.
Exodus 3:13-15
"Moshe said to G*d, "Look, when I appear before the people of Isra'el and say to them, 'The G*d of your ancestors has sent me to you'; and they ask me 'What is His name?' what am I to tell them?" G*d said to Moshe, "Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh [I am/will be what I am/will be]," and added "Here is what to say to the people of Isra'el: 'Ehyeh [I Am or I Will Be] has sent me to you.'" G*d said further to Moshe, "Say this to the people of Isra'el: 'Yud-Heh-Vav-Heh [Adonai/YHVH], the G*d of your fathers, the G*d of Abraham, the G*d of Isaac, the G*d of Jacob, has sent me to you.' This is my name forever; this is how I am to be remembered generation after generation."
Exodus 34:5-7
ADONAI descended in the cloud, stood with him there and pronounced the name of ADONAI. ADONAI passed before him and proclaimed: "YUD-HEH-VAV-HEH!!! Yud-Heh-Vav-Heh [ADONAI/YHVH] is G*d, merciful and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in grace and truth, showing grace to the thousandth generation, forgiving offenses, crimes and sins; yet not exonerating the guilty, but causing the negative effects of the parents' offenses to be experienced by their children and grandchildren, and even by the third and fourth generations."
He is holy, He is righteous, He is just, He is merciful, He is pure, He is perfect, He is judge, He is G*d!
Our finite minds cannot comprehend Who He is and our human ways cannot reconcile Who He is. He is the Creator, Maker of all things. He is the Eternal One, our Holy Father.
He is not something to be put into a box made by man - something to make us feel better. He is holy, we are not. He is gracious, extending mercy and grace to us, His creation. He does love us and He is Love - but His ultimate goal for His creation is not that we feel good or have a friend. His ultimate goal for His creation is that we recognize Who He is and worship Him in the ways He prescribed, obedience. It may sound like a tyrant, but that's because we are accustomed to being mini-gods ourselves and getting whatever we want and feel we deserve. Once we can see past the ends of our noses, we realize that He is so much more than we could ever comprehend and we are not.
So who is G*d? He is pretty clear in His Word - both the written Word and the Living Word. He's made it so easy to find Him, yet we make it so hard.
I'll try to get a post up about this very topic soon - if time allows. Otherwise, I think I've loosely addressed this already at my blog in various messages. Anyone, feel free to browse and leave a comment. :~)
Baruch HaShem!
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