Being put out to pasture

[marcdash]

God tests...
10: But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

See it as a test...problem gone.
Sound biblical advice...and just for the record, Job lost 'everything'...But God gave it all back and more.

I may seem unsympathetic, but God seems that way as well at times...So Ill take it as a compliment, because like God i desire the greater good for Andrew whether anyone realizes it or not.

I dont really care I only answer to one.

I hope this is an end to this, were all entitled to our opinions.

I could say 'sorry for what happend' to Andrew a million times, but it wouldnt do any good...praying wouldnt do any good either because as far as i see it God has people to help with much bigger problems....

[Matt Algren]

Originally Posted by marcdash

God tests...
10: But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

See it as a test...problem gone.
Sound biblical advice...and just for the record, Job lost 'everything'...But God gave it all back and more.

I may seem unsympathetic, but God seems that way as well at times...So Ill take it as a compliment, because like God i desire the greater good for Andrew whether anyone realizes it or not.

I dont really care I only answer to one.

I hope this is an end to this, were all entitled to our opinions.

I could say 'sorry for what happend' to Andrew a million times, but it wouldnt do any good...praying wouldnt do any good either because as far as i see it God has people to help with much bigger problems....

That last line is interesting. You think God's power is finite? That He has to mete out how much can go to this or that problem, just so He doesn't run out? That every night God tallies up how much mercy He's given, and how much love, and how much care?

You think He has a problem with people crying out for help because religious people have acted shamefully? Matthew 23 would seem to contradict you. (See? I can pull out verses too!)






P.S. Job didn't really happen. It's allegory. Unless, of course, you believe that God killed a bunch of people after he made a bet with Satan.

[marcdash]

Originally Posted by Matt Algren

That last line is interesting. You think God's power is finite? That He has to mete out how much can go to this or that problem, just so He doesn't run out? That every night God tallies up how much mercy He's given, and how much love, and how much care?

You think He has a problem with people crying out for help because religious people have acted shamefully? Matthew 23 would seem to contradict you. (See? I can pull out verses too!)






P.S. Job didn't really happen. It's allegory. Unless, of course, you believe that God killed a bunch of people after he made a bet with Satan.

Tell you what...Lets leave it to Andrew to pray to God and well see what happens?
Im not saying Gods mercy is finite, your putting words in my mouth. What im saying is its unlikely God will lift his hand to help someone who is perfectly capable of helping themselves.

Also if you think the book of Job is 'allegory', what is its purpose for being in the Bible?

[marcdash]

This is my last response to this post, because some people are just looking for an argument and I'm not giving one...Im too busy helping people with real problems.
No-one says yous have to agree, allow me to have my opinion and do grow up.

Much love x

[u-dog]

Originally Posted by marcdash

Actually, Gods spirit directed me to say it.
You dont think God gets sick of people whinging? You should read the bible...

...Especially Job.

Marc,

I have spent most of a lifetime studying and preaching the Bible. It is an amazing, rich, surprising thing. God's spirit blows through it in eye-popping ways.

However, I can't find anywhere in it a story where God directs someone to behave like a prick in response to someone else's misery.

And if you think that the theme of "Job" is "Oh quit your whinin' people explode everyday don't they?" then you need to read it again. Pay special attention to what God says to and about the three "friends" of Job whose attitudes and actions bear a STRIKING resemblance to your own. God lets those so-called "friends" have it with both barrels. He doesn't exactly call them "pricks" but he might have done.

In the book of Job God listens very patiently to Job's very ligitimate complaints. He listens for a long time before pointing out to Job that he isn't God and therefore doesn't have access to all the information he needs to understand his suffering. Job "gets it" and after their verbal boxing match God and Job are restored to their former intimacy. God never criticizes Job for complaining, only for imagining that he knows better than God.

So if Brother Andrew (who is a long-suffering and faithful servant of God and humanity) wants to shake his fist at heaven and turn the air blue because of the raw treatment he is receiving at the hands of God's people... I think he's in good company and we can let him rage until he is finished.

[marcdash]

Originally Posted by u-dog

Marc,

I have spent most of a lifetime studying and preaching the Bible. It is an amazing, rich, surprising thing. God's spirit blows through it in eye-popping ways.

However, I can't find anywhere in it a story where God directs someone to behave like a prick in response to someone else's misery.

And if you think that the theme of "Job" is "Oh quit your whinin' people explode everyday don't they?" then you need to read it again. Pay special attention to what God says to and about the three "friends" of Job whose attitudes and actions bear a STRIKING resemblance to your own. God lets those so-called "friends" have it with both barrels. He doesn't exactly call them "pricks" but he might have done.

In the book of Job God listens very patiently to Job's very ligitimate complaints. He listens for a long time before pointing out to Job that he isn't God and therefore doesn't have access to all the information he needs to understand his suffering. Job "gets it" and after their verbal boxing match God and Job are restored to their former intimacy. God never criticizes Job for complaining, only for imagining that he knows better than God.

So if Brother Andrew (who is a long-suffering and faithful servant of God and humanity) wants to shake his fist at heaven and turn the air blue because of the raw treatment he is receiving at the hands of God's people... I think he's in good company and we can let him rage until he is finished.

Job had reason to complain...you missed the point. He didnt just lose a cushy job in a church lol. Also i havent behaved like a prick...what a disgusting thing to say to someone.

[Matt Algren]

Originally Posted by marcdash

Tell you what...Lets leave it to Andrew to pray to God and well see what happens?

I don't have time to look it up right now, but isn't there a verse somewhere telling people not to put God to the test?

Im not saying Gods mercy is finite, your putting words in my mouth. What im saying is its unlikely God will lift his hand to help someone who is perfectly capable of helping themselves.

I didn't put words in your mouth, I asked a series of questions. You seem to know a lot about who God does and doesn't care about, so I figured you'd be the one to ask.

Also if you think the book of Job is 'allegory', what is its purpose for being in the Bible?

...

For the same reason the Garden of Eden is in there. It's a story with a message that can help people. (I always thought it was too bad that Job's first wife and family didn't get to come back to life. Collateral damage, I suppose, which would lead me to wonder if Satan really lost.)

[marcdash]

So far on these posts ive been called heartless, a prick, and so on...for giving advice, Biblical advice no less...Maybe you should question whether you really are in the faith?

Much love. x

[keltic63]

Originally Posted by marcdash

Job had reason to complain...you missed the point. He didnt just lose a cushy job in a church lol. Also i havent behaved like a prick...what a disgusting thing to say to someone.

again, you are saying things about which you know nothing.

This is a community of friends, many of whom know each other in real time, in person, not just by an avatar and a screen name. You could do well to follow your own advice re your protests about being picked on here (and yes, you've been whining about it) .

listen, I'm glad you have it all figured out, you know chapter and verse, and having only cursory information about any particular situation you are able to offer the final word of advice on any and all topics. Gay or straight, christian or other, those who've come into the forums with that attitude often become persona non grata, with virtually no one responding to their posts. I'd hate for that to happen to you.

[keltic63]

Originally Posted by marcdash

So far on these posts ive been called heartless, a prick, and so on...for giving advice, Biblical advice no less...Maybe you should question whether you really are in the faith?

Much love. x

quit your whining, go read Job!

[keltic63]

Originally Posted by marcdash

This is my last response to this post, because some people are just looking for an argument and I'm not giving one...Im too busy helping people with real problems.
No-one says yous have to agree, allow me to have my opinion and do grow up.

Much love x

ahhh, if only.....

[Matt Algren]

Seriously, I'd be ticked off if I were the actor who got interrupted by the gunshot that killed Lincoln. That would be a terrible blow to the ego.

[marcdash]

Originally Posted by Matt Algren

I didn't put words in your mouth, I asked a series of questions. You seem to know a lot about who God does and doesn't care about, so I figured you'd be the one to ask.
...

For the same reason the Garden of Eden is in there. It's a story with a message that can help people. (I always thought it was too bad that Job's first wife and family didn't get to come back to life. Collateral damage, I suppose, which would lead me to wonder if Satan really lost.)

And the book of Job can help people...if they understand it.
Also who said God didnt bring Jobs first wife and family back from the dead?
Maybe you should read it again?

42:11 Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his """"acquaintance before"""", and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold.

The book of Job is about this according to http://www.online-literature.com/bible/Job/


Purpose of Writing: The Book of Job helps us to understand the following: Satan cannot bring financial and physical destruction upon us unless it is by God's permission. God has power over what Satan can and cannot do. It is beyond our human ability to understand the "why's" behind all the suffering in the world. The wicked will receive their just dues. We cannot always blame our suffering and sin on our lifestyles. Suffering may sometimes be allowed in our lives to purify, test, teach or strengthen the soul. God remains enough, deserves and requests our love and praise in all circumstances of life.


Funny...thats exactly what i said.

Much love x

[marcdash]

Originally Posted by keltic63

again, you are saying things about which you know nothing.

This is a community of friends, many of whom know each other in real time, in person, not just by an avatar and a screen name. You could do well to follow your own advice re your protests about being picked on here (and yes, you've been whining about it) .

listen, I'm glad you have it all figured out, you know chapter and verse, and having only cursory information about any particular situation you are able to offer the final word of advice on any and all topics. Gay or straight, christian or other, those who've come into the forums with that attitude often become persona non grata, with virtually no one responding to their posts. I'd hate for that to happen to you.

Two words...Grow up.

[marcdash]

Im off for the night...should give you two enough time to think of more insults.

x

[Matt Algren]

I have to giggle whenever I find someone who thinks they have it all figured out. Not because I'm mean, but because I remember when I was like that. How silly I was.

[u-dog]

Originally Posted by marcdash

The book of Job is about this according to http://www.online-literature.com/bible/Job/





Funny...thats exactly what i said.

Much love x

Gosh! Its on the internet someplace AND it agrees with you. It MUST be true.

[keltic63]

James 2:14-17 (English Standard Version)


Faith Without Works Is Dead

14What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.


So for me, the question is "have we heard our brother's lament? or have we just told him that if he were more spiritual, or more trusting in God, or more humble, or more of something else, that he wouldn't even be in this position?" Are we really this arrogant to suppose we know the mind of God? Know it so well that we can speak a few words of scripture and expect everyone else to accept it as God's final word as it pertains to this, our dear brother?

15 If a brother or sister has lost a job and is now worried about being poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Suck it up, humble yourself and find yourself another job even if it isn't what you've been called to do and trained for, Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body and the comfort of one's soul, what good is that?

[Zerbie]

Sometimes it is useful to employ the 'ignore' feature.

[antiochian]

Marcdash, enough! The Bible also tells us to bear each other's burdens. Have you read the Psalms? Many of them are prayers of lament and sorrow. God blesses us to express sadness, anger, and doubt, as well as thanksgiving. As Ecclesiastes states, there is a time and a place for everything, including the time to mourn (even witches can quote scripture ). Your lack of compassion towards a man who has nothing but compassion and love for the lgbt community, not to mention your disrespectfulness, is not in line with the spirit of Christ.