tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20104292.post7933180288449087000..comments2024-02-10T21:04:22.822-05:00Comments on The Familyhood Church: The Flaming SwordKevin Knoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788817477327510023noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20104292.post-22675242726857989102009-10-07T21:18:10.674-04:002009-10-07T21:18:10.674-04:00Very good points. I'm working on it, Kevin.
...Very good points. I'm working on it, Kevin.<br /><br />In prayer group, someone will pray - I'll imagine them snuggling a blankie and start giggling - then say, "Sorry, Kevin just made me laugh." They'll say, "Of course, Missy." 'Cause that's what they say to me. :)Missyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16638784910676212171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20104292.post-85898082188978159742009-10-07T20:43:22.618-04:002009-10-07T20:43:22.618-04:00The old Djini story rises again. (These days I gue...The old Djini story rises again. (These days I guess I'm supposed to spell it "genie" but I've never quite gotten around to the 21st century.) <br /><br />The djini story was always a story of cleverness. The djini was all powerful, but bound against his will do grant three wishes. Therefore, the djini hated the one who'd won the wishes. And therefore, the poor sap who requests anything of the djini was up a really smelly creek and didn't even know it yet. <br /><br />When the sap asked the djini never to see something awful again, the djini blinded him. When he asked to be freed from some place, he was sent to a worse one. But the sap was not really so stupid after all. Twice burnt, third time careful, and the third wish always defeated the djini. <br /><br />And we pray to God this way. We have every reason to fear Him. As Karen pointed out, we've never seen Him. He's also all-powerful, at the very best unpredictable, and has every reason to look down on us. We try to reduce our vulnerability to God in every way we can through tricks of obedience, humility, and altruism. We want to con Him into giving us treats instead of tricks. <br /><br />Hence, we only pray within His will. <br /><br />I recommend trusting deeper, wider, and longer. The more we trust, the fewer games we play. <br /><br />The problem is that trust only comes after we take risks and are not hurt. And sometimes it feels very much like we're hurt. Our sister grows ill or a friend betrays us for whom we've prayed. When that happens, be honest about the way you feel betrayed, but also be honest about the things the Lord (Who seems to have betrayed you) suffered for you and your friend. In time the Spirit will reveal His faithfulness to you in that very thing. <br /><br />It's almost as if it takes time and experience to learn to trust an invisible Lord. ;-)<br /><br />I'm sorry for the way some prayers hurt, but remind yourself that we're all just children trying to figure out how to live together with an invisible Father. We all find little superstitions that comfort us. As long as everyone makes room for each others' blankies, I think we'll all make it. My brother who prays for God's will and my sister who demands of the All-Wise One that He do exactly what we bind on Earth are both doing splendidly. <br /><br />Thanks for all you guys have added to this little post.Kevin Knoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16788817477327510023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20104292.post-26045337620493906302009-10-07T19:05:09.122-04:002009-10-07T19:05:09.122-04:00Missy,
You're so right it's honest. I real...Missy,<br />You're so right it's honest. I really dislike hearing "If it's God's will" <br /><br />Because when someone that you love suffers and dies you feel rahter set up to not like God very much. <br /><br />My sister is in His hands if He sets her free of cancer then I will rejoice. If He takes her to be with my mom then I will morn and rejoice. Sure it’s in his hands but I don’t want to hear that phraseAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20104292.post-16852323811126263342009-10-07T17:49:00.189-04:002009-10-07T17:49:00.189-04:00Kevin, this is something I've thought a lot ab...Kevin, this is something I've thought a lot about lately. In the past, I have gotten really angry when I've been in a group praying for someone who is present, and someone prays for healing "if it is Your will." I then would silently follow up with "I pray it IS Your will to heal so-and-so, and if it isn't your will, can You please make it so? 'Cause I love her and I don't want her to be in pain anymore or die." I know it might be wrong, but it's honest?Missyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16638784910676212171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20104292.post-17670595880332584062009-10-07T08:05:47.256-04:002009-10-07T08:05:47.256-04:00Of course Jesus did teach us to pray for the Fathe...Of course Jesus did teach us to pray for the Father's kingdom to come and will be done.. not that I always know it when I see it :)kc bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17440862813109808755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20104292.post-1648239073839510632009-10-06T23:33:02.192-04:002009-10-06T23:33:02.192-04:00Thank you, Milly and amen, Bob.
I've always ...Thank you, Milly and amen, Bob. <br /><br />I've always tried to pray openly and honestly for the thing I desire, and also to be open and honest about the shortsightedness of my desires. His will is to bless me, along with His church and His Name. And He will accomplish those blessings, though usually in ways I can't pretend to understand. So when I pray, I try to remind myself how His goodness extends beyond my understanding, and to declare my trust in Him extends beyond my vision - or should. <br /><br />But to pray for His will? His will for me is always good. I trust in His will, not pray for it.Kevin Knoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16788817477327510023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20104292.post-30546577334645701682009-10-06T19:43:51.332-04:002009-10-06T19:43:51.332-04:00The real question is why would we need to add &quo...The real question is why would we need to add "if it's God's will" to any prayer? He only answers prayers according to His will. Better to simply express our needs to him in a real way and let Him work out the "will" stuff.. and find a way to be content with His will in the meantime :)kc bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17440862813109808755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20104292.post-69527866096450275892009-10-06T10:41:46.483-04:002009-10-06T10:41:46.483-04:00Whatever might happen, our Heavenly Comforter stay...Whatever might happen, our Heavenly Comforter stays with us all through the night. <br /><br /><br />That's the answer. No matter the outcome, that's the answer.<br /><br />He will always stay with us.<br /><br />MillyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com