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confedbelle
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Birthday: 5/2/1916
Interests: Of course, my Savior, the triune God who saves me by his grace and not my works. Church, Band, soccer, Spanish, my family and friends, books (especially ones by Mark Twain) The Moonlight Sonata, and Canon in D. Works by Peter Tchaikovsky. lots of other things, to numerous to list
Expertise: Making myself sound stupider than I really am, and I am getting better (worse?) at it every day .
Message: message me
Member Since:
3/11/2006
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| To all my friends.
I hope God gives you peace
and blessings to manifold to count
I pray that he will guide you,
and that you will lean on His strength
May you remember to give praise to Him in this new year
and thanks to Him for the old.
Never forget that He holds you
and loves you with tender care
although things may look rough
in this new year
just remember, He's always there.
Again I wish you blessings,
peace, love, happiness and hope
all these things can be found with ease
if you are looking towards Him.
Just look to Him
Just look to Him.
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| Forgive me, because this is such a rough draft. In fact, it might not be understandable. I just sat down one day and the pen wrote the words, without hardly a thought. I think I was writing myself a allegory, because it was right after I got in a discussion of predestination. I'm sort of writing this mostly for myself, so I can look at it and understand it better, because when I read it on paper I get lost in it. That really doesn't make much sense, does it? I think it almost is a poem, but not.
"As we are waiting for something to happen in our lives, we are constantly getting older and our dreams seem to drift away until we are only following some point of light through a dull heavy fog. We aren't sure where that light is leading, but we follow because we have no other point of reference. Some of us eventually lose sight of that light & some of us entered the fog without ever having one. For those that lost the light, or entered without, they are considered the misfortunate ones. But what those with the light (which they themselves created) have failed to realize, is that the ones without light are blessed. For by taking their eyes off of their created light, they now realize that there was always a existing light, but they could not see it because they were concentrating on a small pinpoint in the distance. This light that was already in existence is far brighter then anything they could imagine. And trying to discern from whence the light comes, they realize that the fog is pierced by it's rays, and they can see the land they were sadly stumbling through. As it is revealed, they marvel, and wonder why they have been trying to leave. For now that their eyes have been opened to that great light, they behold the beauty of the land unto which they were born. But even as they rejoice in their new found vision, they also mourn. They mourn because they see many of their fellow travelers still stumbling, with hands held out before them. As if grasping for something. But now those with eyes unclouded by the fog cane see that what their friends chase are not points of light, but spots of darkness. For as a shadow stands out among light, likewise it was with these spots of darkness. And though they thought that they were chasing after the only thing visible, in reality they are chasing after the only thing invisible. Then as the friends illumined by the great light watch their friends not yet seeing, they call out to them and touch them gently on the shoulder. The tell the others of the light they are surrounded by, and of the darkness they chase. But the friends only shudder, and run faster towards what THEY perceive to be light. And as they run they call back to those crying out to them to "look away from the darkness". They shout and tell them that the madness from the fog has overtaken them, because they have lost sight of their light. When warned again by those who know the truth, they in turn jeer and refuse to be convinced of the blessed light that surrounds them.
Those that know they are surrounded by great light, are content to exist forever in it's presence. So the build for themselves abodes, with many windows so that the light may shine in, for never again do they wish to chase the darkness. Daily they call to those who pass by, to those yet unseeing. They tell of the warmth and light the others could find if they but turn their eyes from the darkness they chase. Most continue on their way, but a few listen and turn away from the darkness. Then those who were chasing after the darkness, the ones who's eyes were most clouded, began to grow angry at those who were proclaiming the light. For they claimed that they were encouraging those who had a dream possible to reach in reality, to turn away and chase after a false delusion of light. So those also built huts, but these they built without windows, so that they may keep the light (that they perceive as darkness) out. And these people also daily went out and called to those passing by, to both those that were chasing their darkness, and whose who were catching a glimpse of the true light. These believers of false light encouraged all others on their way to keep after what they saw as light. They also invited them into their huts, in order to rest and to sleep a nigh out of the "fog" (which is, in reality, light). This is the reason that some cannot see the fog as light. It is because they are blinded by it's brightness. Just as when one steps into a bright light they see spots if darkness, because they are not accustomed to it, so it is with these people. Because just as the brightness hurts ones eyes, with the suddenness of exposure, so these people were hurt by the light and so the concentrated on the darkness. But if given time the eyes can become accustomed to the light, and see more and hurt less as time goes on. This knowledge the people refused to understand, and so deprived themselves of light. Those that understand the knowledge do so because the light has revealed it to them. So they are blessed, and walk in great joy and comfort. And though painful to stand in the light, it is worth it. For it is understood by them that it is better to be pained by the light, then to walk in comfort in the darkness. So they praise the light for it's glory and beauty, for the new life it gave, and for the strength it continually gives them, to become accustomed to the light, so that they may see many more things revealed in it. And as the light grows in them, so they grow in the light. Blessed be the light giver"
Later I found some bible verse that would make sense if this were a allegory.
Proverbs 4:18
"But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble."
2 Peter 2:17
"These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever"
Please give me feedback (I guess this if especially for you Aunt Cin.) It could not necessarily BE a allegory, just a story I wrote, and since I am a Christian it is influenced by what I read in the scripture. I think that is the more likely option.
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| In explanation of the origin of this post, I wrote it after a invigorating discussion concerning this point. However even though none of you were there you can still possibly find it of interest. If you can show me where I err in the interpreting of these passages please do so. It's a long post, but I am not trying to just offer a personal opinion that has no basis in scripture.Also I typed all the scripture out. If you intend to respond please read all of it, that way you can be clear on my position. Enjoy 
"Look, I go forward, but He is not there, And backwards, but I cannot
perceive Him; When He works on the left hand, I cannot behold Him;
When He turns to the right hand, I I cannot see Him. But He knows the
way that I take; when He has tested me I shall come forth as gold… But
He is unique, and who can make Him change? And whatever His soul
desires that He does. For He performs what is appointed for me and
many such things are with Him."
Job 23:8-10, 13-14
In this verse you can see that God does not ask what we would like Him
to do, or wait to see what we will do, He is not waiting to see what
will happen, whether we will turn left or right, go up or down.
Instead it says "whatever HIS soul desires" and "He performs what s
APPOINTED for me" The question becomes "appointed by whom?" Do you
believe that we appoint things for ourselves? And if the answer to
that is yes, then how can it say that He does whatever His soul
desires? Because if we are appointing things that are contrary to what
He would desire us to do then the bible would seem to be contradicting
itself, but we all hold that it cannot do that, and still be the
infallible word of God.
"Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they
all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were
none of them."
Psalm 139:16
If there is no such thing as predestination, then how could God
fashion our days for us, before we were even conceived? It says "the
days were fashioned for ME" He had a special plan, a determined amount
of days for me to live, a certain way I would live them. He made a
uniquely fashioned life for me.
"You did not choose Me, but I choose you and appointed you that you
should go and bear fruit, and that your first should remain, that
whatever you ask the Father in my name He may give to you."
John 15:16
It says here that we didn't chose Him, He chose Us. It doesn't say
that He gave us a choice as to whether or not we could chose Him. It
simply says He chose Me, the end. What's more He appointed me to bear
fruit for Him, how could He have appointed me to do works for Him if
He didn't know if I was going to chose Him or not?
"Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world that we
should be holy and without blame before Him in love. Having
predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ, to Himself,
according to the good pleasure of His will."
Ephesians 1:4-5
Again we see "HE chose US" .Before the foundation of the world.
Wouldn't that mean that even before the first Human, Adam, was made,
He had picked me to serve Him? He PREDESTINED us to adoption,
according to the good pleasure of HIS will. It doesn't mention my will
or desire ANYWHERE there.
"In Him also we have obtained and inheritance, being predestined
according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the
counsel of His will"
Ephesians 1:11
"His will" Not mine. How could He work things in accordance to the
counsel of His will if He had people that could thwart His will?
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared BEFORHAND that we should walk in them"
Ephesians 2:10
God prepared the good works that I do, beforehand. Before I was around
to do them, He prepared a path for me to walk in. How could He prepare
good works for me to walk in if he didn't know whether or not I was
going to chose to walk in them?
Who has saved us and call us with a holy calling, not according to our
works, but according to His own purpose and grace, before time began.
2 Timothy.1:9
He called us to Him before time began, according to His own purpose.
So far I have not found any verses about Him hoping we would come to
Him, wishing, or anything like that. They are all full of certainty.
It's all about Him and His will, His desire, His purpose, and His plan,
not about all those things ONLY if I accept. It's taken for granted
that I will. Yes, I know of the Romans 8:20,24 passage that was quoted
to me, but given a chance to read the whole chapter, and look at the
first more thoroughly, I have come to understand that verse in a
different way then it was presented to me, I'll get to that.
"Peter, and apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion
in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to
the foreknowledge of God the Father."
1 Peter 1:1-2
God chose us to Him before the beginning of time. Elected Us, He
foreknew our direction, because He was the one that chose it for us.
Okay, now we get to Romans. I've saved Romans for last for two
reasons. One because it might take me a while to deal with it, both
the verses given to me, and the verses I found. Two, I will then make
the transition into showing that God does Elect some and allow others
to live in eternal condemnation, as they have chosen, and yet in His
will.
Romans 8:20 - 24
"For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but
because of Him who Subjected it [creation] in hope; because the
creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption
into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the
whole creation groans and labors with the birth pangs together until
now. Not only that, but we also who have the first fruits of the
Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for
the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this
hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope
for what he sees?"
First of all let me explain how this verse should be properly read. Creation was
subjected in hope. according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary subject
means 1 a: to bring under control or dominion :
b: to make (as oneself) amenable to the discipline and control of a superior
2: to make liable
3: to cause or force to undergo or endure (something unpleasant,
inconvenient, or trying) <was subjected to constant verbal abuse>
No, God didn't hope that it would turn out okay when He subjected it,
He subjected it IN HOPE. He "forced creation to undergo or endure in
Hope". When He subjected creation into futility, He did not do so
without giving it Hope, He gave it into Hope. If you continuing
reading to the next verse you will see the certainty contained in it.
"Because creation itself also WILL be delivered from the bondage of
corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God." No doubt
in God's mind what is going to happen, or who He will choose it to
happen too. Verse twenty four makes so much more sense when read from
the KJV, kind of funny seeing as how the NKJV was made so that we
could understand it better. Anyway, look at how the KJV words verse
twenty four. "For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not
hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?"
Such a small wording difference that can make so a large clarity
matter. None of you believe in works based theology, right? We agree
that we are saved by faith alone? What is the bible's definition of
faith? "Now faith is the substance of things HOPED for, the evidence
of things not seen" Hebrews 11:1 In the Merriam-Webster dictionary
substance means "1 a: essential nature" Faith is the substance, the
essential nature of Hope. We are saved by faith (hope) alone. That
verse isn't talking about God, it's talking about Man. God doesn't
have to hope, because he's God. I can't comprehend, as hard as I try,
a God that would have to put faith or hope into fallen humans. He
wouldn't be much more of a God then the ones Ancient Greeks and
Egyptians used to have, who could be tricked and thwarted by humans.
Now, having presented the proper understanding of the use of that verse let me
continue along in Romans. Also in Romans I have found lots of passages
that would seem to be in complete contradiction to those two verses,
unless understood in the manner I set forth. First off I will present
verses that I believe support predestination in Romans, and then I
will go on into the verses that support eternal condemnation by the
will of God, but also so by choice of man.
"Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is,
because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of
God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who
love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those
He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His
Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover
those whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called these
He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified."
Romans 8:27-30
God predestined us unto Him, and then when the time came He called us
and we answered His call. You cannot reject God's grace once He has
unstopped your ear to hear it.
"(for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or
evil, that the purpose of GOD, according to election might stand, not
of works but of Him who calls)"
Romans 9:11
Things happened according to the purpose of God, so that His election
might stand. He didn't ask us if it was okay, if our plans would
coincide with His election. He ordered it so things just happened.
"Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who
justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is CHRIST who died and
furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who
also makes intercession for us."
Romans 8:33-34
God does not only justify, He also condemns through His son Christ.
Christ didn't die to justify everyone, He died to condemn some and
justify others.
"So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God
who shows mercy. For the scriptures says to the Pharaoh, "For this
very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you ,
and that My name may be declared in all the earth." Therefore He has
mercy on whom He wills and whom He will He hardens. You will say to me
then "Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?"
But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing
formed say to him who formed it, "What have you made me like this?"
Does not the potter have power over the clay, What if God, wanting to
show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much
longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, and that
He might make know the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy,
which He had prepared beforehand for glory, even us whom He called,
not of the Jews, only, but also of the Gentiles?"
Romans 9:16-24
These verses contains so much information that I hardly know where to
began, and I'm not just being over dramatic. Well I guess I'll begin in
the beginning :D. It explicitly says "it is not of him who wills… but
of God who shows mercy" What more can I say to build up on that?
According to this passage it's not our will, our choice, our decision.
It's God's, He pardons and condemns whomever He so pleases. They seem
to be asking Paul "So why does God find fault with us, I mean, come on
Paul we all know we can't resist God's will, so why are we responsible
for our rejection of Him???"They take it for granted that God is in control.
This verse also seems shows that God has wrath, and vessels (seeing as
how it is in a
allegorical context, I think it is safe to assume that humans are
being referred to a vessels) of wrath. He makes the vessels of wrath,
specifically for destructions, endures them until their times comes,
so that He might show more His splendor and might through those
vessels He has prepared for glory. Who are we to complain how God
chooses to draw more praise, adoration, glory and majesty to Himself?
How can we claim to comprehend His reasoning's?
" What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have
obtained it, and the rest were blinded. Just as it is written:
"God has given them a spirit of stupor,
Eyes that they should not see
And ears that they should not hear,
To this very day.""
Romans 11:7-8
God blinded them; He made it so that could not see. I really can't
expound on what this verse says, because it's all there.
Now I have gone on for a long time, I am tired and am going to bed.
I'm not going to go longer, because I don't know if it will be read
all the way. Please excuse my grammatical errors, I waited until the
next day in order to check for them, but I am
sure they are still rampant.
I leave you with but one more verse, 2 Timothy 4:22
"The Lord Christ be with your Spirit, Grace Be with you. Amen."
In Christ,
Anna
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| Psalm 66
Make a joyful shout to God all the earth!
Sing out the honor of His name;
Make His praise glorious.
Say to God,
"How awesome are Your works!
Through the greatness of Your power
Your enemies shall submit themselves to You.
All the earth shall worship You
And sing praises to You;
They shall sing praises to Your name."
Come and see the works of God;
He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men.
He turned the sea into dry land;
The went through the river on foot.
There we will rejoice in Him. He rules by His power forever;
His eyes observe the nations;
Do not let the rebellious exalt themselves.
Oh, bless our God, you peoples!
And make the voice of His praise to be heard,
Who keeps our soul among the living,
And does not allow our feet to be moved.
For You, O God, have tested us;
You have refined us as silver is refined
You brought us into the net;
You laid affliction on our backs.
You have caused men to ride over our heads;
We went through fire and through water;
But You brought us out to rich fulfillment.
I will go into Your house with burnt offerings;
I will pay You my vows,
Which my lips have uttered
And my mouth has spoken when I was in trouble.
I will offer You burnt sacrifices if fat animals,
With the sweet aroma of rams;
I will offer bulls with goats.
Come and hear, all you who fear God,
And I will declare what He has done for my soul.
I cried to Him with my mouth,
And He was extolled with my tongue.
If I regard iniquity in my heart,
The Lord will not hear.
But certainly God has heard me;
He has attended to the voice of my prayer.
Blessed be God
Who has no turned away my prayer,
Nor His mercy from me!
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| This is a post I have been planning on writing for a long time (about three months) but I've kept putting it off because it will take a long time to write, and I'm so busy. BUT I finally decided that I need to just do it, because I really want it to write it and I'm never going to have any "free time" where something couldn't be getting done. It's going to be long but please stick with it. That being said... here we go.
Many churches today teach that God doesn't have anything to do with the disasters that happen in this world i.e. 9/11, the Tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, etc. That it makes Him sad that it happened, but that it wasn't His fault, and He couldn't control it. Now in some aspects this is understandable that people would want to believe this. They don't want to think that God would let something so terribly sad happen to them, that he could be so horribly cruel to do so. Here, in this post I wish to show that God is in control of the evil in our life, that He has plans for it that is for His and our good, and that he will be there to comfort us through it. One especially strong biblical example of this is the story of Joseph. Let's look at his life, shall we?
His father loved him dearly, he was a favorite. But he had ten brothers that hated him, so much that they were going to kill him. He got sold into slavery by these selfsame brothers, and then it seems he had a pretty okay time of it for being a slave, rose up as high as he could in the slave ranks. Then he is falsely accused of trying to commit adultery with his masters wife, and gets thrown into prison. Not pretty. Again he does okay for the situation he is in, rises up as high as he can for being a prisoner. He helps out a person who his employed by pharaoh, and was thrown in prison too. When that prisoner rises back into Pharaoh's favor and is released he promises to remember to mention him to Pharaoh, but he forgets. So Joseph is in prison for another two years. After that I'm sure that we all know he has it pretty good. But leading up to there he sure had his rough spots, but does he say that God had nothing to do with it? On the contrary in Genesis 50:20 he tells his brothers "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive"
Isn't that remarkable???!!!! God allowed the evil to happen in Joseph's life, so that many people would be saved, and even Joseph benefited from it. Think about it, had Joseph had a perfect family life his brothers would've loved him and he would never have been sold into slavery. Had he never been sold into slavery he would never had worked for Potiphar, had he never worked for Potiphar he never would have been thrown into jail, had he never been thrown in jail he never would've become second in command to Pharaoh, in which position he used such wisdom and sagacity that he saved many people from dying of hunger.
No matter what happens it will always be advisable to keep Romans 8:28 in mind "And we know all things work together for the good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." So although it might seem that there is no rhyme or reason to the evil that happens, there really is, God is using it to His purpose, (and since He is God, His good) and since we are His children it is for our good too. God always looks out for His children, even though we can't see it sometimes, or it might appear quite the opposite.We can't always understand what He has in mind, and even though it is exceedingly hard at times we need to trust Him, and remember what He says in the previously quoted Romans text, and also in Isiah 55:8-9 ""For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."" TRUST HIM, He knows what He is doing.
Joseph's story isn't the only one place that it is mentioned that God uses evil in our lives for His purpose. Read this passage in Job 23:8-10 "" Look, I go forward, but He is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive Him; When He works on the left hand, I cannot behold Him; when he turns to the right hand I cannot see Him. But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold."" Job is saying that he cannot see God, and He is going through a terrible time of trial. Yet He is still trusting Him, because He knows that God is using the evil for His good, to refine Him. Job also knows that even though He can't see God's hand in what is going on, He knows it's there.
A particularly strong passage is 2 Corinthians 1: 3-7 "Blessed be the God and Father of out Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer, Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation." This passage shows us that even though God allows evil in our life He also comforts us and helps us through it. He uses it to draw us closer to Him, and His other children. Because it is much easier, to comfort others when we have been through the same or similar thing, and we are more sincere, more sympathetic, and we can give more assurance because we have come through the same trials ourselves.
Wrapping up, we have seen that God is everywhere in our life, that He allows evil in our life, that He turns all evil to His good, and that although God allows it He still comforts us through it. I know though that even having it all out in black and white it can still sometimes be hard to remember, or even believe. BUT BUT BUT, think about it this way, if it really is true that God can't control what's going on, that it makes Him really really sad, but He can't do anything about it, that means that the world could go to Hell in a hand basket, and he couldn't do anything about it. It would also mean that Satan is more powerful then God, since God can't control or stop his devious plots (which essentially means that satan would be god). God is directing things, and He has a purpose, the very fact that we continued to exist after the fall is proof of this.
If you read nothing else, please read that last paragraph. Then you might possibly want to go back and read the rest of it. I know it was a long post, but it really was necessary since my intent is to prove my point, not just voice a opinion. Believe it or not I had to restrain myself so that it would not go on longer!
Questions? Please ask, I will answer them to the best of my ability.
The Heidelberg Catechism
Lord's day 9, question 26
Q. What do you believe when you say, "I believe in God the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth"?
The following answer is what I believe, but what do you believe???
A. " That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who out of nothing created heaven and earth and everything in them, who still upholds and rules them by His eternal counsel and providence, is my God and Father because of Christ His Son.
I trust Him so much that I do not doubt He will provide whatever I need for body and soul, and He will turn to my good whatever adversity He sends me in this sad world
He is able to do this because He is almighty God; He desires to do this because He is a faithful Father."
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