November 24, 2008 7:06 AM
Mac wrote:
Well, good morning JB. The NIV I have has section titles of "Stand in Awe of God" and "Riches are Meaningless". The first part tells us two things, before he says to Stand in Awe. 1, Be careful around God, and 2, don't be hasty or plentiful with words which could cause you to sin. How he gets to stand in awe of God from that, I don't know, but that is the way he ends this section. What does it mean to stand in awe of God? Is it fear? Is it wonderment? Is it a mystery? I would suspect it is a bit of all three. We must certainly fear God, based upon all that is recorded about Him in the Old Testament. He was, it seems, very quick to dole out some rather harsh punishment, and very demanding in how he wanted the Israelites to live their lives. Fear, for sure. Wonderment? Obviously, as well. When you reflect on what He has done, both with the universe and your own life, you HAVE to be full of wonder and awe. And mystery. Most certainly. Like I mentioned yesterday about Stephen King and Alfred Hitchcock, God can be very mysterious in His works...He can allow things in our lives to distract us, yet provide a paragraph or two in our lives which allow us to reach the true conclusion of the mysterious matter. He gives us challenges which are really never too hard to not successfully achieve. The second second, riches are meaningless, talks about that, but then, in the last few verses, summarizes that riches are a gift from God and that we can keep 'occupied with gladness of heart' with them. It is not just the possession of riches, it is what one does with them that matters. If God allows one to enjoy them, as the Scripture states, I'll bet that enjoyment includes a lot of giving them to others who have more of a need. That is what can keep someone occupied with gladness of heart.
JF...we've got to meet someday. Maybe a Saturday morning we can meet for breakfast somewhere and talk about the lesson of the day. We'll be doing a new book (I haven't decided which one yet) in December, but regardless, you seem to have some great insight into God's Word and I would love to get to know you more to learn, learn, learn. Reply to this
November 24, 2008 6:40 PM
Johnbob wrote:
Rich and I were talking about a poker night, which apparently y'all have done before. I do know who you are Mac (the Sam thing threw me off in the beginning). We talked a couple times years ago - you will probably know who I am. I might know Rick as well. Reply to this
November 25, 2008 6:45 AM
Johnbob wrote:
Anyway - would love to meet - but the feeling is definitely mutual regarding learning - assuming your JF was meant to be a JB! Reply to this
November 24, 2008 8:58 AM
rik wrote:
I am sorry for not writing, I have read almost every day, and I read everything written by you guys. I have read the scriptures most days also. I have not had anything inspiring to put down on paper(blogper). I was harshly rebuked one time for saying I had nothing come to comment, so if I can't think of anything inspiring I simply read and do not post. I refuse to make some lame comment that came from me and not the Holy Spirit. I do believe It carries us along (2 Peter 1:21). I will comment when prompted by the Holy spirit. Reply to this
November 24, 2008 1:47 PM
Johnbob wrote:
I hear you on replying - I have felt that a couple times. I guess I feel that it is not only replying but just keeping others in the loop with how things are going - since it seems like that happens automatically as I start to type out my replies.
I think people are different in terms of communication. Some are phone people, some are email people. I am sure there are more categories. I am one of those introverted email people. I am usually reserved on the phone or in a group, but give something to write about and I really enjoy it - probably since I can take my time and edit it in order to get the wording at least half way decent. Maybe you are a phone or 'in person' communicator?? I don't say that as a negative in any way - it's just that communicating over the phone is like torture for me sometimes (not to be too dramatic about it). But I find that in order to stay in touch with some folks, then phone or in person is the only way to do it.
The only other suggestion is that if I can't think of something new or interesting, I usually can reply to someone who has already posted, or I could just be generally open about where I am at right now. Thanks for the post. Reply to this
November 24, 2008 10:21 AM
rik wrote:
Paul mentions a similar atitude, be content with your lot in life. Your time in earth is so short in relevence to eturnity you should just enjoy the lot you have been given, weather it is lots of money or little, a lobor intensive job or a Government Job, just enjoy life and love God. Reply to this
November 24, 2008 1:37 PM
Johnbob wrote:
Did you really mean to contrast a labor intensive job with a government job? : ) Ha! That is funny... Reply to this
Well, good morning JB. The NIV I have has section titles of "Stand in Awe of God" and "Riches are Meaningless". The first part tells us two things, before he says to Stand in Awe. 1, Be careful around God, and 2, don't be hasty or plentiful with words which could cause you to sin. How he gets to stand in awe of God from that, I don't know, but that is the way he ends this section. What does it mean to stand in awe of God? Is it fear? Is it wonderment? Is it a mystery? I would suspect it is a bit of all three. We must certainly fear God, based upon all that is recorded about Him in the Old Testament. He was, it seems, very quick to dole out some rather harsh punishment, and very demanding in how he wanted the Israelites to live their lives. Fear, for sure. Wonderment? Obviously, as well. When you reflect on what He has done, both with the universe and your own life, you HAVE to be full of wonder and awe. And mystery. Most certainly. Like I mentioned yesterday about Stephen King and Alfred Hitchcock, God can be very mysterious in His works...He can allow things in our lives to distract us, yet provide a paragraph or two in our lives which allow us to reach the true conclusion of the mysterious matter. He gives us challenges which are really never too hard to not successfully achieve.
The second second, riches are meaningless, talks about that, but then, in the last few verses, summarizes that riches are a gift from God and that we can keep 'occupied with gladness of heart' with them. It is not just the possession of riches, it is what one does with them that matters. If God allows one to enjoy them, as the Scripture states, I'll bet that enjoyment includes a lot of giving them to others who have more of a need. That is what can keep someone occupied with gladness of heart.
JF...we've got to meet someday. Maybe a Saturday morning we can meet for breakfast somewhere and talk about the lesson of the day. We'll be doing a new book (I haven't decided which one yet) in December, but regardless, you seem to have some great insight into God's Word and I would love to get to know you more to learn, learn, learn.
Reply to this
Did you mean JB?
Reply to this
Rich and I were talking about a poker night, which apparently y'all have done before. I do know who you are Mac (the Sam thing threw me off in the beginning). We talked a couple times years ago - you will probably know who I am. I might know Rick as well.
Reply to this
Anyway - would love to meet - but the feeling is definitely mutual regarding learning - assuming your JF was meant to be a JB!
Reply to this
I am sorry for not writing, I have read almost every day, and I read everything written by you guys. I have read the scriptures most days also. I have not had anything inspiring to put down on paper(blogper). I was harshly rebuked one time for saying I had nothing come to comment, so if I can't think of anything inspiring I simply read and do not post. I refuse to make some lame comment that came from me and not the Holy Spirit. I do believe It carries us along (2 Peter 1:21). I will comment when prompted by the Holy spirit.
Reply to this
I hear you on replying - I have felt that a couple times. I guess I feel that it is not only replying but just keeping others in the loop with how things are going - since it seems like that happens automatically as I start to type out my replies.
I think people are different in terms of communication. Some are phone people, some are email people. I am sure there are more categories. I am one of those introverted email people. I am usually reserved on the phone or in a group, but give something to write about and I really enjoy it - probably since I can take my time and edit it in order to get the wording at least half way decent. Maybe you are a phone or 'in person' communicator?? I don't say that as a negative in any way - it's just that communicating over the phone is like torture for me sometimes (not to be too dramatic about it). But I find that in order to stay in touch with some folks, then phone or in person is the only way to do it.
The only other suggestion is that if I can't think of something new or interesting, I usually can reply to someone who has already posted, or I could just be generally open about where I am at right now. Thanks for the post.
Reply to this
Paul mentions a similar atitude, be content with your lot in life. Your time in earth is so short in relevence to eturnity you should just enjoy the lot you have been given, weather it is lots of money or little, a lobor intensive job or a Government Job, just enjoy life and love God.
Reply to this
Did you really mean to contrast a labor intensive job with a government job? : ) Ha! That is funny...
Reply to this