November 28, 2008 8:54 AM
Sam wrote:
Well, I have been joined by two dogs this morning for my Bible Study. Amazing that Solomon mentions that 'even a live dog is better off than a dead lion'. Let me tell you about the two dogs first. They are residents of my home for the next month, along with their owners, my stepdaughter and her husband, and their three kids--our grandchildren. Skittish is not the term that comes close to the huge black dog---WAY beyond skittish (I'll tell you some funny stories about her some other day.) The small one is a bit skittish, but I think it is only because we a new to her. HOWEVER, after showing considerable restraint all day yesterday, and plenty of pre-prayer, things seem to be going along fine with the dogs (their owners don't move in until this weekend). I let the dogs out this morning in the back yard, and when we came back in to study, both dogs came right up to me as I'm sitting here and want to be petted. The little one is sitting at my feet and the big one keeps putting her head on my arm to be petted. Yes Solomon, these dogs ARE more fortunate than a dead lion. If a dog could reason, I am sure these two have hopes. One, they probably hope I have some treats for them as they both obviously don't seem to like the dog food I have set for them here in my office. They probably have hope that their owners are coming back (went to ALA yesterday for T-giving, coming back this evening). They probably have hope I will continue to demonstrate some sort of love for them by letting them out when they need to go. Yes, they probably DO have hope. A good lesson can be learned from live dogs, I guess. Have hope. While Solomon described our lives a meaningless, he still realizes that their is hope for our souls (at least I would THINK he realizes that--I do). The meaninglessness in our lives, I think, center around what Solomon says about some of the righteous getting what the wicked deserve, while the wicked are sometimes rewarded here on this earth. People have always asked God why bad things happen to good people, and Solomon follows that with, "but time and chance happen to them all." THAT, is what I call meaningless. However, as with the game of chance, sometimes your odds can be improved. I am sure you have heard of gamblers who count cards, know the odds of remaining cards, suspect the odds of dice rolling and slot machines and the roulette wheel. Well, as you probably suspect, chances of winning CAN be improved by paying attention to what has already happened (on the slots, the deck of card, the dice, etc). OUR chances, as well, can be improved. We CAN lessen our chance that 'happen to all', simply by paying attention to what has already happened, AND ACTING ACCORDINGLY. God, in the end, WILL reward those who repent from sin (Jesus says so!). Forget that evil men prosper; remember that righteous men win the big prize. The dogs are winning 'cause they are obeying and have learned some rules here. They are alive, so are we. Reply to this
November 28, 2008 10:00 AM
Tony wrote:
Great way to increase the odds, or your chances. Best way for us to increase our chances, like you said in a roundabout way, stay in the word! Count the pages (costs), know the odds of what will happen when we sin. Awsume analogy! Reply to this
Well, I have been joined by two dogs this morning for my Bible Study. Amazing that Solomon mentions that 'even a live dog is better off than a dead lion'. Let me tell you about the two dogs first. They are residents of my home for the next month, along with their owners, my stepdaughter and her husband, and their three kids--our grandchildren. Skittish is not the term that comes close to the huge black dog---WAY beyond skittish (I'll tell you some funny stories about her some other day.) The small one is a bit skittish, but I think it is only because we a new to her. HOWEVER, after showing considerable restraint all day yesterday, and plenty of pre-prayer, things seem to be going along fine with the dogs (their owners don't move in until this weekend). I let the dogs out this morning in the back yard, and when we came back in to study, both dogs came right up to me as I'm sitting here and want to be petted. The little one is sitting at my feet and the big one keeps putting her head on my arm to be petted. Yes Solomon, these dogs ARE more fortunate than a dead lion. If a dog could reason, I am sure these two have hopes. One, they probably hope I have some treats for them as they both obviously don't seem to like the dog food I have set for them here in my office. They probably have hope that their owners are coming back (went to ALA yesterday for T-giving, coming back this evening). They probably have hope I will continue to demonstrate some sort of love for them by letting them out when they need to go. Yes, they probably DO have hope.
A good lesson can be learned from live dogs, I guess. Have hope. While Solomon described our lives a meaningless, he still realizes that their is hope for our souls (at least I would THINK he realizes that--I do). The meaninglessness in our lives, I think, center around what Solomon says about some of the righteous getting what the wicked deserve, while the wicked are sometimes rewarded here on this earth. People have always asked God why bad things happen to good people, and Solomon follows that with, "but time and chance happen to them all." THAT, is what I call meaningless. However, as with the game of chance, sometimes your odds can be improved. I am sure you have heard of gamblers who count cards, know the odds of remaining cards, suspect the odds of dice rolling and slot machines and the roulette wheel. Well, as you probably suspect, chances of winning CAN be improved by paying attention to what has already happened (on the slots, the deck of card, the dice, etc). OUR chances, as well, can be improved. We CAN lessen our chance that 'happen to all', simply by paying attention to what has already happened, AND ACTING ACCORDINGLY. God, in the end, WILL reward those who repent from sin (Jesus says so!). Forget that evil men prosper; remember that righteous men win the big prize. The dogs are winning 'cause they are obeying and have learned some rules here. They are alive, so are we.
Reply to this
Great way to increase the odds, or your chances. Best way for us to increase our chances, like you said in a roundabout way, stay in the word! Count the pages (costs), know the odds of what will happen when we sin. Awsume analogy!
Reply to this