January 16, 2010 10:24 AM
Rich wrote:
Do you ever feel in your heart that you say (fill in the blank with your own words of choice): '"Who is the LORD, that I should obey him and ___________? I do not know the LORD and I will not _______________." To my shame, I often struggle with these feelings. I begin to think that I know God and that I have faith and then something happens and I am filling in the blanks in the sentence above.
Consistent and stable belief in God is so hard. It is so hard to separate daily ups and downs, feelings, interactions with others (spouse, kids, boss, friends, co-workers, etc) from God. I struggle so much with the "God is a magic genie" syndrome. If I believe in God, why don't I live a 'walk in the park' life? Why do bad things seem to happen? And even worse, why do I often use "bad" events to justify sin in my life?
I have read Exodus many times before. I have always thought of myself as being Moses or Aaron. At the least, I considered myself as one of the Israelites or one of the chosen group. I read today from the eyes of Pharaoh and his people. I see myself much more than I want to.
Ex 6:9: "Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage." DISCOURAGEMENT and BONDAGE are powerful. Here even the Israelites do not want to hear about God because they are discouraged and feeling oppressed. How do people hold up in times like these? How do some people use bad times to draw closer to God? I am much more like the Israelites here than I am like Moses and Aaron.
I really wonder how Moses and Aaron TRULY felt when Pharaoh's magicians did the same, turning a staff into a snake. Sometimes I wish the Bible gave us more than just facts. We read stories in the Bible and we are told what happened, but we seldom get a full view of what people were thinking and feeling. Is it okay to interject what we would have been thinking and feeling into what we read? If so, I know what I would have been feeling when I saw the magicians make a snake. I would have been discouraged. My excitement with God's awesome feat would have quickly been transformed into doubt and feelings of humiliation. Did Moses and Aaron feel like that? Or are they just better than me? Was their faith that much greater than mine? Is there any hope for me to ever have great faith? What is great faith?
More questions than answers. I have always been told that the Bible holds answers to everything. God's words are the key to life and understanding. I hope so. Reply to this
January 16, 2010 10:32 AM
Sam wrote:
Oh Mr. Moses had some task ahead of him, and it was obvious that 1, he didn't want to do it, 2, the Pharaoh was a hard-a__ idiot, and 3, whatever Moses did, the people resented him more and more. These stories of the plaques always intrigued me. I can see how God could do these miracles, but how could magicians turn staffs into snakes, or 'turn the Nile into blood', especially after God had already done so through Moses. ANd of course, that age-old question, why did God keep making Pharaoh's heart so hard, when God knew that in the end, Moses would lead the Israelites out of Egypt anyway. If it was just to show the fantastic power of God, then to what benefit was it? Pharaoh's whole army died in the 'sea of reeds', the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years after their escape, and Moses lead the people out of Egypt anyway with God's help. I don't understand the whole plagues thing. You would think that God would have made his presence and power known in some more of a positive way...like, say...."Pharaoh's heart was turned favorably toward the slaves and lead them out of their slavery himself and into the 'land of milk and honey'. I am sure there could have been many positive demonstrations of power and love along the way.
It has been said that God never changes. Is God working this way in your life today? Is He hardening hearts of people around you and demonstrating His powers in some awful manner, or is He demonstrating His presence by obvious shows of love? I think He shows a lot of love in MY life. I rarely get sick. I am almost 60. I have extreme monetary wealth. I have a loving wife. I could go on and on about the GOOD things I see God doing in MY life. Yes, there are a lot of bad things as well, but I believe those to just be tests of my faith. These bad things are in no way as 'evil' as the 10 plagues He did in the time of Moses...so, is God getting 'better'? Is He demonstrating more love than 'hate'? Oh well, as usual, a lot more questions than answers. Hope all have a good weekend, and if you celebrate MLK day on Monday, a good one of those holidays as well. Reply to this
January 16, 2010 10:38 AM
Sam wrote:
Hi Rich. Seems we BOTH see a lot questions that arise from the Bible. Yes, the answers are there, but as you know, it takes a lot of work to see them.
Did you get the opportunity to see The Book of Eli, now showing in the theaters? Well, we did last night. A fantastic movie about blind faith. Denzel was marvelous in his role as "Eli". If you could get your family together for a movie night, I'd recommend this one even more, say, than 'the passion'. Lots of killing in it, but that is like it is today, and is getting worse all over the world. This is a 'reality' fictional movie that can really make someone think about the powers of God through reading His word. Reply to this
November 24, 2010 12:07 PMsolid oak furniture wrote:
Rich wrote: "'Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage.' DISCOURAGEMENT and BONDAGE are powerful. Here even the Israelites do not want to hear about God because they are discouraged and feeling oppressed." I know when I have had times of being discouraged or in bondage, I am resistant to God...but perhaps just more confused about God...and perhaps disappointed. However, I think recently I went through a time of brokenness. I know the word "brokenness" gets thrown around A LOT in Christian circles, to the point that it loses meaning. I think sometimes, the way a person is living his or her life, when it isn't healthy, when it is in bondage or discouragement, will continue until that way of life collapses completely and they realize that they cannot continue in that way or path any longer. Jesus spoke a lot about "ways" and "paths". Reply to this
November 24, 2010 12:22 PMsolid oak furniture wrote:
Rich said: "'Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage.' DISCOURAGEMENT and BONDAGE are powerful. Here even the Israelites do not want to hear about God because they are discouraged and feeling oppressed." I know during times of discouragement and bondage in my own life (to addictions, neediness or obsessions) I have been confused and angry about/at God. I have noticed that it seems that for persons who live a life of bondage or discouragement, they will continue down that path until it collapses and no longer works for them. At that time, their eyes are opened and they are ready for a new way or path. Jesus talked a lot about "ways" and "paths." There comes a time when the pain of staying the same outweighs the fear of change. Reply to this
November 24, 2010 12:24 PM
Karl Huffman wrote:
Ah, I'm "solid oak furniture" and I posted nearly the same thing twice, because my first time commenting didn't appear, even after refreshing the page several times. It wasn't until after I tried a second time, submitted my second comment, that then my first comment appeared. Sorry for the repetition... Reply to this
Do you ever feel in your heart that you say (fill in the blank with your own words of choice): '"Who is the LORD, that I should obey him and ___________? I do not know the LORD and I will not _______________." To my shame, I often struggle with these feelings. I begin to think that I know God and that I have faith and then something happens and I am filling in the blanks in the sentence above.
Consistent and stable belief in God is so hard. It is so hard to separate daily ups and downs, feelings, interactions with others (spouse, kids, boss, friends, co-workers, etc) from God. I struggle so much with the "God is a magic genie" syndrome. If I believe in God, why don't I live a 'walk in the park' life? Why do bad things seem to happen? And even worse, why do I often use "bad" events to justify sin in my life?
I have read Exodus many times before. I have always thought of myself as being Moses or Aaron. At the least, I considered myself as one of the Israelites or one of the chosen group. I read today from the eyes of Pharaoh and his people. I see myself much more than I want to.
Ex 6:9: "Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage." DISCOURAGEMENT and BONDAGE are powerful. Here even the Israelites do not want to hear about God because they are discouraged and feeling oppressed. How do people hold up in times like these? How do some people use bad times to draw closer to God? I am much more like the Israelites here than I am like Moses and Aaron.
I really wonder how Moses and Aaron TRULY felt when Pharaoh's magicians did the same, turning a staff into a snake. Sometimes I wish the Bible gave us more than just facts. We read stories in the Bible and we are told what happened, but we seldom get a full view of what people were thinking and feeling. Is it okay to interject what we would have been thinking and feeling into what we read? If so, I know what I would have been feeling when I saw the magicians make a snake. I would have been discouraged. My excitement with God's awesome feat would have quickly been transformed into doubt and feelings of humiliation. Did Moses and Aaron feel like that? Or are they just better than me? Was their faith that much greater than mine? Is there any hope for me to ever have great faith? What is great faith?
More questions than answers. I have always been told that the Bible holds answers to everything. God's words are the key to life and understanding. I hope so.
Reply to this
Oh Mr. Moses had some task ahead of him, and it was obvious that 1, he didn't want to do it, 2, the Pharaoh was a hard-a__ idiot, and 3, whatever Moses did, the people resented him more and more. These stories of the plaques always intrigued me. I can see how God could do these miracles, but how could magicians turn staffs into snakes, or 'turn the Nile into blood', especially after God had already done so through Moses. ANd of course, that age-old question, why did God keep making Pharaoh's heart so hard, when God knew that in the end, Moses would lead the Israelites out of Egypt anyway. If it was just to show the fantastic power of God, then to what benefit was it? Pharaoh's whole army died in the 'sea of reeds', the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years after their escape, and Moses lead the people out of Egypt anyway with God's help. I don't understand the whole plagues thing. You would think that God would have made his presence and power known in some more of a positive way...like, say...."Pharaoh's heart was turned favorably toward the slaves and lead them out of their slavery himself and into the 'land of milk and honey'. I am sure there could have been many positive demonstrations of power and love along the way.
It has been said that God never changes. Is God working this way in your life today? Is He hardening hearts of people around you and demonstrating His powers in some awful manner, or is He demonstrating His presence by obvious shows of love? I think He shows a lot of love in MY life. I rarely get sick. I am almost 60. I have extreme monetary wealth. I have a loving wife. I could go on and on about the GOOD things I see God doing in MY life. Yes, there are a lot of bad things as well, but I believe those to just be tests of my faith. These bad things are in no way as 'evil' as the 10 plagues He did in the time of Moses...so, is God getting 'better'? Is He demonstrating more love than 'hate'?
Oh well, as usual, a lot more questions than answers. Hope all have a good weekend, and if you celebrate MLK day on Monday, a good one of those holidays as well.
Reply to this
Hi Rich. Seems we BOTH see a lot questions that arise from the Bible. Yes, the answers are there, but as you know, it takes a lot of work to see them.
Did you get the opportunity to see The Book of Eli, now showing in the theaters? Well, we did last night. A fantastic movie about blind faith. Denzel was marvelous in his role as "Eli". If you could get your family together for a movie night, I'd recommend this one even more, say, than 'the passion'. Lots of killing in it, but that is like it is today, and is getting worse all over the world. This is a 'reality' fictional movie that can really make someone think about the powers of God through reading His word.
Reply to this
Rich wrote: "'Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage.' DISCOURAGEMENT and BONDAGE are powerful. Here even the Israelites do not want to hear about God because they are discouraged and feeling oppressed." I know when I have had times of being discouraged or in bondage, I am resistant to God...but perhaps just more confused about God...and perhaps disappointed. However, I think recently I went through a time of brokenness. I know the word "brokenness" gets thrown around A LOT in Christian circles, to the point that it loses meaning. I think sometimes, the way a person is living his or her life, when it isn't healthy, when it is in bondage or discouragement, will continue until that way of life collapses completely and they realize that they cannot continue in that way or path any longer. Jesus spoke a lot about "ways" and "paths".
Reply to this
Rich said: "'Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage.' DISCOURAGEMENT and BONDAGE are powerful. Here even the Israelites do not want to hear about God because they are discouraged and feeling oppressed." I know during times of discouragement and bondage in my own life (to addictions, neediness or obsessions) I have been confused and angry about/at God. I have noticed that it seems that for persons who live a life of bondage or discouragement, they will continue down that path until it collapses and no longer works for them. At that time, their eyes are opened and they are ready for a new way or path. Jesus talked a lot about "ways" and "paths." There comes a time when the pain of staying the same outweighs the fear of change.
Reply to this
Ah, I'm "solid oak furniture" and I posted nearly the same thing twice, because my first time commenting didn't appear, even after refreshing the page several times. It wasn't until after I tried a second time, submitted my second comment, that then my first comment appeared. Sorry for the repetition...
Reply to this