Why are we so reluctant to acknowledge the fact that God not only quiets but sen

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   bstiltner77posted 12 years ago

   Why are we so reluctant to acknowledge the fact that God not only quiets but sends the storm?
   
   Although it often gets the shaft due to the manner in which it is often presented, the book of Jonah has much to teach us about God. In particular, we discover that God not only quiets the storms of life but at times chooses to send the storm as an act of his will. Nevertheless, this is a fact all too often shunned. Although I do believe much wisdom should be exercised before one credits calamity and distress to God,  it's unfortunate when we dismiss the thought altogether. Simply said, the storms remind us that God loves us just the way we are and far too much to leave us that way. Your turn!

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   glynch1posted 12 years ago

   I believe unsaved humanity pictures God as the loving father who would never discipline His children. Sadly, many professing believers (not knowing the Scriptures) swallow this warped philosophy. The LORD is loving and gracious, yes, but He is also holy and righteous. He is the Sovereign Master of all things Who can do whatever He wishes, yet He is also too wise to do anything wrong.

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      Ericdierkerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I always think of the movie "Forest Gump" when someone asks such a question or raises the topic. The guy was a disaster, yet so much good came of him. Captain Dan showed us all what to do with a storm. I can truly find triumph in all tragedy.

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      bstiltner77posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Great comment...thanks!

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   Lady Guinevereposted 12 years ago

   There can be no peace, only that is within you.  To grow spiritually one has to have storms so that we can be a better person and to realize how far and how much we can do.  I believe that God is neither good or bad nor does the energy thereof cares what a sin is or what a sin is not.  It only moves by consequences to our thought and actions.  There will be storms of life and that is a simple fact.  We don't always know what our thoughts and actions will bring back to us.  If one wants to change and asks their god for that change they will get it.  For instance one wants to be more compassionate towards others or they want more compassion.  It will not come that way.  You will get a storm that will turn you around to be the compassionate one.  WE are the God as WE are the ones who bring all;this about.  Change your thoughts and change your world.  Ask and you shall receive. We must love the journey and the experiences that we choose by what we choose.  Love One Another is the highest law that Jesus told us.  Why would you believe any different?

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      bstiltner77posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      That is an interesting perspective and I do not mean to be contentious Lady Guinevere; however, I am often concerned when I hear the name of Jesus invoked in a context that fully undermines what He said according to Scripture. Your thoughts?

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      Lady Guinevereposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      It only undermines those who use his name and his works/words as a sword to degrade others into their own small minded religious beliefs.  They don't understand the concepts that he was trying to teach..not then and not now.

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      bstiltner77posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Lady Guinevere, your last comment is precisely what I was speaking to. You speak about those who make an attempt to take Jesus at his word in a manner that is anything but "Loving". Is that not the highest law Jesus gave us?

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      d.williamposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      bs: UR assuming that the written word was actually that of JC when he in fact wrote nothing. All writings re: anything JC may have said were   3rd party with their own thoughts superimposed.We believe what were taught-nothing more, nothing less

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      bstiltner77posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      dwilliams, respectfully, you and I are on opposite sides of the argument regarding the reliability and nature of Scripture. I happen to believe that the Bible is not only historically reliable but actually IS the word of God with no mixture of error.

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      Lady Guinevereposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      JC ws not the 1st to say those things, if he said them at all.  All we have is accounts of what he may of said.  Everything is within us.  We know the rules and the laws and the love.  It is our choice to do what is right.  No such thing as evil.

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      d.williamposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      bs.not argue. discuss/debate. Does ur believe negate mine? Can history be factual? R there more than 1 valid path to logic? My belief in God is unshakable.in religion not-so-much.We R all children of God.bible created 2 control. still true today

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   Ericdierkerposted 12 years ago

   Let me answer this in a form that both Jesus and Buddha and Sitting Bull taught:
   
   I am steel and metal
   I am a sword that cuts through all
   
   I was not forged on a cool spring day
   I was not easy in any way
   
   A hard hammer and fire made me, me
   Not through ease was I made to see
   
   It is good to be tender and sweet
   But trial is what makes my maker meet
   
   Do not make me a rose so nice
   But make me strong through fire and ice
   
   A storm brewing in the Western Skies
   This is needed to cut through lies
   
   The weak shall inherit and the strong shall fall
   But in the end we need them all
   
   If in my life I have not strife, then I am a leaf falling gently to the ground, with no accomplishment to be found. But I shall not go easily into the ground for in the tempest I am sound. Let there be no mistake abound in mankind that trials and longsuffering are the greatest gifts to be found.
   
   Kind of silly but that is how I feel.

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   d.williamposted 12 years ago

   Your description of how god is in control of our destinies, is mainly true, but more in a metaphorical way.  We tend to read the bible as a literal work of art inspired by God, but in reality it was actually complied from a selection of many writings done by men who penned them after the death of Jesus.  (With the exception of the old testament in part).
   Although it may be true that we have no control over some things that happen to us in this life time, we are the only directors of our individual lives. 
   We can metaphorically thank God (fate) for our blessings, but we cannot put the blame on God (fate) for the negatives in our lives.
   There is no demonic intervention in our lives either.  Those evils are invented by man to (again- metaphorically) put the blame for negativity on something that is only a scapegoat to make us never to feel the personal blame for tragedies in our lives.
   We all tend to use religion itself as a scapegoat so we do not have to take responsibilities upon ourselves for things that happen to us in this lifetime.
   
   ''Saying'' we are saved, as true believers, and "saved" because we blindly follow our religions is another scapegoat to skirt responsibility, quell the guilt for our doubts, and appease the fear that religion puts into us as children being unwittingly indoctrinated into something we are not fully able to understand.

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      Ericdierkerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Beautiful, I will go today look for problems and turn them into resolutions. Thank d.

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      bstiltner77posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      d.william...thought provoking ...thanks! However, on what basis are you making such significant claims. Admittedly, I am one of the blind leaders of scapegoat religion; however, It would seem that you are making claims requiring a source of authority

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      d.williamposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      E.D. clarify your comments. they are not understood

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      Ericdierkerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      d. I am gifted by the Holy Spirit to change calamity into prosperity. Religion restricts this gift by putting doubt and fear into our lives. We are not hindered by travesty we are empowered by it to do great things.

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      d.williamposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      authority by God.He gave me logic & rationality with the ability 2 put history in its proper perspective. Making any human = 2 the creator is blasphemous. read my hub http://dwilliam.hubpages.com/hub/Who-wa … e-of-the-m

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   Deepes Mindposted 12 years ago

   We are sometimes reluctant to acknowledge that God sends (or at least allows) storms for a couple of reasons. One reason is because Some of us have become so lazy that we want the miracles without operating in principles. We want the reward but not the work. we simply want to stay up without having to experience down. Another reason is that we refuse at times to believe that God would allow or send the storms that we go through

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      bstiltner77posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Deepes... I appreciate your line of thought. Great insight!

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      Deepes Mindposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks

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