I Kings 10:1-29
1. List some of the "hard questions" you'd bring to the wisest man on earth.
On my own I am not a natural deep thinker, though when I was young I did ask my mom what it meant to be alive and she thought I was a bit crazy, but I do struggle with God. I think of it a lot like Jacob's wrestling match. Most of the question I ask are the same as this atheist blog and I feel very weak in my faith when I look these over from time to time. One of my BIGGEST is the question- do people who never hear the gospel, can they be saved and if not, why not? It doesn't seem at all fair. Why does the Bible have so many contradictions? (I don't understand how Christians can say there aren't any.) Why didn't God literally write the Bible? Why is the Bible so hard to understand? Why is there so much violence in the Bible- what does that even mean or teach us? If Satan is so bad why did God create him and why doesn't he get a like twist reward in the end for being the one who caused Jesus to have to save the world in the first place? Just a few questions any way.
2. As you've grown in your faith, have some of your hard questions or seeming contradictions grown less important to you? Why or why not?
They have become less important to me because I just trust that it will all be explained in the end and even if it isn't explained and this was all for nothing- then at least I tried and at least I lived for someone and something and not just for myself. If I were brave enough to become an atheist or agnostic (which I don't believe I ever could be) I don't understand how you can logically care for people without God unless caring for them caused me to get my way most of the time. To me, it would be illogical.
3. Spend some time telling God all that you have on your mind. Then listen to what he has on his.
God, You cause me to think of a bundle of contradictions. You know I want to give my heart, life, and mind to you. I love you and I wish I could be this special person others claim I am, but your word doesn't give me as much comfort as I could hope for. A lot doesn't make sense exactly. But I like to think of myself as a baby or maybe a young toddler and you are my parent. I may not understand the bigger picture of why mommy or daddy told me not to touch the stove or what it means to be married but I will trust YOU God that what you are telling me will make sense- some day. Okay, I am ready to listen.
2 Chronicles 8:1-11 (this passage wasn't my reading today but it was in the middle of my 2 Chronicles 9 reading- I thought might as well if I have the time)
1. How do your unbelieving friends and family affect your attitude toward God?
They make me wish I could be so brave sometimes. I question. But to be honest I don't have many unbelieving friends.
2. What are some concrete ways you can keep holy what is holy, while still honoring and respecting the unbelievers you love?
Honestly I don't really know. I just be kind. I don't ever want to pressure someone into believing. I honestly don't care if you believe or not, I just want to be your friend and hear your thoughts. Let's just try really hard not to hurt each other either physically or emotionally.
3. Think about the burden you feel toward a spouse or loved one who wants nothing to do with the Lord. Spend time in prayer, giving your anxieties and grief about them to God.
OK
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
Ecclesiastes 1-6
Well it looks like I never finished and barely started the last study....life happens and things change. I am actually surprised I am writing right now because I am on a missions trip in John Day, OR. Rarely do I even allow myself the luxury of a computer let alone the time to write about heart felt things. I realize that most of what I write is a jumbled mess of me pouring out my mind- it is what keeps me sane and, trust me, you want me to be sane. I could also be accused of being reclusive and stand offish but I am old enough to be okay with that- pretty much- though I often wonder if I don't have some type of social anxiety and wonder if there is a way to treat it. In any case I am going off topic.
I have been able to keep up my Bible reading though not in my preferred method aka getting up early and reading every day as opposed to waiting three days or more and having to wait till Sunday (when all the kids are in Sunday school) for me to catch up. But obviously that means I don't really have time for thoughts or to answer the questions. Today I will try to get on track, but just for today, no promises for tomorrow or any other days this year.
Oh joy! I read Ecclesiastes today- please, realize the sarcasm. It is all meaningless....meaningless I say!
1. In what ways have you chased after something but found it meaningless?
To get a sense of this question I went to look up the word meaningless and what that meant to the author of Ecclesiastes (probably Solomon). Basically life doesn't make sense. I hear you there! I guess the one big thing that I can think of in my own life that I chase that feels meaningless is a big one- raising children. It sometimes seems like no matter how hard you try and how much you worry they will do whatever they feel like regardless of what you say and try to discipline them. At the end of the day- do you really have something to show for how hard you feel you worked? The answer appears to be a definite- maybe.
2. What are some things "in you own backyard" that bring you joy?
Reading and writing about what I read- it is what gives me the most joy. I feel like it is something that comes from my own backyard. I don't have to stress about it much. I don't feel like I am chasing the wind.
3. When have you experienced a time of real contentment?
For me, contentment is being able to keep the kitchen clean in a reasonable amount of time and trying to keep to lose flexible schedule without big bumps (arguments, excessive laziness). Also if there is food involved I am pretty content person.
I have been able to keep up my Bible reading though not in my preferred method aka getting up early and reading every day as opposed to waiting three days or more and having to wait till Sunday (when all the kids are in Sunday school) for me to catch up. But obviously that means I don't really have time for thoughts or to answer the questions. Today I will try to get on track, but just for today, no promises for tomorrow or any other days this year.
Oh joy! I read Ecclesiastes today- please, realize the sarcasm. It is all meaningless....meaningless I say!
1. In what ways have you chased after something but found it meaningless?
To get a sense of this question I went to look up the word meaningless and what that meant to the author of Ecclesiastes (probably Solomon). Basically life doesn't make sense. I hear you there! I guess the one big thing that I can think of in my own life that I chase that feels meaningless is a big one- raising children. It sometimes seems like no matter how hard you try and how much you worry they will do whatever they feel like regardless of what you say and try to discipline them. At the end of the day- do you really have something to show for how hard you feel you worked? The answer appears to be a definite- maybe.
2. What are some things "in you own backyard" that bring you joy?
Reading and writing about what I read- it is what gives me the most joy. I feel like it is something that comes from my own backyard. I don't have to stress about it much. I don't feel like I am chasing the wind.
3. When have you experienced a time of real contentment?
For me, contentment is being able to keep the kitchen clean in a reasonable amount of time and trying to keep to lose flexible schedule without big bumps (arguments, excessive laziness). Also if there is food involved I am pretty content person.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)