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Post by withopeneyes (Mandy) on Apr 26, 2006 10:51:06 GMT -5
An interesting subject, even if only to myself.
I would enjoy reading stories of others.
God has made provision for us to make fresh starts. It's amazing. A lot of the time it's been monetary help, whether the money was given to us, or someone "donated" their services to help us save.
We are in the middle of making a huge life change, and moving back down south. We've been given so many amazing opportunities.. and everything just falls into place within days.. whereas, when we tried to force it a while back, it was chaos and everything fell through.
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juju
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Post by juju on Apr 26, 2006 11:43:10 GMT -5
Doesn't necessarily mean that God has made provision. Just means it's the right time......Good things work out for even those who don't believe in God.
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Post by Glory to God on Apr 26, 2006 11:56:43 GMT -5
It is not about us----all about HIM
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He maketh it to rain
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Post by He maketh it to rain on Apr 26, 2006 12:07:46 GMT -5
"God maketh it to rain on the just as well as the unjust."
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liz
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Post by liz on Apr 26, 2006 14:30:19 GMT -5
Being raised a 2x2, I believed that God did not concern himself with our natural needs. He was only concerned about our spiritual needs.
Once I left the 2x2's and immersed myself in orthodox christianity, I found it hard to change my thinking; that God is concerned about every aspect of our lives. So much so that he even knows the number of hairs on our head!
Today, I believe a bit differently.
We have creative natures, a gift bestowed upon us by our creator. Thus, we create our own realities with the help of the universe/God.
Example: imagine you are day dreaming and think of how fun a caribbean cruise would be. Perhaps later in the day, the same thought pops into your head. Before long, you find yourself online, looking up cruise rates & dates. The next step? Securing vacation days from your boss, purchasing tickets, buying cruise clothing, etc. etc. God didn't give you a cruise, he/she didn't even plan it. You did!
So, when wonderful things happen, say financial help 'out of the blue', or a house selling in one day, they happen b/c we've put the possibility 'out there'.
On the flip side, one comes across people who are literally sitting on their hands, hoping someone else (or God) will simply bail them out of a situation. I think one has to help himself before the universe/god comes alongside & helps, too.....
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Post by withopeneyes (Mandy) on Apr 26, 2006 14:52:54 GMT -5
I agree that WE must take action, but I believe that God has His own timing. I don't expect to just sit around and have things handed to me, but I also believe that, when we are working towards something and things keep happening like red flags waving wildly as if to say, "NO NO NO" then we need to back down, and maybe the opportunity will arise later.
I believe that God is interested in EVERY aspect of our lives. Afterall, he knows the number of hairs on our head! I think God helps those who help themselves.
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Post by withopeneyes (Mandy) on Apr 26, 2006 14:55:15 GMT -5
And Liz, I wanted to add that my husband was raised believing the same thing. He was only to pray for spiritual things...
But I was taught to pray for everything- guidance in where I should live, what job I should take, even my vacations.
My husband never believed the whole, "Only pray for spiritual things" and we've enjoyed praying together about everything from raising our children, keeping them safe, to our financial situation.
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Post by as i c it on Apr 26, 2006 15:23:15 GMT -5
I Peter 5:7 speaks of "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you".
Prayer is how we speak to God: God (already) knows all things we have need of: but, it seems to me that telling/talking to Him, about whatever is going on in our lives, is part of having a personal relationship with Him.
For example: There are times we all need a friend (or need to talk to someone). "Someone" may not be available...but God always is...So at home, our prayers, I'm sure, are on a very personal level (about whatever our "care/concerns" may be...at a spiritual and natural level) and for others as well.
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liz
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Post by liz on Apr 26, 2006 17:32:34 GMT -5
I'm glad your husband used his head & prayed for 'natural' things in spite of his upbringing.
When I finally started thinking for myself and realized that we can 'cast all our care on God' it was like finally being able to confide with an intimate friend!
Our natural & spiritual lives are totally entwined. Separating them is silly.....
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Post by botany on Apr 28, 2006 9:11:25 GMT -5
Doesn't necessarily mean that God has made provision. Just means it's the right time......Good things work out for even those who don't believe in God. Aye, I would lean to this side too. Just like the saying, "Sh*t happens", there is also the other side where "Good things happen". Sometimes life deals us a nasty hand, and other times it is an absolutely wonderful hand. Most of the time it is a mediocre hand. Sometimes the uncertain times turn out to be great. Life has a way of working things out. Nothing too drastic will change in the average life. The only truly drastic change I can forsee happening to change humanity is a nuclear holocaust. Even then, that would be nothing different from the historical mass extinction events that took place. True, it would be different due to the use of nuclear devices, but that is only a matter of method, not the effect of the event. May a ray of sunshine shine on all of you today! Have a grateful day, andy  |
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