tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818188852383041387.post2223980354372495973..comments2023-10-03T04:15:31.249-05:00Comments on Doodling In My Mind: God's Mind?Darlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12729956708957293746noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818188852383041387.post-77679670176747103762007-03-02T10:44:00.000-06:002007-03-02T10:44:00.000-06:00Well I didn't mean to preach, but...Jackie, forgiv...Well I didn't mean to preach, but...<BR/><BR/>Jackie, forgive me for being blunt (I'm just not good at being subtle) but you are assuming there is only one right path that your life can follow - God knows that path and therefore any intervention on your part might pull you off that path. This makes sense from our point of view, but as you point out, God is much bigger than us. From God's point of view, there must be a myriad of 'right' paths! A metaphor: A skilled artist might be able to express herself using one or two mediums - watercolors or oils, perhaps. But a truly masterful artist might be able to express the same thing through paint, poetry, prose, etc. God is the epitome of the artist - he can and will express himself through any of the infinite mediums he has created. Changing his means does not, for God, mean he has changed the outcome. God <I>does</I> know best, so have faith that asking him to change things doesn't mean you are asking him to abandon the 'better' path!<BR/><BR/>When we pray, we may or may not actually change the course of history - but we will change the way God chooses to express himself. Even when God refuses us, his refusal will come in a different way because we prayed. I believe this precisely because I believe God knows best. That is, if I have prayed for something the situation is different than if I had not - and any different situation requires a different response. So then, even God's refusals will be changed by our praying.<BR/><BR/>But this isn't all! God doesn't respond dynamically to our prayers only because it is necessary to change his respond to fit our response. Rather, he has chosen this because God wants relationship with us - love can only exist within a dynamic relationship.<BR/><BR/>I am reminded of Matt. 7 (or is it 8?) when Jesus asks whether anyone would give their son a snake when he asks for a fish, or a rock when asked for bread. The point is clear, God knows how to give good gifts. Ultimately, we do have to bow to God's wisdom - the end of Job makes this poetically and powerfully clear - Where were you when the foundations of the universe were laid? Can you tame the behemoth? or catch the leviathan? God didn't swoop down and give in to all Job's requests - but he did swoop down. God responded - do you think he would have come had Job not prayed?<BR/><BR/>I'm sure there is more to say, but I need to sign off... I'm at work and I think I'm rambling anyway...Drew Wintershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15726043328815740966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818188852383041387.post-53111824682266116512007-03-02T09:01:00.000-06:002007-03-02T09:01:00.000-06:00ok. i can respond again. While I can understand th...ok. i can respond again. <BR/><BR/>While I can understand that God does change His mind - Moses, The nation of Isreal, the widow etc . . still, I am more than rebuked that I would know answers better than God - - my wants and desires should change the course of history (mine, of course) when all I want to do is not blow it.<BR/><BR/>So while I agree that it's possible, I do NOT think it's wise.God knows me much much better than I do.Jackiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15190327253404830339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818188852383041387.post-83380288758533356302007-03-02T06:56:00.000-06:002007-03-02T06:56:00.000-06:00hey! checking out to see if i can respond!hey! checking out to see if i can respond!Jackiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15190327253404830339noreply@blogger.com