tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post7700651113942559804..comments2023-09-12T11:31:20.729-05:00Comments on Straight-Friendly: Flirtations and AffairsTimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01271248501086241494noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-55660312252002811302010-07-17T13:59:37.631-05:002010-07-17T13:59:37.631-05:00Sherry, your point is spot-on. Our fondness for ju...Sherry, your point is spot-on. Our fondness for just-in-case scenarios exposes the weak points in our faith. We trust God only so far, and then we dally off to other "deities"--our investments or our social status or our knowledge. <br /><br />It's a tail-chaser. How can we learn to trust God in every area of our lives without committing fully to Him; yet how difficult that commitment is without knowing we can trust Him! It is a leap of faith, indeed! And I think that's at the heart of being "scared to death of unconditional love." (Love that, BTW.) Because God's unconditional love pulls the floor out from us by removing every reason <i>not</i> to trust Him.<br /><br />Tom, thanks for the clarification--and I should have pointed that out in the post. What makes God <i>the</i> One is indeed the wholeness of Him. I believe this is what John alludes to in the preface to his gospel: "Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made." (1.3) In the context of the post, one might imagine Moses saying to modern believers, "Why would you divide your affections among many gods, when all that is, is contained in the LORD?" And while the word he uses connotes unity, I'm apt to think he chooses it as a means to remind Israel (and us) God is unique--the God above all gods.<br /><br />Your comment makes me wish I'd explored this in greater depth! Thank you.<br /><br />Thanks to both of you. I'm always delighted by what each of you brings the writing.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />TimTimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01271248501086241494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-36556759608421188822010-07-17T13:27:26.910-05:002010-07-17T13:27:26.910-05:00Just a side note, Tim. The word for one in the pa...Just a side note, Tim. The word for one in the passage is not the 'one' used in counting or representing singularity. It's only other use is referring to a bunch of grapes as one fruit. Thus it redlects commonality and unity rather than singularity.TomCathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11397335545286040472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-72496031608036024972010-07-17T12:31:14.292-05:002010-07-17T12:31:14.292-05:00YOu know, when I think of the Hebrews and the prop...YOu know, when I think of the Hebrews and the prophets, I always think of people who say yes to God, but want to hedge their bets (with other deity worship). we are much the same, I realize now. We say yes, but then we figure we should fiddle and manipulate "just in case". We are scared to death I think of unconditional love, because of what it asks of us. Thanks for a great provoking post Tim.Sherry Peytonhttp://afeatheradrift.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-9032406067797084292010-07-16T19:35:37.269-05:002010-07-16T19:35:37.269-05:00Vikki, so much of what you describe here is exactl...Vikki, so much of what you describe here is exactly what being "in relationship" with God is--open and free communication; knowing He'll be there without having to "dress up" for Him; staying in constant touch, not just talking to Him for a few minutes each day; knowing He's listening all the time.<br /><br />As to "religion," I tend to think of it as the extended family of in-laws we inherit when we commit to God. Some of us get welcomed right in and find everyone in the particular denomination--or Christianity as a whole--a delight. Others of us get the distant, polite treatment. And, sadly, some of us are told not come around at all.<br /><br />None of that matters. We didn't commit to a religion. We committed to God. Neither He nor we can control who joins the family, the traditions that evolve in it, and the mistakes it makes.<br /><br />That said, <i>every</i> family has good eggs, like you and everyone else God has blessedly brought to this place. I've never thought about S-F in this way, but your comment makes me see it as a big ol' carton filled with love, acceptance, and freedom!<br /><br />So it is you and everyone who must be thanked. I'm so grateful for you!<br /><br />Blessings,<br />TimTimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01271248501086241494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-35985471272532255502010-07-16T17:32:14.948-05:002010-07-16T17:32:14.948-05:00God IS the One.
He's the One I go to when I...God IS the One. <br /><br />He's the One I go to when I'm depressed. He's the One I go to when I'm worried. He's the One I go to when I'm scared. He's the One I go to when I'm confused. He's the One I go to when I'm happy. <br /><br />I even go to Him when I'm "meh!"<br /><br />I don't really pray formally. I have a sort of stream of consciousness type of communication with God; although I try not to be a pest! <br /><br />If it is an urgent concern, I do revert to the more formal type of communication with Him, out of respect to convention.<br /><br />I do believe that He listens to us no matter how we try to communicate our thoughts and desires to Him. <br /><br />I don't really identify with any set "religion" at this stage in my life, but I totally embrace the concept of God, Christianity, and His Love for us.<br /><br />Your forum is a place where I feel safe in that expression, because acceptance is so important.<br /><br />Thanks, Tim. :)kkrynohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07727264476742817993noreply@blogger.com