Are you all THAT certain?

[Adstar]

Now that you have gotten your reaction to that little opening paragraph out of your system, go read the whole point of the story. It is simply to just do your best and live each day, and meet each situation as just that.... another day to accept as it is delivered to us..... without trying to give our own personal meaning to it.

I did read your story and i liked it.. When i like a story and have nothing to add to it to make it better i don't add anything to it... I believe in the old saying if it ain 't broke don't try and fix it.. ..

Why did you assume i had not read your post entirely?

I only comment on the parts of a post i feel might benefit from an added insight or a nice addition.Or even correction.

Hey i will add to the story that you gave.. It will not improve the story but it might add a thought to others on the Story.. Here is a wise saying..

A blessing is anything that leads one to an eternal relationship with God..
A curse is anything that leads one away from an eternal relationship with God..

A million dollar lottery win can be a great curse..
A death of ones beloved Child can be a blessing..

Romans 8:KJV
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

 

[Willie-T]

Recently, I've been listening to the arguments of someone who believes strongly that the Torah is still applicable to the modern Christian, how it should govern our everyday life and frankly, makes a compelling case supported by scripture. Now, I'm not here to argue legalism and that's not the point of this post. The point is that some parts of Leviticus are practically timeless in providing healthy food or the right food to eat - such as God's command to only eat animals that have cleft hooves and chew cud. This guy arguing was adamant about the dangers of eating shrimp, for instance, instead of fish with scales or eating pork because though the animal has cleft hooves, the pig didn't chew cud. Of course, plenty of medical evidence was provided to support his case.

All that aside, my bottom line is that.... I simply don't want to do something that is an abomination to God. That's something I'd like to avoid. So, I prayed that should I be misled in thinking that the Old Testament law doesn't apply because of the sacrifice of Christ that set me free from the law, that I would be set straight and my thinking cleared. So, I asked God. I said "God, if it is such that I shouldn't eat pork, that it is an abomination to You, that the law You gave us applies to us now, please help me understand".

It was almost the next day that my sister sends me in the mail 3 packs of Tennessee country ham and bacon for Christmas. Total shock - she never sends me anything - but here it was. Then I ate at a friend's house on Christmas eve and we had ham of which they send me home with a big plastic bag of those honey baked ham slices.

So now I could say "look at my bounty that God has sent. I am convinced that God is telling me that through the sacrifice of His only Son that I am free from the law and may eat what God has set before me". On the other hand I could say that because I have studied on these things and am trying to understand God's truth that obstacles have been placed before me. "The devil himself put this bounty of the wrong kinds of food in front of me so that I would further myself from God's Word.

I could also say that I just got a lot of unexpected ham. That's a good thing. ...or not.

I take it you are going to be honest about this, and not just play religious-sounding games? Here is just one of the many other "commands" I am sure you are following..... Right?

Deuteronomy 21:18-21 New International Version (NIV)

A Rebellious Son

18 If someone has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and will not listen to them when they discipline him, 19 his father and mother shall take hold of him and bring him to the elders at the gate of his town. 20 They shall say to the elders, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.” 21 Then all the men of his town are to stone him to death. You must purge the evil from among you. All Israel will hear of it and be afraid.

 

[17Bees]

I take it you are going to be honest about this, and not just play religious-sounding games? Here is just one of the many other "commands" I am sure you are following..... Right?

Well, I don't recall questioning the honesty of your OP, but to answer you - I stated I wasn't there to argue legalism.

 

[Willie-T]

Well, I don't recall questioning the honesty of your OP, but to answer you - I stated I wasn't there to argue legalism.

Yeah, that 'smorgasbord' law-keeping is fairly common. LOL

 

[17Bees]

I take it you are going to be honest about this, and not just play religious-sounding games? Here is just one of the many other "commands" I am sure you are following..... Right?

Deuteronomy 21:18-21 New International Version (NIV)

A Rebellious Son

18 If someone has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and will not listen to them when they discipline him, 19 his father and mother shall take hold of him and bring him to the elders at the gate of his town. 20 They shall say to the elders, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.” 21 Then all the men of his town are to stone him to death. You must purge the evil from among you. All Israel will hear of it and be afraid.

Yeah, that 'smorgasbord' law-keeping is fairly common. LOL

I just thought the speaker's arguments were pretty compelling, not that I've adopted such principles. That being said, isn't your example taking a snipet of some information and judging the whole the very thing your story warns against?

 

[Utah]

In North America people are so concerned with holding the door open for people... And just as concerned with saying "thank you" or recieving a "thank you". Lol... It's really funny.

In most places in Europe, no one cares whether the door gets held open or slammed in their face. If you do hold the door open for someone, it would be surprising to hear a "thank you". But its not seen as rude, nor seen as polite. It's just not something that has much significance.

Meh. Must be a cultural thing!

I've always held the door open for people, and when they didn't thank me I'd say something provoking. Then one day when I was in the Navy, I held the door open for a high ranking officer and he did not thank me. Funny thing was, had I responded in my normal way, I'd have gotten in HUGE trouble. So I ate that peace of crow and since then, if people thank me, I respond by saying "you're very welcome" and "God bless you" but when people don't say anything, I just let it go. Feels good.

 

[Willie-T]

I just thought the speaker's arguments were pretty compelling, not that I've adopted such principles. That being said, isn't your example taking a snipet of some information and judging the whole the very thing your story warns against?

I was just trying to help you out. You seemed concerned that you had to follow some rules you found, and I wanted to be sure you weren't missing any. You wouldn't want to do that, would you?

 

[Willie-T]

I've always held the door open for people, and when they didn't thank me I'd say something provoking. Then one day when I was in the Navy, I held the door open for a high ranking officer and he did not thank me. Funny thing was, had I responded in my normal way, I'd have gotten in HUGE trouble. So I ate that peace of crow and since then, if people thank me, I respond by saying "you're very welcome" and "God bless you" but when people don't say anything, I just let it go. Feels good.

This is kind of my point. If we didn't feel something about those things, then there wouldn't be anything to let go. But, we DO feel something.... or else we wouldn't be having to "let ANYTHING go." It's commendable that we get better and better about not harboring any sensations, but to say we never even notice it or that we don't feel anything is belied by the very fact that we can clearly recall these incidences.

 

[LaurenTM]

God loves a joyful giver... So the love of giving should be the reward in itself.. Seeing someone gain help from your help should make one feel joy.. The expectation of getting a repayment from the person you are giving too makes your gift into a Loan requiring repayment.. So in truth if you only give with expectation of receiving a repayment for it then you have never truly given anything to anyone in your life...

did you actually read Willie's post...and if so, THAT is what you got out of it?

Max would be so disappointed...........

 

[LaurenTM]

Speaking of quick to judge.............after reading you own story, are you too quick to judge?

I know of people who live this way. They work as unto God, they loan and expect nothing in return. It's not churchy at all, it's living reality out of the new life in Christ.

Sure the common courtesy is nice to hear, but we don't live for it.

you've quite gone and missed the point

there is a much bigger picture in that story

and apparently a few of you have illustrated it rather well

sigh

 

[LaurenTM]

I've always held the door open for people, and when they didn't thank me I'd say something provoking. Then one day when I was in the Navy, I held the door open for a high ranking officer and he did not thank me. Funny thing was, had I responded in my normal way, I'd have gotten in HUGE trouble. So I ate that peace of crow and since then, if people thank me, I respond by saying "you're very welcome" and "God bless you" but when people don't say anything, I just let it go. Feels good.

haha...funny how that works, eh?

I can loose my temper at home but if a stranger were in evidence, I would be all sweetie pie nice nice

on the other hand, I ALWAYS say thank you for anyone who holds the door and I hold it myself...or gives way in traffic

but expectations ruin many relationships and we have to learn to give without expecting...although the bigger picture of this op is not about expectations but since so many seem stuck on it.......

 

[LaurenTM]

thx Willlie...you know, I told my husband this am while were discussing stuff, about your comment to me yesterday

he goes 'man, if he only knew'...LOL!

I have actually been told, and this is true, that I think too much...I have been known to come full circle at times which means I gotta start all over

honestly though, my dad really taught me to think for myself...I thank him for it!!!

I like to be provoked into thinking and turn things over to see what is on the other side..

 

[Willie-T]

haha...funny how that works, eh?

I can loose my temper at home but if a stranger were in evidence, I would be all sweetie pie nice nice

on the other hand, I ALWAYS say thank you for anyone who holds the door and I hold it myself...or gives way in traffic

but expectations ruin many relationships and we have to learn to give without expecting...although the bigger picture of this op is not about expectations but since so many seem stuck on it.......

I actually added that little bit before the story began... as a lead-in. And the funny thing is that I really did say to myself, "Don't do this! 90% of the people here will get hung up on something in those few little words, and never even absorb the meat of the horse story."

Thank you for being in the 10% I usually find myself writing for.

 

[LaurenTM]

I actually added that little bit before the story began... as a lead-in. And the funny thing is that I really did say to myself, "Don't do this! 90% of the people here will get hung up on something in those few little words, and never even absorb the meat of the horse story."

Thank you for being in the 10% I usually find myself writing for.

hey~

the world can be a lonely place and never more than when in the company of strangers who are in fact friends

or something like that.....

 

[Willie-T]

thx Willlie...you know, I told my husband this am while were discussing stuff, about your comment to me yesterday

he goes 'man, if he only knew'...LOL!

I have actually been told, and this is true, that I think too much...I have been known to come full circle at times which means I gotta start all over

honestly though, my dad really taught me to think for myself...I thank him for it!!!

I like to be provoked into thinking and turn things over to see what is on the other side..

I got the same virtue from my mother. LOL

 

[Desertsrose]

Recently, I've been listening to the arguments of someone who believes strongly that the Torah is still applicable to the modern Christian, how it should govern our everyday life and frankly, makes a compelling case supported by scripture. Now, I'm not here to argue legalism and that's not the point of this post. The point is that some parts of Leviticus are practically timeless in providing healthy food or the right food to eat - such as God's command to only eat animals that have cleft hooves and chew cud. This guy arguing was adamant about the dangers of eating shrimp, for instance, instead of fish with scales or eating pork because though the animal has cleft hooves, the pig didn't chew cud. Of course, plenty of medical evidence was provided to support his case.

All that aside, my bottom line is that.... I simply don't want to do something that is an abomination to God. That's something I'd like to avoid. So, I prayed that should I be misled in thinking that the Old Testament law doesn't apply because of the sacrifice of Christ that set me free from the law, that I would be set straight and my thinking cleared. So, I asked God. I said "God, if it is such that I shouldn't eat pork, that it is an abomination to You, that the law You gave us applies to us now, please help me understand".

It was almost the next day that my sister sends me in the mail 3 packs of Tennessee country ham and bacon for Christmas. Total shock - she never sends me anything - but here it was. Then I ate at a friend's house on Christmas eve and we had ham of which they send me home with a big plastic bag of those honey baked ham slices.

So now I could say "look at my bounty that God has sent. I am convinced that God is telling me that through the sacrifice of His only Son that I am free from the law and may eat what God has set before me". On the other hand I could say that because I have studied on these things and am trying to understand God's truth that obstacles have been placed before me. "The devil himself put this bounty of the wrong kinds of food in front of me so that I would further myself from God's Word.

I could also say that I just got a lot of unexpected ham. That's a good thing. ...or not.

Hi 17bees,

I also have a person in my life that wants me to follow the dietary laws. Here's a scripture that might help you in the future.

Or do you not know, brethren (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law has jurisdiction over a person as long as he lives?

2 For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is living; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband.

3 So then, if while her husband is living she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress though she is joined to another man.

4Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.

5For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.

6But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter. Romans 7:1-6

The law it good, Paul goes on to say. The law shows us our sin. The law is like a mirror reflecting our sinful condition. The law can't save us. It's meant to show us what sinners we are and how we need God.

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh,

4 so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1-4

Jesus became the sin offering once for all as it says in Hebrews. So if we walk not according to the flesh not we once did, but now are made alive in Christ and walk in newness of life being filled with the Spirit, the requirements of the law (walking in righteousness) are met in us through the New Covenant - through the blood of Jesus - through obedience to the Law of Jesus that's written on our hearts.

There's a lot of other scriptures that address this issue. If you're interested, you could begin a new thread on the topic.

Best to you as you seek truth in your journey to obey God.

 

[Desertsrose]

you've quite gone and missed the point

there is a much bigger picture in that story

and apparently a few of you have illustrated it rather well

sigh

Hi Lauren,

No, I didn't miss the point at all. Or at least I don't think I missed the point, but I haven't addressed it yet.

I was responding to a specific post of Willie's who had responded to Adstar's comment. That's all it was, a plain and simple reply.

Just as I'm replying to your specific post right now. So will you say I missed the OP because I'm responding to you. Or should I say you've missed the post because of your post to me?

 

[Blain]

I do stuff like that all the time I am always opening doors for people always buying them food and drinks always giving my heart out and yes while I admit it's nice to receive a thank you or a bit of gratitude this is not the reason I do this. I do things like this because my heart tells me to I desire and expect nothing in return, if one does such things with the purpose of receiving then they are doing it for the wrong reason.

as for the story of the old man it was very well written and the old man was indeed wise things are rarely ever as they appear

 

[Desertsrose]

Just as you, yourself, just said, as much as we would like to believe we are just magnanimous people who could care less if anyone recognizes when we do something nice, we all like the "Thank You's" and little common acknowledgements.

As we grow in the Lord and live in the reality of today, those expectations begin to die. We learn to continue to serve others without the expectation of a return of thanks or whatever because we are learning to do things as unto the Lord and not unto man.

So it's not a matter of one or the other. If someone says thanks, it warms your heart. If they don't, we continue serving out of love for one another. There are plenty of reasons why someone may or may not say thanks. It's even good for us to not alway hear that thanks, it can help to keep us humble.

But the issue is Our Heart and Our Servitude. If we do something looking for a reward, our hearts aren't right.

That's always been at the core of the issue, Our Hearts within the gospel. When Jesus spoke to the Pharisees, they were hypocrites. All though out the preaching by Jesus about the Kingdom of God, He kept getting at the heart issue of man, because that's where all the evil begins.

If God has our hearts, we learn to trust Him with all things and so all things are a blessing whether good or bad.

 

[PennEd]

In North America people are so concerned with holding the door open for people... And just as concerned with saying "thank you" or recieving a "thank you". Lol... It's really funny.

In most places in Europe, no one cares whether the door gets held open or slammed in their face. If you do hold the door open for someone, it would be surprising to hear a "thank you". But its not seen as rude, nor seen as polite. It's just not something that has much significance.

Meh. Must be a cultural thing!

I get a real kick when I say "God Bless you" and the person says "oh, that was a cough not a sneeze". Then I say, "well, in that case, I take back my God Bless you! I'm over my God Bless you quota for the month anyway"