* Pep: Yes. Undoubtedly. And wife. She is a better wife.

* Mimi: I know God is the source of blessings. And I thank Him for my blessings. I do not Doubt God's goodness. I fear to lean on him is all.

see this is where i think you are looking at it wrong. What happened did NOT please God, it was NOT in His plan by His design. Do you disagree? Do you really think He wanted this to happen in order to serve a larger purpose??

or maybe i have it wrong.

but if i changed my thinking to what you are saying, i would be struggling as you are too!!

pep, your question is a good one but i don't think it will help. yes, squid has become a better mom and wife. but that is not the point. cuz then why couldn't God find a different way to help squid become a better mom and wife?

your question show that God is able to make good out of bad. but Bob is struggling with the concept that God purposely allowed squid to have this A in order to help her become a better mom/wife.

so are you saying that thru this whole ordeal, you were not leaning on God at all?

Finally Learning, you said:



Are you questioning God?

Do you think that we can possibly gain an understanding of God's Plan?

As I wrote earlier when I had no choice but to lean on God YES I leaned on him. And my story is a testament to success.

But people who DON'T lean on God ALSO find success. And people who DO lean on God also find failure and disappointment. Like me when I prayed for God to protect my precious marriage pre-A.

ALl I am saying is I fear to lean on God, forsaking all earthly safety net as the healed man in the sermon had to.

I'm OK, really. I need to read my Bible more and leave my sack of rocks with God.

no, i was commenting that the way she posed her question.

am i the only one that does not think God planned this to happen???

do you think God planned this to happen??

i am getting more and more confused!!

I understand what you mean.

A couple recently spoke to DD13's church youth group. Their 17 yo son had just been killed in a motorcycle accident. He was a good kid, totally lived his Christian witness, went to church, his parents prayed over him every day. And he died a sudden, tragic death. Their point in talking to the kids was "Be ready to meet God at any time, because we're not promised tomorrow." Very true.

After that service, my DD looked me in the eye and said: "I thought you said that God loves us and protects us if we serve him, and that I have angels around me to keep me safe.....but the Bible says we're not promised tomorow....SO WHICH IS IT? Is God going to protect me or not?"

Just how do you answer a question like that?

DD didn't understand why God didn't protect that boy since he was a good Christian, and I don't know that I convinced her that God really would protect her. (And I certainly didn't convey my own questions in that regard!)

She was asking the same question Bob was....can I really lean on God or not? I assured her she can.....

Lori

Oh, and I apologize for threadjacking from the original intent of this thread! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Lori

Lori
Its my contention that we can lean on God to do the right thing by His plan NOT by our comfort or wish.

I love threadjacking ... carry on <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

would somebody PLEASE address my comments and questions???

I guess that's what I really meant to say, too, Bob.
Thanks for the clarification. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Lori

Finally:

Did you mean this?



I wouldn't like to think God planned this to happen.

I think evil forces caused this to happen.

Those are my own "human" thoughts.

However, I don't question God. It may be part of His Plan.

I don't think HE lets us KNOW the answers when we want them. The answers will come in HIS APPOINTED TIME. There's an old hymn which says "WE'LL UNDERSTAND IT..ALL BY AND BY.."

I have gained some answers to difficult questions about tragic life events that have happened to me. Some questions haven't yet been answered for me.

I continue to have FAITH that all is for the GOOD for those who love and trust in the Lord...

FINALLY:

It seems that you are doing a lot of THINKING about this..

I do not.

I have sort of a LOVE AFFAIR with GOD which is VERY EMOTIONAL...BIASED in HIS FAVOR....

no, i was commenting that the way she posed her question.

<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I have no comment on your comment <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

am i the only one that does not think God planned this to happen???

God did not plan Squid's affair, Squid did.

do you think God planned this to happen??

No

i am getting more and more confused!!

[b] ... but being confused is OK .... everyone gets confused in these types of conversations ... it's part of the problem ... we are trying to put into words things we cannot put into words ... no one can put into words ... and the struggle Bob has of trusting and leaning is UNIVERSAL .... we all have done it, we all will do it and we all will continue to struggle to put this God into words so we can understand ..

it's a mystery

and that is part of the beauty

I find I do better with this when I struggle less and imagine myself to be a vessel .... not a seeker of knowledge ... but a ready receptacle if I am chosen.

know what I mean?

WONDERFULLY SAID, PEP!!!!!

That's why I luv ya...

I know you weren't looking for a compliment...

<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

obviously i am not getting my thoughts across effectively.

then sit with them until it becomes clear how to express yourself <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I must say ... you have a new fire going on and I like it !

I think that you are thinking too much.... <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I'm not taking you lightly or trying to make a joke....

"LET IT FLOW"

Dear Shattered .....

true then

and

true now

I love a good phrase that says more than what the words intend ... the imagery just works.

I meant to comment on this oh-so-many pages ago .... so I finally got caught up.

Cheers to you miss S-Dreams .... maybe now it is recovered-dreams ? or maybe realized dreams?

First, just for the record.

1. i'm not thinking too much, i'm wanting to share and learn.

2. i absolutely do not think you are taking me lightly or trying to make a joke. but thanks for letting me know.

i am a bit frustrated this is true.

here are some of the comments i have made that i didn't see responses too. and so i am wondering if others agree or disagree.

all of them were trying to get across:

1. my belief that God does not control everything that happens. To do that negates free-will.

2. my belief that God can take any evil and turn it into good and make it work towards His Plan when we allow him to.

the first quote is:

but in reading back, i did see where FF and mimi commented on that.

FF:
Mimi: to which i say, yes, i agree God's Plan is too awesome for us to understand, but my question to you mimi (and everyone) remains....

do you think there is a master PLAN already determined?? and do you think God purposely allows specific bad things to be written into ones life?

another...
in response to bob saying:
i responded with:

does that help?