1/19/2021 Thought for Today (Page 3): Not sure what you are calling god’s work, but from past conversations, I’m guessing you are blaming God for all the terrible things that happen to...

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

Spiritof27 wrote:

And Randy I gave up on expecting anything from "god" a long time ago, just so you understand where I'm coming from. I've seen god's work, up close and personal, and I don't approve. The fact (and I don't doubt you) that god has given you so many blessing throughout your life and afflicted others with boils and cancers that weren't cured with prayers says all I need to say. God works in mysterious ways - that just don't cut it with me. You got some splainin to do god.

Not sure what you are calling god’s work, but from past conversations, I’m guessing you are blaming God for all the terrible things that happen to people/babies/etc. Do you not realize there are TWO forces at work in this world? Good and evil. God does not give people cancer. God does not kill babies. God does not abuse children. It wasn’t God who afflicted Job in the Bible. Nobody knows, but God, why these things are allowed to happen. Since the “fall of man”, sin and evil have been here, and will be until God throws satan into the bottomless pit of fire. Until then, I’m going to keep believing that God knows what He’s doin’. I may have to stand in line up in Heaven to ask Him “WHY”, but I’ll have eternity to find out; maybe on a slow fishin’ day. 😊. Will you be there? If so, I’ll save you a spot in line......

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

NoCal Steve wrote:

As I've gotten older my spiritual maturity has caused me to stray drom the company line. I have a real hard time believing God is looking at my receipts to see how much money I give to the church. I'm thinking He measures tithe in much more than dollars and cents. Not a popular position I know but rings of truth for me.

You are absolutely correct in your thinking that God measures tithe in more than dollars and cents. Would you care to share with us what all you tithe on? In the Bible, they even gave their firstborn of their flocks and herds. If you don’t want to share, I completely understand.

God doesn’t need our money. Tithing is something that helps us as Christians. God can accomplish whatever he wants, with or without our money. He already owns everything on earth. He created ALL of it. He lets us use it, as we see fit. He can also take away, just as he has given. He has shown this since time began.

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

NoCal Steve wrote:

As I've gotten older my spiritual maturity has caused me to stray drom the company line. I have a real hard time believing God is looking at my receipts to see how much money I give to the church. I'm thinking He measures tithe in much more than dollars and cents. Not a popular position I know but rings of truth for me.

God is more concerned with our obedience to Him than He is with HOW MUCH money we give. He tells us a tithe is 1/10 of our increase...... That’s what I go by.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

Of course if I believed in an all powerful god I would hold him responsible for everything that happens, both the good and the bad. If not, what good is he? or she? I was referring more to the fact that prayers and blessings seem to be rather arbitrary in the great scheme of things. Beats me why god treats some people really well and answers their prayers and just tells other folks to FOAD. I know. I know. You'll ask him about it when you get there.

NoCal Steve Loc: Dunnigan, CA

Randyhartford wrote:

God is more concerned with our obedience to Him than He is with HOW MUCH money we give. He tells us a tithe is 1/10 of our increase...... That’s what I go by.

Randy... a couple of years ago we were moving to a new church... until we were asked to sign a contract stating we would contribute 1/10 of our income to the church. I was offended by the idea of a contract so I refused. They said we could attend their church but not become members. Never going to happen. Left a bitter taste in my mouth.
As I walk out the front door everyday, I surrender myself as a vessel for God to use. I can't see how a man can tithe more than that.

ghaynes1 Loc: Strawberry Plains, TN

NoCal Steve wrote:

Randy... a couple of years ago we were moving to a new church... until we were asked to sign a contract stating we would contribute 1/10 of our income to the church. I was offended by the idea of a contract so I refused. They said we could attend their church but not become members. Never going to happen. Left a bitter taste in my mouth.
As I walk out the front door everyday, I surrender myself as a vessel for God to use. I can't see how a man can tithe more than that.

That's a new one on me Steve. Just curious, what denomination was that? Catholic, Baptist, Presbyterian, Lutheran .. They must have been struggling to pay the bills.

kandydisbar Loc: West Orange, NJ

That's for sure!

kandydisbar Loc: West Orange, NJ

plumbob wrote:

" Worry " Is the root for those Gray hairs, so as Walt says:

Hey Plum! I play the french horn for a living [when they let me again, that is] and I tell my students, "If you think you might miss a note, you've just upped your chance by 50% of doing just that!"

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

kandydisbar wrote:

Hey Plum! I play the french horn for a living [when they let me again, that is] and I tell my students, "If you think you might miss a note, you've just upped your chance by 50% of doing just that!"

Good point Kandy, and good luck with 2021 getting back to work.

Fish Dancer Loc: Guntersville, Alabama

flyguy wrote:

I wish I had hair to get gray.

Ditto!!

Fish Dancer Loc: Guntersville, Alabama

plumbob wrote:

" Worry " Is the root for those Gray hairs, so as Walt says:

I keep telling Lynny that but she doesn’t listen.

NoCal Steve Loc: Dunnigan, CA

ghaynes1 wrote:

That's a new one on me Steve. Just curious, what denomination was that? Catholic, Baptist, Presbyterian, Lutheran .. They must have been struggling to pay the bills.

We get a lot of start up nondenominational churches out here. Pros and cons to that of course. But the church I attend now was founded by the junior that took the starting quarterback position away from me my senior year in high school. Which is pretty cool cause if someone had told us back then how things were going to turn out....

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

NoCal Steve wrote:

Randy... a couple of years ago we were moving to a new church... until we were asked to sign a contract stating we would contribute 1/10 of our income to the church. I was offended by the idea of a contract so I refused. They said we could attend their church but not become members. Never going to happen. Left a bitter taste in my mouth.
As I walk out the front door everyday, I surrender myself as a vessel for God to use. I can't see how a man can tithe more than that.

I believe that tithing is between you and God. You shouldn’ have to sign a contract with the church. However, the Bible/God says that the tithe (1/10 of your increase) BELONGS to God, and you are “robbing Him” if you don’t give it to Him. You should be more concerned with what God says than you are with a Church’s contract. God’s word always trumps anything else.
Sorry to disagree with you, but I didn’t say it, God did.

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

NoCal Steve wrote:

Randy... a couple of years ago we were moving to a new church... until we were asked to sign a contract stating we would contribute 1/10 of our income to the church. I was offended by the idea of a contract so I refused. They said we could attend their church but not become members. Never going to happen. Left a bitter taste in my mouth.
As I walk out the front door everyday, I surrender myself as a vessel for God to use. I can't see how a man can tithe more than that.

So, you’re saying you are surrendering yourself to God, but not your money? That is not Biblical....

DozerDave Loc: Port Orchard Wa.

NoCal Steve wrote:

Back in the day, Mary Jane was very helpful in eliminating worry. Hhhmmm, still kind of miss those days! 😁😁😁

She’s still around. Maybe look her up if need be....🐟on