.......... .. .. ........... "Once In A While You Get Shown The Light In The Strangest Of Places If You Look At It Right" :Robert Hunter

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Thursday, April 14, 2011

When God Abandons You, Or Is It The Other Way Around?

When God Abandons You, Or Is It The Other Way Around?


I feel some of the most profound moments captured in the bible to show us things about our relationship with God happen during the “Passion Week” leading up to and including the crucifixion of Jesus. At the start of the week we see Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey before an adoring crowd, and by the end of the week mostly detractors are the only ones left. I feel if we look at this relationship these people had with Jesus it can teach us something about our own relationship with God.
Let’s first look at the adoring crowds we find in John 12, Matthew 21, Mark 11, and Luke 19. In all four accounts we see them placing palm branches before Jesus and yelling out Hosanna, and calling Him the King of Israel. Palm branches were used to welcome royalty, so their intent is to make Him king and this shows at this time they are ready to follow Him as their leader. Hosanna means save us now. This show they are thinking he has come to save them and they think it is in this moment of time.


This is often how we act toward Jesus. We are in some type of problem or bondage caused by our circumstance and we decide to run to him call Him our King and follow Him and expect Him to immediately save us from our problem. And placing Jesus as the King of our life does just that, but the problem is we are saved upon our declaring Him as King and following, but it is often not in the way we have in mind.

Well I think they had in mind Jesus saving them from the Roman occupation of their land. I think they were looking for a leader that would lead a revolt and uprising against the Romans but that’s not what Jesus was there for. I think we often do the same thing. We have ideas about what God should do for us to make our lives better, and to save us from the bondage of our circumstances. What the Israelites of the time of Jesus and we tend to miss is that the Kingdome that Jesus was talking about is a different kind than what we usually think of, and the problems and bondage that He wants to free us from are different too. In fact God in the form of Jesus is about a spiritual kingdom, and is about spiritual freedom, the effects of this may spill over into the physical but not always. The effects may impact the present but I think God is more concerned about the impact on our eternal future.

So what happened latter in the week with these same people and how did they treat Jesus as a result? Well during this week Jesus went into the Temple and he overturned the money changer’s tables and drove out those who bought and sold in the temple. He spoke a parable about a Vineyard Owner (Mark 12:1-12, Matthew 21:33-46, Luke 20:9-19) and He answered a question about paying taxes (Mark 12:13-17, Matthew 22:15-22). He answered questions about resurrection (Mark 12:18-27, Matthew 22:23-33, Luke 20:27-40), and He Condemned the Jewish leaders (Mark 12:38-44, Matthew 23:1-14, Luke 20:45-21:4). So when he drove out the ones who bought and sold in the temple, He challenged the Jewish status quo. He was against them as much as the Romans. When he told the parable of the Vineyard it was about how the Jewish people had been poor stewards of what God had given them. And it was about how they had killed God’s prophets in the past and how they would kill God’s only begotten Son and how God would give their blessings to others (the gentiles). They knew it was against them and “sought to lay hands on Him”. When asked about taxes he said “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s”, in other words pay taxes to the Romans. Not what the masses wanted to hear from the one they thought would free them from such taxes. When asked about the resurrection by the Sadducees who taught there was no such thing, He taught that they did not know Scripture, and that the resurrection of the dead into a spiritual eternal life is real. This alienated all who were living for the things of the present. And then He finally condemned the Jewish leaders by telling all who were present to “Beware of the scribes, who are friendly to others in the market, and seek the best seats in the synagogues, yet devour widow’s houses, and for a pretense make long prayers”. He called them hypocrites and said they did not enter in to God’s presence and blocked others from the same.

So in this week they found out Jesus was not about freedom from Rome. He was not about keeping Jewish tradition intact. He was not about their welfare in the present, but believed in a life of eternity and a payoff there instead of now. He was as much an enemy to the Jewish establishment as he was an enemy of Rome. So here is how they responded. One of His closest followers sold him out to the authorities for some silver. He was falsely accused of crimes he did not do. When Pilate offered the people a chance to set Him free by giving them a choice between Jesus, an innocent man, and Barabbas a known thief and murderer, they chose to free the criminal. Most of the Apostles ran and hid and even denied they knew Him. And then they watched Him be put to death and even mocked Him as it was taking place.
Well that is pretty much what we do today. When we turn to Jesus to save us but do it with expectations of how that should look and take place, we are often let down. He does not always heal our sick friends or loved ones, He does not always answer our prayers for provision with that new job, he does not always stop the great sorrows of natural disasters, or the man made ones. He does not always defeat the enemies that we perceive to be a threat. And he often wants us to clean out our own temple, and convicts us of our own hypocrisies. So we become the Judge of God and put Him on trial for things He did not do. We could condemn the real criminals who caused sin to enter the world, but we let ourselves off the hook and crucify Jesus instead and then even mock those who believe along the way. And then when the heat is put on and we might be scorned for saying we follow Christ we cover it up and keep our faith a secret for fear of persecution.


You might say, but you don’t know what I have had to go through. Perhaps you had to face something that was unbearable in spite of your prayers. Maybe you lost a loved one and it did not seem like God cared. Maybe you feel like you were passed over when life gave out its blessings. Maybe your friend and family have turned their backs on you in your greatest time of need. Perhaps in your greatest time of need you feel God was not there for you when you needed Him the most? Well I’m here to tell you Jesus knows how you feel, and He has been there.

Jesus asked God to not make Him go through with the crucifixion if there was any other way, but God allowed it anyway. Jesus had His closest friends turn on Him and leave Him in His greatest time of need. After all, where were all the ones He healed, and ministered to, while He was being tried, convicted, and killed? And in the very end at His dying moment even His Father, God looked away, and Jesus cried out “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” Well let me tell you it is not wrong to question God, Jesus did.  And in those times you may have cried out, but what did you say?  What Jesus said is profound because He still placed God in authority, because He said “My God”. He still knew God to be His God in spite of the problem and what He had gone through. When He knew what He was about to face and prayed in the garden, He still walked in faith even when he did not want to face what God had placed before Him. And in His most dire moment he quoted scripture. “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1) He went to the word in His darkest moment. The living word Jesus fell back on the word of God in His time of need. Do you think you can get through the trials, the storms, and the tests of life without the word? Jesus couldn’t so how can you? Faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). Only then after Jesus walked it out in faith relying on the word did the veil rip from top to bottom, only then was real access to God and His grace available. Only when we walk through our trials and tests with true unshakeable faith depending on God’s word and the living word that is Jesus will we have true access to God’s grace. Sure, Jesus died, but God turned this worst of moments into the best of ones. Jesus was abandoned so you would be accepted by God. Jesus became sin so you could be holy, Jesus died so you could have eternal life. Sure God will allow us to have times of sorrow, but God can and will turn them to good if we allow Him in. The veil was ripped so now all can have access but do you walk through? Or in your time of trouble do you run to a counselor when you should run to The Counselor. Do you remain faithful even when your prayers are not anawered in the way you desire?  So when you feel abandoned by God are you going to put Him on trial? Are you going to turn on Him? Are you going to rest in your understanding of the problem, or walk it out in faith and keep Him on the thrown of your life, knowing that He has a better perspective of the event?

Lord I pray that anyone who reads this and does not know you will seek you and the grace and forgiveness of our faults that only you can provide. And for those who have walked away, Lord let them see that you still are there for them just like you were there for Peter who denied you three times in your greatest moment of need. And just like Peter may God lift you up and use you in a profound way to impact others, and turn your darkest moment into your brightest. And for those who are in a difficult time, I pray you may stay anchored in God's word and in Jesus, during this storm. 

33 comments:

  1. It's so funny. And classic. You can't get a word from God on a problem so you blame yourself. Naturally. I mean, what else could the reason be?
    How about the possibility that God is a indifferent barbarian for starters? "Abba" father...? ‘Daddy’, He wants to be seen as to His beleaguered and neglected children...? What a joke! A baboon is a better father.
    If God wants to be seen as a father, then what He does (and doesn't do) is tantamount to child abuse. Just my two cents. Sorry if it don't float your boat. Might rock a few worlds, though.

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  2. Maybe this is the reason why some feel abandoned.

    Romans 9:14-24
    What can we say? Was God being unfair? Of course not! For God said to Moses, "I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose." So receiving God's promise is not up to us. We can't get it by choosing it or working hard for it. God will show mercy to anyone he chooses. For the Scriptures say that God told Pharaoh, "I have appointed you for the very purpose of displaying my power in you, and so that my fame might spread throughout the earth." So you see, God shows mercy to some just because he wants to, and he chooses to make some people refuse to listen. Well then, you might say, "Why does God blame people for not listening? Haven't they simply done what he made them do?" No, don't say that. Who are you, a mere human being, to criticize God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who made it, "Why have you made me like this?" When a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn't he have a right to use the same lump of clay to make one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into? God has every right to exercise his judgment and his power, but he also has the right to be very patient with those who are the objects of his judgment and are fit only for destruction. He also has the right to pour out the riches of his glory upon those he prepared to be the objects of his mercy – even upon us, whom he selected, both from the Jews and from the Gentiles.

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  3. To anonymous #1 is it funny? No, you blame man's sinful nature that has corupted this world. Oh wait, I won't include you in that because you never make mistakes. Right?
    For me you are willing to judge God and blame Him for all the bad. But do you give Him credit for all the wonders he created and the amazing life you have. Would you be better off not being? Is it a better father who gives a child everything they ask for and caves in when the child throws a tantrum when their daddy does not do what they want. Or should a father do what is best for the child because they have more knowledge and wisdom even if the child can't see it. Are you throwing a tantrum because he does not do it your way? How prideful of you to think you know more and can judge the one who created you. What a spoiled child you have become. As for you child abuse thing. You only see in the physical and in the flesh and are blind to the spirit. Being blind does not make you a very good guide in spiritual matters. The eternal life is of far more value than the physical life. So should God let you perish, and that would be a "good father"? You are being given an opportunity to spend eternity with Father God or without Him. The "diggs" you know the mansion, cool car, and all that don't come with separation from the family. But being in the family has all the perks, just no spoiled brats allowed. This ain't Paris Hilton's dad. But He is rich.

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  4. To anonymous #2 what translation is that. It is interesting. I thank you and it is a great passage for anonymous #1 yet He will not see because he is blind. The bible has said if you follow your own path (sin) for long enough God will give you over to it. Another good one is Job 38, "Who is this that darkens counsel by their words without knowledge? Now prepare yourself like a man and I, God, will question you, and you shall answer Me." "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?" "Tell me if you have understanding of that." "Tell me, who determined it's measurements? Surely you know!" and it goes on questioning if Job was there for creation and has knowledge of all as God does. And then in Job 40 God says this "Shall the one who contends with the Allmighty correct Him? He who rebukes God let him answer it." Spoiled children do not know their place and talk back, and correct their parents, and it is not pretty to behold for sure.
    On the pottery analogy, you see our physical bodies are just elaborate earthen vessels made to hold spirit. It is up to us to choose to be a vessel of honor or a vessel of dishonor. Vessels of honor are ones that hold the Holy Spirit and give it out to others. 2 Timothy 2:20. People who have spiritual thirst will not want a drink form the vessel of dishonor, because it is a bitter nasty drink. Anyway I get off track. The point is, what will the potter do when a vessel is not useful or of the shape desired and the clay has become hard and no longer soft? He breaks the pot and grinds the shards down into dust and starts over. I fear my friend may be due for a breaking. It happened to me when I was just like him. I used to read the bible only to find fault, debating with the Christians thinking I was the smart one, putting God on trial and blaming Him for all the bad in life, yet failing to see the BIG picture and failing to give Him credit for the good and the things He created and the life He gave me. Oh was I humbled when God decided to break me. The good news is when I was at this low spot and dark hour when I truley came to the end of myself, I called out to God for help, and He came and remade me into something that is new and different. That dark time that appeared so bad became the best event of my life.

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  5. It says that if you were born a sheep, that life is cool. But if you were born a goat (by direct command, no less), then your future ain't so hot. You know this so stop trying to spin your way out of it.


    " Should the thing that was created say to the one who made it, "Why have you made me like this?" When a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn't he have a right to use the same lump of clay to make one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into?"


    That should pretty much sum it all up for any thinking person.

    See... I just said in four sentences what it took you four paragraphs to try and say and you still never connected the dots.

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  6. There ain't no spin. We all have free will. And you know it says that. And it say He gave His only begoten Son so that WHOEVER believes will be saved. That means. . . . . .let me translate. . .WHOEVER. That prety much includes. . . . . WHOEVER choses to belive. He just knows what you will choose because He sees in all time frames. He is the begining and the end. He is righteous and you know it says that too don't you. And you know it says He is good and perfect. And it say's He will be just in His judgment. It also says that it will appear to be foolishness to those who choose to not believe. Boy it that true.

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  7. You know you make my point so perfectly. You could choose to not judge my Lord, but you can't resist putting Him on trial. You could let Him go free in your life but you would rather free a Barabus in your life one who only wishes to lie and cheat and kill. You get to choose. Just because He won't do it the way you think it should be done. Thanks again for the comments to show the world how despised and rejected my Lord is just as was fortold.

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  8. Oh, and one more thing Anonymous. You talk like you know scripture, but really you have not read very well. Matthew 25:31-46 Is the passage where Jesus talks using an analogy of a shepherd who devides his flock, the sheep from the goats. Sheep on the right and goats on the left. Look what it says about what defines a goat and a sheep. THEIR CHOICES of how they treated people defines them. This goes for those who think they are Chistian as well. Our fruit will define us. If you follow Jesus, I mean really follow Him (not lip service) a natural result will be a changed behavior. So before you use some lame half truth of scripture, read it. Because it proves my point, it comes down to you making a choice to be a goat or a sheep. "The sheep hear His voice, know His voice, and FOLLOW His voice." It's a CHOICE to follow or not. I have a feeling I know what you have chosen. What is it you can't give up that made you choose not to follow Him?

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  9. 'THEIR CHOICES'... But the Romans 9 scripture clearly says it's God's choice. Paul goes out of his way to make that point, in fact. If God wants to screw you, then He has the right not only to do it, but also to hold you accountable for His choice! Dig THAT, Xian...

    Now let's go up and see what nice new music you've stolem today... You got a good blog here, BTW.

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  10. Perhaps you should read ALL of Romans from a truly humble and open perspective instead of just trying to Persecute my Lord. "He who did not spare His Son but offers Him up for ALL". Thats. . . ALL.. . .not some. And yes it is and always will be God's choice, so get humble fool. But. . . . He is kind, just, loving, and shows grace and mercy when we don't deserve it. And in fact had the choice to even let me exist. And He had a choice to offer His Son for me and chose to love me and the rest of the world enough to give His only begotten Son. And this is how you thank Him. Remind me to not do you any favors. Romans 9:13 also says "What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not!" But you do anyway. Oh and as far as "stolen" music, that's your opinion, and I just disagree, but of course you come here for it. Of course you judge anyone who claims Jesus with a differnt standard than you hold up for yourself. I don't claim to be righteous, I claim to be flawed, how about you? You will be judged by the measure you use to judge others. Or maybe you have another twisted view of that scripture too.

    Thanks for the strange complement . . .I guess?

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  11. 'So you see, God shows mercy to some just because he wants to, and he chooses to make some people refuse to listen'...
    Smells like a tyrant to me.
    Sorry, AZ... But you see… the son can only do what he sees that Father doing! And don't forget... ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. And that's whether he likes that particular scripture or not..!

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  12. Your attitude towards the copyright infringements that you foster here cannot be ignored simply by saying "you non-Christians do it and it’s already out there anyway so I’ll do it, too". YOU claim [at least] to be a Christian! Therefore YOU must set yourself above and apart from the world! You are called BY GOD to set a higher example to the world that non-Christians must. You know that this is true. It's right there in the Scriptures. And other Christians have every right to judge you, because YOU claim to be a part of the body! That’s a biblical fact. You say its the opinion of some that what you do here is theft. But I wonder... If you knew that Greg Allman or Derek Trucks or David Crosby were on their way here to check out your blog and would be here in 15 minutes, what would you spend those 15 minutes doing? I can’t believe that the Spirit doesn't deal with you on this issue. Or does He ;)

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  13. No the spirit does not. Thanks for the concern. The Derek Trucks I post. It's on archive, OK by him. The Allmans, well if they tell be to take it down I would that very day, mostly radio broadcasts. Same for any music I post. Most was released to the public to garner publicity to sell albums and and concert tickets and is still doing that. That the music bus. I feel the line is drawn if I sell it. I don't have adds. But you must feel it's wrong or you would not have said anything. But you are here and I'm certain it's not because of the great articles on faith. Nothing like judgment from the ones who claim it's all crap. Like I said Judge not least you be judged. Oh yea the book is to be more of a mirror of self examination, than a microscope toward others. Try it some time.

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  14. You know I'm growing tired of people who are willing to say what they want on my blog yet can't even use a name. This whole conversation is so much like one I've already had back in Feb on the post "Show God The Glory". I wish I knew if it was the same guy. The debate on the subject does not go the way they like so they change the debate from the one we are having, and they stop attacking theologhy, and my faith and turn to attacking me. Anonymous. If you don't like the Christian content. Don't read it. If you don't like the sharing of music don't come here. 99% of the people who come here come from other music sharing sites. I have tools to see where referals and links are from. Many of the people like the alternative that I offer to the music sites with naked women. If you don't like my site no one forces you to be here. It is sad how the discusion of Christian faith by someone on their own blog can be so offensive to someone who could easily just not be here if they choose. So you don't believe it, so don't come here, why is that so hard.
    As far as the music. I'm sure thats why you are here. Do you really hate Christians so much that you would want me to take down the music just because I'm Christian? But it's OK if I'm not? I could write a whole post on obeying the law or following the spirit. But that would just get you going again, because the spirit you follow just can't stand God.

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  15. So the lying little THIEF that calls himself a Christian has to stoop to removing people's postings that he does not agree with. You wanna play by the rules.. fine. But if you don't, then don't expect ME to.
    Like I said in the post that you deleted... You are a copyright THIEF. And your Christian Testimony to an unsaved world doesn't amount to a hill of beans...

    Deleting my legitimate and thoughtful response to YOUR CHARGES was out of line and a BIG mistake! Because now I'm a BIG FAN for the long haul! Got that...? For the LONG HAUL!

    Thief.

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  16. To this statement "So you see, God shows mercy to some just because he wants to, and he chooses to make some people refuse to listen'...
    Smells like a tyrant to me.
    Sorry, AZ... But you see… the son can only do what he sees that Father doing! And don't forget... ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. And that's whether he likes that particular scripture or not..!

    So Mr A. you quote scripture, but even Satan knows what God's word says, but you put down God. So do you believe it or not? Because if you do, then you know that He is in control, and gives you a choice. The outcome you can't change, just which side of the outcome you end up on. He is in control but not a tyrant in that you can choose the team you play for. He can't force you to love Him. We all know that no tyrant can force us to do that. You make it sound like He can. Funny how that is all He wants you to do is to just be in love with Him, but to you that's so vile. Well the other side is ruled by another, and really as Jesus said you are with Him or you are against Him. You don't get to make up a third team. It's not your game to control. The other side does not want your love, because it hates God, and God is love. I'm guessing you play for the other team by your words. Problem is If you believe scipture to be true then you know the ending. Seems like a poor choice of teammates just because you can't get your way. Believe me you won't get your way playing against God either. But Satan will tell you you will.

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  17. In response to this. . . . . .So the lying little THIEF that calls himself a Christian has to stoop to removing people's postings that he does not agree with. You wanna play by the rules.. fine. But if you don't, then don't expect ME to.
    Like I said in the post that you deleted... You are a copyright THIEF. And your Christian Testimony to an unsaved world doesn't amount to a hill of beans...

    Deleting my legitimate and thoughtful response to YOUR CHARGES was out of line and a BIG mistake! Because now I'm a BIG FAN for the long haul! Got that...? For the LONG HAUL!

    I did not delet your post. And you own me an apology to come into my house and spit out such name calling. If I would delete you I would have done it long ago. And I would have deleted this. Who are you and why do you hate so much? It is just so sad to see. But you show the world the hate and intolerance there is for those who believe.

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  18. I'm done with talking to you if you have to resort to name calling and personal attack. Apparently you could not just debate the theological issues of the post. So now we are on attacking me. Tell me when you are done, go ahead and rant, get it out. You look so good doing it.

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  19. Oh and you first comment about Copyright stealing is comment number 12. And it's still there and always has been.

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  20. And the peace of the Lord shall be with you...This is not peace, gentlemen. He's not with either one of you. God does not need anyone to defend Him and there will always be people who don't see. Be content with planting a seed, whether it grows or not, and let God be God. Surely, you have a life outside of this blog, with real people that you can feel and touch and see that need the covering you could provide them in the name of Christ and the scriptures. Spend your time and energy with the people in your life who matter most to you, rather than people who insulate themselves from real accountibility with real people. Certainly understand that God does not work this way and this blog will never be able to deal with non-believers properly. Share your faith, but quit putting non-believers on display and ridiculing them as they ridicule you. You are right, it's your blog and you can delete whatever you want, so do it, and quit exposing others to this jibberish that doesn't put either side in a truthful light. It's sensationalism at best, verging on a wierd type of Jerry Springer show about Christ, where people bring out the worst in one another and it is not edifying at all. Other parts of this site are, including some of your faith posts, as long as you stop engaging the popparazzi, as if you are some kind of sidewalk prophet. Get real and get with real people. Jesus went to the sinner's homes.

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  21. I don't believe in any higher power and I've never been a part of an organized religion really, but if I had to pick something to represent spirituality and universality it would be MUSIC. Please keep up the blog. You are doing "the work" as they say. You seem like a very tolerant and kind person. I would never begrudge you your beliefs as long as you don't proselytize. As far as I'm concerned, it's a non-issue where music is involved. How about we all just shut up, close our eyes and listen for a while? Just a suggestion.

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  22. Sorry I will never "shut up" when my God is concerned. Luke 19:37 "The multitude of the deciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice. . . .and the Pharisees called to Him, saying Teacher rebuke your deciples, but He answered them "I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out." You see there has always been an element that wants to silence those who praise Jesus and we can see it still exists, and still hates Him.

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  23. And to the post before that. My friend of course I engage people outside of this blog. But I find it interesting that you feel you know that God can't use a blog. And you don't think it takes me into sinners homes. I think God can use it and it does take me to sinners homes. You are right on some points. Argument is not the answer. Forgiveness is. And let me say, I forgive this guy for calling me a liar, and a thief, and accusing me of things I did not do. I forgive him. And I pray for him because I feel he has been hurt, and it saddens me to see it.

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  24. greetings from the gulf coast
    you and I share the same three loves.love of God.nature. and music.
    there will always be those who refuse to accept the love and mercy that God offers,and refuse to believe.do not let them tell you how to run this site!! it is your blog!!REMEMBER THIS-God does not punish us,we punish ourselves for not accepting His mercy.
    HELL is not Gods repudiation of man
    but of mans repudiation of God!!!
    keep up the good news,after all this is Holy week leading to Easter.
    may you and yours have blessed Easter!!!!!

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  25. Thank you Winston. and thank you for using a name. I want this to be a place where people are free to express their views. I just want it to stay respectful. I must say that I too have sometimes missed the mark and am sorry for that. Lets love each other even in our disaggrements. If you don't like Christian content and it brings on a spirit of anger, don't read it. I'm OK with you saying I'm wrong but do it with love and respect and I will try to do the same in return. I'm going to move on with things as before for now, but I do reserve the right to delete comments if I feel the need (never have yet). I'm not sure why anyone would think there are "rules" against it. I will allow opinions that differ and discusion and try to be fair. Sorry if you don't like it, but it's my blog and you can start your own to express yourself in your own way if you don't like it. Maybe people will prefer it to mine. So the experiment continues.

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  26. AZ Jones, your blog is a breath of fresh air to this sinner. I don't always read all of the Jesus posts, but I competely LOVE that you do them. I want to encourage you brother. I can tell you are a mature Christian who knows that by putting yourself out there on the internet, the attacks are inevitable. And you touched on the truth about that. You are the vessel, the Holy Spirit works through that willing, open, and brave vessel. Sometimes the most closed minded people are other Christians, because your views don't fit into their perfect little man-made definition of who God is and how He manifests Himself. I have only posted once before, but you are one of the only ones I have "met" who loves the GD and God. I will miss you if you go, and trust that whatever happens, it will be through prayer and it will be His decision. I feel you are praying about it right exactly now, and I am too. Bless your heart, your family, your bible, your future, your past, your failures, your accomplishments, your ups, your downs, your posts, your imagination, your insight, your abilities, your conscience and the Holy Spirit who urges us to forgive those who attack. Sorry for the run-on message, but I read all of what's been going on with these vicious unfounded messages to you and am saddened more than a little to see it. God WILL make you stronger through this. That's why it's happening. And He WILL use that re-strength that He is giving you through this for His glory in some other way, that may just blow you away when He reveals that to you. By the way, I had no intention of writing all this when I read the comments you have been receving. It's just coming out. Hang in there. Steve

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  27. Steve I have decided to continue on for now as it has been. I don't want to restrict free expression on my blog but I also don't want to be a tool used by others to attack God. It is a fine line to balance on. I could restrict access but that might mean missed opportunities to show the truth and the light. I am tested in that I have to show compassion and grace to those who hate. And since I am still flawed and in the process as we all are I fail sometimes. Anyway for now I will try to keep on as before. I will delete posts if there is content that goes past certain lines (sexual content, cursing, etc.) I have to forgive the guy and move on simple as that, and have compasion for his pain. I pray that I did not miss represent God and His love and grace and I hope people can forgive me when I do.

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  28. Wow, Anonymous is shouting CAPS because a post of his didn't show up. Direct quote from Anon:
    "Deleting my legitimate and thoughtful response to YOUR CHARGES was out of line and a BIG mistake! Because now I'm a BIG FAN for the long haul! Got that...? For the LONG HAUL!"

    This sort of thing saddens me. You can't go very far on the internet without finding this type of hatred. It's everywhere.

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  29. Hatred and rudeness is ofc all over the net, sadly so. That doesn't really alter the fact though of the many crimes commited in the name of Christ:witch hunts, crusades,conquestadors, the inquisition. Cribbling condemnations of our natural sexuality and its pleasures. And that there IS an inbuilt intolerance when u say that ONLY ur way is the Right one. And that others who dont agree with u and live their lives by other standards are Sinners.

    I can have deep respect for Jesus and for the compassion of some Christians. But there certainly seems to be many far deeper approaches to the Divine. Approaches that underlines that we are All (part of) the One (the sacred).

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  30. Well Heeren. You are back. And again the same old debate. Again i will say, witch hunts, Crusades, etc. are not people who followed Christ. They are people who followed a religious spirit, and that is not what Christ is about. That is the same spirit that killed Christ. You just fail to understand Christs teachings I guess.
    Again I have to ask have there ever been any mistakes made by people who claimed to be a part of your belief? Does that make the whole belief mistaken? No of course not.
    So again we are ALL part of the same sacred One, with those sacred axe muderers, and the sacred, child rapists. Glad you made it clear to me. That means you are also ONE with the afore mentioned SACRED witch hunters, crusaders, and conquestadors. Man Heeren we have done this already.
    And actually it is lip service to say you have respect for jesus when you only respect part of what he said but appear to despise what He taught. When He clained to be the door and that no one could enter but by Him.

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  31. I don't seem to understand why. Faith sometimes seems to misfire. I have the courage of faith and because of it I have discovered a cure for cancer for viral infections many genetic diseases retinitis pigmentosa etc. why a whole slew of diseases! Everyone is trying to ruin my life ever since. Jesus says that no lamp will be lit to be cast in hiding. Why is this happening. It is my whole life's work. Teachers professors psychiatrists scientists all laugh at me yet none will read my work. I think they are too lazy or too ignorant but hey! Is God trying to punish me or all of you? This is killing me and it is killing my wife. If I could implement my discovery I could cure her but the whole world hates me. They all have the feeling that I am pretending to be intelligent and am too arrogant to deserve getting credit for this. I am not, I am autistic and have no social or interpersonal skills. All of a sudden psychiatrists have an interest in me as they say I am demented schyzophrenic paranoid megaloid and outwardly outright laugh at me. Is this what life is supposed to be? You do something worthwhile and you get demolished by the evil people in the world? Anyone of you know what I should do?

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  32. My friend Khundun. I will not pretend to tell you I have all the answers. God’s plans and ways are difficult to know and understand. I do know that there will always be enemies of the truth. I have encountered it; the bible says it will be. If you follow Christ you will encounter resistance. Joseph ended up in a pit, sold by his brothers, became a slave, and then put in prison, but was eventually put in place to do God’s will to save others. Through it all he focused on God and thus was lifted up. Remember to keep your motive pure, to promote God and not yourself. In 2Timothy 4 it says the time will come when people will not listen to sound doctrine, but will seek teachers that tell them what they want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth.
    No, I do not think God is punishing you or me. But He may just have different priorities than what we see as important. Perhaps eternal infinite life instead of this short limited one on earth. I am so glad to see you accomplish in-spite of your self perceived shortcomings, keep moving forward, seek God's approval not mans.
    In Genesis 26 we can see Isaac dwelling in a place called Gerar. He dug a well (Genesis 26:17-24) and people came and quarreled over it with him. He called the well Esek. He dug another well and they quarreled over that one too, and he called that one Sitnah. He move along and dug another well and finally there was no quarrel and he called that one Rehoboth. Esek means quarrel, Sitnah means enmity or contention, Rehoboth means room enough. Whenever we dig a well, (a place to give sheep water) in other words a ministry to help others, there will be those who come and try to put dirt in our well, and mess it up. You have to just keep moving forward and keep digging wells (doing God’s work) and eventually you will come to Rehoboth or a place where there is room enough for you to do God’s work. And in that persistence you will be blessed just as Isaac was in Genesis 26:24, and maybe eventually the ones who tried to mess with you will see you for who you are as they saw Isaac latter in this story.
    This all take place close to the border of Egypt. He was told not to go to Egypt, but he hung around on the border. Often when we are told by God “don’t go there” we still go close, and hang out on the border of sin, tempting fate instead of making a clear break from it, this can bring about trouble in our ability to give the flock some much needed water.
    So stay away from the border, and Keep digging. I hope you find your Rehoboth soon

    Bless ya! AZ Jones

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  33. Well M AZ Jones You are quite encouraging and the courage of my faith will bring me along, glory be to God that he gives me encouragement through you. For his is the kingdom the power and the glory amen. I am astounded at how much encouragement you give me. For this is the test of a prophet. If a prophet tells you of a dire future it is not a test of his foresight as anyone can tell this but if a man sayeth good tidings and they happen then he is considered amongst the prophets. I will let you know.

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