tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27936658.post4513755660206047398..comments2024-02-07T10:28:50.958-08:00Comments on Word Traveler: "The Dawning"davescrivenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14462058588564974007noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27936658.post-69574099193773026982006-11-26T20:11:00.000-08:002006-11-26T20:11:00.000-08:00I like your approach. Its humble and that's an imp...I like your approach. Its humble and that's an important quality. I often have more questions than answers. I think God planned it that way so we must learn to trust Him (just like you said). <br /><br />Davedavescrivenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14462058588564974007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27936658.post-31479947465374507732006-11-26T17:42:00.003-08:002006-11-26T17:42:00.003-08:00Thanks Dave, always learn something from your ins...Thanks Dave, always learn something from your insights.<br /><br />Some thoughts on chapter 4: <br /><br />"We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood."<br /><br /> --- 1 John 4, vs 6<br /><br />When I was a student at Portland State, I would frequently eat my lunch out in the south park blocks and do some people watching. Being publicly funded and therefore a public forum, it was quite common to have street preachers there on campus. Many of these guys were blunt and some may have crossed the line into irritating in their delivery, but one thing's for sure, It was impossible for me to ignore them. I would sometimes note that most folks would simply walk by without an apparent thought on the topic. But I would always stay and listen. <br /><br />I don't know if that made me more spiritual. (I doubt it) But I was certainly open to the idea that there was more to life than a Saturday night party at the frat house. So what truly distinguishes one who comes to believe from one who does not? Having an open mind? An open heart? Being from God? This leads me somewhat uncomfortably into the area of predestination. I say uncomfortable because the idea of some people coming off the assembly line and being pre-ordained to accept Christ or not seems to conflict with the concept of "free-will" as I learned it in parochial school. <br /><br />I have a person in my life who recently described himself as an infidel, and in regards to the church, simply stated: "They'll never get me." Yet I consider this person to have a good and open heart and mind. Which leads me to the following conclusions.<br /><br />1) I'll never be a theologian.<br />2) I must trust in the sovereignty of God.<br />3) I don't have all the answers and I don't need to. <br /><br />Funny thing about scripture; I will sometimes come away with more questions then answers. Brings me back to the simple truth that his ways are higher than my ways and his thoughts higher than my thoughts. <br /><br />Dave, no research necessary, but would be interested in your thoughts on this matter.<br /><br /> ----CEDAR MILLAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com