tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36151286.post199631497184435923..comments2024-01-21T00:16:52.988-05:00Comments on CHRISTIAN COGNITION: "God's Plan"Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334880347109220874noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36151286.post-83438691338355904302013-11-17T18:39:16.059-05:002013-11-17T18:39:16.059-05:00Appreciate this post. I sure agree that none of u...Appreciate this post. I sure agree that none of us has it all figured out. I also pray that I might be that person who just comes alongside those that are hurting and is with them. I'm grateful that even when I don't understand things I can trust in God. I'm grateful that no matter how bad things sometimes get, that I'm never alone - He is always with me. Grateful that because of God I have hope.Tracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15692160455833039396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36151286.post-39578524748597845122013-11-14T22:55:04.185-05:002013-11-14T22:55:04.185-05:00Purpose. To me that one word explains the rational...Purpose. To me that one word explains the rationale behind why I believe there is not just a God, but a God who specifically created all things. If we, "Man," were just a primordial accident, as some would suggest, then everything that we are and do has no purpose! Without purpose, what reason is there for us to exist. But perhaps that is a discussion for another day.<br />As for having a choice, perhaps we can take current events and use that to answer your questions as why we are allowed to make our own choices.<br />For instance, how about the Affordable Healthcare Act. I don't think that there is anyone out there who dislikes the idea of everyone in America having the access to reasonable and affordable healthcare. The biggest problem is that there is no Choice when it comes to this implementation of it. We must have healthcare insurance, or we will be punished! We must have things that our current policy doesn't have, which we may not even use or need!<br />Or to look at it slightly differently, how about milk? You are out of milk. You goto the store to buy milk. The Cashier tell you that you can't buy milk unless you buy 12 other vary specific and expensive items. Furthermore, Now that you have taken the milk from the cooler, you cannot return it nor can you leave the store until you pay for it. You think about ditching it, but stationed next to the door stands an armed police officer.<br />Or how about on the freeway? You are wizzing down I-94, guardrails on either side, and a tenth of a mile past that last exit you see an orange sign stating, "Next 20 exits closed for construction, be prepared for slowdowns." Before you even get a quarter mile, you round that next bend and suddenly have to slam on the breaks because all 3 lanes are at a complete standstill. before you can backup over to the shoulder, and carefully back up that last half mile to that last open ramp, you are boxed in by 10 cars. Then there is 20. Then more and more. <br />God has given Man free-will because He wants us to choose Him. A great part of our Purpose is to have a relationship with him. It is, in part, why we were created. God has already chosen us. When we choose God, it makes the relationship complete. <br />Have you ever dated someone who really didn't want anything thing to do with you? Can you imagine what it would be like to desire someone who barely knew you existed? How would you feel if said person spent all your time together pinning for some hockey player, all but ignoring you, but would keep going out with you only because you had season tickets behind the Wings bench?<br />Would you not want to spend time with someone you were attracted to, who thought you were the most amazing, interesting, individual they ever met?<br />Unlike Mike, I haven't had a child who was facing such a huge life changing permanent physical issue. But I have had my share of "Why God, Why?" moments. I won't lie and say that there are not time when I don't struggle with parts of my faith. <br />What I can say is this. I believe that there is a God. I believe that he will provide for me. I believe that all the terrible things that God allowed to happen to me, were part of His plans to improve my life, and allow me to give Him the thanks and the glory!<br />A fatal crash that nearly took my leg and life, positioned me to meet and marry the mother of my 4 children. <br />Losing my job twice in fairly quick succession put me in a region and mindset to eventually be in the job I've held for the last 10 years. <br />Having my wife walk away from me and our 4 very young kids was huge! But the blessings in disguise that came out of that were and still are truly staggering, even 6 years later. <br />I'm not trying to preach. That's more Mike's department. Me, I'm normally more of the "standup comedian" or maybe the "plucky comic relief" type.<br />I'm just trying to better explain why freewill exist. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com