You're right, Brad.  I think the LORD is always concerned about motivation
but not so much concerned about the details.  For example, if the motivation
for setting out the best silverware is because the intent is to instill
jealousy in the folks coming to dinner, that's an issue the LORD will deal
with and a trip to the woodshed may be forthcoming.  But if there's no
ulterior motive in the selection, He just wants us to enjoy the dinner and
get on with it, with silverware or plastic cutlery or fingers, whatever.

Paul
----- Original Message -----
From: "BD" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, December 22, 2003 6:23 PM
Subject: Re: Bike lost no one hurt


> Helen,
>
> I remember in my spiritual milk drinking days, I was getting some counsel
> from a great brother in the Lord. He said he found it irritating when
> people would ask God stuff like which silverware to set out for dinner
with
> company and etc. lol. We are to seek God in what we do, but there are some
> things I believe God could care less about.
>
> Brad
>
>
> Brad
>
> At 12/22/2003 on Monday, you wrote:
> >Excellent post, Brad!
> >
> >Helen
> >
> >At 10:04 AM 12/22/03 -0600, you wrote:
> > >Mat,
> > >
> > >We live in a fallen world, in times where stuff just happens. Over
> > >Christianizing such happenings is probably as bad as the opposite, that
of
> > >ignoring God's involvement in our lives at all. I wonder how God feels
> > >getting the blame for work of the enemy? Isn't he, the enemy the one
who
> > >came to kill, steal and destroy? That does not mean to ignore the
events
> > >and happenings in our life and not look for God's hand in it, but
things
> > >happen and mistakes happen, and we deal with them. I like your
scripture
> > >reference on shutting people up lol. Actually a scripture that  helps
me,
> > >and I am not sure of it's location right off, but says to the effect...
> > >
> > >All things are turned for the good of those who believe in God. Some
> > >translations say "who love God". If anyone knows where this is, let me
> > >know. I ought have it memorized chapter and verse and verbatim, but do
in
> > >gist of application.  This is sometimes mistaken for saying that all
good
> > >things happen to those who believe, and if you are having difficulties,
> > >then you don't believe enough... hogwash! That is not the point it
means.
> > >Point being that not all things we endure come from God, but they are
> > >turned for the good of those who love and believe and trust in God.
> > >Sometimes that may mean just leaning on God for peace and strength
which is
> > >more valuable than the occurence or loss in the first place. I did run
> > >across another scripture to help shut folks up if you like lol.
> > >
> > >1 Thess 4:11
> > >11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your
own
> > >business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you
> > >
> > >I'm sure they are meaning well and trying to give you hope, but
sometimes
> > >the transparency of those ideals are insulting more than comforting.
> > >Biblical patronizing? Seems all would be able to see through those
> > >attempts, but I guess not. I'd rather deal with that fact I didn't
remove
> > >the canvas top, it caught some air, yanked the bike out the truck and
boom!
> > >Rather than spiritualizing it and wondering if God is telling me not to
> > >ride the bike? Will we get hurt? Will we hurt the baby? Were we about
to
> > >get in an accident in that pick up truck, the old man isn't saved yet,
and
> > >God whipped the bike off the truck to stop us? Was the pin striping on
> > >crooked and so he trashed the bike so we ought get a new one? lol What
is
> > >the great meaning behind this? Just as we can, without God in our
lives,
> > >run circular equations, never getting an answer, we can do this too as
God
> > >being the brunt of that never ending loop. Sometimes we don't know why
> > >things happen and just need to chalk it up to not knowing and that God
will
> > >work it out in the end. In your quest of Christianity depth you will
run
> > >across doom and gloomers and those with Santa Claus in the sky
attitudes
> > >looking to be blessed out of their socks with gifts and etc. So one
needs
> > >to keep that knowledge  in mind when being guided by others. If one
> > >lives  each day in prayer over such purchases and etc. one will know
> > >already what to do according to God's prompting and no need to second
> > >guess... as much lol I say as much because we sometimes miss it, but
then
> > >we know that we know we did. Sounds good the body shop guy might be
able to
> > >fix it up some. That might be cheaper than buying a new one. Of course
it
> > >ought be safe, but I'd think it could be so if not trampled
completely.
> > >
> > >Brad