P.S.  Brad, I forgot to tell you that I just listened to your Christmas Has
Its Cradle mp3 file, and was blessed.  God has gifted you.  Wouldn't it be
wonderful if all you folks with musical talents could get together and make
a joyful noise unto the Lord!!  I've heard John play his sax, and he would
be a great participant in the Lord's band!  <smile>  And I've listened to
Julie on her website.  She would add a sweet voice.  If I've left anyone
out, let me know.  Sometimes, like today, you guys are so talkative that I
have difficulty keeping up.  There have been nearly 200 posts on
today!  And they're still coming in.  <smile>

Love to all, and a very Merry Christmas!  Filled with Peace and
Joy!  Rhonda, I am so happy for you that Ben will be home by Christmas
Eve.  God is so good!

And to all a good night!
Helen  <smile>


At 05:23 PM 12/22/03 -0600, you wrote:
>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