Comments for God Hunt

Comment on Settling by Auth

Auth — Fri, 11 May 2012 19:03:16 +0000

Hello my dear friend ~The Bible is full of anmiditoons for us to choose. He wants us to make the right choice, to choose to obey Him, to choose to love one another, etc. If it weren’t possible for us to choose, He wouldn’t instruct us to do so. HaShem never instructs us to do things that are impossible for us. I don’t believe that we were created to be mindless beings, only doing what He makes us to do. I believe He created us to choose Him or not. I believe that in the Bible we find that HaShem is all powerful but not all-controlling (as in manipulative). He created everything with an order, a nature, and everything works well within that order/nature. Whether the children of Israel reached the Red Sea at the perfect moment that a storm blew in and divided the waters right over a natural land-bridge and then the storm stopped at the precise right time, or whether HaShem went outside of nature and divided the waters makes little difference either way it is a significant miracle that only He could put together at the right place, right time and with the right people. The question that is often raised with this is: Does He suspend the laws of nature or did He create the laws of nature perfectly and He works within it for His glory? Personally, I think the later indicates a much greater, much more amazing and awe-inspiring Creator. Philosophers and teachers have debated the issue of free will for thousands of years. The Bible has many examples of our being instructed to choose well. He urges us to do so but it does not seem that He forces us to do so. Because He is sovereign and omnipotent He already knows what choices we will make, He put us in the time and space He did for His own purposes. There are times when He makes us strong in our determination so that we stick to our guns and hold fast to our decision. It is always for His purposes, but the choice was ours to make. He knew we would make it and He places us where He does for His purposes. He chooses whomever He will, but that does not mean we are all like pawns in His game of life. He gets no real glory from beings that only serve Him because He makes them to do so. True glory, I feel, comes when we willingly choose Him and choose to follow, obey and worship Him.I don’t personally have a problem with both free will and election being right . But I do have trouble with the concept of election in that if taken to it’s end it can lead us to do whatever we want because we’re either in or we’re out and there’s nothing anyone can do about it. I know many people who hold fast to the election teachings and live like the devil every day with their justification being that they believe they are among the elect and that’s all that matters. I’m in and that’s all I need. On the flip side, I know people who have been told that they are not among the elect and they used to truly strive to serve the Father with their whole lives, but felt that since there was nothing they could do to become one of the elect that there was no use. It is this end of the pendulum that I strongly disagree. I know you do, too.VA:F [1.9.11_1134](from 0 votes)

Comment on Angels Watching Over Me by Ambreen

Ambreen — Fri, 11 May 2012 17:33:22 +0000

Brenda,What a fun idea. I don’t know where you are supposed to write sitomheng for this person.I believe Ken Howes made this and we are grateful that he did. Ken always does things around the church that we often wonder who fixed this, or who looked after this?When I got to the church just a little over a week ago, the door handle to the side double doors was practically falling off. I wrote Ken a little e-mail note and the next thing you know it was fixed!If it wasn’t Ken, then whoever the angel is THANK YOU!Tammy OK

Comment on The Thing That Holds Us Back by Ailinca

Ailinca — Fri, 11 May 2012 17:17:59 +0000

God cannot look WITH FAVOR upon sin and evil, but He can crnatiely be in the presence of sinners. This is proven by God’s omnipresence (as you noted), the incarnation of God the Son, and even God’s continued (if temporary) interaction with some of the fallen angels (including Satan e.g. Job 1-2, etc.).The limitation is not on God. Sometimes we have this image of God as needing to back off from sin and evil because He can’t allow Himself to be in its presence (rather like Superman avoiding Kryptonite because it weakens him?!). But we would suggest it’s more like the reaction of mold in the presence of bleach, or of anything combustible in the presence of fire: God’s holiness is so consuming and so purifying that unless He restrains Himself, (and that only for a time) nothing impure and unholy can remain in HIS presence. It affects the creature, not God.The Holiness of GodBy nature, definition, God is absolutely pure, not a hint of evil in HimBy definition, there can be no evil, sin, or impurity in His presenceThe two cannot be togetherHabakkuk 1:13 (NIV)13 Your eyes are too pure to look on evil;you cannot tolerate wrong.Why then do you tolerate the treacherous?Why are you silent while the wickedswallow up those more righteous than themselves? Psalm 5:4-6 (NIV)4 You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil;with you the wicked cannot dwell.5 The arrogant cannot stand in your presence;you **** all who do wrong.6 You destroy those who tell lies;bloodthirsty and deceitful menthe LORD abhors.God cannot act contrary to His nature. Sin and God contradict one another. They repel.

Comment on Overcome by Bekah sondregger

Bekah sondregger — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 13:32:42 +0000

Beautiful! Love that you are really getting into the bones of scripture!

Comment on Wide Open Places by LaVaye-Ed Billings

LaVaye-Ed Billings — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 22:20:48 +0000

Amanda,Once again I appreciated reading your website.(see my comment on Skip’s DD Aug.13, 2011 for “our summer”- which tells you part of what we did. Never knew broken bones were such a deterrement! But we both learned a lot–never stop learning! So if school was out for the summer, it appears to be back on. Glad you chose to stay–your principal seems wise. I taught school for 26 years, and at this time of the year I always recall some of the beginnings of a new school year. The first year I taught in Houston and had the four children,the two youngest girls went with me. We drove 45 min. across Houston. I recall backing out of the drive way, and tears were streaming down my face. I had never before driven regularly in heavy traffic that distance. It was a nice year though; I had small classes and a great woman principal. The girls did well with one in lst grade, and one pre-school, they had afternoon care for her. But I did not adapt very well to the drive. So I resigned, and another Christian School picked me right up much closer to our home. We went there and stayed nine years, until I thought the Lord said leave it. You are too comfortable here. I truly had some glorious experiences with Him the last two years–but not related to school per se; I thought sure that I would be called into ministry, but that did not happen as we “think of ministry”–full time church staff. I was desperately needed to go two weeks before school started to our local Middle ISD a block from us. So dragging my feet I went for “one” year. Stayed on for nine years! You just never know what kind of molding God thinks you need until after it is over, and your in some “non-thinkable place”! But He knows! —- May I tell you two more stories of young teachers with two sons each that are in my circle of love? 1. our youngest daughter-46 years old, Jen. who lives one hour south of SF, CA. Her sons are now 16 and 13 years. She got a pink slip in March–meaning no job unless things change–she got this last year, too. And it changed she got her job back. This year, the lady principal that she appreciates a lot said, “Jen the job will not be back this year. She packed her things and took them home for the summer with the boys. In her case her husband has a good job–” Phd research scientist”, so financially they would not be without necessary things. So they had a great summer, 45 min.from Pacific Ocean, youngest one surfs, both on swim teams, and oldest one does water polo. She enjoyed it, then last week, her principal called. “Jenny your job here is back!’ But you will have the same grade but new room. —So she moved all back with boys helping her, and one of her good friends got her job back after being out all past year. They are next door to each other. Prayers were going up for all this to come together to bring God glory. # 2 young mother is my 30 year old niece, Angela, and her two boys: Mason 9 years, Carter 5 years, and they just moved from Dalla/Plano back to Tulsa in July, after living three years in Dallas suberb: Plano where she taught in the Middle School. There oldest son, Mason has a history of serious illnesses, open heart surgery when he was five years old, but is seemingly 95% better now. They are very active lovers of God, Jesus– often in Messianci Churches, and felt they were to return to Tulsa where they had lived since marriage about 9 years ago. No parents there but TX–my only sibling,my sister 16 years my Jr. So when I wrote her yesterday, and forwarded our daughters mail on school yesterday, and encouraged her in teaching job hunting, etc. She replied, ” Aunt LaVaye, I am only going to sub, I am writing Children’s Christian Fiction books. I have one ready for press in Oct. and five more started. The Lord just gives them to me, and I am really working on them! She added please pray for me to be able to make them go! Before the evening was over, I had heard from her twice again asking questions about things to help her that I knew about. So— two more excellent examples of Yahweh-YHWH WORKING IN unusual ways. “Be Content!” He is right there in you and working in you, loving you no matter what the other circumstances!! BTW, your right awesome is a word overused! My own granddaughters use it excessively, but the only other one I could think of is: “DAZZLING!” ENJOY–L.B. 78 YEARS plus

Comment on I Am Delivered from Darkness by Huntress

Huntress — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 10:25:36 +0000

@LaVaye – It’s actually been rather cold here in sunny Florida. Lately I’ve been struggling to really believe God’s love for me. That, and to figure out who He made me to be (Rather than what everyone else tries to make me be). I struggle to trust God, especially because life has been such a struggle so far. But mostly, that probably stems from me struggling to really believe, from the tip of my head to the soles of my feet, that He does love me and isn’t just waiting for me to mess up so He can nail me. Thanks for commenting! Shalom!

Comment on I Am Delivered from Darkness by LaVaye-Ed Billings

LaVaye-Ed Billings — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 03:37:17 +0000

Amanda, I like your new web layout! I love all the scriptures I have seen posted, and I especially like your picture of you and your husband!
God is so Good! Yes, from all of His written words from the beginning to the end; through His Son, who came to earth to bridge the gap in order for us to be able to FIND HIM! He wants us to find him more than we want too! ” When we seek Him with all our hearts and souls and mind & life,: we will find HIM!” Hebrews 11:6 b—- Jeremiah 29:13 & Deut: 4: 29-30—
God’s Word can be trusted! As I read your choice of scriptures–so on on target for knowing “the LIGHT of the World, in Him there is no darkness–: There is peace in your entire web site. May you continue to let the Creator of the Universe that eons ago, spoke “light into existence” work in your life & to always include your spouse, sons, mom, and all those who love you so much!—— LaVaye & my almost 82 year old husband, Ed, — We are cold down in Central TX!

Comment on Simplicity by LaVaye-Ed Billings

LaVaye-Ed Billings — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 22:45:30 +0000

AMANDA, AND ALL WHO READ THIS:
I opened your web site just now, the first time since fall I think. It has been such a glorious busy time for us. I read all of your current post, and felt very pleased and joyful at what seemed to be your contentment with a very busy life, and your peace with the Heavenly Father through Jesus the Son. I am rejoicing for you!
And on this post, “God, simplicity”, I want to add a verse in the NT, that is seldom quoted–or at least that has been my experience. However; about 15 years ago, I found it, and used it a lot, then slowed down with it as I think I became to busy with too many conflicting Christian blogs/teachings, etc.. Then last week it popped into my mind. I want to quote it here, (I may use several versions of God’s word written together. Here it is: One Thessloniabns 4:11,– “Make it your ambition and definitely endeavor to live quietly and peacefully, to mind your own business and to work with your own hands–”— ( I have often in the past quoted this, and stated it is a verse we all should know and abide by! — May you continue in God’s blessings. Sincerely, L. Billings

Comment on Antithesis Part 1 by Huntress

Huntress — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 10:29:56 +0000

Thank you, Mary, for your encouragement. I sent you a really long email about all this, too. I have not given up, but I am sitting down for a moment to catch my breath. It’s like being held underwater for too long, I’m desperate for a breath! I am blessed to have such an amazing sister to encourage and challenge me! Thank you! Thank you!

Comment on Antithesis Part 1 by Mary

Mary — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 02:58:27 +0000

AHA! Here you are. I have been missing you Amanda! Some days I barely gloss over Skips site because there is too much happening. I see you are passed that point of too much to do. You, my dear are in overload to the max! I am praying for you to enjoy a much needed Sabbath. I cannot tell you what that looks like, how to enjoy it, or what to do. I have been researching what the modern day observance looks like and have come up with a spectrum of simple refraining from the tasks associated with making money, to the extreme denial of using the refrigerator with the light bulb making artificial light! UGH..it can be so confusing to say the least. At this point, I am asking Him to guide me and to keep me from falling as Jude 24 declares He is capable and willing to do for those that love Him wholeheartedly. He will do that for you as one of His dear children. Amanda, this is what I see as one of the ways we suffer for Christ as we agonize over these things. This is Christlikeness…as He agonized in the garden, knowing the pain that lay ahead, He surrendered to Father’s will. We could just as easily say…Oh well, everyone else seems to be just fine doing it the good ole Christian way. Oftentimes we seem to be paralyzed by uncertainty, discouragement and fear of failure. I think you are as rugged as they come and will persevere as you seek Him. We are promised that we will find Him as we pursue Him: Deut.4:29, Psalm 119:2, Heb. 11:6. Wholeheartedness and diligence are KEY!!

I took a few moments to read the baring of your soul and I am thanking YHWH that there are others that refuse to bow to Baal and seek after Him with all their heart, soul and mind. You are a precious jewel in Father’s crown, a princess belonging to the eternal King of Glory. Although He may oftentimes seem to be hiding, He is sharpening your vision to see what He is up to. He is refining the precious metal, purifying all the yuckiness out and this is a messy process sometimes. Praise in spite of the feelings. Trust in His faithfulness. Thank you for letting me share this with you.