What I am about to say will probably burn to the touch some of my “religious” friends. I hope if you are reading this and are a God fearing organized religion supporter that you will step back and realize I’ve been on both sides of the aisle. Most of the church going, fatalist, God fearing christians that I know do not take kindly to differences of opinion from those who are not of the same belief and judged to be wrong..
Thought that has been on my heart for quite a while now…does God fearing (which now makes no sense to me) christian people who believe that God knows everything you are doing and the million of your other closest friends..those of you who keep praying for this and that…those of you who keep thanking God for the good stuff in their life…but interestingly not the bad. Thanks for my mother dying…thanks for the drought..thanks for the flood…you got me here…are these folks apathetic to their own accomplishments. Is this one of the problems of our society. Those with children’s sunday school in the upbringing…do we believe that we are not responsible for our actions because God has control. Do we not beam in our accomplishments because they aren’t our accomplishments – they are Gods. All you have to do is watch a Sunday football game to see the touchdown hero pointing to the sky…because he’s giving it all to God…uh ha. Of course, the opposing team is only lead by the devil. Do you religious folks not see how silly that looks and sounds.
I can think of a couple of people I know who are probably on their hands and knees asking God to forgive my soul. I don’t need to hear from you…you are way past believing you have the right to think for yourself…don’t bother…but does this make sense to you spiritual, loving people out there?
Until next time….
Ninasusan 
Now if I can only just take my own advice…
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BTW, I do pray for you, but it’s not because you explore these issues or that God might forgive you for some perceived blasphemy. I pray for your contentment…Not happiness that is fleeting, but your contentment in whatever circumstances you find yourself. This is the secret to making it through this life. I could care less if you are happy. It’s not relevant. When you are happy, you should enjoy it and when you are happy, give God the glory. When you are not, give God the glory anyway. He is God.
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A wise, God fearing person knows both from scripture and life experience that the things we perceive as “good” and “bad” are not necessarily rewards or punishments from God or the devil . Our perception of life’s events tend to be finite, lacking the overall big picture, whereas God’s perceptions of these things tend to be eternal and all encompassing. What people see as a really awful event, could actually be any number of things. Some things that seem devilish could actually be God inspired and for a greater, eternal purpose than what we are capable of understanding at the time of the event. Some things that seem good at the time, might be anything but good. Living and walking by faith rather than sight is important whether times are good or bad.
A good example of this is Job in the Old Testament. Job was a good and moral man that enjoyed success in every walk of life. He firmly believed that the blessings he enjoyed came from God because he lived right and in accordance with God’s will. Satan asked God for permission to sift Job like so much flour. Satan was certain that Job would break under pressure and curse God if God lifted all His protections and allowed Job to suffer under Satan’s torment. God allowed this to happen. Eventually Job lost everything; his wealth, his children and his health went down the tubes. All he had left was his wife and she advised Job, “Are you still hanging on to your integrity? Curse God and die!” To this Job said, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”
Job recognized that ultimately everything we have or lose is the result of either God’s direct or indirect acts. What escaped him and what is never explained in the book is the why! Job spends the bulk of the book on exploring with God and his friends why these awful things were happening to him.
Job questioned the justice and fairness of God and God finally answers him in chapter 38 with a question. “Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?”
So whether events are good or evil, learn what you can, accept troubling times as well as good times from God and stay pointed toward Him. Life here is short. On the other side it will be better and eternal. Walk by faith. It will all work out in the end.
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I assure you Ms Nina that I am not on my knees for you or anyone else! I believe that my faults, my successes, my trials and my tribulations are either my doing, someone elses’ doing, or just random happenstance. For me it’s the only way I get through the day. If I thought some omnipotent force was responsible for all of the joyful loving wonderfulness of my life I would then have to wonder what I did to piss them off so f’ing bad.
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Amen, sister
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