Two of the ways God talks to us:
Thanks to a little help from above, money I wasn't planning on spending, and being able to use the gift of being mechanically inclined that the good Lord blessed me with, the boat is back in the driveway.
It goes on KSL this weekend to try and recoup some of what it cost me to get it back home. Also, the water leak is now repaired and as soon as I'm done with this, I feel a hot shower is in my future.
I know, I know, that's not what you want to know about. Here's the good stuff you want to know:
I haven't spoken to the Mrs. in over a week. The last I heard from her was a bit of a cryptic e-mail. I know about as much as the rest of you do. I had a long talk with a Christian friend of mine and she gave me some fresh things to think and pray about on Sunday night. If you're a follower of the comments on the blog, you'll see one I left in response to another one someone else left.
My friend gave me something to think about, in the form of what's contained in the verses past the one I left in response. It's about being yoked to an unbeliever and it's definitely food for thought. What I'm not sure of is whether or not that Scripture applies in this circumstance. Like I said, I'm dead set against cherry-picking scripture to suit my needs. Some make a habit of it at their own peril. The reason I'm not so sure it applies in this instance is that I don't see how two people can believe and love the same God, serve the same Lord Jesus, and come up with two completely different answers for our circumstances.
But that's not what the post is about. It's about how God talks to us. I believe there are four primary ways: Through His Holy Word, the Bible, through circumstances, through others, and through the church. I want to talk about two of the ways tonight.
A couple of weeks ago, my friend laid this on me to think about. He said something like he wasn't so sure I wasn't breaking up a family. That was the first of many comments in the last couple of weeks that range from an explanation of God's view on divorce when one (OK, BOTH of us) is unfaithful, to cutting my losses. Anyway, I've been hearing a lot from those that are close to me and I'm aware that one of the ways God speaks to us is through others, which is why I went to visit my Christian friend. I needed that perspective on the situation. I recognize that God does use others to speak to us and I didn't want to be, as the old story goes, waiting for God to save me from the rooftop during a flood and drown after He sent a rowboat, a power boat, and the Coast Guard to do the job. (if you haven't heard the story, let me know and I'll tell it.)
Another way God speaks to us is through circumstance. I still believe that He created the circumstances that would have allowed Wendi to come home. She chose not to. It was her choice to make and she made it. The circumstances are that she's where she's at and I'm here. I'll be moving back into my bedroom this weekend and wait patiently (this time) to see where the Lord will lead me.
I have some of my own ideas but instead of pursuing them on my own, willy-nilly, I think I'll ask God about His thoughts about some things I'd like to do in the future and wait for His leading.
It goes on KSL this weekend to try and recoup some of what it cost me to get it back home. Also, the water leak is now repaired and as soon as I'm done with this, I feel a hot shower is in my future.
I know, I know, that's not what you want to know about. Here's the good stuff you want to know:
I haven't spoken to the Mrs. in over a week. The last I heard from her was a bit of a cryptic e-mail. I know about as much as the rest of you do. I had a long talk with a Christian friend of mine and she gave me some fresh things to think and pray about on Sunday night. If you're a follower of the comments on the blog, you'll see one I left in response to another one someone else left.
My friend gave me something to think about, in the form of what's contained in the verses past the one I left in response. It's about being yoked to an unbeliever and it's definitely food for thought. What I'm not sure of is whether or not that Scripture applies in this circumstance. Like I said, I'm dead set against cherry-picking scripture to suit my needs. Some make a habit of it at their own peril. The reason I'm not so sure it applies in this instance is that I don't see how two people can believe and love the same God, serve the same Lord Jesus, and come up with two completely different answers for our circumstances.
But that's not what the post is about. It's about how God talks to us. I believe there are four primary ways: Through His Holy Word, the Bible, through circumstances, through others, and through the church. I want to talk about two of the ways tonight.
A couple of weeks ago, my friend laid this on me to think about. He said something like he wasn't so sure I wasn't breaking up a family. That was the first of many comments in the last couple of weeks that range from an explanation of God's view on divorce when one (OK, BOTH of us) is unfaithful, to cutting my losses. Anyway, I've been hearing a lot from those that are close to me and I'm aware that one of the ways God speaks to us is through others, which is why I went to visit my Christian friend. I needed that perspective on the situation. I recognize that God does use others to speak to us and I didn't want to be, as the old story goes, waiting for God to save me from the rooftop during a flood and drown after He sent a rowboat, a power boat, and the Coast Guard to do the job. (if you haven't heard the story, let me know and I'll tell it.)
Another way God speaks to us is through circumstance. I still believe that He created the circumstances that would have allowed Wendi to come home. She chose not to. It was her choice to make and she made it. The circumstances are that she's where she's at and I'm here. I'll be moving back into my bedroom this weekend and wait patiently (this time) to see where the Lord will lead me.
I have some of my own ideas but instead of pursuing them on my own, willy-nilly, I think I'll ask God about His thoughts about some things I'd like to do in the future and wait for His leading.
Dear Friend,
ReplyDeleteThe issue of being unequally yoked with an unbeliever (even IF, your wife is a true believer)according to the footnotes in my Bible have nothing to do with marriage. Read 2 Cor. 6:14-15 and 17.This is not a discussion of Christian ethics but a look at the faith of true believers. See What distinguishes true believers from false believers? (13:5) Some Corinthians found certain false doctrines appealing and wanted to combine them with the gospel. But there is no room for linking something false with what is true. There can be no middle ground; either we follow Christ alone or we don't follow him at all. As far as associating with unbelievers, Jesus associated with those who knew they were sinners, but he conflicted with the religous leaders of his day who didn't believe in him. We should follow the example and teaching of both Paul and Jesus. I find no where, where it talks about marriage. We can associate one with the other, but does not say specifically marriage. BUT.....I can share this with you about remarriage and divorce.Go to Mark 10:11-12. Read it and the footnotes say...Jesus refuses the teaching that a man is "required" to divorce his wife after adultery but "permitted" it because of the hardening of peoples hearts. (vs. 5)Jesus says only if a woman has done something that irreparably ruptures the marriage can such a divorce be right. If the marriage is invalid, so is the remarriage, but the reverse is true: If the divorce is valid, then remarriage is acceptable. I hope this gives you a differant light on the topic. Your wife seems to have chosen to stay with the father & baby and be a family even after you have done everything in your power to get her back (Even doing everything she asked you to do). It looks like it is time to go on with your life and make the divorce final! Good luck with what God leads you to do!
I'd like to hear the story about the row boat, power boat and Coast Guard. Perhaps you could post it for those of us who haven't heard it?
ReplyDeleteA guy lives by a large river and in the spring there is a flood. As the water rises, he's forced to the rooftop. While there, he professes faith that God will save him from the flood.
ReplyDeleteA few minutes later a man comes by in a rowboat and asks him if he'd like a ride to dry land. The man politely declines and tells the man in the rowboat that God will save him from the flood.
Bewildered, the man in the rowboat leaves. The water rises.
A little while later, a man in a power boat comes by and throws a rope to the man on the roof. He throws it back and professes his belief that God will save him from the flood. After much arguing, the man in the powerboat leaves the man on the roof.
The water rises and is now to the point that there isn't a dry spot left on the roof. A Coast Guard helicopter hovering nearby spots the man, flies to him, and drops a rope. The man refuses the rope even though it's his last chance. He yells that God will save him. Seeing other people in peril that WANT help, the helicopter leaves.
The water rises, the man is swept away from the rooftop, and drowns. In heaven, he meets Jesus and asks Him "why didn't You save me?" His reply:
I sent a rowboat, a powerboat, and a helicopter to save you....
This story was told to me by a friend at work and I think there's a bit of wisdom in it.
Thank You. Do you mind if I share it?
ReplyDeleteNope!
ReplyDelete