tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957177247372917180.post4613874277961985557..comments2023-12-31T03:56:05.988+11:00Comments on EQUIP book club: Faith - Pt 3 - Faith and learning from other peopleEQUIP Book Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00151092103823699320noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957177247372917180.post-82357543089761320922008-06-26T14:38:00.000+10:002008-06-26T14:38:00.000+10:00That is a very cool point Janelle. Very true.That is a very cool point Janelle. Very true.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957177247372917180.post-71449026627888339762008-06-17T19:05:00.000+10:002008-06-17T19:05:00.000+10:00I have been pondering an idea. It's definitely rel...I have been pondering an idea. It's definitely related to faith and 'trusting confidently in the things God has promised', to use Erin's quote above. <BR/><BR/>It's got a lot to do with how we relate to others and how we see ourselves (and others) as redeemed people. (I think this idea came from somewhere else, not me. So I'm not claiming originality, but it came out last night in a conversation and I've been mulling over it today)<BR/><BR/>You know, when someone makes an excuse we say, "stop justifying yourself"? I did it this morning. I forgot an appointment I'd made and when I rang to apologise, I mentioned the reason I forgot. Justifying myself. As if my reason somehow lessened the offense of forgetting. <BR/><BR/>With faith in God's forgiveness and justification simply saying "I'm sorry" would be enough; for all of us, at any time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957177247372917180.post-17607795259349932592008-06-17T18:37:00.000+10:002008-06-17T18:37:00.000+10:00Erin, thanks for your encouragement! I agree with...Erin, thanks for your encouragement! I agree with your comments about what faith in God really involves: an expectation of the good life here and now, or the joy of trusting God and his promises no matter how difficult life is. Our desire for happiness and comfort in this life can mean that we tie ourselves in knots when things don't go according to our expectations. It's right to enjoy the good gifts God gives us, but when our desire for these things is greater than our desire for life with him, we need to ask ourselves who or what it is we really love. Have you ever read "Desiring God" by John Piper? He gets to the heart of this matter, and I don't think you can read this book and not be changed or challenged by it.Lee Carterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05177619267185100253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957177247372917180.post-90165591846025283712008-06-16T22:01:00.000+10:002008-06-16T22:01:00.000+10:00Something I liked about reading 'Faith' was when B...Something I liked about reading 'Faith' was when Bryson pointed out that 'biblical faith is about trusting confidently in the things God has promised' (p.23). <BR/><BR/>Some of my friends seem to equate faith in God with having an easy life full of happiness. I think there is a distinct difference between the happiness of the world, and the joy you described in your friend (the joy of having a relationship with God). God promises to never leave us, he promises that if we believe in Him we will be saved from the punishment of sin and have a life with Him. He never promises that life will be easy, or we will get everything we want. <BR/><BR/>But if we are having a hard time people will say, have faith that God will make it better, where as it might be that God is using these struggles to help <I>strength our faith in him.</I><BR/><BR/>Lee, Thanks for sharing your thoughts, I have enjoyed reading them.Erinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04674761760020066118noreply@blogger.com