Comments for Morning Devotion http://morningdevotion.oasismediaservices.com Sonshine for your soul Fri, 03 Sep 2010 10:54:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Comment on Morning Devotion — the zeal to deny God’s existence by Curt Oxford http://morningdevotion.oasismediaservices.com/2010/09/02/morning-devotion-the-zeal-to-deny-gods-existence-2/comment-page-1/#comment-648 Curt Oxford Fri, 03 Sep 2010 10:54:20 +0000 http://morningdevotion.oasismediaservices.com/?p=1973#comment-648 Well written Martin! I find it funny how a childlike trust can put the key in the lock when all the intense deep thoughts of the wise and powerful can miss it Well written Martin! I find it funny how a childlike trust can put the key in the lock when all the intense deep thoughts of the wise and powerful can miss it

]]> Comment on Morning Devotion — the zeal to deny God’s existence by Curt Oxford http://morningdevotion.oasismediaservices.com/2010/09/02/morning-devotion-the-zeal-to-deny-gods-existence-2/comment-page-1/#comment-647 Curt Oxford Fri, 03 Sep 2010 10:42:44 +0000 http://morningdevotion.oasismediaservices.com/?p=1973#comment-647 Well written Martin! Well written Martin!

]]> Comment on Morning Devotion — the zeal to deny God’s existence by admin http://morningdevotion.oasismediaservices.com/2010/09/02/morning-devotion-the-zeal-to-deny-gods-existence-2/comment-page-1/#comment-626 admin Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:30:08 +0000 http://morningdevotion.oasismediaservices.com/?p=1973#comment-626 Below is a comment from someone who disagreed with the message of the 9/2/10 Morning Devotion -- "The zeal to deny God's existence" My response follows the writer's comments: <em>This is why the Christian creation story has never made sense to me. I' don't understand why god would want to discourage curiosity. True, Eve disobeyed a rule, and we all know how important obeying is to religion. But a god with any intelligence and compassion would realize that her ultimate goal (according to you) of pursuing scientific reason was something to encourage, not punish. I think you misinterpret Hawking's meaning in his 1988 comment about knowing "the mind of god." I doubt very much he was referring to the Biblical character (a supernatural being full of jealousy and wrath who is willing to kill his own kids to get attention ). I think he was using the term as a metaphor for all that is great, wonderful, and still mysterious about the universe.</em> ------- I appreciate your taking the time to provide a response and not resort to the stereotypical allegations of my being a religious airhead Bible-thumper. God does, in fact, encourage curiosity -- when it is appropriate and useful for learning. In fact, God used the term, <em>"Come, let us reason tog</em>ether." But reasoning together involves reasonable inquiry within responsible parameters. If you were responsible for babysitting a relative's child and she REALLY wanted to pet the pretty, coral-banded snake in the cage, I doubt that you would say, "<em>Ah, I'm so glad she's curious and I don't want to discourage her at all from learning how it feels to be bitten and injected with a fatal dose of venom."</em> God's guard rails around curiosity are intended to protect and are rooted in love, not in control-freak thinking. I will pray that your understanding of God will evolve away from seeing Him as a supernatural being full of jealousy and wrath who is willing to kill his own kids to get attention. Please remember that Adam and Eve went down a path they had been warned to avoid. They chose the outcome, not God. But, despite their sinful choices, this God that you unfairly diminish, forgave them and blessed them with a long life and an abundance of descendants. He is gracious. To me. To others. And, according to I Peter 2:9 and I John 1:9, to all who will acknowledge Him as their sole/soul reason for hope. Below is a comment from someone who disagreed with the message of the 9/2/10 Morning Devotion — “The zeal to deny God’s existence”

My response follows the writer’s comments:

This is why the Christian creation story has never made sense to me. I’ don’t understand why god would want to discourage curiosity. True, Eve disobeyed a rule, and we all know how important obeying is to religion. But a god with any intelligence and compassion would realize that her ultimate goal (according to you) of pursuing scientific reason was something to encourage, not punish.

I think you misinterpret Hawking’s meaning in his 1988 comment about knowing “the mind of god.” I doubt very much he was referring to the Biblical character (a supernatural being full of jealousy and wrath who is willing to kill his own kids to get attention ). I think he was using the term as a metaphor for all that is great, wonderful, and still mysterious about the universe.

——-

I appreciate your taking the time to provide a response and not resort to the stereotypical allegations of my being a religious airhead Bible-thumper.

God does, in fact, encourage curiosity — when it is appropriate and useful for learning. In fact, God used the term, “Come, let us reason together.”

But reasoning together involves reasonable inquiry within responsible parameters. If you were responsible for babysitting a relative’s child and she REALLY wanted to pet the pretty, coral-banded snake in the cage, I doubt that you would say, “Ah, I’m so glad she’s curious and I don’t want to discourage her at all from learning how it feels to be bitten and injected with a fatal dose of venom.”

God’s guard rails around curiosity are intended to protect and are rooted in love, not in control-freak thinking.

I will pray that your understanding of God will evolve away from seeing Him as a supernatural being full of jealousy and wrath who is willing to kill his own kids to get attention. Please remember that Adam and Eve went down a path they had been warned to avoid. They chose the outcome, not God. But, despite their sinful choices, this God that you unfairly diminish, forgave them and blessed them with a long life and an abundance of descendants. He is gracious. To me. To others. And, according to I Peter 2:9 and I John 1:9, to all who will acknowledge Him as their sole/soul reason for hope.

]]> Comment on Morning Devotion — the zeal to deny God’s existence by msreason http://morningdevotion.oasismediaservices.com/2010/09/02/morning-devotion-the-zeal-to-deny-gods-existence-2/comment-page-1/#comment-625 msreason Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:05:06 +0000 http://morningdevotion.oasismediaservices.com/?p=1973#comment-625 This is why the Christian creation story has never made sense to me. I' don't understand why god would want to discourage curiosity. True, Eve disobeyed a rule, and we all know how important obeying is to religion. But a god with any intelligence and compassion would realize that her ultimate goal (according to you) of pursuing scientific reason was something to encourage, not punish. I think you misinterpret Hawking's meaning in his 1988 comment about knowing "the mind of god." I doubt very much he was referring to the Biblical character (a supernatural being full of jealousy and wrath who is willing to kill his own kids to get attention ). I think he was using the term as a metaphor for all that is great, wonderful, and still mysterious about the universe. This is why the Christian creation story has never made sense to me. I’ don’t understand why god would want to discourage curiosity. True, Eve disobeyed a rule, and we all know how important obeying is to religion. But a god with any intelligence and compassion would realize that her ultimate goal (according to you) of pursuing scientific reason was something to encourage, not punish.

I think you misinterpret Hawking’s meaning in his 1988 comment about knowing “the mind of god.” I doubt very much he was referring to the Biblical character (a supernatural being full of jealousy and wrath who is willing to kill his own kids to get attention ). I think he was using the term as a metaphor for all that is great, wonderful, and still mysterious about the universe.

]]> Comment on Morning Devotion — the zeal to deny God’s existence by Doug Shamblin http://morningdevotion.oasismediaservices.com/2010/09/02/morning-devotion-the-zeal-to-deny-gods-existence-2/comment-page-1/#comment-624 Doug Shamblin Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:36:45 +0000 http://morningdevotion.oasismediaservices.com/?p=1973#comment-624 Thanks Martin for a reminder of why some people think the way they do. If you are bent on "proving" that God doesn't exist, don't let the facts get into the way. Thanks Martin for a reminder of why some people think the way they do. If you are bent on “proving” that God doesn’t exist, don’t let the facts get into the way.

]]> Comment on Genius not required by admin http://morningdevotion.oasismediaservices.com/2010/01/18/genius-not-required/comment-page-1/#comment-535 admin Thu, 12 Aug 2010 13:54:57 +0000 http://morningdevotion.oasismediaservices.com/?p=775#comment-535 I appreciate your note, Virnel. It is encouraging to read of how another desires information about the Lord. Please tell me more about your faith journey and where you attend church. Thanks. Martin I appreciate your note, Virnel. It is encouraging to read of how another desires information about the Lord. Please tell me more about your faith journey and where you attend church. Thanks.

Martin

]]> Comment on Genius not required by virnel de guzman http://morningdevotion.oasismediaservices.com/2010/01/18/genius-not-required/comment-page-1/#comment-534 virnel de guzman Thu, 12 Aug 2010 13:44:23 +0000 http://morningdevotion.oasismediaservices.com/?p=775#comment-534 Thanks for the wonderful devotion you have posted. It didn't waste my time. And I understand it very easy. Thank you Thank you so much! :) Thanks for the wonderful devotion you have posted. It didn’t waste my time. And I understand it very easy. Thank you Thank you so much! :)

]]> Comment on Apathy toward apathy by admin http://morningdevotion.oasismediaservices.com/2010/08/10/apathy-toward-apathy/comment-page-1/#comment-531 admin Wed, 11 Aug 2010 15:50:47 +0000 http://morningdevotion.oasismediaservices.com/?p=1870#comment-531 Great comments, Roger. What captain wants to sail his ship toward a lighthouse that only works sometimes and, even then, is barely glowing? Not much confidence of reaching safe harbor because of that "might"-house. I appreciate your interest in leaving the grandstand and stepping onto the field. With more people like you, there will be more people loving Jesus. Martin Great comments, Roger. What captain wants to sail his ship toward a lighthouse that only works sometimes and, even then, is barely glowing? Not much confidence of reaching safe harbor because of that “might”-house. I appreciate your interest in leaving the grandstand and stepping onto the field. With more people like you, there will be more people loving Jesus.

Martin

]]> Comment on Apathy toward apathy by Roger W. Rogers http://morningdevotion.oasismediaservices.com/2010/08/10/apathy-toward-apathy/comment-page-1/#comment-530 Roger W. Rogers Wed, 11 Aug 2010 15:05:14 +0000 http://morningdevotion.oasismediaservices.com/?p=1870#comment-530 Martin, I have been troubled for years about God's will for how Christians should respond to the ungodly events of this world which you touched on. I continue to reflect on Jesus and his life here on earth and how he rebuked the Pharisees for distorting God's Word and overturned the tables of the merchants at the steps of the temple because of their sinful actions. Jesus said himself that he did not come to judge the world but to save it. He placed himself amoung the sinners and yet remained sinless. He had compassion and mercy on the lost. He showed love when no one would. He was king but came to serve all. I am convinced that the reason ungodliness is spreading is because Christians as individuals are becoming more like the Pharisees of early years, preaching to others but not living what they preach. Speaking words that lack compassion, forgiveness, and mercy. Becoming more selfish than selfless. In the end, Christians are judging rather than showing God's love. Jesus commanded his disciples to go out into the world and spread the Good News not to condemn or judge. To love just as He loved us. The direction of this World has already been written, our orders from Christ is to go out into the World and spread the Good News, keeping ourselves pure, teaching our children God's Word, and love just as He loved us. If we are doing what Christ commanded how many more souls could we reach for Christ. Love in Christ, Roger Martin,
I have been troubled for years about God’s will for how Christians should respond to the ungodly events of this world which you touched on. I continue to reflect on Jesus and his life here on earth and how he rebuked the Pharisees for distorting God’s Word and overturned the tables of the merchants at the steps of the temple because of their sinful actions.
Jesus said himself that he did not come to judge the world but to save it. He placed himself amoung the sinners and yet remained sinless. He had compassion and mercy on the lost. He showed love when no one would. He was king but came to serve all.
I am convinced that the reason ungodliness is spreading is because Christians as individuals are becoming more like the Pharisees of early years, preaching to others but not living what they preach. Speaking words that lack compassion, forgiveness, and mercy. Becoming more selfish than selfless. In the end, Christians are judging rather than showing God’s love.
Jesus commanded his disciples to go out into the world and spread the Good News not to condemn or judge. To love just as He loved us.
The direction of this World has already been written, our orders from Christ is to go out into the World and spread the Good News, keeping ourselves pure, teaching our children God’s Word, and love just as He loved us. If we are doing what Christ commanded how many more souls could we reach for Christ.

Love in Christ,
Roger

]]> Comment on The gold mine by joriel http://morningdevotion.oasismediaservices.com/about-2/comment-page-1/#comment-524 joriel Mon, 09 Aug 2010 13:10:25 +0000 http://morningdevotion.oasismediaservices.com/?page_id=172#comment-524 Hi Martin, Nice to be here again! :) Thanks God for the safe travel. I've just been from my hometown in Lobo, Batangas, Philippines, 37km from here in the city proper. I used to spent my weekend there for Worship Service and outreaches and get here back every Monday for work. Aside from personal devotions and worship service every Sunday, we have our small groups during week days, here and there where my home-church (Sunshine Baptist Church) is. During our small group (young people), we give everyone an opportunity to share how God speak through our Quality Time. I'm excited to tell on our next small group on Friday about your site so they can visit and bless too. That is when they have given the opportunity to access it. :) Thanks.. :) We'll be praying for you! joriel Hi Martin,

Nice to be here again! :)

Thanks God for the safe travel. I’ve just been from my hometown in Lobo, Batangas, Philippines, 37km from here in the city proper. I used to spent my weekend there for Worship Service and outreaches and get here back every Monday for work.

Aside from personal devotions and worship service every Sunday, we have our small groups during week days, here and there where my home-church (Sunshine Baptist Church) is. During our small group (young people), we give everyone an opportunity to share how God speak through our Quality Time. I’m excited to tell on our next small group on Friday about your site so they can visit and bless too. That is when they have given the opportunity to access it. :)

Thanks.. :)
We’ll be praying for you!

joriel

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