Archive for December, 2009
Does God Ever Answer Prayer, “No!”?
Posted by Peter in Bible, Christianity, God on December 30, 2009
I threw my Hebrews Bible Study group for a loop when I raised this question.
I suggested that scripture says He does not. I also confessed that my initial reaction to this question is to say, “Of course He does,” but I cannot find scriptural authority for that answer. I should also say that just about everyone who I have ever asked this question also says He does. I’m just not so sure. I realize this goes against everything that is rational and against everything we have ever been taught, but it is something I’ve been mulling over for quite some time now.
Now, my assertion, or suggestion really, requires several caveats (just to name a few):
- God can only do what God can do. I don’t think God is able to answer a prayer that would harm one believer in favor of another, for example. Nor do I think God is able to answer prayer that is made sinfully (translated selfishly, impatiently, etc.).
- God will not go against His Word. If a prayer is contrary to scripture, or requires something unscriptural of others, it cannot be answered.
- God cannot heal, relieve you of, or deliver you from certain conditions brought about by unforgiveness, for example, or willful sin, without the requisite forgiveness or confession and repentance.
- God’s answers aren’t always the answers we expect. For example, an answer to prayer for financial breakthrough might include learning about budgeting, or saving, or giving as prerequisites to God handing someone a big fat check; but, if the one praying just wants the check without the means to handle the funds, whose really saying, “No”?
There are others, of course, but, rather than simply tell me how wrong I am, I would ask that you think about the example(s) you come up with and see if they do not fit into one of these categories first. Our group raised a few interesting examples, and I will try and treat the categories of answers in a later post, but I want to know what you, my dear reader, think.
I’m Back
It’s been a while since I’ve had a chance to post anything. Between work, campaign stuff, church, family, and infrequent internet access, blogging has taken a back seat. I’m looking forward to getting back in the groove, though.
I appreciate everyone continuing to comment and read (traffic was surprisingly steady), thanks. I hope you all have a very merry Christmas and wonderful new year.
God is Bigger than the Boogie Man
Posted by Peter in Children, Christianity, God, Movies/Films, Theology on December 9, 2009
I think we, myself included, do our very best to complicate theology to our detriment. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for precision, but there are times when simple is better.
I was introduced to Veggie Tales a couple of weeks ago – my wife bought The Libster a DVD. And now that we’ve watched it a thousand times, I’m amazed by both the simplicity and profundity of something like the song “God is Bigger (than the Boogie Man)”.
I think this is a notion we give intellectual assent, but rarely employ in practice. We like the idea of having a big God, but we don’t like the responsibility of having a big God.
For example, I like the idea that God is bigger than the Boogie Man, but what happens when I meet the Boogie Man face-to-face (or, insert scary thing of your choice). I can think back to instances where I’ve cowered, forgot how big I thought God was, or simply realized that I didn’t believe what I thought I believed. Thankfully, there is grace for those situations, and, slowly but surely, I’m learning that God really is that big.
I’m not on the lookout for Boogie Men or Women, but I believe my God is bigger.
Electrical Outlet with USB Plug
Posted by Peter in Cool Stuff on December 8, 2009
I rarely ever use a triple exclamation point (!!!) on anything. But, I did in a comment on a post over at bryanlopez.com today because of this:
How cool is that? You can pre-order today.
Not Exactly the Holiday Inn
Posted by Peter in Bible, Christianity, Jesus on December 8, 2009
My regular readers will know that I’m a fan of searching out obscure, often lost, stuff in scripture. Well, I must admit, I never thought to research the inn in Bethlehem referenced in the story of the birth of Jesus.
Now, I don’t have to. It was the subject of our pastor’s sermon Sunday morning. I guess I do if I want to figure out if he’s right, there was a little scriptural hopscotch being played to make the connections he made, but my initial reaction was, “that’s pretty cool.” And I still haven’t come up with a reason why it’s wrong, so it must be right. Right? 
It’s worth a read, but you won’t get the full flavor just from his post, The Inn in Bethlehem. If you have a few minutes, give the podcast (Sacrifice and Relationships) a listen, too.
5 Protestant Icons
Posted by Peter in Christianity on December 4, 2009
I was tagged by my blogging buddy Gary (whose blog has the coolest name in all of blogdom, The Sundry Times) to name five Protestant icons. It’s hard to narrow to five, but I shall do my best.
1. John Wesley – I must agree with Gary, Wesley is as iconic as they come, and, since I attended a Methodist university, I hereby pay homage.
2. John Wycliffe – Not so much for his theology (which, admittedly, I am unable to quote chapter and verse), but for his determination to have the Bible translated into the common tongue, in his case and our’s, English – lest we have to study Latin ad usum propium. Or Hebrew or Greek.
3. C.S. Lewis – I don’t think this one requires much explanation.
4. Billy Graham – Other than the Apostle Paul himself, has anyone else been responsible for leading more men and women to Christ? If so, who?
5. Derek Prince – My own personal favorite and hero in the faith. He brought intellect and faith together like no one else I know.
I tag anyone who thinks they can come up with a better list.
Say It Ain’t So
Word from above is that the Biblioblog Top 50 list, in its current form at least, is history.
It was a good run and fun while it lasted. I must admit, I’ll miss the ol’ gal. Oh well, to quote the immortal Bobby Bowden, “nothing lasts forever.”
What really irritates me, though, is that now I have to go and find all those dead links on my blog. Shoot!
November Top 50
The Biblioblog Top 50 for November is out. Of note:
- The Complete List is approaching 600 blogs (361 Bible blogs, and 223 related blogs).
- Jim and Joel are still perched at the top.
- BOB’s buddy TC (New Leaven) comes in at 13.
- Jeff (Scripture Zealot) is holding strong at 15; and
- Yours truly, BOB, finishes a respectable 6.
-
You are currently browsing the archives for December, 2009
Recent Comments
Copyright Info
Blog Support
2000 Comments
Posted by Peter in Blogging on December 8, 2009
Thanks to Matt @ Broadcast Depth for BOB‘s 2000th comment on Not Exactly the Holiday Inn.
I haven’t been near a computer for a few days, so I’m glad I didn’t miss it. But, since I didn’t realize it was approaching so quickly, I didn’t have the confetti and balloons ready. I’m sorry, Matt.
So, to honor Matt for the 2000th comment, please check out his excellent blog.
Blog, Blogging, Comments
3 Comments