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« on: January 15, 2008, 09:44:26 AM » |
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I was just wondering, what did everyone think of Bruce's latest talk about making positive change for 2008? Changing your expectations, the way you look at things and the things you think will happen is probably one of the most difficult things that a person can do. But, it can work--both in good ways and bad. I remember reading once, that if a large enough proportion of the populace truly believed that all the computers would crash from the Y2K bug, and they all took out all their money from the bank at the same time to avoid disaster, they would actually cause an economic collapse. Because they simply believed a disaster would occur, they would have actually caused the disaster, Y2K or not. Thoughts?
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"Those who find ugly meanings in beautiful things are corrupt without being charming. This is a fault.
Those who find beautiful meanings in beautiful things are the cultivated. For these there is hope."
--Oscar Wilde
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Brandy
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« Reply #1 on: January 15, 2008, 10:29:00 AM » |
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I thought it was very good. I wrote some things down as he said them (for obvious reasons, as I can't remember them now), but I don't have my journal with me right now. But, I thought some great points were made. I'll have to try and remember to get those and share their importance to me.
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Brandy
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« Reply #2 on: January 15, 2008, 11:25:25 AM » |
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I think God can allow things to happen that makes us choose whether to accept change or not.
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Michelle
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« Reply #3 on: January 15, 2008, 01:46:45 PM » |
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Hmm...I think God can close and open doors, to sound cliche.
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Overseer
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« Reply #4 on: January 15, 2008, 04:25:35 PM » |
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Do you think it's possible for God to force a change, in some way or another?
He never does anything that overrides free will. Trust me, I'm the most stubborn person on earth. |
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"Those who find ugly meanings in beautiful things are corrupt without being charming. This is a fault.
Those who find beautiful meanings in beautiful things are the cultivated. For these there is hope."
--Oscar Wilde
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Penny
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« Reply #5 on: January 15, 2008, 04:28:52 PM » |
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He never does anything that overrides free will. Trust me, I'm the most stubborn person on earth.
I'm not sure about that Roy, I know at least one other who is more stubborn that you.  |
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Brandy
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« Reply #6 on: January 15, 2008, 05:24:18 PM » |
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What constitutes force? If you value His will over your own, and you ask for something to be done, but ultimately want His perfect will for your life, I don't know that I would constitute that as force, but I do think His will will supercede your own.
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Penny
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« Reply #7 on: January 15, 2008, 06:20:53 PM » |
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What constitutes force? If you value His will over your own, and you ask for something to be done, but ultimately want His perfect will for your life, I don't know that I would constitute that as force, but I do think His will will supercede your own.
I'm not sure about that Brandy, one can say that they want God's will to be done in their lives but if they still do what they want without consulting God or waiting on him but still do their own thing, I think God will allow that person to do their own thing. Unfortunately we would have to deal with the repercussions of our decisions. Example God's will could be for me to move to Thailand and be a teacher but I choose to move to Seattle and be a teacher would I still be in God's will? ( this is what I'm understanding your statement to mean, if I'm wrong please explain it to me more)  |
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Penny
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« Reply #8 on: January 15, 2008, 07:13:09 PM » |
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Just remember Amanda just as there is a God, there is a Devil, and they can cause just as much problems. I don't know why you're going through all these issues, question is how will you handle them? will you throw your hands up in the air, or rely on God to handle them for you, My question to you is have you released this issue to God?  ? |
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Michelle
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« Reply #9 on: January 15, 2008, 07:48:07 PM » |
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Amanda...
I've been in your situation. Here's an email I received during that time, and I found it inspiring. Not sure if it applies to your or not, but it's something to consider...
Malachi 3:3 says: ?He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.?
This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.
That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn?t mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.
The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: ?He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.? She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.
The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, ?How do you know when the silver is fully refined??He smiled at her and answered, ?Oh, that?s easy ? when I see my image in it?
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Penny
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« Reply #10 on: January 15, 2008, 07:57:16 PM » |
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Well said Michelle.
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Penny
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« Reply #11 on: January 15, 2008, 10:30:36 PM » |
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God isn't going to force anything on anyone. He's a gentlemen, I think he'll give you options and depending on which one you choice you go from there.
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Michelle
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« Reply #12 on: January 15, 2008, 10:40:07 PM » |
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Hmmm...well, sometimes he definitely speaks louder than others. It could be. Or he may just be strengthening your character, like Romans 5:1 - 5 says. Or it could be Satan testing you, like he did with Job. It could be any number of things. I'll pray for you to understand what is going on...maybe he'll reveal it to you, even a little, to calm you and give you hope. On a similar note, try not to stress too much...easier said than done, I know. But with everything going on, the last thing you need is TO get sick. Sometimes when I get too stressed, it helps me to "step away" mentally and look at the bigger picture - such as you're young (not that I'm old and wise or anything - just that things may be completely different in one year) or that you have a great boyfriend or that you are smart and strong. Or you can always just picture yourself moving halfway across the world from all your troubles...that works too Well, I go to Colorado, anyway. |
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Penny
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« Reply #13 on: January 15, 2008, 10:43:06 PM » |
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not necessarily, depending on your definition of not caring. I mean you can not care as if you don't care that you life goes to He** in a hand basket or not care as in giving your cares to God.
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