Comments for The Dish http://216.70.104.102 Just another WordPress site Tue, 13 Dec 2011 22:38:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 Comment on DOES GOD’S MERITED FAVOR HAVE A NAME? by Edd http://216.70.104.102/does-gods-merited-favor-have-a-name/#comment-10 Edd Tue, 13 Dec 2011 22:38:30 +0000 http://pastaspin.com/?p=130#comment-10 A couple of words come to mind: Normal. Our world is corrupted by sin. Prior to that, when Adam was in the garden, his good actions (caring for the garden) resulted in good things (he got to eat). Being able to converse with God was a normal thing--he didn't need Jesus as mediator. Love. If all of our righteousness is as filthy rags n(Isaiah 64:6), then even our "good" works don't deserve a good response. But God loves us and wants to do good things for us. This is normal. Like a loving Father He wants us to walk down the right path, so He encourages us when we go the right way but He disciplines us when we start going astray. In my mind I picture a romantic story where a man loves a woman and relentlessly pursues her. But she rejects His love and turns away. God, in His love, doesn't give up. When the woman responds favorably to that love she enjoys the fruit of being in that relationship. That's the normal part. Out of God's great love, He doesn't typically give up when we walk away--though sometimes He just lets us go, letting the bad fruit we get when we're out of relationship making us long for that relationship because of the fruits we enjoyed (prodigal Son; Romans 1:24 ("abandoned" or "gave them over")) A couple of words come to mind:
Normal. Our world is corrupted by sin. Prior to that, when Adam was in the garden, his good actions (caring for the garden) resulted in good things (he got to eat). Being able to converse with God was a normal thing–he didn’t need Jesus as mediator.

Love. If all of our righteousness is as filthy rags n(Isaiah 64:6), then even our “good” works don’t deserve a good response. But God loves us and wants to do good things for us. This is normal. Like a loving Father He wants us to walk down the right path, so He encourages us when we go the right way but He disciplines us when we start going astray.

In my mind I picture a romantic story where a man loves a woman and relentlessly pursues her. But she rejects His love and turns away. God, in His love, doesn’t give up. When the woman responds favorably to that love she enjoys the fruit of being in that relationship. That’s the normal part.

Out of God’s great love, He doesn’t typically give up when we walk away–though sometimes He just lets us go, letting the bad fruit we get when we’re out of relationship making us long for that relationship because of the fruits we enjoyed (prodigal Son; Romans 1:24 (“abandoned” or “gave them over”))

]]> Comment on SUCCEEDING AND PERSEVERING by pastaspin http://216.70.104.102/succeeding-and-persevering/#comment-9 pastaspin Thu, 20 Oct 2011 03:45:54 +0000 http://pastaspin.com/?p=125#comment-9 Good thought, Steve. Knowing who we are looking at is key to trust and moving out of danger. Good thought, Steve. Knowing who we are looking at is key to trust and moving out of danger.

]]> Comment on SUCCEEDING AND PERSEVERING by steven http://216.70.104.102/succeeding-and-persevering/#comment-8 steven Tue, 18 Oct 2011 05:18:13 +0000 http://pastaspin.com/?p=125#comment-8 The knowledge that we are in danger, but fearful to move is an acute problem. I'm reminded of the story where the Lord calls Peter out of the boat to walk on the water. If Peter had only kept his eyes on the Lord, all would have been okay. Your kittens did not know who they were looking at when they saw you. We know who we can be looking at if we so choose, and He is safe. The knowledge that we are in danger, but fearful to move is an acute problem. I’m reminded of the story where the Lord calls Peter out of the boat to walk on the water. If Peter had only kept his eyes on the Lord, all would have been okay. Your kittens did not know who they were looking at when they saw you. We know who we can be looking at if we so choose, and He is safe.

]]> Comment on SURPRISED BY GRIEF by pastaspin http://216.70.104.102/surprised-by-grief/#comment-5 pastaspin Tue, 16 Aug 2011 03:42:03 +0000 http://pastaspin.com/?p=76#comment-5 Dave, thanks for your feedback. It does not necessarily get any easier at this point. I find it helpful to know I am not alone in the grieving process. I trust I am not alone also in sharing a blessed hope that some day grief will be obsolete. Dave, thanks for your feedback. It does not necessarily get any easier at this point. I find it helpful to know I am not alone in the grieving process. I trust I am not alone also in sharing a blessed hope that some day grief will be obsolete.

]]> Comment on SURPRISED BY GRIEF by DaveDiPalma http://216.70.104.102/surprised-by-grief/#comment-4 DaveDiPalma Sat, 13 Aug 2011 04:57:24 +0000 http://pastaspin.com/?p=76#comment-4 Wow- I just read somewhere that one of the tasks of mid-life is to constantly grieve our various losses. Losses such as loss of job, loss of innocence, loss of our kids as they grow up and leave, loss of phyisical abilities, loss of hair, loss of hope. I can see where loosing your platform to preach would be very hard.It's really easy to question "who we are" when the things that bring us meaning are 'taken away', even if for a season. I dont have any magic answers, but I appreciate you sharing this part of your life. It makes me feel less alone as I grieve various losses. Wow- I just read somewhere that one of the tasks of mid-life is to constantly grieve our various losses. Losses such as loss of job, loss of innocence, loss of our kids as they grow up and leave, loss of phyisical abilities, loss of hair, loss of hope.

I can see where loosing your platform to preach would be very hard.It’s really easy to question “who we are” when the things that bring us meaning are ‘taken away’, even if for a season.
I dont have any magic answers, but I appreciate you sharing this part of your life. It makes me feel less alone as I grieve various losses.

]]> Comment on LAMENT FOR A SON by DaveDiPalma http://216.70.104.102/lament-for-a-son/#comment-7 DaveDiPalma Sat, 13 Aug 2011 04:51:53 +0000 http://pastaspin.com/?p=112#comment-7 Mike, nice message. I like how you picked up on the common bond we have with other believers. In this case, what a blessing to see 500 people from more than two different congregations come together to mourn the loss of this young man. I also liked your mention of the hope we have in Christ. For we are not as those who grieve without hope (loose paraphrase and I am too lazy to look it up right now !) Mike, nice message. I like how you picked up on the common bond we have with other believers. In this case, what a blessing to see 500 people from more than two different congregations come together to mourn the loss of this young man.
I also liked your mention of the hope we have in Christ. For we are not as those who grieve without hope (loose paraphrase and I am too lazy to look it up right now !)

]]> Comment on THE DISCIPLINE OF WRITING by stevevarvis http://216.70.104.102/the-discipline-of-writing/#comment-6 stevevarvis Tue, 12 Jul 2011 14:56:44 +0000 http://pastaspin.com/?p=93#comment-6 Mike, thanks for sending the link. I will check in to see how the discipline is going. Steve Mike, thanks for sending the link. I will check in to see how the discipline is going. Steve

]]> Comment on TRIPLE TRAGEDY by James http://216.70.104.102/triple-tragedy/#comment-3 James Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:28:16 +0000 http://pastaspin.com/?p=50#comment-3 Mike, thanks for the phone call and your support and prayers. Blessings to you as you serve the family up there as well. Praying for you too. James Mike, thanks for the phone call and your support and prayers.

Blessings to you as you serve the family up there as well. Praying
for you too.

James

]]> Comment on Starting Something New… by Mike Spinelli http://216.70.104.102/starting-something-new/#comment-2 Mike Spinelli Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:44:06 +0000 http://pastaspin.com/?p=1#comment-2 Just thought I would leave a comment because I can...and to test the comment part. Just thought I would leave a comment because I can…and to test the comment part.

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