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| Is God Playing Hard to Get? |
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Within American culture, like any other culture, there are many types of linguistic expressions, one of which is a colloquialism. A colloquialism is meant to convey a thought that is not necessarily used in formal discourse. For instance, often used phrases such as “there is more than one way to skin a cat” or “it’s better to kill two birds with one stone” are stated in order to communicate, in ordinary terms, a truth that the hearers would be familiar with, but would not necessarily be used in formal discourse.
Another often-used colloquialism, which is used to describe a healthy courting relationship, is the term “playing hard to get.” This term conveyed the excepted method of courting used by many and is still employed, even today. The idea is that the woman would intentionally play hard to get so the man would pursue her in order to win her over. The rationale is that she is worth pursuing. Fein and Schneider, authors of the book entitled The Rules” Time Tested Secrets for Capturing the Heart of Mr. Right, “believe that women must constantly present themselves as a challenge for men to win over. Doing so assures women that men will fall in love with them and remain faithful.” It also weeds out those men who do not want a lasting relationship and who are pursuing the woman with questionable motives.
The late Rich Mullins sang a song on his final album that asserted that God, at times, plays hard to get. I believe that he is right. However, when I say that God is playing hard to get, I am not saying that He is being intentionally allusive, succumbing to some cosmic version of hide-and-go-seek, not wishing to be found. Rather, God desires through this process, that his people would pursue Him with all of their heart. This is precisely what Jeremiah lamented when he exhorted the people of God to return to the Lord. He advised that they would find God when they sought Him with all of their heart. (Jer. 29:13).
We must not limit our salvation to nothing more than fire insurance that keeps us out of hell. Receiving Christ and being on our way to heaven is not enough. God wants a relationship with us that is continually being cultivated by seeking after Him. As A. W. Tozer aptly put it, “To have found God and still to pursue Him is the soul's paradox of love, scorned indeed by the too-easily-satisfied religionist, but justified in happy experience by the children of the burning heart.” May our hearts burn for a deeper relationship with the Father.
David is an excellent example of someone who had a burning heart for God. To be sure, “his life was a torrent of spiritual desire, and his psalms ring with the cry of the seeker.” If we follow the example of David, we too may be deemed to be one who is “the apple of God’s eye.” I will conclude with a statement made by Tozer that reflects the heartbeat of what I am trying to say. He states, I want deliberately to encourage this mighty longing after God. The lack of it has brought us to our present low estate. The stiff and wooden quality about our religious lives is a result of our lack of holy desire. Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth. Acute desire must be present or there will be no manifestation of Christ to His people. He waits to be wanted. Will we respond to God’s action of playing hard to get with a passionate desire that burns deep within for more of Him? Or will we be the one who gives up the pursuit too quickly, and is too easily satisfied with scraps from the master’s table? Let us not be too easily satisfied. |
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Pastor Tim! Pastor Tim, Pastor Tim,
"We must not limit our salvation to nothing more than fire insurance that keeps us out of hell."
Selah.
Pastor Aminata |
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| Yeah...Tozer was one deep dude. I noticed that you have quoted him a few times lately.....great!! Thank You Pastor for being here for us at mychurch. Blessings to you, and may God expand your Pastoral borders to the lost, and lonely of us who long for God, and who roam the internet without a home. :) |
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Glenn |
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September 12, 2007 at 1:31pm |
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"The stiff and wooden quality about our religious lives is a result of our lack of holy desire. Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth."
When we become complacent, we are not going to grow at all. I think you have given us a great shot in the arm with this one. Thank you for calling us to pursue God and His Holiness, He will make Himself known to us when we do!
Thanks Pastor Tim
peace
glenn |
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God says, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" (Jer 29:13). Why "with all your heart"? Why not make it easy? I think it's because, just like your spouse doesn't want to be just one more person, God doesn't want to be just one more thing in our life. He must be the center. He must be who He is, and He is the LORD! It's all about Him! Keep on writing, brother. It's good stuff. |
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MaKelly |
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September 12, 2007 at 1:38pm |
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God is always reaching out for us to come to him, I was told one day a few years back to look up at the cross what do you see, I said a cross, there is a big gaint lite up cross in the church in Freeport NY my friend said that cross is a symbol of christ with his arms stretch out for us to come or to come back to him.
WHO ARE THE “LOST,” AND HOW DOES GOD RESPOND TO THEM?
SALVATION IS THE ASSURANCE OF GOD’S PRESENCE WITHIN US.
SALVATION IS NOT TO BE RECEIVED LIGHTLY OR CASUALLY.
Receiving salvation requires more concentrated effort than most people are willing to put forth. Obviously we cannot save ourselves-there is no way we can work ourselves into God’s favor. The effort we must put out to enter through the narrow door is earnestly desiring to know Jesus and diligently striving to follow him whatever the cost. We dare not put off making this decision because the door will not stay open forever.
GOD TAKES SPECIAL EFFORT IN SEEKING OUT THE LOST.
GOD IS PATIENT WITH THE LOST.
THE LOST ARE OF GREAT VALUE TO GOD.
This and a lot more tells me God is not get I have to want it more than the air I breath and I do. |
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MaKelly |
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September 12, 2007 at 1:49pm |
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Let me write that last line again LOL:)
This a lot more tells me that my God is not playing hard to get, I have to want it more than the air I breath and I do, when I was in the world when people came up to minister to me I was the one runnning and hiding from God. Today he still convicts you gentle when I think or do something I should not so it's my choice as a save person who truly wants to be in right standing to choose to do it God's way or mine. |
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| It's never GOD who plays hard to get, it is at times some of US, some of us are running around pretending to serve Him, but always looking for a handout when times get rough. God changes NOT he is the same yesterday, today and forever. But at times some of us run hot and cold. |
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Kathy |
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September 12, 2007 at 3:19pm |
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| Pastor Tim, the way you credit those you cite delights my teacher soul! (How's that for a non-spiritual response to a great blog?) :) |
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Mandie |
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September 12, 2007 at 4:18pm |
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| Yesss that longing for god :) Nice Post God Bless |
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Jen |
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September 12, 2007 at 5:08pm |
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| I like to phrase it: "God is wooing me." |
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Gene |
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September 12, 2007 at 5:24pm |
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My fundamental view is that God does whatever it takes to bring us into a closer relationship with Him.
When I read this blog two things started to whirl around inside my head: 1) "I am with you always" Christ said, and 2) the phrase "dark night of the soul". It seems to me that I've come across that phrase a few times over that few weeks so I googled it. Wikipedia returned the following:
The "dark night" could generally be described as a letting go of our ego's hold on the psyche, making room for change that can bring about a complete transformation of a person's way of defining his/her self and their relationship to God. The interim period can be frightening, hence the perceived "darkness". In the Christian tradition, during the "dark night" one who has developed a strong prayer life and consistent devotion to God suddenly finds traditional prayer extremely difficult and unrewarding for an extended period of time. The individual may feel as though God has suddenly abandoned them, or that their prayer life has collapsed. Rather than being a negative event, the dark night is believed … to be a blessing in disguise…
Are there any scriptural passages that describe something like this?
Gene |
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Psalms Girl, I like what you said concerning our relationship with God requiring effort. We must pray and grow In God's Word in order for our relationship with the Lord to grow deeper.
Pastor Aminata, I agree. Insurance is awesome, But God offers so much more.
Married, thank you for your kind words. Concerning Tozer, he is one of my favorite authors.
Glen, You are right! He will make Himself known to us. God is desiring to reveal himself to us more and more.
Danny, I like the spouse analogy. Our spouses want our whole heart in the relationship.
MaKelly, when I say that God is playing hard to get, I am not saying that He is being intentionally allusive not wishing to be found. Rather, God desires through this process, that his people would pursue Him with all of their heart. I know that this is your hearts desire.
God's Chosen, I agree that we at times run hot and cold. God wants us to turn up the heat.
Kathy, just giving credit where credit is do. Blessings my fellow educator:)
Mandie, thanks for the kind words.
Jen, I like it. Good word.
Gene, One of the Scripture passages that comes to mind regarding this issue is found in Genesis 32:22-30
Gen 32:22-30 - 22 That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two maidservants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. 24 So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. 26 Then the man said, "Let me go, for it is daybreak." But Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." 27 The man asked him, "What is your name?" "Jacob," he answered. 28 Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, [a] because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome." 29 Jacob said, "Please tell me your name." But he replied, "Why do you ask my name?" Then he blessed him there. 30 So Jacob called the place Peniel, [b] saying, "It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared."
Dr Ravi Zacharias comments of this verse stating,
The Bible tells us of a historic precedent given in a nationally defining moment, on the eve of Jacob's meeting with Esau. Years before, Jacob had stolen the blessing that belonged to his older brother, Esau. Now, after years of running there was no place left to run, and the fateful, and possibly violent meeting was to take place the following day. Jacob wrestled in prayer all through the night before, and finally said to God, "I will not let you go until you bless me." Of all that God could have said to Jacob to subdue him, He asked a most apparently innocent question: "What is your name?"
Only Jacob would have recognized the sharp edge of this question, for years before, when he had stolen the blessing that belonged to Esau, he had lied to his blind, earthly father, claiming to be Esau. Now, he could not deceive his omniscient heavenly Father, and so he readily admitted, "My name is Jacob." God applauded and commended Jacob's honesty, for until that point his name had symbolized all that was deceitful and duplicitous. And God said, "Now that you have acknowledged who you really are I will make a great nation out of you." A humble spirit bowed before God gives birth to true freedom.
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| Amen Larry! Good Word! I can see you realy growing in your relationship with God:) |
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| I can definitely relate with Gen 32:22-30 and the story of Jacob. I have often thought about my own name and the identity that is attached to it. It's sad when it takes an encounter with God to undo what has labeled us for years. Wrestling with God has great rewards!! :) |
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Deb |
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September 13, 2007 at 10:36am |
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| I was in that place of complacency in my life, and it nearly destroyed me. Thanks be to God that He saved me from myself. I now have a better understanding and awareness of what I need to do to stay on course with Jesus...and I am very determined to stay the course. Thanks for a great blog. |
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Married to the Lord, I can sure relate too. I have found that it is during these encounters I experience the biggest breakthroughs.
Kathy, I like what you said about God being "ready to take you in his arms and cradle every hurt and wrong that's ever been committed against you - but he will not receive you unless you abandon your own plans and desires." The exactly what I meant when I said that God is playing hard to get.
Deb, thank you for your kind words. From what I have read in you rblogs, you are definitely someone who has a heart for God and will stay the course.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim |
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| Not all who we see as lost are lost some of thoes in the street are doing the hardest part of Jesus example living from hand to mouth dad by day trying in every way to bring home the lost Sheep and saving and providing for other more than theirselves. |
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JessIAm |
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September 13, 2007 at 1:03pm |
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I think the Lord is and is not playing hard to get. I think He isn't playing hard to get, because He causes us to follow Him (I can't find the verses right now. Please help me with that). Since He causes us to follow Him, He can't be playing hard to get in this sense. I think He is playing hard to get, in the sense that He makes it interesting for us. It makes Him spiritually alluring. It's kind of fun thinking of God as coy ;) |
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Jess,
I believe that God is playing hard to get in the sense that we must seek him in order to draw closer to Him. This is why Tozer says, "Acute desire must be present or there will be no manifestation of Christ to His people. He waits to be wanted.". There are many times in the Bible that God exhorts believers to seek him with all their heart. Jeremiah 29:13 - You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.This is when he really reveals Himself to us.
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JessIAm |
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September 13, 2007 at 4:43pm |
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| I totally agree Pastor Tim. For me, the fact that God is, well, such a gentleman (gentleGod?) that He doesn't force us to seek after Him is one reason I like him. I can trust someone God when He lets me follow Him on my terms, and will meet me where I'm at. Have you ever noticed the friends who are respectful of limits? They seem to be the friends I trust most. God is like that. |
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"Too easily satisfied with scraps from the Master's table." Wow, that is so true. When we go from church service to church service without dining daily with our Lord we are spiritually snacking, never getting filled. He is so precious and longs for our time, but won't force us to eat with him(as you mentioned in another blog). I remember a poem (please send it to me or post it if any of you know it) where God is doing so many things throughout the day to capture our attention (sunrise is one), but we are too busy and don't notice. I think it has "too busy not to pray" in it. Regardless, it shows how easily we let the world creep in and neglect our most important relationship. May we all take time to pray and seek HIM! |
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| Michelle, you are absolutely right! I like what you said regarding spiritual snacking. We must walk with God daily. |
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Grant |
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September 13, 2007 at 7:23pm |
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Tim, I used this as part of my morning devotion. It was well worth it. Thanks! |
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Ben |
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September 13, 2007 at 7:32pm |
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| Thanks also for posting the Ravi Zacharias quote - stunning! |
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Ragland |
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September 13, 2007 at 7:36pm |
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If we need to follow God, We need to follow what Jesus Christ taught us to do 2000 years back. 1.Love and Worship God with all our heart and with all our mind and with all our strength.
2. Love our neighbours ( we can expand this by our own illustrations)
When we do these two God is not allusive to us. God is well within our reach. People with natural instinct follow the world. People with spiritual instinct follow Jesus Christ as the spiritual path to reach God.
Let us examine ourselves and see where we stand.
God Bless all of us
Ragland |
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Grant, thank you for the complement. I am glad that it ministered to you. Also, I have really enjoyed your posts on anointed preaching.
Ben, Ravi is one of my favorite speakers. His website is http://www.rzim.org
Ragland, Amen. May we all examine ourselves to see where we stand. |
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Amen, Pastor Tim. A whore lays it all out there, hides nothing, and is an easy "score". A respectable woman suggests at the greater things to come, the hidden treasures, constantly putting out the message that her unseen virtues are worth the seeking. So with God. Your blog triggered the following in my mind:
As the crowds increased, Jesus said, "This is a wicked generation. It asks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.
But the faith that pleases the Lord is always sure of what is hoped for, and certain of what isn't seen. No sign is asked for. We don't ask for more to be revealed, we've seen enough to know we've fallen in love. God is indeed playing "hard to get" in a way, in order to attract a devoted lover, not someone with a short attention span.
Tim, love your blogs. Keep em coming! ~mike |
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Great thought! I too am wearied by the insatiable appetite for the spectacular. It is as if Jesus is not enough. It has been by experience that this pursuit stunts the spiritual growth of many. I love what A W Tozer said, Dr. Samuel Johnson, the famous English sage, once said that one of the surest evidences of intellectual immaturity is the desire to startle people. Yet there are Christians who have been fed upon the odd, the strange and the curious so long and so exclusively that they have become wholly unfitted spiritually to receive or to appreciate sound doctrine. They live to be startled by something new or thrilled by something wonderful. They will believe anything so long as it is just a little away from the time-honored beliefs of sober Christian men. A serious discourse calling for repentance, humbleness of mind and holiness of life is impatiently dismissed as old-fashioned, dull and lacking in "audience appeal." Yet these things are just the ones that rank highest on the list of things we need to hear, and by them we shall all be judged in that great day of Christ. A church fed on excitement is no New Testament church at all. The desire for surface stimulation is a sure mark of the fallen nature, the very thing Christ died to deliver us from. A curious crowd of baptized worldlings waiting each Sunday for the quasi-religious needle to give them a lift bears no relation whatsoever to a true assembly of Christian believers. And that its members protest their undying faith in the Bible does not change things any. "Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." |
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Kara |
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September 22, 2007 at 7:16am |
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| Ok just one thing here. The prodigal had to get out of the pig pen, the father did not go drag him out. God does not play, but He is very near. He wants you to seek him early and diligently and when you do you will be rewarded. If God is hard to find, perhaps the search is in the wrong place. |
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| That is indeed a great quote. I've seen it before, I think you may have included it in a blog. ~mike |
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Bill |
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September 29, 2007 at 7:26am |
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Good post. Ken Gire wrote a book called, "The Divine Embrace: An Invitation to the Dance of Intimacy With Christ". Gire's thesis is simple - Jesus has a desire to be close to us. He wants us to follow His lead. It is about loving and intimacy with a God who is both near to us and far away from us (immanence and transcedence, if you will). It is not about technique; it's about loving. You can either dance or sit out. What causes us to sit out is nothing but fear. Fear of looking stupid, fear of the attention it brings, fear of criticism, fear of embarrassment, fear of estrangement, the fear of not being in control of our lives, our careers, of what's coming. Then there's the fear of being uncomfortable or even being lead to a place where we may even encounter pain. If we sit out, we miss the embrace of Jesus. So remember, as a pastor, invite your people to take part in the dance and assure them their partner who is Christ is not concerned about where their feet are at or even if they can keep a beat. He's the lead. All He wants to be able to do is hold you and talk to you as you dance with Him. Come along side of them in their pain, frustration, joy. Some peoples' lives will simply unravel because they have never danced. Bring the comforting voice of Jesus to them. In fact, you might want some time on the dance floor with Him too. Peace. |
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Bonnie |
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October 08, 2007 at 1:22am |
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Pastor Tim Thanks for sharing .....The song we have all sung When the Deer panteth for the water so my soul thirthtest after thee To Pursue after God means more of Him in our lives, the thirst will be to draw from living waters that open new doors of his ways and his rhoughts, This is what we long for in our congregations as Pastors
For id we do |
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Bonnie |
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October 08, 2007 at 1:22am |
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Pastor Tim Thanks for sharing .....The song we have all sung When the Deer panteth for the water so my soul thirthtest after thee To Pursue after God means more of Him in our lives, the thirst will be to draw from living waters that open new doors of his ways and his rhoughts, This is what we long for in our congregations as Pastors
For id we do |
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Bonnie |
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October 08, 2007 at 1:22am |
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Pastor Tim Thanks for sharing .....The song we have all sung When the Deer panteth for the water so my soul thirthtest after thee To Pursue after God means more of Him in our lives, the thirst will be to draw from living waters that open new doors of his ways and his rhoughts, This is what we long for in our congregations as Pastors
For id we do |
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Bonnie |
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October 08, 2007 at 1:22am |
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Pastor Tim Thanks for sharing .....The song we have all sung When the Deer panteth for the water so my soul thirthtest after thee To Pursue after God means more of Him in our lives, the thirst will be to draw from living waters that open new doors of his ways and his rhoughts, This is what we long for in our congregations as Pastors
For id we do |
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Bonnie |
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October 08, 2007 at 1:22am |
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Pastor Tim Thanks for sharing .....The song we have all sung When the Deer panteth for the water so my soul thirthtest after thee To Pursue after God means more of Him in our lives, the thirst will be to draw from living waters that open new doors of his ways and his rhoughts, This is what we long for in our congregations as Pastors
For id we do |
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Bonnie |
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October 08, 2007 at 1:22am |
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Pastor Tim Thanks for sharing .....The song we have all sung When the Deer panteth for the water so my soul thirthtest after thee To Pursue after God means more of Him in our lives, the thirst will be to draw from living waters that open new doors of his ways and his rhoughts, This is what we long for in our congregations as Pastors
For id we do |
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Bonnie |
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October 08, 2007 at 1:22am |
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Pastor Tim Thanks for sharing .....The song we have all sung When the Deer panteth for the water so my soul thirthtest after thee To Pursue after God means more of Him in our lives, the thirst will be to draw from living waters that open new doors of his ways and his rhoughts, This is what we long for in our congregations as Pastors
For id we do |
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Bonnie |
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October 08, 2007 at 1:22am |
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Pastor Tim Thanks for sharing .....The song we have all sung When the Deer panteth for the water so my soul thirthtest after thee To Pursue after God means more of Him in our lives, the thirst will be to draw from living waters that open new doors of his ways and his rhoughts, This is what we long for in our congregations as Pastors
For id we do |
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Bonnie |
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October 08, 2007 at 1:22am |
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Pastor Tim Thanks for sharing .....The song we have all sung When the Deer panteth for the water so my soul thirthtest after thee To Pursue after God means more of Him in our lives, the thirst will be to draw from living waters that open new doors of his ways and his rhoughts, This is what we long for in our congregations as Pastors
For id we do |
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Bonnie |
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October 08, 2007 at 1:22am |
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Pastor Tim Thanks for sharing .....The song we have all sung When the Deer panteth for the water so my soul thirthtest after thee To Pursue after God means more of Him in our lives, the thirst will be to draw from living waters that open new doors of his ways and his rhoughts, This is what we long for in our congregations as Pastors
For id we do |
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Bonnie |
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October 08, 2007 at 1:22am |
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Pastor Tim Thanks for sharing .....The song we have all sung When the Deer panteth for the water so my soul thirthtest after thee To Pursue after God means more of Him in our lives, the thirst will be to draw from living waters that open new doors of his ways and his rhoughts, This is what we long for in our congregations as Pastors
For id we do |
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Bonnie |
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October 08, 2007 at 1:22am |
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Pastor Tim Thanks for sharing .....The song we have all sung When the Deer panteth for the water so my soul thirthtest after thee To Pursue after God means more of Him in our lives, the thirst will be to draw from living waters that open new doors of his ways and his rhoughts, This is what we long for in our congregations as Pastors
For id we do |
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Bonnie |
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October 08, 2007 at 1:22am |
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Pastor Tim Thanks for sharing .....The song we have all sung When the Deer panteth for the water so my soul thirthtest after thee To Pursue after God means more of Him in our lives, the thirst will be to draw from living waters that open new doors of his ways and his rhoughts, This is what we long for in our congregations as Pastors
For id we do |
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lock58 |
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October 20, 2007 at 8:10am |
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| yes i believeafter we get saved get closer and closer to the lord ,he opens are eyes to see his ways and draws us in more and more amen |
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I agree with The pastor. Without Jesus, there is nothing. How can a Man exist outside of the existance of God? its not possible! Are there many un-explored rooms in the House of the Lord? oh most definitley. And is His Power Sovereign Over all? without question. But the one common normality that I`ve found in certain passages of scripture that reveal similiar equasions or answers to questions that might reveal" Is God the Father Hard to find" or is he playing hard to get? is that, in the issue`s of Creation, we as a People were made in His Likeness and that we were carved from the Palm of His own hand. We are also taught to be imitaters of God and or the ones that are in Positions of Authority as well as imitate or adhere to their Faith. Is God Hard to Find???? Well if your Born Of the Spirit and you stand and Live in Jesus and He in you, Then? Jesus is with The Father. So no If your in Jesus then your with the Father. no man cometh unto the Father except through the Son. Remember God never called us to be Servants, Sons. Being a Child of The King is The Highest Calling ever given to Man. I have found through my issue`s with Him, That His Reality here in this Present day is More REAL than the reality that I`m dwelling in.
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| Mike, Bill, Bonnie, Lock, and Joseph, thanks so much for your comments! |
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Gene |
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October 22, 2007 at 2:53pm |
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Jairah, hopefully you're trying lots of prayer and letting go of any expectations of how God will reach out to you.
Gene |
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Bill |
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October 22, 2007 at 3:29pm |
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Jairah, I think you are doing exactly what the Lord expects. Your heart begins to cry to God for His solice and comfort and His presence. It may hurt and you may actually feel miserable. But it's the longing in your whole being that God wants (heart, soul, mind). The condemnation you experience is not from the Lord. It has a number of sources and none of them are Christ-centered and you have the right take on the self-condemnation issue. Your response of holding on, trusting and worshipping are just what He wants. May the God of all mercy meet you in a new and fresh way. |
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Pastor Tim--nice to have you bring out a very important thought to ponder. In Revelation 3:16 GOD tells us what will happen if our desire for HIM becomes "lukewarm". HE says HE will spew us out of HIS mouth. So I fear the LORD and believe every word that proceeds from HIS mouth. We are not to receive our gift of salvation, and then rest in it. We are to be disciples of CHRIST and seek to share the message of Salvation with the lost. WE, meaning we by the Spirit of GOD working through us. PRAISE GOD !! Return to that first LOVE and enjoy the fire of GOD as HE burns up our sins one by one, AMEN |
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Bill, good advice.
Thanks Drillmaster - It is important to put God first! Amen! |
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