tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262459749823718967.post567888287912375332..comments2023-03-11T02:24:42.511-06:00Comments on Both Sides of the Lamp Post: Recognized by His Wounds: What good is a suffering God?Melissa Bolinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11947666806768150776noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262459749823718967.post-75366617945272719472013-12-10T14:36:19.654-06:002013-12-10T14:36:19.654-06:00Yes, of course, for your personal use. Thank you ...Yes, of course, for your personal use. Thank you for asking. :-)Melissa Bolinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11947666806768150776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262459749823718967.post-49639786480045946122013-12-10T13:33:13.541-06:002013-12-10T13:33:13.541-06:00may I copy paste this into my documents? may I copy paste this into my documents? Chris P's Minis and Morehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07145437817646610511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262459749823718967.post-67157078953291039772012-06-15T16:01:36.040-05:002012-06-15T16:01:36.040-05:00Joni, thanks for taking the time to read it and po...Joni, thanks for taking the time to read it and post your thoughts. :-) There are times when we do become stronger after tragedy, but I have seen too many people and/or families fall apart after tragedy to believe that God allows suffering for the purpose of making us stronger. (I know there are many people who would disagree with me.) There are too many people that don't become stronger - they become bitter, angry, disillusioned, or at worst, commit suicide. I'm not aware of anything Jesus ever says that attempts to explain suffering - I'd be interested to know if anyone else does. I know that Jesus weeps with his friends and heals illness and feeds the hungry, and teaches us to take care of the sick and the poor. On the cross, God Incarnate manifested as the Son actually feels forsaken by God - that's pretty amazing that God would feel forsaken by himself, which is what it amounts to. So even God felt what the psalmist felt when he said, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me." Even God felt doubt and fear and lonliness. Our hope comes from the Resurrection, knowing that death isn't the last word, but hope doesn't erase doubt - they exist together on earth. Hope for eternal life doesn't make everything ok for those still on earth. It comforts me to know that God knows exactly how I feel, and I hold on to the hope that my parents are together again with their families that have gone on before, and that there are no tears where they are, but I still feel lonely and anything but strong.Melissa Bolinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11947666806768150776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262459749823718967.post-12621482732469980232012-06-15T10:14:55.187-05:002012-06-15T10:14:55.187-05:00Sitting here deciding what to comment after readin...Sitting here deciding what to comment after reading your sermon, I again remember that this weekend is Father's Day; the first one without our dads. It is comforting to know my dad is spending this Father's Day with his earthly father and God the Father in heaven! <br /><br />I believe all the suffering God allows us to endure here on earth is to make us stronger and to bring us closer to Him. It keep us on the path toward heaven where, it says in the Bible, there will be no more suffering. I know from experience that because we are strong through our sufferings/hard times, we are a testament/positive influence to others. Many times I have said to friends and have heard "knowing you got through this I know I can get through it, too." "<br />We need to fear and love God above all things."Joninoreply@blogger.com