Two people marked for death and talking it over
May 7, 2020 10:36:13 #
After 39 days of radiation for my prostate cancer, and a month of waiting for results, I was pretty much granted a stay of execution...for now: PSA nearly zero, no visible spread, apparent full remission. Praise the Lord! Or maybe not. This may seem ungrateful or an odd question but is it favor or rejection? I have been denied heaven...for now. Of course, part of me sees it as favor, a big and merciful favor, but which part?
My former boss at KVBA Vision Broadcasting, a local Christian TV station in NM, is a devout and dedicated soldier of Christ, 38 years as head of that ministry. He went to hospital about 6 months ago over an unrelated health problem when he had a severe stroke in the doctor's office that gave him little chance of survival or of ever being fully functional again. By the grace of God he survived and is on a path of almost complete recovery. He and I talked recently about the implications of our seemingly miraculous healings. We both agreed from the start it all had to do with God's plan, not really us in particular. Or could that also be true?
This conversation started with just praise to Jesus for our recovery, and that led me to joke (kinda) about how “lucky” Christians survivors when others didn't thanked God for it. I said, 'they were knock, knock, knocking at heaven's door' and God slammed shut the pearly gates to them. A seeming rejection, of sorts. Why thank God for that? Had they thought of where they would rather be? And if so, why be grateful for living? He laughed and then, after a silence, said, “Curious.”
Bill is different than me. He is surrounded and loved by his three children and ten grandchildren, with twins on the way: everything, in a way, to live for and look forward to. This existence is vital to him. What we eventually concluded after over an hour is that God relies heavily on our human emotions and ties to convey his message, love, and mercy even though our soul, which is just the direction and summary of our human condition, may ignore, distort, or re-purpose for the sake of perceived practical problems of being.
In all this, the key we agreed at the end was in Hebrews 12: “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Soul and spirit are distinct. Soul is our earthly concerns and spirit that of God. No matter how much faith we have, no matter how devout or dedicated we may appear, soul will usually be in denial or resistance to spirit. The worldly is a very strong fetter and barrier.
Conclusion: We submit with full unquestioning faith and love to his decisions in our lives; our questioning may appear reasonable, but it is just fear or pride masquerading as wisdom.
My former boss at KVBA Vision Broadcasting, a local Christian TV station in NM, is a devout and dedicated soldier of Christ, 38 years as head of that ministry. He went to hospital about 6 months ago over an unrelated health problem when he had a severe stroke in the doctor's office that gave him little chance of survival or of ever being fully functional again. By the grace of God he survived and is on a path of almost complete recovery. He and I talked recently about the implications of our seemingly miraculous healings. We both agreed from the start it all had to do with God's plan, not really us in particular. Or could that also be true?
This conversation started with just praise to Jesus for our recovery, and that led me to joke (kinda) about how “lucky” Christians survivors when others didn't thanked God for it. I said, 'they were knock, knock, knocking at heaven's door' and God slammed shut the pearly gates to them. A seeming rejection, of sorts. Why thank God for that? Had they thought of where they would rather be? And if so, why be grateful for living? He laughed and then, after a silence, said, “Curious.”
Bill is different than me. He is surrounded and loved by his three children and ten grandchildren, with twins on the way: everything, in a way, to live for and look forward to. This existence is vital to him. What we eventually concluded after over an hour is that God relies heavily on our human emotions and ties to convey his message, love, and mercy even though our soul, which is just the direction and summary of our human condition, may ignore, distort, or re-purpose for the sake of perceived practical problems of being.
In all this, the key we agreed at the end was in Hebrews 12: “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Soul and spirit are distinct. Soul is our earthly concerns and spirit that of God. No matter how much faith we have, no matter how devout or dedicated we may appear, soul will usually be in denial or resistance to spirit. The worldly is a very strong fetter and barrier.
Conclusion: We submit with full unquestioning faith and love to his decisions in our lives; our questioning may appear reasonable, but it is just fear or pride masquerading as wisdom.
May 7, 2020 10:38:25 #
rumitoid wrote:
After 39 days of radiation for my prostate cancer,... (show quote)
Glad for both of you... Stay safe. .
May 7, 2020 13:07:22 #
May 11, 2020 11:00:24 #
rumitoid wrote:
After 39 days of radiation for my prostate cancer,... (show quote)
God's will is always best. IMHO this one of your best posts because you seek answers humbly. I will be praying for you and your friend, boss. Leaving this earth with the promise of heaven should be a no-brainer, however, even the holiest may wonder as we step out into the known unknown. Without faith it is impossible to please God.
May 12, 2020 10:12:43 #
Armageddun wrote:
God's will is always best. IMHO this one of your best posts because you seek answers humbly. I will be praying for you and your friend, boss. Leaving this earth with the promise of heaven should be a no-brainer, however, even the holiest may wonder as we step out into the known unknown. Without faith it is impossible to please God.
Wow, that is so kind. Thank you. How have you been? Well, I hope. Stay safe.
May 14, 2020 09:29:43 #
rumitoid wrote:
Wow, that is so kind. Thank you. How have you been? Well, I hope. Stay safe.
So far so good. All is well.
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