Northton

I agree with most of what you wrote Northton. The one thing I disagree with is that, religion is real.
Let me explain. Religions are real all over the world (thousands of religions). Most are based on a 'creator' concept. The part that isnt real (to a lot of people) is that there is a 'creator'. I guess it is what you believe.
You have heard this line before: If you tell a lie long enough, you will start to believe it. Same goes for those who listen long enough.
Do I personally believe there is a God/creator? I dont know but I am not narrow minded and I seek the truth also. Unfortunately those who think they have found religion are just feeding the wallets of conmen disguised as preachers or whatever religious leaders title.

Next excuse please, we've already covered that one. Try to keep up TTMom

I will brother Northton! LOL Oh wait I woke up a long time ago and realize its all a well oiled money making machine designed by those who are willing and able to convince others they have no control in their own lives and that if they want to be 'SAVED' they have to believe, oh and yeah BUY the deluxe ticket into heaven.

I am so disappointed that I did hear my favorite excuse here for why they didn't get their wish...

Its because God answers EVERY request but sometimes its not in the way we expected.

Great now its an egg hunt too?? Where is my basket...I think I see a blue one over under the bushes.

I DON'T NEED THE COOKIE!!!!

WHEW! You are right Cro! I'm drenched! AhAAA!!


Okay, no cookies for you Gammies.


Yes G. Things sometimes work out for me. And sometimes they don't. I just keep on trying and working to get where I want to go.


As for prayer and crime, I say it's people coming together, nothing more, and certainly nothing less.

Nope.
Nice try though.

Matthew 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Matthew 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.



Not some things, not certain things, not needs. It says anything. I'm expecting a cool million any minute now.

Yep.
Nice try countering though.

Matt. 7:11 is precede by the rock/bread, fish/snake illustration that sets the context of "good things" in the greater previous context of needs.

Matt 18:19 is in the context of church discipline.(That passages has misused by many good-intentioned Christians)

Matt 21:22 This one is more intersting in terms of context. The very rapidly withered fig tree evoked question by the disciples ... basically "how did that happen, it is unnatural. You simple spoke and the tree died."
This is a unique "miracle" death to a tree (sorry you tree huggers) when all other miracles were healing and restoring life. This begs the question why? On the surface, it doesn't make any sense because it wasn't even harvest time. The context that follows is related to Jesus authority, an important issue. The fig tree was an object lesson faith, an important foundation for the authroity issue that follows. Like it or not, this is hyperbole. The larger context of scripture. 1 John 5:14-15 speaks of the primacy of asking according to His [God's] will. For those of us who believe, we use scripture to interpret scripture. For those who don't believe, that is fine, but the tendency is to take a passage and not consider the immdeiate or larger context (many propsperity gospel people do this too). There are things God can't do ... like contradict His character and nature. He ain't no wish granting genie at our beck and call either.

Context is king!

Thanks for pushing the issue though as your blog highlights how many Christian are guily of very sloppy thinking.

Northton, I read your blog and I have to admit, you make some good points. You are right, there are some things that a person would ask for, like world peace, and won't get answered today,or even ten years from now. But what you need to realize is God is not some genie that grants wishes. He has laws, just like those of the land. When they are broken there are consequences. 99% of our prayers are self-centered, not other centered. That's why sometimes when we pray, God won't answer. Your problem is with religion, not God, He has nothing to do with religion. Jesus is about relationship. The problem with that is we don't want to commit to Jesus in every area of our lives, just the ones that we think He fits in. My kidneys failed a year ago for the second time. I prayed that God would heal me instantly, but because I wasn't eating healthy, and taking my meds on time, should He? Don't blame God for the flawed character of man.

Dida, even if it did say needs only, there are a lot of faithful people that would tell you their needs are not being met. The dead did not get their needs met.


Of course, you will then say that God determines their needs, negating even their right to ask. Why bother asking if He will take care of you the way He wants to anyway?


This circular logic is attractive but flawed.


The needs of all will not be met. Never have, never will, despite sacrifices, worship, everything.

soooo, why ask? Because according to my worldview and according to the whole counsel of scripture God has a divine will and a permissive will. The Divine Will of God will not be changed, but issues that are in the area of God's permissive will, we are encouraged to ask. The possible answers are Yes, No, and not yet. God is more concerned with our holiness than our happiness, His primary concern is our "real needs" as opposed to our felt needs. God tells us to perseve in prayer. This may be in part because of the good character that it produces in us. At times God is ready to give to us and is simply waiting for us to ask Him. Relationship, humility, dependence upon God are interrelated... that whole James 4:1-3 thing

I know that we have talked about this stuff before and that you don't agree, but here is what I am trying to clarify that when you ask these excellent and thought provoking spiritual question, my answers come from the biblical texts, both in the immediate and larger context. Because you reject that source as authorative as I do, my answers will never satisfy you. Thats okay with me, but it doesn't mean that there isn't an answer. I truly appreciate you questions, challenges, and even you friendly (or not ;-D) provocations.