The bit about transparency really hits home. I might talk about vulnerability, rather than transparency. But it’s a very similar concept.

I need other people to see that I don’t have it all together. Far far far from it.

If you have that faith your difficult road will be more bearable. For those who have not made a decision or who say that there (as gamers would say) is “no end-game,” I pose this thought: “would you rather have insurance and have it fail or not have insurance and find out in the end that you needed it?”

Responses come in many varieties, but usually in confirmation of choices and devotion. I have yet to physically hear the voice of God or know anyone of sound mind who has.

That doesn’t mean I am not touched by all of your words.

I’m unplugging for the rest of Easter weekend. My daughter just gave me a kiss as I typed that. Hmmm. Maybe it’s a hint?

Happy Easter everyone. Don’t forget to worship.

He won’t fit neatly into any category. He’s good and all-powerful, yet evil still exists. He desires our best, yet allows tragedy in our lives. The seeming contradictions are hard to resolve, so we begin to conclude that God is not who He says. Or is He?

Sometimes when we doubt it’s because our faith is about to grow. We need to wrestle with previous assumptions and discard those of our own making.

I’m still thinking about all this. I think I’ll say more on my own blog today. Seems to fit.

Fascinating post and responses. The one thing I’ll add is that the Bible is sufficient. It is sufficient for all the most important answers we need for life. I’ve gone through some really difficult life situations, and at times, the written words of the Bible were the only comfort sufficient for my situations.

Even though I might like to think otherwise at times, I’m certain that I don’t have the answers inside of me.

The eternal God created mankind, intending for us to live with him, walking in joyful dependence upon him. Our sin against each other (Re: wars, murder, racism, etc…) is just a symptom of our rebellion against God.

That’s why Jesus came – to reconcile to God a new people who are reconciled to this incomparable, eternal, loving God. That’s why for all Bible Christians, there are few days more glorious than Easter.

Not that I’m struggling with this, on the contrary, it made me quiet again and kind of peaceful as if I’m ‘on to something’.

It is a large post Mark, so allow me to quote several sentences before commenting on them (I will loose track of my on thoughts otherwise):

“although I qualify that somewhat to separate myself from folks who seem to read it as a book of answers…The Bible has one answer: Itself. In the beginning was the Word.”

I’m am with you here: the words in The Bible are not all the answers, the answers to our doubting questions (on life, on God, on the world) are in us – as in how we read those words and ‘translate’ them for ourselves.

“I know all of you share the same desire to know God intimately. We want God to speak to us.
And God does. God does speak to me, but he does so in ways that require faith.”

My ’struggle’ is with this part, struggle as in: is that what I really desire?
Part of me says yes, part of me says: no, I want to understand myself and my fellow human beings intimately. (And then I think: that’s the same principle, so I understand where Lisa’s thoughts and words in the first post came from).

Which brings me to your last question Mark: did you get an answer?
I think you did, several in fact. Confirmation that you’re not alone in doubting, confirmation that you received them by faith (your faith, my faith in humanity).

Hope this makes sense, have to think/ponder on this a while longer, and perhaps always will (which on its own is good)

My brother had a blood disease at a very young age. It required him to have to have painful bone marrow tests. He had three, and that was enough. He asked God to please not allow him to have anymore.
I came home from school one day, and he was crying. He found out that he had to have another test. Later, my mom heard him in the shower. He was crying and he was mad. He finally started talking to God, telling him how mad he was, how he had trusted Him, but He didn’t hear him. You know what? After that shower, my brother had a peace about his test.

All of that to say: God knows we’re mad. God knows we doubt. He knows we seek, we’re indifferent, we’re sad, happy…. He knows. He just wants us to acknowledge it ourselves, and then He can work with us. It’s one of the biggest lessons we learned through my brother’s illness.

So were you blasphemous? I don’t believe so. I think you were honest.