tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14603206.post3944007297098073298..comments2023-04-28T10:53:10.258+01:00Comments on KNITMAN: TalkAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14864658805462324550noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14603206.post-90798278970701423752008-07-20T21:57:00.000+01:002008-07-20T21:57:00.000+01:00Ali, you astonish me! Our God is not only a God of...Ali, you astonish me! Our God is not only a God of justice, but of infinite MERCY.<BR/>No, there's no "justice" in human terms. Our enemies are well and truly destroyed in the next life - not by being burned in the physical sense, but in being changed utterly from enemy to friend. And those parts of us that hurt others and work against God and His/Her love are also gradually destroyed.<BR/>If they - and we - choose it.<BR/>The death of Jesus on the Cross was God coming to us and saying - I'm bringing you ALL to me - not just those of you who know the secret handshake - ALL of you. You may not see Me in it, but I'm there, loving you and guiding you. You can choose to turn the other way, but I will never give up on you. <BR/>NEVER.<BR/>That's a long time. And when the Hitlers of the Universe are healed and learn to love, what rejoicing there will be in Heaven! The Law will not longer be needed; Justice is unnecessary because Mercy and Love will abide.<BR/>And, Ali, as you well know, "the greatest of these is Love" (1 Cor. 13).<BR/>Much love,<BR/>JoanFuguesStateKnitshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14271842690827237203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14603206.post-53225298372598350882008-07-20T21:47:00.000+01:002008-07-20T21:47:00.000+01:00Hey, Colin - there's this really cool book out the...Hey, Colin - there's this really cool book out there called The Shack. It was self-published and now it's selling gazillions. In it, a man gets an inkling about the deep abiding, all-encompassing love God has for all of us. You might read it and feel otherwise - but that's OK, I'd be interested in hearing your opinion on it.<BR/>Take care and keep cool - oops I forgot you all already are in your neck of the woods, LOL!<BR/>Hugs,<BR/>JoanFuguesStateKnitshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14271842690827237203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14603206.post-91702329705680389832008-07-19T23:20:00.000+01:002008-07-19T23:20:00.000+01:00Thank you Colin. That was really important.Thank you Colin. That was really important.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14603206.post-9696398979761303732008-07-19T20:52:00.000+01:002008-07-19T20:52:00.000+01:00Colin, back when I was trying to walk the fundy pa...Colin, back when I was trying to walk the fundy path, the question Ali posed came up in a bible study discussion. It was sobering to think that Hitler and his ilk could be forgiven and earn a place in heaven if they saw Jesus in the 11th hour and said a simple "I'm sorry," and meant it sincerely. That's what the parable of the workers in the vineyard is all about. No matter when you arrive, you get the same wage as the workers who have been in it for the long haul.<BR/><BR/>I don't know what I think of all that anymore. I'm certainly not inclined to be a fundy any longer! I had small children at home and was trying to fit into the local community. I never felt completely at ease there, and didn't agree with a lot of what was said. For instance, I was never able to swallow the concept of the bible being the literal word of God. I mean, just take one basic thing, from one of the early books of the law. As a friend of mine once put it, crassly but excitedly, "God even told the Israelites where to sh*t!" And she read me a passage where God, through Moses, tells the people to go dig holes outside of their living areas, crap into them, and bury it. Does this mean, if the bible is to be taken literally, that we should all dig holes in our back yards to crap into? I think there are modern laws against such things. how evil! We are not following the literal word of God and will surely roast for it.<BR/><BR/>Oh, puh-LEEZE! If God is that petty, then who in their right mind would want to be anywhere near him?<BR/><BR/>Your speech is very moving. Thank you for sharing it here. It's great food for thought.CP Warnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536523200461430763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14603206.post-8633410499833272712008-07-19T19:43:00.000+01:002008-07-19T19:43:00.000+01:00Colin, you say:"I am here to tell you that we are ...Colin, you say:<BR/>"I am here to tell you that we are each loved, you and I, now and forever, without exception."<BR/>Does this also include "Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot etc put together", who you've already said are evil (and whose evil you say God surpasses)? Where's the justice in that?Ali the Artisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02856117192328085209noreply@blogger.com