tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post3981160841788848137..comments2024-03-29T09:20:16.581-05:00Comments on Pastoral Meanderings: Old devotional books. . . Pastor Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10653554256101480140noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-81801736680512741482020-11-20T08:00:09.886-06:002020-11-20T08:00:09.886-06:00Job provides the obvious answer, but I am dismayed...Job provides the obvious answer, but I am dismayed that the author did not recall John 9:<br /><br />As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”<br /><br />“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him."<br /><br />Bad things happen to good people, because it is the only way we can exercise free will and turn to God even in adversity. If good were always rewarded and evil always punished, we would be no better than Pavlov's dogs, pressing the button for the treat instead of the shock.<br /><br />John 20:29: Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”<br /><br />We glorify God in our adversity, and give thanks to him for the trials he sends to us. As Paul teaches us in Philippians 4:4-7:<br /><br />Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06451006250044197366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-2478092738615385762020-11-19T11:15:33.010-06:002020-11-19T11:15:33.010-06:00Starck's prayer book, as Pastor W. Weedon desc...Starck's prayer book, as Pastor W. Weedon describes in the introduction of the newest edition, is challenging, but good.<br /><br />Dau's intro describes leanings towards Pietism, so the reader does need to pray the prayers in the "correct" sense, i.e. as a forgiven child of God, this is how my Lord would have me live, and this I shall pursue, not to earn righteousness or reward, but simply because I cherish my Lord. jwskudhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15641383927216557610noreply@blogger.com