Why the anger?

[James_Newman]

Originally posted by SBGrace:
We know that God’s hand is in the whirlwind and we also know that this Country has been blessed by God since the beginning….

We know in the last days that Jesus prophesized these things would happen….. IMO, does God allow these things to happen… I believe he does…..

After saying that, doesn’t anyone. but me. see that these scriptures in Luke 13 pertains to this question…….

Luke 13:1 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

I think that is the scariest thing about this whole situation, that we may indeed all look forward to similar fates if we do not turn this nation from the course that she has chosen. We cannot say absolutely that this event was a judgment on NO. But was it a blessing? To say it is just a random event that God had no design for is just about blasphemy. God did not wind everything up and leave it to run it's course. We have to acknowledge His hand when we see it, and that was it.

Job 37:9-13
9 Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north.
10 By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.
11 Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud:
12 And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth.
13 He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.

God caused that whirlwind and nothing else.

 

[Johnv]

Originally posted by APuritanMindset:
Why does "everyone" (that is a generalization) get so brassed off when someone says that God was in complete control of or that He ordained something like Katrina or all the hurricanes last season or 9-11?

Because God doesn't "ordain" these things, he "allows" them. Big difference. God being in control doesn't mean He's a micromanager.

Originally posted by James_Newman:
cannot say absolutely that this event was a judgment on NO. But was it a blessing?

EVERYTHING from God is a blessing. However, we must adjust our outlook to recognizt it sometimes. For example:

A farmer is in his field. It starts to rain. The rain is a normal, natural, cyclical event. The rain is still a blessing, is it not? Of course it is. So, the farmer stays out in the rain, and eventually catches pneumonia and dies. The rain is still a blessing, but the farmer will no longer see it as such.

The problem with us Christians is not that we're being withheld blessins, but that we're so presumptuous sometimes that we don't recognize the blessings we're given.

 

[paidagogos]

Originally posted by Dr. Bob:
My son was at the Astrodome today and said that MANY of the people there would NEVER have heard the Gospel had they remained in New Orleans.

Even in this tragedy is God's hand and purpose and the saving of His own.

My son was in Australia this past summer. At the church where he was working, there was an Australian lady whose brother-in-law was on one of the trains bombed in London. He was uninjured but the incident sparked some serious thoughts on life and hereafter. You see, the Australian lady had not heard from her sister in over twenty years. They had rejected her when she became a Christian. After the bombing, the sister in England called and wanted to talk about the hereafter. They were reconciled over the telephone and the sister from Australia is visiting her sister and brother-in-law in England next year. Her desire and prayer is to lead her sister and brother-in-law to faith in Christ.

God does indeed bring good out of bad. Remember Joseph. The brothers intended it for evil but God intended it for good.

 

[James_Newman]

Originally posted by Johnv:
Because God doesn't "ordain" these things, he "allows" them. Big difference. God being in control doesn't mean He's a micromanager.

Are you getting this stuff from scripture somewhere? Or is that your own understanding?

Matthew 10:29
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

Originally posted by Johnv:

EVERYTHING from God is a blessing.

Romans 8:28
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

This is a far cry from saying God never curses anyone.

Malachi 2:2
2 If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.

 

[Johnv]

Originally posted by James_Newman:
Are you getting this stuff from scripture somewhere? Or is that your own understanding?

From scripture. The same scripture that says that even when walking in the valley, God is with me. Scripture does not say that I will be spared the walk in the valley. Unless the author of Psalm 23 got it wrong...

This is a far cry from saying God never curses anyone.

I never said God doesn't cure anyone. I concluded that lack of a cure does not mean that God is condemning the person, or that God isn't in control.

 

[James_Newman]

curse, not cure...

 

[Johnv]

Originally posted by James_Newman:
curse, not cure...

Oops! I'll revise my statement:

I never said God doesn't curse anyone. I'm simply saying that just because bad things happen in life doesn't automatically mean God is cursing us. It's just as likely to be a case of the rain falling upon the just.