Here's something I've been chewing on...chew on it with me...(that's gross...but follow along)

Most of the time when the Bible says something different than what life experience has shown me it’s hard to determine how to make a decision about which path to take. I know that the “Bible should read me” as we’ve heard Tyler say from time to time, but many times the issue isn’t with me disagreeing with the Bible, as much as me not trusting my understanding of what the words in front of me are telling me.

One such idea that has been hard to wrap my mind around lately has been asking for things from God through prayer, and how to interpret (and respond to) the outcome afterward. For starters in the New Testament the Bible says, “And Jesus answered saying to them, “Have faith in God. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,‘ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted to you.” Mark 11:24. This is also repeated in a few other gospels.

What’s been hard for me to swallow is that none of this receiving what I’m asking for seems to be contingent upon whether or not God really wants what I’m asking for as well (according to this verse at least). I’m not talking about these extreme cases where I ask for outlandish wealth, but what if I ask for something that seems reasonable, but it isn’t what God wants for be right now. For example say I ask for a closer group of friends, but God is wanting me to go through a trial of loneliness. What seems logical to me, is that His will would triumph mine in this case, that no amount of believing would overpower what God wants. (If you disagree with this point, please let me know with ample verses/examples.)

So if you and I are in agreement, here’s what I find tough, I’ve asked for this "something" that seems like a good thing, some gift that He has given to others, however it seems I’ve not received it. What’s tough is I’m stuck between not understanding whether my denial of this gift is because of my lack in faith or belief, or if this is a gift that God rather not give me. And further more if he’s not wanting to give it, I have to wonder if it’s a gift that I just need to be patient about receiving in the future, or if it’s something that I won’t receive at all. What’s tough about this, is that taking the outlook of needing more faith, and understanding that I won’t be receiving something at all are two very different things, and totally affect how I handle the future.

For example say it’s my life’s dream to star in High School Musical 4, (don’t worry, it’s not) being told that I just need to work harder at the part and being told that there’s not chance in *beep* that I have the part will decide whether I practice my vocals from morning to night, or move on to a different occupation. Similarly, if I thought that my lack of belief is what‘s causing me to not receive what I‘ve been praying for, I‘d take a much different direction than if I were told that the gift I‘ve asked for isn‘t for me. And the hard part about it is that these two actions are very polar; and while doing the right action for the right circumstance will provide pleasure, choosing the wrong action in both cases will be painful. If more faith/belief would have gain the prize I was seeking, but I took the path of accepting that I was never meant to receive the gift, then that stinks cause I could have had what I wanted. However if I put a lot of belief into what I’m asking for and I’m not meant to have it, then I increase my hope and it causes all the more pain when I don’t receive what I want in the end.

Please comment as openly and as freely as you’d like on this topic, but what I’d really like to see responses to are the following:

-are there some logical missteps that I took? What are they?
-are there circumstances that you’re in right now or have been through where there was something you prayed for and you didn’t seems to get an answer (or at least not a yes) and you were at this, or some crossroad where you didn’t know where to go from there?

Have a great Thanksgiving!!!

Raking Leaves

Thanksgiving Potluck

This week's potluck is Thanksgiving style:

Jera- corn on the cob
Mitchell- sweet tea and drinks
Lisa- macaroni and cheese
Leigh Ann- sausage dip and chips
Patrick- turkey/entree
Nia- cranberry sauce and pumpkin bars
Jessica- sweet potatoes

Moos, Boos, and Udders from 11-12-08

+ Jack's a Park Ranger!
+ Mr. Ivey, new care receiver
~ Hannah's trip to Indiana
~ Beth's job situation
~ Patrick's pre-qualification
- Jack's friend, Ryan
- Patrick's work friend

Moos, Boos, Udders from 11-5-08

- Hannah's student
- Jack's bad day
- Josiah
~ New president to unite country
~Matt's girlfriend's parent's adoption
+ Hannah's vacation
+ Billy's uncle trip
+ Camping trip
+ Mandy's Mom Cancer free for 2 years
+ new care receiver

Hey guys!

Tomorrow night will be our election night bash!!  WOOT!!  We will be meeting at my house at 7:00 pm: 125 Pineland Circle Raleigh,NC.  It will last until everyone trickles out.  As most of you know, the candidates actually aren't decided until late in the night/early next morning so people can stay as long or as little as they like.

E-mail me and let me know if you are coming and what dish you are bringing (patrick.i.marshall@gmail.com).  Your dish should have a fun political name...no bashing candidates though!  We are going to be welcoming to everyone.  I will be supplying drinks and one dish.  Below is what everyone is bringing so far:

Patrick - "Campaign Trail" Mix

Jera and Mitchell - "Left Wings" and "Right Wings"

Jessica - "Elephant Ears and Donkey Tails"

Matt - "Republichips and Dipocrats"

Lisa - "McBama's Mama's Mash"

Fun games like pin the tail on the donkey (or trunk on the elephant) will also ensue.  Can't wait to see everyone there! :)