Father John, Do you think God is sad, or is He disappointed?
Darryl Tarbell
on May 8, 2020 at 12:34 pm
Thank you for this. Occasionally I have had friends question my faith and recently a friend told me that she wanted to believe that if she just asks, then God wouldn’t let her get the Corona virus. I told her of Tish’s experience, and that she was a wonderful woman of great faith. But that God doesn’t “make us sick”. He is there for us but we have responsibilities to do what is right and that if we do get sick he is right beside us. I like what Dale said. I think God must get disappointed with us at times and that makes him sad.
MaryAnn DeSantis
on May 8, 2020 at 12:48 pm
What do you say to people who are angry with God or who do not believe in prayer, especially because they have had prayers go unanswered? I’m thinking of someone who lost a child. I imagine it’s hard for her to see others have their prayers answered while hers was not.
sandie jordhamo
on May 8, 2020 at 2:24 pm
Somehow, I don’t feel the need to profile God, or analyze his reasons for what goes on in todays world. I think these are the repetitive events that have occurred in the history of man. We continue to make the same bad choices that result in bad things happening. God probably keeps throwing his hands up in the air and saying ” Will they never learn?”
I prefer to trust Him, and pray that, in time, things will get better.
Edie
on May 8, 2020 at 2:39 pm
Thank you Fr John for refreshing us about our God!
Edie
Sandy
on May 8, 2020 at 3:53 pm
Again, I love the way you are talking to us…a great message.
I pray that all we do and say will be pleasing to the Lord. He’s an awesome God and we thank him and praise him for healing Tish.
Peter Lilly
on May 8, 2020 at 5:17 pm
Rich Mullins sings “My God is an Awesome God” to which I ascribe.
I reserve this adjective exclusively to God. When someone declares that there is no God, I respond: Whom else has created … all creatures great and small?
Shirl Edgerly
on May 8, 2020 at 5:51 pm
Must admit, I’ve never liked to think of God as,“ the God of the Old Testament “. Far too often He’s described as commanding someone to kill everyone in a city, all men, women and children. Find that a tough one to handle. True, we also read of all the times He keeps people out of trouble, saves them and showers them with blessings. God , as I think of Him, is a father who is strict, but forgiving. He’s loving and concerned for what He knows is best for me. So far He hasn’t indicated He minds me thinking of Him this way!
Thankyou Fr. John about God not being Angry but Sad when we are wondering “where is he?” I have not been tuning into you of late blaming it on i want to see our services start again. Well i egarely look forward to next weeks Prayer video.
Nancy Wahl
on May 8, 2020 at 8:07 pm
I think God is a loving God. He often answers our prayers almost before we ask him. He has a plan for us. We are so blessed!!
Jim
on May 8, 2020 at 9:29 pm
This is proof that church is not a structure ( building) but 2 or more people worshipping together.
The continuous, online, communication from our church leadership ( priest, deacons, etc,) to parishioners nearly on a daily basis certainly draws us closer as church members.
I still think that face to face communion be available, at least once a week, to all when limited seating in church, while gradual church
Opening.
I suggested outside of church building.
MaryAnn DeSantis
on May 8, 2020 at 9:31 pm
Shirl, this was on my mind, too, especially since we just finished reading Joshua in the Bible in One Year study. All the killing in both Joshua and Judges was hard to fathom.
Valerie Juno
on May 8, 2020 at 11:08 pm
I so enjoy these sessions. It seems to bring the message with deeper understanding. Thank you Father John. Glad you tested negative.
Diana Grant
on May 8, 2020 at 11:37 pm
Father John, this is such a beneficial exercise you have invited us to join you in. Thank you!
I believed Jesus loved me since being taken to Presbyterian Sunday School each and every Sunday. I am grateful to my grandmother and mother for taking me there when my dad was in the Pacific.
At a much later time in my life I had to learn the discipline of prayer and when I was consistent I had a spirit of knowing within that God was loving and that I could trust that spirit. I was “off track” in my life at previous times and by God’s Grace learned the benefits of what I’ve just described with consistent prayer. Acceptance of my powerlessness over many things is something I must remind myself of and at those times must wait and while doing so pray for guidance.
Father John Kelly
on May 9, 2020 at 12:35 am
Dale,
I truly believe that our personalities are based on God’s personality. So, I think of God as being “sad,” maybe when something horrific happens. Bur, disappointed when humankind does something “dumb.” (global warming). IMHO
Father John Kelly
on May 9, 2020 at 12:38 am
Daryl,
I completely agree. God is there to be with us when bad things happen. But, we have responsibility for how we live and how we treat our planet. Sometimes things just happen because this is a fallen world. It is broken. The hope we have is that we know how it all ends. Both Tish and I have had the virus. But, I can speak for her and I certainly can speak for myself. We are not angry with God. We find God in the solution. He is and was not part of the problem.
Father John Kelly
on May 9, 2020 at 12:42 am
Well, I think, people have to own their feelings and go ahead and be angry with God. Good news is, He can take it and He doesn’t mind. Tish and I experienced the stillbirth of twins. I was very angry with God. I sure never felt Him saying, “Who do you think you are!” :). God is very understanding with our negative emotions. In fact, I think the more honest we are with our feelings toward Him, the more we work them out. Read the Psalms! There are some really, really angry Psalms.
Father John Kelly
on May 9, 2020 at 12:42 am
Thank you, Edie.
I am really enjoying do this!
Father John Kelly
on May 9, 2020 at 12:43 am
Sandy,
The nice thing is we have already pleased Him. Just getting up in the morning and saying “Thank you,” absolutely puts a smile on the Father’s face… 🙂
Father John Kelly
on May 9, 2020 at 12:46 am
Ha! True… I think there is more faith to think this all happened by chance than to believe a Creator or “Intelligence” formed the Universe. There are interesting things on the web simply talking about the complexity of the human eye. To think that “chance” or rolling the dice could have knit that together? That is even harder to believe…
Father John Kelly
on May 9, 2020 at 12:48 am
Shirl,
I always want to remember that the writers of the Old Testament were writing at a particular period and time. C. S. Lewis talks about the writers seeing Father God in the mist, in a sense. It took a few millennia to understand the revelation of a loving God.
Father John Kelly
on May 9, 2020 at 12:49 am
Thanks Darlene,
It is a special thing to do, truly,
Fr. John
Father John Kelly
on May 9, 2020 at 12:50 am
Bob,
I am looking forward to the services starting up again too. We want to keep everyone safe, of course. Hopefully, we will have an announcement by next weekend.
Father John Kelly
on May 9, 2020 at 12:52 am
Nancy,
Whenever I wonder where God is, I remember an old idea: “where did God go? Well, no where… so who moved?” When I am going through a hard time, that is when I need to pray more. U are right, we are so blessed.
Fr. J+
Sarah Ralph
on May 9, 2020 at 1:20 am
I agree with Dale. I loved your analogy regarding your friend who upset the table of games you were playing…I pictured God doing the same thing throwing his arms up not in anger but in frustration. I know God hears our Prayers – the proof is in the pudding….just look at Tish. Thank you again for taking time to talk with and to us.
Dorcas Miller
on May 9, 2020 at 9:49 am
Very good thoughts, Fr. John. I know the Lord hears us and I am thankful.
Thank you for your inspiration.
Linda Czumak
on May 10, 2020 at 11:56 am
I do believe that our prayer life is shaped by the lens we see God through. Early church life and life’s experiences skewed the way I saw Him. God was looming and angry and Jesus was for little children so as an adult it was difficult for me to know how to pray. It was a gradual process and, finally, through inner healing prayer the lenses changed and my relationship with our wonderful God became personal and intimate. I know God weeps with us, laughs with us and walks with us, regardless of our circumstances. Yes, he may get disappointed, but He also rejoices with us.
Joyce Mitchell
on May 20, 2020 at 11:18 pm
Another good session. Thank God for Jesus and the New Testament. It’s hard to wrap yourself around the God in the book of Judges in the OT. Looking forward to the next session
Father John, Do you think God is sad, or is He disappointed?
Thank you for this. Occasionally I have had friends question my faith and recently a friend told me that she wanted to believe that if she just asks, then God wouldn’t let her get the Corona virus. I told her of Tish’s experience, and that she was a wonderful woman of great faith. But that God doesn’t “make us sick”. He is there for us but we have responsibilities to do what is right and that if we do get sick he is right beside us. I like what Dale said. I think God must get disappointed with us at times and that makes him sad.
What do you say to people who are angry with God or who do not believe in prayer, especially because they have had prayers go unanswered? I’m thinking of someone who lost a child. I imagine it’s hard for her to see others have their prayers answered while hers was not.
Somehow, I don’t feel the need to profile God, or analyze his reasons for what goes on in todays world. I think these are the repetitive events that have occurred in the history of man. We continue to make the same bad choices that result in bad things happening. God probably keeps throwing his hands up in the air and saying ” Will they never learn?”
I prefer to trust Him, and pray that, in time, things will get better.
Thank you Fr John for refreshing us about our God!
Edie
Again, I love the way you are talking to us…a great message.
I pray that all we do and say will be pleasing to the Lord. He’s an awesome God and we thank him and praise him for healing Tish.
Rich Mullins sings “My God is an Awesome God” to which I ascribe.
I reserve this adjective exclusively to God. When someone declares that there is no God, I respond: Whom else has created … all creatures great and small?
Must admit, I’ve never liked to think of God as,“ the God of the Old Testament “. Far too often He’s described as commanding someone to kill everyone in a city, all men, women and children. Find that a tough one to handle. True, we also read of all the times He keeps people out of trouble, saves them and showers them with blessings. God , as I think of Him, is a father who is strict, but forgiving. He’s loving and concerned for what He knows is best for me. So far He hasn’t indicated He minds me thinking of Him this way!
Another great session. Thank you Fr. John
Thankyou Fr. John about God not being Angry but Sad when we are wondering “where is he?” I have not been tuning into you of late blaming it on i want to see our services start again. Well i egarely look forward to next weeks Prayer video.
I think God is a loving God. He often answers our prayers almost before we ask him. He has a plan for us. We are so blessed!!
This is proof that church is not a structure ( building) but 2 or more people worshipping together.
The continuous, online, communication from our church leadership ( priest, deacons, etc,) to parishioners nearly on a daily basis certainly draws us closer as church members.
I still think that face to face communion be available, at least once a week, to all when limited seating in church, while gradual church
Opening.
I suggested outside of church building.
Shirl, this was on my mind, too, especially since we just finished reading Joshua in the Bible in One Year study. All the killing in both Joshua and Judges was hard to fathom.
I so enjoy these sessions. It seems to bring the message with deeper understanding. Thank you Father John. Glad you tested negative.
Father John, this is such a beneficial exercise you have invited us to join you in. Thank you!
I believed Jesus loved me since being taken to Presbyterian Sunday School each and every Sunday. I am grateful to my grandmother and mother for taking me there when my dad was in the Pacific.
At a much later time in my life I had to learn the discipline of prayer and when I was consistent I had a spirit of knowing within that God was loving and that I could trust that spirit. I was “off track” in my life at previous times and by God’s Grace learned the benefits of what I’ve just described with consistent prayer. Acceptance of my powerlessness over many things is something I must remind myself of and at those times must wait and while doing so pray for guidance.
Dale,
I truly believe that our personalities are based on God’s personality. So, I think of God as being “sad,” maybe when something horrific happens. Bur, disappointed when humankind does something “dumb.” (global warming). IMHO
Daryl,
I completely agree. God is there to be with us when bad things happen. But, we have responsibility for how we live and how we treat our planet. Sometimes things just happen because this is a fallen world. It is broken. The hope we have is that we know how it all ends. Both Tish and I have had the virus. But, I can speak for her and I certainly can speak for myself. We are not angry with God. We find God in the solution. He is and was not part of the problem.
Well, I think, people have to own their feelings and go ahead and be angry with God. Good news is, He can take it and He doesn’t mind. Tish and I experienced the stillbirth of twins. I was very angry with God. I sure never felt Him saying, “Who do you think you are!” :). God is very understanding with our negative emotions. In fact, I think the more honest we are with our feelings toward Him, the more we work them out. Read the Psalms! There are some really, really angry Psalms.
Thank you, Edie.
I am really enjoying do this!
Sandy,
The nice thing is we have already pleased Him. Just getting up in the morning and saying “Thank you,” absolutely puts a smile on the Father’s face… 🙂
Ha! True… I think there is more faith to think this all happened by chance than to believe a Creator or “Intelligence” formed the Universe. There are interesting things on the web simply talking about the complexity of the human eye. To think that “chance” or rolling the dice could have knit that together? That is even harder to believe…
Shirl,
I always want to remember that the writers of the Old Testament were writing at a particular period and time. C. S. Lewis talks about the writers seeing Father God in the mist, in a sense. It took a few millennia to understand the revelation of a loving God.
Thanks Darlene,
It is a special thing to do, truly,
Fr. John
Bob,
I am looking forward to the services starting up again too. We want to keep everyone safe, of course. Hopefully, we will have an announcement by next weekend.
Nancy,
Whenever I wonder where God is, I remember an old idea: “where did God go? Well, no where… so who moved?” When I am going through a hard time, that is when I need to pray more. U are right, we are so blessed.
Fr. J+
I agree with Dale. I loved your analogy regarding your friend who upset the table of games you were playing…I pictured God doing the same thing throwing his arms up not in anger but in frustration. I know God hears our Prayers – the proof is in the pudding….just look at Tish. Thank you again for taking time to talk with and to us.
Very good thoughts, Fr. John. I know the Lord hears us and I am thankful.
Thank you for your inspiration.
I do believe that our prayer life is shaped by the lens we see God through. Early church life and life’s experiences skewed the way I saw Him. God was looming and angry and Jesus was for little children so as an adult it was difficult for me to know how to pray. It was a gradual process and, finally, through inner healing prayer the lenses changed and my relationship with our wonderful God became personal and intimate. I know God weeps with us, laughs with us and walks with us, regardless of our circumstances. Yes, he may get disappointed, but He also rejoices with us.
Another good session. Thank God for Jesus and the New Testament. It’s hard to wrap yourself around the God in the book of Judges in the OT. Looking forward to the next session