Ann Tique
TOG
The real Mrs. Bickerdyke
Am I there yet?
Posts: 800
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Post by Ann Tique on Jun 11, 2009 21:25:01 GMT
How come we thank ‘God’ for all good things around us, but when it comes to the bad stuff we’ve only got ourselves to blame?? If we can pray for help and believe it will do any good, why would our god let it happen in the first place?
Last week a friend of mine had indigestion, this week she’s got stage four liver cancer with bone metastases and will be lucky to see Christmas.
She’s one of the world’s ‘good guys’ - a primary school teacher with a young family, they go to church and go out of their way to make a positive contribution to society.
I find myself wanting to ask ‘someone’ to give her a break and let her get better, but it bugs me when I hear people talk about prayer as if it is some kind of magic wand that we wave before God to get him to do our bidding. How awfully arrogant it is when people say “I prayed and look what God did” for goodness sake - I know people who think God helped them win a tenner on the lottery, or made their train 5 minutes late when they overslept so that they still caught it !
Yes, the plight of my friend and her family is more serious than this, but on the scale of misery in the world it still ranks pretty low.
The bottom line is that it’s just not fair. Life’s not fair. There’s no magic wand, but I what I will do is wish/pray/hope … whatever …. that they have the strength, wisdom, and courage to see this crisis through and give them all the help I can.
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Post by tigerlily on Jun 11, 2009 21:43:10 GMT
*hug*
Similar thoughts have crossed my mind in the past...
All the best to your friend and her family, and to you. I'm really sorry this is happening, and I will add my good thoughts if I may.
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Post by ivy noidea on Jun 11, 2009 21:55:01 GMT
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Post by leadwellie on Jun 13, 2009 18:05:16 GMT
Ann who knows how it works, my sister inlaw died from breast cancer she was only 38 and has a young kid. but I am 53 and have no kids and have survived breast cancer. it doesnt seem fair. I'm sorry to hear about your friend and my thoughts go out to her and her family
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Post by revmichael on Jun 15, 2009 6:54:53 GMT
I'm s sorry to hear about your friend and trust that the days your friend have left may be fruitful to her and provide good memories for her family and friends. It must be terrible to have to make decisions on what can be done to get the best for your friend and what things can help her loved ones cope with their sorrow and their 'goodbye process.' Photos can be a good thing to have to aid the memory when a loved one has gone.
I get very worried when, otherwise good-meaning people, talk about prayer as if it was a magic procedure that we can go through and get the answers we needed. It isn't like that in Christian experience or teaching. Many very good people suffer all kinds of misfortune and 'rogues' get away 'Scott free.'
Whatever the case, we all send our good wishes and love (and some of us prayer for you and your friend too).
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Post by Frankleapold on Jun 16, 2009 10:05:22 GMT
I have always had a fairly positive outlook on life, perhaps its my Christian faith that keeps me that way. In the past and in the present my family have had to cope with many health problems - Crohn's Disease, Alzhemier's, End Stage Renal Failure. In my case it was the need for a life saving kidney transplant, I got my new lease of life nearly seven years ago - my life did begin again at 40.
Life can be tough ....but being positive can also be good for us all through the bad times.
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Post by revmichael on Jun 17, 2009 6:42:50 GMT
Yes Mobbs, life is (to some extent) what you make it. Some while ago when I was worried because we had a water leak in the kitchen and I had a bad result from tests about my prostate and my kidneys. I was lying in bed mulling it all over when suddenly it came to me that I was in reasonably good health for my age and I had a roof over my head and a warm bed - but huge numbers of people in the world do not have the benefit of these luxuries. Never-the-less, I do feel for those of your are really ill and pray that you will be given the grace and strength to cope and also that God will bring healing.
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Kay Ninegriptight
TOG
Blessed are the cracked for they shall let in the light
Posts: 210
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Post by Kay Ninegriptight on Jun 21, 2009 21:21:54 GMT
Oh dear, I'm so sorry to hear about your friend and it must be very hard for you too. I'm not much into prayer myself but am sending out warm thoughts that you will cope the best way you can. xxx
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Post by lily on Jun 24, 2009 22:12:15 GMT
Ann, first of all I am thinking of you and understand your frustration.
Michael, how do you explain this to distressed family/friends? I too struggle with what Ann is saying within the context of a 'God' that, on the one hand, 'allows' evil people to live and on the other 'allows' decent people to die?
That must be an impossible thing to get across to bereaved people?
xxx
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Post by Beau Leggs on Jun 25, 2009 11:07:13 GMT
....
Michael, how do you explain this to distressed family/friends? I too struggle with what Ann is saying within the context of a 'God' that, on the one hand, 'allows' evil people to live and on the other 'allows' decent people to die?
.... For someone who believes in God, can there be no greater gift than to go a stay with him for eternity. Evil folks are given time on Earth to find the error of their ways or they will be dammed forever. Alternatively, the Atheists view - Sh*t happens.
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Post by idiotmittens on Jun 25, 2009 11:55:16 GMT
Alternatively, the Atheists view - Sh*t happens. ;D Concise and well put, sir
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Post by Caddi Fuller-Teabags on Jun 25, 2009 22:02:06 GMT
I have a problem with seeing God (whatever you understand that word to mean) as all powerful. Obviously if the Divine is all loving then it cannot be all powerful and vice versa.
I know (have evidence that is enough for me) that the Divine 'is' and that it is all loving. Having found that to be true for me I take great comfort in letting that love surround me.
Lionel Blue put it clearly for me in saying that God is pure spirit and therefore has no hands so we have to be those hands. Life is not fair but love can heal.
It gives me hope. I imagine Michael is able to put it in far better (and more learned) words.
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Ann Tique
TOG
The real Mrs. Bickerdyke
Am I there yet?
Posts: 800
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Post by Ann Tique on Jul 22, 2009 23:51:03 GMT
My friend died on Sunday. 6 weeks from a bit of indigestion to 'Goodnight Vienna'.
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Post by Peek on Jul 23, 2009 9:49:01 GMT
Oh Ann I'm so sorry , condolences to you and your friend's family.
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Post by lily on Jul 25, 2009 18:06:13 GMT
I'm so sorry Ann.
*hugs* to you all
Love Lily xxx
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