APL,

Whether you agree or not, the Bible does not command us to give thanks for only the good things. Giving thanks does not equate to calling evil good. Evil is evil whether one chooses to be thankful to God or not.

If you want to call me sick for believing the Bible, please feel free. My foundation is unmoved.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

Sin is only with those who disagree with you

So you admit it, we should give thanks for rape, child abuse and murder. And you believe it is God's will that these things take place. And you believe that the Bible says we should give thanks for these things! Rape, murder, and child abuse is evil and it is not a good thing, and we should never give thanks for evil.

For some reason you think your view makes Jesus look good. You believe Jesus is willing to allow evildoers to rape, murder, and steal because He respects their freewill more than He does that of their victims.

And your view make God look good? God wills that people are raped, abused and murdered? <shaking head in disbelief>

APL,

I have personally experienced rape and child abuse. Thankfully I have not been murdered. You know what? I can give thanks for these traumatic experiences that I have had in my life. They have helped me to be more sensitive to others who pass through similar experiences. They have helped me to know what it is like so that I can be of greater usefulness to such persons in my ministry.

Only those who have been raped may be able to understand the intense struggle required to forgive the offender/perpetrator. The feelings of hatred which the victim experience are no ordinary feelings, and seem to occur both violently and involuntarily in the victim. It takes God's help to be able to forgive. I am naturally a forgiving person, but I could not forgive in this case on my own power. It was impossible. I cannot explain it in words. But I am thankful to God that for His glory and honor I have passed through this trial, for it makes me a better gospel worker.

I debated whether or not even to share this. Perhaps I am merely casting pearls before swine. Turn again and rend me over this if you wish, but you will have God to answer to for so doing. The fact remains, I know whereof I speak. I am able to praise God for His grace to endure the trials I passed through, and in praising Him, I commit my life to His capable hands.

Here are two quotes from Mrs. White. The first one is from Ministry of Healing and shows that the giving of thanks demonstrates our faith and trust in God. The second quote shows that the Christian life should be one of constant joy and praise to God.





Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

It was NEVER God's will that you were raped or abused. NEVER. To say that God willed you to have these bad experience is not true! God can make good come out of all the evil that happens to us, but this in no way makes God responsible for the evil in the world. And on the day of final judgement, God will stand clear of blame for the existence or continuance of evil. It will be demonstrated that the divine decrees are not accessory to sin. Rape is sin. God is not accessory to sin. Murder is sin. God is not an accessory to sin. Don't blame God, making Him responsible for evil.

Thanking God is not the same as blaming Him, is it? At least, I don't look at it that way. Thanking Him means we trust Him. We trust that He will keep His promises to us, including that all things will work together for good. That doesn't mean God is "responsible" for evil, it means I trust God to take care of me, whether there is evil or good. Remember Job? Like that.

As he put it, "Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." After praising the Lord in this manner after the loss of his wealth and family, the Bible says "In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly."

It is no sin to praise the Lord in everything--for the Bible even asks that we do so.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

Job did not know why he was afflicted. What he knew, is that he could trust God, that God was not one to bring affliction on to people, but Job did not know what we know. He friends said that the trouble came on him from God, Job knew that was not the case.

What you have agreed with MM on is that it is GOD'S WILL that trouble, rape, abuse, and murder happens to people. That God can prevent any of these evils. God can't. And He can't because of the way He runs His government.

Was it God's will you were raped and abused? Was it? NO. NO. NO.

and note - don't think you are along in receiving abuse...

APL,

Life (on this planet) may not be "fair." But we all have a chance to put our trust in God. It IS God's will that we have freedom to choose. It is NOT God's will that anyone should be harmed. As long as there is no sin, there is no conflict. When sin happened, there were victims. There still are victims. This is a result of God's will to give freedom of choice. Victims are not the result of God's own choice. There is a fine line there. I hope you can see it.

It IS God's will, however, that the universe should see sufficient results of sin as to be inoculated against it forever. No one will want to return to this vomit again when once the sin experiment is over. Until then, the experiment does continue. There is still vomit. There are victims everywhere...including all of us. Some of us have received more "inoculations" than others, or in different areas of character. That is fine. No two people will have the exact same experience...but guess what? God's grace is sufficient for all.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.