When God lets you down

[amadeus]

Haha! British .....well it was in the part of the country where we lived.
Idioms vary all over England.

It would be a bit more like 'sulking' and 'navel gazing' than just grumbling. :)

I also am familiar with it from where I grew up in California. It reminds me of "My Fair Lady" with Audrey Hepburn as a poor cockney speaking flower seller and the phonetic expert [Rex Harrison] who was able to recognize a person's precise place of origin by his/her words and pronunciation used. He took her in to teach her 'good' English and win a bet.

I was in the mulligrubs when I first read your above response because I could not immediately remember the name of the movie.

 

[amadeus]

I feel for baby boomers, who were here for ozzie and harriet, honestly.

I recall watching Ozzie and Harriet on prime time on our black and white TV. The signal came through the air & was caught by our TV antenna. Ricky, not little Ricky [Lucy's], was still a little boy who had not sung a song that made the Hit Parade yet. Am I speaking a foreign language here? If I were to tell you that I heard it on the radio before we had a TV would anyone be with me on that?

 

[bbyrd009]

I recall watching Ozzie and Harriet on prime time on our black and white TV. The signal came through the air & was caught by our TV antenna. Ricky, not little Ricky [Lucy's], was still a little boy who had not sung a song that made the Hit Parade yet. Am I speaking a foreign language here? If I were to tell you that I heard it on the radio before we had a TV would anyone be with me on that?

what's a radio

 

[bbyrd009]

I recall watching Ozzie and Harriet on prime time on our black and white TV. The signal came through the air & was caught by our TV antenna. Ricky, not little Ricky [Lucy's], was still a little boy who had not sung a song that made the Hit Parade yet. Am I speaking a foreign language here? If I were to tell you that I heard it on the radio before we had a TV would anyone be with me on that?

LOL, but seriously, am I gathering the Ricky, big Ricky, not Lucy's little Ricky, was Ozzie and Harriet's son or something? Otherwise I'm not sure what Ricky were talking about because I've never seen Ozzie and Harriet or heard them on the radio if they're not a television show. "Ozzie and Harriet" kind of refers to an era more than just a TV show, if you get me.

 

[amadeus]

what's a radio

Yes, precisely! What people call radio now is not what it was then. When I would get home from elementary school before my family had a TV I would lay down on the floor next to the big console radio to listen to some of my favorite programs, such as Inner Sanctum, The Shadow, The Lone Ranger, Big John & Sparky, and yes, Ozzie & Harriet who were on the radio before they were on TV.

 

[amadeus]

LOL, but seriously, am I gathering the Ricky, big Ricky, not Lucy's little Ricky, was Ozzie and Harriet's son or something? Otherwise I'm not sure what Ricky were talking about because I've never seen Ozzie and Harriet or heard them on the radio if they're not a television show. "Ozzie and Harriet" kind of refers to an era more than just a TV show, if you get me.

In need of a translation? Lucille Ball's first popular TV show in the early 1950's was I Love Lucy. Her real husband, Rickey, was also her husband, Rickey, on the show. Their real child both on and off of TV was called Little Rickey to distinguish between him and his father.

Ozzie & Harriet Nelson played themselves on their show along with their two sons, David and Rickey. Ricky Nelson was just the little brother of the family until he sang a song on one show. Soon he became a popular singer but he died at age 45 in a plane crash.

 

[Giuliano]

Yes, precisely! What people call radio now is not what it was then. When I would get home from elementary school before my family had a TV I would lay down on the floor next to the big console radio to listen to my favorite programs, such as The Shadow, The Lone Ranger, Big John & Sparky, and yes, Ozzie & Harriet who were on the radio before they were on TV.

I never heard of Big John & Sparky. I listen to old time radio stations and never ran across it on them either. I'm listening to an episode of Gunsmoke now.

 

[Prayer Warrior]

All believers have a certain discernment due to their having the Holy Spirit. But others are given that special gift of discernment of spirits. I cannot tell which you have, as I said earlier, it would be necessary for your fellowship to observe and make that decision. But, make no mistake, even if you don't have a fellowship you attend, you still have a gift, and possibly more than one.

satan does indeed hate the believer, every believer, and his use of his gift from the Holy Spirit. And he comes against every believer to destroy if he can, or to hinder if he can, the use of that gift. And he is very good at it. Every believer is a threat to his kingdom. And every believer is involved in the spiritual warfare whether he wants to be or not. He is either held in check at present or he is standing and moving against the enemy.

I'm not saying what gift you may or may not have, but rest assured, God makes no mistakes in giving the gifts. Like so many other areas, He simply does not ask us. But we are encouraged to seek certain gifts. (1 Cor. 12:31) (1 Cor. 14:39) So, I believe through prayer we can acquire a gift if we seek it.

I love observing the natural instinct in animals. Because it is deer season I have a lot of deer come through. Sometimes I don't see them till I am walking right up on them. I'm not a deer hunter so I don't bother them. If I am just making normal noises while walking, such as coughing or singing a song, they don't bolt. But if I tried to sneak up on them in silence, they are outta-here. I have come as close as 5-10 yards and walked by a group of 4-5 deer. They were watching intently, but their tails weren't up meaning they were not concerned enough yet to run. They watched me go by for quite awhile, and then went back to grazing.

Stranger

A few years ago, as I was walking to my car in the woods, a deer start snorting at me and stomping. I had never seen this, so it was kind of freaky. I got to my car safely, but I wondered if it might charge me.

 

[amadeus]

I never heard of Big John & Sparky. I listen to old time radio stations and never ran across it on them either. I'm listening to an episode of Gunsmoke now.

Big John & Sparky was a program for little kids, which for a long time after most other kids had moved on, I was a little kid still interested in little kid things.

I suspect it was some kind of a local program rather than a national of widely broadcast. I forget the details, but Sparky was similar to Pinnochio in that he was not a real flesh and blood boy but wanted to become one. Big John was a man, a human being, who was his friend and tried to help him. More than that I cannot remember.

I also listened to the radio versions of Gunsmoke, with William Conrad in the title role. He made TV as a private detective later on but did not have the looks or physique I guess to play as a Matt Dillon, U.S. Marshall type when people could see him.

 

[Stranger]

A few years ago, as I was walking to my car in the woods, a deer start snorting at me and stomping. I had never seen this, so it was kind of freaky. I got to my car safely, but I wondered if it might charge me.

I have never had one stomp at me. When they are startled or sense danger they will make a type of snort that sounds more like a wheeze. You may have heard it before in the woods and not known what it was. I think it also serves the purpose of warning other deer that man is in the woods.

Just yesterday after writing about this, I went to do some clearing in the woods. After awhile I got tired and sat down to rest on a log. So I sat there quietly for about 15 minutes and I see this 6 point buck come out of the brush. I was downwind of him so he had no idea I was there. He was going to come right up to me if I didn't do something. And it would have scared him to death. So I started humming a song and got his attention. He gave one of those intense gazes and then gave one of those wheeze snorts and his tail went up and he left quickly but not in a panic. And I heard him give several of those wheezes even as he got farther away, so I believe they are to warn other deer.

But, like I said, I have never had one stomp at me. So, you probably did the right thing in getting in your car. I used to raise rabbits. And when they sense danger they will stomp with one of their feet as a warning to others.

Stranger

 

[bbyrd009]

Yes, precisely! What people call radio now is not what it was then. When I would get home from elementary school before my family had a TV I would lay down on the floor next to the big console radio to listen to some of my favorite programs, such as Inner Sanctum, The Shadow, The Lone Ranger, Big John & Sparky, and yes, Ozzie & Harriet who were on the radio before they were on TV.

so, i got this vision of how what we call bubbles get started yesterday...lol
didnt know those were radio shows first though, hmm
that was back when we still had imaginations to use, huh
i dont wanna talk anymore bc ill make everyone cry prolly

but if yall could go take about an 1/8 of psylocybin and get naked and sit in a cave for about a week thatd be great imo, we could maybe talk then lol
j/k

 

[bbyrd009]

In need of a translation? Lucille Ball's first popular TV show in the early 1950's was I Love Lucy. Her real husband, Rickey, was also her husband, Rickey, on the show. Their real child both on and off of TV was called Little Rickey to distinguish between him and his father.

Ozzie & Harriet Nelson played themselves on their show along with their two sons, David and Rickey. Ricky Nelson was just the little brother of the family until he sang a song on one show. Soon he became a popular singer but he died at age 45 in a plane crash.

ha and we thought reality tv was a new thang huh. The plane crash of the youngest son i dont wanna comment for the same reason i gave above, even the 45 is screaming at us imo dang

 

[bbyrd009]

we live in paradise yall
dont forget to invite someone who doesnt deserve it too
iyo to share a little this festivus imo
sure they might steal somethin, but so what really

 

[Prayer Warrior]

I have never had one stomp at me. When they are startled or sense danger they will make a type of snort that sounds more like a wheeze. You may have heard it before in the woods and not known what it was. I think it also serves the purpose of warning other deer that man is in the woods.

Just yesterday after writing about this, I went to do some clearing in the woods. After awhile I got tired and sat down to rest on a log. So I sat there quietly for about 15 minutes and I see this 6 point buck come out of the brush. I was downwind of him so he had no idea I was there. He was going to come right up to me if I didn't do something. And it would have scared him to death. So I started humming a song and got his attention. He gave one of those intense gazes and then gave one of those wheeze snorts and his tail went up and he left quickly but not in a panic. And I heard him give several of those wheezes even as he got farther away, so I believe they are to warn other deer.

But, like I said, I have never had one stomp at me. So, you probably did the right thing in getting in your car. I used to raise rabbits. And when they sense danger they will stomp with one of their feet as a warning to others.

Stranger

I didn't know that deer did this. I wonder if it was a doe with a baby nearby. I was parking on a friend's unpaved service driveway. I know that the deer bedded down there because I got a swarm of baby deer ticks on my foot from just standing on the pine straw at the edge of the driveway. I had never seen anything like this before. The ticks were so small that I couldn't figure out what they were at first. I got tons of bites.

 

[Soverign Grace]

Sis, I cannot for the life of me appreciate the frustration you must be experiencing, having never had anything to do with courts, corruption, lawyers, our shonky politicians even. I must live a charmed life.
There is one thing though that God revealed to me many years ago. In these last days there is going to be such turmoil upon the earth, that the only way any Christian well survive, is through 100% faith and trust in God, and nothing else. In order to prepare us for that He had to show us the unreliability and the vain hope we have in placing our trust in anything our anyone other than God. Institutions, be they government or church, will collapse taking down everything and everyone that cleaves to them. There is not one entity on this planet that week be sable to provide help or support. All our former support structures such as social welfare..superannuation...Medicare...insurances etc etc etc, will collapse and fail. So don't be shocked or even mildly surprised that people or institutions that would normally be trustworthy and reliable, are found to be impotent to help and do anything that would normally be expected of them. The world today and everything in it is already doomed to destruction...The only thing that will remain after all is said and done will be the characters we developed by facing the monsters.

Well-said. I never dealt with much growing up - there was a certain expectation of decency it seemed years ago that today is gone. There is hardly any honor today. My husband says "what ever made you think the world was fair?" Yet God places within us a sense of justice yet it seems He doesn't always help us when we face institutionalized corruption. No one knows just how corrupt things really are until you have to deal with the system.

The pastor at our bible study last night brought up forgiveness and how we're to always forgive. So last night I did pray for the corrupt individuals involved. I wondered if that was what God wanted.

I've found that faith can sometimes be tested beyond the limits of our endurance. I told of a lawyer I know who walked away from God after handling priest sex abuse cases. How do you hold onto faith in a good God after listening to such horrors? I was badly injured and walked away from God - I was angry. He didn't miraculously cure me - it's been a long and difficult road but I came back to Him - because there was nothing else. So on top of all that I had to deal with overt corruption - it was as if God spoke to Satan:

"And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?" Job 1:8

And God gave Satan the right to throw his most fiery darts and torments. So I know that we're tested and it doesn't tickle. So my faith has been tested by fiery trials - and Scripture means those exact words - they are fiery. Scripture was dead-on there. But I see some people who don't seem to be tested like the lawyer and I and I wonder why. Why did God test Job and not others?

I know that my questions have been asked by others down through the ages and I've never read of any satisfactory explanations. The only thing that does make sense is Scripture when it says we're tested. But why some and not others? I can't help but envy my friend whose life has gone on smoothly.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

And the whole point of Him working in us is to erradicate our feeble human faith, so as to install HIS FAITH, whereby we will be able to FULLY trust God the Father, as Jesus did. Job 13:15.

As I did say:
The Faith of Jesus (Revelation 14:12), is to simply trust in God, NO MATTER where He leads you, and/or what the circumstances are. It is one of the GIFTS OF His Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12

That is what our pain and suffering (chastisement) is all about. Are we in that state of mind as was Job?
Only by the the Lord's Gift faith, being that of Jesus' own faith, are we able to endure all suffering, even persecution unto death.

I do agree that everything He allows us to suffer is to increase our trust. But I also agree with what the others have said in here - Its difficult and is a struggle, and if it has made us feel that God is being mean, I think we should admit it in honesty.

 

[Soverign Grace]

If your fellowship does not hold to the gifts of the Spirit, then it will be difficult for you to find out, but not impossible. They will still be prone to give credence to what it is God is doing through you though they may be unwilling to call it a gift. I will say this, it will be something that is very natural for you to do among His people. You don't think about having to do it because it is your gift, you just naturally do it. In other words, if someone comes up to me and says I have the gift of teaching but a problem in wanting to study the Bible. I tell them immediately you don't have a gift of teaching. One who has the gift of teaching can't get enough of Bible study.

Naw, I'm not a deer hunter. Probably due to 'Bambi' at an early age. But, don't misunderstand. I would if I had to. I have raised plenty of animals for meat and killed them and butchered them myself. I raised hogs for a while and you get a whole lot of meat back from them. Deer just don't seem to be worth the work in cleaning them for the amount of meat you get.

I find it interesting that you are vegetarian, and have been for so long. I of course am not. For what it is worth, I have held the opinion, and still do, that being a vegetarian may well make you more susceptible to demonic oppression or depression. I don't discount how healthy you are or the benefits you say it has on you. But I believe that disregarding meat to eat is not Scriptural. I hope this doesn't disappoint you, as I'm sure you have heard the arguments before.

In the Bible you can find the gifts in (1 Cor. 12-14) (Rom. 12:3-16) (Eph. 4:1-16)

Stranger

I was disappointed that the churches we attended didn't focus on the gifts and I'm older and still don't know what mine is. My husband and I are first generational Christians so we had to bumble through churches until we found one that we felt right at.

I don't think that about meat-eating at all - I loathe the killing of animals to eat them. Prior to the fall there was no animal eating. So man's original diet consisted of no meat.

Genesis 1:29 - And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which [is] upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which [is] the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

I could not eat meat - it gags me. I remember I was 16 and drove to McDonalds for a hamburger; I ate a few bites and threw it out and never ate meat again. it absolutely makes me sick. I don't eat anything that ever had a face and don't believe God would want me to gag. Even eggs make me sick sometimes. I read that meat remains in your stomach for 8 hours after eating it. When in high school I had to do a report on the meat industry that was nauseating. You may want to watch the documentary "The truth about chicken" and other documentaries on the diseased meat being sold.

There are these verses though I'm unsure of their meaning; God has not opened it up to me yet:

Romans 14:21 - [It is] good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor [any thing] whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.


1 Corinthians 8:13 - Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

This verse is obvious:

Proverbs 23:20-21 - Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:

My husband went hunting one time and told me he killed an animal and he could never go hunting again. He still eats meat on occasion but is mostly a vegetarian also. And people have remarked on how youthful and good we both look so I believe that our diet is a healthy one.

 

[Soverign Grace]

I do agree that everything He allows us to suffer is to increase our trust. But I also agree with what the others have said in here - Its difficult and is a struggle, and if it has made us feel that God is being mean, I think we should admit it in honesty.

God tells us He wants "truth in our inmost being" and so I agree with you - I think we should be honest about how we truly feel. I know sometimes Christians try to act like everything is great and they stuff their feelings down but I don't think that's an authentic faith. I was grateful that Stranger said that he couldn't deal with people as God does as sometimes you wonder how He can look on and watch His children suffer. I've had those same thoughts and it's good when Christians can be emotionally honest.

I will be quick to point out however, that in the midst of hardships I have been greatly blessed, so I'll be honest about that as well.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

I know this isn't physical suffering as you have related, SG, but, as far as growing in trust, one of my greatest struggles has been over the monetary poverty I came to. My trust has grown in stages, for lack of a better word. First, I learned to say, well, I see what it looks like, but He has said He will see to it, so I don't care what it looks like, I will trust that He will provide for me and give me enough.

Then, despite years of poverty, I began to make money. But then, I began to not make money again and it hit me that God doesn't have to give me money to provide for me temporally, but could instead make jars not run out and make shoes not wear out. So I realized that I had to once again say, well, I see what it looks like, but He can make food drop from the sky and make a days worth last for 2 days and make a loaf feed thousands, so it really isn't dependent on how much money He gives me. In fact, if I demand that's how He must do it, I will not see miracles of provision. And strangely, He has somehow stretched money and supplies. I don't know how...I just know that the math didn't add up to my bills and yet, there was enough. It has left me speechless at times how the obedience of trust, one small step at a time, allows Him to do strange miracles...

 

[Stranger]

I didn't know that deer did this. I wonder if it was a doe with a baby nearby. I was parking on a friend's unpaved service driveway. I know that the deer bedded down there because I got a swarm of baby deer ticks on my foot from just standing on the pine straw at the edge of the driveway. I had never seen anything like this before. The ticks were so small that I couldn't figure out what they were at first. I got tons of bites.

Ticks used to be terrible here. Praise God for the fire ants. They just about eradicated them.

Stranger