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God is not mutable, but He does respond to us. The fact that He created us and knows what we will ask before we ask it changes the definition of everything only from HIS perspective. We are still freely choosing. From a human perspective -- as God designed that perspective to be -- we are in fact changing His mind. We are still 100% accountable and deserving of His judgement. He hears the prayers of the righteous and answers them. He forgives us when we confess our sins. He turns His back on the wicked. He answers us when we call. Our action does affect His action and then again it doesn't. That is my position.

I've heard this debate many times and it is usually all done with passion and respect. I do not see the free will side as defining God down or something. It is truly a more minor difference in interpretation than that.

I think it is a paradox and that both are true at the same time.

God is not mutable, but He does respond to us

I take this to mean that you see man as the actor and God as the responder? What if that response means that God must change his mind and thus become mutable ?

The fact that He created us and knows what we will ask before we ask it changes the definition of everything only from HIS perspective. We are still freely choosing. From a human perspective -- as God designed that perspective to be -- we are in fact changing His mind.

I agree that from our human perspective we are making a choice that is absolutely free. But that choice is a part of the eternal plan of God .

My human example

A smart parent knows how to handle the growing independence of a child when they want to select their own clothes, so they do not walk around all "mismatched "

The parent selects a few "outfits" and presents them to the child to select from . The child believes she has selected her clothes, but in fact that selection was from a predetermined set of choices.

He hears the prayers of the righteous and answers them

I can trust the prayers of the righteous always reflect their desire to do as God wills. They will also see that the answer yes is not always Gods plan or will

Here's another new song that I just finished tracking the instruments on this morning. Still has the "working vocal" on it. But even that vocal isn't bad.

http://www.recordingproject.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=5497

Just hit play when you get there. Have a great day guys!