Your favorite phrase. Hey, why don't you just answer a question instead of attributing evil motives to it? Can you answer this question:
Is it more comforting to know that God wanted your child dead and that it pleased God to kill her, or to know that God simply chose not intervene to save her?
Honestly can you answer it? To me I think the answer is obvious. I take much more comfort thinking that God allowed some drunk to accidentally kill my child and that somehow this will ultimately work out for good than that God actually wanted that drunk to kill my child and that he made it happen according to the good pleasure of his will.
If God is in control the way that some people think he is in control, then it is clear that it pleases God when children are killed by drunk drivers and that God not only permits the accident, but ultimately is the cause of it.
To me God is in control inasmuch as whatever happens has been ordained by God, but not necessarily caused by God. God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but it happens all the time, doesn't it? If he takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, then does he take pleasure in the death of the godly? And, if he doesn't take pleasure in the death of the wicked or the death of the godly then how can it possibly occur?
It seems to me as of late you have come in looking for a fight (usually with me) .
So excuse me if I find humor in your complaint of bickering a little disingenuous.
I asked you why you were so angry, you chose to deflect. You are very angry with me. You see me as a traitor. So you come a calling.
Marlowe I am not angry with you. I like you and appreciate allot of your threads. I appreciate your spiritual journey. But remember that the journey is not over till it is over, often God has more of Himself to reveal to us in our walk
I am offering you personal peace here. We can disagree on doctrine and even take swipes and still not be enemies.
This discussion of death is a personal one for me. I have buried unsaved parents and aunts and uncles. I have cohort cousins that are dead, and I buried an infant grandson
you ask
Is it more comforting to know that God wanted your child dead and that it pleased God to kill her, or to know that God simply chose not intervenes to save her?
Honestly can you answer it? To me I think the answer is obvious. I take much more comfort thinking that God allowed some drunk to accidentally kill my child and that somehow this will ultimately work out for good than that God actually wanted that drunk to kill my child and that he made it happen according to the good pleasure of his will.
You are more comforted by the thought that God did not care enough to protect your child than to believe He has a divine plan that includes every single one of us?
Ecc 3:1 To every [thing there is] a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up [that which is] planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
Read Job. A man of many troubles. A man quoted by my son as he wept held his grieving wife and dead son in his arms
Job 13:15 though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.
Job 14:1 Man [that is] born of a woman [is] of few days, and full of trouble.
2 He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.
3 And dost thou open thine eyes upon such an one, and bringest me into judgment with thee?
4 Who can bring a clean [thing] out of an unclean? not one.
5 Seeing his days [are] determined, the number of his months [are] with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;
The problem Marlowe is you would rather believe what you want to believe. You want to fashion a god for your own liking. You do not like the God of the bible
Mat 10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
We believe that Nathan drown because he did not understand the solar cover. He just walked off the patio into the pool thinking he was still on firm ground (He had a pond on his property at home so he knew water ...so the solar cover confused him we believe) the word of God comforts and loves
Psa 37:23 The steps of a [good] man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
The Lord of creation orders all of our steps..He called Nate home that day. It was not a punishment for Nate..or his mom. it was not his moms fault that he wandered out...he had simply come to the end of the days God had numbered for him. Soon that will happen to me. And someday to you
That is not a cruel heartless God. That is the God of creation that cares enough to know every hair on my head.
Marlowe if you want a distant hands off god......you may build one. The God of the Bible is personally involved in our lives ..I am comforted by that