Exactly, as hard as that may be for you. Trust that more growth for your brother, who this is really about, resulted also. If your beef is that people die, then see how far we have come here, despite ourselves; our infant mortality is impressively low. If you are upset that your brother died for purely personal reasons, the day of a man's death is better than the day of his birth, and he most likely would not have returned if given a choice, which evidence would indicate he did. Oh, and your Father is not beyond raising you with a brother and taking him, having invented "the day of a man's death," and thus fully understanding it, just to show both your brother and you, and the 10 other people affected, all separate lessons. Any unresolved questions about the state of your brother's soul, or something? Take comfort in the fact that we do not have a very good grasp of this lost/saved thing, and that your brother was happy where he found himself, or probably could have returned. I'm sorry for your loss.
I need a break. Again.
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
We spend much energy in wasteful directions as a means of avoidance; which just means that we all seek to avoid truth some kind of way, whether we realize it or not, and this can be a way.
We spend much energy in wasteful directions as a means of avoidance; which just means that we all seek to avoid truth some kind of way, whether we realize it or not, and this can be a way.
Yes, I'm sure that's it. I am avoiding the truth that God wanted my brother to die, for some reason. And that the day of his death was better than the day of his birth.
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
I've been asked a number of times, what am I doing here? I answer, with tongue partly in cheek, that I have a burden for the lost. Then I go on to say I like prodding folks, making them think in ways they may not often do, challenging them, making them think about why the believe what they believe, etc. Besides, you guys are fun. (A lot of the time. )
But lately, I've been wondering, is that all? What would I really like to see happen? Would it make me happy to make converts to my way of thinking? Well, honestly, yes it would! But, short of that, here's something that would make me happy (heathen that I am): less certainty!
I look back on the time I was in the dogma, and I understand the reasoning behind it; why you think you have to say you are 100% sure about this or that; telling people that arguing with the Bible is arguing with God, etc. But is it really necessary? Would it kill you to add "in my opinion" on some of these statements? Can you admit that even the idea that the Bible is God's Word is an opinion? Hey, some opinions are right, after all.
(BTW, I don't always include "IMO" in my posts. But it's always there, if you see it or not. )
I always thought the reason you were here was that you were looking to be picked to be on a church board!
__________________ "I think some people love spiritual bondage just the way some people love physical bondage. It makes them feel secure. In the end though it is not healthy for the one who is lost over it or the one who is lives under the oppression even if by their own choice"
Titus2woman on AFF
"We did not wear uniforms. The lady workers dressed in the current fashions of the day, ...silks...satins...jewels or whatever they happened to possess. They were very smartly turned out, so that they made an impressive appearance on the streets where a large part of our work was conducted in the early years.
"It was not until long after, when former Holiness preachers had become part of us, that strict plainness of dress began to be taught.
"Although Entire Sanctification was preached at the beginning of the Movement, it was from a Wesleyan viewpoint, and had in it very little of the later Holiness Movement characteristics. Nothing was ever said about apparel, for everyone was so taken up with the Lord that mode of dress seemingly never occurred to any of us."
Quote from Ethel Goss (widow of 1st UPC Gen Supt. Howard Goss) book "The Winds of God"
Yes, I'm sure that's it. I am avoiding the truth that God wanted my brother to die, for some reason. And that the day of his death was better than the day of his birth.
I would say that these aren't meant to substitute as a reason for anything.
Then I go on to say I like prodding folks, making them think in ways they may not often do, challenging them, making them think about why the believe what they believe, etc. Besides, you guys are fun. (A lot of the time. 
)
But, short of that, here's something that would make me happy (heathen that I am): less certainty! 
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