tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691883326513386349.post5574400309866935573..comments2024-02-10T01:38:44.715-08:00Comments on Life Lessons: Running Away?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475395753533265087noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691883326513386349.post-10492653605690379042011-08-27T08:35:44.355-07:002011-08-27T08:35:44.355-07:00It's always tempting to run away when called t...It's always tempting to run away when called to do something we don't feel capable of doing, but important to remember that although we can't, God can. Thanks for sharing the good lessons in your inspiring post, Maria!Connie Arnoldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06264510809220669622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691883326513386349.post-43807347639490672612011-08-26T06:38:36.121-07:002011-08-26T06:38:36.121-07:00Our Associate Pastor just preached on this passage...Our Associate Pastor just preached on this passage this past Sunday. He was talking about how Jonah would have rather died than to have been obedient to God in this way. Later in the sermon he said, Jonah was probably like "GREAT! And now I have to to spend ETERNITY with these GUYS! Thanks A LOT God!" Made me laugh. :) Well done Maria. Will be coming back. Have a great weekend.Momma Hugheshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06851069693638138031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691883326513386349.post-20420941198463470292011-08-25T07:28:01.515-07:002011-08-25T07:28:01.515-07:00Janette - Always appreciate your comments! I think...Janette - Always appreciate your comments! I think your assessment is accurate: "Most of us know what the right thing to do is but, often, side-step doing it because it's time-consuming or difficult or uncomfortable." I know that's true for me. Ran across a thought-provoking statement this morning that will probably become a future blog post. "Prayer is not an alternative to preparation, and faith is not a substitute for hard work." Must say at times I'm guilty of thinking prayer and faith are the only requirements to accomplish what God has asked me to do - but hard work is also part of the equation!<br /><br />Love your insight on forgiveness. Especially the lesson you've learned - "you don't really forgive someone to let them off of the hook, but to start moving past your own hurt." Powerful stuff! Thanks for sharing! God bless you with a wonderful week! :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11475395753533265087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691883326513386349.post-20640981559593269642011-08-25T07:21:04.129-07:002011-08-25T07:21:04.129-07:00KC - Awesome to know that you're right where G...KC - Awesome to know that you're right where God wants you! It's encouraging to hear how He's using you in the workplace. Keep up the good work! Have a wonderful week, KC!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11475395753533265087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691883326513386349.post-54504188072359836332011-08-25T07:18:31.631-07:002011-08-25T07:18:31.631-07:00Lisa - Thanks for stopping by! Appreciate your com...Lisa - Thanks for stopping by! Appreciate your comment, "...thankfully God's gift of grace isn't for only a select few." Boy, I'm glad that's the truth! Now to implement that truth as I come into contact with others! Have a blessed week!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11475395753533265087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691883326513386349.post-16935823647801853862011-08-25T07:15:07.800-07:002011-08-25T07:15:07.800-07:00Ralene - Always great to have you stop by! Althoug...Ralene - Always great to have you stop by! Although I'm sorry to hear that you're experiencing a difficult time right now, it's so encouraging that you're actively waiting to hear from the Lord! Sometimes it's harder to 'be still' than be busy doing things, but I'm confident the Lord will show you what's missing. God bless you, my friend!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11475395753533265087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691883326513386349.post-21986926498551434502011-08-24T21:45:49.667-07:002011-08-24T21:45:49.667-07:00Touching post, Maria. I read a children's vers...Touching post, Maria. I read a children's version of Jonah and the whale to my own children recently out of their children's bible. They enjoyed drawing pictures of the whale after. :-)<br /><br />Most of us know what the right thing to do is but, often, side-step doing it because it's time-consuming or difficult or uncomfortable. Forgiving is a big one for many of us--we know we should do it because God tells us to. However, sometimes we don't forgive because we think, like Jonah, that those who have offended us don't deserve forgiveness. I heard during a sermon once that refusing to forgive someone who won't correct their transgressions against us is like holding a debt over the head of someone who has no money to pay it with. In my own life, I've spared myself some pain by accepting that you don't really forgive someone to let them off of the hook, but to start moving past your own hurt. <br /><br />The topics of obedience, compassion and forgiveness are always timely. Thank you for discussing them in this post!JDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05234966786590125696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691883326513386349.post-28367917971352893042011-08-24T18:06:52.488-07:002011-08-24T18:06:52.488-07:00I believe that I am doing part of what God wants m...I believe that I am doing part of what God wants me to do: I truly love my job and i KNOW that is part of my purpose in life....still keeping my heart open to God's guidanceKChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13170652181615060057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691883326513386349.post-25471135340591561812011-08-24T11:35:10.362-07:002011-08-24T11:35:10.362-07:00We talked about Jonah's attitude in Sunday sch...We talked about Jonah's attitude in Sunday school this past weekend. I think we tend to have a similar attitude at times, but thankfully God's gift of grace isn't for only a select few. Terrific post. :)Lisa Jordanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16334253815212707025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691883326513386349.post-75595272729597547762011-08-24T10:06:01.471-07:002011-08-24T10:06:01.471-07:00This past couple of weeks has definitely felt like...This past couple of weeks has definitely felt like the belly of the whale for me. I have a feeling I'm missing something, but not sure what it is. I need to rest in the Lord awhile and heed His soft voice. <br /><br />Great post, Maria. As always, thank you for sharing!Ralenehttp://www.raleneburke.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691883326513386349.post-23828049257035358282011-08-24T09:01:38.104-07:002011-08-24T09:01:38.104-07:00Jessica - Always great to have you stop by! Belly ...Jessica - Always great to have you stop by! Belly of the whale, huh? Definitely doesn't conjure up pretty pictures. But I know the feeling. Obedience follows faith. Something I'm concentrating on today. Have a wonderful week, my friend! God bless you!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11475395753533265087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691883326513386349.post-28963510535970344922011-08-24T08:48:00.255-07:002011-08-24T08:48:00.255-07:00Karen - Great to see you! Thanks for your insight!...Karen - Great to see you! Thanks for your insight! It IS easy to get 'busy' doing other good things and lose sight of the fact that we are indeed running away. Hope your week is full of doing exactly what the Lord has for you! Hugs and God bless!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11475395753533265087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691883326513386349.post-43620524222813004662011-08-24T08:47:22.978-07:002011-08-24T08:47:22.978-07:00PTL for God's mercy and compassion. I need it ...PTL for God's mercy and compassion. I need it daily. I've felt like I've been in the belly of the whale before. Not a fun place. :) Great devotion!Jessica R. Patchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13614501794157211301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691883326513386349.post-11903912116894896362011-08-24T06:41:50.473-07:002011-08-24T06:41:50.473-07:00Amen, Maria! :) I think that sometimes we are runn...Amen, Maria! :) I think that sometimes we are running away and don't even know it. My prayer is that the Lord would give me an awareness of these things in my life, and help me to act.Karen Langehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18177923284595298347noreply@blogger.com