Thankful Thursday

Living with an unbeliever actually has its advantages in some small ways. I think the Lord desires me to live in this awkward place of wholly loving Him and yet still attached to a world who does not know he exists. He constantly brings situations before me to stay sensitive to those who are lost, those who are searching, and even those who are running from God.

This past week I was privileged to participate in a discussion with my unbelieving spouse about God. His searching really boiled down to some confusion about who God is. You might also find this interesting.

My husband told me he hears so much about God’s love that he is confused. He went on to say that he is always told by believers and through the messages at church when he attends that God is love. God loves us like a father loves his child.

Well my husband went on to ask me this question, “How can a God who loves like a father turn his back on his child when they die. How could he send his own child to hell?” He continued, “As a parent, I don’t care what my child might do or become as an adult, I would always love her and never want her to go to a terrible place of torture.”

Intense huh?

These questions came up after he and I were discussing King David and the Old Testament. This led to how God is a King of a real Kingdom. God is powerful and he demands justice as a King or ruler, just as David demanded justice.

My husband said to me, “So which is he a King or a Father?”

Okay, I am sweatin’ it by now. Praying under my breath as fast as I can asking for the right words.

“God is a King, over a real Kingdom.”…… (pray, pray, pray some more) “But, His love is so far beyond our mental capacity we can only relate it to our experience of how a parent loves a child.”

This explanation seemed to settle something in my man. Whew! Now, I don’t know if I answered the best but for this moment, it was right.

We serve a King! Never doubt the power of our God! Every wrong done, every tear shed will be accounted for and justified by our King!

He is All Mighty!
He is Majestic!
He Powerful!
The Alpha and Omega!

I am thankful this regal King of time and space is my God and my Father.

Have a wonderful Thursday! Be Blessed, Lynn

For more Thankful Thursday blessings, visit Iris at Sting My Heart.

Comments

[Susan]

Hi Lynn,

I'll continue to pray for the Lord to give you a word in season each time it's needed.

Continue pressing on, God is with you♥

[Angie]

You did very well! God is awesome in His divine power! He will give you the wisdom you need to answer...but it all boils down to our faith....reason I said that is I had a conversation just yesterday morning with one of the attorney's I work for. About why God does some of the things He does---or allows bad thing to happen to good people...he copied the title of a book. Now, he was merely testing me...because he does believe in God. But when the "testing" comes--I often find myself tongue tied!
What is odd...he does believe IN God...but I wonder about his relationship WITH God. For example...he could not believe that we were "BELIEVING GOD" for a miracle in Wanda's life. OR that we weren't MAD or ANGRY when God allowed her to die. AND WHY DID HE ALLOW IT? That was what his questions boil down to. I said, I don't have an answer for the whys and whats about all God does or does not do. It is about trust---and faith. We must trust God to be WHO He said He would be in our lives--we must BELIEVE that He will DO all He said He will do...and we MUST believe that when things don't turn out the way we FEEL that they should have....WE MUST have FAITH to believe that HE KNOWS BEST---and MORE than we do.
AS Beth Moore wrote---I am who God says I am---He is who He says He is...and can do ALL that He said He could do and His word is ALIVE and ACTIVE in ME!!! YIPEE!!!
I love you Lynn. Sorry I was sooo long winded :)

[Kerilyn]

Lynn,
Wow! you had me sweating a bit too as I read your post with anticipation of your answers. Especially since I have been asked VERY similar (very logical) questions by my own "prove-it" Technical-Geeky Husband ;-)

Your answers were way better than mine. I wish you would have talked to my husband for me :-) I chickened out on the logic and bible references, since I am not that quick/smart. Instead I told him I just have faith, you may call it blind faith and a risk, but its a risk I am willing to take for the what I believe will be the ultimate return. I told my hunny, I just believe and for me it is that simple.

The only proof I could give him was to remind him of the peace I felt (and he witnessed) when our baby Julie passed away. It surprised him that I didn't blame God, but asked him to take care of her in Heaven. He was surprised that I knew and deeply believed she was in Heaven. His biggest surprise was that I didn't become sick with depression (as I suffer from Major Depression for many years) and do stupid things. I thank God every day that he gave me that strength so that I could use this experience to be a witness to my husband.

For our technically, logical type husbands, not seeing the proof is sometimes hard to accept. I am glad Mike asked you his questions. It means he is open to hearing the truth ;-) and what a great day that must have been for you to sit and talk him about the Love of your life?

KK

[Peggy]

Oh Lynn...too intense! This was a very significant conversation and aMazing wisdom (good thinking on your feet, kiddo)and I'll assume that God heard your whispers of prayer and flooded your mind with HIS WORD! It certainly shows that your tongue was under control...His control! This was a cliff hanger, I was hanging on every word and praying that you had the Answers but ya know, HE DOES! I was really aMazed at the knowledge and challenge that your sweet hubby put up! For not believing, he certainly has a solid basis to discuss.
If we look with our earthly eyes, at that situation or our current ungodly world and
atrocities, it would be very easy to conclude as he does. God's Words flow through you and your belief in Him, your faith, your love! Stay strong, be encouraged...ya done GOOD and God spoke..
and HE is KING!! He is Lord! He is All Powerful and all knowing! He is your portion and your wisdom! He is Almighty-Majestic and the Great I am...the Alpha & Omega. Be blessed and big thanks for your words of encouragement! You are a gem!Quick thinker and pray-er!

[Iris]

Wow - that indeed is intense...I am glad that our Lord gave you words of wisdom to share with your beloved...You are right - God has you in the perfect place. Your beloved is searching - searching for answers. I know it is not easy, my sweet friend, but I know that you are trusting Him in all your actions...

Thank you so much for your constant participation sharing your grateful heart with us and the world...

Be blessed today and always...

[mama meji]

Amen, Amen! You did great with your explanation! And your explanation did make me smile since sometimes I must admit I get confused with things (despite being a believer- maybe because I get to be analytical and want to always see logic in everything) and it's me who would ask things to my husband (who in turn explains things with so much patience as if I am a kid).

Thanks for sharing God's greatness and your conversation with your spouse

[Renee]

Wow, Lynn. What an encouraging post! You are such a shining light for your husband. I am praying for you girl! Remember God promises His word will not return void, so your words are not falling on deaf ears :)

[Nise']

As intense as it was, I pray the your man continues to ask questions that finally bring him to surrender to the ONE who has all the answers!

[Millie]

Lynn,what a wise answer to your husband..I know it should be the holy spirit's work in your heart. Pray that your husband comes back to the Lord's love soon!

[Millie]

Lynn,what a wise answer to your husband..I know it should be the holy spirit's work in your heart. Pray that your husband comes back to the Lord's love soon!

[Irene]

Pray, pray, under my breath. I'll remember that! Thank you!

[Abby]

What a fantastic opportunity you had! My heart beats so hard when my fiance and I have those tough conversations about GOD and His love for us. I always have the words "pray without ceasing" running through my head. These are also the times I feel the most under attack - like Satan is trying to scramble my thoughts so that I can't share Christ with Bryan.

I am praying for you - that you will have more opportunities like this to share HIM with your husband!

[Cheryl]

You just did what the Lord wanted you to do. You prayed, you answered. Good job! Great answer! You are such an inspiration to so many. You go girl!! God BlessYou~

[E Fordham]

Awesome response! the Holy Spirit is awesome and gives such brilliant and timely responses. My thoughts regarding the subject is that since we are created in God's image I also relate to unbelievers the various facets of God by stating for example, a man can function in various roles while at the same time remaining one person (i.e. Prince Charles of Wales). This is definitely a good illustration when dealing with religions that don't understand the trinity (i.e. Islam). A man can be a husband, father, brother, friend, a King, A prime minister, professional, etc. while as the same time remaining one complete and unified person. I think your answer was wonderful. I've had to learn that the smallest seed will grow. We're only responsible for sharing what God has revealed to us. We can definitely do our best to explain spiritual things, but we always have to keep in mind that spiritual things are spiritually discerned and not intellectually reasoned. The Holy Spirit will continue to breathe life on your words!

[Susie]

You were very wise with your words. I hope God continues to put these circumstances in front of you to lead your husband to our precious Lord! So inspiring!

[Curious Servant]

Glad I stopped by. It has been quite a while.

My wife has lost her faith.

And worse.

We may till divorce, I don't know.

I tarted a new blog about a year ago, but still post now and then at Job's Tale.

I'm not here to complain. Just the reverse.

Thank you for your steadfast testimony.

I needed it today.

If you'd like to visit the more private blog, send me n email and I'll give you the address.

greenleaf.will@gmail.com

Thanks, Sis.

[sharon]

I was sweating there with you. What an intense moment! But thank God for the Holy Spirit, who the Bible says will give us the words to speak when we are asked questions like that. And thank God for you who remembered to ask!

Your TT post was very inspiring. Thanks and more blessings on you and yours.

[Laurel]

Lynn this conversation just really warms my heart!!! Oh girl, the questions are such a good sign.

[Dineen Miller]

Wow! What's going on with our hubby's? LOL! I still don't know if my Mike took my challenge. I'm guessing not. But wow, you know? God sure seems to be moving a bit. LOL!