tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8487191831545403809.comments2023-05-05T10:40:06.195-04:00Derek HickmanDerek Hickmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04979990520441746430noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8487191831545403809.post-60199431412518441592011-07-09T09:06:09.225-04:002011-07-09T09:06:09.225-04:00"It's cruelty to get one's hopes up, ...<i>"It's cruelty to get one's hopes up, only to have them shattered . . . at least that's what we've come to believe. The question looms so large that it threatens to block out any redeeming thought ... "How can God perform miracles one day and then pull those miracles out from under us the next ...?"<br /><br />We are left feeling foolish for praising God in a seemingly false victory, and our faith is threatened as we struggle to believe in any future possibility of healing."</i><br /><br />oh Derek! this is what I have been demanding that God answer to me these past few days! Why are you giving us false hope? And yet even while I say that to him, my heart knows that it is not true, it must be a problem with my perspective. And now you have done a beautiful job of breaking it down to the basic truth: we are looking for an answer, but He <b> IS</b> the answer.J Luckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11239644555438988563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8487191831545403809.post-80469640982045837182011-03-17T22:00:58.087-04:002011-03-17T22:00:58.087-04:00This comment has been hidden from the blog.lauralavonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06614268176842560095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8487191831545403809.post-53049249609019046022011-03-17T21:39:22.064-04:002011-03-17T21:39:22.064-04:00This comment has been hidden from the blog.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8487191831545403809.post-11363962018040553352011-03-17T17:36:56.853-04:002011-03-17T17:36:56.853-04:00This comment has been hidden from the blog.Kimberlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12187148151020607153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8487191831545403809.post-83526430018075743742010-01-21T13:54:20.969-05:002010-01-21T13:54:20.969-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8487191831545403809.post-46274002533689870402009-12-19T02:42:59.374-05:002009-12-19T02:42:59.374-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8487191831545403809.post-77964723397081133192009-11-30T02:42:07.170-05:002009-11-30T02:42:07.170-05:00Thanks for your comment Robert,
I think you sum u...Thanks for your comment Robert,<br /><br />I think you sum up the point we are both aware of when you say, "If it concerns us, it concerns Him".<br /><br />I think the doctrine of providence is a perfect indication of how deeply God cares about us, not our circumstances.<br /><br />Our circumstance, whether it be good or bad, will assuredly be used by our Enemy to destroy us, if he can rob us of our focus. I think this is his greatest weapon. <br /><br />The redemptive God we serve keeps that from happening, in the lives of those who love Him. He uses that circumstance (whether natural, sent from Heaven, or sent from our Enemy) in a way that both fulfills his redemptive plan for us AND defeats our adversary.<br /><br />Everything with God is a win-win.<br /><br />That's the beauty of Romans 8:28. Our Enemy is punching air. Nothing he does can work as long as we actively love God and see circumstance for what it is . . .<br /><br />An opportunity to see what God can do to us and through us.<br /><br />Of course that doesn't mean we do not suffer. It just means we know what's happening.<br /><br />Knowing is half the battle.<br /><br />Good stuff!Derek Hickmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04979990520441746430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8487191831545403809.post-88686901182914430492009-11-29T08:29:48.360-05:002009-11-29T08:29:48.360-05:00H-m-m... Well, I agree with much of what you say. ...H-m-m... Well, I agree with much of what you say. But I do think it's a bit of an overstatement to say that the Lord doesn't care about our circumstances. <br /><br />Yes, they are tools He uses to teach us and build our faith. But even that indicates that He cares about the events in our lives. If it concerns <i>us</i>, it concerns <i>Him</i>.<br /><br />The doctrine of providence is another indication of how deeply God cares about our circumstances. By His providence, His "pro video" (before-seeing), He is able to work behind the scenes for our good and blessing. That is what Romans 8:28 is all about.<br /><br />I'm pretty sure we'd be in basic agreement on this subject. Perhaps I'm drawing more from your point than you intended.roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03435373461292769832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8487191831545403809.post-40667501863750094172009-11-27T14:25:55.743-05:002009-11-27T14:25:55.743-05:00Could not find a suitable section so I written her...Could not find a suitable section so I written here, how to become a moderator for your forum, that need for this?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8487191831545403809.post-74720135196442175272009-11-16T14:32:10.539-05:002009-11-16T14:32:10.539-05:00The thoughts of my own heart.The thoughts of my own heart.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8487191831545403809.post-17180544985910749802009-11-16T14:26:20.059-05:002009-11-16T14:26:20.059-05:00Like it.Like it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8487191831545403809.post-8593569601206087942009-11-14T05:50:45.948-05:002009-11-14T05:50:45.948-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8487191831545403809.post-77999262737862665672009-10-03T09:41:58.400-04:002009-10-03T09:41:58.400-04:00Hey Bud,
I just finished catching up on your artic...Hey Bud,<br />I just finished catching up on your articles, including the one in the UM Portal. They are excellent and speak to the heart.A father delights in seeing his son reaching for the heart of God. Your passion for God fulfills my expectations for you.Dadnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8487191831545403809.post-28278285508611316482009-06-30T04:21:55.705-04:002009-06-30T04:21:55.705-04:00I must be mostly tin...I must be mostly tin...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8487191831545403809.post-84583012926397769752009-06-28T22:09:39.061-04:002009-06-28T22:09:39.061-04:00Thank you Anita.
We are all in this together. Th...Thank you Anita.<br /><br />We are all in this together. That's the great thing about Grace. It makes everyone's journey just as important as the other's, and it's never boring that's for sure!!<br /><br />It also allows us to lean on each other . . .Derek Hickmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04979990520441746430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8487191831545403809.post-23840127930699453252009-06-28T12:10:35.661-04:002009-06-28T12:10:35.661-04:00Excellent post. I've been experiencing a phas...Excellent post. I've been experiencing a phase in my life when I'm searching for direction, waiting for some doors to open (any door?). God's just not doing it the way I think He should. Your thoughts here have helped.Anita Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05663214195659512046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8487191831545403809.post-53694066715138995762009-05-17T00:08:00.000-04:002009-05-17T00:08:00.000-04:00very good, Derek...as i "Mature" i am understandin...very good, Derek...as i "Mature" i am understanding this better...Kimberlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12187148151020607153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8487191831545403809.post-80022171519731546232009-03-13T20:13:00.000-04:002009-03-13T20:13:00.000-04:00Wow. Thank you for that. Seriously. Sean.Wow. <BR/><BR/>Thank you for that. Seriously. <BR/><BR/>Sean.Seanerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00837488852947600685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8487191831545403809.post-31070200958836131812009-02-26T10:12:00.000-05:002009-02-26T10:12:00.000-05:00Such great thoughts! Thanks for sharing.My mystery...Such great thoughts! Thanks for sharing.<BR/>My mystery bag is bulging too, but my trust (in Him) is strong. <BR/>God bless you as you work for Him!Leahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12819772425807951871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8487191831545403809.post-28455123936959277872009-02-26T05:38:00.000-05:002009-02-26T05:38:00.000-05:00This is the best thing I've read on this subject i...This is the best thing I've read on this subject in quite a while. I myself have been trying to come around to the idea and surrendering to the thought that...yes this world is cursed. Death and heartbreak cover this planet. This is also not my final home. I await a home with no pain, tears, heartbreak, deterioration, sickness or death. I read somewhere recently that God is more concerned about the inner man then the outer. God is still a good, kind and caring God despite all the pain that surrounds us. <BR/><BR/>If not already...you should consider writing books.Anita Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05663214195659512046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8487191831545403809.post-45167213510186954522009-02-26T01:43:00.000-05:002009-02-26T01:43:00.000-05:00Good!!!Good!!!Kimberlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12187148151020607153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8487191831545403809.post-56413465971964665332009-02-25T21:12:00.000-05:002009-02-25T21:12:00.000-05:00Thanks for this, Derek. You put into words some of...Thanks for this, Derek. You put into words some of the thoughts I've been grappling with in light of the recent tragedies among the Hobe Sound alumni community. Keep lifting up the cross of Christ.Stephen Leyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02498952171697022917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8487191831545403809.post-91665095748170405602009-01-23T12:48:00.000-05:002009-01-23T12:48:00.000-05:00This comment has been hidden from the blog.Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11517068217507961625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8487191831545403809.post-67863978560801138362009-01-22T16:18:00.000-05:002009-01-22T16:18:00.000-05:00This comment has been hidden from the blog.Mary Ellenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06866869530441854371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8487191831545403809.post-7468987985869631582009-01-12T00:00:00.000-05:002009-01-12T00:00:00.000-05:00Aman and Aman!!!Aman and Aman!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com