How many times...
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Object:
How many times has God put us in situations that we might not think are kosher? When I was a jail chaplain, some thought I was wasting my time with those evil people. But then, Jesus hung out with an unacceptable crowd quite often -- like tax collectors and sinners -- and he was condemned.
No, I can't say the Lord gave me prophecies about the prisoners I talked with, but after a year or two of service I heard enough similar stories so that I sometimes finished a fellow's confession and surprised him. "How did you know that?" he would respond. I did the same in marriage counseling, where the disagreements were sometimes so similar that I surprised them by finishing their story. Sometimes those insights I had opened them up to share many more problems in their marriage which they were reluctant to offer before. Jesus had more than just insights learned from years of experience! Sometimes the Lord may give your pastor those insights also. It can give you a real shock! It can also be embarrassing!
Yes, people are different, but the similarities between people are the things that books are written about. There would be no point in studying psychology if everyone's situation were totally different. Sometimes different cultures can make analyses different. Marriage traditions are different in Asian countries. They were in Nepal when I lived there. There were different taboos. Some rebelled in private to me if they were in an arranged marriage. They were afraid of hurting their parents or breaking their age-old traditions.
Hindus had a great division between Brahmins and lower castes. They felt their god had separated them for a reason because some people were inferior to others at birth. It was like a breath of fresh air to them when they became Christian and all could love each other. We still sent high caste to call on high-caste prospects -- they could call on any caste! Then when they converted, they set that prejudice aside -- forever!
Jesus loved to show people that God loved Samaritans as much as he loved standard Jews! This often ruffled some feathers in high places. It can be harder to break tradition than to be in conflict with the commands of the Bible! Jesus always seemed to be in conflict with the age-old traditions!
Often prisoners are surprised that I should care about them. I try to point out that it is God who cares about them, and I am just his messenger.
I saw a man in rags with his toes sticking out of his shoes in one community where I served. I passed him in a hurry, but then it occurred to me that God loved him as much as God loved me! God loves everyone, regardless of the color of their skin or their financial status -- or their denomination! Remember that!
No, I can't say the Lord gave me prophecies about the prisoners I talked with, but after a year or two of service I heard enough similar stories so that I sometimes finished a fellow's confession and surprised him. "How did you know that?" he would respond. I did the same in marriage counseling, where the disagreements were sometimes so similar that I surprised them by finishing their story. Sometimes those insights I had opened them up to share many more problems in their marriage which they were reluctant to offer before. Jesus had more than just insights learned from years of experience! Sometimes the Lord may give your pastor those insights also. It can give you a real shock! It can also be embarrassing!
Yes, people are different, but the similarities between people are the things that books are written about. There would be no point in studying psychology if everyone's situation were totally different. Sometimes different cultures can make analyses different. Marriage traditions are different in Asian countries. They were in Nepal when I lived there. There were different taboos. Some rebelled in private to me if they were in an arranged marriage. They were afraid of hurting their parents or breaking their age-old traditions.
Hindus had a great division between Brahmins and lower castes. They felt their god had separated them for a reason because some people were inferior to others at birth. It was like a breath of fresh air to them when they became Christian and all could love each other. We still sent high caste to call on high-caste prospects -- they could call on any caste! Then when they converted, they set that prejudice aside -- forever!
Jesus loved to show people that God loved Samaritans as much as he loved standard Jews! This often ruffled some feathers in high places. It can be harder to break tradition than to be in conflict with the commands of the Bible! Jesus always seemed to be in conflict with the age-old traditions!
Often prisoners are surprised that I should care about them. I try to point out that it is God who cares about them, and I am just his messenger.
I saw a man in rags with his toes sticking out of his shoes in one community where I served. I passed him in a hurry, but then it occurred to me that God loved him as much as God loved me! God loves everyone, regardless of the color of their skin or their financial status -- or their denomination! Remember that!
