US is great. But we are starting to fail becasue so many of our politicians are afraid to make someone mad if they support being Christian.

Without a doubt, we are a blessed nation.

 

Luck IMO (random chance working out for the good) has little if anything to do with our apparent good fortune.

 

It took a deep and classical understanding of centuries of trial and error... acknowledgement of God and His divine absolutes leading to a foundation for our morals and laws... desperately seeking His wisdom… and the passion, commitment, blood, sweat, risk and sacrifice of countless good men and women upon whose shoulders we now stand.

 

You are free to attribute your reason for being here and now to who, what, or why you may choose.

 

For me, I know I am here, now, because God chose me for such a time (and place) as this. I cannot understand it. I cannot justify or explain it. I can only be thankful to Him... and try to shoulder the responsibility of the grace, mercy and countless blessings He has bestowed upon me. I have done nothing in this life that could come anywhere close to "earning" His favor… or “earning” the privilege of being an American.

 

I am in no way slamming anyone here... as I said, you are free to believe and attribute as you deem appropriate. For me however; to merely pass things off as "luck" would be irresponsible and extremely ungrateful to the One I know deserves my praises and devotion. Luck alone (and any feelings of guilt that accompany my apparently blind good fortune in contrast with other's random misfortune) actually minimizes my personal responsibility to act in a manner commensurate with the blessings I enjoy and for which I am responsible for being a good steward.

 

Please do not misconstrue my comments as some air of spiritual superiority on my part… I assure you this is hardly the case. I am just another blind stumbler who’s managed to find the good path with the love and aid of others. If anything, a sincere contemplation of our blessings magnifies humility, and understanding of personal unworthiness, and a desire to be more generous in the things that truly matter. In this regard, it pains me to admit that I fall woefully short.

 

On the surface this may appear to be merely a difference in semantics… but to me, this strikes a much deeper chord and burden of responsibility. :thumb:

Well, it appears that I have been grossly mistaken. :lol:

 

I'm now in a quandry...do I revise my perspective because I've basically been called an idiot for my belief? Or, do I stick with what I feel in my heart? I shall ponder....

Well, it appears that I have been grossly mistaken. :lol:

 

I'm now in a quandry...do I revise my perspective because I've basically been called an idiot for my belief? Or, do I stick with what I feel in my heart? I shall ponder....

 

Nah! Your heart is in the right place my friend! :thumb:

Well, it appears that I have been grossly mistaken. :lol:

 

I'm now in a quandry...do I revise my perspective because I've basically been called an idiot for my belief? Or, do I stick with what I feel in my heart? I shall ponder....

Wow... Mom, that's tough...

 

I genuinely don't know how you could derive this from my post.

 

I have never called you an idiot. I do not do so here.

 

If my intent were simply to "insult" you, I could do so far more effectively and with fewer words... without violating Rules 2, 3, 7, 8 or 13... trust me on this. I'm quite adept at doing bad... doing good requires considerably more effort on my part.

 

To this end, I went a bit overboard explaining why I attribute any good "luck" I may "feel" to the One I know in my "heart" is responsible for it, and why in that sense, I cannot label it "luck" but must call it "blessing". Beyond that, I explained in succint manner why such directed "blessings" bear a much greater burden from the recipient than blind, random, crap house luck.

 

As one who has openly discussed her Catholic foundation and beliefs, I naively expected "felt" you would be more likely to agree rather than taking umbrage with an unintended insult. (That's one big problem with "feelings"... ) As one who proclaims her middle-of-the-road, moderate views, I actually expect you to evaluate a post on its intent and content rather than presupposing it inflammatory because it comes from someone with whom you differ politically or otherwise.

Without a doubt, we are a blessed nation.

 

Why would God choose to bless us over Haiti? We are all sinners and fall short. My gut feeling is that to suggest that God looks favorably and blesses an entire country over others, or individuals for that matter, is so anti the message of Jesus. Jesus did not offer prosperity or the 'good life' as we define it. He told us about suffering, etc. And if you look at HIS major sermon He says, and I am paraphrasing, blessed are the poor, the hungry, the weeping, the meek the peacemakers. He also says woe to you who are rich and well fed and have men speak well of you.

 

Again I go back and ask does God love my 8 year old daughter more than the 8 year Haitian. I doubt it. My daughter was lucky, the Haitian unlucky. God can certainly bless both, but that does not mean that they will live in a rich country and have material things and be free. Paul was not a free man but he was blessed.

Wow... Mom, that's tough...

 

I genuinely don't know how you could derive this from my post.

 

I have never called you an idiot. I do not do so here.

 

If my intent were simply to "insult" you, I could do so far more effectively and with fewer words... without violating Rules 2, 3, 7, 8 or 13... trust me on this. I'm quite adept at doing bad... doing good requires considerably more effort on my part.

 

To this end, I went a bit overboard explaining why I attribute any good "luck" I may "feel" to the One I know in my "heart" is responsible for it, and why in that sense, I cannot label it "luck" but must call it "blessing". Beyond that, I explained in succint manner why such directed "blessings" bear a much greater burden from the recipient than blind, random, crap house luck.

 

As one who has openly discussed her Catholic foundation and beliefs, I naively expected "felt" you would be more likely to agree rather than taking umbrage with an unintended insult. (That's one big problem with "feelings"... ) As one who proclaims her middle-of-the-road, moderate views, I actually expect you to evaluate a post on its intent and content rather than presupposing it inflammatory because it comes from someone with whom you differ politically or otherwise.

 

I didn't quote you, nor did I even say yours was the post that upset me. Why would you make that assumption? :idunno:

I didn't quote you, nor did I even say yours was the post that upset me. Why would you make that assumption? :idunno:

I guess I just "felt" it... :lol:

 

You can play coy, but you and I both "know" the truth... :thumb:

 

At the very least, you "know" where I stand.

 

Do you "feel" me? :lol: :lol: :lol:

I guess I just "felt" it... :lol:

 

You can play coy, but you and I both "know" the truth... :thumb:

 

At the very least, you "know" where I stand.

 

Do you "feel" me? :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

 

Quoting you directly this time...

 

At this point, your response to my comment is pretty much a chastisement...an unwelcome one. I don't appreciate that you presume to tell me what you expect of me. Much as you couldn't give two nickles of my expectations of you, I share the same dispassion of your personal thoughts of my feelings, thoughts, and ideas. I don't post to please you.

 

I'm not playing coy. There were several posts in this thread prior to yours. I was commenting on the general tone of the comments in the thread, not any one specific post. Yet, again, you are making an assumption that you are willing to state as fact.

I feel fortunate.

 

 

Rockmom...would you please return my call. I have important questions for you.

I feel fortunate.

 

 

Rockmom...would you please return my call. I have important questions for you.

 

 

Sorry...you called my cell...I'm at work. :lol:

Why would God choose to bless us over Haiti? We are all sinners and fall short. My gut feeling is that to suggest that God looks favorably and blesses an entire country over others, or individuals for that matter, is so anti the message of Jesus. Jesus did not offer prosperity or the 'good life' as we define it. He told us about suffering, etc. And if you look at HIS major sermon He says, and I am paraphrasing, blessed are the poor, the hungry, the weeping, the meek the peacemakers. He also says woe to you who are rich and well fed and have men speak well of you.

 

Again I go back and ask does God love my 8 year old daughter more than the 8 year Haitian. I doubt it. My daughter was lucky, the Haitian unlucky. God can certainly bless both, but that does not mean that they will live in a rich country and have material things and be free. Paul was not a free man but he was blessed.

You are fascinating Ace...

 

So, if I am following your logic here... I am not “blessed” to be born in America… I am “lucky”. In this regard, God had nothing to do with it. I may therefore “feel” lucky, but “thankful” is inappropriate since “thankful” would imply a cause or a reason… ( …such as God.)

Quoting you directly this time...

 

At this point, your response to my comment is pretty much a chastisement...an unwelcome one. I don't appreciate that you presume to tell me what you expect of me. Much as you couldn't give two nickles of my expectations of you, I share the same dispassion of your personal thoughts of my feelings, thoughts, and ideas. I don't post to please you.

 

I'm not playing coy. There were several posts in this thread prior to yours. I was commenting on the general tone of the comments in the thread, not any one specific post. Yet, again, you are making an assumption that you are willing to state as fact.

So... you are telling me my "feelings" were inaccurate on this matter?

That's one reason why I rarely frequent the political forums.

 

I don't mind reading some of the posts, but they're far too predictable and hostile. In the end, you get to vote for whatever you'd like and, although it may not go exactly as you hoped, it'll be alright.

 

:thumb:And why I've pretty much quit posting in here as well.

 

Ditto.

Political and Religious debates aren't for the "faint of heart".

So... you are telling me my "feelings" were inaccurate on this matter?

 

 

I will tell you I wasn't playing coy. I will tell you that I am telling the truth. If those run counter to your "feelings" then, yes, they were inaccurate.

 

The overall gist of my initial post was emotional. But it is something I believe. I understand that many have a much more pragmatic view of life. But, for me, it's served me well to let my Catholic beliefs (which you bring up in a previous post) shape my views. And faith, my friend, is emotional. So, if my beliefs are more emotional on this matter than pragmatic, I'm quite comfortable with the fact that I may face derision. The intent of my second post was to say that I would take a second look at my feelings on the subject. I wasn't expecting quite the reaction my post got, but probably should have.