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11 Responses to “You’re Kidding, Right?”

1. Nicole T. Says:
   April 27th, 2008 at 1:16 am

   So I’m reading this and going, “Yeah, we need to step up a level — wouldn’t that be cool?” You mentioned complaining and I just thought, “Well, he must be worse than I am because I only have a little (key word: little) problem with that.” But then I’m reading along quite enjoying all that is encouraging, inspiring (and only slightly convicting) and then I come across your response to tough situations:

   “I don’t see a reason for this.”

   Ouch. I’ve been saying that all day today. And the way you described it is true — I wasn’t trusting God and I was questioning His Sovereignty and His Will as being best. That’s the OPPOSITE of witnessing of His Faithfulness and Loving care to people around me.

   Lately I’ve been really convicted, too, about how I’ve failed to tell people the Truth when I should have. I have the most trouble forgiving myself. I’ve taken it before God and I’ve repented and I know in my heart that He’s forgiven me… but I can’t seem to forgive myself. And it’s too late for me to make things right in the way that I would like to.
   I guess I can just pray now that God will change me and give me the boldness and compassion and even break me, if necessary, so that I will willingly lay down my life (or reputation, in those instances) and speak as I should, act as I should, love as I should. Oh, I pray that I would.

   You know, about the people you know who are going through really tough times; when I look back on the times when I really thought that I couldn’t make it through (like where things happened and I was devastated and thought I couldn’t handle it), those were the times that God used to bless me the most by drawing me to Himself and revealing to me His Love for me. Isn’t that unusual? I mean, those are the times when we go, “Why do You feel so far away? Why don’t I feel Your Love like I think I should?” I wish I could get to the point of trusting God and praising Him through the situations — all through them — even as I would at the end when I understand all of it. I wish I would just trust His Character as He is worthy to be trusted — regardless of what things look like. I wish I could just trust Him and look to Him and believe that everything is right instead of looking at things of this world and circumstances and allowing myself to be convinced by lies that these things are to be more relied on to tell me how it will turn out than God is.

   So, I have some work to do (meaning, lots to pray about). Thanks so much for posting this (and being honest about your convictions — it’s really convicted me and encouraged me to work through my convictions instead of just sitting down and going, “It’s no use!”). And thanks for inspiring me to speak the Truth as I need to people who are hurting or struggling (or hungry for it).

   God bless you, brother!

2. Agent Tim Says:
   April 27th, 2008 at 1:55 pm

   I appreciate that Nicole. I was wondering, what books are you currently reading? There are quite a few that come to mind that might help in this area of complaining.

   Also, another thing C.J. pointed out in his sermon is that when we take on one issue in our life (such as complaining), it changes many other areas of our life as well. So - working on this one area will make a bigger impact than on just that area in and of itself.

   God Bless.

3. Nicole T. Says:
   April 27th, 2008 at 7:14 pm

   Aww… I don’t want to read more books! (whining) No, I’m just kidding. That’s one thing I wouldn’t complain about — I love reading.

   I’d be interested to find out what books you would recommend. Currently I am reading several books by Hudson Taylor, a book by Arthur Mathews, the first “Voice of the Martyrs” book by DC Talk, George Muller’s narratives, some history books on WW2 — none of them really cover complaining, but they all help me see things more clearly so that I am, by effect, more grateful.

   I have seen that to be very true (what you mentioned that C.J. pointed out) about single issues in our lives — if we fail to surrender one issue to God, it affects everything; but on the other hand, if we do surrender it to God, it changes everything — in a very good way. Specifically, God’s been teaching me that about having faith regarding temporal matters (if I don’t trust Him the doubt seeps into nearly every other area of my relationship with Him).

   Please do let me know any books that would be helpful. Thanks. =)

4. Agent Tim Says:
   April 29th, 2008 at 6:03 pm

   Well, any of C.J. Mahaney’s books may be very helpful. _Living the Cross Centered Life_ or _Humility: True Greatness_ were in mind. I would also reccomend _The Pursuit of Holiness_ or _The Discipline of Grace_ by Jerry Bridges as great places to start reading. Those are just a few of the books that have greatly impacted my life.

5. Agent Tim Says:
   April 29th, 2008 at 6:04 pm

   You can also see the books we received at Together for the Gospel here. I’d recommend any of those.

6. Nicole T. Says:
   April 30th, 2008 at 4:52 am

   Thanks! I’ll have to check those books out — I’ll be at the bookstore tomorrow so I’ll take a look at them then (if they are in-stock). Either that or I’ll order them when I can. I’m really looking forward to seeing what they say. I’m always looking for good books and I’ve never read anything by either of those authors before. I’m totally intrigued.

   Thanks and God bless you.

7. Maria Pauline Says:
   May 2nd, 2008 at 12:20 pm

   Amen! Thanks for reminding me of God’s sovreignty, it’s actually something I’ve been thinking about recently. It is so hard to complain about difficult people or disappointing results when I know God has a purpose for everything, even if I can’t see it. And God can do no wrong. Therefore, everything he plans is good because it is his will.

8. Eric Novak Says:
   May 3rd, 2008 at 10:37 pm

   Through the bible we can catch a glimpse of God’s plan for our lives. Other then that we have almost no clue what that plan entails.

   “Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts are higher than your thoughts.” ~ Isaiah 55:9

   RYC: Thanks for commenting. I think that the reason why we comment on any blog is because that is the reason there is a comment box. Lol.

   I’m glad you are encouraged by my blog. I hope that God is using it for a positive purpose.

   God Bless,
   Eric Novak

9. Christina Brown Says:
   May 7th, 2008 at 1:09 am

   Tim,
   Thanks for allowing me to interview you for The Homeschool Blog Awards website. It will be posted on May 7, 2008! Come check it out!

10. JosiahR Says:
    May 16th, 2008 at 11:33 pm

    Great post!

11. JosiahR Says:
    May 19th, 2008 at 8:45 am

    Wondering, how often do you update? I have you on my bookmarks. Really cool site!!!

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