tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post5248341156470271536..comments2024-03-10T10:40:32.319-07:00Comments on Pyromaniacs: Jesus' "dumb question" that wasn't (and isn't) [requested classic re-post]Phil Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649092052031518426noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-8100399144773227422009-07-20T23:02:24.657-07:002009-07-20T23:02:24.657-07:00When I got saved, I did everything possible to get...When I got saved, I did everything possible to get out of the way of being healed; away from that Meddling Spirit...and yet Jesus healed me anyways. When I had not sought righteousness, I found righteousness. (cf. Genesis 3:9, Romans 9:30) I'm glad about it now, but at the time I was furious.Canyon Shearer, DMinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07532193132267331015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-5515138423524177652009-07-20T10:39:26.846-07:002009-07-20T10:39:26.846-07:00I'm reminded of a scene from Monty Python'...I'm reminded of a scene from Monty Python's film Life of Brian (saw it once -- won't see it again), but the scene stuck with me. They're walking through a crowd of beggars and one of the main characters cries out "Alms for an ex-leper!". What follows is a haggle over alms. Finally the "ex-leper" says he was healed by Jesus "without so much as a by your leave!" and complains mightily that he now is a "man without a trade". The point of the scene was actually the man's breathtaking ingratitude -- he apparently did not want to be healed. Anyway... something useful from an otherwise useless youthful mistake (the movie).<br /><br />Obvious questions are not often dumb questions -- and are seemingly the ones we avoid asking of ourselves (a failing Jesus of course does nto share!)<br /><br />Great post -- thanks for the exhortation.Troyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04686678780732464194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-3013928273317518782009-07-19T09:46:58.950-07:002009-07-19T09:46:58.950-07:00I'm grateful for your careful clarifications, ...I'm grateful for your careful clarifications, both in-post and in the comments, Dan. But mostly grateful for the exhortation :-)Kayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14873728356115837593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-9955143249709055402009-07-17T22:56:13.857-07:002009-07-17T22:56:13.857-07:00OUCH indeed, Deb_B, for me personally as well.
...OUCH indeed, Deb_B, for me personally as well. <br /><br />And my OUCH is further intensified by Nate's (and Andrea's?) observation about Jesus's warning the man that something worse might happen to him if he were to keep sinning. Things can indeed get worse at any moment; it is because of the Lord's kindness that I am not consumed. He is gracious toward me so that I may repent.<br /><br />(This frog isn't completely out of hot water today but is becoming more alert....)Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08289347868497438542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-52673414682237417242009-07-17T18:50:11.943-07:002009-07-17T18:50:11.943-07:00I think we all have to be careful and not be decei...I think we all have to be careful and not be deceived. Our culture promotes this mentality.Charleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14552690728412904236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-8637609487926713102009-07-17T11:56:25.114-07:002009-07-17T11:56:25.114-07:00Dan,
The only reason I don't visit daily is b...Dan,<br /><br />The only reason I don't visit daily is because I can't handle the Internet daily!<br /><br />Instead of doing Internet in regular, healthy, moderate doses, I tend to "binge" (both on the quality and the trivial), and then "starve" for a few days--trying to get it out of my system and return to equilibrium. <br /><br /><br />And yes, I wish to be made well! <br /><br />No, I don't wish to whine about this for 38 years!<br /><br /><br />-GiselaUshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10294589687449827936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-41950291308063121452009-07-17T10:05:34.332-07:002009-07-17T10:05:34.332-07:00Well, Gisela, I think the point is not to wait unt...Well, Gisela, I think the point is not to wait until then before coming back to us.<br /><br />Just make us a daily visit!<br /><br />(c:DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-11770573967673564662009-07-17T10:02:07.049-07:002009-07-17T10:02:07.049-07:00What's with the fine-pointed perfect timing, a...What's with the fine-pointed perfect timing, all the time, of these posts?<br /><br />At (too many) times, spiritually, I feel like the man at the pool. When it gets bad enough, I click over to this blog, and find that someone has hit the nail on the head! And always the top post or two. It's not digging through archives. <br /><br />It's becoming an expected thing. I struggle with some sort of sin, get stupid and faithless and listless and jerk-y and mopey and cowerish...and I know that when I click over to Team Pyro, one of you will stick your finger right on whatever-it-is. <br /><br />Seems that God consistently sends me to this blog to read the right thing at the right time.<br /><br />So, thanks.<br /><br /><br />GiselaUshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10294589687449827936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-7468464054932459612009-07-17T06:31:34.171-07:002009-07-17T06:31:34.171-07:00this post is an epic win
highly convicting, I'...this post is an epic win<br /><br />highly convicting, I'm glad I got a chance to read it.<br /><br />:)<br />Shawna.Soulllhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08231269502219610176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-22630968095442036142009-07-17T02:22:44.590-07:002009-07-17T02:22:44.590-07:00Dan,
Your insight to this passage is just stellar...Dan,<br /><br />Your insight to this passage is just stellar and I suspect this gets over looked in most Sunday schools and bible studies. For its only when one ponders the paralytics response that one see's the man's deliberate content with his infirmity having still been there 38 years. A person's first response would be a resounding yes, I want to get healed. But this man goes into an explanation of why he has not and it is obvious to even a first time observer of his purposeful neglect. <br /><br />And yes Dan I am haunted by this insight of yours not only of the implications you've so well stated, hate you very much, but also of its many possibilities I toy with to fit bibley truths.<br /><br />Do you want to be Christ like?<br />Do you want to be Spirit filled?<br />Do you want to be dependent on me?<br />Do you want your mind renewed?<br />Do you want to serve me?<br />Do you want to serve your church?<br />Do you want to love your wife?<br />Do you want to pray for your president?<br />Do you want to share the gospel?<br />Do you want to make disciples?<br /><br />Before I was healed the answer to these questions were "no". In fact I never knew such questions exist.<br />After I was healed the answer to these questions are still "no", and "yes".<br />Thank God the same Spirit that breathed these questions in me and gave the answers "yes" is the same Spirit that will take away the answers "no".philnesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04393311811604119321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-37592109949542353252009-07-16T22:25:32.368-07:002009-07-16T22:25:32.368-07:00This was a "stab and twist" kind of post...This was a "stab and twist" kind of post. I dig up more and more things about myself that are relevant to what you're saying. Thank you for posting this. I think I'm going to print it out and put it in my Bible. These thoughts may help me (and my wife ;) sort through some things. <br /><br />I noted early in my faith that Jesus later tells him to stop sinning or something worse may happen to him. When I think about what already happened to the man, it makes me shudder to realize what could be worse...Nate and Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09763455996198591831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-88319612059354221442009-07-16T22:21:23.968-07:002009-07-16T22:21:23.968-07:00Susan closed a very astute commentary with:
"...<b>Susan</b> closed a <i><b>very</b></i> astute commentary with:<br /><i>"Time for prayer and reflection...."</i><br /><br />To which I must echo a hearty AMEN!, personally speaking.<br /><br />OUCH!Deb_Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03550673007910547814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-88222154836696221552009-07-16T21:23:24.159-07:002009-07-16T21:23:24.159-07:00Well said, my man. Definitely one of your finer e...Well said, my man. Definitely one of your finer efforts.lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02269079315500219992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-10650604314397485832009-07-16T20:42:32.815-07:002009-07-16T20:42:32.815-07:00This re-post comes on a day when I feel like a sem...This re-post comes on a day when I feel like a semi-oblivious and totally indolent frog swimming in a pot of water that's getting hotter by the minute....<br /><br />What a question! I can almost see Jesus asking <i>me</i> the very same question. <br /><br />Time for prayer and reflection....Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08289347868497438542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-26882859356564315302009-07-16T10:18:58.357-07:002009-07-16T10:18:58.357-07:00Right on post, although at first I thought because...Right on post, although at first I thought because of a situation I know well involving someone else. Now, though, I am convicted because this really applies to anyone whether their "illness" is physical, mental, emotional OR just plain old unrepented sin.<br /><br />Thanks Dan.Jayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00833725192258613330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-65427533030514562802009-07-16T08:56:03.335-07:002009-07-16T08:56:03.335-07:00dwitzke,
Lol, reminds me of Bob Newhart sketch. ...dwitzke,<br /><br />Lol, reminds me of Bob Newhart sketch. That was his whole therapy technique. "Stop it"Eric Kaminskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16567393793538013121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-19194944053700704152009-07-16T08:30:38.210-07:002009-07-16T08:30:38.210-07:00Ever notice that the crippled man never answered t...Ever notice that the crippled man never answered the question?Nash Equilibriumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06528684112014026512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-60406407098684797232009-07-16T08:21:37.466-07:002009-07-16T08:21:37.466-07:00Now, there's a phrase for a T-shirt.
(c:Now, <i>there's</i> a phrase for a T-shirt.<br /><br />(c:DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-72080593666781309532009-07-16T08:12:48.218-07:002009-07-16T08:12:48.218-07:00Wonderful, Dan! Just like mama's warmed over p...Wonderful, Dan! Just like mama's warmed over peach cobbler, this was even better the second time. Thanks for the very timely words for my family.buckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08075229458452698375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-67357483394341355712009-07-16T08:05:30.827-07:002009-07-16T08:05:30.827-07:00What a great article. Thank you for writing it.What a great article. Thank you for writing it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-60779746202216376912009-07-16T07:59:30.107-07:002009-07-16T07:59:30.107-07:00Thanks for this Dan.
In the providence of God thi...Thanks for this Dan.<br /><br />In the providence of God this repost comes right when I've been offered an opportunity which would directly lead to me addressing my areas of weakness professionally and learn how to correct them.<br /><br />Like the man by the pool these are areas I've know about for a long time and have not been willing to do that hard work of correcting.<br /><br />God is good.<br /><br />Thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-62465711438939737832009-07-16T07:19:46.504-07:002009-07-16T07:19:46.504-07:00Yes, Bob. And I think it can be far from obvious t...Yes, Bob. And I think it can be far from obvious to the sufferer, that (s)he has invested his/her identity in his/her suffering. He's Bob-with-the-bad-marriage, she's Unloved-Sally.<br /><br />BTW, I'd be appalled if anyone used this post as a weapon to batter suffering believers simply because they (they batterers) lack compassion and patience. That isn't what I'm writing about.DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-64223128789296450262009-07-16T07:17:57.620-07:002009-07-16T07:17:57.620-07:00DWitzke, you might get a rueful chuckle out of one...<b>DWitzke</b>, you might get a rueful chuckle out of one of my earliest posts here, a pointed tongue-in-cheeker called <a href="http://teampyro.blogspot.com/2006/02/26-ways-in-which-doing-it-support-is.html" rel="nofollow">26 ways in which doing IT Support is better than being a pastor</a>.DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-40122617552817746582009-07-16T07:17:26.653-07:002009-07-16T07:17:26.653-07:00Thanks Dan for this re-post. Do you think, since ...Thanks Dan for this re-post. Do you think, since you pointed out the identity aspect, that people who are bound in some sin fear the responsibility that comes along with a sincere desire to be healed? It seems so.Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03054463754885301503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-73329972671690425132009-07-16T07:14:11.149-07:002009-07-16T07:14:11.149-07:00Also, in my pastoral counseling/exhortation, I hav...Also, in my pastoral counseling/exhortation, I have found this to be very true. People will come in "asking for help," while they do not really want help, but some sort of approval for their position. Two of the first things I deal with is to establish whether or not they believe the Bible is truly God's revelation of His truth, and then whether they are willing to be helped. (then I say "Stop it!" :))dwitzkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01073349479436216262noreply@blogger.com