God Cares and Answers
Heavenly people need help from God here and now45 total reviews
Comment from krazee3377
First of all thank you for sharing your piece. I know how much courage it takes to put your work out there for all to see and pick apart. I love honesty and I always learn something about myself, and am still amazed how healing writing can be. Weather fiction or non I believe there is a truth at the heart of every message. As a writer, I use it at theropy and always feel a little more sane when I share. I really enjoyed this piece and can't wait to see where it goes. Good luck and keep sharing.
reply by the author on 03-Feb-2015
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First of all thank you for sharing your piece. I know how much courage it takes to put your work out there for all to see and pick apart. I love honesty and I always learn something about myself, and am still amazed how healing writing can be. Weather fiction or non I believe there is a truth at the heart of every message. As a writer, I use it at theropy and always feel a little more sane when I share. I really enjoyed this piece and can't wait to see where it goes. Good luck and keep sharing.
Comment Written 03-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 03-Feb-2015
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Thank you for your thoughtful reply. You are kind to read and comment so thoroughly and I appreciate it. Dennis
Comment from Autumn Splendour
This essay talks about the goodness of God and the need to be faithful to Him. A good read, but there appears to be a problem with coherence.
You began with the controversy over signs and you said, "Both are extremes and both are corrected by Scripture and Biblical examples." This appears to be your thesis statement as it appears in the introductory paragraph. I would expect the rest of your paragraphs to be linked to this thread.
In the next paragraph you talk about faith and spiritual growth and site the example of Abraham. But where is the link to signs?
Don't get me wrong. You do know scripture and you express it well, just that your flow from one paragraph to another can be better managed.
reply by the author on 03-Feb-2015
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This essay talks about the goodness of God and the need to be faithful to Him. A good read, but there appears to be a problem with coherence.
You began with the controversy over signs and you said, "Both are extremes and both are corrected by Scripture and Biblical examples." This appears to be your thesis statement as it appears in the introductory paragraph. I would expect the rest of your paragraphs to be linked to this thread.
In the next paragraph you talk about faith and spiritual growth and site the example of Abraham. But where is the link to signs?
Don't get me wrong. You do know scripture and you express it well, just that your flow from one paragraph to another can be better managed.
Comment Written 03-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 03-Feb-2015
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Yes, the secret to good writing is rewriting. I have received a good number of reviews on this piece and several of them have said exactly opposite of your conclusions. So I'm getting a balanced view at least! :) The reviews that I treasure are ones that tell me they were blessed and encouraged by what they read. Thank you for your feed back , it is appreciated. Dennis
Comment from debskatz
Dear Deniz22,
Your essay has a genuine faith feel to it; however, it also has some problems.
"There is no doubt, God is faithful and we should simply believe His Word, while we proceed on the path He has appointed us to follow. Abraham is a wonderful example of faith; yet scripture reveals his faith to be of a progressive nature, moving from weakness to genuine strength. This is the normal pattern of true spiritual growth."
Suggestions: One should never use "There is" if you can get away from it. You can! Simply drop the first part of the sentence. Many people could get hung up on it.
"God is faithful and we should simply believe His Word(,) while we proceed on the path He has appointed us to follow."
"Abraham is a wonderful example of faith; yet scripture reveals his faith to be of a progressive nature, moving from weakness to genuine strength. This(need a noun here) is the normal pattern of true spiritual growth."
~~ I don't know how long this essay is supposed to be; however, statements like the above should be backed up with examples. How did he act when his faith was weak? How did he act when it was strong? Are we to simply take your word for it? ~~
I've now read your essay several times & pondered over it. It took a few times to understand what you're trying to say. (Probably my fault due to my diminished brain capacity!).
If I were to debate your statements, I'd point out the story of doubting Thomas. I do think you should have included this story as it is relevant and very well known.
Anyway, I hope this helps.
deb
reply by the author on 03-Feb-2015
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Dear Deniz22,
Your essay has a genuine faith feel to it; however, it also has some problems.
"There is no doubt, God is faithful and we should simply believe His Word, while we proceed on the path He has appointed us to follow. Abraham is a wonderful example of faith; yet scripture reveals his faith to be of a progressive nature, moving from weakness to genuine strength. This is the normal pattern of true spiritual growth."
Suggestions: One should never use "There is" if you can get away from it. You can! Simply drop the first part of the sentence. Many people could get hung up on it.
"God is faithful and we should simply believe His Word(,) while we proceed on the path He has appointed us to follow."
"Abraham is a wonderful example of faith; yet scripture reveals his faith to be of a progressive nature, moving from weakness to genuine strength. This(need a noun here) is the normal pattern of true spiritual growth."
~~ I don't know how long this essay is supposed to be; however, statements like the above should be backed up with examples. How did he act when his faith was weak? How did he act when it was strong? Are we to simply take your word for it? ~~
I've now read your essay several times & pondered over it. It took a few times to understand what you're trying to say. (Probably my fault due to my diminished brain capacity!).
If I were to debate your statements, I'd point out the story of doubting Thomas. I do think you should have included this story as it is relevant and very well known.
Anyway, I hope this helps.
deb
Comment Written 03-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 03-Feb-2015
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Frankly, you are the first out of a good number of reviewers that expressed anything like your concerns. Many have reported they were blessed by it. Perhaps you have a POV you really want to express? Feel free. Naturally, there are many examples in the Bible that could have been employed but FS reviewers do better with short essays paying well. Abraham's story is well documented and I venture to say as many are familiar with it as that of Thomas. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Dennis
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Hi Dennis, I figured I would be the lone wolf. lol However, I simply approached it from a writer's perspective, not a religious one.
Yes, my POV is different from yours, but that is not the point. And many people here on fanstory, particularly one that pays well, will barely read a story, say nice things about it, and go on to the next one.
However, I have no doubt that several were blessed by it.
smiles,
deb
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I appreciate your kind response but I think it pretty impossible to lay aside a POV. It came through in your suggesting a change in context. Thanks, Dennis
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I appreciate your kind response but I think it pretty impossible to lay aside a POV. It came through in your suggesting a change in context. Thanks, Dennis
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I appreciate your kind response but I think it pretty impossible to lay aside a POV. It came through in your suggesting a change in context. Thanks, Dennis
Comment from LIJ Red
Blatty's demon in the Exorcist taunts the priest, Karras, "The problem with signs in the sky, dear Karras, is that having seen them, one has no excuse." So it would seem
wise not to wish for omens...
reply by the author on 02-Feb-2015
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Blatty's demon in the Exorcist taunts the priest, Karras, "The problem with signs in the sky, dear Karras, is that having seen them, one has no excuse." So it would seem
wise not to wish for omens...
Comment Written 02-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 02-Feb-2015
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I had in mind encouragements for and to those walking in the revealed way. What good is a sign which is objective and can be read many ways? Thanks for reading and commenting. Dennis
Comment from Max Edon
I enjoyed reading this. You have a very nice writing style. I thought that your message was very uplifting. I have read this several times over because I want to memorize this.
reply by the author on 02-Feb-2015
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I enjoyed reading this. You have a very nice writing style. I thought that your message was very uplifting. I have read this several times over because I want to memorize this.
Comment Written 02-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 02-Feb-2015
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Thank you very much for your generous comments. I truly appreciate your taking time to read and even seeking to memorize what I wrote. May God continue to bless you and feed your soul the "the word of His grace". Dennis
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You are welcome
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You are welcome
Comment from Janet Foor
What a comforting piece Dennis. Very timely for me as a dear niece lost her battle with cancer yesterday and her family and friends are comforted and encouraged by the fact that at 47 - just days before her death - she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized. Truly today she is with Him in Paradise and will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Selah
Blessings to you and yours
Janet
reply by the author on 02-Feb-2015
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What a comforting piece Dennis. Very timely for me as a dear niece lost her battle with cancer yesterday and her family and friends are comforted and encouraged by the fact that at 47 - just days before her death - she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized. Truly today she is with Him in Paradise and will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Selah
Blessings to you and yours
Janet
Comment Written 02-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 02-Feb-2015
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Thanks Janet. Surely their is no greater comfort than knowing our departed loved ones are safe in the arms of Jesus. "Absent from the body, present with the Lord" is the reality for every person who has trusted Christ before leaving this world. God bless you dear sister in Christ. Dennis
Comment from spe9im
I absolutely loved this refreshing and uplifting way on having faith in God. You are right when you say some people ask for a sign, while others believe it is a sin. Your spin on it backed up by biblical reference's helps a lot to understand how God works. As far as your writing is concern, everything looked terrific and flowed together nicely. Great Job!
reply by the author on 02-Feb-2015
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I absolutely loved this refreshing and uplifting way on having faith in God. You are right when you say some people ask for a sign, while others believe it is a sin. Your spin on it backed up by biblical reference's helps a lot to understand how God works. As far as your writing is concern, everything looked terrific and flowed together nicely. Great Job!
Comment Written 02-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 02-Feb-2015
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Thank you so much...it is a delight to write of the God of all grace and His loving way of dealing with us who so much need His wisdom and ever present help. It's also delightful that God has used this piece to minister to others, even as you have so indicated. God bless you always with clear understanding of His marvelous grace, Dennis
Comment from jaimelorie
Nice job joining scripture and your own words. It was thought provoking and flowed well. I hated to see that I was close to the end, as I really liked what you wrote. I will be reading more of your work as I find it inspirational. I grew up with a mother that changed our church, we started out Baptist and I loved that church and the music and activities that we did in Sunday school and after services. Then in a sudden change that she never explained to us, we were going to the Church of Christ, I was fifteen then and did not agree with a lot of the things that they believed in. It turned me against organized religion. Although I fell away from churches, I am very spiritual and a complete believer in our Lord and his son. I love to read the work of people such as yourself, thanks for writing it.
reply by the author on 01-Feb-2015
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Nice job joining scripture and your own words. It was thought provoking and flowed well. I hated to see that I was close to the end, as I really liked what you wrote. I will be reading more of your work as I find it inspirational. I grew up with a mother that changed our church, we started out Baptist and I loved that church and the music and activities that we did in Sunday school and after services. Then in a sudden change that she never explained to us, we were going to the Church of Christ, I was fifteen then and did not agree with a lot of the things that they believed in. It turned me against organized religion. Although I fell away from churches, I am very spiritual and a complete believer in our Lord and his son. I love to read the work of people such as yourself, thanks for writing it.
Comment Written 01-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 01-Feb-2015
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Thanks for reading and commenting so candidly. I believe there are many who would echo your thoughts re organized religion. Church of Christ mixes works into the grace of God to make us acceptable to God. Thus true joy which comes from a proper understanding of our freedom in Christ, is nullified. The scriptural way to counteract their error is an in depth study of the Letter to the Galatians. Adding works into the equation calls into question the efficacy of Christ's atonement...this is not good! Either Jesus paid it all or we must contradict His statement, "It is finished!" I'm going with Jesus on this one and not going to try and add my puny efforts to His sinless sacrifice. God bless you, dear sister, and if I can be of help in anyway, please feel to ask. YBI, Dennis
Comment from RPSaxena
Hello Deniz22,
It's a lovely piece of Spiritual Non-Fiction beautifully depicting its theme.
Wording is simple as well as impressive having smooth flow.
Picture enhances strength of the theme.
reply by the author on 01-Feb-2015
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Hello Deniz22,
It's a lovely piece of Spiritual Non-Fiction beautifully depicting its theme.
Wording is simple as well as impressive having smooth flow.
Picture enhances strength of the theme.
Comment Written 01-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 01-Feb-2015
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Hello, and thank you for your kind and thoughtful words. Much appreciated...Dennis
Comment from ExperiencingLiphe
My pastor once said that when Jesus was here on earth He never sat with the strong faith people. He always went to the ones struggling. He wanted to be with them more than anything. I had a rough time with the God thing at first but I wouldn't be where I am today had I not gone through the struggles I did. I have God dreams and I have learned how to identify them. Sometimes I don't know what they mean right away but within a day or two I usually know the answer of whatever it was. It's crazy but it's how it is. Great job friend
reply by the author on 01-Feb-2015
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My pastor once said that when Jesus was here on earth He never sat with the strong faith people. He always went to the ones struggling. He wanted to be with them more than anything. I had a rough time with the God thing at first but I wouldn't be where I am today had I not gone through the struggles I did. I have God dreams and I have learned how to identify them. Sometimes I don't know what they mean right away but within a day or two I usually know the answer of whatever it was. It's crazy but it's how it is. Great job friend
Comment Written 01-Feb-2015
reply by the author on 01-Feb-2015
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That's an interesting observation your Pastor shared. I think it a bit limited, although I am sure it was said with compassion. Followed out to its logical conclusion, it would seem to indicate strong faithed people don't need Jesus in all His fullness. But it's unlikely they became strong without the ministry of the Savior. The NT teaches every believer in Christ has Christ abiding within via the Holy Spirit, so we can move from weakness to strength as we gain understanding offered by God to each of us..
I do not question the validity of your experience with God so far but would suggest to you that dreams are often subjective and lend themselves to distortion of truth many times. I would also suggest you thank God for His kindness (I am sure you are grateful) and move on to a clearer, growing concept of Him through the Bible. The Gospel of John is a great place to get a clearer picture of who Jesus is and His will for your life.
Here's a verse that shows progression from dream revelations to the written Word of God which is more reliable for building your spiritual understanding and relationship with God.
Hebrews chapter 1, verse 1: In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways,
(dreams, angels, visions)
2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.
3 The Son is the radiance of God?s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
I hope you find this helpful and not presumptuous on my part. I appreciate your candor and your love for God. May He continue to guide you along your faith journey. Sincerely, Dennis
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Yeah I can assure you thats not what my pastor meant
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Sorry if I misunderstood...
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Sorry if I misunderstood...
