tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990998456213507715.post3289535037080585168..comments2023-04-09T03:38:25.779-07:00Comments on Chronic Illness, Christian Faith, and Other Laments: Spiritual LonelinessDouglas Groothuis, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08766692378954258034noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990998456213507715.post-67068118694533989182009-04-06T22:13:00.000-07:002009-04-06T22:13:00.000-07:00TfT:That is "the mystery of iniquity" in the langu...TfT:<BR/><BR/>That is "the mystery of iniquity" in the language of the King James Bible. The creature was given the ability to chose against the Creator, and did so. The evidence of history and our own souls bear witness to it. Pascal says that without this mystery (which is not an absurdity) we remain hopeless mysteries to ourselves. I wrote a chapter on this basic idea in my book, On Pascal. I'd be happy to send you the chapter for free over email if you'd like. Just give me your email address.Douglas Groothuis, Ph.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08766692378954258034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990998456213507715.post-75823383544605836272009-04-06T08:07:00.000-07:002009-04-06T08:07:00.000-07:00Instead of resting in perfect love, they sought ou...Instead of resting in perfect love, they sought out more than enough.(Chronic)<BR/><BR/>It begs the question, "How perfect was that love if the need for more than enough crept in?"Tit for Tathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09454132514796693591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990998456213507715.post-21373051938806536502009-04-05T21:26:00.000-07:002009-04-05T21:26:00.000-07:00Deron:Thank you for the thoughtful response. Docto...Deron:<BR/><BR/>Thank you for the thoughtful response. Doctor visits can be redeeming, in more ways that helping us get better physically. We can come to appreciate the doctors and nurses. We also need to put on the full armor of God for these excursions, since the enemy and his minions like disease, death, and fear--things that are common in hospitals and doctors offices. See Ephesians 6:10-18; Colossians 2:14-15.Douglas Groothuis, Ph.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08766692378954258034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990998456213507715.post-19501282559682183742009-04-05T21:24:00.000-07:002009-04-05T21:24:00.000-07:00Steve:Thank you. I do hope you will ponder what I ...Steve:<BR/><BR/>Thank you. I do hope you will ponder what I said about the reality of Jesus' on the Cross, what he did and what it means. This is Holy Week, wherein we remember the events leading up to the crucifixion and resurrection. May you enter deeply into these realities.Douglas Groothuis, Ph.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08766692378954258034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990998456213507715.post-4188401775381168172009-04-05T19:25:00.000-07:002009-04-05T19:25:00.000-07:00Doug,I wish that I had the right words to say that...Doug,<BR/><BR/>I wish that I had the right words to say that could help you and Rebbeca with your challenges in this life but, if they exist, I can not seem to find them. Caring may be one of the most difficult things to communicate. The feeling is there, but the words to express it do not seem to come easily. I want to be able send you some kind of support and hope that it some way this little note does.Steve Schulerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17507446648186799208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990998456213507715.post-17885783235260630052009-04-05T18:51:00.000-07:002009-04-05T18:51:00.000-07:00I liked this post. Every paragraph hit home.I can...I liked this post. Every paragraph hit home.<BR/><BR/>I can particularly empathize with the difficulty in not being able to go out and do anything even for just 20 minutes--or else we'll pay for it for several days afterwards.<BR/><BR/>It also seems that our friends really only have very limited understanding of all we're going through. It becomes more and more difficult to relate to them.<BR/><BR/>Interestingly enough, you mentioned going to the doctor. My trips to the doctor (who is 2.5 hours away) have actually started to become enjoyable. It's the only time when I can really get "out".<BR/><BR/>And I have often felt I have a unique perspective on Christ's sufferings (although based on your post, I am not the only one). I feel I have come closer to experiencing what he did in the Garden and on his way to the Cross, than many.<BR/><BR/>And I'm not saying that in a "woe is me" kind of way, but in almost a grateful kind of way.Deron Arnoldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17222818498103201571noreply@blogger.com