tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13625848.post114765836497405294..comments2023-12-29T05:22:40.380-05:00Comments on Exegetical Thoughts and Biblical Theology: When I Don’t Desire God: How to Fight for JoyPhilipBrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09054435375764132992noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13625848.post-58766249774978955582007-04-24T22:44:00.000-04:002007-04-24T22:44:00.000-04:00One more thing, I failed to mention that I couldn'...One more thing, I failed to mention that I couldn't agree more with this blog on great joy and that it is Biblical. But again I do want to throw some more thoughts out. What about Job, a perfect man, in the depths of despair? Also I have been thinking recently that when I feel great for too long, personally there is the temptation for me to start getting lax. But when I hit bottom emotionally, it makes me flee to God. I like to think that God in His mercy allows me to feel down to cling to Him all the more. But then again, am I living below what God's grace has for me? His grace can keep me just as well in great joy as well as in less joy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13625848.post-89322899890385536162007-04-20T21:58:00.000-04:002007-04-20T21:58:00.000-04:00This is Phillip D. In regard to 1 Peter 1:8 "Tho...This is Phillip D. In regard to 1 Peter 1:8 "Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory." I have often wondered how to reconcile this abounding joy (which Wesley believed was wrought by perfect love and I agree) with 1 Pet. 1:6 "Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:" These "manifold temptations" may also (I believe) be interpreted "a lot of adversity." Does this mean that it is normal to not feel like running through a troop and jumping over a wall? But spoiling of goods is manifold temptations, and yet God's grace gave them abundant joy. So should I look for more joy in my manifold temptations or expect heaviness, or is it something that can co-exist? Wondering. Any thoughts are appreciated, Phillip Dickinson under my wife's blogger nameThe Dickinsonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01689122652341720167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13625848.post-1148671661672411242006-05-26T15:27:00.000-04:002006-05-26T15:27:00.000-04:00Hi, Jon,I would rank Desiring God along with three...Hi, Jon,<BR/><BR/>I would rank Desiring God along with three other books that have most profoundly affected my spiritual life: Tozer's Pursuit of God and Knowledge of the Holy, and J. I. Packer's Knowing God.<BR/><BR/>Once I was able to see that Piper's Calvinism is really incidental to his understanding of what it means to desire and delight in God, I was able to immerse my soul in the truth he presents.<BR/><BR/>Regarding Calvinism and a passion for God -- I have found that John Wesley was saying in almost identical language the same things Jonathan Edwards and other Reformed writers were saying. Perhaps I'll blog on this sometime.<BR/><BR/>Blessings,<BR/>PhilipPhilip Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07999096964733560733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13625848.post-1148398199538490612006-05-23T11:29:00.000-04:002006-05-23T11:29:00.000-04:00Dr. Brown,I enjoy reading your blog and from your ...Dr. Brown,<BR/><BR/>I enjoy reading your blog and from your website. I am also looking forward to reading "When I don't desire God." I have ordered it but it has not arrived yet. His messages that I have listened to on this subject have been good. <BR/><BR/>I was curious what your opinion was on Piper's book "Desiring God." I have read most of it, but then it got set aside for awhile and so I am actually starting to reread it from the beginning. <BR/><BR/>I'm just wondering what someone from our persuasion, who is much smarter than me, thinks about it. :)<BR/><BR/>God Bless!Jon Earlshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11143567069140769859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13625848.post-1147918743905129452006-05-17T22:19:00.000-04:002006-05-17T22:19:00.000-04:00Hi, Megan,Thanks. Checked yours out today 5/17/06....Hi, Megan,<BR/>Thanks. Checked yours out today 5/17/06.<BR/>Sounds like you're engaging the real issues: choice, predestination, fate.<BR/>Here's what Jesus said, and might say again were He to respond to your blog.<BR/><BR/>+ "I am the way, the truth, and the life."<BR/>+ "The person who believes in me, shall have eternal life."<BR/>+ "This is what eternal life is: to know God and Jesus, the Messiah, whom He sent."<BR/>+ "Come to me, everyone who is weary and burdened down, and I will give you rest."<BR/>+ "If anyone wants to follow me, they must be willing to deny themselves, crucify their own desires, and choose to follow me."<BR/>+ "Anyone who comes to me, I would never reject."<BR/><BR/>The invitation still stands.Philip Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07999096964733560733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13625848.post-1147658924859214402006-05-14T22:08:00.000-04:002006-05-14T22:08:00.000-04:00Nice blog. You'd probably hate mine. But if you ar...Nice blog. You'd probably hate mine. But if you are ever interested in a little religious debate, check it out.Meganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06781359889453209326noreply@blogger.com