This is the title of a book my oldest (historically speaking)
blogfriend John W Cowart sent me in Feb. 2007.
His was the very first blog I found, when I
thought blogs were snacks Martians ate.
John is a distinguished author, historian, storyteller, speaker. and collector of artifacts and antiques and much more. In his profile he describes himself as a Christian of sorts .But you have to read his blog to find out that
John and his lovely wife Ginny are wonderful people.Very involved in their community and engaging in acts of charity
in their neighbourhood.
John encouraged me to start blogging and
he introduced me to his blog friends too.
Do visit his website
Do visit his website
the second one I have stolen from John 's blog.
John has dedicated the above book to hishis loving wife Ginny with the following words,
"I prayed twenty-five years ago to get over loving you.
I am so glad that God did not answer my prayer".
I highly recommend this book to you friends.
This is a question I have struggled with many times.
Specially why didn 't God heal me when I prayed so hard and so long.
I lost my job because of my physical limitations
and I am unable to join the normal work force and have a active social life. When I saw people getting healed at the wave of TV evangelist 's hands I felt angry at God. But I have received my answers.
God has sequestered me for a purpose
and His grace is sufficient for me.
What are some of your prayers God did not answer?
Think about them my friends, and
seek God 's answers.
24 Fertilize my soul:
I'm also wanting to order the book on prayer. He sounds like a fascinating man. Thanks for sharing.
You are so clever Amrita!
So funny....
Hi Nina and Sherri, Thanks for your resposes. I have added a few more lines to the post as a personal testimony.
Would you believe that I have that book (somewhere!)? Read it quite a while ago. Did not strike me that was the author who wrote comments on your blog. I always wondered how you 'met' your first blogging pals. So how did you?(-;
.."sequestered for a purpose"..."by Him, through Him, for Him"..Rom.11:36
Hi Amrita,
Thank you for this beautiful display of my book. I'm honored that you view me as nicer and wiser in the blog world than I am in real life.
Mostly in my writings I ponder things that bother me. "Lord, I believe; help Thou my unbelief".
This book has been reissued under the new title "I'm Confused About Prayer" at www.bluefishbooks.info
I'm really tickled that you did this. And I love the picture of Ginny--it's from when we went off camping on our 40th anniversary trip and she found that pine cone.
I am so glad that you started blogging. Your site attracts many more readers than ever click on mine, and your testimony reaches out all over the world. I check out your postings daily and your view of India always broadens my horizons.
Thank you, John Cowart
Amrita, you and I do not share any of the same religious beliefs, yet I believe we share many of the same LIFE beliefs. That matters more to me. And you have a WONDERFUL sense of humor. ;p
~Mary
Hi Amrita :)
Very interesting, informative and thought provoking post.
Many of my prayers God did not answer. In fact HE did not answer most of my prayers. There were times I was disappointed and frustrated. But HE was always there when I needed HIM and stood by me with a helping hand when I needed HIM most.
The problem with us humans is that we ask for unwanted favors. Things we don't really need. As a matter of habit we pray for this and that.
God is our Father and HE really knows what we need.
Look at the birds in the air. They don't till or sow. Yet God takes care of them. God loves us more than the birds. Surely HE will take care of us.
Faith will move mountains. Do we have unshakable faith when we pray. When we pray for every thing under the sun, how can we have faith?
I am almost 62. God has given me everything I need to get by. Not that I am rich or very healthy. But I cannot grumble.
There is a saying which you must be knowing: I COMPLAINED I HAD NO SHOES UNTIL I SAW A MAN WITHOUT FEET.
So let us not complain and grumble. GOD has given us enough and more and if at all we really need anything HE will surely give us.
I will check up on John's blog. I think he and his wife are wonderful people.
Many, many thanks for this wonderful post.
Before I end I would like to recall a saying which you already know: DO YOUR BEST AND GOD WILL DO THE REST.
Best wishes :)
Halloo Amrita...a thoughtful and delightful post, as usual.
Dear Sis (or Ben as I call my elder sister, hope u don't mind), I needed this post urgently. I was questioning my beliefs for the last few days (no big deal; just to live honestly & try to keep my soul clean). Never bothered Him with prayers asking for favours, always thought He knows what I need & He is in my heart. So, let Him help the real needy. But, I'd become very agitated & angry seeing all the crooked, corrupt people enjoying life to the hilt. And, me a crippled who can't even move a finger voluntarily being tested at every turn & my motives questioned. Thanks a ton dear for keeping my soul intact. God Bless you!
"I prayed twenty-five years ago to get over loving you.
I am so glad that God did not answer my prayer".
Pray that he never answers.
What a wonderful couple! Thanks for the interesting post, Amrita.
Hi, what a very interesting and nurturing entry. It has made my day, dear Amrita. I hope we will become good friends as you are now with the gentleman who encouraged you to blog. He did a very good thing, because even though you are handicapped you can still reach many people all over the world with your message of courage and hope. Mary of Frank and Mary put me in touch with you in the blog Giving Tree. She is a book lover, too. I hope to send you some of the books I treasure. Gerry
Dear Amrita,
you did so well in singing John c's praise.
He's a man after my heart too.
Generous, intelligent, absolutely unsnobbish and anti hypocrite.
He rather talk bad about himself than talk about his virtues.
He is also not too soon to praise, so when he does, you know in your heart, he really means it.
I'm so glad you took up his Bluefish books.
I think John C is too. He's almost too modest for his own good.
Have a pleasant and blessed week-end.
From Felisol
what a good question...he does answer prayers, BUT...only in his time and its what he wants for us, not what we may want! I thought that way for a bit after my Dad died at the age of 59 to cancer, I was extremely furious with him, then I felt so ugly for being so mad at him, he carried me through some pretty dark times with his love being my light, I cant imagine my life with out him in it now! you know what amazes me? out of trillions of people praying at the same time, he hears all of us, so amazing to me.
Love to you dear one~
Annette
Amrita, I'm so sorry God hasn't healed you fully, the way you wish to be healed. But I must say, you are blessing so many in the blogging community, and you might not have time to do that if you were working outside the home! I don't know if you'll ever know, this side of heaven, what an inspiration you are.
Blessings to you, my friend!
I am delighted by your comments friends and shared them with my Mom. I am not feeling well - fever and sore throat. But your responses gladdened my heart.
John I am honored to have you and your precious family as friends.
I could not rest untill i read all the articles on your website.God bless you.
Now you have to clean your swimming pool as it will be hot in FL.
Yes Sita I believe God clipped my wings so that He could use me on ground Zero.I hold on to Rom 8;28
Dear Mary, doesn 't matter if our religious views don 't match , our LIFE views do. I marvel at the way you looked after your Dad. And now you are sending sunshine to people in distant lands.Thank you for the seasoning you sent me. I make vegetable soup and a cube in it for extra flavour. So you are literally adding flavour to our lives.
Joseph sir, I really appreciate your comment. Many times God refrains from answering our prayers becasue He wants to give us something better than what we are asking for, and He wants to display His strength in our weakness.
Thank you Dame Penni for your kind gift which I received. The books and magnifyers are so precious. I can read small print with them.This means such a lot to me.A big warm hug to you Penni.
Dearest brother, chote bhaiyya Paresh, I am so touched by your comment. Of course I am your ben. I don 't have a real brother but God has given me many brothers like you.
Like you when i saw the prosperity and ease of apparently evil people I also questioned God. After a struggle I got the answer from the Bible which says the pleasure those who have gained their wealth and ease from exploiting others and committing deeds of darkness is short lived. They are like grass. Those who fear the Lord will receive their reward.
Have you got a Bible? If so read the Psalms , they will comfort your soul greatly.
Dear Felisol, what you say about John C is absolutely correct.I like John 's honesty, humour and the way he illustrates his points.His practical experiences make absorbing reads.
And I believe that blogging is not just reading each other 's posts and commenting, its about relationships and making a difference in each other 's lives.And you and my blog friends have done so.Thank you for strengthening my hands my dear sister, in a practical way.
Hi Gerry, I am so glad to have " met" you too. If I was nearby I would have learnt how to play pool from you. That game really fasinates me.Doc and you are so young at heart.How is Dante doing?
Thank you for your testimony Annette. Whether its Yes or No or Wait a while, God answers our prayers in the way He knows best.In fact I will share a Jewish story which illustrates this. I love that tale.
Dearest Renae, I want to testify that altho God did not heal some of my physical handicaps, he healed me to a large extent of acute arthritis and FM. I could not take a step without a cane and was in constant pain, putting on clothes was a like an Olymoian feat, but He healed me of that phase of my illmess.His grace His sufficient for me. He has given His angels charge over me. many times I have fallen down because my balance is weak, but I have not broken any bones.
Hi Ash the stained glass window if that Bristol church are so beautiful. You are so fortunate to see it in person.
Oh what funny cartoons! LOL!
God answers our prayers...it just sometimes He says yes, sometimes He say no, and sometimes He says ...wait. It's the "wait" answers that seems to trouble us the most.
Blessings my friend, hope you are a good day today!
Amrita -
this is off topic. I thought you might want to check out this: http://www.5minutesformom.com/5808/ultimate-blog-party-2009/
It is a whole list of women who want to connect with others. Most are mamas, but some are not. Most are Christian women, but some are not. There are over 1,000 listed. I don't know if you have time for this or are interested, but i thought you might be.
God's blessings on you. Hope you feel better.
Thank you Kathy. I will check this site
Got one dear,
For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
Psalm 1:6
isn't it amazing the folks we meet, through blogging ... heavenly will be such a lively place - with so many experiences to share and one common Saviour to worship!
just reading 90 Minutes in Heaven, by Don Piper ... a true story of how he died and spent time in heaven, before being brought back to a body that was completely mangled (horrific accident) ... encouraging and relatable reading!
blessings on your sunday!
I agree with your humble blogging friend and brother, John... you touch many with your blog...all to the Glory of God.
Keep at it my dear Indian friend;
Kimmie
mama to 7
one homemade and 6 adopted
God's answers to prayers are yes, no and later. We just have to trust in His unfailing love that He will do what is best for us. Sometimes sickness builds up one's character. We just hold on to His promises because the one who promise is faithful and true and He never lies. Thanks for the inspiring post. God bless you always.
amrita,
thats a wonderful post.sometimes we do not understand why God doesnt answer our prayer.but later He reveals why.sometimes we feel sad,but in the long run it is better.love,
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