Comments on: Day 3, Friday, Book of Faith – Lenten Journey http://www.zionlutheran-marinette.org/bible-study/day-3-friday-book-of-faith-lenten-journey Growing Disciples in Community Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:28:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Karen Sylvester http://www.zionlutheran-marinette.org/bible-study/day-3-friday-book-of-faith-lenten-journey/comment-page-1#comment-444 Karen Sylvester Mon, 22 Feb 2010 04:32:14 +0000 http://www.zionlutheran-marinette.org/?p=638#comment-444 I've yet to finish the book "The Shack" but in that book God is a woman. I had a really hard wrapping my mind around that image, probably because for me God has always been a man; in reading, pictures, and movies, he's always a man. I've grown accustomed to that imagery. It simply doesn't bother me. In the past few years, when I've had the time I've read books written by Beverly Lewis. These books are about the Amish and I love the way prayers written in her books address God, "Lord God, Heavenly Father." I use that terminology often in my daily prayer life. I think that about says it all. One of the questions asked was are the words "Our Father" words of law or words of gospel. For me they're both. I feel that way especially about that part of the prayer that talks about trespasses. "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." For years I've asked myself how God could forgive me if I couldn't forgive someone of something they had done to me. I prayed and prayed and I think I've finally forgiven. It wasn't easy, and it makes me wonder how God can do it so readily. I’ve yet to finish the book “The Shack” but in that book God is a woman. I had a really hard wrapping my mind around that image, probably because for me God has always been a man; in reading, pictures, and movies, he’s always a man. I’ve grown accustomed to that imagery. It simply doesn’t bother me.

In the past few years, when I’ve had the time I’ve read books written by Beverly Lewis. These books are about the Amish and I love the way prayers written in her books address God, “Lord God, Heavenly Father.” I use that terminology often in my daily prayer life. I think that about says it all.

One of the questions asked was are the words “Our Father” words of law or words of gospel. For me they’re both. I feel that way especially about that part of the prayer that talks about trespasses. “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” For years I’ve asked myself how God could forgive me if I couldn’t forgive someone of something they had done to me. I prayed and prayed and I think I’ve finally forgiven. It wasn’t easy, and it makes me wonder how God can do it so readily.

]]> By: Nancy http://www.zionlutheran-marinette.org/bible-study/day-3-friday-book-of-faith-lenten-journey/comment-page-1#comment-441 Nancy Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:53:25 +0000 http://www.zionlutheran-marinette.org/?p=638#comment-441 To me personally, God will always be "Father". I attribute the mother role to Mary, mother of Jesus, though I suppose that is a throwback to my Catholic days. To me Father is provider, even though as a single parent I had both roles oft times, I see God in a far more traditional fashion. Jesus is HIS son...that indicates Father. Jesus WAS a man. That is how I see God - as a man. My mind cannot imagine it any other way........ which brings me to the book THE SHACK. To this day I have not finished it although I've had it for many months now. I'm quite comfortable ( perhaps TOO comfortable..) with the male image of God/Jesus. To me personally, God will always be “Father”. I attribute the mother role to Mary, mother of Jesus, though I suppose that is a throwback to my Catholic days. To me Father is provider, even though as a single parent I had both roles oft times, I see God in a far more traditional fashion. Jesus is HIS son…that indicates Father. Jesus WAS a man. That is how I see God – as a man. My mind cannot imagine it any other way…….. which brings me to the book THE SHACK. To this day I have not finished it although I’ve had it for many months now. I’m quite comfortable ( perhaps TOO comfortable..) with the male image of God/Jesus.

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