[elizhuie]

If there is a plan, does that mean I am where God wants me to be? I am trying to figure out how to be a good Christian.
Is it too wimpy to think that if there is a Plan, and God knows every hair on my head, that some of the big FLUBS in my life were "meant to be"? Makes me feel better and less guilty for my stupidity.
Does anyone think it is OK to feel that God is in control, even of my mistakes? I do read he Bible and go to Church, but language from you guys is more meaningful to me.

[ebaines]

God gives you a will, and a brain, so that you make your own choices in terms of how you behave and react to sitations. He is not sitting up there somewhere pulling your strings as if you were a puppet. As adults we are each responsible for our own actions.

[Fr_Chuck]

There is Gods will, we know it by seeing how we should live according to the teachings of Jesus

But we were given free will to make choices which can effect our out come.

[cogs]

by your logic, if god's in control, then he must have you where he wants you to be.
if you want to be a good christian, then first start accepting that god is a living person. If you begin to want to love him, you can listen to him through his spirit in you.
if you start to see your sin more clearly, attempt to stop it, or repent. Keep searching out jesus and god by listening. Reading the bible helps to support your knowledge of his character.
use your past only to know what not to do. God loves you regardless of what you do.

[Galveston1]

Rom 8:1-4

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
(KJV)

Learn to walk after the Spirit. That takes prayer and study.

Rom 8:29
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
(KJV)

God wants everyone saved, and those who are saved He has planned that they will be made like Jesus Christ. (eventually)

You will stumble and fall. The secret of success is to get up one more time than you fall down.

[revdrgade]

A lot of times it's tough to see the Plan God has for us. And even when we know it for a while, we don't always follow it. At those times when we flub up, God has to guide us back on the right track of the Plan... Which He always tries to do for His adopted children who stray off the track.

A couple of things to remember:

1.
He does not guide us to sin; ever. It's always our choice then we meet trials and temptations in our life. He "allows" us to meet these trails and temptations in the same way our earthly teachers give us tests

2.
When we do sin, He does not condemn us. He will "convict" us; i.e.. Our conscience will let us know we took the wrong turn... And He may even "chastise" us if it takes us to get back on the track.

3.
The track/Plan is not always one, single, big Plan (except to keep us with Him till He calls us home). Along the way of our life He often has short term plans. After all, He created us for good works and there are many ways to be helping our "neighbor".

*************
1.
James 1:2-4
Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
RSV

2.
Rom 8:1
8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
NIV

3.
Heb 12:5-8

"My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor lose courage when you are punished by him.
6 For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives."

7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
RSV


3.
Eph 2:8-10
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works , which God prepared in advance for us to do.
NIV

[arcura]

revdrgade,
Excellent post on this subject. I was thinking about what and how to say, but you said it all and more before I could.
Peace and kindness,
Fred

[elizhuie]

I have a ways to go in all this. I especially am thinking about"My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor lose courage when you are punished by him.
6 For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives."
It does seem that my mistakes have brought me to a better spiritual place if not material, and I think that is God's plan, to use the bad for my good. He may not have wanted harm to me, but it is starting to make me a better person. I wish I wasn't alone and short of funds, yet I am seeking God now for security(more) and less those other things

[arcura]

elizhuie,
Yours is a very good attitude.
I had a relatively good healthy life but now I'm old, sick and in pain.
That has brought me closer to God than ever before.
I now offer my suffering up to God for the forgiveness of sins for myself and others.
That is a part of my current attitude which id far better than in the past.
Who says that with maturity one stops growing?
I don't believe that at all.
Peace and kindness,
Fred

[elizhuie]

Hi Fred,
I am sorry that you are in pain. I like hearing from you, and hope that you will have a good holiday.
This past weekend brought me down. I have been trying to let go of a passt relationship and deal with lonliness. The person has moved on and is married, and so I can't call even if I want to. Hard.
Life is hard. Yet, I somehow not sure anymore that I want to go back where I came from. Yes, I had a healthy bank account and a live in. But, wasn't happy for very long. Often scared and anxious.
But, some days now, not sure how much more can do? Tired. I am studying to get a better job and am working two jobs. Well, Can't wait to see what happens. Hope it is OK if I ramble on like this.
Anyhow, thanks for answering.

[De Maria]

If there is a plan,

There is a plan.

does that mean I am where God wants me to be?

Not necessarily.

I am trying to figure out how to be a good Christian.

Matthew 19:17
"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."

Is it too wimpy

No. It is good to question and to strive to arrive at truth:

1 Timothy 2:4 (God) wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

to think that if there is a Plan, and God knows every hair on my head, that some of the big FLUBS in my life were "meant to be"?

The big FLUBS in our lives are our fault. The pain resulting from the big FLUBS is God's punishment teaching us to search for the better way:

Matt 11
30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Makes me feel better and less guilty for my stupidity.

We are all that way because of our fallen nature.

Does anyone think it is OK to feel that God is in control, even of my mistakes?

God is in control. Our mistakes do not derail God. If we unite ourselves to Him, God will turn our mistakes to the good:

Romans 8:28
... And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

I do read he Bible and go to Church, but language from you guys is more meaningful to me.

I hope this helps.

May God bless you in your struggles.

Sincerely,

De Maria

[arcura]

elizhuie,
I hope and pray for a happy and prosperous future for you.
Fred