tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1145152982070192978.post1859920232348286389..comments2018-10-22T08:29:54.355-07:00Comments on high.expressions (by Anthony Chia): People are NOT healed all the time, why we still prayhigh.expressions (Anthony Chia)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15796568536820239102noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1145152982070192978.post-30408981835663001502011-07-25T21:53:37.770-07:002011-07-25T21:53:37.770-07:00I also believe that praying for the sick and prayi...I also believe that praying for the sick and praying for one's own healing is Good, specially if the intent is to seek God's will (if He wills for you to get healed so that He can be glorified and that the body of Christ will be edified). I am also not subscribing to the thought that a Christian should be free from diseases and wealthy to impress on everyone that he/she is blessed or impress on anyone that she/he is more spiritual just because her health/wealth is at tops. That God's will will prevail and healing or not, we still have to see God's grace in the middle of your circumstances.. like being in the eye of the storm (peaceful and calm- regardless of what the chaos around you).<br /><br />This is the reason why it is wrong to impress on cancer patients that their diseases are caused by pride and wickedness (though it is possible)... because it is a form of condemnation. The other point is even if we are Christians we are not immune to the consequences of the physical law being broken by humanity in general and by the individual specifically...even Job was not immune to diseases in fact God, allowed that he lost his health (and wealth) - that was the true test of humanity and faith. The Bible was also quite honest that Job did'nt react to his circumstances in a 100% Christian way--- his humanity was also written for us to see-- he grumbled -- he complained-- he questioned God-- in the end Job was compelled to accept that he was indeed self- righteous (maybe even prideful)-- but note that his acknowledgement that he is indeed self-righteous/prideful was a conversation between him and God. it was'nt between him and his friends. The friends did what they have to do under the circumstances, but still it fell short. Note, that those who intervened in Job's case are his friends.. in CT Chang's case, some Christians who are intervening are not his friends but was hiding in anonymity.... I think this is fundamentally wrong! utterly disrespectful!<br /><br />regards,<br />Lanie FranciscoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1145152982070192978.post-7942920952695681612011-07-25T21:41:05.981-07:002011-07-25T21:41:05.981-07:00to any Christian, wishing to stand in the gap for ...to any Christian, wishing to stand in the gap for any cancer. Please pray before even attempting to stand in the gap-- cause you also ran the risk of becoming a stumbling block. Cancer patients are very sensitive people and their health has deteriorated to a point that even a slight provocation can mean not only physical death but also eternal death for them. So, please be extra careful..<br /><br />http://nanaymiriam.wordpress.com/2011/07/08/are-you-standing-in-the-gap-or-a-stumbling-block/<br /><br />and here is the story of my mother's conversion and baptism, which is the basis of my blog entry on "Are you standing in the gap or a stumbling block?" because I once I thought I was standing in the gap but was actually becoming a stumbling block. It was a painful realization..<br /><br />http://nanaymiriam.wordpress.com/2011/05/22/trust-and-obey-water-baptism/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1145152982070192978.post-10508439195808313802011-07-25T21:27:45.861-07:002011-07-25T21:27:45.861-07:00Hi Anthony,
Thanks for your honest response. Yes,...Hi Anthony,<br /><br />Thanks for your honest response. Yes, I am a Christian (for about 6 years now)-- raised as a Catholic and have known Christ in Year 2006, after a series of rebelliousness and I cannot say that I am fully the person God wants me to be. And yes, CT Chang is a Buddhist. I just thought you are one of those insensitive "Christians" posting on CT Chang's blog... hiding behind anonymity--I felt compelled to correct those insensitive Christians not only for CT Chang's sake, but for the sake of that fellow brother (Christian) and all other readers of CT Chang's blog who are predominantly Buddhist.<br /><br />I am also agains any kind of extreme teaching-- e.g. abuse of teaching about Grace (e.g. healing of the sick and prosperity Gospel), as I am against anyone over using verses from the Old Testament without linking it back to the New Testament, against lifting verses out of context and attacking people with very powerful messages without getting to know them enough. I hope you understand where I am coming from. I have been praying for CT Chang for a quite a while now. I hope you can email me at nanay@live.com.sg so you can understand better where I am coming from.... there are some sensitive subjects that I thought we should discuss offline (via email).<br /><br />Again, thanks for your honest response.<br />My personal statement of faith is here:<br /><br />http://nanaymiriam.wordpress.com/statement-of-faith/<br /><br />(though I used "we" in most of these statements, its more of my personal statements, which my mother kind of taken as her own (she accepted Christ last Feb 2010 and was baptised last May 2011-- all in God's Grace and timing).<br /><br />regards,<br />Lanie FranciscoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1145152982070192978.post-4241157456958966492011-07-25T20:44:17.453-07:002011-07-25T20:44:17.453-07:00Hi Prentis,
Thank you for your kind words. Your ...Hi Prentis,<br /><br />Thank you for your kind words. Your own blog entries are admirable too. <br /><br />It is my prayer that more pastors and ministers of the Word who are strongly and correctly grounded in the Word, contribute to the body of understandings on the Christian faith on the internet, to balance out erroneous teachings by others. Although, at times, it is difficult to prove the fallacy of a certain teaching, at least, alternative views, and hopefully correct views, are apparent to those searching for understanding of the faith on the net; at least, our articles or entries could serve to alert them that a certain view they read, might NOT be the only view or correct view, and they may go on to clarify matters with their more mature Christian friends or with pastors of established churches.<br /><br />The situation has, on the one hand, improved over the recent years, with such as the encyclopedias of the internet, being more careful with their entries, on the other, more and more heretic and even apostate doctrines and theologies have found their way onto the internet because of the ease of blogging, and showcasing of videos, and freedom of expression.<br /><br />The teaching of grace on the internet, in a large part, has been too lop-sided, tilted too much, on it being all God's part, as if it is God owing us, like you said it, "what they want", instead of "what they need". The way grace was pictured by the "overly grace" preachers on the internet, is that it is almost entirely as Christians are saved to just bask in grace. I have written an article, "Grace of God means this, too!" (link: <br />http://high-expressions.blogspot.com/2011/03/grace-of-god-means-this-too.html ), which I recommend Christians to read it. Prentis, you might like to read it, as it is also related to answers to praying, and praying for the sick.<br /><br />For those reading this, Prentis is a pastor of a church in the States. You can read his blog entries here: http://prentis-createdtogivegodglory.blogspot.com/<br /><br />Prentis, once again, thank you for your kind words, and the allowing of my recent comments to be shown in your blog site.<br /><br />God bless<br />Anthony Chiahigh.expressions (Anthony Chia)https://www.blogger.com/profile/15796568536820239102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1145152982070192978.post-37261697277505042362011-07-24T20:47:00.069-07:002011-07-24T20:47:00.069-07:00I am very impressed by what you have written. Too ...I am very impressed by what you have written. Too many people believe that the power of God can be released with a Christian incantation. They believe that it is a formula that heals people. They dream that some are Christian "Harry Potters" who weld magical powers which, coupled with their own "faith," makes people well. They blame those who fail to be healed for their sickness. They have no understanding of God's grace. They think His grace is what they want instead of what they need. Thus, they continue to spew theological absurdities. Thanks again for your blog.Created to Give God Gloryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17298394573836878999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1145152982070192978.post-12018323949834842182011-07-24T20:14:20.801-07:002011-07-24T20:14:20.801-07:00Hi Lanie,
No, I have NOT frequented CT Chang'...Hi Lanie,<br /><br />No, I have NOT frequented CT Chang's blog, although I remembered noting that he left comment(s) on Liz's blog.<br /><br />I have since visited his blog, went through the most recent couple of days' comments on his blog. I have also now visited your blog.<br /><br />Am I right to say that you are a Christian? CT Chang is NOT, perhaps a Buddhist? I do NOT imply anything, just would like to know so that sensitivity can be exercised in communications.<br /><br />Are you living in Singapore with your mother? <br /><br />For a start, I have NOT met Liz, but we do communicate via emails although I do comment on her blog some of the times. Christianity, especially in more years, has been less "homogenous" than one would like to think. Even different core theologies are being preached, and it is sad. And so, it is also NOT surprising that there can be "clashes". Well, I believe, initially (I hope not, anymore), Liz might have found I was a little "rough" in my moderations of her understanding of the faith. But I also believe that she has come to understand I speak out against incorrect teaching, and not intentioned to hit the person, as such; I believe she soon knew I was genuine in my show of Christ's love for her situation. Even so, I dished out only to the extent that she could take in (these were done through email exchanges); but we all have seen, from her blog, she has grown leaps and bound, in the Christian faith, attended various courses in the faith, helping others, and all.<br /><br />We cannot force our faith on another. In any case, what is forced is NOT true love. We truly love God and our neighbors (even if they are NOT Christians), when we are NOT forced; that is why, ultimately, everyone has to make the choice of whether or NOT he/she wants to believe the Gospel.<br /><br />Christianity is a walk, and we should grow in understanding and love as we go along. When we understand that we, ourselves, are growing, which means that we, previously, were NOT as mature, we become more tolerant of others.<br /><br />For those reading this, CT Chang is diagnosed with kidney cancer, and Lanie’s mother had breast cancer. Their respective blog sites (which you can visit) are: http://upekah.blogspot.com/ and http://nanaymiriam.wordpress.com/<br /><br />God bless,<br />Anthony Chiahigh.expressions (Anthony Chia)https://www.blogger.com/profile/15796568536820239102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1145152982070192978.post-63814832822311109642011-07-21T23:32:15.495-07:002011-07-21T23:32:15.495-07:00Hi Anthony,
I found your site through Liz's si...Hi Anthony,<br />I found your site through Liz's site. Do you also frequent CT Chang's site?<br /><br />regards,<br />LanieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com