I really like what Beth had to say, too! Thanks Be...

2009-06-27T07:38:53.587-07:00

I really like what Beth had to say, too! Thanks Beth!

Here is my post for Week 2

Thank you, again, for leading us through this bible study!

Stacey : )

I left my name in the Mr. Linky, but it's the wron...

2009-06-19T06:35:56.131-07:00

I left my name in the Mr. Linky, but it's the wrong link, so if you can delete the first one, and leave the second, that'd be great -- sorry, eLisa!

My post for week 2 is also here, just so it's not too confusing. :-?

~MizB

Beth, this is such a great perspective on Thomas. ...

2009-03-08T04:25:00.000-07:00

Beth, this is such a great perspective on Thomas. Thanks so much for sharing!

I just realized that since I am much further behin...

2009-03-06T09:39:00.000-08:00

I just realized that since I am much further behind you in this study (sorry!) that I am doing a poor job of supporting you as you go through it. I apologize for that!

I wanted to encourage you that there is nothing with associating yourself with Thomas can actually be a good thing.

For starters, I think Thomas gets a bad rap for his doubt. Remember, in John 20:20, Jesus showed all of the other disciples his hands and his side. Keeping that in mind, Thomas doesn't ask for anything more than what all of the other disciples had already experienced. If I were Thomas, I would have surely responded the same way. I would have felt left out and wanted to experience what they had seen as well!

Thomas also expresses his doubt openly and honestly within the community of believers. He doesn't hide it from his friends, but expresses it openly, which I think is a model for us. Why? Because we can receive encouragement and support from the other believers. I'm sure that the other disciples didn't get mad at Thomas and call him names--certainly they just encouraged him again and again that they truly had seen the risen Christ.

It's also important to remember the way Jesus responds to his doubt--he does so gently, providing him with exactly what he asked for in order to believe. Interestingly enough, Thomas only has to look upon Jesus to believe--he doesn't need to place his fingers into his wounds, as he once thought he would need.

When I was reading through the Gospel of John as you had asked us to, I realized a few other things the Bible tells us about Thomas.

Thomas is honest with Jesus when he doesn't understand the words of Jesus when He says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" in John 14. He is the only disciple who speaks up and tells Jesus He isn't making sense to them.

Thomas also demonstrates courage in the face of fear. When Jesus gets word from Mary and Martha that their brother Lazarus is sick, Jesus wants to return to Bethany. The disciples respond in fear, urging Jesus not to go because he might get stoned. However, in John 11:16, Thomas is the only disciple to respond with courage. "Let us also go, that we may die with him!" He demonstrates selfLESSness and love for Christ by expressing a willingness to die with Christ. After all, Christ did tell us there is no greater love than to lay down your life for your friend.

See, I believe strongly that it's Satan's scheming to get us to remember Thomas only for his doubt or to associate ourselves strongly with his weaknesses. It is our fleshly nature to be self-critical. The Holy Spirit usually convicts us in a gentle whisper and doesn't leave us feeling defeated. It is the Enemy that gets us to focus on the negative or lose heart.

So, in other words, when you find yourself relating with Thomas's DOUBT... remind yourself God teaches us also to admire his HONESTY, COURAGE, SELFLESSNESS, and LOVE FOR CHRIST... and I am certain you can relate with those characteristics within yourself, too!

Comments on Extravagant Grace: Pursuing Wellness: Week 2

I really like what Beth had to say, too! Thanks Be...

I left my name in the Mr. Linky, but it's the wron...

Beth, this is such a great perspective on Thomas. ...

I just realized that since I am much further behin...