Comments for Rev. Eric Foley

Comment on The Challenge of Protestant Confession by EFoley

EFoley — Mon, 21 May 2012 14:06:09 +0000

Great insights–I’ll look forward to your continued comments in the future. The more I study happiness, the more I realize how much our culture has impoverished the term by defining it affectively–that is, as a present emotion–rather than reflectively–that is, as the evaluation of a life-well lived. The Christian perspective would then take us into a reflection/evaluation that draws not only on the present and the past but on the future, e.g., “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us…”

Comment on The Challenge of Protestant Confession by Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 21 May 2012 13:57:09 +0000

This is a great message.

It is always disappointing to see Christians focused on “happiness”, or “perfect health”, as if those things are earned through living a good life & a “right” – to see those goals being set instead of the attitude that we will be able to conquer those things if it glorifies God. For example to see someone divorce their wife & abandon their children/family, because he is not happy, feels he needs to “be free” to chase happiness as a goal.

Many times I think we might have an illness, or be in an unhappy situation….(it couldn’t have been a very “happy” life for Mary, Mother of Christ, to watch what Jesus had to go through) –
but there is a much bigger purpose in suffering, or in our illness, or unhappy situation, if it glorifies God.

Watching our experience may lead others to him or impact other Christians positively. We never can know the true impact a lingering illness has on the family of the one suffering, for example. Christian testimony through suffering may be the way God uses to touch the heart of a family member or loved ones.

The one going through suffering may be asking God “Why?, or “Why me?”, without considering that the purpose of their suffering is for Gods Glory, to bring others to himself, or to make the Christians character more Christ-like, to accomplish Gods purpose…..in spite of the unhappiness or pain they have to go through.

If we understood the bigger purpose behind each situation God has in store, we might be less focused on our own suffering & more focused on his purpose, more willing to dedicate our lives to him for his use, no matter the pain or suffering we might have to go through. We have to trust him that “all things work together for good for those that love him & are called according to his purpose”…..and go through trials much as Christian did in Pilgrims Progress, growing with each step.

Thanks for sharing this…I really enjoyed listening & will listen more to these in the future.

Comment on The Surprising Connection Between Confession and Healing by How Do the Ten Commandments Inform Our Confession and Healing? | Rev. Eric Foley

Fri, 18 May 2012 06:36:50 +0000

[...] You blogged recently about healing and comforting and its relation to confession. How would you tie the Ten Commandments and self-examination together as the [...]

Comment on Praying With the Sick (Not Just For Them) by We Do Not Pray In Order to Be Healed | Rev. Eric Foley

We Do Not Pray In Order to Be Healed | Rev. Eric Foley — Mon, 14 May 2012 06:37:28 +0000

[...] Contact ← Praying With the Sick (Not Just For Them) [...]

Comment on Why Doesn’t God Heal Everyone? by We Do Not Pray In Order to Be Healed | Rev. Eric Foley

We Do Not Pray In Order to Be Healed | Rev. Eric Foley — Mon, 14 May 2012 06:37:25 +0000

[...] ought to remind you of what we talked about in our first week discussion about illness and the Christian: For the Christian, one is either healed for God’s [...]