tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55532501364780143.post4005558346837330198..comments2023-12-18T17:32:03.325+00:00Comments on Kindred of the Quiet Way: In the house of RimmonUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55532501364780143.post-10037615485533404922018-10-23T15:32:38.270+01:002018-10-23T15:32:38.270+01:00Thanks, Mark. Thanks, Mark. Pen Wilcockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13818227904371811230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55532501364780143.post-49368852475632896672018-10-23T14:17:37.790+01:002018-10-23T14:17:37.790+01:00Good morning. I was doing a little research on th...Good morning. I was doing a little research on the kind of idolatry that Naaman was delivered from, and I came across your blog.<br /><br />The story of Naaman is not only the story of a man who was healed in body of leprosy, but was also healed of idolatry, as well. The passage in 2 Kings 5:15-19 records the depths of that deliverance, and it is plain that Naaman was finished with worshiping the idol of the house of Rimmon. Because the eighteenth verse is translated in the future tense, it appears to be an indulgence, blessed by the prophet Elisha, to continue in the form of that worship, howbeit not from the heart.<br /><br />I am aware of two ways of looking at this passage of scripture that fit better with the entire context that the idea of going thru the motions for expedience. <br /><br />The first thought is that Naaman was grappling with his new understanding of who the true God was, realized complications ahead, and trying at that moment to see his way thru with the "new light" he had on the subject. From this standpoint, the prophet's benediction, "Go in peace," would be understood, not to be an approval of hypocritical behavior, but a confidence that the same God who had delivered Naaman from idol worship would also help him to understand how to conduct himself when he was back in Syria.<br /><br />The second thought is present by Adam Clarke in his commentaries. He believes that the passage should be translated in the past tense, and therefore, that Naaman was requesting pardon for having worshiped this idol in the past.<br /><br />Thank you for the opportunity to express these thoughts. - Mark SpinksMark Spinksnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55532501364780143.post-51710737960423661402011-10-09T09:13:31.356+01:002011-10-09T09:13:31.356+01:00:0) Thanks, friend!:0) Thanks, friend!Pen Wilcockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13818227904371811230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55532501364780143.post-3046632899853291052011-10-08T18:36:36.259+01:002011-10-08T18:36:36.259+01:00Hi Ember,
Your dilemma over this friend reminds m...Hi Ember,<br /><br />Your dilemma over this friend reminds me of something I was told long ago when singing in a church choir. We young adults were bemoaning the fact that many if not all of the boys would, when their voices broke, not only leave the choir, but also the church. The choirmaster said, 'you never know what they may face in later life. Their being here now has planted a seed, given them words that they have sung here, that will return to them in times to come when they are relevant to something that is going on then.'<br /><br />In this case, those times when you speak up against the bile she is throwing out may come to mind again, as she reflects in her loneliness what has passed between you. There could be positive outcomes that are beyond your knowing.Fourwheelerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05369914260364594606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55532501364780143.post-49386060563471167402011-09-27T11:35:56.363+01:002011-09-27T11:35:56.363+01:00That's interesting, Buzz. My view of gossip c...That's interesting, Buzz. My view of gossip changed after I met really dangerously personality-disorder level destructive people. I've known 3, now. In each case they traded on people's social code of discretion and confidentiality to divide and conquer. What brought their scams down in the end was gossip. So I came to see that sometimes gossip keeps people safe. Also gossip sells books and increases trade generally, it disseminates information (eg about good practice in childbirth and breast feeding, healthy nutrition and safe sex) and enables people to assess each other and form relationships. It's saying unkind and spiteful, scornful things that is so soul-destroying.Pen Wilcockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13818227904371811230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55532501364780143.post-60497414708784892462011-09-27T09:48:10.010+01:002011-09-27T09:48:10.010+01:00Gossip is a natural part of social interaction. We...Gossip is a natural part of social interaction. We use it to find out how other people feel about things and so establish norms and mores and we use it to affirm relationships. So it's not all negative. I don't think talking about other people is inherently bad. But slagging people off, spreading rumours and salacious information are the nasty side of it.Buzzfloydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10907833292561328868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55532501364780143.post-55250903098089630152011-09-27T06:56:02.800+01:002011-09-27T06:56:02.800+01:00:0) I had a better visit yesterday - we talked ab...:0) I had a better visit yesterday - we talked about awful difficult *things* instead of personal acquaintances.Pen Wilcockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13818227904371811230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55532501364780143.post-43690313924739225202011-09-27T01:44:01.364+01:002011-09-27T01:44:01.364+01:00lol Ember. So often I sit here scratching my head...lol Ember. So often I sit here scratching my head wondering which end of your knot to tug! Which nettle to grasp? Friends like you described are indeed a trial but while we can listen as best we are able there is absolutely no need to pass on any malicious gossip that may be spilled into our ears ~ thus we may have peace. Isn't it more about what <i>we</i> do, than what is beyond our control?<br /><br />My problem is that I do like to pass on a good story & sometimes those stories are not mine to tell! *sigh*Ganeidahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17176246964466185315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55532501364780143.post-54572311766875343102011-09-26T13:54:17.963+01:002011-09-26T13:54:17.963+01:00:0):0)Pen Wilcockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13818227904371811230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55532501364780143.post-22244442156993362352011-09-26T12:52:48.596+01:002011-09-26T12:52:48.596+01:00"I think that as we get older we become a mor..."I think that as we get older we become a more concentrated essence of what we have been." <br /><br />I like that. I have been wondering about someone and their aging and how it compares to their parents.Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17457300221571368059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55532501364780143.post-62750695778632148832011-09-26T10:51:59.562+01:002011-09-26T10:51:59.562+01:00Hi Daisyanon - thanks for this thoughtful and help...Hi Daisyanon - thanks for this thoughtful and helpful input xPen Wilcockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13818227904371811230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55532501364780143.post-47056476259633526192011-09-26T10:43:51.077+01:002011-09-26T10:43:51.077+01:00And another thing, David Cameron recently interven...And another thing, David Cameron recently intervened personally in some tragic situation where the media were baying for action.<br /><br />But he was criticised then for favouring one family over others in the same situation but without influence, and for acting like a benevolent despot, not a Prime Minister in a democracy. <br /><br />And then again, it is always for each of us such a fine judgement sometimes. When is the 'Go in peace' response best, and when do circumstances require us to make a stand for what we believe to be right?DaisyAnonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12680034482022415405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55532501364780143.post-61501101822434649062011-09-26T10:28:04.521+01:002011-09-26T10:28:04.521+01:00Interesting Ember. I have and have had 'frien...Interesting Ember. I have and have had 'friends' like that.<br /><br />I have been someone like your friend as well for far too much of your life. Something which I deeply regret now.<br /><br />I try not to indulge in this now. But I have lost at least one 'friend' as a result. I try not to pick up the phone or write the email and find it quite hard sometimes, which is interesting.<br /><br />I do agree with you that "One wonders how many grisly martyrdoms might have been avoided if everyone had taken such a practical approach,", and I think we find this approach recommended in Paul's letters as well, although generally Christians prefer to skip over these passages in favour of ones that appear to condone intolerance. Or interpret them to mean intolerance is what is being recommended.<br /><br />Something I have noticed more as I have tried to control my own loose talk and thoughts is how some people's conversation is peppered with comments about the private lives of mutual acquaintances. And I do wonder what they tell others about me and what they repeat that I have said, so I am more cautious now. It is so easy to get sucked into a warm cozy feeling of intimacy being told things about other people.....And then to feel one has to reciprocate.<br /><br />I think of the letter of James, all about the capacity of our tongues as a force for evil.<br /><br />You said she "vigorously and contemptuously attack the views I hold; and she looks for my affirmation of her assertions.<br />Sometimes, she just wants to pour contempt on me."<br /><br />I am a very cynical (not very nice) person and I do not know the circumstances but I suspect that she knows what she is doing. I also suspect that if you refuse to feed your friend's need and kindly but firmly maintain boundaries she will either settle down or find an excuse to end your visits and she will find someone else to feed her destructive needs.<br /><br />I think that as we get older we become a more concentrated essence of what we have been. I wonder why your 'friend' is lonely? Maybe others have voted with their feet.<br /><br />Well, thank you again for this. I shall be thinking of it a lot in relation to my own faults in this respect.DaisyAnonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12680034482022415405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55532501364780143.post-56788034868895229902011-09-25T15:52:32.306+01:002011-09-25T15:52:32.306+01:00:0) Thanks, Buzz x:0) Thanks, Buzz xPen Wilcockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13818227904371811230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55532501364780143.post-16975444626512225972011-09-25T09:49:20.843+01:002011-09-25T09:49:20.843+01:00This was helpful and interesting.
God's "...This was helpful and interesting.<br /><br />God's "Go in peace" is always ready as an answer to our prayers.Buzzfloydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10907833292561328868noreply@blogger.com