A beautiful prayer

While preparing for our band practice at church tonight someone showed us a clip of "a beautiful prayer" and the words were:

I asked God for happiness.
God said NO.
I give you blessings, happiness is up to you.

I asked God to take away my habit.
God said NO.
Its not for me to take away, but for you to give up.

I asked God to spare me pain.
God said NO.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.

I asked god to make my spirit grow.
God said NO.
You must grow your own, but I will prune you to make you beautiful.

I asked God for all things that I may enjoy life.
God said NO.
I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.

I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.
God said ... Ah! Finally you have the idea.

Just thought of sharing to my fellow christians.

I asked god for a bike, and he said NO. So I stole one and he forgave me.

(edit - this is all lies, I never spoke to any god and I never nicked that bike)

Originally posted by Nicksten
I asked God to spare me pain.
God said NO.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.

Indeed, suffering and religion go hand in hand.

Originally posted by Great King Rat
Indeed, suffering and religion go hand in hand.

Correction, a lot of people suffer, irrespective of religion!

Originally posted by avalanchethecat
I asked god for a bike, and he said NO. So I stole one and he forgave me.

(edit - this is all lies, I never spoke to any god and I never nicked that bike)

Well you would have to say that to avoid litigation and jail time.

Originally posted by Nicksten
While preparing for our band practice at church tonight someone showed us a clip of "a beautiful prayer" and the words were:

I asked God for happiness.
[b]God said NO.
I give you blessings, happiness is up to you.

I asked God to take away my habit.
God said NO.
Its not for me to take away, but for you to give up.

I asked God to spare ...[text shortened]... id ... Ah! Finally you have the idea.

Just thought of sharing to my fellow christians.[/b]

So the bottom line is we don't need a god. We are on our own.

Originally posted by sonhouse
Well you would have to say that to avoid litigation and jail time.

Like i told the officer, i was just keeping it safe from other thieves.

Originally posted by avalanchethecat
I asked god for a bike, and he said NO. So I stole one and he forgave me.

(edit - this is all lies, I never spoke to any god and I never nicked that bike)

But you are still like a little kid looking for toys instead of God.

I asked God for this and that and this and that and the other.
He provided all I needed in Christ.

Originally posted by sonship
But you are still like a little kid looking for toys instead of God.

Or are you like a little kid, looking for a substitute parent? Also, I already have more toys than I ever wanted.

Originally posted by Nicksten
Correction, a lot of people suffer, irrespective of religion!

Yes, but now we know why. Its because of your God.
Interestingly God lied to you as you clearly admit now that despite widespread suffering the majority of people do not get closer to your God.

Originally posted by avalanchethecat
Like i told the officer, i was just keeping it safe from other thieves.

Pro tip: leave the word 'other' out of the sentence.

Originally posted by sonship
But you are still like a little kid looking for toys instead of God.

Toys give me happiness. The OP says that God does not. Are toys 'blessings'? That's one of those words theist love to throw around but not explain.

Originally posted by twhitehead
Pro tip: leave the word 'other' out of the sentence.

Story of my life... there's never a pro around when you need one.

Originally posted by twhitehead

Toys give me happiness

Me too.
When they replace God, they're idols.
I don't know about you but idols lead to unhappiness most often in my experience.

The OP says that God does not.

I didn't like the OP all that much. Some good thoughts there though.

Concerning the word "blessings"

That's one of those words theist love to throw around but not explain.

Blessing means a kind "Well speaking of". To speak well of someone or something involves blessing.

For God to speak well of something or well of someone is a significant thing because of the power and authority of divine speaking.

Idols or something that replaces God or competes with God or usurps God's intended preeminence in the human heart, is usually not a blessing.

For example - God may bless you to achieve a good education with your good mind.
But if you use it to replace God, take God's place or be above God, it becomes idolatry. An idol will not be a blessing.

And a "toy" may be a matter of pretending to the point that one misses reality.