Thanks,
Jim

As far as the Hail Joseph comment by Jim – I could argue that the entire Bible’s message would imply that any saint (true convert as I believe Joseph was) would not want to be exalted, but I will stick with exodus 20:4,5 as the evidence that any idolatry is wrong and Luke 4:8 as evidence that only God is worthy of worship. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

As far as Jennifer’s point, I don’t want to lose it or appear in disagreement. The Christian life is characterized by suffering (for one thing), and she portrayed that wonderfully! (as did Mark Taylor)

I have just read the book of Ruth and am reminded that Naomi was a female version of Job who hung onto her faith with her fingernails! God had huge blessings in store for her and Ruth but they weren’t about money or air conditioning!

Writing to the Pope now,
Jim

Noah was six hundred years old when the floodwaters came on the earth.–Genesis 7:6.

I did not say that Mary never saw her mother again, but that she did not get to take the baby home after the birth. My reading of Matthew 3 (the stay in Bethlehem until the Magi’s visit and then the escape to Egypt) confirms this.

We have no way of knowing whether Mary and Joseph ever felt inconvenienced, angry, disappointed or sad about the obedience God called them to. Since they are humans, my opinion is they did. The point of the post is that probably ALL these people did, but obeyed anyway.

John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?’ At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.” Luke 7:18-23

See Genesis 6 & 7, Noah was ~480 years old when he began building the ark.

I don’t know of anywhere documented in the Bible that Mary did not see her mother again.

It does not matter that Joseph did not get a ‘Hail Joseph’ prayer, (obviously referring to the Hail Mary), because Mary & Jospeh were true believers in Christ as Lord and Savior and thus would never want a prayer that exalts themselves instead of their son. They would, in fact, hate this occurrence.

As far as John the Baptist is concerned, I don’t remember hearing about him doubting his savior or being beheaded twice, any scripture references available?

osteen is correct that God blesses us.

it’s the stuff of blessing that is in question. God’s idea of blessing is different than ours.