Does the phrase, “Mother Nature,” bug you as much as it does me? Who is in control anyway? God or Mother Nature?
I can’t believe I heard it again today on the news, “Mother Nature unleased her wrath again today!” They were talking about the awful tornados that tore their way across the country. Every time there is some unusual weather event someone called, “Mother Nature,” gets the blame or credit. Who is this Mother Nature anyway?
The dictionary says: Mother Nature, noun
“The personification of nature as a powerful and nurturing woman.”
Nature is everything that is not man-made according to the dictionary. Therefore, nature is God made.
Wikipedia says:
“Mother Nature is a personification of nature.”
Every time we get tornados, hurricaines, blizzards, floods, and other weather woes the news and weather media blame it all on Mother Nature. Not only that, but when we have wonderful weather and a beautiful day they say something like, “Mother Nature smiled on us today with this warm weather.” She gets the credit and the glory. So, what is the real story?
God says in Exodus 20:3, NASB “You shall have no other gods before Me.” This is one of the ten commandments, and is serious business.
God is to be praised and worshipped. Not other gods. We in our nation are getting very careless in this area. When we hear the phrase, “Mother Nature”, used over and over it becomes common. We use it without thinking of the true meaning behind it. Most of us wouldn’t intentionally praise another god.
Did you know that God is in control of the weather not Mother Nature?
The Bible has a lot to say about God and how He controls the weather.
(Psalms 78:26 NASB) He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens And by His power He directed the south wind.
(Psalms 107:25 NASB) For He spoke and raised up a stormy wind, Which lifted up the waves of the sea.
(Psalms 135:7 NASB) He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; Who makes lightnings for the rain, Who brings forth the wind from His treasuries.
(Psalms 148:8 NASB) Fire and hail, snow and clouds; Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;
(Proverbs 30:4 NASB) Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name or His son’s name? Surely you know!
(Mark 4:39 NASB) And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm.
God created the Heavens and the Earth and He controls the weather. So, you may ask, “Why does God allow this terrible weather to cause us all kinds of problems?” The answer is that God is Sovereign. He can do whatever He wants. He is in control and nothing gets by Him.
Have you ever stopped to think that God allows bad things to happen to our nation to get our attention? We have lost our moral footing. In our society today anything goes. The news certainly validates this. There used to be sin and shame, but it has been replaced with nothing is right or wrong.
But, God says:
(Colossians 3:5 NASB) Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.
(Colossians 3:6 NASB) For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience,
“The sovereignty of God is that golden sceptre in his hand by which he will make all bow, either by his word or by his works, by his mercies or by his judgements.” Thomas Brooks
The world says, “You can’t fool Mother Nature.” I say, “You can’t fool God.” He is still there, He is in control, and He holds us in the palm of His hand. We need to cry out for mercy!
hatchcreek.com Bible blog 
Oh, one more little comment on God making man first. There’s a reason for that. Adam is a picture or “type” of Christ. There is a contrast there both being the “First Man”. It was necessary for it to be this way. Adam was the first born from the start of sin and Jesus was the firstborn from the start of salvation through his blood to “finish” the sin. He used many pictures of Christ using many people as examples in the Bible such as Joseph, Abraham, Noah and more. You always find when you really delve into the Bible how perfectly woven together it is. What might look like a contradiction, you find is not if you keep reading it. You just end up stronger in your faith the more you read. I would say it’s impossible to read the Bible start to finish seriously and not come to the conclusion that it is God’s Word and it is true.
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For Deanna and RIP, especially RIP, that you both need to have faith and dig a little deeper, then wait for the answers to come.
I had a friend who stopped reading the Bible right when he read about Adam and Eve and populating the earth thinking there’s no way just 2 people could do that.
It is never mentioned in the Bible that God only created 1 man then added another, Eve, to help him. It is an assumption. We don’t picture God just making 2 fish, 2 bears, 2 plants etc. The Bible said God made man (plural) in His own image. It is only that Adam and Eve are the only ones in the Garden. When Cain killed Abel, he was sent out to a land where there were other people.
And man was not given dominion over animals to kill them originally. That came about as a necessity because of the sin that entered the world. At that time, the lion and lamb lay together.
The Mother Nature thing does go along with what the Bible says about people worshiping the creation rather than the Creator.
RIP, you seem to either have an interest in physics or have watched Full Metal Alchemist? Just wondering. Deanna seems to believe in Wicca or something else. Can’t think of it off the top of my head.
Deanna, you sound a little or rather a lot like you disapprove of the male being over the female in any shape or form. A little bitterness in “Eve being a “helpful” afterthought? Being a helpmate for a man is a great thing. We are considered “gifts” from God to a man. I believe men and women each have their own roles, and are most content when we fill those roles as intended. And that both men and women together are only truly contented when they fill the role God gave us, to worship Him and obey Him. There is no other contentment and fulfillment.
When I look at all these things in nature, I see how perfectly God designed everything. And how man has messed it up.
But anyways, as Bonnie said, you can’t really afford to be wrong in what you believe. My son is going through the same sort of questioning at the moment even though he was brought up with strong Christian beliefs. I have to be patient and wait for him to come to his own conclusions. Can’t beat him over the head. This way of thinking of you both doesn’t surprise me, but it does make me sad. I hope you both will reconsider your beliefs and put your faith in God even if you don’t have all the answers right now. They will come eventually.
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RIP-
You wrote: “What gets me is that this religion was created so that there is no room for other interpretations, saying that if you do not believe in this “Truth” you are doomed, forsaken, banished, or whatever… This is the one the only way, and if you do not believe in it, then doom on you.”
Well, God is God, and He can call the shots any way He chooses. It is true that there is only one way to God.
John 14:6 NASB Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
Jesus Himself said that He is the only way to come to God. He also said He is the Truth and the life. How can we dispute that. It is right there.
Rip, I’ve been wondering. Why did you leave your Christian faith that you found earlier in life? What happened?
You also said, “One can live righteously according to what he believes is right and wrong, without having any kind of relationship with this idea of God.”
One can try to life a good, righteous life. I did that before I was saved. I thought I was a good person. I was kind to others and tried to help out any way I could. But, I was judging my right living according to MY standards. That was all I had to go on. What I found out when I got interested in the Bible, that MY standards were not all the same as God’s. I found out I was actually a sinner and needed a Savior.
You said, “Different religions preach the same stuffs. It is not where you end up that matters. It is how you travel on the road to get there. If someone is genuinely nice to people, once she dies may her after days be filled with gay time and joy. If someone lives her life being mean to people, then she will be trapped in this cycle of death and rebirth, or hell, or whatever. NO BODY KNOWS.”
That all sounds good. But, it is based on what you would like to happen. You are saying that our afterlife will be based on what we do here. On our own works. But, that is not what the Bible says.
Ephesians 2:8 NASB For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
You see we are saved by God through faith in what He says. It is not what we do, or our good works here on earth, it is a free gift from God. Isn’t that wonderful?
We both seem to agree that there is an afterlife. But, the main thing is where is it and what is it like. We have the best picture of that from the Bible. Rev. 21 shows us a lot about what it will be like. But, that is only for those who have made a commitment to follow the Lord.
Otherwise, our afterlife will be one of tormet. Only two choices. We are not reborn again and again. We have one soul and that goes with us into Heaven or Hell. We have one chance and that is in this life to make it right.
Blessings,
Bonnie
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Deanna,
“Nature is everything that is not man made.” –So there is this “stuff” in the world that “man” can’t take credit for making. So this stuff (nature) came into existence, but how?
If you are not open to believing that there is a God, a source for all of this (nature) then I guess anything goes, all sorts of explanations can be put to the table to argue which one sounds best. Many of us could go on for days and never have a “right answer”, like there is only one answer in all of this. Getting to know God is a process—“the journey”– not a “right answer.”
Nature—we “man” are part of this nature. We have a system created inside of us that processes food (I did not learn that, it just happens), a system that learns (I did not create this system but over the years in school I learned how this system of “learning” works—it is at my disposal if I am motivated to use it), we have a “feeling” system that works from the day we are born. As we grow we learn things that make us happy, sad (emotions)—again, I did not create the “ability to feel”—emotions–but they are there whether I want them or not. My point in this is that there is an “outer” creation called nature and an “inner” creation of living beings that is also not made by man (those systems can be impacted by man but not “created” by man—biogenetics fields are learning to create things but that is after years and years of studying the first creations—not because they invented man).
There is also a relationship between “man” and the rest of creation—we depend on our survival by using the rest of “nature.” The rest of creation can exist without man. Man doesn’t have to do anything special for wildlife to reproduce, for trees to grow, for fish to live (and so on). If you take man out of planet earth animals and plant life will survive (I am referring to those in the wild, not something like zoos, in other words man made habitats for plants and animals). Where do I learn about this relationship? There is a book…
If I am to entertain that there is a God, where do I begin? What is the valid source of learning about God? My first piece of advice is, LOOK all around you, inside and out—NATURE AND MAN MADE—all of it, because it is ALL exists. In today’s age this is not difficult to do. Any area of life boasts books and books of knowledge on the workings of anything and everything. People take up study the “systems” of life, diseases, energy. As they study they find patterns, systematic processes that allow further knowledge to come to light. I am not saying man made is “good” or “bad” but there is this “study” of the life where discoveries are made that lead to something—it never ends. These studies then allow “man” to alter the environment. I am not arguing if he does is “right” or “wrong”, but that knowledge leads to these changes. Example: Take individuals that wanted to build a bridge—they took what others have learned and put on paper (Science principles)–and created a final “blue print” (obviously I am going quickly through a process that can literally take years) and then gets translated to workmen who put the labor and materials required to put the pieces together to do this. We drive on a bridge, don’t think twice about how miraculous this is—it becomes regular in our daily life. Putting the understanding of our environment into books is a “man made” thing—man documented his understanding of natures principles that appeared “constant” or certainly had “constant” relationships or patterns. By documenting this knowledge doesn’t make him the creator of the principle neither does is make his words false about the understanding of these principles. Believing “in” the principles has no impact on them-they exist without man’s comment or approval.
But what is my source of learning about God? The bible.
But you argue–it is man made—and you cite that has myths in it.
Well, first let me go to my “building a bridge” example. People who want to build bridges today don’t “start from scratch” to the beginning of time to understand how the forces of nature work. They took the work of previous generations–their tests and findings, their understanding of principles like gravity, energy and materials with which to build the bridges and whatever else needed to be added to the “recipe” which resulted in a bridge. Or the written word…we teach the ABC’s to all the children starting at home, in preschool…we don’t question at this point if the alphabet is right because people, some time ago, decided what the alphabet was going to be and he have accepted that truth and learned it. You don’t have to believe in the alphabet but if you want to grow up and communicate, it really does make things easier.
The bible is a collection of sacred writings from previous generations. What they have learned about God, they put on paper. The bible offers direction regarding “inner life”. This “inner life” does get translated into our “outer life.” There are principles there.
At its most basic level (I shake a little as I say this because to me, there is nothing basic about the bible but I am trying to explain as best as I can). As a human race, is it necessary that we make the same mistakes over and over? There is a “manual”—bible—that has this information/advice on what to do to make life the right way?
There are principles of “inner life”. Pick a topic—relationships, money, turning away from living life in a way it was not intended (sin)…and so much more. Does it guarantee bad things won’t happen? No. Is a seat belt not useful because it can’t guarantee that you won’t die if there is a car accident? Should I not bother locking my doors since I can’t be certain that a robber will get in anyway? Searching for these “vague absolutes” can be never ending. When you take up study of the bible, you learn what is real, true…you learn God’s promises to YOU personally. The bible doesn’t tell you problems won’t happen but, be assured that reading it CAN prevent certain problems from occurring.
As you read the bible, an awareness will build. As you gain an understanding of what is written there, you will gain valuable insights into your life. Please know that you are unique, like no other. The relationship that you and God have is unique. In order to build a relationship with God (because that is what we are talking about—a relationship), all you have to do is accept him into your life. If you are looking to another “Christian” for answers without doing the work “the study” then you are skimming only the surface of what is available to you. Imagine trying to look for a wife or husband, so you tell a good friend “find me one.” When your friend finds you one, you don’t want to talk directly to that person…you always hold conversations through your friend, never directly. That is not a relationship. You might learn some things but until you communicate directly, you won’t know the “deeper” relationship. Please be clear—God leaves all sorts of clues for EVERYBODY that he is present, but until you accept his invitation, God will not force himself on you—that is not a relationship.
There are steps to this, (Step 1: Accepting Christ as your Savior—Step 2:Start reading the bible–a group bible study really helps–it is a gentle way to begin learning God’s way). Please remember the gospel (writings of the bible) are for EVERYONE. There is a depth here that is like no other. I don’t have to say more because when you say yes to God he accepts your yes. What do I mean by that? Experience it for yourself, don’t take my word for it—God’s word is real. He is here and present, waiting to hear from you.
I am addressing some of your other statements below:
•Your reference to Men creating Adam to make them superior—In the bible (NIV version) it refers to God making a “helper” for Adam. Once Eve is made, then Adam declares “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman, for she was taken out of man.” Genesis 2:23. This doesn’t indicate that Eve is inferior. As for the order of creation, Adam was created first then Eve. In parenting, with multiple children…even with twins…You have a 1st, then a 2nd…it is just an order, don’t get hung up o that. Last, God made Eve a helper for Adam. Since when is being a helper inferior? I don’t feel inferior—as a matter of fact when I put my heart into my helper role, there is a deep satisfaction there I would not exchange for anything.
•You cite which gospels the church chose/didn’t choose. Well, my response is the people that “specialized” in the study/understanding of the gospels chose/rejected the gospels based on the reasons of that time. At this point, I can’t go back to see if what they did was “right”—all I can do is trust that the choice was right as they people involved were the experts. Actually you do this in every day life today in everything—if you take an aspirin for a headache, you trust that the right combination of medicine is in there. You don’t go back to review the pharmaceutical papers to make sure that the combination of drugs is right—I don’t know what your area of expertise is in life but even if you did review those papers, would you even know if what they wrote is true? How do you know an aspirin works? You take it and it should relieve the symptom. You trust products and information today without having been the one to invent the product or research the information. How do you know the bible works? You read it.
***BTW, when I say reading it I mean both ways–with other Christians as well as alone. It is about relationships. Start wherever you are ready. Just take the step.
• You refer to the gospels as myth. There is something called “Faith.” This may not be concrete evidence to you, I understand but…in today’s world EVERYTHING operates on “Faith” but we just don’t use that word in our every day conversations—we take things for granted. If you buy a car from a dealer you have “faith” that you will have a job/income source to pay for it—I don’t care how sure you are that you will have your job there is no “absolute guarantee”. You have “faith” that replacement parts to the car will continue to be manufactured if you need one. Any business owner, from the largest to the smallest, has “faith” that their business that it will continue to exist in whatever capacity—just open any newspaper to show you businesses that have gone under—no one has an absolute guarantee. Just because they know and do all the right business things doesn’t guarantee a customer will buy their product. As you read the bible, FAITH matures.
•Your other comments:(1)Before the bible there was paganism (2) A relationship of spirit and the goddess/gender. (3) People lived in harmony with nature. (4)The natural cycles of nature. There are a lot of things you threw in the mix here but I will do my best to address everything. (1) Paganism. My comment here is where faith in God is concerned, there was a process. Just like a child grows into an adult, so have our spiritual beliefs matured. As we look at paganism, we see beginnings of what faith in God “looked like” for some. (2) As for for references to gender, I am not sure where you are going with this—meaning, the earth and mother nature being referred to “her” prior to the bible and then I assume you mean that things became referred to as “Him” or “God” once he bible is written. Using this gender argument that “masculine” is the cause of destruction and masculine can’t create because he destroys doesn’t clarify anything for me about creation or God/no matter what gender. (3) People lived in harmony with nature-Not sure what “harmony” means to you? From the oldest history records man has hunted his food, including Indians—no matter that they referred to the earth as she. What I do agree with is before “industrialization” came to be, we were much kinder to the earth. Once we decided that we wanted to improve on what we had, and quickly, it sure seems that today that earth has a lot of scars to show for it. (4) The natural cycles of nature. Yes, there are cycles but these cycles don’t disprove God.
•No visions of God in our current world. Interesting that you bring this up—we will not get face to face with God until heaven—the scriptures support it. http://www.gty.org/Resources/Articles/567
•Visions of the Women that you mentioned. I honestly can’t say much about the women “visions” as I have had limited information on them. I have read/ heard in the past and my understanding is these “Our Lady” visions” did point to Christ/God in terms of praying/faith. Again, in this discussion we are not validationg visions.
•Nature/God. Again, you seem to weigh heavily on the gender. Historically and traditionally, Jewish men did not speak in public to women, even their own wives. For a rabbi this would have been an even greater restriction. Women were not publicly taught the Law. A woman’s place in that society was not remotely similar to our own. But Jesus never treated women in the expected ways of his culture. He talked with them. He taught them. He expected and trusted them to be able to proclaim the Good News. He told stories using women as his characters. He even gave an illustration of what God was like using the image of the woman searching for the Lost Coin. Jesus acted and spoke as if women and men were equal before God and his eyes. http://www.rockies.net/~spirit/charlene/atwell.html
I apologize for the long response but I really wanted to take your comments and address them the best I could. Thanks, Iwona.
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What gets me is that this religion was created so that there is no room for other interpretations, saying that if you do not believe in this “Truth” you are doomed, forsaken, banished, or whatever… This is the one the only way, and if you do not believe in it, then doom on you.
Yes it is a way to “salvation” or what ever you want to call it. But it is not the only way to live. One can live righteously according to what he believes is right and wrong, without having any kind of relationship with this idea of God. Different religions preach the same stuffs. It is not where you end up that matters. It is how you travel on the road to get there. If someone is genuinely nice to people, once she dies may her after days be filled with gay time and joy. If someone lives her life being mean to people, then she will be trapped in this cycle of death and rebirth, or hell, or whatever. NO BODY KNOWS.
Cool Runnings… Peace Be Da Journey, Man.
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Yes, this is a Christian website, but all opinions are welcome. I don’t expect everyone to agree with me. That is why we have comments. I just ask that there be no profanity or abusive language here. Those posts would be deleted.
It is good to discuss things and hopefully we will all grow from it.
May God richly bless each and every one of you.
Bonnie
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