I have on going questions.....

These are my on going questions, ponderings, dilemnas, or dichotemies. I think if the deeper questions in life are answered, then all the little ones will naturally follow. I hold fast to the truth that I do know! By writing these out, hopefully, I will be motivated to delve deeper into each question/dilemna as I have the time. Please, if anyone finds themselves reading this, feel free to share your thoughts, comments, opinions, research, verses, experiences, or further questions on these matters. My thoughts are written here very randomly. Some are questions, some just areas of interest that I want to think about further.

Not in any type of order of importance or priority;

1. Alcohol consumption (moderation, balance, exposure/attitude around children, consumption at parties/gatherings, inappropriateness, etc)

2. Balancing moderation/grace/tolerance/Love with being "set apart", abstinence, a false balance.

3. Our own worldly, cultural, societal, environmental, ideals vs. God's priorities and will for us.

4. Importance of observing Holy Days.

5. Significance of Sabbath, importance of the actual day (Sat. vs. Sun.) How extreme to take it....rest/no work, etc or just reverence/remembrance/worship.....

6. Practice of observing the Sabbath...formal vs. informal joint worship. Separate occasion from remembering the Sabbath???? Looseness or strictness of not forsaking the gathering of believers, etc....

7. Being Set apart vs. being a light IN the darkness. We have to go where there is darkness to BE a light, right???

8. Providence. God's perfect will vs. permissive will? Is this a coined phrase or is there Biblical Truth in it???

9. God's guidance in decisions. Hearing His voice....Our plans vs. God's plans....desires and plans of a man's heart vs. those of God? Knowing the difference.

10. Sacrifice, self-denial, abstaining from worldly pleasures (nothing profane here...celebrations, alcohol, sweets, money, anything that isn't beneficial????) vs. prosperity doctrine. Even joy vs. suffering. People say way of the cross is suffering.....but I feel Jesus paid that price, and wants us to have a certain amount of freedom, joy in Him (fruit of Spirit)....in good & bad times.

11. Prayer. As a spiritual gift, commandment, etc. How is God swayed by our prayers??? What about those who have no one praying for them? Importance, practice of, etc....

12. Discipline for our children.

13. Permissiveness with our children.

14. jobs vs. ministry....life as ministry...forsaking all....or being a light where you are....

15. Backsliding, lukewarmness or phases, vs. once saved always saved mindset....

Just random ponderings for me to work through to be more single minded, focused, articulate on where I stand (to ultimately be where God desires). I know God is more concerned with the state of my heart than anything, but I want my actions to be in line with His will and desire for me.