It'll take more than prayer!

[Ohio Girl]

Pretty funny article:
http://www.nwfdailynews.com/article/6725

[scooterbug44]

This is both hilarious and scary!

Exactly what are the appropriate "scripture readings" for a luncheon dedicated to goosing real estate sales?

Fear not as you drive through the valley of the overpriced property.......

[Mango]

I am certainly no religious zealot, but to each his own.
You wouldn't laugh at a family who says a prayer prior to their meals, why would praying for someone's occupation be any different?

[scooterbug44]

No offense or disrespect intended, I was reacting to the fact that the entire event was dedicated to asking God to increase real estate sales and bring them $. Bit of a counterpoint to Jesus throwing the moneylenders out of the temple IMO.

[Jennifer Steele]

No offense or disrespect intended, I was reacting to the fact that the entire event was dedicated to asking God to increase real estate sales and bring them $. Bit of a counterpoint to Jesus throwing the moneylenders out of the temple IMO.

Agreed.

It reads like an article from "The Onion."

[Mango]

No offense or disrespect intended, I was reacting to the fact that the entire event was dedicated to asking God to increase real estate sales and bring them $. Bit of a counterpoint to Jesus throwing the moneylenders out of the temple IMO.

Explain. I am in the mortgage business 20 years. I haven't burst into flames yet when I go to church.
People go on retreats and have church meetings all the time for specific events. Why would having a luncheon to renew hope and pray for a stable return to the market be any different? Is it just because it's realtors asking? Would you be so quick to comment if the group was a bunch of headhunters, graphic artists, or construction workers?

[scooterbug44]

I love the Onion!

War-Torn Middle East Seeks Solace In Religion
August 23, 2006
JERUSALEM—As an uneasy truce between Israel and Hezbollah continues, millions of average men and women in the Holy Land are turning to the one simple comfort that has always seen them through the darkest days of their troubled history: the steadfast guidance of their religious faith.
"I take solace in knowing that my faith is a sanctuary, an escape from the bloodshed and turmoil," said Haifa resident Yigal Taheri, who last week lost his wife and newborn daughter when a Fajr-3 long-range rocket launched by Lebanese militants struck the synagogue where his family was attending services. "YHWH, Elohim, whatever you wish to not call Him—His love comforts all those who are willing to open their hearts to Him. Praise be to G–d."
"Religion is the one thing that has never let us down," Taheri added over the low rumble of AK-47 fire emanating from the nearby home of a radical Israeli rabbi.
Taheri is not alone. In a time of seemingly unending conflict between Israelis and Arabs, a growing number of Middle Easterners are fervently embracing the unshakeable wisdom of Judaism and Islam.
Palestinian Omar Abdel-Malik, a resident of the Gaza Strip town of Khan Younis, credits his Islamic beliefs for preserving his sanity.
"The Israelis have fired missile upon missile on my neighborhood, but it has only made my trust in Allah that much stronger," Abdel-Malik said. "I cringe to think where the people of the Middle East would be right now if it weren't for our steadfast belief in one true, merciful, and loving Supreme Being."
Palestinian widow and mother of three Dareen Idriss agreed, citing the healing power of prayer as a way to cope with the relentless slaughter she and her family witness every day. "When the children cannot stop crying because of the bombs, we all gather our families in the rubble of the mosque to pray for justice," Idriss said. "During this calm meditation, we also pray for the annihilation of the Hebrew race."
West Bank settler Ari Chayat, whose neighborhood has also been ravaged by violence, echoed this profound reliance on faith. "The world is so brutal and unfair," Chayat said. "Many days, my uncompromising belief in a vengeful creator is all that gets me out of bed in the morning."
"If it wasn't for my faith that the God of Abraham has given these lands to Jews and Jews alone by divine decree, I probably wouldn't even be here today," Chayat added.
Lebanese militant Jawad Hamid, who recently lost his best friend to an Israeli helicopter attack while the two men were on their way to pick up a Katyusha rocket, said his faith in Allah was the only way he could cope with the tragedy.
"Every time I want to give up hope, I just open the Quran to my favorite passage, Surah 2:194: 'Whoever acts aggressively against you, inflict injury on him,'" Hamid said. "Whenever I read those words, I am immediately filled with inspiration and a renewed sense of purpose."
Even political leaders have tapped into the public's reliance on religion and used it as a way to encourage them to never give up.
"In this time of strife, the only way to endure the unending suffering is through an unwavering, uncompromising faith in one's religious beliefs," Israeli hard-liner Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah went so far as to quote from the Quran in a speech delivered to followers the same afternoon.
"It's always frightening to be reminded of your own mortality, as we all were this past Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday," Hezbollah commander Mahdi al-Zaidi said. "But rather than react irrationally, I looked deep within my faith, consulted the Quran, and by the mercy of Allah, I gained the resolve to oversee a massive airstrike against the enemy."
"We will get through this, so long as we have God on our side," he added.

[Bobby J]

The entire area functions around the RE market in one way or another. I really don't find this odd. If it works for them so be it. I did a rain prayer the other day and it worked. No one commented on that. What's wrong with praying for money. Many agents do allot of good with their money.

[Destiny]

Prayer is for anyone that believes in the power of prayer.

We have a friend that prayed to sell his property (except 3 acres) in Meriwether County as he plans to spend his retirement in his home of 30+ years in Santa Rosa Beach. He has sold his property and is moving down this month. He is now praying the developers will leave him alone as he has been approached by several that want to buy most of the property his home is on in Santa Rosa Beach and put 3-4 additional houses. He is not interested as he has owned the home and land since early 1970s. It seems developers will do anything to get the land to add yet more houses to the area.
He prays daily for his peace and serenity to enjoy his own home and be left alone by developers. The Power of Prayer is awesome!!

[scooterbug44]

I read the article as religion for profit, not as a comfort in troubled times or a prayer for regional prosperity. Wasn't slamming real estate agents, but the idea of an event whose message was "dear god, bring us $."

[Rambunkscious]

Prayer works. These realtors are just praying to keep their livlihood and continue living in Destin and being a part of the community. Its not like they are praying for a rolls royce, they are praying for groceries. I, for one, am sensitive to their needs and hope them well in their profession.

[6thGen]

I read the article as religion for profit, not as a comfort in troubled times or a prayer for regional prosperity. Wasn't slamming real estate agents, but the idea of an event whose message was "dear god, bring us $."

I'm rather old fashioned in my religion, so no dancing in the isles or snake handling for me, but their get together was rooted in scripture. From 1 Chronicles chapter four:

And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, "Oh that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!" So God granted him what he requested.

[dunelover]

I'm rather old fashioned in my religion, so no dancing in the isles or snake handling for me, but their get together was rooted in scripture. From 1 Chronicles chapter four:

And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, "Oh that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!" So God granted him what he requested.

A good little book about this is "the prayer of Jabez" by Bruce Wilkinson. The key words proceeding this scripture were that Jabez was an honorable man, more honorable than his brothers. And yes, 6thGen, I agree with you on this one. Good point, and great verse.

[30A Skunkape]

It is common in this neck of the woods to bury a St Joseph statue in your yard when your property hits the market. Why not let the protestants have a little divine help too?

[barefootguy]

It is common in this neck of the woods to bury a St Joseph statue in your yard when your property hits the market.

Before buying a house I always poke around the front yard a bit to see how many statues they buried. Helps me know how low I can go with my offer!

[rancid]

I read the article as religion for profit, not as a comfort in troubled times or a prayer for regional prosperity. Wasn't slamming real estate agents, but the idea of an event whose message was "dear god, bring us $."

I would like to start a prayer group that asks God to keep lowering prices so I can one day afford a place near the beach.
Would those prayers offset the other ones? How does that work?

[30A Skunkape]

I would like to start a prayer group that asks God to keep lowering prices so I can one day afford a place near the beach.
Would those prayers offset the other ones? How does that work?

True dat. It is kind of like people living along the gulf coast from Mexico to Tampa praying that a gulf dwelling hurricane hits elsewhere...somebody loses bigtime!

[ktschris]

It is common in this neck of the woods to bury a St Joseph statue in your yard when your property hits the market. Why not let the protestants have a little divine help too?

We do that up here in Missouri too. Worked for me! My house was on the market for 2 months, not one person came to look at it. Burried St. Josephs, a week later I had 2 offers on the same day!

[scooterbug44]

I would like to start a prayer group that asks God to keep lowering prices so I can one day afford a place near the beach.
Would those prayers offset the other ones? How does that work?

Dear GOD, please bless the seller with wisdom so that he realizes that he owns mostly wetlands decorated with old cars and appliances instead of a winnng lottery ticket. AMEN.

[ktschris]

I would like to start a prayer group that asks God to keep lowering prices so I can one day afford a place near the beach.
Would those prayers offset the other ones? How does that work?

I would guess you would pray to St. Jude for that. If I'm not mistaken, he is the patron Saint of the hopeless.

[steyou]

Christ prayed for himself in John Ch.17 vs 1... so that he may be a blessing to God.
When I pray for myself, I pray for God's will to be done in my life. If I prayed for my will to be done in my life I surely would be in trouble.

[Duchess of SRB]

It is common in this neck of the woods to bury a St Joseph statue in your yard when your property hits the market. Why not let the protestants have a little divine help too?

I did bury a St. Joseph statue in my yard and now all I have is a tree growing with a whole bunch of baby St. Joes.

[DuneAHH]

I did bury a St. Joseph statue in my yard and now all I have is a tree growing with a whole bunch of baby St. Joes.

There's a new kind of fruit ... have you tried 'em in a daiquiri yet ??

[SHELLY]

Pretty funny article:
http://www.nwfdailynews.com/article/6725

.




.

[Duchess of SRB]

There's a new kind of fruit ... have you tried 'em in a daiquiri yet ??

We've been using them for mojitos during open castles,
(oops, I mean open houses)
but no nibbles yet. Perhaps they too woody of a flavor.

My loyal manservant will try carving the statue out of lemons or watermelons next time.

[Babyblue]

Prayer works. These realtors are just praying to keep their livlihood and continue living in Destin and being a part of the community. Its not like they are praying for a rolls royce, they are praying for groceries. I, for one, am sensitive to their needs and hope them well in their profession.

Well said. I think some of those folks who are without income for 15-18 months are praying for food money and to keep their homes. Nothing funny about that.

[Babyblue]

Pretty funny article:
http://www.nwfdailynews.com/article/6725

I pray that you are not in need of prayer.

[Smiling JOe]

No offense or disrespect intended, I was reacting to the fact that the entire event was dedicated to asking God to increase real estate sales and bring them $. Bit of a counterpoint to Jesus throwing the moneylenders out of the temple IMO.

Just in case you didn't know, people pray for many things, like to not get a speeding ticket, not going to jail, that a particular girl will fall in love, that their baby will be born with 10 fingers, that they will get the job, that they will pick the winning lottery numbers, and yes, that the real estate market will pick back up. So what? The mind and prayer are mysterious. Maybe the prayer meeting which was held will make some Realtors who've been down in the dumps, pick themselves up and start working more.

[Smiling JOe]

I read the article as religion for profit, not as a comfort in troubled times or a prayer for regional prosperity. Wasn't slamming real estate agents, but the idea of an event whose message was "dear god, bring us $."

Prayer for money, works. It's kept the churches going strong for many years.

[Smiling JOe]

I would like to start a prayer group that asks God to keep lowering prices so I can one day afford a place near the beach.
Would those prayers offset the other ones? How does that work?

It is kind of like two opposing teams, each praying to win.

[Smiling JOe]

I pray that you are not in need of prayer.

Amen!

[Ti-da]

IMHO, prayer is about faith..faith is about your relationship with God. When we pray, we are communicating with God, which pleases him.. None of us know which prayers God will choose to answer, or how he will choose to answer them..The important thing is the comfort we receive and companionship we share with him, when we pray.. Keep on praying!!!

[nmosley]

I totally agree with Ti-da! The coolest thing about prayer is that it doesn't have to be an either-or deal with God....He is so mignificent and awesome that He can, in fact, meets two opposing prayers at the same time...His multi-faceted, multi-dimentional wisdom and understand doesn't require linear solutions to anything! So, though we may see things as opposing viewpoints (sellers or buyers win, for example - not both) He does not .
That being the case, it is important that folks get clear on their visions or dreams and than ask for God's assistance to bring it to pass. It is written, "... delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." I used to think that meant that you could ask for anything - goofy or not, and expect God to be like Santa Claus...I never understood how that verse could even make sense. Thanks goodness that time has changed my heart to understand that getting clear and quiet with Him means that He will put the desires there (give them to you) in the first place... and if He puts them there, He will give them to you. There you have it! Thoughts by Naj this beautiful summer morning! Blessing to all who are walking this journey - may each of you find the desires of your heart and pursue them with tenacity and boldness! I guarantee that the pursuit and the boldness will be much greater abd exceedingly more sweet if you are walking the journey with the one who designed you... ok Shelly and all, I am bracing myself - please be merciful

[DuneAHH]

Thanks nmosely...lovely & precisely the message I needed this morning.