tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post8088003265362721868..comments2023-08-08T03:34:51.418-06:00Comments on The Rains Came Down: The Five Selfish VirginsSilverRainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580230961425635077noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-90519123206411645232010-08-23T08:23:50.274-06:002010-08-23T08:23:50.274-06:00Great question. Maybe it wasn't the lack of o...Great question. Maybe it wasn't the lack of oil as much as the lack of being there when the Bridegroom arrived. <br /><br />I'm going to have to think about that one.Papa Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06704974609266088416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-3907909142311455482010-08-23T07:47:10.898-06:002010-08-23T07:47:10.898-06:00One other thought I had with some parallels to the...One other thought I had with some parallels to the Adam and Eve story: the foolish virgins went to buy oil, and were caught unawares as they were trying to cover up their mistakes.<br /><br />Is it possible that had they simply waited without oil that they would have still been able to go into the feast?SilverRainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00580230961425635077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-55272642621670505882010-08-20T16:06:12.588-06:002010-08-20T16:06:12.588-06:00Great post! I just "discovered" your bl...Great post! I just "discovered" your blog after reading your comments on other blogs. <br /><br />This is near and dear to my heart. I've been a "fixer" all my life, and only in the last few years have I come to realize that sometimes I'm trying to fix what isn't mine to do.<br /><br />I think you've captured the parable quite well: in some ways it is not Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11294214866282354575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-63164656392542396212010-08-20T02:21:35.315-06:002010-08-20T02:21:35.315-06:00I've recently had some very similar insights i...I've recently had some very similar insights into this parable, SR. One of the things that strikes me is that to all appearances, the foolish and the wise virgins seem to be the same. They have all taken on the outward appearance of ones waiting for the Bridegroom, they are all carrying their lamps. The problem for the five is that they have no oil in their lamps, and so are unable to Thomas Parkinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-81291683833770465412010-08-19T11:36:28.208-06:002010-08-19T11:36:28.208-06:00Jim—You have some interesting questions which I wi...Jim—You have some interesting questions which I will have to address in another post, once I've thought it over somewhat. The short answer would be to develop a relationship with the Holy Spirit to help discern the difference between spiritual selfishness, self-reliance, charity and moderation.<br /><br />I think Michelle has some good insights to this, too.SilverRainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00580230961425635077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-54852866025967716192010-08-17T00:56:54.966-06:002010-08-17T00:56:54.966-06:00Interesting reflections on this parable. I like th...Interesting reflections on this parable. I like the application of not trying so hard to 'save' others that you neglect yourself. as Jim said, there is a balance, but I think the point you make is important. There's a difference between earnestly doing our best and taking on others' salvation, which in a sense can end up more like codependency, if not violating their agency in Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08215431222961203620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-29506163802398322832010-08-16T19:53:13.307-06:002010-08-16T19:53:13.307-06:00Indeed, at the end of the day, each of us has to c...Indeed, at the end of the day, each of us has to choose whether to accept what Christ offers us. Much as I might want my people to choose Him, I can't make them. I can encourage and support, but that is really the limit.<br /><br />I had never thought of seeing all ten virgins as righteous before. I like it, though. All believed, all came, but only half of them prepared themselves to meet GodMatthewnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-80353580030307117892010-08-16T13:08:56.849-06:002010-08-16T13:08:56.849-06:00SilverRain, I don't disagree with you- I think...SilverRain, I don't disagree with you- I think it is clear that we each are responsible for our own thoughts, desires, and actions.<br /><br />This all tends to get a little muddled in my mind though:<br /><br />1. What part do stewardships play in the equation? Although we can't be responsible for others, I think we have a responsibility to influence others for good. Not at the Jimnoreply@blogger.com