The one thing I seriously believe is that we, as God’s creation, are always connected to Him in some way. It is hard to explain how I feel things are but if one imagines the source of a river and all the tributaries then it would be kinda close but still not quite right. Now, whether there is a Hell full of fire or not doesn’t matter to me. It’s just the thought of being totally and completely disconnected from the source, God, and His love. To be separated from Him is much more devastating to me than mere fire.
In my book, that’s some pretty good thinking Dwight and if followed through, it comes with some nice gifts of the spirit with some emphasis on peace and joy.
We are told to think on good things, Phi; 4:8-9 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:8-9).
Ya know guys, this little study today has been wonderful! We’ve expressed some questions we have faced and even admitted to some failings and sought strength from one another. Sans a couple of negative whisperings, all in all it has been a very positive and well spent time just fellowshipping with fellow believers and friends. May God Bless…….
Thank you Bobby, I had just got done talking on the phone to my neighbor Tom that I watch out for. He has a caregiver, but she can only be there 30 hours a month. I don't know when he'll die, but he is in such bad shape that no doctors will, or can, do anything further to help him. They are scared, I just know it, scared if they try any operations he won't make it. I talk to him about Jesus but he has silly stories he would rather talk about so I just listen to him instead. He just know Christ, the bible, or what he does know, or has heard, he doesn't believe. I just let go and let God. I'm going to miss him and his stories and I know he could be gone any day. When he calls me he usually says he doesn't need anything, like me to go to store for him etc., he says he guesses he just wants to talk, so we do. If there's anyone reading this that will pray for Tom please do. I don't know a tougher ole cod than Tom. Since he was a tiny baby he told me of different injuries and illnesses he's been plagued with, but he never whines, and always have the best jokes and stories. I'll see you tomorrow and wishing you and Yvonne a good night's sleep, God bless you both, Denise
Consider it done and a pleasure Denise. No matter who it is, one of the highest and most important callings we have as Christians is to raise up others in prayer to the Father. Have yourself a blessed sleep also Denise…..g’nite.
... from some guy named Ken: I think it's unreasonable of us to expect to be able to understand God, and it's clear that the Bible was intended to give us little more than what we needed to know. However, He created us as human beings who (some of us, at least) like to have answers to the questions that come up, and, where the Bible isn't clear, we tend to fill in the blanks with stuff that we've made up. I used to puzzle about the same things, Denise. Ken hits the nail on the head. The Old Testament God wanted sacrifice as did many or all of the religions before Christianity. Even the Romans sacrificed bulls but recognized Carthage's child sacrifice as an evil. Abraham's obedience in being willing to sacrifice his son was what God wanted but it seems cruel and capricious as does the alternate sacrifice of the ram. Jesus's death on the cross was supposed to be the end of all that. That's my understanding. Even as a non-Christian I saw that Christianity was a big step forward for mankind in terms of spiritual and moral growth. I'm not sure I could take eternal life. I'd want time to reunite with my loved ones, resolve differences with others and take care of unfinished business from mortal life, but after that, what? As the limited being I am now I think I'd be bored but perhaps we will grow into something better with more understanding. Perhaps there will be work for us to do in eternity. Perhaps the fleeting moments of joy we can have in this life are a foretaste of what eternity might be like. As far as the bible's every word being literal truth, I don't know. The Aramaic, Greek and Hebrew writers over centuries wrote of their understanding of God. Did God inspire and guide their every word? There are contradictions in all Bibles and Jesus himself spoke in parables. The Bible inspires me daily but the every jot and title command is violated just by the fact that there are different Bibles in different tongues. No language in more prosaic works translates perfectly and no author, writing of things years in the past remembers perfectly. Yet none of these things bothers me greatly. Nor does my imperfect faith. I forget the book and verse but we are told that faith is a gift from God and I believe that, so I wish for more faith but I don't pray for it. God will grant it to me when I need it. Maybe my understanding will grow and maybe not but I'm fine with not seeing the whole picture. My practice of daily prayer has been a Godsend, literally, and brings me peace. I have a feeling things will turn out good for you. Take care. (added later) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3: 5 and 6
I used to puzzle about what it was like before God created the universe. Was God just hanging out in a void for eons with no one to talk to? Perhaps his first creation was a holy Playstation to pass the time. Except for the small spaces close to us out minds reality can't encompass reality. We can do a little measuring but the laws of physics we know cover only a small part of the workings of the universe. I see two things as inescapable, however. 1) Life can't come from nothing. This is prima facie proof that God exists. 2) The universe makes sense. It has to.
I believe the Big Bang Theory has now been disproven by the latest space telescope. The scientists are scurrying to find another theory to fit the facts.
In Israel they still perform the sacrifice at Passover, then again we don't treat our meat animals' kind, after going to a stock yard here I couldn't eat meat for months without seeing the cruelty that goes on with cattle. Also pigs and chickens aren't treated humanely either.
the abuse that is happening to animals and worst of all, children sickens me. I watched a show the other night called Hinterland and it's about several other stories mixed in, but the main one is about a horrific orphanage. It made me think about our children that are being abused here by lack of laws against teaching little ones they can be male or female. We all know the laws again pedophiles but how many of the Elite that are so bored of all their money, and sick in their minds that they turn their lusts to children. I can't say anymore, and I can't offer a "cure" for the abuse that goes on in the world. I just pray the horrors will end soon
I know that it would be good for all to know what is actually happening, many here do I'm sure, but I get what you mean Marie, sometimes it sickens me so much I cry hard and ask God why, but some things came clear to me once again why God might allow such things. I think He wants people to rise up speak the truth with boldness and teach others what Jesus taught. Some won't listen, but the bible says if they won't, it's God's business. I learned from friends that it wasn't my business what people said about me, or what I believed. It was only my business to share what I've learned about salvation, and leave the results of that to God. I know a lot of people laugh at me calling myself a christian sometimes because nothing I'm up to mirrors Christ. Sometimes I am disciplined and reminded I have a loving Father. I sure didn't have one "present" in my life so I think I'm a bit stubborn
Don't you think that since man is a creator there has to be a supreme creator? Everything we have was created by someone, from high tech to the simplest of meal making. If we evolved from a slime pit then why is there no more evolutions? Animal extinctions would just evolve back into existence. You of course are free to believe what you wish, so why not give that same privilege to others to believe as they wish without mocking them?
Yes, they do scurry, because think of how their house of cards will collapse around them if they can't prove their theories after all. Desperate is what they are. I love this verse because I can see it happening in the world every day: 1Co 1:27 "But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;" To clarify into my understanding, my opinion, I believe the foolish things of the world means how the world differs from the Church (not the building, the Body of Christ). The world shouts it out how foolish christians are, and again I mean the true Church. But the worldly hate the Church because it confuses them, and if God opens their heart, they become ashamed. It's my understanding that scientists have not disproven anything in the bible. Lee Stroble was just one hard-core athiest who became a follower of Christ. Lots of testimonies but again, God has to open a heart.
I think that one of the main reasons that our churches are being taken apart from the inside is actually because of hatefulness from outside of the churches. We are being pressured into giving up so many things that have been traditional for Christians for hundreds of years, and having more and more of non-Christian beliefs forced onto Christians. As an example, the gay movement (in all its forms), is now being put forth as a “natural” way of life. Most of us are now used to this existing, but where it has never been part of Christian churches, the churches are now being told that they are intolerant if they do not allow it. A church should be able to have their own beliefs and live the lifestyle they want to , just like non-Christians are allowed to do. Being forced to accept outside standards has almost totally stopped preachers from actually preaching Bible teachings.