I am sorry for upsetting the tranquility of this Forum with my very unchristian behavior yesterday and I sincerely apologize to everyone for this. God is still growing me as a Christian and if anyone needs proof that Christians are not perfect...yesterday I gave it to all of you. What was met for good on Saturday, satan turned to evil yesterday...but I am the one responsible for "biting" on the bait he threw out and for the unchristian words that I spoke to some of you yesterday. Today is a new day, last night I confessed my sin to Jesus and as my Savior He once again gave me cleansing and forgiveness, and I hope those I hurt unintentionally will forgive me too. It doesn't matter if I unintentionally hurt some of you, it only matters that I did...I am truly sorry for any hurt I caused anyone. .
I wasn't offended, I'm always in defense mode lately. I get upset about everything that's said. I'm moderate in everything so any view that's far right or far left makes me take the opposite side. Also, truthfully even if these things are happening, I personally don't see them in my world. Everybody is different and sees things differently. I know you like to post religion and I don't have to read it but I read everything. I'm not offended in what you believe but when you knock my religion than that's a different story. I just don't like getting into a battle about who's religion is right, there are no winners and just hurt feelings. Just so I understand, if you post something about religion..is it open for discussion or you're just quoting scripture? Anyway...hugs
I didn't see your Thread/posts, but I do know this...........religion, no matter what religion it is, is/can be a very tough subject to talk about. Just like what some think about politics and what others think. There are just certain topics that "the good, the bad and sometimes even the ugly" can be seen and discussed. Wife and I are both Christians, but one thing we don't do and that is..........push our beliefs onto others. Sometimes people can get mighty nasty with words, when that happens.
Good Morning Everyone. This is a great Forum for Seniors and I am sure I join many of you in being thankful to @Ken Anderson for creating it. There are also wonderful seniors on this Forum who I have enjoyed getting to know through your posts. This morning I wanted to tell all of you goodbye and that I pray God's best for all of your lives and those of your families and friends. I didn't just want to leave here and have some of you be concerned that something happened to me...like when we were concerned about you @Ike Willis. You sure had us worried for a while. And I didn't want any of you to think I left because I was offended about anything. I've made the choice to leave because I don't want to cause conflict, hurt anyone, or feel I've "pushed"... as some of you say "my religion" on any of you. God my Father and Jesus my Savior are not a religion to me, they are the most wonderful relationship I have ever had in my life besides the Family and Friends God has blessed me with. They are a part of every area of my life, so I can't "confine" them to the Faith and Religion part of the Forum, that would be like not being able to mention my Family on anything but the Family and Relationship part of the Forum. God and Jesus are my Family too and I don't want to feel I have to stifle or quench anything that comes out naturally about them. But I also want to respect everyone elses' beliefs and not offend anyone with mine. There is no Truth but God's for me. I can't change this, and even if I could, I honestly don't want to as I have searched many other so called truths in my 65 years and God's is the one that is the Truth to me. And I want to feel free to share this when it comes out naturally without knowing someone is going to be offended by it...or think I should limit any discussion about this to the Faith and Religion part of the Forum. When I joined this Forum I had hoped I had found a place where I could discuss and share my relationship with God and Jesus, and Biblical Truth with others who have a relationship with them too. But that hasn't happened and I know now it isn't going to happen.And this is what I want to have discussions with others about most of all. But I want to be able to discuss it, not argue about it, or offend anyone by discussing this. I have enjoyed discussing other topics with all of you very much and I feel through those discussions I have gotten to know you. You have become "friends" and I will treasure the memory of each one of you. There are seasons in our lives for different things and I have enjoyed my season on the Forum very much. May God bless and keep all of you and provide for your needs always. @Ken Anderson Thank you for creating this Forum, It is a wonderful place for us Seniors and I have enjoyed my season here very much. And Ken when you are able please forgive me for hurting you, I am truly sorry.
I hope you'll find a good place where you will feel at home, @Babs Hunt and I'm sorry that you feel that place wasn't with us. I have the same beliefs you do and have since the 1960s. I have never had any trouble here at SeniorsOnly when stating my beliefs, and I hope I've done well with handling those who disagree with my beliefs. There is a very fine line between witnessing and "pushing" as you call it. For what it's worth, I have not seen any instance of you (or anyone!) "pushing" their beliefs on others. Sometimes making a statement of faith, a "seed" and letting others run with it when and if they're ready is the better part of valor... but again, it's a fine line. I do hope you'll find a good match for your form of witnessing! Keep the faith, Babs.
Hope you aren't leaving because we disagreed in that post about Religion, Babs. I've had a tough month and I may be taking my anger at someone else out in my replies on here. I really do respect everybody's right to believe what they do but I expect others to respect what I believe. I don't think anybody will change anybody's views on here regarding religion. I wish you would reconsider and stay but If not I hope you find a forum that is just focused on religion, I'm sure there are plenty. I wish you well and keep on enjoying your grandbabies, we always had that in common...our love of family.
I think that those of us who are Christians on this forum do express our beliefs and feelings about God, and we do it in any forum thread where it comes into our contribution to the thread. We also ask for prayer requests for other people, like we did for Chrissy and Ina, and my son, Mike, when he had the open heart surgery. Non-believers have their views, and we all accept each other as they are. Bobby and I also belong to a Christian forum, and if you are interested in a special forum where it is just to talk about God and religion, then you might also enjoy this forum. I will message you the link and you can check it out if you like. As far as staying on this forum, that is of course up to you, and if you are not comfortable here, I can understand you not wanting to stay. If you think about it and change your mind, that would be wonderful; because we all enjoy your friendship here on the forum.
As a Christian, it's your obligation to push your religion onto others, @Babs Hunt. I hope you'll reconsider leaving but, if not, I wish you all the best, and please know that you'll always be welcome here. For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. — 1 Corinthians 1:18 But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. — Galatians 5:11 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. — Acts 4:1-36 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” — Matthew 28:18-20
Hate to see you, or anyone leave over religion. It's up to you, but I'd be more stubborn about leaving. Hope you find peace, wherever you go.
What I do know is this...........there are times that people do talk about religion too much. As Christians, we want to "witness" to others, but into today's society, that is darn near impossible and can be very controversial. We say things about our beliefs that some simply don't agree with, even dislike, and possibly bash us for (that's happened to me). Not telling you that leaving this website is right, but perhaps a much more Christian website would be better for you. One that totally understands/agrees with your feelings/beliefs. Actually, I have to tell my wife sometimes "watch it" when talking to strangers about Christianity. And, to a point, we are all "strangers" to each other on here. We don't meet, go out to dinner, a movie or anything else. Basically, it's all online forum talk. I know, without a doubt, that most on here would question our Christian belief because of the way we act sometimes.
Does pushing ever work? I have never seen it work, really. You don't push yours, Ken. I know your denomination, but I haven't seen anything in detail... and Yvonne doesn't push hers, and Chrissy doesn't push hers... and I sure don't. We state beliefs and if there are questions, we go further. But pushing... I know I don't read nearly all the threads here (even when I'm playing hooky from work like today!) but I've absolutely never seen pushing. @Yvonne Smith @Chrissy Page Well anyhow, that's my two cents worth. I have seen much more conversion and "revival" when there is no cramming/pushing and I disagree that it's an obligation in that form. I do realize (and suspect) that we're using the term "pushing" in a different way, maybe?
I think that depends on how the word "pushing" is defined. Most people who come to know Christ are introduced to Him by someone else. I consider my unwillingness to do that sometimes to be a weakness. Still, there are effective ways to push the gospel on someone and there are less effective ways. I'm not saying that I'm particularly good at it sometimes, but Scripture gives us some references here too. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. — Colossians 4:6 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. — Titus 2:7-8 My point is that the Bible is pretty clear that a Christian's faith is not supposed to be a private thing, one that they rarely share with anyone else. However, this is more effective when a relationship is first established. Although people have come to know the Lord through an introduction by a stranger who walked up to them, these are usually people who were prepared for such an introduction, and who were aware that there was something missing in their lives. Anyhow, I am hoping that @Babs Hunt reconsiders and rejoins us at some point.
Absolutely, our faith is to not be hidden. And that means you're right... it depends on the definition. I never considered stating my beliefs or that I'm a Christian to be pushing. Pushing would be... well, I'm known to come up with extreme examples, so going out on a limb here, but pushing would be picking out something someone says and countering why it's wrong, why it's sinful, why it's not Biblical, etc. and then going on to say why "my way" is the right way, complete with scripture to "prove" it. But scripture interpretation opens a whole new problem. What else would I consider pushing? Okay, someone mentions their son or daughter having a baby out of wedlock or being gay. Pushing my religion on them would be a lecture complete with scripture on why they shouldn't have done that or why hell's about to rain down on them. So many examples... but that's the type of thing I consider "pushing"... not statements of faith to let everyone know that I'm a Christian... that's pretty much a given. If I'm asked to elaborate, I'm always glad to do it... people are much more receptive that way, I've found.
Becoming Catholic was not something someone pushed on me, I was born into it. Also, as a Catholic I don't believe what other Christians say about the only way to heaven. You must confess your sins, so I believe only Catholics will be in heaven. I don't go around telling people that though because I'm sure they don't believe it, just like I don't believe their way. Catholics are the majority so we can't all be wrong. I really believe preaching turns people off rather than on to a religion. If someone is seeking it, than yes, preach to them, otherwise your wasting your breathe. I could put the Hail Mary in my signature but I feel that would offend others.