Ah yes, but the cold beer does not know what the peanut sees.Quote:
Originally Posted by ActionJackson
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Ah yes, but the cold beer does not know what the peanut sees.Quote:
Originally Posted by ActionJackson
Don't forget the salt and perhaps the lemon.Quote:
Originally Posted by NeedKarma
Rachie
I certainly believe in a higher power but with regards to losing a faith.
I had on occasion taken my disabled neighbour to Church as he had no one to go with, I was often to referred to as 'Georges (next door neighbours) little saint' and God had surely found me and I was surely a good Chrisitan loving her neighbour etc...
That I assisted my neighbour because I wanted to, not in the name of Christianity but because someone needed help and I could give that help.
The majority of the members were very against other denominations and religions and one lady in particular told me that those people (including me) would not reach 'heaven' for believing in the 'wrong' religion, no matter how good they were.
I visited many different churches over the years, supporting people in my voluntary work, I have worked in Africa and have 'helped' the sick and dying, whose faith was unmeasurably strong even in the face of extreme poverty and I saw that religion can be bring people and communitites together and not just create war and fighting.
These people truly believe that their loved ones who have died will be raised to heaven. I am in awe of their belief in their faith, but I do not share their belief, but this does not make me a bad person or does it?
I wonder if Jesus did come back to earth, would this create peace?
From a Christian's perspective, the lady who said that people of other religions won't make it to heaven is right considering the fact that Christians believe that the only way to the Kingdom of God is through faith in Jesus Christ.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bestsinger101
Secondly, it is commedable that you desire to help others in need. That is a good trait and it certainly beats the alternative which would be to do nothing when you could clearly see that someone needed help. However, from a Christian perspective, works (even very good works) is not enough. Entry into the Kingdom of Heaven is by faith in Jesus Christ.
Thirdly, you spoke of a person's "strong faith." Many people have a strong faith in one thing or the other. Some have tons of faith that their stocks will be worth more tomorrow than they are today. There are some people who have a strong faith in Satan or some other false god. Strong faith won't gain a person entry into the Kingdom unless that faith is in Jesus Christ.
Thanks Action, you made it very clear that you need full faith in Jesus Christ to get to Heaven! I hope I make it, sometimes my faith is not what it should be! Start...
Mine falters from time to time as well. I've gone through some pretty trying times. If you have the desire, you will be fine.Quote:
Originally Posted by startover22
AJ-- One question, if you don't mind.Quote:
Originally Posted by ActionJackson
You seem to use the terms "Kingdom of Heaven", "Kingdom of God", and "heaven" interchangeably. You also seem to imply that it is accessible to the saved only after their death. Is the "heaven" inhabited by the saved after their earthly death and resurrection different from the "Kingdom of Heaven" that Jesus proclaimed to be "at hand"? To me, that means it's available and fully accessible right now, in this life, in this body.
In one sense, I believe that Christians living today are part of God's Kingdom. We are His children and He is our God. There is a living relationship between us. However, Christ prayed Thy Kingdom come Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. That shows a differentiation between Heaven and earth.Quote:
Originally Posted by ordinaryguy
Read Matthew 13:38-42. It speaks of a future event when Christ will return with His angels, remove all things that offend and Christ will rule. I believe that the earth will be restored to the perfect state that it was in before Adam's fall. Heaven will be on earth. Both dead Christians and those who will be alive upon His return will all be members of the Kingdom of God.
I thank you for your answer and I am truly glad that you have your faith, many people at the various different churches I have gone to have prayed and sang and danced to God and have done nothing to help their fellow human beings, they have never helped or seen a dying person who wanted their hand held because they were afraid, and yes they did believe in God but they were still scared. They have never shopped for their neighbour.Quote:
Originally Posted by ActionJackson
People can help other people without religion guiding them, and if it so that I do not reach the so called 'heaven' then so be it, but at least I have lived with the fact that I have 'been there' for people who needed me and were in great need, and I shall die fulfilled.
Most of the people I saw in Africa had a Christian faith, but some did not, they chose other paths but who are we to judge and condemn them.
I wish you well
You mat not accept Christ now but things change. You may find yourself a faithful Christian 2 years from now.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bestsinger101
If you do seek a relationship with Jesus Christ at some future point I urge you to seek with an open heart and an open mind. Read the Bible and try to learn what it is saying to you. I'm personally disheartened by what so many Christians these days profess that is totally contrary to what the Bible teaches. Even Pastors, Bishops, and Priests teach erroneous things. Try to seek what Moses, and the prophets taught before Christ then learn what Jesus Christ, and the Apostles taught.
And you may find yourself a faithful atheist/agnostic 2 years from now. I think the odds are about the same, don't you?Quote:
Originally Posted by ActionJackson
One can only hope but all things are in God's hands and He knows His sheep and they hear His voice. If and atheist never hears God's voice then they aren't one of His sheep and are not in need of a Shepherd. All things, then, are as they should be.Quote:
Originally Posted by NeedKarma
AJ,
I agree about not being His sheep. An atheist does not indeed hear God's voice, they follow their own (I assume most don't hear voices in their head).
They say that man only uses about 10% of his brain. I suppose those who have the capacity to hear, hear... and those who don't, don't.Quote:
Originally Posted by NeedKarma
It's interesting to me that so much of this and other discussions about religion is focused on what is required in order to make it to "heaven" after we die. As though the only point of living this life was to determine where we spend the next one. I prefer to think that this earthly life has great spiritual value in itself, quite apart from the question of what happens afterward. As I learn better how to live this life "in the Spirit", I become less and less concerned about what will happen after I die.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bestsinger101
I read every post in this thread and something bothers me. There are coments about mormons saying their way is the only way, christians the same, catholics etc. Can someone finally answer a question for me? When God created Adam and Eve did he supply them with a manual that stated the contents therin were the only materials to be relied on? Did he say that there was proof inside that there was only one religion and name it? I could have sworn that I was taught that 'who ever believeth in me, shall enter my kingdom" there was nothing stating that it was only a catholic, or mormon or Jew or even Pagan. I see the word Pagan used so lightly here. Does anyone here even know what a true Pagan is or what they believe in and please, please do not be the one to state that a Pagan is a heathen or a devil worshiper. The truth is that Pagans do not believe in the devil, they believe in God, and Jesus and a Goddess. I guess so they think of it as mom, dad and child. Not a farfetched idea really and not that wrong. To each his own.
Hello Rachie,Quote:
Originally Posted by rachie
That God see what is in our heart. He could care less what we say we believe, it is what God himself finds when He examines our heart. The scripture that comes to my mind is found at 2 Timothy 3:1-7
“But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, self-assuming, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, 3 having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, 4 betrayers, headstrong, puffed up [with pride], lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God,
Now Rachie, Notice verse 5:
“5 having a form of godly devotion but proving false to its power; and from these turn away. 6 For from these arise those men who slyly work their way into households and lead as their captives weak women loaded down with sins, led by various desires, 7 always learning and yet never able to come to an accurate knowledge of truth.”
The truth of who we really are God finds in our heart, the seed of motivation. Our faith, love and obedience to God is not found in any building or in any set denomination, but it is found by God in what He see’s deep in our heart.
This skeptical view of religion is understandable. Many religious organizations are mired in political intrigue and moral hypocrisy and are drenched in innocent blood from countless religious wars. While rejecting the religious organizations that are sullied by hypocrisy and deception, some have made the mistake of also rejecting the Bible, which they think condones such practices.
In reality, the Bible condemns hypocrisy and lawlessness. Jesus said to the religious leaders of his day: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you resemble whitewashed graves, which outwardly indeed appear beautiful but inside are full of dead men’s bones and of every sort of uncleanness. In that way you also, outwardly indeed, appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”Matthew 23:27, 28.
The Bible encourages Christians to be neutral in all political affairs. Rather than urging believers to kill one another, it directs that they should be willing to die for one another. John 15:12, 13; 18:36; 1 John 3:10-12
Instead of being “intolerant and divisive,” true religion, based on the Bible, is “broadly inclusive.” The apostle Peter said: “God is not partial, but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.”Acts 10:34, 35.
Did you notice that Rachie, God is not partial, but if we have a healthy fear and work righteousness we are acceptable to Him. So don’t worry about those who say this and that, because it is not important, it only matters what
God says and how he see us.
The Bible tells us that humans are created in God’s image. Genesis 1:26, 27 While this does not mean that humans resemble God in a physical way, it does mean that humans have the ability to reflect God’s personality traits, including the capacity for spiritual things, or spirituality.
It is logical to believe that God would also provide us with the means to satisfy our spiritual needs, as well as proper direction by which we can distinguish between what is beneficial and what is harmful to us spiritually. Just as God created our bodies with a superbly designed immune system, which fights disease and helps keep us healthy, he also equipped us with a conscience, or inner voice, which can help us make right decisions and avoid practices that are harmful physically and spiritually. Romans 2:14, 15
As we know, for our immune system to work, it must be nourished properly. Similarly, for our conscience to work, we need to feed it with good spiritual food.
Identifying the kind of food that will keep us spiritually healthy, Jesus said: “Man must live, not on bread alone, but on every utterance coming forth through God’s mouth.” Matthew 4:4 God’s utterances are recorded in his Word, the Bible, and they are “beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight.” 2 Timothy 3:16 It is up to us to put forth the effort to take in that spiritual nourishment. To the extent that we come to know the Bible and endeavor to apply its principles in our life, to that extent we will benefit spiritually and physically.Isaiah 48:17, 18.
Rachie, this surly takes time to improve our spiritual health by studying the Bible; and time, it seems, is an increasingly rare commodity. But the rewards are worth the effort! Don’t listen to what everyone around you say, but listen to God himself as he speaks to you through His Word, the Bible.
Take care,
Hope12
I have to say that God is my voice. He is my right and wrong! I am pretty sure that my right and wrong are "almost" the same as some of yours. NeedKarma this is not a judgemental post, and I already know that we disagree on something's, I really like you for that! We all learn from each other. Believe me, the more I talk and try and figure things out, the more questions I have about how I have lived my life before I figured it out! I think we should keep it to "each his own", and like Ordinaryguy (really wrong name)is right, we should live this life to the fullest! To every one of you:
I would like you to look at yourself and be who YOU are. There are going to be times where there are hypocrites and haters in your life, who knows at some point that description may fit you, but please try to realize that! We as humans are not perfect. Be careful with your life, it means a great deal now and later! Love, Start
Start,
I know exactly who I am. I try my best not to be a hypocrite, feel free to point out times when I am. What I certainly do not do is condemn others who are not like me.
I am very careful with my life, my children depend on me. :)
I can see that about you. I am just saying it all kind of boils down to that. That's all. I am working hard not to condem people for being different than me. I have yet to perfect it!
I got to thinking about what I just said, and to tell you the truth, I am having a hard time on whether sometimes I am judgemental or if sometimes I just point out the (my) truth then follow it with my feelings. Sometimes my feelings come across as judging but everyone has their own"feelings" about a certain subject right? I mean lets take abortion for instance, I think it is wrong, and I will go on to tell you my feelings about it. I wouldn't sit here and call you names because you had one, I would just say why I think it was wrong. Next what about cheating on your husband or wife, I would hope that people thought this is wrong, but on this site, it seems so backwards to me. In no case would I think cheating was good, some people on here think it is because some good came after it, I disagree... Anyway, just to say I am a talker and when I say how I feel about something it doesn't mean I am sitting here judging anyone, it means we see thing differently! Thanks for letting me go on and on... Now, I will try to see the grey but I am still a very black and white gal... I am working on it!
To me, living in the Spirit means to cultivate an awareness of and respect for the spiritual dimension of life and consciousness. It also means being humble in accepting that some truths are ineffable and beyond the grasp of the intellectual mind. In interpersonal relationships, it means being compassionate and understanding of the faults and shortcomings of others and myself. Of course, sometimes I forget and fall into the usual habits of the material mind and body and get cranky, critical and judgmental, so it's a work in progress.Quote:
inthebox agrees: what do you mean "in the spirit?"
"what do you mean "in the spirit?"
It probably depends on a person's religion but from my viewpoint, it's when a person is at a point where he is open to the leading of the Holy Ghost. It's when a person has recognized his sin nature and his weakness and he's standing before God with a repentant spirit and he recognizes his own weakness and his total need for a Saviour. It's when that person turns his live completely and totally over to the Lord Jesus Christ and recognizes that He is the ONLY reason why life even exists.
You make that Disagree comment on this post:Quote:
ActionJackson disagrees: A few too many jeers and jabs from the peanut gallery. One liners... no substance.
https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/christ...tml#post459984
What the hell was there to disagree with?? You seriously confuse me!
I guess he is saying you give no explanation? No details? On the other hand, sometimes we can say things with no details!
No details about what? That I know who I am? That I love my kids? That I'm not a hypocrite? That I don't condemn others to a lifetime in hell?
Like I said you don't have to explain that. It is plain and simple! Some people want more. I am fine with what you said.
Sort of. More like, he'll pick out one thing I say, jab at it, but leave no real explanation as to what his disagreement is or why he is jabbing. He is clearly a non-Christian but spends a great deal of time in the Christian discussions distracting others for no apparent reason. No biggy... I've dealt with this type of personality off and on for many years.Quote:
Originally Posted by startover22
Okay, you know who you are. You love your kids. You're not a hypocrite? You don't condemn others to a lifetime in hell. Very good.Quote:
Originally Posted by NeedKarma
I don't condem anyone either, only because I don't have the power to do so. I think NeedKarma really likes a good debate or argument, so that is why he does what he does. I am speaking for him and that is NOT cool. So I will leave this between you and him. I like you though Action... If that matters at all.
Thanks. I think NK is more intelligent than the one liners reflect. I don't really have anything against him personally but he does seem to pick me out and jab at me for some reason. If he wants to discuss a specific topic, that's fine with me but if he comes into the Christians rooms just to start trouble, then he IS a hypocrite for being contrary to what or who he claims to be.Quote:
Originally Posted by startover22
Well he picked one with me and jabbed at me and I almost sent him flowers! Action, don't take it personal. If you don't like what someone is saying or doing we are supposed to ignore it and not give any CREDIT for it. Although it may be hard, it is effective!
Agreed, some days I just send him some funny retort and move on. I am very quick to forgive and hold no grudges. I have avoided going where he goes but on occasion, today being one, he followed me to where I was and jabbed with a one liner then ran. No big thing. I am here because I enjoy the fellowship and, to be honest, I enjoy some of the disagreements. It forces me to open my Bible and read it. It forces me to think. The battle to find truth helps us all grow if it is truth that we seek.Quote:
Originally Posted by startover22
Isn't it funny how some of these post completely carry on into different thoughts and perspectives on so many other things other than the question in the first place?? It is no wonder there are so many things to talk about, I had no idea that life was this complicated before I started to come on this site... I am not stupid but I never really thought to think about them this deep. I think of things so black and white, but sometimes there is much more to the picture. Anyway, I guess I will let you get back to what you were doing, you guys get on with the conversation and I will try to stay out of it... LOL I need to do more book worming...
You know what, I keep thinking that same thing, (it is black and white) but it seems to me that there is so much grey for these people that post here. I keep second guessing myself for some reason... It is really starting to annoy me!
Can't we all get along and accept each other for what they are with out attacking anyone. The way that I look at it, we are all here for a purpose, we should love and accept each other and treat those around us whether we know them well or not. Treat as we expect to be treated and then when Karma does come swingin by you aren't hit by the force of a mountain.
Nanajo, I agree to a certain extent but if we let everyone be, then we could have serious problems. If we were all kind to each other then we wouldn't have these issues... I am not heading this toward karma or anyone in particular, I am heading it towards all of us. Just wanted to make myself clear. Good night to you good people!
Part of the title to this thread is "haters." Haters of Christ and Christianity will always try to make us stumble or fall. It's their purpose. Even Christ, Himself, was tempted by the devil. He didn't waver and he didn't compromise. Three times He told Satan "it is written..." He always fell back on Scripture when Satan tempted Him. I believe that God loves us enough that He allows us to be tempted. He allows the satans (adversaries) of the world to tempt us just like He allowed Satan to tempt Job way back in the Old Testament. This earth is a testing ground. God wants to see what we are made of and if we have what it takes to stand firm. Black and white.Quote:
Originally Posted by startover22
"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Ephesians 6:11. In fact, please read Ephesians 6:10-17 and 18 Paul is issuing a battle cry. We are in a spiritual battle. We don't put on the "armour of God" unless we are going into battle. It's a battle for the souls of men (and women). Chirst told us in Luke 19:13b, "...Occupy till I come." To occupy is to stand ground. Every time we "just accept them for what they are" we just gave up some ground. Christians need to put their hearts, minds, bodies, and souls into their belief in Christ and His Word. Compromising our faith for the sake of peace is not why Christ came. "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household." Matthew 10:34-36Quote:
Originally Posted by nanajo1
Action,
You sound exactly like the Islamic fundamentalists. Just saying.
Not quite... they don't believe that Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords. Secondly, the armour and swords that I speak of are of a spiritual nature rather than literal bombs and bullets. Now a group who could be likened to the Islamic fundamentalists were the Russian Bolsheviks. However, they believed in socialism, secular humanism, and evolution as well as bullets and killing. Food for thought.Quote:
Originally Posted by NeedKarma
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