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Hungarian Midget Woman
  
Location: Midwest | TXBO - 2013-12-18 10:29 AM jenijill - 2013-12-18 10:20 AM runs4fun - 2013-12-18 9:50 AM jenijill - 2013-12-18 9:58 AM Im going to ask OP this, are you sure Christianity is what you are looking for. Before all of you christians jump on me, there are many religions in the world. Maybe you should look into other religions that may fit your ideals better. I am not a christian but I dont push my religion on others. I think if you are lost and floundering and can not find your way, you may not be looking in the right direction. A custom fit religion that adheres to one's personal desires? Rather than us giving into His will for us and accepting His gift to us? Exactly what Satan loves to hear. Getting us to even think along those lines allows Satan to get a foothold on us, he just wants an opening and he'll do the rest, if we let him. A discussion such as we are having in this forum can work for God or for Satan, it's according one's own personal conviction and strength. As we try so hard to have things our way and turn our backs on the gifts God has given (the scriptures to guide us, his forgiveness through Christ) as Satan convinces us that there are other better ways we only end up suffering the consequences while throwing away the most amazing gifts...abundant life, eternal life, forgiveness of our wrongs, peace that can only come through Him. Makes me sad to think that this happens to people.
See, I feel the opposite. So many religions preach very similar ideas about treating your fellow man with respect, respecting yourself, and so on. Morally, many have the same message with a different "god" figure, although they are often quite similar.
So many people in this world are so very different. Why would they not have different interpretations of a God or Creator? Why would different cultures not have the need to reach god in a different way (especially when the main messages are the same)? | |
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  Roan Wonder
 
Location: SW MO | Let me tell you a happy story I believe God was directly involved you can believe how ever you like. On the Today show this morning there was a story about a Blind man. He became dizzy & fell on the Subway tracks. His seeing eye dog saved his life. He has minor injuries & is in the hospital. In about a month he is going to lose his dog because he won't have the money to keep it. ( something to do insurance) a dog that not only helps him but of course he is very attached to. Anyway now because he was on TV people know this & they are raising the money for him to be able to keep the dog. Do you think the man prayed to God for help? Did God give his people the opportunity to be kind? Just something to make you go hummmm | |
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 Midget Lover
Location: Kentucky | I feel like SRS could help us out on here too :) | |
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| Murphy - 2013-12-18 11:43 AM crossspur - 2013-12-18 11:41 AM jenijill - 2013-12-18 10:20 AM runs4fun - 2013-12-18 9:50 AM jenijill - 2013-12-18 9:58 AM Im going to ask OP this, are you sure Christianity is what you are looking for. Before all of you christians jump on me, there are many religions in the world. Maybe you should look into other religions that may fit your ideals better. I am not a christian but I dont push my religion on others. I think if you are lost and floundering and can not find your way, you may not be looking in the right direction. A custom fit religion that adheres to one's personal desires? Rather than us giving into His will for us and accepting His gift to us? Exactly what Satan loves to hear. Getting us to even think along those lines allows Satan to get a foothold on us, he just wants an opening and he'll do the rest, if we let him. A discussion such as we are having in this forum can work for God or for Satan, it's according one's own personal conviction and strength. As we try so hard to have things our way and turn our backs on the gifts God has given (the scriptures to guide us, his forgiveness through Christ) as Satan convinces us that there are other better ways we only end up suffering the consequences while throwing away the most amazing gifts...abundant life, eternal life, forgiveness of our wrongs, peace that can only come through Him. Makes me sad to think that this happens to people.
in verses like these Mathew 7:13-14 13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Mathew 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
I don't believe you have to go to church or that you have to be the same religion I am to enter into heaven, but I do believe you have to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and love him. That you have to confess your sins and ask him to be your savor & try very hard to be a good person & be kind to everyone.
As some have said " I would rather believe & find out I'm wrong than not believe & find out I'm wrong.
Edited by runs4fun 2013-12-18 10:56 AM
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 Googly Goo
Posts: 7053
| barrelracr131 - 2013-12-18 10:42 AM We are in more agreement than you think. What I am not understanding is how this relates to evolution.
As far as I am concerned, evolution describes the process that occurs after that first life is created. There is plenty of scientific evidence to support evolution, in fact this law which you are describing supports that "life" is continously evolving from what came before.
I don't understand why many Christians religions think evolution is false. The idea of intelligent design certainly would go along with evolution (as as a child in the Catholic Church, we were taught this idea). We were told, as children, that God directed evolution, started the process of life. The story in Genesis was an allegory.
I guess I don't understand why some religions or sects take the Genesis story ONLY in its literal sense.
If you accept the law of biogenisis, evolution never begins. If you reject the notion of a creator, your better scientific argument is that creationism also fails the law of biogenisis. | |
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 Voice of Reason
Location: NOT at Wal Mart | runs4fun - 2013-12-18 7:50 AM jenijill - 2013-12-18 9:58 AM Im going to ask OP this, are you sure Christianity is what you are looking for. Before all of you christians jump on me, there are many religions in the world. Maybe you should look into other religions that may fit your ideals better. I am not a christian but I dont push my religion on others. I think if you are lost and floundering and can not find your way, you may not be looking in the right direction. A custom fit religion that adheres to one's personal desires? Rather than us giving into His will for us and accepting His gift to us? Exactly what Satan loves to hear. Getting us to even think along those lines allows Satan to get a foothold on us, he just wants an opening and he'll do the rest, if we let him. A discussion such as we are having in this forum can work for God or for Satan, it's according one's own personal conviction and strength. As we try so hard to have things our way and turn our backs on the gifts God has given (the scriptures to guide us, his forgiveness through Christ) as Satan convinces us that there are other better ways we only end up suffering the consequences while throwing away the most amazing gifts...abundant life, eternal life, forgiveness of our wrongs, peace that can only come through Him. Makes me sad to think that this happens to people.
Haven't we already customized religion? No work on the Sabbath, but yet we run our horses, Divorce only because of infidelity but we divorce because we cant get along, I could go on and on. | |
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 Hawty & Nawty
Posts: 20424
| Here is where I guess I stray from conventional thinking.
Just like different cultures have different languages to interpet thoughts and actions, so there must be different approach to religion to achieve spirituality. This is a religion issue and not a God issue. I think anytime a spirit seeks a higher power, the power it seeks is sophisticated enough to accept the road it took to get there.
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Googly Goo
Posts: 7053
| barrelracr131 - 2013-12-18 10:46 AM TXBO - 2013-12-18 10:29 AM jenijill - 2013-12-18 10:20 AM runs4fun - 2013-12-18 9:50 AM jenijill - 2013-12-18 9:58 AM Im going to ask OP this, are you sure Christianity is what you are looking for. Before all of you christians jump on me, there are many religions in the world. Maybe you should look into other religions that may fit your ideals better. I am not a christian but I dont push my religion on others. I think if you are lost and floundering and can not find your way, you may not be looking in the right direction. A custom fit religion that adheres to one's personal desires? Rather than us giving into His will for us and accepting His gift to us? Exactly what Satan loves to hear. Getting us to even think along those lines allows Satan to get a foothold on us, he just wants an opening and he'll do the rest, if we let him. A discussion such as we are having in this forum can work for God or for Satan, it's according one's own personal conviction and strength. As we try so hard to have things our way and turn our backs on the gifts God has given (the scriptures to guide us, his forgiveness through Christ) as Satan convinces us that there are other better ways we only end up suffering the consequences while throwing away the most amazing gifts...abundant life, eternal life, forgiveness of our wrongs, peace that can only come through Him. Makes me sad to think that this happens to people.
So many people in this world are so very different. Why would they not have different interpretations of a God or Creator? Why would different cultures not have the need to reach god in a different way (especially when the main messages are the same)?
The messages are not the same. Certainly, there are common elements of morality but salvation varies widely. | |
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Roan Wonder
Location: SW MO | Murphy - 2013-12-18 10:43 AM crossspur - 2013-12-18 11:41 AM jenijill - 2013-12-18 10:20 AM runs4fun - 2013-12-18 9:50 AM jenijill - 2013-12-18 9:58 AM Im going to ask OP this, are you sure Christianity is what you are looking for. Before all of you christians jump on me, there are many religions in the world. Maybe you should look into other religions that may fit your ideals better. I am not a christian but I dont push my religion on others. I think if you are lost and floundering and can not find your way, you may not be looking in the right direction. A custom fit religion that adheres to one's personal desires? Rather than us giving into His will for us and accepting His gift to us? Exactly what Satan loves to hear. Getting us to even think along those lines allows Satan to get a foothold on us, he just wants an opening and he'll do the rest, if we let him. A discussion such as we are having in this forum can work for God or for Satan, it's according one's own personal conviction and strength. As we try so hard to have things our way and turn our backs on the gifts God has given (the scriptures to guide us, his forgiveness through Christ) as Satan convinces us that there are other better ways we only end up suffering the consequences while throwing away the most amazing gifts...abundant life, eternal life, forgiveness of our wrongs, peace that can only come through Him. Makes me sad to think that this happens to people.
in verses like these
Mathew 7:13-14
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Mathew 19:24
And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
I don't believe you have to go to church or that you have to be the same religion I am to enter into heaven, but I do believe you have to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and love him. That you have to confess your sins and ask him to be your savor & try very hard to be a good person & be kind to everyone.
As some have said " I would rather believe & find out I'm wrong than not believe & find out I'm wrong.
You know all we can do is guess at that, only those in heaven know the true answer and I'll be the first to admitt I not a bible scholar.
I foudn this & it does help to explain it a little but I still beleive no one here truly knows
http://carm.org/what-happens-those-who-have-never-heard-gospel
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | TXBO - 2013-12-18 10:55 AM barrelracr131 - 2013-12-18 10:42 AM We are in more agreement than you think. What I am not understanding is how this relates to evolution.
As far as I am concerned, evolution describes the process that occurs after that first life is created. There is plenty of scientific evidence to support evolution, in fact this law which you are describing supports that "life" is continously evolving from what came before.
I don't understand why many Christians religions think evolution is false. The idea of intelligent design certainly would go along with evolution (as as a child in the Catholic Church, we were taught this idea). We were told, as children, that God directed evolution, started the process of life. The story in Genesis was an allegory.
I guess I don't understand why some religions or sects take the Genesis story ONLY in its literal sense. If you accept the law of biogenisis, evolution never begins. If you reject the notion of a creator, your better scientific argument is that creationism also fails the law of biogenisis.
Thanks for shortening the quote lol
that is an interesting idea/way of looking at the theories. While I don't necessarily agree, I can understand the thinking behind the conclusion.
Interesting discussion | |
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| justcruzin - 2013-12-18 11:57 AM runs4fun - 2013-12-18 7:50 AM jenijill - 2013-12-18 9:58 AM Im going to ask OP this, are you sure Christianity is what you are looking for. Before all of you christians jump on me, there are many religions in the world. Maybe you should look into other religions that may fit your ideals better. I am not a christian but I dont push my religion on others. I think if you are lost and floundering and can not find your way, you may not be looking in the right direction. A custom fit religion that adheres to one's personal desires? Rather than us giving into His will for us and accepting His gift to us? Exactly what Satan loves to hear. Getting us to even think along those lines allows Satan to get a foothold on us, he just wants an opening and he'll do the rest, if we let him. A discussion such as we are having in this forum can work for God or for Satan, it's according one's own personal conviction and strength. As we try so hard to have things our way and turn our backs on the gifts God has given (the scriptures to guide us, his forgiveness through Christ) as Satan convinces us that there are other better ways we only end up suffering the consequences while throwing away the most amazing gifts...abundant life, eternal life, forgiveness of our wrongs, peace that can only come through Him. Makes me sad to think that this happens to people.
Edited by runs4fun 2013-12-18 11:10 AM
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 Husband Spoiler
Posts: 4151
Location: North Dakota | justcruzin - 2013-12-18 10:57 AM runs4fun - 2013-12-18 7:50 AM jenijill - 2013-12-18 9:58 AM Im going to ask OP this, are you sure Christianity is what you are looking for. Before all of you christians jump on me, there are many religions in the world. Maybe you should look into other religions that may fit your ideals better. I am not a christian but I dont push my religion on others. I think if you are lost and floundering and can not find your way, you may not be looking in the right direction. A custom fit religion that adheres to one's personal desires? Rather than us giving into His will for us and accepting His gift to us? Exactly what Satan loves to hear. Getting us to even think along those lines allows Satan to get a foothold on us, he just wants an opening and he'll do the rest, if we let him. A discussion such as we are having in this forum can work for God or for Satan, it's according one's own personal conviction and strength. As we try so hard to have things our way and turn our backs on the gifts God has given (the scriptures to guide us, his forgiveness through Christ) as Satan convinces us that there are other better ways we only end up suffering the consequences while throwing away the most amazing gifts...abundant life, eternal life, forgiveness of our wrongs, peace that can only come through Him. Makes me sad to think that this happens to people.
Edited by Just Bring It 2013-12-18 11:16 AM
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 823
Location: East Texas | runs4fun - 2013-12-18 11:08 AM
justcruzin - 2013-12-18 11:57 AM runs4fun - 2013-12-18 7:50 AM jenijill - 2013-12-18 9:58 AM  Im going to ask OP this, are you sure Christianity is what you are looking for. Before all of you christians jump on me, there are many religions in the world. Maybe you should look into other religions that may fit your ideals better. I am not a christian but I dont push my religion on others. I think if you are lost and floundering and can not find your way, you may not be looking in the right direction. A custom fit religion that adheres to one's personal desires? Rather than us giving into His will for us and accepting His gift to us?  Exactly what Satan loves to hear. Getting us to even think along those lines allows Satan to get a foothold on us, he just wants an opening and he'll do the rest, if we let him.  A discussion such as we are having in this forum can work for God or for Satan, it's according one's own personal conviction and strength.  As we try so hard to have things our way and turn our backs on the gifts God has given (the scriptures to guide us, his forgiveness through Christ) as Satan convinces us that there are other better ways we only end up suffering the consequences while throwing away the most amazing gifts...abundant life, eternal life, forgiveness of our wrongs, peace that can only come through Him.  Makes me sad to think that this happens to people.
lol.....that brings up a whole other question....What day is the Sabbath, what is work, and what does it mean to keep it holy? | |
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Husband Spoiler
Posts: 4151
Location: North Dakota | CrossDRanch - 2013-12-18 11:14 AM runs4fun - 2013-12-18 11:08 AM justcruzin - 2013-12-18 11:57 AM runs4fun - 2013-12-18 7:50 AM jenijill - 2013-12-18 9:58 AM Im going to ask OP this, are you sure Christianity is what you are looking for. Before all of you christians jump on me, there are many religions in the world. Maybe you should look into other religions that may fit your ideals better. I am not a christian but I dont push my religion on others. I think if you are lost and floundering and can not find your way, you may not be looking in the right direction. A custom fit religion that adheres to one's personal desires? Rather than us giving into His will for us and accepting His gift to us? Exactly what Satan loves to hear. Getting us to even think along those lines allows Satan to get a foothold on us, he just wants an opening and he'll do the rest, if we let him. A discussion such as we are having in this forum can work for God or for Satan, it's according one's own personal conviction and strength. As we try so hard to have things our way and turn our backs on the gifts God has given (the scriptures to guide us, his forgiveness through Christ) as Satan convinces us that there are other better ways we only end up suffering the consequences while throwing away the most amazing gifts...abundant life, eternal life, forgiveness of our wrongs, peace that can only come through Him. Makes me sad to think that this happens to people. lol.....that brings up a whole other question....What day is the Sabbath, what is work, and what does it mean to keep it holy?
Great questions! This is something I have wondered as well. What is work? Is doing something I love and that I feel the Lord put in my heart to be work? Or is it a way that I am celebrity what the Lord has put in my life? In many ways I feel closer to Him when I am barrel racing but does that make it OK?
My husband grew up farming and they were NEVER allowed to do any kind of work on Sabbath. They were not even allowed to plow out the driveway in the winter. They spent the day reading scripture, studying the Bible, and spending time together. We all know in farming you don't "waste" a nice day because work has to get done when it has to get done but in her household his mother would not allow any work on Sabbath. She was very strict about that. Even after my husband and I were married and on our own 4 hours away and he would go up on the weekends to help her get her crop in he would have to take a day a two off work in order to get anything done because otherwise he would only be able to work Sunday. She would not allow him to do any work on Sabbath. | |
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 Purveyor of unconventional wisdom
Posts: 17112
Location: CA | There can be only one creator. That being said I don't really thing it matters what you call The Creator. We do have free will, and because we don't live a clean life, and I don't mean sin free, I mean we trash our planet, we are subject to disease, and genetic break down that allows for mental chemical disturbances to be passed on in DNA.
I do believe in the power of God, and the Holiness of Christ. But unlike many Christians I accept that there are many ways to view God. Most religions are pretty much the same. Many have a virgin birth, many have a cleansing flood, many have a messiah of some kind.
I also believe that anyone that kills another human being in the name of "religion" has no faith in "their god".
I know there is a lot of war, a interesting view of how women should be treated, and other things that I don't like in the bible. So I don't follow some of what the word says, and there isn't a woman on this board that can say they do. Enter Christ, to say, hey if you mess up, its okay, I died for your sins. Do the very best you can. Does it get any better than that? lol
I know people that preach that you must obtain perfection or you don't go to heaven. Yeah I call bull**** on that one. We are here to learn and grow, growth comes from lessons, big growth comes from hard lessons. I think we are all right where we are supposed to be. It is God's plan after all....
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 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6443
Location: Montana | sassy&tessa - 2013-12-18 7:31 AM mtcanchazer - 2013-12-17 10:35 PM What an interesting question. I, personally, don't have a large knowledge of science beyond biology and basic science. I was home schooled, using a Christian based learning program, so pretty much all the science I had had a Christian base with God at the core.
I don't think I can honestly say science, one way or the other, has had an impact on how or why I believe. I believe because I know I am a sinner in need of God's love and mercy and I need His Son, Jesus, to save me. I need the Bible because it shows me the path to eternal life. Perhaps the Bible has been misinterpreted over the years, but it is still here in our every day life and I think still has the same priniciples at play as the original translations. I pray because I want what is best for those I love, and I know God knows what is best for them. And I pray because I want to know what God's will and purpose is for my life, and I want that connectiong with God. Life isn't easy, and I don't think I could make it through without God or His Son or His Word. I'm lost a lot of the times (and I know I would be really lost without God), but God gives me His peace. I know I'm not one of the smartest or wisest people out there in regards to the Bible or God or any other subject, so I know I don't always understand, but everything will be revealed in God's time. LadyJockey on here, with her posts with her takes on Bible verses has inspired me greatly and give me new insight.
I don't know if anything makes me believe beyond the fact of needing to. God gives us a choice to believe or not, so I guess I choose to.
I have to agree with another poster, that I think this question is the work of God because He is being talked about!
Merry Christmas!
I will say my preacher tells us that to be a Christian in God's eyes you need to do three things (he has a three legged stool for the analogy): read the word, fellowship with other Christians, and pray. In my mind the fellowship is why it is important to go to Church. The other two things are on your time.
I fall short on all three things. I know I do. But I say the sinners prayer all of the time and I ask God to stay beside me and lead the way. I think that is all any of us can do.
To the OP's question, I think when I really started having a relationship wtih God, I had a calling inside of me to do so. I agree wtih a lot of people in that you seek him and you trust him that he is there for you. It is called Grace.
I agree with your views about church. I may not always agree with what is said, but I know the people there are just like me, sinners in search of God's way, and they are like a family. All those three things your pastor said are very true. Only one thing I would add is that we have to live the Word too.
This discussion is so great, it is so interesting reading the viewpoints of other's. | |
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Hawty & Nawty
Posts: 20424
| This thread is a manifestation of God. One thing led to another in the poster's mind and heart that propelled her to ask the question and now thousands of people are reading these words as we all, in our own way share our interpetations and each of us, are sparking "God" within the heart of a reader who might connect to that special something someone here says.
Merry Christmas and thank you OP for making me feel the spirit this morning. 've been struggling with it. | |
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Expert
Posts: 1343
Location: East Texas | Religion is man’s search for God. Christianity is God’s search for man. I believe that the Bible was written by men who were inspired by the Holy Spirit to write the words that were written and therefore, it is entirely true. It is God’s love letters to us and a guide He has given to help us find the answers to life’s problems, but much more, to tell us how much He loves us, that He has a plan for each one of us, and that by believing in his precious Son, Jesus, we can live for eternity with Him. I also believe that He left us a commission… to go and tell others about His salvation plan and that one day He will return to take His children home with him. All of this is based on a personal relationship with Jesus and it is something that I just have faith that it is true. We exhibit faith every day. I got up this morning, came to work and sat down in my chair. I didn’t pick up my chair and look underneath it; examining it to see if it was structurally sound to sit in… I just plopped myself down and had faith that it was going to hold me up. If I can have faith in chair, I can certainly have faith in the One who loves me so much that he sent his Son to die for my sins (and your sins, too!). Believe me… God loves you and wants to have a relationship with you -- He really does!! | |
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Purveyor of unconventional wisdom
Posts: 17112
Location: CA | RidenFly - 2013-12-18 11:33 AM This thread is a manifestation of God. One thing led to another in the poster's mind and heart that propelled her to ask the question and now thousands of people are reading these words as we all, in our own way share our interpetations and each of us, are sparking "God" within the heart of a reader who might connect to that special something someone here says.
Merry Christmas and thank you OP for making me feel the spirit this morning. 've been struggling with it.
This is how I "got there". :) | |
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 I Prefer to Live in Fantasy Land
Posts: 64864
Location: In the Hills of Texas | This is an easy question for me...I became a true believer when I had an out of body experience. | |
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