God love YOU!

[Nicole_in_somd]

Love does not mean liking the person. Christ sure did not like those that hung him on the cross but he forgave them anyway.

Then later Rome destroyed the whole town.

I am not supposed to talk to you but that was a good point.

 

[Nicole_in_somd]

Because we don't follow manufacturer's instructions. God created us and told us how we should live in the Bible. But we don't listen to him, and ignore what the Bible says, and live as we want to live, and suffer for it. He created us and is infinitely more knowledgeable that us, and he knows what's best for us.




Faith is not blind. It is based mainly on God's Word and the witness of the Holy Spirit in a Christian's heart. But also the testimony of history and the testimony of science supports the trustworthiness of the Bible. However, if we could see heaven with our eyes, there would be no need for faith.

but a little hope would be nice right? If you want someone to belive then why not show them a glimpse of heaven. Why let a child suffer from hunger, a woman raped and killed or a man robbed and murdered? Why not if you have all this power just say enough is enough and no more you are going to get it when you die.

Why? If God knows everything then why even bother to tell us to have faith because nothing we do or say will change it in the end.

I am not bashing your faith, I am asking because I want to know.

 

[Nicole_in_somd]

But I'm still locked into there being no choice since my action is already known.

Notice the word "action". I am relegated to performing an action, nothing more. It is no longer a choice because despite choice "A" and "B" standing before me, I have no power to choose "B" if God has already foreseen me as "choosing" "A".

I might think I have a choice, but no power in existence or beyond can compel me to "choose" "B", if God has already seen me as having selected "A". This was known before I was even born, before my parents were born, before existence existed. I am essentially running the "He Selects "A"" program.

If you believe such constraints culminate in some sort of a real "volitional free will", have at it. I think the contradiction is very self-evident.

I follow you on that one and have to say that is what I was thinking too.

 

[Nicole_in_somd]

:

Nicole, you asked why are so many people unhappy and this new word I learned a few weeks back describes so many things in life, anticipointment. Life isn’t fair and it is hard, God knows that and remember death, pain, suffering wasn’t originally in God’s plan but when you are there, struggling with the trial and tribulations of life, you are never alone.

 

[Penn]

It just takes away from the reward of being good, that is all I am saying, if everyone is loved on the same level then why try to be a better person.

I am not saying one way or the other if there is a God or not. In my heart yes, in my mind not sure but I certainly don't think that this is the way of there was one.

Nicole, it is purely natural for an individual to look at a given situation, or predicament in a personal sense, or on a personal level.

The words cry out: "Why me, Lord?"

On this board, we have discussed, in the past few years why the Lord lets calamities happen to little children, why innocents are murdered, women are raped, and the guilty go free.

We've talked over the possible reasons why these things happen, but in the end, we, as human beings don't have the answers. That's something we hope to learn, should we make it to Heaven.

My religion/faith tells me if I truly believe in God and Jesus Christ, if I believe He came to this earth to save us, died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and rose from the dead, and ascended into Heaven, if I believe all those things - that someday, I'll make it there.

I'm trying my best to hold fast, because there are questions that I have no answers for. All I can do is trust in the Word - Jesus Christ - because He is the only way to the Kingdom of Heaven.

As far as Him loving all of us, remember John 3:16. It says: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life."

"Whoever believes in Him."

He created life on earth, the Heavens, the stars, etc. He created the plants, animals and us. We are His children, and like a parent, He cares for all of us. Period.

Heck of a guy, isn't he?

 

[Nicole_in_somd]

Nicole, it is purely natural for an individual to look at a given situation, or predicament in a personal sense, or on a personal level.

The words cry out: "Why me, Lord?"

On this board, we have discussed, in the past few years why the Lord lets calamities happen to little children, why innocents are murdered, women are raped, and the guilty go free.

We've talked over the possible reasons why these things happen, but in the end, we, as human beings don't have the answers. That's something we hope to learn, should we make it to Heaven.

My religion/faith tells me if I truly believe in God and Jesus Christ, if I believe He came to this earth to save us, died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and rose from the dead, and ascended into Heaven, if I believe all those things - that someday, I'll make it there.

I'm trying my best to hold fast, because there are questions that I have no answers for. All I can do is trust in the Word - Jesus Christ - because He is the only way to the Kingdom of Heaven.

As far as Him loving all of us, remember John 3:16. It says: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life."

"Whoever believes in Him."

He created life on earth, the Heavens, the stars, etc. He created the plants, animals and us. We are His children, and like a parent, He cares for all of us. Period.

Heck of a guy, isn't he?

But I just cannot be perfect. With so many sins how can anyone? If I do for some whacky reason make it "there" then what?

Thanks for writing me and answering my questions, hard topic to talk about but I am getting some answers from both sides.

 

[Penn]

But I just cannot be perfect. With so many sins how can anyone? If I do for some whacky reason make it "there" then what?

Thanks for writing me and answering my questions, hard topic to talk about but I am getting some answers from both sides.

Nobody is asking/telling you to be perfect. Supposedly, we won't be perfect until we reach the Heavens, and are admitted.

That doesn't mean we give up and stop trying our best. :shrug:

 

[Nicole_in_somd]

Nobody is asking/telling you to be perfect. Supposedly, we won't be perfect until we reach the Heavens, and are admitted.

That doesn't mean we give up and stop trying our best. :shrug:

Ok, but all my life that has been the impression from all the churches I have ever attended. You must be perfect, never sin or you are going to hell. You must live your life as Christ would and so on.

You never had that imposed on you from a church?

 

[Penn]

Ok, but all my life that has been the impression from all the churches I have ever attended. You must be perfect, never sin or you are going to hell. You must live your life as Christ would and so on.

You never had that imposed on you from a church?

I can't recall that they ever tried to put those words on me, in quite that manner.

Yes, they said to strive to be perfect, just as your God is, but let's get real; it's not going to happen in my lifetime. I think we are "works in progress", in that we can try our best to lead a life that tries to follow God's teachings, love our neighbors as much as we can(as much as ourselves at least?), and do good for others in Christ's name. At the very least, follow the Ten Commandments, in every way possible.

"Spread the Word, unto all the lands" - that is what Jesus told His disciples before He left them.

No, I do not stand on street corners, handing out literature, or go from house to house knocking on doors, inviting myself in.

However, I enjoy getting into conversations about Christianity wherever it comes up. It's enlightening, and I learn something new just about everytime.
(I think that means the same thing! )

 

[Nicole_in_somd]

I can't recall that they ever tried to put those words on me, in quite that manner.

Yes, they said to strive to be perfect, just as your God is, but let's get real; it's not going to happen in my lifetime. I think we are "works in progress", in that we can try our best to lead a life that tries to follow God's teachings, love our neighbors as much as we can(as much as ourselves at least?), and do good for others in Christ's name. At the very least, follow the Ten Commandments, in every way possible.

"Spread the Word, unto all the lands" - that is what Jesus told His disciples before He left them.

No, I do not stand on street corners, handing out literature, or go from house to house knocking on doors, inviting myself in.

However, I enjoy getting into conversations about Christianity wherever it comes up. It's enlightening, and I learn something new just about everytime.
(I think that means the same thing! )

Well I liked talking to you, nice input. So you really have that much faith? That must be a good feeling.

 

[Penn]

Well I liked talking to you, nice input. So you really have that much faith? That must be a good feeling.

Do you mean that as in past tense?

It's not so much that I ever really lost it, just that it wasn't as strong as it could have been.

The more you read the Bible, talk about it with others in a class or Sunday School lesson, the more you come to realize: "Hey this happened - just as it's written."

For me, the more I read and study, the stronger I feel about my God.

 

[Nicole_in_somd]

Do you mean that as in past tense?

It's not so much that I ever really lost it, just that it wasn't as strong as it could have been.

The more you read the Bible, talk about it with others in a class or Sunday School lesson, the more you come to realize: "Hey this happened - just as it's written."

For me, the more I read and study, the stronger I feel about my God.

ahhhh that is where the problem comes in. I have tried to read the bible and just cannot. It just does not make any sense to me no matter how hard I try. I love to read but the harder I try to keep up the harder it is.

 

[Bustem' Down]

I am not supposed to talk to you but that was a good point.

No, it wasn't a good point. See http://forums.somd.com/showpost.php?p=1645062&postcount=31

 

[Koolman]

Amen Brother

 

[Nicole_in_somd]

No, it wasn't a good point. See http://forums.somd.com/showpost.php?p=1645062&postcount=31

ohhh wow, thanks for showing me that. sucks being a newbie

 

[Nicole_in_somd]

Do you mean that as in past tense?

It's not so much that I ever really lost it, just that it wasn't as strong as it could have been.

The more you read the Bible, talk about it with others in a class or Sunday School lesson, the more you come to realize: "Hey this happened - just as it's written."

For me, the more I read and study, the stronger I feel about my God.

No not past tense, it just is hard coming in here as a newbie and not saying the wrong thing or getting stupid red karama messages. I came in here to meet people because it bites being a single mom in an area you really do not know anyone in. I was trying to say thanks for talking with me, I really enjoyed that and even if I said some stupid things you were kind of enough not to cal me a tard or stupid.

 

[Penn]

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset">Originally Posted by JPC, Sr.
Love does not mean liking the person. Christ sure did not like those that hung him on the cross but he forgave them anyway.

Then later Rome destroyed the whole town.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- END TEMPLATE: bbcode_quote -->
One had nothing to do with the other. Politically, Christ was crucified by Rome through pressure from the Sanhedrin. Jerulsalem wasn't sacked until 3 and a half decades later in response to the rebellion in 66 AD.


Agreed.

It's a classic example of quoting out of context. In this case, neither of these events had anything to do with one another. True events, but not related.

Even though you're a newbie in here, Nicole, don't sweat the karma. Believe it or not, it all evens out eventually.

 

[JPC, Sr.]

The Preacher!

I am not supposed to talk to you but that was a good point.

I am happy to see that you do not always do as you are told.

Others on here are just timid and afraid and no one can ever get to the truth by hiding from the truth.

It is still true that God does not like sinners but out of love He forgives us all anyway.

Two words for love in the Bible are "agape" love which means unconditional or principled love, the other term is "philadelphia" love which means brotherly love, the first one agape love is given to anyone but the second philadelphia love is only given to those we like.

People really can be perfect if one just does right. Saying and believing that no one can be perfect is just an excuse for doing wrong.

At the sermon on the mount Jesus said "be ye perfect" so He surely meant it.

 

[JPC, Sr.]

The Preacher!

ahhhh that is where the problem comes in. I have tried to read the bible and just cannot. It just does not make any sense to me no matter how hard I try. I love to read but the harder I try to keep up the harder it is.

Stop trying so hard. The Bible is not meant to be understood as one reads it. Read the Bible and just wait to see what it shows you. Understanding comes later.

 

[Nicole_in_somd]

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset">Originally Posted by JPC, Sr.
Love does not mean liking the person. Christ sure did not like those that hung him on the cross but he forgave them anyway.

Then later Rome destroyed the whole town.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- END TEMPLATE: bbcode_quote -->
One had nothing to do with the other. Politically, Christ was crucified by Rome through pressure from the Sanhedrin. Jerulsalem wasn't sacked until 3 and a half decades later in response to the rebellion in 66 AD.


Agreed.

It's a classic example of quoting out of context. In this case, neither of these events had anything to do with one another. True events, but not related.

Even though you're a newbie in here, Nicole, don't sweat the karma. Believe it or not, it all evens out eventually.

LOL, thanks. I guess you are right. Why worry about people who are afraid to sign something....I can always turn it off if it bothered me too much. I guess it is because I am always upfront, I don't hide behind things and I am the first to admit when I am wrong. I had some really stupid questions and you were nice to answer them without making me feel like a total idiot. Thanks!