God love YOU!

[Nicole_in_somd]

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.

How so?

 

[JPC, Sr.]

The Preacher!

How so?

Because the Bible is very complicated and it takes studying. No one gets the Bible on the first read. Even a movie one has to watch the whole movie from start to finish and then get the plot. Some movies I watch over and over, and some books I read over and over. The Bible I have read many times and in many different translations and it gets better each time.

For instance, the beginning of the Bible appears to be in Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning," but really it starts in the New Testiment at John 1:1 "In the beginning was the word..."

 

[Penn]

<TABLE class=tborder cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=6 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY id=collapseobj_usercp_reputation><TR><TD class=alt1Active id=p1657347 width="50%">God love YOU!</TD><TD class=alt2 noWrap>08-27-2006 08:59 AM</TD><TD class=alt1 width="50%">Like you don't sweat Karma. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Got this in my karma message center this morning, right after I posted to that thread, inferring that karma eventually evens out.

I suppose if I constantly got "karma bombed" with negative (red) hits, I might become concerned.

Truth is, I have enough buds/pals/friends on this board - that notice when I get dinged, and will boost me back up to where I was, in a matter of hours.

I do the same for them, whenever I see them getting hit.

So, that's why I said that, earlier. Who cares?

 

[Nicole_in_somd]

Because the Bible is very complicated and it takes studying. No one gets the Bible on the first read. Even a movie one has to watch the whole movie from start to finish and then get the plot. Some movies I watch over and over, and some books I read over and over. The Bible I have read many times and in many different translations and it gets better each time.

For instance, the beginning of the Bible appears to be in Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning," but really it starts in the New Testiment at John 1:1 "In the beginning was the word..."

Well, I am going to give it a try. Thanks for writing back.

 

[somd whisper]

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.

Hi Nicole,
My name is Hallie, I am still a newbie here so don't feel alone. i don't come in here as much as I did when I first started. I got all kinds of anonymous negative red karma too with some very disturbing PM’s but you just have to take it in stride.

It is hard being a newbie but stick in there. I have not seen anything that you have said that would even remotely give the impression of being “stupid”

I wish I could come in here more often but if you ever want to chat, PM me. I am new to the area too and it would be nice to chat with another single mom. I will send you a PM from some of the regulars who sent it to me and that should lift your spirits.

 

[2ndAmendment]

This may be true, but it is also commonly believed that Homer was just the first person to write these poems down, and that the stories are centuries older.

BTW, what is the approximate pub date of the old testament? the oldest i could find in a quick search was something like 168 BC.

In its entirety or the earliest books?

 

[2ndAmendment]

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.

God is the Creator. He is our Creator. He is our Father. Just as your fleshly father loves you (or should) no matter what, God does that. God also set standards by which His creations are to live and the consequences of not living that way just as your fleshly father set rules (if he was a real parent) and expected you to obey them and had punishments for breaking his rules.

God also knows that we cannot always obey because satan is always trying to rob us of our heritage of being God's children. Satan wants us to fail, because humans were created to be above the angels. Because our Father, God, knows we can be good, He provided the way out, the only way out, Salvation through Jesus. Most people don't or won't accept it because it is too simple. Of course once you accept Jesus as Savior you must make Him your Lord. We make Jesus our Lord by following Him. We love Him by trying to be perfect and relying on His grace and forgiveness when we fail.

 

[2ndAmendment]

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?

....

No human is perfect. Only one ever was, Jesus, and He is only perfect because He is God. God became human to be the only sacrifice needed for our sins. Up to that point, the Jews had, still have, a whole bunch of sacrifices that have to be made to cover their sins. God did away with all that at the cross. The curtain between the holy of hollies was torn apart when Jesus died on the cross.

Matthew 27:50-52

50And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.

51And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split.

52The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;

That was the end of the separation between man and God by the priests. Up to that time, only the chief priest could enter into the holy of hollies in the Temple. From that point on, humans are to go to God directly through Jesus.

 

[2ndAmendment]

Well, I am going to give it a try. Thanks for writing back.

Please don't use JPC, Sr. as an authority on the Bible.

The Gospel of John is one of the hardest gospels for new Christians or non-believers to understand. Try Mark. Mathew is focused in the beginning on providing proof to Jews. Matthew is great, but can be deep.

The key to reading the Bible is prayer and faith. If you don't understand something, pray about it. If the answer does not reveal itself, press on. God will honor your perseverance.

 

[Penn]

God is the Creator. He is our Creator. He is our Father. Just as your fleshly father loves you (or should) no matter what, God does that. God also set standards by which His creations are to live and the consequences of not living that way just as your fleshly father set rules (if he was a real parent) and expected you to obey them and had punishments for breaking his rules.

God also knows that we cannot always obey because Satan is always trying to rob us of our heritage of being God's children. Satan wants us to fail, because humans were created to be above the angels. Because our Father, God, knows we can be good, He provided the way out, the only way out, Salvation through Jesus. Most people don't or won't accept it because it is too simple. Of course once you accept Jesus as Savior you must make Him your Lord. We make Jesus our Lord by following Him. We love Him by trying to be perfect and relying on His grace and forgiveness when we fail.

I broached your first thoughts a few posts back; the idea that God looks at us as His children, and as such, He loves us as a parent would - all of us.
He constantly referred to the Jews back in His ministry as "His Children", or "My Children."

Of that, there can be no doubt. Nothing has changed; only the scope has.

When He first taught and preached to the masses, it was to the Jews that He first ministered to. However, He told His disciples, at the end of the Gospels, to go out and preach to ALL - His teachings and ways. That means everyone.

Very important point 2ndA has made in paragraph #2: NEVER forget that Satan trying constantly to persuade you to come to his side. His side may seem the easiest road to travel - but that's for a reason: He is tempting you, always, in order that you join his legions.

"Why strive to be perfect, when I can give it all to you - right now?"

Sounds too good to be true? It is!

If Satan cannot get you to join him, his secondary goal is to shake, weaken, or lessen your faith in God and Jesus Christ. He places doubt in our minds, he strengthens the negative feelings we have for one another, and allows us to let hatred come into our thoughts.

When I feel that coming over me in my thoughts toward others, I tell him out loud to "leave me - go back to the depths from which you came."

"For my faith is with Jesus - not you!" Begone!