Embarrassing Fight Night God-Praying Backfires?

[Citizen Koba]

[QUOTE=Syf;14894825]Brother, I am not Christ like. I am a man, just as you. But my journey of faith has taken me through realizations you may have missed, so hearken me if you will.

I am a fighter. Pride is an issue for all men, especially those who have fought., this why I feel obvious miracles are few and far between. Our Lord reads our hearts and know when we seek to glorify Him and when we seek to glorify OURSELVES. I seek to be a humble servant, but it is a hard road.

Having said that, God grants insight to those who open their heart to him and ASK. Don't believe me? Consult the living Word:[QUOTE/]

Yes, you mean you don't you?

[QUOTE]"mat 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:... "

Pitfalls of pride are obvious to watch out for, but God grants insight to those who ask, if it is good under His eyes. An inquisitive guy like me has a lot of questions, so, I ask. It is possible for people to be led by their own spirit, or evil influence, when trying this, so it is important to cross reference everything through the Living Word (bible) and filter it through the chambers of your heart to determine what is indeed good to pass on, and what should be rebuked.

Don't believe my realization on different views of eternity? Consult the Living Word once again:

2 peter 3:8 "But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day***8221;

The Holy Spirit guided me to this passage, and others like it, to validate how eternity has different definitions from man to God.[QUOTE/]

So again. You just decided that YOUR god led you to this..um.. utterly clear sentence of the 'the book' which you've simply interpreted according to your pre-existing dogma. Is this a promise of a heaven that by definition could never have actually been experienced by living humans? How would anyone know if the inhabitants of such a realm may have reason to lie, even if 'the book' itself were not known to be a man-made fiction?

[QUOTE]I am not saying believe just in case. That belief would be worthless. I am saying don't blasphemy the Holy Spirit just in case. Even non believers should adhere to that, by their own sets of logic. I wouldn't blasphemy the Holy Spirit, because I love my Lord and Savior.... But non believers should refrain from doing so out of prudence at the very least![QUOTE/]

Indeed. I actually picked that up. It was the blasphemy that offended you, rather than the lack of belief. But consider - a similar hypocrisy in the eyes of infidels could condemn them to the same torments from their own Gods that are promised by your merciful Lord (in fact it's mainly the Monotheistic Judaic based religions that promise eternal or even eventually redeemable torments - the flip side to a blissful Heaven).

Even those of us who espouse a lack of belief in established faith would be doing ourselves a disservice because to be be afraid of blaspheming would imply a de facto belief in that in which one espouses non-belief, therefore falling into the trap of once-again becoming a hypocrite.

In short, we'd being demonstrating enough belief to be punished for not fully accepting the belief as opposed to merely being ignorant. You're actually suggesting that non-believers should damn themselves further. Cheers M8.

[QUOTE]Weekenders only hear interpretations of their priests. And only choice tidbits that their eyes often glaze over while listening to. You have to study the Living Word for yourself, not be told by another man what it means. Observing the sabbath in Church is useful for fostering brotherhood, as Jesus commanded, but as for becoming strong in faith, that is done through a lot of private prayer and meditation, and studying the Living Word as a dedicated scholar would. Soak up everything.

Aside from weekenders, a sort of mild brand of hypocrite, we have severe hypocrites. People that use people's faith to make money when in their hearts they themselves do not believe, and others that do even more unspeakable evil in the name of God. The crusades, for instance, Jesus would not have condoned. Witch burnings as well. Jesus did not condemn anyone to death, he cast demons out of people, he didn't burn them at the stake![QUOTE/]

Wow, so now people who are just casual believers in your own Religion, who may not particularly search themselves spiritually, but attend the services and kinda - go along with it, are also to burn? (The Crusades, I agree, were a monstrosity, there has been some good to come out of your religion but the Crusades and the Inquisition haven't been some of the it's finer moments both were motivated by a desire for secular control and power)

[QUOTE]I am not saying believe just in case, I am saying don't blasphemy the Holy spirit just in case. For it is written that The Lord particularly detests when people do that.[QUOTE/]

Who wrote it? God himself? Or perhaps men who could perhaps have been open to the same vulnerabilities as you have already acknowledged yourself to be? They were only human after all. And whilst the history of the OT is vague in areas we know there were changes made to the original Hebrew scriptures and the NT was basically the work of a committee overseen by a pagan Roman Emperor who had plenty of secular concerns of his own.

IDK. I struggle with the idea of a divine being who's OK with other humans slaughtering millions of his supposed favourite creations, but takes serious grudge to a bit of backchat. I kinda guess you'd have to be strong in faith to understand.

[QUOTE]As to non believers, I believe The Lord is SOMEWHAT satisfied with people who live the narrow path without even knowing it. Hearken to Romans if you will, Brother:

"Rom 2:14. For when Gentiles (Romans, you), who do not have the (God's) law, by nature do things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) 16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel."

This indicates men are judged by works and merit, as well as God's law..[QUOTE/]

Well, I hope so. Cos otherwise you believe that something like two thirds of the worlds population are simply gonna burn for having been born in the wrong place, time or culture (and you'll note that means I'm giving the benefit of the doubt to majority of non-christians being what I'd call 'good' people - which seems to be more than you feel are 'good' among your own religion).

Ah well. That's enough for now. I may get back to it later.

EDIT: I never tried breaking such a large piece of.. erm.. post, into managable chunks and tried to do it with [QUOTE] and [QUOTE/] which obviously has rendered the whole lot fairly unreadable. Can anyone tell me how to do it without flicking between multiple open pages?

Thanks. K.

EDIT: Ok - now I just Greened my bits. Hope it's legible.

[Syf]

Nobody cares, keep your silly superstitions to yourself. You don't like Atheists or people of other faiths telling you things you don't want to hear, then do the same.

The Bible is absurd, if you had one brain cell you would understand how it could never possibly be the word of some supreme being. It's so obviously man made, and put together by men.

Stop proselytizing to people, it's annoying. We don't want to hear it and we are more moral than you or your god.

I don't mind. Devout Christians have become immune to another man's dogma of doubt. It is so required. Your words don't anger me, Cuauhtemoc, despite perhaps you wanting them to?

Me aside, because perhaps you are, I don't know you... How exactly are you more moral than a Jesus that blesses those who would be His enemies?

Do you bless your enemies? Would you suffer the iniquities He suffered for the benefit of the human race?

The bible is a remarkable resource of faith, written by God inspired men and witnesses of those times, that throughout time has been used for various people's ends. Which is where Christianity gets misunderstood. The part that rings the Truest to Me regarding our God's nature is the NT, especially the gospels regarding our Savior.

If you are to read any of the bible, as a non believer, I would say Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Then branch from there.


Koba-

Yes, you mean you don't you?

Not sure to which this refers. I assume you say I'm just making things up. In the bible, miracles were done right in front of people's faces, and they still did not believe. God had a dwelling on earth and they STILL forged golden calves to worship. Even if I spoke to you the truth, with the context of how humankind has been in the past, the terms stiff necked and hard hearted come to mind... Would you believe, or be expected to? This is the way of the narrow gate.

So again. You just decided that YOUR god led you to this..um.. utterly clear sentence of the 'the book' which you've simply interpreted according to your pre-existing dogma. Is this a promise of a heaven that by definition could never have actually been experienced by living humans? How would anyone know if the inhabitants of such a realm may have reason to lie, even if 'the book' itself were not known to be a man-made fiction?

To trust the intent of God, Foremost you have to feel God's love. All other understanding branches from that. Perhaps look to your life, see the blessings you have, and be thankful. All you have, including the breath circulating in your lungs right now, comes from God. What science has uncovered is merely the tip of a massive iceberg that is the mystery and majesty of God and His creation. Science itself states..... Energy cannot be destroyed, only transferred. Thus even to the dogma of a non believer.. Afterlife is not only possible.. It's probable. However, I believe in heaven because Jesus preached of it, and Jesus Christ is God made flesh, the true representation of God's holy nature, and what aspect of Him our Lord wants us to mirror. Your journey of faith will differ from mine, naturally. All I can say to you is listen to that tiny voice inside your heart that attempts to have you do the ideal thing. That gentle, prodding, influence, easily trampled under the foot of the sinning cacophony that is man, is God (The Holy Spirit). For our Lord, in His infinite wisdom, has granted us dominion and free will, to do as we wish with our lives. And much suffering has stemmed from that. But He is ready for you to enter his embrace at any point in your life.

Indeed. I actually picked that up. It was the blasphemy that offended you, rather than the lack of belief. But consider - a similar hypocrisy in the eyes of infidels could condemn them to the same torments from their own Gods that are promised by your merciful Lord (in fact it's mainly the Monotheistic Judaic based religions that promise eternal or even eventually redeemable torments - the flip side to a blissful Heaven).

Even those of us who espouse a lack of belief in established faith would be doing ourselves a disservice because to be be afraid of blaspheming would imply a de facto belief in that in which one espouses non-belief, therefore falling into the trap of once-again becoming a hypocrite.

In short, we'd being demonstrating enough belief to be punished for not fully accepting the belief as opposed to merely being ignorant. You're actually suggesting that non-believers should damn themselves further. Cheers M8.

No, it's just common sense and common decency. It is impolite to our Creator to incessantly bad mouth Him and His nature, no matter how far removed you seek to be from Him. Simple as that.

Wow, so now people who are just casual believers in your own Religion, who may not particularly search themselves spiritually, but attend the services and kinda - go along with it, are also to burn? (The Crusades, I agree, were a monstrosity, there has been some good to come out of your religion but the Crusades and the Inquisition haven't been some of the it's finer moments both were motivated by a desire for secular control and power)

I did not designate them to burn. In fact I pointed out hopeful scriptures that indicate works and merit are things our Lord loves above pomp and circumstance. Also a way to soften the sentence of the infamous eternity of burning through scripture as well. Our blood be on our own heads... You act as if The Lord is punishing you for misdeed, but that is not what I said, or how I feel it is. You are punishing yourself by whatever it is you choose to do in this life. Your deed. Your choice. That is the legacy of man.

If you break human law, you face judgement of humans. If you break God's law, you face judgement of God. Give Caesar what is Caesar's, and give God what is God's.

Who wrote it? God himself? Or perhaps men who could perhaps have been open to the same vulnerabilities as you have already acknowledged yourself to be? They were only human after all. And whilst the history of the OT is vague in areas we know there were changes made to the original Hebrew scriptures and the NT was basically the work of a committee overseen by a pagan Roman Emperor who had plenty of secular concerns of his own.

IDK. I struggle with the idea of a divine being who's OK with other humans slaughtering millions of his supposed favourite creations, but takes serious grudge to a bit of backchat. I kinda guess you'd have to be strong in faith to understand.

I am not Abraham, or Elijah, or Moses, or Matthew, or Mark, or Luke, or John, or Paul, or David, or any of the lesser prophets. I am not Mother Theresa or other saints that have preceded me. There have been countless men of more faith and selflessness than I, and there will be countless in the future. I seek to be a humble servant to our Lord, but my fighter's mentality undercuts my quest for humility, as you yourself may have noticed if you have analyzed my posting pattern. Perhaps.... Perhaps The Lord will grant me more clarity, as of old, if I continue on the narrow path, and progress ever onward in my journey of faith.

Again.. The Old Testament is a worthy resource of faith, but I view it as a context for the coming of our Lord.

Well, I hope so. Cos otherwise you believe that something like two thirds of the worlds population are simply gonna burn for having been born in the wrong place, time or culture (and you'll note that means I'm giving the benefit of the doubt to majority of non-christians being what I'd call 'good' people - which seems to be more than you feel are 'good' among your own religion).

Above all, I know these things... And I pray you come to this realization for yourself Our God is merciful. Our God loves each and every one of us. And this life is but a moment in the journey of our immortal souls.

Now.... I am neglecting my wife sharing all of these things. I do hope I have done God's work here.. But I must see to my children and wife. Peace.

[The Noose]

there is only one God.

[illadelph1016]

http://*************/watch?v=U8HEwO-2L4w Carl Sagan pretty much sums up what I think about religion but in a much more elegant way..

This is my favorite interview of the legend Carl Sagan and his last one before he died.