The Christian Thread

Deathrabbit wrote: I just try to believe and be good to myself and others and realize my potential. That's my religion/philosophy. I find things simpler if I don't get involved in all the trappings of organized religion. So I guess you could call me a freelance Christian. I used to be a pretty hard-line methodist type, but then I began to worry that I might end up following man's rules instead of God's, so I severed ties with my church.

I was raised Methodist, but I never considered them to be hard line type of Christians.

No Bothy.  No.

I won't lie and make things up.  I don't feel "Jesus in me."  Not in any way I can quantify.  I guess some do, but I don't believe that's how it works.

I say Jesus is in me by recognizing that some evil things I participated in years before are not things I do now.  As I grow in grace, I grow in generosity.

The Bible talks about Christians conforming to the image of Christ.  That means a Christian will, over time, become more and more like Jesus.  It's inevitable.


Edited by Epignosis - April 25 2009 at 22:02

Slartibartfast wrote: Deathrabbit wrote: I just try to believe and be good to myself and others and realize my potential. That's my religion/philosophy. I find things simpler if I don't get involved in all the trappings of organized religion. So I guess you could call me a freelance Christian. I used to be a pretty hard-line methodist type, but then I began to worry that I might end up following man's rules instead of God's, so I severed ties with my church. I was raised Methodist, but I never considered them to be hard line type of Christians.

Well, less hard line than some, but one the reasons I left was that every election time, whoever was pastor would always talk about how conservative voting was a vote for God and liberal voting was t3h Satanz. Also all their interpretations of the BIble seemed pretty dang literal. That's one of my theories actually, is that pretty much everyone misunderstands the teachings of Jesus. After all, it happened a bunch to the people that were actually there, yet most of us come along 2000 years later and just assume we've got it all figured out. I'm pretty sure God facepalms quite a bit at most people's interpretations of the Bible, mine included.




Edited by Deathrabbit - April 25 2009 at 23:54

Epignosis wrote: That said, don't get discouraged that so many people mess up what the Bible teaches.  There's a true interpretation of every sentence (sometimes two), and it really isn't hard to come by (after all, many of Jesus's closest disciples were unschooled fishermen); we just have to be willing to invest in a little time and effect getting the cultural foundation down.

That's why there is the Catholic Church. ;-)

Yet again I will be preaching Wednesday, the 13th in my church. Please, those that are willing, pray that God gives me the message he wants me to bring, and the eloquence to speak it.

Hi everyone.

First, prayers go to Diaby and his grandfather, I hope for a speedy recovery.

Epignosis (great nickname, I am sure you know what it means...) has set a good and constructive thread.

In my opinion, even if I have never full read the bible, if someone takes out all the teachings of Christ will understand that everything is said and done to make people better. This is what Christianity is all about, however, people in charge of Churches don't always act as they were taught... but that is another story.

I would like to share my thoughts about some comments on this thread (randomly):

Indeed, Christianity is the ''continuation'' of another religion, even though people don't want to accept that.

Christian belief is on the decline, especially in the UK (where I live now) where people have almost forgotten about God (any God)

In my head, one of the reasons that the world is getting worse and worse is the absence to some belief (not only Chrsitianity). Most religions (if not all) teach that you should love and care about your ''neighbours'', do good and no harm etc. If you have never been taught such values, how are you supposed to use them in your life? (I don't say that all people who are Atheists etc. will be bad).

The developed world is short of values because it has forgotten God and started believing in another one (money)

Just a few initial thoughts, please feel free to comment, criticise etc.

I have learned this:

Through many hardships, God has delivered me, even if those deliverances were never "comfortable."

Our existences are all but to the glory of God, which means if it honors him that my life is snuffed out this very instance, then I will be gone.

For many, that is a harsh truth (notice all the followers who left Jesus in John chapter 6), but I know it to be true. 

After a long, long time of only having 8 dollars in my savings account, I came into some money this week.  A fair bit of money.  And despite my pride, I knew in my heart it would not last.

God, who's glory will not be stolen, decided in his wisdom today that I should be issued a notice from the apartment complex from which we rent our 2nd story home, that my wife can no longer care for children (nevermind that this is ONLY because the people downstairs are jerks who complain when we're only walking up here).  This is our main source of income.  It means, she either forfeits her income, or we forfeit our home.

Hardships come upon believers only so God can show Himself faithful in delivering them from difficulty.  I have every confidence He will do so this time.  He's never failed!

I have gone from being enraged an hour ago, to feeling at peace with the writing of this post.  Praise be to God.

Thank you for your kind posts. He's better this day than he was tomorrow – that's a hopeful improvement.

Epignosis wrote: Diaby wrote: Thank you for your kind posts. He's better this day than he was tomorrow – that's a hopeful improvement.   Robert: I hope once I will be like you, somebody who has always fully trust in God. I wish He sends you solutions for those hardships you're going through. Forget people who say faith is "blind belief."  I only have faith because God has helped me in the worst of circumstances. Just know Jesus will care for you also, friend.  I will also be praying for you grandfather, and for you as well.