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Rediscovering Christianity - 4/9/2008 8:50:47 PM
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Cynic
Posts: 4
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Hello all,
Here is the gist of things I am 16 going on 17 and about 2 or 3 years ago i would have considered myself christian. Since then I fell out of christianity and became Agnostic/borderline atheist. Now i am having a resurgence of sorts and am highly interested in christianity again but i havent heard that one thing that has pushed me over the edge. I am still not sure how i feel about all this but im leaning int he direction of believing/worshiping god again. I guess the questions are can anybody say something that will push me over the edge of cynicism and where do i start the worshipping/learning/comprehending?
Thanks to all who tookt the time to read.
--Tyler
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RE: Rediscovering Christianity - 4/9/2008 8:58:57 PM
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cobblestone
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I'd suggest just listening in, A lot of good meaning people could tell you all kinds of things and right now you probably couldn't tell whats right and whats not, but by just listening the Spirit can lead you to the truth. Just stay in the Word. and Pray and He'll give you the push Himself. Take your questions to Him in prayer
< Message edited by cobblestone -- 4/9/2008 9:09:27 PM >
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RE: Rediscovering Christianity - 4/9/2008 9:03:31 PM
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benelchi
Posts: 1609
Joined: 9/14/2007
From: California
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Cynic
Hello all,
Here is the gist of things I am 16 going on 17 and about 2 or 3 years ago i would have considered myself christian. Since then I fell out of christianity and became Agnostic/borderline atheist. Now i am having a resurgence of sorts and am highly interested in christianity again but i havent heard that one thing that has pushed me over the edge. I am still not sure how i feel about all this but im leaning int he direction of believing/worshiping god again. I guess the questions are can anybody say something that will push me over the edge of cynicism and where do i start the worshipping/learning/comprehending?
Thanks to all who tookt the time to read.
--Tyler
It would help to understand what are the objections you have to having faith in God i.e. what do beliefs do you find hardest to accept?
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RE: Rediscovering Christianity - 4/9/2008 9:10:47 PM
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Cynic
Posts: 4
Joined: 4/9/2008
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quote:
ORIGINAL: benelchi
quote:
ORIGINAL: Cynic
Hello all,
Here is the gist of things I am 16 going on 17 and about 2 or 3 years ago i would have considered myself christian. Since then I fell out of christianity and became Agnostic/borderline atheist. Now i am having a resurgence of sorts and am highly interested in christianity again but i havent heard that one thing that has pushed me over the edge. I am still not sure how i feel about all this but im leaning int he direction of believing/worshiping god again. I guess the questions are can anybody say something that will push me over the edge of cynicism and where do i start the worshipping/learning/comprehending?
Thanks to all who tookt the time to read.
--Tyler
It would help to understand what are the objections you have to having faith in God i.e. what do beliefs do you find hardest to accept?
I dont find it hard to believe in God. The beliefs that i find hardest to accept are the stances on gay marriage/stances,I also dont like that most christians try to push religion on everybody that doesnt agree with them, i think thats why ive had this schism before i guess to me it always seemed very pretentious and pushy.
*EDIT* Also, and i may be wrong but i dont think i am. Isnt it said that if you disrespect your body by getting tattoos or getting pierced that it is a sin. I dont really find that right either (if im not completly wrong on the matter)
< Message edited by Cynic -- 4/9/2008 9:22:44 PM >
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RE: Rediscovering Christianity - 4/9/2008 9:35:45 PM
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cobblestone
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Scripture doesnt cover ever instance in life, instead it says that we must be careful what we allow our consciences. Some things He has outlined and for good reason, same gender sex is one of them. There is such a thing as abstanance and celibacy. But God made the creature and He designed it for certain purposes and if He says He's not impressed with it being used as an object of pure flesh then I would tend to take Him at His word. Loving people isnt wrong
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RE: Rediscovering Christianity - 4/9/2008 9:37:25 PM
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SonInMe1
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1. Don't blame God for christians.
2. Find a mentor, someone to disciple you so you will be taught the true meaning of christianity. Its not church. Its not political stands. Its all about our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ.
3. This is probably something you are going to hate to hear but it is truth. When we are young we tend to be all over the map. Up and down. Its part of maturing...finding the balance in your life.
4. This should have been number one. Love Jesus.
_____________________________
You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:4
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RE: Rediscovering Christianity - 4/9/2008 9:43:04 PM
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Cynic
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quote:
ORIGINAL: SonInMe1
1. Don't blame God for christians.
2. Find a mentor, someone to disciple you so you will be taught the true meaning of christianity. Its not church. Its not political stands. Its all about our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ.
3. This is probably something you are going to hate to hear but it is truth. When we are young we tend to be all over the map. Up and down. Its part of maturing...finding the balance in your life.
4. This should have been number one. Love Jesus.
1. Excellent point
2. Thats what posting here is for lol :)
3. Trust me ive thought more into this in the past week and have had some real epipanies when it comes to myself
4.I need more time on this one but with the great responses so far im sure it wont take long
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RE: Rediscovering Christianity - 4/9/2008 9:47:48 PM
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SonInMe1
Posts: 3691
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Have you tried...talking to God?
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You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:4
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RE: Rediscovering Christianity - 4/9/2008 10:04:53 PM
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cobblestone
Posts: 201
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Some good scripture that someone sent me awhile ago that helped alot
Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. <-----> Psalm 37:37
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. <-----> Hebrews 12:2
Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; <-----> Hebrews 5:7-9
Therefore whosoever hears these sayings of mine, and does them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. <-----> Matthew 7:24+25 ( Words of Jesus )
The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation. <-----> 2nd Samuel 22:47
God bless!
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RE: Rediscovering Christianity - 4/9/2008 10:14:07 PM
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CherishedbyGod
Posts: 2914
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Cynic
Hello all,
Here is the gist of things I am 16 going on 17 and about 2 or 3 years ago i would have considered myself christian. Since then I fell out of christianity and became Agnostic/borderline atheist. Now i am having a resurgence of sorts and am highly interested in christianity again but i havent heard that one thing that has pushed me over the edge. I am still not sure how i feel about all this but im leaning int he direction of believing/worshiping god again. I guess the questions are can anybody say something that will push me over the edge of cynicism and where do i start the worshipping/learning/comprehending?
Thanks to all who tookt the time to read.
--Tyler
No, I cannot say something that will push you over the edge of cynicism. I can only point you to the One I love and adore, Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
I can only encourage you to seek Him...and the rest of your questions/doubts will be answered in due time by Him...Who so loves and adores you....
_____________________________
~For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ~
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RE: Rediscovering Christianity - 4/9/2008 10:22:31 PM
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called2valor
Posts: 73
Joined: 3/13/2006
From: Minnesota
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I went through an Agnostic period at about the same time and same length as you.
I don't think it is uncommon in thinking people. To question is not wrong, to be in rebellion to God is. Just a good principle to remember while you let God answer all of those hard questions you have had and still do over a period of time called: your life! and even beyond...
God is able to handle it and He is ready to give us the assurance and answers we need, not what we think we do 
When I see an honest seeker, it reminds me of myself at that time and to be honest even though I "found Jesus again", the truth is really that He was always there and He just keeps trying to draw us close to Himself, even amidst our doubts and questions.
I told God I wasn't going to turn my brain off to follow Him and I haven't... He never expected me to, but I was afraid He would God can help us use our inquiring minds in obedience to Him better than we can use them without Him. The key is to be in relationship with God, not merely trying to understand everything at once. Faith is the evidence of things we don't see yet... but someday will 
Test His Word, to see if it and the promises in it are true... grow in conversation and prayer... let God guide you into things that will make your life better than skepticism, for this world is full of doubt. Rest in the assurance that you are not throwing anything away to follow Him (except perhaps garbage that we love to carry with us) , but rather gaining more than you can possibly imagine 
I truly wish you a grand journey into faith... it is so much better to be alive in Christ, with our minds firm and vibrant, than to sink into the doubts that are on every side of us. A more perfect Way awaits you... go for it!
I really don't know if any of what I have said will mean anything to you, but I hope some does, because I was a hard skeptic once too that thought that even if God existed we had better things to worry about... now I know that I was wrong. If we follow Him, we will concentrate on the things that are really worth doing... and we will have peace no matter what comes our way.
peace
_____________________________
I am the Mayan king Great Jaguar Platypus Bite-Bite!!! Fear me!!! *swims around menacingly*
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RE: Rediscovering Christianity - 4/9/2008 11:49:54 PM
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LCannon
Posts: 1309
Joined: 2/22/2007
From: Lebanon, OR
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The ABC's of Faith
Admit-“[Jesus] proved He had a valid claim [to His Deity] but His own rejected His claim yet as many as receives His message; to them he claimed the right to become redeemed of God and appropriate His Name.“ John 1:11,12
Believe-“[you can be] freed from the arrogance that enslaves you [and] come into His obedience resulting in purification and Eternal Life. For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of is Eternal Life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 3:22,23
Confess-“[His message] is near you, in your mouth and in your heart"--that is, the word of faith which we are preaching that if you confess [obedience to] Jesus as Lord with your mouth and you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes resulting in righteousness and with his mouth he confesses resulting in [obedience].” Romans 10:8-10
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"[Prayer power] hasn't never been taxed to[His]full capacity. His standing challenge, 'Call on
Me and I will answer with great and mighty things which thou can't imagine." Hudson Tayor
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RE: Rediscovering Christianity - 4/10/2008 5:45:51 AM
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Cynic
Posts: 4
Joined: 4/9/2008
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quote:
ORIGINAL: called2valor
I went through an Agnostic period at about the same time and same length as you.
I don't think it is uncommon in thinking people. To question is not wrong, to be in rebellion to God is. Just a good principle to remember while you let God answer all of those hard questions you have had and still do over a period of time called: your life! and even beyond...
God is able to handle it and He is ready to give us the assurance and answers we need, not what we think we do
When I see an honest seeker, it reminds me of myself at that time and to be honest even though I "found Jesus again", the truth is really that He was always there and He just keeps trying to draw us close to Himself, even amidst our doubts and questions.
I told God I wasn't going to turn my brain off to follow Him and I haven't... He never expected me to, but I was afraid He would God can help us use our inquiring minds in obedience to Him better than we can use them without Him. The key is to be in relationship with God, not merely trying to understand everything at once. Faith is the evidence of things we don't see yet... but someday will
Test His Word, to see if it and the promises in it are true... grow in conversation and prayer... let God guide you into things that will make your life better than skepticism, for this world is full of doubt. Rest in the assurance that you are not throwing anything away to follow Him (except perhaps garbage that we love to carry with us) , but rather gaining more than you can possibly imagine
I truly wish you a grand journey into faith... it is so much better to be alive in Christ, with our minds firm and vibrant, than to sink into the doubts that are on every side of us. A more perfect Way awaits you... go for it!
I really don't know if any of what I have said will mean anything to you, but I hope some does, because I was a hard skeptic once too that thought that even if God existed we had better things to worry about... now I know that I was wrong. If we follow Him, we will concentrate on the things that are really worth doing... and we will have peace no matter what comes our way.
peace
superb post, helped a ton. I'm ready to accept jesus as my savior but where do i start?
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RE: Rediscovering Christianity - 4/10/2008 6:15:33 AM
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called2valor
Posts: 73
Joined: 3/13/2006
From: Minnesota
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Realize that Jesus is calling you... He wants to be your Savior and that you cannot earn salvation. He paid the price for our redemption fully by satisfying our debt of sin.
Now you can respond and accept His gift. Repent (turn from) your sins and your own ways to align yourself with His! Admit that you are a sinner and ask Him for forgiveness. Know that feelings and experiences are not what is the core of it, but that He will give you assurance of your salvation and send peace to you in His own personal way of dealing with you. You are His child. Believe that He is who He says He is and that He did die for you so that you could have real life! (things won't magically be all better and all problems solved ... salvation is a process as much as it is a moment in time , but you can still have peace!) Sincerely ask Him to come into your life and be your Savior. (know that your sincere request will be honored gladly by Jesus! )
His Spirit will come and live inside of you.
I am not into formulas, but here is a good site with Scripture references (and there are others) to back up that this is true!
Salvation
Get a good modern English translation of the Bible and read the Gospel of Matthew ( and then maybe John) and then go from there to other portions. (I might recommend the English Standard Version to start with). The more you just patiently read the Word and let it sink in PRAYERFULLY (pray before you read it, during, after , whenever... prayer is good stuff and is what makes us in a personal relationship with Him. We have to talk WITH , not just to someone, to have that)
get hooked up with Bible reading and believing Christians in a church or Bible study group if you are unsure as to a good place to worship yet.
I pray that the Lord will guide you and that you let Him!
He doesn't want zealots or Holy holy cookie cutter people... he wants people that love and follow Him and have abundant lives
Feel free to PM me if you wish
please make sure you do not get frustrated with the process of growing in Him, because it can all be a bit confusing at first
hang in there and check it out for yourself!
God is your friend, Savior, master and your loving Father!
This is all I will say here, because it is a bit hard to minister on the Net, but I pray right this moment that God will help you in all of this.
Peace
< Message edited by called2valor -- 4/10/2008 6:24:01 AM >
_____________________________
I am the Mayan king Great Jaguar Platypus Bite-Bite!!! Fear me!!! *swims around menacingly*
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RE: Rediscovering Christianity - 4/10/2008 6:41:32 AM
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called2valor
Posts: 73
Joined: 3/13/2006
From: Minnesota
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I am praying for you, Cynic!
All glory and praise to Jesus!
I need Him as much as you
i think I am bad at this link thing, so I'll just post it raw:
http://www.angelfire.com/ok/newjoychurch/4steps.html
I won't belabor this any more, but I am just going to trust that God and you are working together, but I will say one more thing:
Don't let terms throw you.
things like sin, master and father can trip us up if they have negative associations from our lives. The truth doesn't always match our earthly experiences.
When I first came to Christ, I could not call God "father" for YEARS! My earthly dad is not the kind of father I would have chosen, so it took time for my REAL heavenly father (God) to show me what a loving, forgiving dad was like. No one can prove any of this to you but God, so please give Him the opportunity :)
peace
< Message edited by called2valor -- 4/10/2008 7:37:47 AM >
_____________________________
I am the Mayan king Great Jaguar Platypus Bite-Bite!!! Fear me!!! *swims around menacingly*
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RE: Rediscovering Christianity - 4/10/2008 10:44:51 AM
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cobblestone
Posts: 201
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A great day by day devotional from Proverbs
The Thirty Precepts of the Sages
Don't Move Back the Boundary Lines
DAY 1
Prov22: 22-23 Don't walk on the poor just because they're poor,
and don't use your position to crush the weak,
Because God will come to their defense;
the life you took, he'll take from you and give back to them.
DAY 2
Prov22: 24-25 Don't hang out with angry people;
don't keep company with hotheads.
Bad temper is contagious—
don't get infected.
DAY 3
Prov22: 26-27 Don't gamble on the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow,
hocking your house against a lucky chance.
The time will come when you have to pay up;
you'll be left with nothing but the shirt on your back.
Edited TOS 8
< Message edited by Kath -- 4/12/2008 1:51:38 AM >
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RE: Rediscovering Christianity - 4/12/2008 7:03:11 AM
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conrack50
Posts: 514
Joined: 4/23/2005
From: 200 N. Bryan Ave. Shawnee, Ok 74801
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Just give yourself to the Lord and all he has for you will follow.
Yes, it can get confusing when you get back into rediscovering your Christianity but...
Pray, forgive yourself and Let the Lord do his work in your life.
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RE: Rediscovering Christianity - 4/12/2008 8:04:35 AM
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SonInMe1
Posts: 3691
Joined: 4/16/2005
From: my mom by God
Status: offline
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God, I don't know the whole deal. I don't understand a lot of who you are and what you want from me. All I know is, I need you God. I need you in my life. I just...can't do this life thing.
God, I need you. Reveal yourself to me in a real, obvious way. I want to believe in You. I need you.
Thanks
_____________________________
You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:4
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RE: Rediscovering Christianity - 4/13/2008 11:01:49 PM
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cobblestone
Posts: 201
Joined: 1/1/2008
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1 Peter 5:10
But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
While the title “God of all grace” occurs only in 1 Peter 5:10, “grace” in the developed sense discussed above is found no less than 106 times in 98 verses. "God of all grace" is a defining term of the Christian faith, for the Father, as the “God of all grace,” has chosen to call “us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus.”
John Wesley's Notes on the Bible
1Pe 5:10
Verse 10. Now the God of all grace - By which alone the whole work is begun, continued, and finished in your soul. After ye have suffered a while - A very little while compared with eternity. Himself - Ye have only to watch and resist the devil: the rest God will perform. Perfect - That no defect may remain. Stablish - That nothing may overthrow you. Strengthen - That ye may conquer all adverse power. And settle you - As an house upon a rock. So the apostle, being converted, does now "strengthen his brethren."
“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)
At the atonment seat of mercy we find acceptance with God by believing His word to be true — that when our sins were covered by blood, God overlooks our sins as it they had been obliterated when Jesus Christ becomes our permanent atonement cover. Through Jesus’ blood, our sins have been covered over. When God looks at us, He doesn’t see our sin, but the provision that His own Son. Jesus, who layed down His life for us as an innocent sacrifice so that God would look on us and see His perfection.
Genesis 2
1 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.
2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested [a] from all his work. 3 And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.
Adam and Eve Created to work the ground
4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created.
When the LORD God made the earth and the heavens- 5 and no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earth [c] and there was no man to work the ground,
The Father gave us the world to look after and just asks that we remember Who it really belongs to. Do the work God has given you to do, but He wants us to always rest a day completely because we are weak and just made from the dust that we work with.
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RE: Rediscovering Christianity - 4/14/2008 12:56:47 AM
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Ezra
Posts: 1981
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quote:
dont find it hard to believe in God. The beliefs that i find hardest to accept are the stances on gay marriage/stances,I also dont like that most christians try to push religion on everybody that doesnt agree with them, i think thats why ive had this schism before i guess to me it always seemed very pretentious and pushy.
*EDIT* Also, and i may be wrong but i dont think i am. Isnt it said that if you disrespect your body by getting tattoos or getting pierced that it is a sin. I dont really find that right either (if im not completly wrong on the matter)
Cynic:
These are not major obstacles to believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, and for the time being, you should put them on the back burner. The real issues are:
1. You are separated from God as long as you are not "in" Christ. This is true for all those who have not become children of God through the New Birth.
2. You will give account to God sooner or later. He is not only your Creator but your Judge. And He is Christ.
3. Those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, turn from their sins and idols, and receive Him as their Lord and Savior, receive the gift of eternal life.
4. Those who disregard the Gospel and reject Christ condemn themselves to eternal damnation.
In order to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, we must believe the record that God has given to us of His Son. This record is found in the Gospels within the New Testament. Therefore your first priorty in order to believe is to open your Bible and read what God has said about Jesus, and what Jesus has said about Himself.
Jesus said: "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me" (John 14:6). Believe it.
_____________________________
And whosoever will, let him take the Water of Life freely. Revelation 22:17
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[Deleted] - 4/19/2008 10:07:30 PM
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[Deleted by Admins]
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RE: Rediscovering Christianity - 4/20/2008 12:32:20 AM
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SonInMe1
Posts: 3691
Joined: 4/16/2005
From: my mom by God
Status: offline
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Do you love God?
_____________________________
You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:4
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RE: Rediscovering Christianity - 4/20/2008 6:19:06 AM
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conrack50
Posts: 514
Joined: 4/23/2005
From: 200 N. Bryan Ave. Shawnee, Ok 74801
Status: offline
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It's Sunday and God's waiting on you.....
What's there to lose by going into a church and listening?
I am praying for you to take that step and find out what the Lord's really all about.
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Do you love eco-friendly Soy Candles?
Start a business and work at home.
** Enter the FREE Candle Drawing at my Website**
Check out the Income Possibilities while you're there!
http://www.connielbarnes.scent-team.com/residualincome.php
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