I've never seen anyone on this forum set a date for Jesus's return. Never. I've seen speculation, but that's all it has ever been, speculation.....nobody has ever said that it's going to happen on a certain day.
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I've never seen anyone on this forum set a date for Jesus's return. Never. I've seen speculation, but that's all it has ever been, speculation.....nobody has ever said that it's going to happen on a certain day.
Do you really believe that you have the power to make God look foolish?????? That's not even possible!
Thank you all for your encouragement!! And now the tact will be put on the shelf for a moment.
I am saddened that there is still dissension over personal opinions here! Whether or not we are better Christians than the other!! Or how we go about witnessing!! WE ARE ALL ONE BODY!! LET'S ACT LIKE IT!!
For the record, I'm not trying to censor anyone. But as I said in my post, I question where certain information comes from. Each of us has our own understanding of Scripture. Is that understanding better or more "holy" than the other's? We should all be led by the Holy Spirit!!
There are feelings being stepped on, and feathers being ruffled, and satan is laughing his head off right now!! I rebuke that spirit of dissension by the Blood of Jesus, in Jesus' Holy Name!!!!!!!!
If we can't be civil to one another, then go off line and cool off! Then come back and discuss it as if we were really Spirit filled believers!!
Tact now being taken off the shelf!
I am saddened that there is still dissension over personal opinions here! Whether or not we are better Christians than the other!! Or how we go about witnessing!! WE ARE ALL ONE BODY!! LET'S ACT LIKE IT!!
For the record, I'm not trying to censor anyone. But as I said in my post, I question where certain information comes from. Each of us has our own understanding of Scripture. Is that understanding better or more "holy" than the other's? We should all be led by the Holy Spirit!!
There are feelings being stepped on, and feathers being ruffled, and satan is laughing his head off right now!! I rebuke that spirit of dissension by the Blood of Jesus, in Jesus' Holy Name!!!!!!!!
If we can't be civil to one another, then go off line and cool off! Then come back and discuss it as if we were really Spirit filled believers!!
Tact now being taken off the shelf!
Nobody here has predicted Christs return, but people here have defended "preachers" who have predicted Christs' return.
If we claim to know God, and to know God's word... then we claim something to be true of the word of God that is found to NOT be true... then yes. We make God look foolish as we represent him.
WHY would we make God a liar if we say we have not sinned? Because God said that we sin. So if we say something to the contrary, we are claiming our truth to be higher than the truth of God... ie, we make him a liar. This applies to ANYTHING in the word of God, not just the fact that all are sinners.
We must be careful how we represent our understanding of God's word and the world around us. Be shy? No. Be ashamed of the word of God? No. But careful and cautious? Absolutely.
If we claim to know God, and to know God's word... then we claim something to be true of the word of God that is found to NOT be true... then yes. We make God look foolish as we represent him.
WHY would we make God a liar if we say we have not sinned? Because God said that we sin. So if we say something to the contrary, we are claiming our truth to be higher than the truth of God... ie, we make him a liar. This applies to ANYTHING in the word of God, not just the fact that all are sinners.
We must be careful how we represent our understanding of God's word and the world around us. Be shy? No. Be ashamed of the word of God? No. But careful and cautious? Absolutely.
How is discussing end times contrary to the word of God???? He Himself told us of these things and to watch for them. If He didn't want us talking about it, He wouldn't have told us.
Let me try another way...
Did God tell us to point out sin? Did God tell us to stand up against it?
How's Westboro church doing what that? They represent God well? They point out sin don't they? They stand up against it don't they?
I'm not sure how many ways it can be said Lisa. Nobody has said NOT to discuss end times stuff. Your threads about the possibility of UFO's and the nephlehim and end times were very interesting to me for example. But those were presented with a "could be" attitude as opposed to a "certainly is" attitude.
The ONLY thing that has been proposed is that we be cautious in our discussion of it. If we claim that a current event IS fulfillment of prophecy, when it may not be... then we make God a liar as we are making a claim that he did not. Some things in scripture we can be sure of, others we cannot.
BTW, I'm not equating you to Westboro. But I AM pointing out that it's not just about doing the right thing, it's about doing it the right way.
Did God tell us to point out sin? Did God tell us to stand up against it?
How's Westboro church doing what that? They represent God well? They point out sin don't they? They stand up against it don't they?
I'm not sure how many ways it can be said Lisa. Nobody has said NOT to discuss end times stuff. Your threads about the possibility of UFO's and the nephlehim and end times were very interesting to me for example. But those were presented with a "could be" attitude as opposed to a "certainly is" attitude.
The ONLY thing that has been proposed is that we be cautious in our discussion of it. If we claim that a current event IS fulfillment of prophecy, when it may not be... then we make God a liar as we are making a claim that he did not. Some things in scripture we can be sure of, others we cannot.
BTW, I'm not equating you to Westboro. But I AM pointing out that it's not just about doing the right thing, it's about doing it the right way.
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God told us not to point out the speck in our brothers eye while we have a plank in our own. God also said he who is without sin cast the first stone. What Westboro does, openly condemning people and saying that God hates them, is not from God. They are not doing the right thing to start with, so there is no right way to do wrong.
That has absolutely nothing to do with discussing the news and end times prophecy tho.
I'm sure they feel they've removed their own "planks" just as they feel they're doing the work of God.
I don't have anything else I can say. I love you as a sister Lisa. Just know everything I've said, I've said in love.
I"m sure they do think they are doing the right thing, because they are probably brainwashed by their pastor to believe that they need to spread their message of incredible hate and hurt as many people as they can possibly come into contact with.
But, that's not the case here and I can't even put the 2 on the same plate, they are so far different that I can't compare them.
I love you too Jason, but I'll have to agree to disagree.
ENOUGH!!!! Everyone take a deep breath. You have all had valid points, HOWEVER, I have not seen Jesus elevated in all of this. I know He is shaking His head. Guys, loved ones, brothers and sisters, don't let the p.o.p. win this! This is 5 times worse than a discovery of a one winged, whatever someone said. Before we, and I'm including myself in this, try to take the cinder out of a brethern's eye, let's remove the log in our own. When you point a finger, the thumb points back at you.
1) Speaking the words of Almighty God and Jesus are NEVER wrong.
2) Discerning the spirits are NEVER wrong to do. Go back to #1.
3) Attacking brethern is NEVER right. Scripture states a procedure to do this. Go to the person and see if it can be worked out. I don't think a public forum, in front of God and everyone is the way to go. This type of problem between members is more detrimental to the cause of Jesus than 20 websites of UFO's.
4) You can't change anyone but yourself! But remember, ask yourself if you're elevating Jesus for all to see, or being detrimental to the cause.
I pray this will be well received, and if it's not, see #4.
P.S. Good to see that gorgeous blue eye, Lady L, and you Cuz, as always.
1) Speaking the words of Almighty God and Jesus are NEVER wrong.
2) Discerning the spirits are NEVER wrong to do. Go back to #1.
3) Attacking brethern is NEVER right. Scripture states a procedure to do this. Go to the person and see if it can be worked out. I don't think a public forum, in front of God and everyone is the way to go. This type of problem between members is more detrimental to the cause of Jesus than 20 websites of UFO's.
4) You can't change anyone but yourself! But remember, ask yourself if you're elevating Jesus for all to see, or being detrimental to the cause.
I pray this will be well received, and if it's not, see #4.
P.S. Good to see that gorgeous blue eye, Lady L, and you Cuz, as always.
Ezekiel 33:1-9: The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, speak to your people, and say to them, ‘Suppose I bring a sword against the land, and the people of the land take one man from their borders and make him their watchman. He sees the sword coming against the land, blows the trumpet, and warns the people, but there is one who hears the sound of the trumpet yet does not heed the warning. Then the sword comes and sweeps him away. He will be responsible for his own death. He heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning, so he is responsible for himself. If he had heeded the warning, he would have saved his life. But suppose the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people. Then the sword comes and takes one of their lives. He is swept away for his iniquity, but I will hold the watchman accountable for that person’s death.’
“As for you, son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you must warn them on my behalf. When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you must certainly die,’ and you do not warn the wicked about his behavior, the wicked man will die for his iniquity, but I will hold you accountable for his death. But if you warn the wicked man to change his behavior, and he refuses to change, he will die for his iniquity, but you have saved your own life."
These are the last days, whether or not people want to believe it. It's a tough thing to hear, but it's true. Time is short, and it's a good thing to point out to people that things are happening quickly and He is coming soon. Time is important here, people don't have forever to think about it. I feel the urgency to wake people up.
This is scriptural, this is biblical.......this is what a christian is supposed to do.
“As for you, son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you must warn them on my behalf. When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you must certainly die,’ and you do not warn the wicked about his behavior, the wicked man will die for his iniquity, but I will hold you accountable for his death. But if you warn the wicked man to change his behavior, and he refuses to change, he will die for his iniquity, but you have saved your own life."
These are the last days, whether or not people want to believe it. It's a tough thing to hear, but it's true. Time is short, and it's a good thing to point out to people that things are happening quickly and He is coming soon. Time is important here, people don't have forever to think about it. I feel the urgency to wake people up.
This is scriptural, this is biblical.......this is what a christian is supposed to do.
You're 150% right about that! And that's the way it should have been handled from the start. If someone had a problem with me and what I post, they should have emailed me to discuss it instead of opening a big ugly can of worms that has snowballed into a big division here. Really sad, but I had a right to respond to the public accusations made against me. Maybe I shouldn't have, I don't know.
But, I am now able to put this issue to rest in my mind, I just had to say my peace. I do not hold a grudge against anyone here, and I forgive freely as I realize that nobody is perfect.
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ENOUGH!!!! Everyone take a deep breath. You have all had valid points, HOWEVER, I have not seen Jesus elevated in all of this. I know He is shaking His head. Guys, loved ones, brothers and sisters, don't let the p.o.p. win this! This is 5 times worse than a discovery of a one winged, whatever someone said. Before we, and I'm including myself in this, try to take the cinder out of a brethern's eye, let's remove the log in our own. When you point a finger, the thumb points back at you.
1) Speaking the words of Almighty God and Jesus are NEVER wrong.
2) Discerning the spirits are NEVER wrong to do. Go back to #1.
3) Attacking brethern is NEVER right. Scripture states a procedure to do this. Go to the person and see if it can be worked out. I don't think a public forum, in front of God and everyone is the way to go. This type of problem between members is more detrimental to the cause of Jesus than 20 websites of UFO's.
4) You can't change anyone but yourself! But remember, ask yourself if you're elevating Jesus for all to see, or being detrimental to the cause.
I pray this will be well received, and if it's not, see #4.
P.S. Good to see that gorgeous blue eye, Lady L, and you Cuz, as always.
Well said!!
ENOUGH!!!! Everyone take a deep breath. You have all had valid points, HOWEVER, I have not seen Jesus elevated in all of this. I know He is shaking His head. Guys, loved ones, brothers and sisters, don't let the p.o.p. win this! This is 5 times worse than a discovery of a one winged, whatever someone said. Before we, and I'm including myself in this, try to take the cinder out of a brethern's eye, let's remove the log in our own. When you point a finger, the thumb points back at you.
1) Speaking the words of Almighty God and Jesus are NEVER wrong.
2) Discerning the spirits are NEVER wrong to do. Go back to #1.
3) Attacking brethern is NEVER right. Scripture states a procedure to do this. Go to the person and see if it can be worked out. I don't think a public forum, in front of God and everyone is the way to go. This type of problem between members is more detrimental to the cause of Jesus than 20 websites of UFO's.
4) You can't change anyone but yourself! But remember, ask yourself if you're elevating Jesus for all to see, or being detrimental to the cause.
I pray this will be well received, and if it's not, see #4.
P.S. Good to see that gorgeous blue eye, Lady L, and you Cuz, as always.
Keep it civil ...... keep it private (BIG
for this recommendation regarding future disagreements.....)
“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17). Even disagreements, we need to part in such a way that other brethren and the world can say, “Yes, I still see the mind of Christ in them”.
I believe we've done that.
I believe we've done that.
Daily Words
Live the Love Life
"But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked."
(1 John 2:5-6)
There is nothing--absolutely nothing--that is more important than learning to love. In fact, how accurately you perfect the love walk will determine how much of the perfect will of God you accomplish. That's because every other spiritual force derives its action from love. For example, the Bible teaches us that faith works by love. And answered prayer is almost an impossibility when a believer steps outside of love and refuses to forgive or is in strife with his brother.
Without love, your giving will not work. Tongues and prophecy will not work. Faith fails and knowledge is unfruitful. All the truths that you have learned from God's Word work by love. They will profit you nothing unless you live the love of God.
First Corinthians 13:4-8 paints a perfect picture of how love behaves. It's patient and kind. It's not jealous or proud. It doesn't behave rudely or selfishly and it isn't touchy. Love "bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
Sounds like a tall order, doesn't it? But don't despair. You are a love creature. God has recreated your spirit in the image of love. And He has sent His love Spirit to live in you and teach you how to love as He loves. You can live the love life. Why not begin today? - Blue Knight April 2009
WOW!!!! I love this! I was rummaging through some of the older stuff and I saw this and went - good stuff! I thought that even if it is almost 2 years old, it still holds true for today. This hit me between the eyes as well. So, I apologize if I hurt anyone's feelings during this random comment thread. I love all my brothers and sisters, even when I don't show it. I don't have a problem with yielding to Jesus' Love, for it's His perfect love which we should share. If we're only thinking of ourselves, how can God's love shine through? Like I said, I'm talking about myself. Amein! Amein! Hallelujah to Almighty God the Father, Jesus the Son, and God the Holy Spirit!
Live the Love Life
"But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked."
(1 John 2:5-6)
There is nothing--absolutely nothing--that is more important than learning to love. In fact, how accurately you perfect the love walk will determine how much of the perfect will of God you accomplish. That's because every other spiritual force derives its action from love. For example, the Bible teaches us that faith works by love. And answered prayer is almost an impossibility when a believer steps outside of love and refuses to forgive or is in strife with his brother.
Without love, your giving will not work. Tongues and prophecy will not work. Faith fails and knowledge is unfruitful. All the truths that you have learned from God's Word work by love. They will profit you nothing unless you live the love of God.
First Corinthians 13:4-8 paints a perfect picture of how love behaves. It's patient and kind. It's not jealous or proud. It doesn't behave rudely or selfishly and it isn't touchy. Love "bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
Sounds like a tall order, doesn't it? But don't despair. You are a love creature. God has recreated your spirit in the image of love. And He has sent His love Spirit to live in you and teach you how to love as He loves. You can live the love life. Why not begin today? - Blue Knight April 2009
WOW!!!! I love this! I was rummaging through some of the older stuff and I saw this and went - good stuff! I thought that even if it is almost 2 years old, it still holds true for today. This hit me between the eyes as well. So, I apologize if I hurt anyone's feelings during this random comment thread. I love all my brothers and sisters, even when I don't show it. I don't have a problem with yielding to Jesus' Love, for it's His perfect love which we should share. If we're only thinking of ourselves, how can God's love shine through? Like I said, I'm talking about myself. Amein! Amein! Hallelujah to Almighty God the Father, Jesus the Son, and God the Holy Spirit!
I'm sorry, but I have a very different take on this.
Most of the new testament is about Christians, talking to Christians, about how to witness, represent, and understand God.
We're not talking about a personal issue here between two believers. When I've had a personal issue with a fellow Christian here, I brought it up to them in private. But when there is a doctrinal issue that is being brought up in public, I think it is DANGEROUS if we all of a sudden move to PM and make it appear that Christians don't examine their own house. If there are doctrinal disagreements, they should be dealt with.
I've looked at what has been said here and, especially for the regular posters in this sub-form, I think everything HAS been said in love. This is why we're not to abandon the assmbling of ourselves together. This is why iron sharpens iron. God knew we would have conflicts... this is what makes us stronger. We learn from one another. As I have been critical of Lisa (since that's who we're talking about) I have also defended her on NUMEROUS occasions. There has always been unity tween us, in spite of any disagreement. Is that not true Lisa?
We have to decide what this sub-forum is. SC, you have asked more than once, where everyone is. I've stopped posting as much because I felt that I spent most of my time in disagreement with someone in here about something. It seems that when a doctrinal issue comes up, there are people who frequently chime in that the discussion is inappropriate or some such... and the discussion trails off. Well when IS it appropriate? Since this is a public forum now, are we only to talk about things upon which we all agree? There are a lot more Christians on this board than post in this forum. I've heard a few of them on the other forums say that they didn't post because they didn't think dissent was welcome. I kinda get why they felt that way.
For me, part of my reasoning for staying in the shadows was the same reason you had SC... I didn't want to show such disagreement before non-christians. It didn't appear to be welcomed. But if we can't be honest in our discussions, what good is this forum? I'm asking a real question here that I think we all need to consider. Just what are we supposed to do in here? Are we putting on a show? Gumdrops and lollipops? Or are we Christians being Christians... iron sharpening iron?
Most of the new testament is about Christians, talking to Christians, about how to witness, represent, and understand God.
We're not talking about a personal issue here between two believers. When I've had a personal issue with a fellow Christian here, I brought it up to them in private. But when there is a doctrinal issue that is being brought up in public, I think it is DANGEROUS if we all of a sudden move to PM and make it appear that Christians don't examine their own house. If there are doctrinal disagreements, they should be dealt with.
I've looked at what has been said here and, especially for the regular posters in this sub-form, I think everything HAS been said in love. This is why we're not to abandon the assmbling of ourselves together. This is why iron sharpens iron. God knew we would have conflicts... this is what makes us stronger. We learn from one another. As I have been critical of Lisa (since that's who we're talking about) I have also defended her on NUMEROUS occasions. There has always been unity tween us, in spite of any disagreement. Is that not true Lisa?
We have to decide what this sub-forum is. SC, you have asked more than once, where everyone is. I've stopped posting as much because I felt that I spent most of my time in disagreement with someone in here about something. It seems that when a doctrinal issue comes up, there are people who frequently chime in that the discussion is inappropriate or some such... and the discussion trails off. Well when IS it appropriate? Since this is a public forum now, are we only to talk about things upon which we all agree? There are a lot more Christians on this board than post in this forum. I've heard a few of them on the other forums say that they didn't post because they didn't think dissent was welcome. I kinda get why they felt that way.
For me, part of my reasoning for staying in the shadows was the same reason you had SC... I didn't want to show such disagreement before non-christians. It didn't appear to be welcomed. But if we can't be honest in our discussions, what good is this forum? I'm asking a real question here that I think we all need to consider. Just what are we supposed to do in here? Are we putting on a show? Gumdrops and lollipops? Or are we Christians being Christians... iron sharpening iron?
I agree, Jason. I think it's a good time to determine what this forum is for. Let's face it, this is a Christian board that is mostly read by Christians. No one who is a non-believer is supposed to post here, per the rules. So, we are preaching to the choir, for the most part. However, the thread titles do show up when other ECF members select "New Posts." I don't know if they show up when "Today's Posts" is selected, but it might. As previously pointed out, those thread titles are what EVERYONE on ECF see. The request has been made by several CVers that we be more careful and sensitive wbout the wording in the titles. No one has requested censorship of thoughts and ideas. But, I see the majority of our group wanting more care taken in the representation of Chritians in general.
Most of us try not to "call out" specific people and berate and belittle them for not agreeing on every detail. But, some people seem to thrive on it. As several people here have requested, there should be none of that. Attacking someone and then recoiling in "it's okay for me to write that because I'm a better Chritian and I have a right to" is not acceptable. It's fine to disagree, but arguments should be only based on factual ground, not on the difference in the way scripture is interpreted. Throwing Bible verses around out of context or out of intended use does not make it one's right to scare or berate someone.
I think SC was right in saying that if something is expressed in a way that isn't putting Christianity first, it isn't in the spirit of CV. Jason wrote some great words about our ambassadorship as the front line of representing Christianity, and I fully agree. We are only mortal beings for now, and although we don't have Christ's position as the Son, we are His children, and are not children a reflection on the parents? If we act in an uncivilized, overzealous way toward each other, how does that reflection look?
It's great to share info, discuss theological ideas, and so on, but it must be done in the spirit of Christianity, with open eyes about who is watching us.
Most of us try not to "call out" specific people and berate and belittle them for not agreeing on every detail. But, some people seem to thrive on it. As several people here have requested, there should be none of that. Attacking someone and then recoiling in "it's okay for me to write that because I'm a better Chritian and I have a right to" is not acceptable. It's fine to disagree, but arguments should be only based on factual ground, not on the difference in the way scripture is interpreted. Throwing Bible verses around out of context or out of intended use does not make it one's right to scare or berate someone.
I think SC was right in saying that if something is expressed in a way that isn't putting Christianity first, it isn't in the spirit of CV. Jason wrote some great words about our ambassadorship as the front line of representing Christianity, and I fully agree. We are only mortal beings for now, and although we don't have Christ's position as the Son, we are His children, and are not children a reflection on the parents? If we act in an uncivilized, overzealous way toward each other, how does that reflection look?
It's great to share info, discuss theological ideas, and so on, but it must be done in the spirit of Christianity, with open eyes about who is watching us.
I am saddened that my post started an argument that caused bad feelings. I am sorry if my words were hurtful to anyone, that was not my intention. I love all of you and would never hurt any of you. As I said, I was strongly convicted to bring the subject to everyone's attention. I know it has been difficult. It is wonderful that we have managed to keep this discussion as loving and respectful as we have. We're doing pretty well for humans in the fallen state. We have kept God's commandment to love one another even in our disagreement.
Please allow me to give you some personal history that might explain why I feel so strongly about this - why we need to carefully examine how we say something, so that it will not be off-putting to those yet unsaved. There is a reason I feel so strongly about this.
I was not saved until I was 35 years old. That is not to say I was not religious. I was a passionate religious seeker my whole life. With great zeal I was looking for God in all the wrong places. Needless to say, I was always eventually disappointed with what I found. I studied every religion you can think of. I dug deeply, hoping that I would find God. Some places I dug deeper than others. I did not know Him at the time, so there were a lot of things that I thought "might be right." I quit digging when I was confronted with what I knew instinctively was definitely not of God. I crossed that religion off the list and moved on to the next possible right religion.
I crossed Christianity off the list of potentially right religions very early in my search. I saw in glimpses, many things that said the Christian God may be the true God, but the few Christians I met showed me things not of God. They came across as judgmental, illogical, and oftentimes bordering on hysterical. They made a stronger impression that those little glimpses. It is our nature to see the bad more clearly than we see the good. I figured if these people were representative of their God, then He could not be the right and true God. They may have had the best of intentions, and what they were saying may have, in fact, been true. But I was not ready to hear it in the way they were saying it, so I didn't listen.
It was these Christians, not my pagan upbringing or my many pagan acquaintances, that kept me from God all those years. I know I still have work to do on the resentment I feel towards these people. It is because of this that I am hyper critical of anything that might cause an unsaved person to "cross Christianity of their list."
By God's grace I was given enough time to get past my initial exposure to Christianity, to look past the things that turned me off. I accepted salvation not because of the zealousness of those people, but in spite of it.
Blonde was correct in saying that not everybody reads these posts from the same angle as I. I am sure very few do, and that is a good thing. But what if there is one person who does? What if they don't have thirty-five years to flounder around before looking at Christianity again? Time is short and we can't loose any souls. I might have a little sister out there who is just like I was. I don't want anything to turn her away from reconciliation with the family. I want her to be my sister now and forever. It is for her that I started this thread.
With love,
~A
Please allow me to give you some personal history that might explain why I feel so strongly about this - why we need to carefully examine how we say something, so that it will not be off-putting to those yet unsaved. There is a reason I feel so strongly about this.
I was not saved until I was 35 years old. That is not to say I was not religious. I was a passionate religious seeker my whole life. With great zeal I was looking for God in all the wrong places. Needless to say, I was always eventually disappointed with what I found. I studied every religion you can think of. I dug deeply, hoping that I would find God. Some places I dug deeper than others. I did not know Him at the time, so there were a lot of things that I thought "might be right." I quit digging when I was confronted with what I knew instinctively was definitely not of God. I crossed that religion off the list and moved on to the next possible right religion.
I crossed Christianity off the list of potentially right religions very early in my search. I saw in glimpses, many things that said the Christian God may be the true God, but the few Christians I met showed me things not of God. They came across as judgmental, illogical, and oftentimes bordering on hysterical. They made a stronger impression that those little glimpses. It is our nature to see the bad more clearly than we see the good. I figured if these people were representative of their God, then He could not be the right and true God. They may have had the best of intentions, and what they were saying may have, in fact, been true. But I was not ready to hear it in the way they were saying it, so I didn't listen.
It was these Christians, not my pagan upbringing or my many pagan acquaintances, that kept me from God all those years. I know I still have work to do on the resentment I feel towards these people. It is because of this that I am hyper critical of anything that might cause an unsaved person to "cross Christianity of their list."
By God's grace I was given enough time to get past my initial exposure to Christianity, to look past the things that turned me off. I accepted salvation not because of the zealousness of those people, but in spite of it.
Blonde was correct in saying that not everybody reads these posts from the same angle as I. I am sure very few do, and that is a good thing. But what if there is one person who does? What if they don't have thirty-five years to flounder around before looking at Christianity again? Time is short and we can't loose any souls. I might have a little sister out there who is just like I was. I don't want anything to turn her away from reconciliation with the family. I want her to be my sister now and forever. It is for her that I started this thread.
With love,
~A
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