Heart To Heart

[Jules]

Well, I am already out on a limb. What else do I have to lose. I am not afraid to stand on the other side of the fence against popular opinion here. Everyone here is not afraid to defend their beliefs venomously. So will I. I figure either way I am damned. I use my words I am scorned. I use Gods word in the Bible, I am put to the stake also. I can not sit by and say nothing and still be able to live with myself. I have tried to word myself carefully so not to condemn other peoples beliefs, but to only share mine concerning whatever was being mentioned, backing myself with the Bible. I have watched the Bible get picked apart, "discredited" (supposedly), including the Bibles authors and content. I have been accused of making assumptions, squashing others and bullying if I truly believe the way I do. My beliefs have even been called ridiculous. Beliefs I hold dear to my heart to be true. Yes I do believe God still exists whether you agree with me or not. What does that matter to anyone else? I have heard many beliefs. Many far from mine. I don't ridicule them and get my feathers ruffled because they do not agree. (I bite my tongue). I state my beliefs then watch the dirt fly. I can not make you have the same beliefs, and I am not going to try. When I stated "When we die and stand before God (or just plain die if you are an athiest) we will know which beliefs are true and which are bull crap." Meaning we will know what beliefs out of many were really right, including mine, and which were wrong; or whatever. I try to stay and be positive, patient, and considerate of others feelings here. I try to make a point to never mock, or ridicule someones beliefs because I don't like it when it happens to me either. I like to think that everyone is entitled to share their beliefs even if they are not of popular opinion here. I will not be bitter, but I would like to be treated with the same respect. Sincerely, Julie

 

[katw_03]

Julie

As I sit here, reflecting on what you just posted, I am
grateful that someone can speak for those(us) who
believe in the Bible. I cannot speak as eloquently as you.
I believe the Bible is the absolute truth. The Father, Son,
& Holy Spirit guides me through my life. After 15 years of
marriage my husband is going to church with me for the
first time! He is a non believer, but willing to learn and Listen.
I don't expect miracles, but I believe in the power of Jesus
Christ. I have faith that you will continue to share the good
news of the Bible. God Bless, kat

 

[Mama San]

Amen!!!
God bless,
Mama san

 

[justice808]

That subject is a little too heavy for me!I will just say that whatever ones choosen faith,respect & respect alike.

 

[Lotussan]

I for one respect you, Julie, honest...But I am very confused about the judgement thing...I know your faith is strong, so I wonder why you think it's going to take until you get to that point in front of God to know if you were right or wrong...Isn't his word the gospel? Or does it depend on interpretation, which I know can vary of course...Shouldn't one already know if they are 100% right, there shouldn't be any any doubt...But I guess that's why they talk of faith, without question..Because doesn't the bible teach that doubting anything about the bible is wrong, and sacreligious? I guess I am confused again...
I am not trying to be condescending at all, so if I sound like it I am so sorry...
You seem to know a lot about it though, so I am very open to listen....
I need explainations, but it sounds like you do too, sometimes...
Sorry if I am offending you...
I totally respect what you believe, I feel everyone is entitled to their own beliefs...

 

[Jules]

Lotus, I do believe in the Bible and God 100%. Do you realize what kind of fire storm would start if I said that mine was 100% right, then pointed to others and their religion and judged them where I have no authority to judge? Everyone has to decide for themselves which is right and which is wrong. I have made my decision. I have to respect the choices everyone else makes whether I agree with them or not. Does that make any sense? I do not know how else to put it with out stepping on other peoples beliefs and feelings. Sincerely, Julie

 

[tora]

I'm a Christian,a Muslim,a Judaist,a Buddhist,a Zoroastrist,a Hinduist and none of them.Coz basically it's all the same.

 

[Lotussan]

Lotus, I do believe in the Bible and God 100%. Do you realize what kind of fire storm would start if I said that mine was 100% right, then pointed to others and their religion and judged them where I have no authority to judge? Everyone has to decide for themselves which is right and which is wrong. I have made my decision. I have to respect the choices everyone else makes whether I agree with them or not. Does that make any sense? I do not know how else to put it with out stepping on other peoples beliefs and feelings. Sincerely, Julie

ok, Julie, thanks for the reply...
I guess that means that you are confident that when you get judged it will come out all right, meaning of course that you'll go to heaven, with no question...
I am sorry if I am mistaken about the gospel at all....
I probably am...
So is faith the most important thing to you, or is living right and not sinning completely essential, too?
Do you go by the ten commandments?
And if you sin do you ask to be forgiven right then?
I know the catholics have confession...
I guess I am just curious to know what else is most important besides
those things when it comes to the judgement day, am I missing anything?
Probably so....
These are all just questions out of curiousity, I am not judging you in any way, and not starting a debate, I am just asking to get to know you...
Please understand me, I mean no offense, really...

 

[Jules]

I'm a Christian,a Muslim,a Judaist,a Buddhist,a Zoroastrist,a Hinduist and none of them.Coz basically it's all the same.

All the religions you mentioned tora, I don't think believe in the same things. Don't Buddhists pray to Buddha? Muslims pray to Allah? I do not know what a zoroastrist is, or a Judaist. I have never heard of it. I only pray to God of the Bible. I read a book on some of those religions. From what I read their beliefs are not the same, Which from my understanding would not make them the same. Then again I am not a scholar of religions. I am only familiar with my own. The word "christian" has been liberalized and lost the meaning it used to have. For example a long time ago if you said someone was "gay", it meant happy. Now if you hear the word most people think of a homosexual. I don't know what to say Tora.

 

[tora]

Zoroastrism came from Zaratustra.He was a persian prophet.
And one more thing.To state what you state about the other religions you need to learn about them first.
And I'm not gonna start a white issue here.

 

[katw_03]

Lotus, I do believe in the Bible and God 100%. Do you realize what kind of fire storm would start if I said that mine was 100% right, then pointed to others and their religion and judged them where I have no authority to judge? Everyone has to decide for themselves which is right and which is wrong. I have made my decision. I have to respect the choices everyone else makes whether I agree with them or not. Does that make any sense? I do not know how else to put it with out stepping on other peoples beliefs and feelings. Sincerely, Julie

Julie, Excellent post!!! You go girl, stand up for what you believe in.
Thanks to you, I have recovered my backbone regarding Christianity!

love ya, kat

 

[Jules]

Lotus, You hit so many bases it is hard to know where to start to share what I believe. When it comes to God to me, it is not just faith; but also trust. Trust in the almighty God who sent his son to die for everyone. He did that because everyone in the world has sinned. "For All have sinned and, come short of the glory of God :"Romans 3:23. Why did Jesus die, if we can get to heaven by our works? What good did it do for Jesus to die if there is no change in our lives. Jesus became the bridge. I know I will never be good enough or be able to do enough to get to heaven. That is where Jesus comes in. Believe, trust in him, ask for forgiveness, and repent. I can only live the way the Lord would want me to and try to not sin and disappoint him. Many times I am sure I do. I land on my face. I get up and ask the Lord to forgive me and take my hand and walk with me in life that hopefully others will see him in my life. As for the Ten Commandments you mentioned, they are some of the laws God mentioned to follow for our good not for his. Lately Lotus, I have been praying to God that somehow I would be able to be a George Bailey (character from the movie "It's a Wonderful Life") in the people I come across in everyday life. Julie

 

[Lotussan]

Thanks for the reply, Julie...
I don't know where my faith has gone, you may think that is evil, but
I don't call questioning things evil...
I have been a trusting person all my life, given the wrong people my trust as well, and gotten hurt emotionally, so now I don't trust too well...
I do believe in the power of prayer though, as in faith, no matter what your faith is, it's important to have some kind of faith...
I was raised a Christian, and I still pray to god, even though I am embracing buddhism as a path in my life...
It's hard to completely abandon things when you were raised with those ideas, but one can and should be open to all possiblities, and try to realize that there is more than one way to look at life and at faith...
Most of all, just do what feels right, be a good person, do good deeds,
and all will be fine...
That goes for all religions, IMO...
It's very nice to get to know you, Julie, and thanks a lot for the reply...

 

[Lotussan]

I edited the part about being a good person....
I took out the word "try" because it might make the Sensei cringe
if he views this message...
We can all be good, it just takes the effort...

 

[ZenLateralus]

I believe in the Bible and God, I just don't like related religious practices that are part of christianity and catholicism. Other religions seem to have many similarities, as Tora has noted, and have some parts that are very strongly believable that aren't in the Bible.

 

[Lotussan]

True...I don't like the hypocrites in church, and will never go back to the church...
The problem with many religions, is that people do not practice what they preach...
I think it's rather disgusting, personally...
If they did what they know they should, harmony would prevail, instead of the chaos
that is taking over the world right now...

 

[Amos Stevens]

Many years ago..I had actually found a minister that didn't cram religion down your throat.He made it enjoyable to go to church-more so than the 5 cent donut you got afterwards
Unfortantly when he left he was replaced with another minister who spent his time screaming God at you & passing the collection plate

 

[Jules]

Lotussan, There will always be people who will hurt you whether you go to church or not. "The good, the bad, and the down right ugly are everywhere." You get hurt at church, you can get hurt at work, or even a relative will hurt your feelings. I have been hurt by people in church, but I will not let that stop me from going. It is not Gods fault people do not listen to him and act like the devil. It is just like high school in every day life. The rude and insensitive people are everywhere. My girlfriend came over saturday with her kids. We were talking when all of a sudden she started crying. She told me she was sitting with a new person to the church at a church dinner. Another woman walked up to them and told the new person "If I had known you had no one to sit with you could have come to our table." Now doesn't that sound like high school. It is a shame that people no matter where you are treat another person so cruelly. That example was not Gods fault. If the woman was being a Godly example, she would have never said that. Some people do it intentionally. Why I will never know. Some people do not mean to hurt others. Another example is, I accidently stepped on Jalu's toes concerning politics. I didn't mean to, and I did appologize. I know I am not perfect. (very far from perfect)If I have ever made someone get turned off to God because of me, I do not think I would be able to forgive myself. Sincerely, Julie

 

[Jules]

Many years ago..I had actually found a minister that didn't cram religion down your throat.He made it enjoyable to go to church-more so than the 5 cent donut you got afterwards
Unfortantly when he left he was replaced with another minister who spent his time screaming God at you & passing the collection plate

I had one like that too. No matter how tired you were, you did not accidently fall asleep. When he really got into his message the louder he got. Good speaker, just too loud. He liked to pass the plate a lot. Each person is different just like their personality. I think his heart was in the right place, but his"bed side manner was lacking." I think that can hurt a pastor when reaching out to people.

 

[Jules]

Did you ever go somewhere where you have a favorite spot? When you got there someone else was in it? This is a food for thought someone sent me, based in a church setting.

WHO TOOK YOUR PLACE?
Author: Unknown

One day, a man went to visit a church. He got there early, parked his car, and got out. Another car pulled up near and the driver got out and said, "I always park there! you took my place!"
The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat and sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated, "That's my seat! You took my place!"
The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing.

After Sunday School, the visitor went into the sanctuary and sat down. Another member walked up to him and said, "That's where I always sit! you took my place!" The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still said nothing.

Later as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood up, and his appearance began to change. Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet.
Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out, "What happened to you?"

The visitor replied, as his hat became a crown of thorns, and a tear fell from his eye, "I took your place."