Crossroads

[Diggin Deep]

In the words of Guy and Siph...

"There's one rule to this thread and as Guy put it so well, I'll repeat it:

Don't post anything not pertaining to the subject. I don't want to see a helpful thread become cluttered. Thanks for your understanding."

My hope is that this thread will be of some help to those who are seeking answers and would love to learn more about God and Christianity in general. I also hope that people will use this thread is to share their love for God and express their faith without having to worry about defending it. This is not a debate thread.

So please share:

Questions you have regarding: God, Jesus, The Bible, Christianity, etc. (no worries - there will be no stone throwing here)

Your Personal Testimony

Devotions (food for thought and bible study)

What inspires you (songs, sermons, books, etc.)

Praises & Concerns - what God is doing in your life and prayer requests

This is a safe place for everyone. But safe doesn’t mean comfortable. The answers aren’t always comfortable. In fact, we often grow only when we are pushed out of our comfort zone.

This is intended for people seeking truth and authentic community. And you're invited to join in! If you are one that is on the fence or has doubts about God and Christianity, let me say this: We do not expect you to agree with everything we do or say. We just ask that you are open to considering the possibility that there is a God who loves you and pursues you.

 

[Diggin Deep]

Christian?!? What Does A Christian Believe???

There's a God. Only one God, in fact, and He is the creator of everything. We're made in His image, which means we are like Him in many ways, except that He's God and we're not. He's loving and just and desires a relationship with us. And as individuals with free will, we have the freedom to respond to the relationship God's initiated with us, or not.

God loves us so deeply, that he sent His only son, Jesus, to die so the rest of us could live. The cost of making choices that separate us from God was spiritual death - until Jesus came and His death paid everyone's debt. That's serious love! Because of that serious, perfect love, the gift from God is waiting for anyone who wants to receive it. This is called Grace. And God gives grace freely and abundantly.

As for us, we need only to decide whether or not to believe and receive this stuff. If we decide to believe it, we can have a new, full life that will start now and never stop. And its OK to have a lot of questions along the way. Although God reveals things to us (including what He's revealed about Himself in the Bible), He remains mysterious and wonderful.

 

[purpledove]

I am proud to say I am a Christian!

I used to be of different faith. As a teenager, I had lots of questions about religion. I questioned particularly the penances and sacraments of my old religion. I questioned why religion was somewhat dividing people instead of uniting them. I questioned the existence of God! I used to disagree with those of different faith from mine thinking my faith is the real faith :ninja

When I was in college, I was shared by a Christian friend some pertinent Biblical teachings. I didn't shift right way. I remained to have more doubts! Nothing seemed to be making any sense! I continued to search. It took me 8 years to finally accept the Christian faith. What struck me is that fact that I am saved by grace and not by works as contrary to what I once was taught by my old religion.

It was quite difficult to fathom at first! However, through continuous learning and getting more evidences esp attending seminars of Reasons to Believe ( where scientists proved existence of a Perfect Being to have created everything ) and attending Q&A sessions for doubters--day by day my faith came alive. And here I am now! Still a sinner, no doubt! However I know that's the reason why I need a messiah as I know I am one messed up person but who is loved and accepted as the 'non- perfect me' by my Creator

 

[pjbleek]

I have watched my life from God being a awesome being and sharing, then there was the transition of doubt. The doubt was in seeing all the horrors in life and how could such a being allow these things to happen (long before 9/11) realized that God (and Son and Holy Spirit) have a plan and to accept them in your heart is much better than allowing those to preach to us. I do not need to go to Church to have hem in my heart. Yes, I am like everyone else in the fact that I do give into temptation and do things against the Commandments, but I am human after all and I do sin. That aside, the life of Jesus is rather interesting and am looking forward to the day I can talk to him and fully understand he is the Lord of Lords...

 

[purpledove]

Christian?!? What Does A Christian Believe???

There's a God. Only one God, in fact, and He is the creator of everything. We're made in His image, which means we are like Him in many ways, except that He's God and we're not. He's loving and just and desires a relationship with us. And as individuals with free will, we have the freedom to respond to the relationship God's initiated with us, or not.

God loves us so deeply, that he sent His only son, Jesus, to die so the rest of us could live. The cost of making choices that separate us from God was spiritual death - until Jesus came and His death paid everyone's debt. That's serious love! Because of that serious, perfect love, the gift from God is waiting for anyone who wants to receive it. This is called Grace. And God gives grace freely and abundantly.

This is one of the many questions I encounter with non-believers and was my question too when growing in my faith. I've always wondered if He was a perfect God why would he allow people to go against him? If God is all knowing, why didn't He anticipate such problems so He doesn't have to deal with people's doubts? All the whys?

The answer I was able to find was that: Coz God is an ever loving God that He gave us free will to freely love him. Not be some form of robots who would just abide by the way he wanted his creation to abide and love Him. If without free will, God dictated such love from his creation to be automatic. It wouldn't be 'true and sincere love'. That is when I understood how it totally made sense

And its OK to have a lot of questions along the way. Although God reveals things to us (including what He's revealed about Himself in the Bible), He remains mysterious and wonderful.

And this I can't deny that till this day, i still have lots of questions but will no doubt not sway me away from a loving God. Through the trials I've been through ( you guys just don't have a clue as to what I've been through ) I am a living testimony to God's saving and loving grace

 

[AUFred]

Let's just say...The Awesomeness of God is beyond our understanding. As it says in Psalms he knew me before I was born. He knew everything about me and knows me better than I know myself. And that is true of everyone regardless of who or what they profess as their God. He has a relationship with those who choose to follow him.

 

[Diggin Deep]

I have watched my life from God being a awesome being and sharing, then there was the transition of doubt. The doubt was in seeing all the horrors in life and how could such a being allow these things to happen (long before 9/11) realized that God (and Son and Holy Spirit) have a plan and to accept them in your heart is much better than allowing those to preach to us. I do not need to go to Church to have hem in my heart. Yes, I am like everyone else in the fact that I do give into temptation and do things against the Commandments, but I am human after all and I do sin. That aside, the life of Jesus is rather interesting and am looking forward to the day I can talk to him and fully understand he is the Lord of Lords...

I feel ya PJ. One of the biggest reasons I fell away from Christianity was because of suffering and tragedy. Not only in my life, but in the lives of so many in the world. It took me a long time to understand that God doesn't cause suffering, but even more importantly - why He allows it.

One might think that all the suffering should be over since Jesus paid the price for all mankind, but unfortunately, there is still suffering in this world and in this life. Although unpleasant and sometimes unspeakable, there are many lessons to learn from suffering. From that perspective, it is a spiritual blessing.

Not all who suffer choose to do so, but once in the midst of it, people make critical decisions. As we see in the story of Job (one amazing story) and when Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane for another way other than crucifixion.

It is noteworthy to consider that one of the first lessons God wants His people to learn is that although there is suffering in this life, He is the great Savior. "My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord; that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful." (James 5:10, 11)

Hellen Keller once said, "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved."

When suffering is viewed as having a purpose, one can learn from it, and use it for the benefit of teaching or helping others. Jesus Christ suffered willingly and by design. "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God." (1 Peter 3:18) Without His suffering for humanity, there would be no restoration or reconciliation with God.

Jesus' suffering was with a divine purpose. Contemporary author and motivational speaker, Robert Ringer, wrote, "The most worthwhile lessons in life are the ones we learn through adversity. Some day you may be in a situation that will require you to draw on that experience, perhaps to help someone dear to you through a similar issue."

There are worse things than suffering in life, and perhaps worse than suffering is not learning anything from the experience. All humans go through different kinds and various degrees of suffering, and some live lives full of it. Thankfully, we can rest assured that the suffering we face on earth is only temporary and we have much to look forward to

 

[Siphorous]

Good thread :thumbup

My testimony is very long but the turning point that finally was the catalyst to me becoming a Christian was Hebrews ch1:vs8-9

"But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. "

with the rest of Hebrews 1 backing those verses up of course.

 

[AUFred]

Just read this. Worth contemplating:

"The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. This is my God, and I will praise Him, my father's God, and I will exalt Him" (Exodus 15:2).

 

[pjbleek]

I remember watching Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ...stirring images...how he suffered...the pain...wondering what it was like in those days. someone being sent to be crucified...the pain again hits the pit of your stomach....

 

[AUFred]

I remember watching Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ...stirring images...how he suffered...the pain...wondering what it was like in those days. someone being sent to be crucified...the pain again hits the pit of your stomach....

It was both humiliating and torture. The Romans were excellent at inflicting torture. It was a slow agonyzing death. All the pain which was administered to him even before the cross was enough to kill him.

 

[Diggin Deep]

I remember watching Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ...stirring images...how he suffered...the pain...wondering what it was like in those days. someone being sent to be crucified...the pain again hits the pit of your stomach....

That movie left me in tears! Another great movie/movies is Jesus of Nazareth (1977).

 

[pjbleek]

That movie left me in tears! Another great movie/movies is Jesus of Nazareth (1977).

really? I never saw it....although the movie: Jesus Christ:Superstar helped put a better light on his life. And of course the man who everyone wants to blame but shouldn't Pontius Pilate...

 

[Diggin Deep]

really? I never saw it....although the movie: Jesus Christ:Superstar helped put a better light on his life. And of course the man who everyone wants to blame but shouldn't Pontius Pilate...

Yes...Jesus of Nazareth is really good. It is slow at the beginning and is like 6 hrs long, but goes thru all of the Gospels and depicts Jesus very well. One of the best actors I've seen play Him.

 

[pjbleek]

Yes...Jesus of Nazareth is really good. It is slow at the beginning and is like 6 hrs long, but goes thru all of the Gospels and depicts Jesus very well. One of the best actors I've seen play Him.

will have to see if it is still out...thanks!!!!:thumbup:thumbup:thumbup:thumbup

 

[Diggin Deep]

Not sure if any of you have heard of him...Ray Boltz, kind of an older Christian music artist. After watching some of those movies, I was left with a sense of anger - How could anyone do that to someone who only brought healing? My pastor at the time gave me a cd by Ray Boltz and one of the songs on it was "The Hammer".

Some other good songs of his that were on that cd are: The Anchor Holds, Thank You, Feel The Nails, The Altar - the only ones that come to mind. It has been forever and a day since I've heard any of them. The song lyrics for all of his songs are pretty deep.

 

[Diggin Deep]

Things I'm thankful for this weekend...

I got the opportunity to hang out with my sister's boyfriend Friday night - we had a blast!!! I went to non-denominational church today. It was the first time I've been to church in almost 2 years thanks to an invitation from an unexpected source. I am pretty sure I'll be going back! I started reading a book this weekend - "The Jesus I Never Knew" by Phillip Yancey. All together - I've had one of the best weekends I've had in a long time and it's not over yet!

 

[AUFred]

That is good stuff.

 

[Diggin Deep]

A few songs that I've heard lately that reflect on where I've been and hopefully where I'm going:

I'm not who I was ​

by Brandon Heath

So Long Self
by Mercy Me

...one in particular

I Refuse
by Josh Wilson

Sometimes I
I just want to close my eyes
And act like everyone's alright
When I know they're not

This world needs God
But it's easier to stand and watch
I could say a prayer and just move on
Like nothing's wrong

But I refuse
'Cause I don't want to live like I don't care
I don't want to say another empty prayer
Oh, I refuse

To sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse

I can hear the least of these
Crying out so desperately
And I know we are the hands and feet
Of You, oh God

So, if You say move
It's time for me to follow through
And do what I was made to do
Show them who You are

'Cause I don't want to live like I don't care
I don't want to say another empty prayer
Oh, I refuse

To sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse

To stand and watch the weary and lost
Cry out for help
I refuse to turn my back
And try and act like all is well

I refuse to stay unchanged
To wait another day, to die to myself
I refuse to make one more excuse

'Cause I don't want to live like I don't care
I don't want to say another empty prayer
Oh, I refuse

To sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse

 

[freakofnature]

I remember watching Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ...stirring images...how he suffered...the pain...wondering what it was like in those days. someone being sent to be crucified...the pain again hits the pit of your stomach....

I went to see that movie when it was in theatres. I made the mistake of bringing only one Kleenex tissue with me. Haha, wow, did I ever underestimate that movie.



I was born and raised Mennonite so my problem has never been knowing God but making Him personal. When you grow up in a faith based community it's so easy for one's personal faith to get lost in the whole. I'm still not sure if I've made mine entirely my own.