Thread: God's Minute

So aside from ignorance of the real world, this religion is all about needing an imaginary friend to hold your hand through life? Or am I missing something?

It's bad advice really. You should fear some other people, some other places and some other things. Fear evolved for a reason, you know? You should probably fear a car coming at you. You should probably fear a lunatic with a gun and you should probably fear death valley. You should fear some things because they will hurt you or kill you. That's part of life.

Or does the bible say otherwise?

I know exactly where I am going when I die and no, i'm not afraid of death.

That's right! You're going to hell because you didn't worship Allah and pray to mecca 5 times a day.

And it doesn't matter what sort of pain your family and friends go through after you die of course. You could just up and decide to die anytime you want to.

I wonder if you should fear the pain along the way though. Do Christians not feel pain. Is that how you know its for real?

I really like you Stoned, but why not leave this thread? It should be for people (Christian and otherwise) who just want to be built up in their beliefs even if they don't completely agree on certain points. Why not start a new thread for debates if you find something here that seems questionable (or laughable) to you?

Great Scriptures, Dave.
Though I'm one of Jehovah's Witnesses and we don't agree on certain fine points, I'd like to contribute some thoughts here.
We have a publication called "Examining the Scriptures Daily".
Here is what is says for today:

"Child, your sins are forgiven.- Mark 2:5.

Jesus' attitude toward people attracted them to his message. For instance, his love and humility drew lowly ones to him. He expressed compassion for those who came to him and comforted them with kind words, healing many physically. (Mark 2:1-12) We can be successful evangelizers if we cultivate and display the qualities manifested by Jesus. How fitting it is, then, that we imitate Christ as zealous evangelizers! When some became Jesus' disciples in the first century, Peter asked: "What actually will there be for us?" Jesus replied: "Everyone that has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive many times more and will inherit everlasting life." (Matt. 19:27-29) That is certain to be our experience if we continue to imitate the greatest Missionary, Jesus Christ. [reference: w08 2/15 4:15, 17, 18]

Originally Posted by Zhaylin

I really like you Stoned, but why not leave this thread? It should be for people (Christian and otherwise) who just want to be built up in their beliefs even if they don't completely agree on certain points. Why not start a new thread for debates if you find something here that seems questionable (or laughable) to you?

I really like you to Zhaylin but I have to say that I find it not just questionable or indeed even laughable but downright dangerous to subjugate one's capability for rational thought to 'belief'. I recognize that this is for people that want to be 'built up in their belief' and I think that that's dangerous.

As I've said elsewhere, I think that creationism is ignorant and that the whole group of fundamentalist beliefs that come with it are bigoted, misogynist, hateful, dishonest, and on the whole, lacking in anything that anybody with recognizable spiritual wisdom would recognize as such.

I'm sorry I'm talking shit about your beliefs but it is what it is. From my perspective, I'm not talking shit about you but about a mind virus that has taken you over. Consider this to be like going door to door and trying to save people. I sometimes do get aggravated with people for allowing it to happen to them though.

Faith in anything beyond yourself and those that you share your life with should be broken down, not built up. It should be replaced with knowledge where that is possible and with honest uncertainty when it is not.

Faith based religion makes people to stupid (and sometimes malevolent and dangerous) things.

Be a good person, love your neighbor, etc. Any god worth the name will reward you for that. God doesn't need its ass kissed.

So we agree on some things
Blind faith is silly. In my research, however, I find that religion and science agree on many points. Read the Creation Account and the order in which things were created and compare it the the theories of evolution. I'm not a literalist about most things. I don't believe that God created the world in 6 DAYS (he rested during the 7th and the New Testament says God is STILL resting... how many thousands of years has it been lol? God's timetable is NOT that of man's).

But we're not telling people to drink some "magic koolaid" so they can ascend to some spiritual plane. I like your comparision of shooting down the beliefs of religious people to saving them in a sort of ministry of your own.
But people will believe what they will believe. You should respect their choice and move on.
Personally, I'm abhored by the fact that so many people believe God takes babies and others to be angel's with him in Heaven. Or that so many people blame God when something bad happens. Or that they think their dead loved ones can still communicate with them. If someone asks my views about such things, I'll be more than happy to share them and show them from the Bible why I feel that way.
But I'm not pushy about it.
When Jesus taught the disciples about the ministry he told them to enter the house of someone wanting to listen and to stay as long as they were welcome. But if the people didn't want to listen, the disciples were to walk away and "shake the dust from their feet".

When Jehovah's Witnesses go out into the community and share the Bible with people, our intention is not to convert people. It's to find people who are hungering for spiritual/Biblical answers.
You seem to be zealous for beliefs to the point that you try to convert people to your way of thinking.
A Brother once gave an illustration of sharing the Bible with those who are spiritually starving for answers. He went on to say that you can't force feed people who are already full. If someone is satified with their religion and life, great! We have a nice conversation with them and then move on.

Perhaps you should consider doing the same?
(Though I DO love a great, respectful debate and hearing all sides and opinions, perhaps some areas should be off limits and peaceful?)

Here's today's daily text.

"Children, be obedient to your parents in everything.- Col. 3:20."

The daily text is actually copy-righted and I'm trying to be a good person so I wont quote it.

It speaks, however of how Christian men are supposed to take the lead.
The Bible teaches that Christ is the head of the congregation, God is the head of Christ, men are the head of women and children are supposed to be obedient to both their parents.
A lot of people, now-a-days have a hard time with being submissive to anyone but that's because human tendency is to abuse any power they may have over others, which causes negative feelings about submission.
Christians, however, are to follow the examples of God and Jesus. When dealing with our family, we're to do so in a loving and patient way.
The apostles continuously argued about who was more important. Jesus patiently corrected their views. He didn't say: "Come on, dumbies, how many times do we have to go over this?!" He knew they were imperfect humans and dealt with their shortcomings in a loving manner.

The text then went on to give the example of Eli and his two sons, Hophni and Phinehas. Even though Eli was a priest in Israel, his sons were "good-for-nothing men" who didn't "acknowledge Jehovah". Their course of badness resulted in their deaths and upon hearing that his sons had died, Eli too passed away.
As parents, it's our responsibility to teach our children. We can't get so wrapped up in our lives and outside responsibilities that we ignore them.

I believe in God, but not for the comfort that he'll burn all of my enemies in hell while I chill out in heaven.

God makes me more scared of death anyway. I really do not understand people when they say that believing in an afterlife makes them 'less scared' of death. It's sickening, really.

Originally Posted by davej

I know exactly where I am going when I die and no, i'm not afraid of death.

But it's alright for ME to go to hell! You won't be afraid because it won't be happening to YOU.

YOU
YOU
YOU
YOU

YOU will be saved
YOU will spend eternity with God
YOU will do this
YOU will do that

Zhaylin, enjoyed your scripture as well, things for sharing and please continue to join in. even though we may have some different view points, i still consider you a sister through Christ!

Stoned, if you really believe Allah is God, good for you. Please feel free to share some scripture as well. I'm not the type to go pushing religion on someone. I have started these God's minute to share with those who may get some encouragement from them. I don't hold it against anyone if they believe in buddah or Allah or whoever. that is your choise and I invite anyone who believes in any other religions to share scripture, beliefs, ideas etc...
Also, I would love to know why Christianity is so dangerious.
lastly, i am sure my family would be saddened by my death but, they will all know where i am and at some point, we will be reunited. My mom pasted away about 10 years ago and yes it was extremely hard but I find comfort in the fact that I know she is in heaven and I know I will see her again.

Idolfan, we have had this discussion before. Yes I believe in Heaven and Hell. What you believe is your choice and if you feel there is no hell then why are you so worried? Christianity is not for just me but for anyone who accepts Jesus as their Lord and savior

HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU TO
GUARD YOU IN ALL YOUR WAYS.
( PSALM 91:10 *NIV )

You may take comfort in knowing that God is always
watching over us. He even sends us a guardian angel
when we need one! For there are many examples of this
written in the Scriptures. ( 1 KINGS 19:5; DANIEL 6:22;
MATTHEW 18:10; LUKE 16:22 & ACTS 12:7 )

After all it is also written of angels: THEY WILL LIFT YOU
UP IN THEIR HANDS, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE
YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE. For; ARE NOT ALL
ANGELS MINISTERING SPIRITS SENT TO SERVE THOSE
WHO WILL INHERIT SALVATION? ( PSALM 91:12 ) &
( HEBREWS 1:14 )

Therefore, HE WHO DWELLS IN THE SHELTER OF THE
MOST HIGH WILL REST IN THE SHADOW OF THE
ALMIGHTY. And; "BECAUSE HE LOVES ME," SAYS THE
LORD, "I WILL RESCUE HIM; I WILL PROTECT HIM, FOR
HE ACKNOWLEDGES MY NAME. HE WILL CALL UPON
ME, AND I WILL ANSWER HIM; I WILL BE WITH HIM IN
TROUBLE, I WILL DELIVER HIM AND HONOR HIM.
( PSALM 91:1 ) & ( PSALM 91:14-15 )

Again, take comfort in knowing that our Heavenly
Father is always watching over us, and ready to send us help
when ever we need it! Therefore: BLESSED BE THE LORD
GOD OF ISRAEL FROM EVERLASTING TO EVERLASTING!
AND LET ALL THE PEOPLE SAY, "AMEN!"
( PSALM 106:48 )

Originally Posted by davej

Idolfan, we have had this discussion before. Yes I believe in Heaven and Hell. What you believe is your choice and if you feel there is no hell then why are you so worried? Christianity is not for just me but for anyone who accepts Jesus as their Lord and savior

Dave, why do you think belief is a choice? Since you keep claiming it is, please do something for a lot of us. Believe for five minutes that you are a billionaire. Truly, sincerely believe it. Then, leave a post about what it was like to believe you were a billionaire. I'm serious. Will you do that? If you do, it will help some of us reconsider the idea of choosing to believe in God. I really want to understand your idea about choosing to believe.

Universal, I already feel as if I am a billionaire just knowing Jesus as my Lord and Savior.

dave, I'm hurting for some new math books. Help a brother out with your billions?

WIsh I could there Philosopher. I have a few old math books from college... mainly statistics... ha ha

Originally Posted by davej

Universal, I already feel as if I am a billionaire just knowing Jesus as my Lord and Savior.

That's cute. Now take me up on the actual challenge.

Blind faith is silly.

Is there any other kind of faith?

Fear is a feeling that is inherent in humans. The trick is merely control it and harness it for better emotions. You don't need any god or faith for that. Just practice. Some may find courage from faith, but in the it is just that. Faith. Faith can and will crumble in moments and once it is gone there is nothing left. Abolish faith.

There is no such thing as blind faith, and I wish someone would officially retire this nonsense expression. Every single believer in Christ has a reason they believe.

Thanks Dave and Kingerman.

I'm afraid prayer doesn't work that way, UM. When Satan was tempting Jesus, during a fast when he was hungry, Satan asked: 'Why not ask for food and have some appear?' Jesus replied that we must not put God to the test.
Another Scripture says that whatever we ask for will be given but other Scriptures shows that what we ask for must be in harmony with God's will. So praying to win the lottery is a no-no because gambling is a sin.
And even we ask for something good, his answer might be "not yet" or "no". Paul prayed several times for his vision to be healed, but God told him no. God uses imperfect vessels to do perfect work.

hahaa... today daily text is:
"Persevere in prayer.- Rom. 12:12"

It highlights the importance of prayer and how having a good routine of prayer and Bible study are essential to maintaining spiritual health. It also points out that when a person is married and/or has children, that praying and studying together helps in unifying and strengthening them.
Additional Scriptures provided are James 4:8 and Eph. 6:18

This is just one of many areas I need to work on. I know for a fact that when I pray and study with my kids, we function better as a unit. But studying is so time consuming and exhausting and I'm still not comfortable about praying with/for others. Growing up, my prayers were private and almost constant (I spoke to God throughout the day as if conversing with a dear friend).
But I need to get over myself and just do it lol

Originally Posted by kingerman

There is no such thing as blind faith, and I wish someone would officially retire this nonsense expression. Every single believer in Christ has a reason they believe.

Reason they might have, but the proof remains non-existant. Thus, blind faith is a great pair of words to express such a thing.

The Lord will give strength to His people;
The Lord will bless His people with peace.
( Psalms 29:11 *NKJV )

Now in this World today it is hard for most people
to find any peace! Confusion abounds no matter where
we go. We were warned about this by our Savior Jesus
Christ, for He said, "These things I have spoken
to you, that in Me you may have peace. In
the world you will have tribulation; but be
of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
( John 16:33 )

After All; God is not the author of confusion
but of peace, as in all the churches of the
saints. ( 1 Corinthians 14:33 )

Therefore, when you find yourself troubled
always look to Jesus Christ, For He Himself is our
peace, (Ephesians 2:14) A loving caring peace
that we become filled with on our spiritual journey. Plus that
is only one of the blessings we receive on that journey,
for it is also written; The fruit of the Spirit is love,
joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Against such things there is no law.
( Galatians 5:22-23 )

So my friend, it is my prayer that; The peace of God,
which surpasses all understanding, will guard
your heart and mind through Christ Jesus.
( Philippians 4:7 ) now and always! Amen.

Dave, why do you ignore my issue? You seem like you want to preach, so why not help me out with what I am wondering? I am bringing up an honest issue, and if you have a good answer, it could clear up a whole lot for me. Ignoring it is not very polite or helpful of you.

UM, do you think maybe you could take it up with him in PM?
It does seem kind of rude, Dave posted this thread with the intention of discussing scripture with fellow christians. Not for people to challenge him.

No, everyone wants to see this.