Jesus took this selfish, self-centered, drug addict and forgave my sins, filled my broken heart with unfailing love, fullness of joy and peace that cannot be understood. (sin is selfishness, pride of heart, or more practically dishonoring our loving Creator by our selfish and proud behavior) Jesus healed my marriage, made me realize how much pride I have and how damaging it is to love. He blessed me with a spiritual desire to love every other person I've ever met. He filled my heart with gratefulness, patience, kindness, and self control. He became to me the father I did not have growing up. He gave me a purpose to love and serve others and he put a determination in my heart to live my life as a servant to others. He gave me 5 wonderful children who are experiencing the very same things in their lives inspite of the failings of there dad. He took away all guilt, fear and condemnation from my mind. He gave me a great gift of forgiveness for everyone who has wronged me or offended me. He has caused me to hate sin in my life, which again can only be defined as my selfish and prideful choice to disobey and dishonor Jesus; and He gives me the compassion to put away judging others. He is more beautiful to me than all the best in this world. He has made suffering my joy, disappointment my hope and tears my freedom. I would gladly give my life to share what Jesus put in my heart. I would be a fool indeed to think any other way about God, than to say I worship and love Him with all my heart. I find the bible to be true, and easy to understand when you are broken and humbled inside. I love Him so much. If you are a Christian and this is not your experience you are only robbing yourself. Surrender you entire being and you will to Jesus. Nothing else will satisfy the longings of your heart IMHO.
eh, sorry...this is an eyesore. The phrase is "intents and purposes". It is NOT "intensive purposes". That doesn't even make sense. Anyway, no offense. That is all
To be honest, I wouldn't say that I am solid with the whole of the bible. I do believe that it gives meaning to our existence, which I understand to be that God is perfectly loving, just and worthy of all of creation's worship. As Creator He defines what is right; anything otherwise is sin. Although He created us He gave us free will. We have the choice to commune with Him in His government which leads to true happiness and eternal life. We can also choose our own government (Lucifer's by proxy) which ultimately leads to destruction. At the end of the day, I believe that in judgement God will prove to be true.
Same here except I think I have a larger disdain for organized religion than you. I think most church leaders are power hungry, self centered, arrogant pricks and those are the better ones.
You know, never thought about it to this extent. But I do agree that in a perfect world this is the way we should live.
Why don't we simplify the question once more.(Or oversimplify I'm sure some of you will say) Wouldn't you die for your Mother? Her protection, her honor, her love. Now if the answer is "yes" then why wouldn't you die for your creator, your mother's creator the origin of all life. Some will say "What kind of mother would sentence you to die?" To those I simply say "it isn't a literal request she makes verbally but something you feel you need to do internally." Your life means something "yes." But it is inevitable that you will die. Why die arguing on this BBS from a Patty Melt induced coronary? Stand for something to someone and live in there memory as an example of how to sacrifice for those you love. simple Love thy Neighbor. Honor thy Family. It ain't Rocket science.
I don't want to speak for the OP...but giving your life to God is church-speak for living a life devoted to Him and the things you understand he cares about. It doesn't mean you're walking to the nearest church to lay down on the altar for blood sacrifice.
A friend of mine owns a small hotel across the street from a church. There is a deal set up with the church to offer discounted room rates, etc. Every Sunday night, the pastor requests rooms for young ladies. I think he is already married, but he spends the night with different ladies every week... really young ones too... like 18 or 19. Plus he drives a Phantom, a CL65, and a Bentley.
I have found out the Answer as to why: 1. God exist. 2. Why God let's things happens (Murder/Rape/War/etc.) 3. I know why there are so many people that believe in different type of Gods 4. Why in the Bible/Koran/Torah etc.. The saying he is the Beginning and the End. 5. Why some people believe / and not believe there is a God. 6. Why we have different religions. 7. Why Science is correct but also is religion (Well not all of religion is correct). 8. Why there is a such thing as the supernatural and the afterlife. After many many many years of my childhood,high school,College, and after I have found out Why. Sorry guys I would tell you but I'm trying to put together more of my theories and have it published. I want some credit for my ideas. And Yes I have checked the Internet and no one has put together what I have thought of.
Some of the fallacy of people who are anti-religion looking at the shortcommings of man and correlating them to God. I'm sure agnostic people don't judge whether they made the right decision based on the actions of other non-believers. I'm not a big Pro-religion guy either but I won't let any man(knowing we are all imperfect) determine what I believe. That post is simple gossip and doesn't even remotely relate to this thread topic.
I'm not anti-religion at all. I'm actually quite fascinated by religion. I only brought this pastor stuff up because I was responding to another post.
