T1B

Van wrote:Why is a belief in Christ even necessary anymore? Believing in God should be enough. For the majority of people living 2,000 years later, the story of Jesus simply has no compelling relevancy.

There are many things that might be said about this, too, but I'll give a brief reply.
Reading it, Jesus' dialogue with the Pharisees in Luke 16 came to mind.

At the end of the conversation (v.31), Jesus said of some non-believers, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

There are some who just will not be moved.

And you know what?
Going back to Cain and Abel, there have been "peoples" (because they will not be moved) who God just left alone.
Left them to wallow in their pitiful disaster.

Cain ignored the Covenant - and God sent him off and he produced a people which God left alone.
It is such today, where there are peoples who God leaves alone.

If you are reading this, you might consider that God is not leaving you alone, but is allowing you to hear His Word.

It's no small blessing, im"o".

If God really gave a shit, he'd make sure I hear His word. Rather than relying on a man-made book of ancient fables that basically mirrors the holy books of every other major religion, he'd pay me a visit and deliver His word Himself.

He could knock out such a visit in a matter of a minute or so, and I guarantee you that it would work.

Van wrote:

He could knock out such a visit in a matter of a minute or so, and I guarantee you that it would work.

Maybe, but then you'd be called a Christer, holy roller, lunatic, bigot, etc. and you'd be spending the rest of your life trying to convince others that you've experienced truth in your life and you want them to know about it. You might even end up trying to explain it to people on a message board.

Python wrote:

Van wrote:

He could knock out such a visit in a matter of a minute or so, and I guarantee you that it would work.

Maybe, but then you'd be called a Christer, holy roller, lunatic, bigot, etc. and you'd be spending the rest of your life trying to convince others that you've experienced truth in your life and you want them to know about it. You might even end up trying to explain it to people on a message board.

That would be ironic. To see God and wind up living in hell.

Van wrote:If God really gave a shit, he'd make sure I hear His word. Rather than relying on a man-made book of ancient fables that basically mirrors the holy books of every other major religion, he'd pay me a visit and deliver His word Himself.

He could knock out such a visit in a matter of a minute or so, and I guarantee you that it would work.

You've heard it, you've just chose to dismiss it.

Damnnd if I'm reading this whole thead, but somebody, likely tart, has mentioned that we wrestle not with flesh and blood, but spiritual principalities.

You can ridicule that Van, I don't blame you if you do. I've fought with them and lost, but I know they exist. A quite palpable existance, hanging over your bed while you try to sleep.

The seeker that you are, you've probably felt them too. I know you have.

I have no advice for you my friend other than praying the way Jesus taught us to pray.

Works for me.

No, Wags, I haven't heard it, and I would never choose to dismiss it. All I've ever heard are men and women quoting religious texts, in addition to offering their personal narratives. Neither of those entirely mundane occurences constitute a personal visit from God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit.

Van, you have heard it.

I have witnessed to you, as have others.

You are deaf, dumb, and blind. You want a burning bush moment that you'll have to find for yourself.

Most likely, that moment will be when Satan stands over you and laughs like he did at me when I was earnestly seeking. He stood over my bed and laughed at me for even trying Van, I shit you not. He told me I couldn't do it. And he was right, I'm a miserable failure. But I know the truth, and this is what I speak.

But dude won't waste a second over you or me.

God bless 'tart for still trying.

Wags, people telling me their stories doesn't cut it. I don't need to be "witnessed to," I need my own story.

Satan? I'm sure he's already done his bit on me.

Van wrote:I need my own story.

I hope you find what you're looking for.

I seldom say a prayer for anybody other than my own selfish, forlorn ass, but I'll say a word or two for you next time.

War Wagon wrote: I seldom say a prayer for anybody other than my own selfish, forlorn ass, but I'll say a word or two for you next time.

nice....maybe "the man upstairs" will listen to you and decide that he should cut Van a break, despite Van's protestations....

Danish physicist Niels Bohr once hung a horseshoe over his doorway. Appalled friends exclaimed that surely he didn’t put any trust in such pathetic superstition. “No, I don’t,” he replied with composure, “but apparently it works whether you believe in it or not.”