Just Tossing Around Thoughts

semi.. there's a married couple i am friends with.. been friends with them for YEARS.. they don't have to preach to anyone.. spend 5 minutes with them.. they walk the walk, no doubt about it. i have other friends, just like ole bill.. i don't see them very often.. works out great, for me!

Yeah, I know people like that. They don't have to tell you they're Christians, you can see it. Too bad there's not more of them.

semi.. i also know some atheists who do more for their fellow man than any church ever did.. i guess it just depends on the personality.. what's that old saying 'you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.' although i never figured out why they wanted to catch flies.

I've recently witnessed some quiet random acts of kindness by perfect strangers... These kind people often pass through the life of someone needy anonymously, or nearly so.  They do so not in any hope of some future return... They may be Christian or they may not be... Most certainly, these acts are pleasing to Christ... Surely the kind souls will find their way to the promised land before those self-proclaimed Christians who run around with pickaxes trying to "convert" innocent passers by... And before those bigots who criticize, put down, and condemn, those of another faith... Just my quarter's worth... Inflation has change my worth from two cents to a quarter... 

I shouldn't say this but I will, the reason billie acts the way he does is because

he tries to hide the fact that he's empty. 

Hmmmmm. Well, imo, for meanness you can't beat the coc. Not only are they mean, they're clannish. Follow them by the ones that wear the long skirts and have the marge simpson hair. Then you have the "what the heck are they anyway, jumping for jesus cults". Wander on down to the fundies. All clannish too. I guess I was just lucky. I never had to be around people like bill and a few others that post here. The christians I know and love are good humans that just happen to believe in a god. I can't think of one of them that NEEDS a god to make them good people. I see plenty of nasty people that claim they believe, and in those cases I figure it's a good thing they do believe, because it seems like fear of hell is all that's keeping them from going on a killing spree. Then again, that might fail some day if they think that's what their gawd wants. 

==================

It's not working for him.

________

Someone needs to tell him it's not working. He shows with every post he makes just how empty he really is.

Yeah, yeah....We all got BeeGie's number.  Whether or not you believe in skydaddies has absolutely no bearing on what kind of person you are to begin with. If you're an asshat by nature-all the religion in the world isn't going to make you better. Christians, from what I can tell-start out being taught that somehow we are all 'defective' and guilty of something by nature.

  That's total BS.  It's a crappy way to start or live life. There's nothing atall wrong with being proud. (There is in the bible, but then proud people might not bow to someone just because they say to-Or give them their money just because they say to because pride is a sin (and apparently so is being wealthy-so pay up sucker-or yer goin' ta hell.....)

  I could care less about heaven or hell. They're irrelevant to me because I understand that life is short, time is quick, and dead is dead.  I have no 'soul' or spirit that is going to transcend death. Nobody gets out of this world alive. It is arrogant to think so, in my opinion.  It would also involve 'magic'- and as much as we try to fool ourselves-we already know there's no such thing.

  All I have is here and now. We are all we have.  If I can help you through some of this life at one time or another-I will do it simply because it is the right thing to do.  I would hope to see the same compassion from you-although I've learned not to expect it.

  I've learned to go through life with the attitude that, as a rule-people suck. That way when they actually do, I'm not disappointed.  The upside to that way of thinking is that it makes the good ones easier to spot.  They stand out like sore thumbs.

I'd rather be remembered after I die as a good man who treated people well and did good things instead of a self-righteous jerk who didn't do anything but condemn people for not believing like I do. (BTW, do not confuse "treating people well" with "eating a ton of s#!t from people who disagree with me".  Nobody should have to put up with that. I don't care who you are.)

I think that if you need the threat of an eternal hell to keep ya in line and being a good person, then what you lack is 'empathy', not morals. Morals are useless without empathy.

If you need the promise of an eternal reward to keep you acting good-then you're doing it for all the wrong reasons.

I think, whether you believe in gods or not-

Why not just live your live as if to make the world a better place for your having been in it.  Your fellow humans will appreciate it and more than likely return the favor.

At the very least you'll be remembered fondly after you're gone.

 We are all we have. Why not do what's right just because it's the right thing to do? Live how ya wanna live-just try not to hurt anybody on purpose 'cause it sucks to get hurt.

No 'gods' necessary.

How hard is that?

Hi to all my dear doubting Friends,

Lesson for today:

Luke 16:19-22, "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.  The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried."

Luke 16:23-26, "In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.   So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.' 

But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.'"
 
Luke 16:27-31, "He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers.  Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.'   Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.' 

'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' 

He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'"

And, someone, Jesus Christ, did indeed rise from the dead -- to offer eternal life to ALL who will "by grace through faith" believe and receive His precious gift of life.

Foot note:

Romans 1:20-22, "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.  For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  Professing to be wise, they became fools."

Luke 23:34, "But Jesus was saying, 'Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing' . . . ” 

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

Is it not up to God who gets in & who gets tossed out in the end???

Not really, It's up to each individual to live as clean a life as one can.

God isn't trying to catch you doing something wrong, he wants to see 

you do something right. We all know this life is a test and there's no

way to cheat. Whatever you lose on earth you'll be paid more than you

can ever imagine in Heaven, remember, it's eternal not a motel 6. All

family members gone before you can come for you in your own crossing.

All those questions you wanted an answer to you'll learn. All the times 

you thought no one was listening you'll find out the reason you weren't

aware of the answer. Answers aren't always clear as day but they are

always in your best interest.

Vic, my Friend,

Is that how you plan on having eternal life -- by living a clean life?

1 John 5:12, "He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life."

Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Vic, my Friend -- do YOU have the Son?  Or, are you only living a clean life?   There is an eternal difference.   We know that many atheists and other non-believers -- live a clean life.   Are you saying that they are saved and will have eternal life in Christ?

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

Vic, my Friend,

What's wrong?  You could not even think of a single word -- or PERIOD -- to add to Chick's comment?  You are really in trouble when you copy/paste the post of another forum member -- and CANNOT even think of a word to add.

Bless your muted little heart!

Bill

===============

How droll

Dave 4:20

And Dave was in fact, not there.

I need a little help here fellow forumites...........

Vic said earlier:

"Not really, It's up to each individual to live as clean a life as one can.

God isn't trying to catch you doing something wrong, he wants to see 

you do something right. We all know this life is a test and there's no

way to cheat. Whatever you lose on earth you'll be paid more than you

can ever imagine in Heaven, remember, it's eternal not a motel 6. All

family members gone before you can come for you in your own crossing.

All those questions you wanted an answer to you'll learn. All the times 

you thought no one was listening you'll find out the reason you weren't

aware of the answer. Answers aren't always clear as day but they are

always in your best interest."

To me, when he mentioned "God" he asserted his believe. I find it difficult to believe that anyone could question his faith. Am I wrong here?

________

Forgive me for being confused, (I get that way sometimes  ) but who is he? Vic?

Lol, yes........Vic.

and might I add Semi.........when Vic stated the following, I thought it was absolutely golden. He found the words that I was searching for. I truly hope they help you in your search.

All those questions you wanted an answer to you'll learn. All the times 

you thought no one was listening you'll find out the reason you weren't

aware of the answer. Answers aren't always clear as day but they are

always in your best interest."

Life happens and yes sometimes your faith is tested.  Semi do not worry about the rules in my opinion all you have to do is ask God into your life and accept him.  You did hit one nail on the head too many people making up too many rules.   I care not what others think and nothing in the way I live my life is different than if I was not a Christian but I believe in doing right.   I guess if you want to be a AXE murder or lie and cheat then that is incompatible "yes I know some professed Christians fall in that category"  but for every one of them there are many others who do right and keep it to themselves.  Do not take this wrong but I hope both you and Pup eventually find God.

Best Wishes on your journey.

Yep folks, if you're going to be an ax murderer/christian be sure to take the body out of the trunk before you go to church, and don't use the church computer to taunt the police. BTK murderer.

______

Since I've done the "ask God into your life and accept him" thing, according to the OSAS crowd, I'm still saved. According to me, I am not. I'm not even sure I want it (IF God/Jesus is real) because there's no way you can know if you're walking that "straight & narrow" correctly.

If doing the right thing makes someone a Christian, then I am one.

The right thing to me is having integrity, honesty, & doing the right thing because it's right.

_______

Have you seen the Troll's latest in "Salvation First - Works To Follow" topic? His "Christianity" is really in full form tonight.

==============================

You'd think that if that was all anyone had to do, everyone would believe in a god, really believe that is. I think too, if there really was a god a person would just know it and there would be no doubt about it. I wonder just how many actually go to church and say they believe, yet don't believe any of it. We did that for years, and I know of a few doing that now. Too, there are admitted non-believers that do it too, for all sorts of reasons. To keep up with community events, to take family members who can't get around on their own, all sorts of reasons and it's no secret they're atheists. I've gone for all sorts of reasons over the years, although not for "services", and as much as some so called christians would love it to be true, I don't feel any tug or longing to get back to a god, I don't feel uncomfortable, and no matter the amount of joking, I'm not afraid lightening will strike me or the roof will fall in. If someone says to me that they are an atheist, and I asked them how they came to realize that, how they answer lets me know that they truly are atheists, or they are still going through all the things connected with losing the belief, or they're a believer that is trying to "shock" or punish someone, a spouse maybe, or parents or other family members. I don't think a belief in a god stops people from doing evil, and I don't think a non-belief in a god makes a person do evil things.

Jenn, I wish I could walk away with the knowledge that none of it's true. My brain tells me none of it makes any sense but I guess because of my raising & all those years in church, my heart won't let go of the things my parents taught me. Sounds stupid, doesn't it?

====================

No, it doesn't sound stupid at all. You've read what I said I went through as I was losing the belief, and the day I finally knew the belief was gone, it was never coming back, and could accept it was gone, felt so wonderful and was one of the best days of my life. I felt like the weight of the world came off of me, and I was let out of prison. I can't explain how wonderful it was. But it didn't happen overnight. I've told you too, nothing bad happened to me, no one "got to me", no overwhelming urge to "follow the world" (whatever that really means) came over me. I know exactly where I was when I had the first thought that it couldn't be true. I wasn't happy about that thought at all. Over the years there were many times I'd talk to friends and family, preachers, it was all prayed over, all that.  I can't say you will lose the belief, everyone is different, but one thing I can say, and I do believe this with all my heart, if you have lost the belief, or you do lose it, and the day comes that you allow yourself to accept the fact you have lost it, you will be happy.