The Apocrypha - for Slimland
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#41
10-08-2014We all have doubts Hobo- and I see most doubt's come when the believing is the simplest.. For the simple confounds the wise.
I would think in order to have convivtion of something, you must believe it to be true. Then that just leaves plain ole, stubborness and rebellion, and rebellion is witchcraft. You IMOP are not a witch, or worlock, so just stubborn to the calling in which you where called.
If you don't take up the mantle in which you where pourposed, does that mean you will burn? I dont think so, God has in reserve some who will.. But he still uses you, as he has done already. Like when you lifted me up. For the word of God is edification, to lift up. and you friend have done that for me. Thus fulfilling something that you refuse to do..
WHen we talk wether I play or you play the devils advocate, we are showing both sides, and telling Truth. Thus fulfilling your calling. You are fulfilling what you where called to do.. Just becuase you are not out there like the prophets of old, or the evangelist. Doesn't mean a dang thing. There is now the net, and what one person just might get here, he can maybe just maybe get one more later, and so on and so on..
All we do is plant the seed, another comes and waters, it is up to God to give the increase. Your a seed planter, or maybe your a waterer. There are nurturer's but that would be a pastor, who stays with the flock.
keep feeling unworthy, cause you are as I am. But none the less God is using you, and has used you. Even when you refuse.
Slimland
I would think in order to have convivtion of something, you must believe it to be true. Then that just leaves plain ole, stubborness and rebellion, and rebellion is witchcraft. You IMOP are not a witch, or worlock, so just stubborn to the calling in which you where called.
If you don't take up the mantle in which you where pourposed, does that mean you will burn? I dont think so, God has in reserve some who will.. But he still uses you, as he has done already. Like when you lifted me up. For the word of God is edification, to lift up. and you friend have done that for me. Thus fulfilling something that you refuse to do..
WHen we talk wether I play or you play the devils advocate, we are showing both sides, and telling Truth. Thus fulfilling your calling. You are fulfilling what you where called to do.. Just becuase you are not out there like the prophets of old, or the evangelist. Doesn't mean a dang thing. There is now the net, and what one person just might get here, he can maybe just maybe get one more later, and so on and so on..
All we do is plant the seed, another comes and waters, it is up to God to give the increase. Your a seed planter, or maybe your a waterer. There are nurturer's but that would be a pastor, who stays with the flock.
keep feeling unworthy, cause you are as I am. But none the less God is using you, and has used you. Even when you refuse.
Slimland
#42
RebelDarlin , 01-26-2008 07:26 AM
Ok here goes nothin'...
I seem to remember that Christ encouraged his apostles to question Him, so questioning isn't wrong, but listen for the answers. If you didn't believe in God, you wouldn't be doing this to yourself. And to take the other side, if there is no God, then a lot of people have spent their lives striving to be better people. Is that a waste? I don't think so!
[And for what it's worth.... I didn't care about making MONEY from being a preacher... I just wanted a PURPOSE in life, and some PEACE! I have found NEITHER.]
I f you don't care about money you might want to quit referring to at as being a Salesman. :wink:
And THAT, more than anything else, is why I became a Trucker! :lol
I think our next discussion should be about the difference between a valid reason and an excuse. :wink:
Quote:
Rebel, when I said I wasn't aware of some of the avenues of today, I was thinking of Internet Pastors, YOUTH Ministers, and such. I was FULLY aware of the field of Missionaries (if not all the details.) Fact is... I was called to stand in the pulpit and PREACH to a church that needed to have their toes stepped on at times. Even Music, as a 'ministry,' never occurred to me. God gave me the gift of gab, and that of "persuasion." I'm not meant to physically build church buildings (although I HAVE,) nor to do medical work, nor "organization." I'm a SALESMAN! Laughing
Wow! I have never heard a Preacher called a salesman before. I know that I have very negative feelings toward salesman, since they tend to 'spin" things and "stretch" the truth, so to me you are really putting a negative light on Preachers. Not to say that there haven't been some who were only in it for personal gain. Rebel, when I said I wasn't aware of some of the avenues of today, I was thinking of Internet Pastors, YOUTH Ministers, and such. I was FULLY aware of the field of Missionaries (if not all the details.) Fact is... I was called to stand in the pulpit and PREACH to a church that needed to have their toes stepped on at times. Even Music, as a 'ministry,' never occurred to me. God gave me the gift of gab, and that of "persuasion." I'm not meant to physically build church buildings (although I HAVE,) nor to do medical work, nor "organization." I'm a SALESMAN! Laughing
Quote:
Anyway..... I wasn't called to "serve" as many are. I was called to Preach. Perhaps more of an Evangelist than even a Pastor, for the latter is a shepherd, and the former is more of an Orator or (as YOU mentioned) a prophet.
I'm not "into" guiding peoples' lives.... but CHANGING them.
My strongest TOOL, and therefore my biggest obstacle, is the art of 'conviction.'
I never thought of "conviction" as an art. My understanding is that it is the Holy Spirit that "convicts" the human spirit. Some people call it our "conscience", that little voice that tells us when we are doing something wrong.Anyway..... I wasn't called to "serve" as many are. I was called to Preach. Perhaps more of an Evangelist than even a Pastor, for the latter is a shepherd, and the former is more of an Orator or (as YOU mentioned) a prophet.
I'm not "into" guiding peoples' lives.... but CHANGING them.
My strongest TOOL, and therefore my biggest obstacle, is the art of 'conviction.'
Quote:
If I feel "unworthy," it is NOT because I don't understand that God forgives the LITTLE sins... but, because I am "convicted" of the BIGGEST one. If my mind or soul will not completely "sell out" to the belief... I WILL NOT attempt to sell others on it! If I feel uncomfortable "professing my belief to the man at the next station in an assembly line, HOW can I stand before a few hundreds or thousands and PREACH the Word to them?
You obviously believe or you wouldn't feel "convicted" for not "selling out", as you put it. Again with the sales pitch? You don't have to sell anyone on anything, we all have free will and will choose to believe what we want to choose. The BIGGEST sin, the only unforgivable one, is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. I don't see that in anything that you've said. Hundreds or thousands of people...Now are they coming to see you or to hear the Word of God? If it's the latter, you don't really matter, you're the messenger, the vessel. If it's to see you then you are a salesman.If I feel "unworthy," it is NOT because I don't understand that God forgives the LITTLE sins... but, because I am "convicted" of the BIGGEST one. If my mind or soul will not completely "sell out" to the belief... I WILL NOT attempt to sell others on it! If I feel uncomfortable "professing my belief to the man at the next station in an assembly line, HOW can I stand before a few hundreds or thousands and PREACH the Word to them?
Quote:
And, if I can do NEITHER..... then I am not even a good Christian, and am certainly UNWORTHY to be a PREACHER. I could have made MILLIONS with my "talents," but I buried them in the ground. And the parables tell me that I will be chastised for that on judgement day!
That was your choice.And, if I can do NEITHER..... then I am not even a good Christian, and am certainly UNWORTHY to be a PREACHER. I could have made MILLIONS with my "talents," but I buried them in the ground. And the parables tell me that I will be chastised for that on judgement day!
Quote:
If God had called me to be a politician, I'd probably be running for President today (and might WIN! Laughing )
You might, not much to choose form right now.If God had called me to be a politician, I'd probably be running for President today (and might WIN! Laughing )
Quote:
It is the BELIEF that I have disobeyed God, that has led to the depression that has led to my worthless life..... combined with my questions that what if there IS no God, and I've wasted it for nothing!!
I think it's more that you won't forgive yourself that is causing your depression. You believe that you disobeyed God by not following your "path". Do you believe that you can't change that? Do you believe that there is only one path? At every crossroad in our life, we make a choice. Don't the choices determine the path we take? And by taking one path or the other does that mean the destination is different? Not necessarily. You drive a truck, how many routes are there to Dallas from Chicago? True some are more direct, but you can go via London if you choose to! Do you believe that, unlike the rest of us, who make a choice everyday, you only got one chance? Being a Christian, or not, is a choice we all make, one day at a time, one event at a time. It's a process. You seem to be the only one who sees your life as worthless. It isn't! You have made me see things about myself, that I need to work on.It is the BELIEF that I have disobeyed God, that has led to the depression that has led to my worthless life..... combined with my questions that what if there IS no God, and I've wasted it for nothing!!
I seem to remember that Christ encouraged his apostles to question Him, so questioning isn't wrong, but listen for the answers. If you didn't believe in God, you wouldn't be doing this to yourself. And to take the other side, if there is no God, then a lot of people have spent their lives striving to be better people. Is that a waste? I don't think so!
Quote:
And it is in THIS respect, that I find myself understanding Fozzy! My "religious indoctrination" has literally KILLED my life!
Wrong! Your inability to commit to anything has killed your life. Speaking form my own experience, I have prided myself (yes pride) on NEVER needing ANYONE! Probably why I'm alone. My own mother told me I was the hardest person to love that she had ever met. I keep people at a distance and after awhile they leave. I sometimes see my intelligence as a curse, because average people annoy me. I can keep telling myself that I am alone by choice, but the truth is I am intolerant of people. I'm not saying I don't care about them, but I seem to have a knack for making other people feel "not good enough". It makes me impossible to live with, even for me sometimes.And it is in THIS respect, that I find myself understanding Fozzy! My "religious indoctrination" has literally KILLED my life!
[And for what it's worth.... I didn't care about making MONEY from being a preacher... I just wanted a PURPOSE in life, and some PEACE! I have found NEITHER.]
I f you don't care about money you might want to quit referring to at as being a Salesman. :wink:
And THAT, more than anything else, is why I became a Trucker! :lol
I think our next discussion should be about the difference between a valid reason and an excuse. :wink:
#43
Rebel said:
As for those coming to hear the preaching.... of COURSE they come to hear the word. But, millions have bought tickets to come to stadiums to hear Billy Graham. They don't pay to go hear Mike Huckabee! :wink:
Again, it's NOT about the money, although Graham lives comfortably. I believe he is a man of God, and lives within the means he feels he deserves. The REST is given back to the ministry he has created. And it's NOT about the "glory" of being the vessel. My point was simply that, if I didn't believe totally in what I was preaching, I could not, nor WOULD I, stand up there and "testify" to all those people. (Does testify sound better than sell to you?)
Quote:
Ok here goes nothin'...
:lol: :lol: I wouldn't call that "nothin'" You weren't afraid I'd take offense and BLAST ya, were you?? :lol: Ok here goes nothin'...
Quote:
Wow! I have never heard a Preacher called a salesman before. I know that I have very negative feelings toward salesman, since they tend to 'spin" things and "stretch" the truth, so to me you are really putting a negative light on Preachers. Not to say that there haven't been some who were only in it for personal gain.
Actually, a GOOD salesman doesn't twist your arm or pressure you. We call it "helping you make a decision to buy." One that you WANTED to make anyway! :lol: But, no one wanted to go out and BUY a "hoover" until someone came by and showed them what it could DO for them! :wink: I don't INTEND a negative connotation when I use the word concerning preaching. Please put that out of your mind. I used to sell books door to door. I was successful because I TOTALLY believed in my "product." I had "sold out" to it! But, something "snapped" in my brain that summer, and I no longer wanted to "convince or convict" someone of buying something..... even though I STILL believed they NEEDED it! Wow! I have never heard a Preacher called a salesman before. I know that I have very negative feelings toward salesman, since they tend to 'spin" things and "stretch" the truth, so to me you are really putting a negative light on Preachers. Not to say that there haven't been some who were only in it for personal gain.
Quote:
I never thought of "conviction" as an art. My understanding is that it is the Holy Spirit that "convicts" the human spirit. Some people call it our "conscience", that little voice that tells us when we are doing something wrong.
And you would be CORRECT! But, someone has to "explain" it to you, in a way that you can't rationalize away, before that "conviction" can take place. It RARELY happens just walking down the road or while window shopping. Again, to use the salesman analogy, it is all about overcoming objections! So yes.... it IS an "art." At least the way my FATHER does it! :wink: I never thought of "conviction" as an art. My understanding is that it is the Holy Spirit that "convicts" the human spirit. Some people call it our "conscience", that little voice that tells us when we are doing something wrong.
Quote:
You obviously believe or you wouldn't feel "convicted" for not "selling out", as you put it. Again with the sales pitch? You don't have to sell anyone on anything, we all have free will and will choose to believe what we want to choose. The BIGGEST sin, the only unforgivable one, is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. I don't see that in anything that you've said. Hundreds or thousands of people...Now are they coming to see you or to hear the Word of God? If it's the latter, you don't really matter, you're the messenger, the vessel. If it's to see you then you are a salesman.
Maybe I'm wrong, but I am under the impression that the only unforgivable sin is to deny Christ, or at least... once you KNOW, to disbelieve. I may be forgetting the correct wording, but I don't think it is the sin of blasphemy. It is the sin of not accepting.You obviously believe or you wouldn't feel "convicted" for not "selling out", as you put it. Again with the sales pitch? You don't have to sell anyone on anything, we all have free will and will choose to believe what we want to choose. The BIGGEST sin, the only unforgivable one, is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. I don't see that in anything that you've said. Hundreds or thousands of people...Now are they coming to see you or to hear the Word of God? If it's the latter, you don't really matter, you're the messenger, the vessel. If it's to see you then you are a salesman.
As for those coming to hear the preaching.... of COURSE they come to hear the word. But, millions have bought tickets to come to stadiums to hear Billy Graham. They don't pay to go hear Mike Huckabee! :wink:
Again, it's NOT about the money, although Graham lives comfortably. I believe he is a man of God, and lives within the means he feels he deserves. The REST is given back to the ministry he has created. And it's NOT about the "glory" of being the vessel. My point was simply that, if I didn't believe totally in what I was preaching, I could not, nor WOULD I, stand up there and "testify" to all those people. (Does testify sound better than sell to you?)
Quote:
That was your choice.
Yes, perhaps it was. But having a "choice" means having free will. So, why was the servant chastised for exercising his Free Will to safeguard his talent as opposed to "investing" it?? We BOTH know the answer to that! We DON'T really have Free Will, do we? Once you have heard the Gospel, to deny it, means to burn in hell! That's sorta like "guido" selling you "protection" isn't it?? :lol: That was your choice.
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Oohh.... Ouch!!! I'm bleeding again! :lol: Quote:
If God had called me to be a politician, I'd probably be running for President today (and might WIN! Laughing )
You might, not much to choose form right now.
If God had called me to be a politician, I'd probably be running for President today (and might WIN! Laughing )
Quote:
You seem to be the only one who sees your life as worthless. It isn't! You have made me see things about myself, that I need to work on.I seem to remember that Christ encouraged his apostles to question Him, so questioning isn't wrong, but listen for the answers. If you didn't believe in God, you wouldn't be doing this to yourself. And to take the other side, if there is no God, then a lot of people have spent their lives striving to be better people. Is that a waste? I don't think so!
The feeling is mutual.You seem to be the only one who sees your life as worthless. It isn't! You have made me see things about myself, that I need to work on.I seem to remember that Christ encouraged his apostles to question Him, so questioning isn't wrong, but listen for the answers. If you didn't believe in God, you wouldn't be doing this to yourself. And to take the other side, if there is no God, then a lot of people have spent their lives striving to be better people. Is that a waste? I don't think so!
Quote:
I think our next discussion should be about the difference between a valid reason and an excuse. :wink:
Perhaps.... We'll see.I think our next discussion should be about the difference between a valid reason and an excuse. :wink:
#44
Hobo you are correct on Blasphemy..
God the Father told of His Son to come, Jesus told us of Himself.. There are now 2 testamony's to Christ..that we were givven.
Jesus said {Paraphrased} Blasphemy The Father and Myself, But Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is unforgivable..
Alot of people don't understand this what He was refering to was the Testamony of Him, by the Holy Spirit. For the Spirit in all things will testify of Jesus CHrist. The HolySpirit is the Last Testamony of Christ for us here on earth.. So to deny that testamony, befor death is unforgivable..
ALL Sin was forgiven at the Cross, what about this one? It don't need forgivness, it just needs a changing of the mind. To believe or not..
As for a preacher or the like and money.. They are supposed to get double honor.. But not to use the gosphel for finacial gain, if we see that, then we are not even supposed to eat with such a person.. This is my problem with alot of TV, preachers.. But I have seen some who use it for the Glory of the Kingdom and IMOP Graham is one who use's Gods money for the Kingdom.. Though I could name quit a few who I think are in it for finacial personal gain..
I think Hobo, that you chastis Yourself.. I do it all the time.. we are not God, and God is the only one I know who can say that He don't remember and mean it.. "There Sins and lawless acts I will remember no more". So we know it is not God who is chastising you, but you--for I see God doing the work through you, that you claim you won't do..
God the Father told of His Son to come, Jesus told us of Himself.. There are now 2 testamony's to Christ..that we were givven.
Jesus said {Paraphrased} Blasphemy The Father and Myself, But Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is unforgivable..
Alot of people don't understand this what He was refering to was the Testamony of Him, by the Holy Spirit. For the Spirit in all things will testify of Jesus CHrist. The HolySpirit is the Last Testamony of Christ for us here on earth.. So to deny that testamony, befor death is unforgivable..
ALL Sin was forgiven at the Cross, what about this one? It don't need forgivness, it just needs a changing of the mind. To believe or not..
As for a preacher or the like and money.. They are supposed to get double honor.. But not to use the gosphel for finacial gain, if we see that, then we are not even supposed to eat with such a person.. This is my problem with alot of TV, preachers.. But I have seen some who use it for the Glory of the Kingdom and IMOP Graham is one who use's Gods money for the Kingdom.. Though I could name quit a few who I think are in it for finacial personal gain..
I think Hobo, that you chastis Yourself.. I do it all the time.. we are not God, and God is the only one I know who can say that He don't remember and mean it.. "There Sins and lawless acts I will remember no more". So we know it is not God who is chastising you, but you--for I see God doing the work through you, that you claim you won't do..
#45
Quote:
My own mother told me I was the hardest person to love that she had ever met. I keep people at a distance and after awhile they leave. I sometimes see my intelligence as a curse, because average people annoy me. I can keep telling myself that I am alone by choice, but the truth is I am intolerant of people. I'm not saying I don't care about them, but I seem to have a knack for making other people feel "not good enough". It makes me impossible to live with, even for me sometimes.
I sometimes fall in this catagory, but only with those whom I have a famly type of relationship. I get impatient with them, and have to catch myself. What helps is when I am the one who knows nothin of the subject, then I am the ignorant one.. that way I remember how it feels..My own mother told me I was the hardest person to love that she had ever met. I keep people at a distance and after awhile they leave. I sometimes see my intelligence as a curse, because average people annoy me. I can keep telling myself that I am alone by choice, but the truth is I am intolerant of people. I'm not saying I don't care about them, but I seem to have a knack for making other people feel "not good enough". It makes me impossible to live with, even for me sometimes.
#46
RebelDarlin , 01-26-2008 05:06 PM
Quote:
Not afraid of you at all. And from what I've seen it's hard to offend you.
I'll give you this one. I know I am being unfair to a lot of sales people, but the comparison still doesn't sit well with me. The Gospel isn't "sold" it's given freely.
Ok maybe I'm a lazy Christian because I've always thought that we were to plant the seed, as Slim pointed out, and let the Holy Spirit take it from there. I am not a counselor, or a Shepherd and think that what goes on between someone else and God is between them, not my business, unless I am asked. Is it my place to overcome their objections? I can tell someone my opinion, or my understanding of Biblical principles, but I can't make anyone do anything. They have to choose.
This is where we disagree. Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is the ONLY sin that Christ says will not be forgiven anywhere in the Bible.
Matt 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
Here is a good explanation of what Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is, at least what I have been taught.
http://preacherstudy.com/Blasphemy.html
As for those coming to hear the preaching.... of COURSE they come to hear the word. But, millions have bought tickets to come to stadiums to hear Billy Graham. They don't pay to go hear Mike Huckabee! :wink:
Again, it's NOT about the money, although Graham lives comfortably. I believe he is a man of God, and lives within the means he feels he deserves. The REST is given back to the ministry he has created. And it's NOT about the "glory" of being the vessel. My point was simply that, if I didn't believe totally in what I was preaching, I could not, nor WOULD I, stand up there and "testify" to all those people. (Does testify sound better than sell to you?)
I've never paid to see Billy Graham, although I have seen him several times, and have great respect for him. He isn't just talk, he lives what he teaches. And yes he lives comfortably now, but he didn't always. He has a peace about him that I envy
I disagree. We always have the choice, we just don't always like the consequences of our choices Life is all about choices, weigh your options, and consider the consequences of each choice before you choose. You will live with the consequences, good or bad.
Sorry, I wasn't trying to be mean!
Thank you.
That's a never ending one isn't is?
Originally Posted by golfhobo
Rebel said:Quote:
Ok here goes nothin'...
:lol: :lol: I wouldn't call that "nothin'" You weren't afraid I'd take offense and BLAST ya, were you?? :lol: Ok here goes nothin'...
Not afraid of you at all. And from what I've seen it's hard to offend you.
Quote:
Wow! I have never heard a Preacher called a salesman before. I know that I have very negative feelings toward salesman, since they tend to 'spin" things and "stretch" the truth, so to me you are really putting a negative light on Preachers. Not to say that there haven't been some who were only in it for personal gain.
Actually, a GOOD salesman doesn't twist your arm or pressure you. We call it "helping you make a decision to buy." One that you WANTED to make anyway! :lol: But, no one wanted to go out and BUY a "hoover" until someone came by and showed them what it could DO for them! :wink: I don't INTEND a negative connotation when I use the word concerning preaching. Please put that out of your mind. I used to sell books door to door. I was successful because I TOTALLY believed in my "product." I had "sold out" to it! But, something "snapped" in my brain that summer, and I no longer wanted to "convince or convict" someone of buying something..... even though I STILL believed they NEEDED it! Wow! I have never heard a Preacher called a salesman before. I know that I have very negative feelings toward salesman, since they tend to 'spin" things and "stretch" the truth, so to me you are really putting a negative light on Preachers. Not to say that there haven't been some who were only in it for personal gain.
I'll give you this one. I know I am being unfair to a lot of sales people, but the comparison still doesn't sit well with me. The Gospel isn't "sold" it's given freely.
Quote:
I never thought of "conviction" as an art. My understanding is that it is the Holy Spirit that "convicts" the human spirit. Some people call it our "conscience", that little voice that tells us when we are doing something wrong.
And you would be CORRECT! But, someone has to "explain" it to you, in a way that you can't rationalize away, before that "conviction" can take place. It RARELY happens just walking down the road or while window shopping. Again, to use the salesman analogy, it is all about overcoming objections! So yes.... it IS an "art." At least the way my FATHER does it! :wink: I never thought of "conviction" as an art. My understanding is that it is the Holy Spirit that "convicts" the human spirit. Some people call it our "conscience", that little voice that tells us when we are doing something wrong.
Ok maybe I'm a lazy Christian because I've always thought that we were to plant the seed, as Slim pointed out, and let the Holy Spirit take it from there. I am not a counselor, or a Shepherd and think that what goes on between someone else and God is between them, not my business, unless I am asked. Is it my place to overcome their objections? I can tell someone my opinion, or my understanding of Biblical principles, but I can't make anyone do anything. They have to choose.
Quote:
You obviously believe or you wouldn't feel "convicted" for not "selling out", as you put it. Again with the sales pitch? You don't have to sell anyone on anything, we all have free will and will choose to believe what we want to choose. The BIGGEST sin, the only unforgivable one, is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. I don't see that in anything that you've said. Hundreds or thousands of people...Now are they coming to see you or to hear the Word of God? If it's the latter, you don't really matter, you're the messenger, the vessel. If it's to see you then you are a salesman.
Maybe I'm wrong, but I am under the impression that the only unforgivable sin is to deny Christ, or at least... once you KNOW, to disbelieve. I may be forgetting the correct wording, but I don't think it is the sin of blasphemy. It is the sin of not accepting.You obviously believe or you wouldn't feel "convicted" for not "selling out", as you put it. Again with the sales pitch? You don't have to sell anyone on anything, we all have free will and will choose to believe what we want to choose. The BIGGEST sin, the only unforgivable one, is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. I don't see that in anything that you've said. Hundreds or thousands of people...Now are they coming to see you or to hear the Word of God? If it's the latter, you don't really matter, you're the messenger, the vessel. If it's to see you then you are a salesman.
This is where we disagree. Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is the ONLY sin that Christ says will not be forgiven anywhere in the Bible.
Matt 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
Here is a good explanation of what Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is, at least what I have been taught.
http://preacherstudy.com/Blasphemy.html
As for those coming to hear the preaching.... of COURSE they come to hear the word. But, millions have bought tickets to come to stadiums to hear Billy Graham. They don't pay to go hear Mike Huckabee! :wink:
Again, it's NOT about the money, although Graham lives comfortably. I believe he is a man of God, and lives within the means he feels he deserves. The REST is given back to the ministry he has created. And it's NOT about the "glory" of being the vessel. My point was simply that, if I didn't believe totally in what I was preaching, I could not, nor WOULD I, stand up there and "testify" to all those people. (Does testify sound better than sell to you?)
I've never paid to see Billy Graham, although I have seen him several times, and have great respect for him. He isn't just talk, he lives what he teaches. And yes he lives comfortably now, but he didn't always. He has a peace about him that I envy
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That was your choice.
Yes, perhaps it was. But having a "choice" means having free will. So, why was the servant chastised for exercising his Free Will to safeguard his talent as opposed to "investing" it?? We BOTH know the answer to that! We DON'T really have Free Will, do we? Once you have heard the Gospel, to deny it, means to burn in hell! That's sorta like "guido" selling you "protection" isn't it?? :lol: That was your choice.
I disagree. We always have the choice, we just don't always like the consequences of our choices Life is all about choices, weigh your options, and consider the consequences of each choice before you choose. You will live with the consequences, good or bad.
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Oohh.... Ouch!!! I'm bleeding again! :lol: Quote:
If God had called me to be a politician, I'd probably be running for President today (and might WIN! Laughing )
You might, not much to choose form right now.
If God had called me to be a politician, I'd probably be running for President today (and might WIN! Laughing )
Sorry, I wasn't trying to be mean!
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You seem to be the only one who sees your life as worthless. It isn't! You have made me see things about myself, that I need to work on.I seem to remember that Christ encouraged his apostles to question Him, so questioning isn't wrong, but listen for the answers. If you didn't believe in God, you wouldn't be doing this to yourself. And to take the other side, if there is no God, then a lot of people have spent their lives striving to be better people. Is that a waste? I don't think so!
The feeling is mutual.You seem to be the only one who sees your life as worthless. It isn't! You have made me see things about myself, that I need to work on.I seem to remember that Christ encouraged his apostles to question Him, so questioning isn't wrong, but listen for the answers. If you didn't believe in God, you wouldn't be doing this to yourself. And to take the other side, if there is no God, then a lot of people have spent their lives striving to be better people. Is that a waste? I don't think so!
Thank you.
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I think our next discussion should be about the difference between a valid reason and an excuse. :wink:
Perhaps.... We'll see.I think our next discussion should be about the difference between a valid reason and an excuse. :wink:
That's a never ending one isn't is?
I read this the other day and it reminded me of you, so I thought I would share it. http://www.seekgod.org/message/wrestlingwithgod.html
#47
RebelDarlin , 01-26-2008 05:32 PM
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Thank you Slim. Unfortunately I am like this with everyone. I have very little family left, and only a couple friends. Here online I can try to be nice because I can edit myself. In real life, I don't have that brake between my brain and my mouth that gives me time to decide if I really want something or not. :wink:Originally Posted by Slimland
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My own mother told me I was the hardest person to love that she had ever met. I keep people at a distance and after awhile they leave. I sometimes see my intelligence as a curse, because average people annoy me. I can keep telling myself that I am alone by choice, but the truth is I am intolerant of people. I'm not saying I don't care about them, but I seem to have a knack for making other people feel "not good enough". It makes me impossible to live with, even for me sometimes.
I sometimes fall in this catagory, but only with those whom I have a famly type of relationship. I get impatient with them, and have to catch myself. What helps is when I am the one who knows nothin of the subject, then I am the ignorant one.. that way I remember how it feels..
My own mother told me I was the hardest person to love that she had ever met. I keep people at a distance and after awhile they leave. I sometimes see my intelligence as a curse, because average people annoy me. I can keep telling myself that I am alone by choice, but the truth is I am intolerant of people. I'm not saying I don't care about them, but I seem to have a knack for making other people feel "not good enough". It makes me impossible to live with, even for me sometimes.
#48
RebelDarlin , 01-28-2008 04:45 AM
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Originally Posted by RebelDarlin
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Thank you Slim. Unfortunately I am like this with everyone. I have very little family left, and only a couple friends. Here online I can try to be nice because I can edit myself. In real life, I don't have that brake between my brain and my mouth that gives me time to decide if I really want to say something or not. :wink:
Originally Posted by Slimland
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My own mother told me I was the hardest person to love that she had ever met. I keep people at a distance and after awhile they leave. I sometimes see my intelligence as a curse, because average people annoy me. I can keep telling myself that I am alone by choice, but the truth is I am intolerant of people. I'm not saying I don't care about them, but I seem to have a knack for making other people feel "not good enough". It makes me impossible to live with, even for me sometimes.
I sometimes fall in this catagory, but only with those whom I have a famly type of relationship. I get impatient with them, and have to catch myself. What helps is when I am the one who knows nothin of the subject, then I am the ignorant one.. that way I remember how it feels..
My own mother told me I was the hardest person to love that she had ever met. I keep people at a distance and after awhile they leave. I sometimes see my intelligence as a curse, because average people annoy me. I can keep telling myself that I am alone by choice, but the truth is I am intolerant of people. I'm not saying I don't care about them, but I seem to have a knack for making other people feel "not good enough". It makes me impossible to live with, even for me sometimes.
#49
RebelDarlin , 01-28-2008 04:59 AM
Golfhobo wrote:
I can't get this line out of my head. My life long struggle has been my absolute rebellion against "religion", while still keeping my faith. To me the two are diametrically opposed. Religion divides people, faith is universal. Religion tears people down, faith gives them peace. Every religion claims it's based on God's word, yet every one has bastardized it in some way to set themselves apart from other religions. I don't understand that!
Sorry just had to throw that out here.
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My "religious indoctrination" has literally KILLED my life!
My "religious indoctrination" has literally KILLED my life!
I can't get this line out of my head. My life long struggle has been my absolute rebellion against "religion", while still keeping my faith. To me the two are diametrically opposed. Religion divides people, faith is universal. Religion tears people down, faith gives them peace. Every religion claims it's based on God's word, yet every one has bastardized it in some way to set themselves apart from other religions. I don't understand that!
Sorry just had to throw that out here.
#50
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RebelDarlin--I have always said this in one way or another..God teaches man, Paul told us that the HolySpirit is what teaches us, Not man.. THough man is there to plant the seed so to say..Originally Posted by RebelDarlin
Golfhobo wrote:Quote:
My "religious indoctrination" has literally KILLED my life!
My "religious indoctrination" has literally KILLED my life!
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I can't get this line out of my head. My life long struggle has been my absolute rebellion against "religion", while still keeping my faith. To me the two are diametrically opposed. Religion divides people, faith is universal. Religion tears people down, faith gives them peace. Every religion claims it's based on God's word, yet every one has bastardized it in some way to set themselves apart from other religions. I don't understand that!
Sorry just had to throw that out here.
I can't get this line out of my head. My life long struggle has been my absolute rebellion against "religion", while still keeping my faith. To me the two are diametrically opposed. Religion divides people, faith is universal. Religion tears people down, faith gives them peace. Every religion claims it's based on God's word, yet every one has bastardized it in some way to set themselves apart from other religions. I don't understand that!
Sorry just had to throw that out here.
I take no mans word on the WORD, I let God teach me, for if I let man then IMOP it is a relegion, But God then it is Faith.. I might hear something a man might say, and if it is Truth, then the HolySpirit lets me know, and the Word of God will back it up.. If it doesn't pass the test of The Word, and the Spirit. which gives us descernment, then it is not Truth.
I hope you understood what I said
Slimland
