It's a funny thing...

[Riven]

For the longest time, I've had this feeling of dread. Like the rug was about to get pulled out from beneath my feet. I've never known what it was, so I would always try to ignore it. Well, I've had a few things happen recently that have changed me as a person. I guess you could say I was always kind of on a high horse.

Well, lately I've been watching what's happening out there in the world, while simultaneously looking inward and towards this character of Jesus Christ. The funny thing is, the more time I spend learning about him and listening to what he had to say, the more real he seems relative to the world.

 

[Ziggy]

Some would call this discernment.
Others might call it an Awakening.
A Calling.

The world looks so much darker out there than the light coming from your heart.
It's beautiful.

Hugs

 

[Matthias]

For the longest time, I've had this feeling of dread. Like the rug was about to get pulled out from beneath my feet. I've never known what it was, so I would always try to ignore it. Well, I've had a few things happen recently that have changed me as a person. I guess you could say I was always kind of on a high horse.

Well, lately I've been watching what's happening out there in the world, while simultaneously looking inward and towards this character of Jesus Christ. The funny thing is, the more time I spend learning about him and listening to what he had to say, the more real he seems relative to the world.

What is your source for learning about him and listening to what he had to say?

”The best way to get men to believe that the Bible is true is to get them to read the Bible.” - Charles Spurgeon

 

[Riven]

What is your source for learning about him and listening to what he had to say?

”The best way to get men to believe that the Bible is true is to get them to read the Bible.” - Charles Spurgeon

It goes both ways. I've known Christians that have read the bible and become atheist. Anyways, I'm still feeling under the weather, so I've been watching movies. One of those movies is, The Greatest Story Ever Told. I think it was made in 1965. It's very good so far.

 

[TLHKAJ]

It goes both ways. I've known Christians that have read the bible and become atheist. Anyways, I'm still feeling under the weather, so I've been watching movies. One of those movies is, The Greatest Story Ever Told. I think it was made in 1965. It's very good so far.

@Riven I believe that the key is relationship. When someone knows God by personal experience, the Spirit of God illuminates the mind and the Word of God comes alive.

Psalm 34:8
[8]O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Jeremiah 29:13
[13]And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Hebrews 11:6
[6]But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

 

[Matthias]

It goes both ways. I've known Christians that have read the bible and become atheist. Anyways, I'm still feeling under the weather, so I've been watching movies. One of those movies is, The Greatest Story Ever Told. I think it was made in 1965. It's very good so far.

Hollywood isn’t a reliable source for learning about Jesus and listening to what he says. You’ll discover this for yourself when you feel better - I hope you’ll feel better soon - and begin reading the New Testament.

 

[Matthias]

… the more time I spend learning about him and listening to what he had to say, the more real he seems relative to the world.

It’s been a while since we’ve spoken. Are you still spending time learning about him and listening to what he had to say?

 

[Riven]

It’s been a while since we’ve spoken. Are you still spending time learning about him and listening to what he had to say?

No. In fact, I've been spending my time getting drunk. I do appreciate you thinking of me, however. Christians have treated me very poorly and I don't particularly care for it. Not you, but others. It's just made me reconsider my positions on things. I don't want to be treated like yesterday's garbage just because I have my opinions and thoughts.

 

[Debp]

No. In fact, I've been spending my time getting drunk. I do appreciate you thinking of me, however. Christians have treated me very poorly and I don't particularly care for it. Not you, but others. It's just made me reconsider my positions on things. I don't want to be treated like yesterday's garbage just because I have my opinions and thoughts.

I'm sorry to hear this. Not all are true believers...that is, born of the Spirit. And some might just be immature, therefore not having discernment in how to talk with others.

Have you read 1 Corinthians chapter 13? It's called the Love Chapter in the Bible:

The Greatest Gift
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

 

[Riven]

I'm sorry to hear this. Not all are true believers...that is, born of the Spirit. And some might just be immature, therefore not having discernment in how to talk with others.

Have you read 1 Corinthians chapter 13? It's called the Love Chapter in the Bible:

The Greatest Gift
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Well, thank you. I do appreciate your efforts. But quoting scripture isn't going to change my mind. I cannot discern what a true believer is from one who isn't. I rely on believers to stay true to their word. When they stab me in the back after I call them friend, then there is no redemption.

The bottle doesn't betray me. It's honest in what it is. Just think about that for a moment. Christians are being outclassed in common decency by a bottle of liquor. How awful is that? It's difficult to even fathom how such a thing could be possible.

 

[Hidden In Him]

Well, thank you. I do appreciate your efforts. But quoting scripture isn't going to change my mind. I cannot discern what a true believer is from one who isn't. I rely on believers to stay true to their word. When they stab me in the back after I call them friend, then there is no redemption.

What's happening, stranger! Decided to pop in over here and see what was going on in my old hunting ground.

About the above, I've had Christians betray me a number of times. I think the apostle Paul did as well. But God calls us to forgive, and for many reasons. Maybe they were not mature enough yet the time, or maybe they were just having a really tough go of it. There can be all sorts of reasons, but He will force us to think outside ourself to what the other person is going through and what they see. And forgiveness brings healing.

 

[Debp]

Well, thank you. I do appreciate your efforts. But quoting scripture isn't going to change my mind. I cannot discern what a true believer is from one who isn't. I rely on believers to stay true to their word. When they stab me in the back after I call them friend, then there is no redemption.

The bottle doesn't betray me. It's honest in what it is. Just think about that for a moment. Christians are being outclassed in common decency by a bottle of liquor. How awful is that? It's difficult to even fathom how such a thing could be possible.

I won't argue with you about it.

If following Christ depends on how others treat us, then none of us would remain. But we read the Word of God, and respond in ways the Lord teaches us and have peace.

My faith in Christ has been a life of peace and strength through every day life but also through trials. Since 1972 for me.

 

[Johann]

Never stopped being your friend. And I'm not talking down to you.

One thing you are right about-Christians betraying one another.

J.

 

[Hidden In Him]

One thing you are right about-Christians betraying one another.

J.

How's life, Johann. Hope you are well these days.

 

[Johann]

How's life, Johann. Hope you are well these days.

Challenging times here in South Africa, brother-deep in the refiner’s fire, but aside from that, all is well.

Peace to you and family.

Johann.

 

[Hidden In Him]

Challenging times here in South Africa, brother-deep in the refiner’s fire, but aside from that, all is well.

Peace to you and family.

Johann.

I'm glad to hear that (the all is well part). I've been going through some of that as well. Not fun, but eventually you go, "Alright Lord, whatever you want. Just leave me have a little Peace!" LoL.

Peace to you and your family as well. I'll try to include you in my prayers.

 

[Johann]

I'm glad to hear that (the all is well part). I've been going through some of that as well. Not fun, but eventually you go, "Alright Lord, whatever you want. Just leave me have a little Peace!" LoL.

Peace to you and your family as well. I'll try to include you in my prayers.

--Dear Lord, a moment of rest, a mountaintop experience-yet, not my will, but Yours be done!

J.

 

[Ritajanice]

@Riven said,

The bottle doesn't betray me


RJ...the bottle is a crutch, been there done that....I am completely off drink, I don’t need the bottle to help me overcome my problems...it numbed my problems for a very short time.then as you well know, the problems return.

I needed Jesus to help me through my problems....facing our problems with Jesus is the only way, it’s extremely painful, none the less they must be faced.

All in his strength Brother/ all in his timing.

I wish you well as you continue your journey with the Lord.

 

[Johann]

Was that at Christian Forum where Civic is at?

J.

 

[Riven]

Was that at Christian Forum where Civic is at?

J.

I dont know. It was at a Christian forum that I was at, one that was good until a bunch of hardliners took over and ruined the place. It used to be place where people could talk freely. We didn't have to agree on everything, but we respected each other.