our3blessings

I find that it's fairly easy for me to love. I also find that I get hurt easily because of it. Not angry with people, but at myself. I wonder what I could have done differently to prevent problems and/or even arguments. I'm not very forgiving to myself. In the forgiveness thread, I mentioned that I don't usually have trouble forgiving people in general, but when there are repeated transgressions against me, or my children, without repentance, I find it most difficult to keep forgiving as I should. I still love the person that does this to some extent, but it seems that every time something happens, it has diminished the depth of my love. I have been studying my Bible more often lately, and praying for help in overcoming this. That was a very good post! Thanks.

There is a wonderful book that I am going to suggest to you. It's called "The Bridger Generation". by Thom Rainer. I believe I posted something regarding this book months ago. It's an excellent read. And yes, the youth are or will be our church of tomorrow. We need to find a good balance for our congregations. No one person or group of people are more important than another. We all are part of Christ's body and we all play important rolls. KJV Romans 12:3

Awesome post. I find that forgiveness sets the guilty party free, but more importantly and pleasantly, it also sets me free from the anger and hurt that has been caused. I am usually a very forgiving person, but if someone is continually hurting me with no repentence at all, I can't forgive so well. Or if someone refuses to admit to any wrongdoing, it's difficult in that circumstance for me to forgive.

Thanks for answering, everyone! I have heard so many different things regarding this. I suppose the most important thing to worry about is the two greatest commandments. Love God, then love others. I just get curious about things when I hear them discussed repeatedly by friends and/or aquantances.

Is one sin greater than another? Or are there different levels of eternal punishment? This is something I've really never understood. I have studied it some before, but I'm still confused. Thanks.

Amen

Awesome explanation!

Well, this person does read the Harry Potter books! LOL But I really don't think that she believes that to be true! I am baffled that anyone, even non-Christians, could believe things like this though.

I haven't read it. Just seen other's views who have. That is what I don't understand though. Why would someone take it as factual? Especially since Dan Brown said it wasn't supposed to be.

:x:

Wow! That is absolutely awesome! Praise God! I wish there was something like that around here!

Amen!

Wonderful news! Congratulations! I will keep you and your wife in my prayers! I am so happy for you both!

Ohhh! Okay! ::whew:: :sweating: Thank you for explaining! I apologize for misunderstanding! :hug:

I am saying that we can't say that all sins are the same if the Word says that at least one is worse than another. That is what had me confused at first. I have heard many people state that sin is sin, yet in scripture there are places where it states there is greater sin.

Does this mean that the topic is open for business as usual? That's faith that is. johnp. Ummm, did I say something wrong or something? Or am I misunderstanding your post? I sure hope so, cuz the way I read it, you seem upset about something.

Thank you all for the replies! I think I get it now!!!!! There certainly are varying degrees of sin, but if you aren't a Christian the punishment for all sins is death ie: no salvation. Therefore it isn't the sins that are equal it is the punishment that is the same for unbelievers, but for the believers, Jesus took ours for us. I guess I really did understand this, but now it's so much simpler, the way you guys put it! I tend to make things a lot more difficult than they really are! LOL Thanks again!!!!

What are your opinions? It seems that in the old testament, this was true according to what Jesus told Pilot before He went to the cross. John 19:11

If it's at all possible, I would say to avoid them as much as possible. If you can't avoid them and you know you are not guilty and shouldn't be held responsible or accountable for what someone is blaming you for, stand up for yourself. Kat This is what I try to do with a certain woman at church. It's not easy to avoid her because she is involved in quite a few things. She is old school, and I think, power hungry as well. When the younger generation crosses her, or does something different than she thinks it should be done, her mouth goes constantly. She gossips about these people and refuses to see that she is wrong for doing so. When she does something to hurt someone, she blows it off because she thinks since she is older, she doesn't have to accept the blame. She transfers the blame to whoever she has hurt by saying something else to hurt them. It's a vicious circle that needs to stop. Whoops, I about hijacked your thread. Sorry... I have my own issues with this! Pray pray pray. That is the only answer that I have for these types of situations. I think some people forget about compassion towards others. :prayer I also believe that God sometimes puts these types of people into our lives for a reason that is not so easy to discover. It helps strengthen us to stand strong for His truth and His light.

We studied this in Sunday school a few weeks ago. We were comparing the differences between compassion and respect. Many think that respect is the same thing, although compassion has many more ingredients of the heart. :il: And we, as Christians, should practice more of it.

I am fairly new and don't know many very well, but it saddens me too. If people keep leaving, there won't be as many informative posts to read. I love reading and posting here.

Moochie is so cute! I just gotta comment about Wendy the Pooh! LOL My oldest daughter used to call me that when she was very young. I think she really thought of me as Winnie the Pooh.

$40-$50 at Walmart?????? My goodness, our Walmart's jeans are only about $20. Although I wouldn't pay even that for those jeans as they are usually very cheaply made and don't last. Maybe your Walmart carries better stuff! lol I always shop at good stores in the clearance section. I get much better deals for much better clothes. No offence to anyone who likes Walmart. Ours just has icky stuff! About the cologne, I like Drakkar, and a popular one for the kids is Addidas. That is what my nephew wears.

You got it!