SeekingHeart

Thank you all for your kind, supportive words. I have drawn alot from your answers, especially yours, 2Joyful! I have gained a deeper meaning, and this has really lightened my heart about the whole thing. I found myself balming God subconsiously, and being bitter with Him about it, but your posts have shown me what really should be seen out of this, and for that, I thank you, and thank God, for putting your voices out to me. Blessings to all of you!

I woke up this morning with the intiuitive, instinctual knowlege that God had something very important to teach me today while I was at the barn with my horses. And, oh, I learned a multitude of lessons about trusting my instincts, my mother's instincts, not turning my gelding out to run with another horse ever again, and to never completely and fully trust any living being, no matter how normally sweet they are, to not have a mean streak. But did this lessons have to coem in the form of the pain of my poor, defenseless horse? I know this is long, but I'm hoping knowing the whole story will help you give better insight to this one bog lesson that I feel I'm missing from all this.... OK, so I have been turning Solo out with Feather to run and play together since I got them both back in 07, I believe. That's a couple of years now. Normally uneventful. Today they were turned out together, and they were just toodling around, so I went down to the bottom of the property to with my mom to pull Bandit out to work him. Mom notices my other horse, Solo, kinda "herding" Feather around a bit, just prancing circles around her. She squealed and kicked when he got to close, and he sort of back off and just looked at her. Suddenly, he started to seriously herd her. My mother commented we should seperate them. By the time we managed to run up to the top of the property where there were turned out, Solo was in fully fledged aggressive mode and was chasing Feather at top speed, ears flattened, head snaked out and biting her HARD. He was chasing her so fast the poor girl's hind legs went out from under her and under the fence a few times. Somehow, she managed to get up and keep running, but every time she stumbled or fell, he was ON her like white on rice, biting and trying to stop her into the ground. We hurried into the arena, where we attempted to slow them down and sitract Solo, but he was having none of it. He was fixated on running Feather into the ground. It was disturbing watching his behavior and being able to do nothing to stop him as Feather litterally ran for her life, eyes open wide and showing whites while trying to kick out at him and still get away. As soon as we got into the arena, Feather immediately made a mad dash for us, ears pricked and neighing to us, but Solo was so hot on her heals she had to turn away from us. This happened a few times apparently after I ran to go get grain. I brought the grain in and shook it, and again, Feather ran straight for me, only to be chased off again by Solo, who could have cared less that I had some oats to tempt him with. He wanted her dead. Finally, my mother and I had a thought at the same time: Open the gate, let Feather run through, and slam the gate in Solo's face. By this point, the poor old girl was tiring, and was badly cut up. I ordered my aunt to move out of the way, called to Feather, and once she took off for me, my mom tossed the lead rope in front of Solo to distract him (which it barely slowe dhim down, but that proabaly saved me!)I opened the gate and let her slip through before yanking the gate closed. I barely had time to do that as Solo barrled straight towards me and I thought for a moment that my sweety **** of a horse was going to run me down. I raised both arms and started shouting at him in the loudest, gruffest voice I could. Thank God, he turned at the last moment and then, finally, stopped. I immediately left him with my mom while I went to go find the now loose Feather. I found the poor thing huddinling in the cave-like hay banker, not eating, just standing there, shaking and puffing. As soon as she saw me, she trotted up to me and stopped in front of me, quivering and dripping in sweat. I stood and stroked her for a moment, murmmering how sorry I was and inspecting her wounds. She had 6 nasty chunks of hair scraped from her hindquarters and back, a cut on the front left (nothing serious thankfully), and some small chunks taken out of her skin as well as one long, pretty deep laceration on her right hind. I walked her around a bit, at which point it became clear that she was pretty lame, and that all the galloping and falling had caused her stiff hip and the leg with the bad suspention to hurt pretty bad. IF I ahd been the one hurt, I wouldn;t complain about God's lesson that I am seeing from all this. But my poor old horse, Feather had to suffer for me to learn these lessons?? Why??

Forgive me for making this comment, but the two of you seem to be rather judgemental of what others teach and whether or not it is correct. "Remove the plank from your own eye before taking out the sliver in yours brother's eye" so to speak (I know that may not be exactly quoted, but I dont have my bible by me at the moment. You have your beliefs, and that's great, but there is no need to bash organized religion. At this point in existance, it;s a very indidvidual thing in the end. As for keeping the sabbath, I believe the church simply means that that is how they chose their service days, and that they are there for people to take spiritual rest in Christ, not that they are necissarily hardcore about not working or leaving your house, ect. I knew a few people that went here, and if they had to work or soemthing came up, they dind't attend service that day, and no one looked down on them for it.

Here is te church I'm most looking at that I find I have the most in common with in beliefs: Here is a quick rundown of who we are and what we believe: Statement of Beliefs: Introduction Seventh Day Baptists consider liberty of thought under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to be essential to Christian belief and practice. Therefore we encourage the unhindered study and open discussion of Scripture. We uphold the individual's freedom of conscience in seeking to determine and obey the will of God. The following statement is not intended to be exhaustive, but is an expression of our common belief, which is derived from our understanding of Scripture. Scripture References : 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, 2 Timothy 2:15, Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:3-6, Ephesians 15, Romans 10:17, and 2 Timothy 3:16-17. The Scriptures We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and is our final authority in matters of faith and practice. We believe that Jesus Christ, in His life and teachings as recorded in the Bible, is the supreme interpreter of God's will for mankind. Scripture References: 2 Peter 1:20-21, Romans 3:2, 2 Peter 3:1-2, 2 Peter 3:15-16, 2 Timothy 3:14-17, Matthew 5:17-19, Psalm 119:105, John 20:30-31, and Hebrews 1:1-2. God We believe in one God, infinite and perfect, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe who exists eternally in three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and desires to share His love in a personal relationship with everyone. Scripture References: 1 Timothy 1:17, Deuteronomy 6:4, 1 Kings 8:27, 1 John 1:5, Genesis 1:1-2, Acts 17:24-25, Acts 28, Psalm 90:1-2, Matthew 28:19, John 3:16, Isaiah 57:15, and 2 Peter 3:9. The Father We believe in God the Father, who is sovereign over all, and is loving and just as He forgives the repentant and condemns the unrepentant. Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 8:6, Ephesians 4:6, Ezekiel 33:11, 2 Thessalonians 1:6-8, John 5:24, and John 3:16-18. The Son We believe in God the Son, who became incarnate in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. He gave Himself on the cross as the complete and final sacrifice for sin. As our Risen Lord, He is the mediator between God the Father and mankind. Scripture References: John 1:34, Hebrews 1:3, John 1:14-18, Romans 1:3-4, 1 John 3:16, 1 Peter 2:24, Hebrews 10:10-14, 1 Corinthians 15:20-21, 1 Timothy 2:5, John 14:6, and 1 John 2:1-2. The Holy Spirit We believe in God the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, who gives spiritual birth to believers lives within them, and empowers them for witnessing and service. We believe the Holy Spirit inspired the Scriptures, convicts of sin and instructs in ighteousness. Scripture References : John 14:16, John 3:5-8, John 14:17, Romans 5:5, 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 2 Peter 1:20-21, and John 16:7-11. Mankind We believe that mankind was created in the image of God and is therefore the noblest work of creation. We believe that human beings have moral responsibility and are created to enjoy both divine and human fellowship as children of God. Scripture References: Genesis 1:26-27, Psalm 8:3-9, Micah 6:8, Matthew 5:44-48, 1 John 1:3, and John 1:12. Nutshell: What's the deal with the Sabbath (Saturday worship)? We believe that the fourth commandment (Exodus 20:8-11) commands us to observe the Sabbath day and to keep it holy. Basically, we work for six days of the week (Sunday through Friday evening), and on Fridays at sundown through Saturdays we worship and rest in the Lord. So, you're not Adventists? No, we are not Adventists. We are Seventh Day Baptists and we believe in the Bible, God as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, salvation through redemption in Christ, keeping the Sabbath day holy, and baptism by choice and immersion. Is it okay to discuss the Bible freely? Of course it is, and it is encouraged. Check out our Bible studies under Ministries (on the left). Can we eat meat? Yes, we can and we do, frequently. Come and eat with us every first Sabbath of the month (see the Calendar). Is alcohol forbidden? No, it is not, except on church property. Is dancing okay? Yes, it is. Pastor Gabe will join you in dancing. Is there a hierarchy or expert that has the last word on the Bible? No, we are all on the same level, learning and growing with each other.

Thanks. It is all a bit confusing. See, I'm planning on chruch searching, and there are a few churches near-by my house, but one is presbertaian, the other evangelical, and I have no clue if either one has similar views to mine. Not that I think my beliefs are the only right ones, just that it makes sense to worship with others of similar thoughts.

So I never really understood the difference between the different Christian denominations, especially the difference between a typical congregational church and an evengelical church? Please don't use but, fancy words to explaine verything. I just want to know, in basic words a teenager can understand, the difference in denominations. Thanks!

Here, here, Hazard, thankyou. Well said.

But He also had Noah saved unclean animals as well...? And how is it that the animals were unclean when it was the humans that were sinning, and not they? Sin Kills But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death. Proverbs 8:36 Jesus Saves In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:1-3 He Hung On The Cross But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. Psalms 22:6-8 And Willingly Took On All Our Sins All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. Isaiah 53:6-7 To Save Whosoever Will Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 Believe In Him Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? John 11:25-26 And Be Blessed Beloved The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. Isaiah 11:6-9 Love, Joe While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. Job 1:18-22 Joe, I appriciate your time you took to put all this together, but this does not answer my question at all. Infact, it hardly has anything to do with the topic. I know God loves me, I know he gave his son to the world, and I shall forever praise him for it. But reitterating that fact does not answer my question in any way...I don't mean to offend, but please don't waste your time if you don't have a direct answer rather than just posting scriptures that may or may not have anything to do with the question. If I have read incorrectly and simply am not making the connection between my question and your post, please, correct me.

Thank you this really helped me understand!

I never quite understood why God included animals in the creation he had made that he greived. What had the animals done wrong? They are innocent and pure, unable to commit sin, arn't they? I know He had Noah save a certain amount, but why kill all the others in the first place? Surely he could have saved them all if He so chose? And what about sea-life? They would ofcourse, survive, so why allow them to live, simply because that is the nature of His choice of destruction?

So, if God wouldnn't contend with man back int he days just before the flood, what makes him willing to contend with us now? I know He made the Covenat and promised us it would never be broken, but WHY? Surely, we are worse today than men were back then. We have so much more to tempt us. But why would God be grieved enough about our actions to kill all but a few off, and then decide to never do it again? Where's the reasoning behind it?

Would it be PLAUSIBLE (obviously there are so many oposing views on here) then, to believe that God is all-knowing of the past, present, and future, BUT when it comes to the future he knows all the POSSIBILITIES of what COULD happen, depending upon the decisions that man makes, and therefore makes the wisest decision to respond to whatever man chooses to do? It seems the bible most supports this theory, as it clearly states in some passages that God changes his mind, BUT other passages clearly state that He knows ALL. Therefore, the most plausible assumption, I would think, is that because he cannot affect free will, and must wait for the human to make a choice, he therefore knows everything that COULD happen, and simply has to hope that man chooses correctly so he dosn't have to do A instead of B? I'm not saying this is definately correct, I'm just asking if my conclusion I have drawn is something that is PLAUSIBLE?

subscribing. I am interested to see the answers.