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Howdy howdy. I recently got this question as well, it was a little different though. "Why does God let all this evil into and stay in the world," is what she asked? It led to a 2 hr conversation and a sermon on evil. I think it comes down to the fact that man has turned from God for a long time, adding sin to sin (Isa 30 &31). I don't see how a person could look through history, or read the bible and wonder why evil things remain in the world. In short, I guess you could say that all these things happen because people look every where but to God during times of crisis, in times of peace, emergency, whatever; man doesn't have a good track record for turning to God for help. Its the same for us, as it relates to the garden. We are suffering because of someone eating an apple that they shouldn't have..... Its a hard question, that takes a long slow answer, and understanding hearts; to even get a hint of an answer.... And it does boil down to the fact that God's purposes are often beyond our understanding, and as His faithful we just have to take what we get sometimes.... peace Rick><> My answer goes along with hr.jr, his is a good post, mine kind of elaborated on his...

I don't see, in the near or far future, America as a country repenting. Abortion alone should be enough to make God not like us so much, in a way. There were gods back in the day that required a sacrifice of babies, in OT times, one of the baals. God didn't like that, why would he like what we are doing...... Point is though, America, as a nation, is not going to repent...... Its a nice thought though.... peace crabs><>

These other 'gods' are about as credible as well. This other 'gods' buisness needs no 'thinking about' to come to a conclusion. Don't question the real and true God, and leave it at that. Lets focus on his son.... crabs><>

The way your story sounds, it hits me like you are thinking at some point in our lives we stop sinning, this just isn't the case. Look at Paul in Romans saying that all sin and come short of the glory of God, he's talking about everyone, Jews and Gents alike. It is a change of heart, eventually the anger will die away, mine did, it takes time really. Its the fervency with which he despises the old self, and the fervency with which he loves the new creature he has become, because of Jesus. Its not that he isn't saved, its just that he has to pray about some things more often than others. I'd recommend listening to this sermon at www.mhbcmi.org Go over to the listen button, and find the sermons, you can dowload mp3's of them for free, look for the one titled, 'Whats it to you,' I learned a lot from it, there is a lot in there about accepting yourself...... peace crabs><>

To what extent, might I ask. Think about Paul and the Corinthians, he witnessed to them by actions, not words, why was that. Because at that time that area was full of pagan cults, and all kind of 'gods' that people had, ironically enough, some died and ascended three days later, some sat at the right hand of God, some died to save man, some were beaten and crucified. I dare say Satan won some souls by working through these 'gods,' have they got your attention in a similar way.... peace crabs><>

I talked with a preacher once who lives near a privately owned feild where once a year there is a witches convention, he says the music is so loud it thumps in his house, and its a good 3/4 miles away. He was talking about the music, and the question come up, if he believed that magic is a viable possibility. The only answer he would make is that he believes that Satan is capable of much, and that the danger isn't in the magic itself, or the spells or whatever, but the fact that they are not of God. When people get wrapped up in this stuff, they start saying yes to the world, and no to God. Look at ISA 30, after Israel trusts in the shadow of Egypt and pharoah, soon enough, they ask the prophets to lie to them, and ask the seers to see not, to finish up the request that 'the holy one of Israel cease from before them.' Its scary buisness, moving away from God.... peace crabs><>

Hey guys, Its not so much the fact that they are 'using magic,' but that they are trusting something not God, ('spirits'), to do something not of God ('magic'), its all fairy tale though and I agree with the demon explanation above. Cosider ISA 30, just replace Egypt and Pharoah with 'spirits' and 'magic,' it basically is a warning about not trusting God........ peace crabs><>

http://www.christiandiscussionforums.org/v...ead.php?t=24398 There is this to......

Very much agreed, people need to know that we all need Jesus, and why, but the love should be focused on, the rest is kind of details, or case by case basis..... crabs><>

I've read them, I've got all the narnia, lord of the rings, and HP books, and I've read them multiple times. Since becoming very much on fire for God/Jesus, two things have come to my attention, stumbling blocks, and lukewarmness. Both of which can be very bad for those around you. I make a point to let everyone know that both C.S. Lewis and Tolkein were two excellent Christian authors, and also that I am very much into Christ, not a single person around would think anything of it, if I were walking around with the Satanic bible, they would think I was studying to write a paper on it, so its how you present yourself really. As far as, 'if you have the time to read that, why not read the bible.' I honestly set aside time each night to read things specifically not bible, I'm reading The Hobbit right now. But that is because I spend so much time reading and writing articles about the teaching in the bible, that I need to relax and read something that I don't have to think about. I spend at least an hour everyday with my head between the covers of God's word, and I've spent close to 5 hours straight, taking notes and writing about the same. The stumbling block can come from this, think about drinking, as a believer, we know that 1 beer is 1 beer, and that its probably ok to have 1 beer, but to the unbeliever, they aren't going to know the difference between 1 beer and 10, they are going to see a christian drinking, this is why I havn't drank since becoming a christian. As well, they aren't going to see a christian reading a fantasy novel by a christian author, they are going to see a christian reading a fantasy novel, that is why when I do read these books, I do so normally at home, or around good friends or family that know where I stand. And the lukewarmness, if it takes your attention away from God, you run the risk of becoming lukewarm, luckily for me I am a part of something that requires my daily attention to the bible. But if to many times in a row you think, 'I'm burnt out on the bible, i'll just read this,' eventually Satan will use that to push the bible away totally. In short, be steadfast, search the scriptures daily, and be sure you're not 'being' a stumbling block peace crabs><>

Hey guys, I've been reading only for awhile, glad to participate again. This is an article I have written that I am opening up for debate/critique... thanks rick Isaiah 6:5,

for clarification, the word 'perfect,' is acually better translated 'complete,' or in context with the rest of 13:8-13, 'perfect' would better read 'mature,' tongues and prophecy are the immature form of communication God used to get info to us basically, the Bible is the mature form, because it is all He wants us to know, His word is now whole.

Butero, While i do believe that 'that which is perfect,' is the 'cannon of the Bible,' i have to point out that, 'that which is perfect' cannot be Jesus in this instance. if 'that which is perfect' is Jesus in this case, 1Cor 13:13 would not tell us that we need faith hope and love, if it were Jesus, Paul would tell us that we would only need love, for the other two will not be needed upon Jesus return. But since 'that which is perfect,' is not Jesus in this instance, we still need faith, and love. Hope we do not need anymore, because Jesus has come, saved us, and promised his return, should we follow him that is. crabs><>

Thank you Robert H, that was my point exactly, when he returns to take us home....~!!!!!!!

Love cannot fail because it is the only of the three in 1Cor 13:13 (love hope and faith), that we will need after Jesus returns. After Christ returns we will need faith no more, for He will be with us. After his sacrifice on the cross, we need hope no more, for He has promised His return. crabs><>