miyako_1984

Hi Chief! Think I've just discovered what church one of my friends is part of! But if you are still around to answer questions (and I don't mean it as an open season on Mennonites)- why no crosses? And do you mean by not wanting to be contentious- although I realise you don't want to go too deeply into this- you do believe in the gifts of the spirit (like tongues) or you don't? thanks a million miyako PS: i'm from the UK and a very simple church- what's an 'altar call'?

Hi, hmmmmm I wasn't actually using a literal interpretation- merely quoting yours and assuming you were sticking with literalness all the way through. My defence of a longer term for creation is not rooted in the bible at all. I understand a day to be the time of roatation of the earth around it's axis, a turning that takes just about, and a little over, 24 hours- this is where this number comes from. I think the bible defines one day, like the last post by the coming of morning light and evening passing but don't really see how this isn't to do with the sun- as this is the light that rises and sets because the earth rotates, no? For fun, science would have it that in the past, days and this period of light were in fact much less than 24 hours and will one day be much much more (as the earth is supposedly slowing down due to gravity very very slowly- much like our moon which no longer rotates). Anyhow, these are pretty specific points and largely semantic but the gist is there. Whilst I don't doubt God made the universe, six days need not mean the working week. Many scholars already claim that forty days and nights were something else entirely and time throughout the bible is a bit unclear perhaps with years, ages and generations in the OT lasting times not heard of on modern scales and calenders. I don't mean to argue this to death- it was just a light comment and in the scale of God's big picture, I don't even regard it was immensely important. Unless, you feel I am undercutting God by more loosely interpreting his word? I certainly don't consider it 'all or nothing' to the extent that I am any less faithful for a figurative approach. Peace, anyhow. miyako.

Good point but even if I don't know whether God made the earth in six literal days, I still believe it was his own amazing and miraculous way. In fact, to have done it the way science (and I) would presume, it's even more amazing and miraculous! Lekcit, if we're going to be specific about what days he did what on and when light came in not the moon and the stars and all that, he actually first created the heavens and all the earth within a couple of verses and more importantly- in the dark! Besides, 'Six literal days'? Literal days didn't even exist until the sun was made- as you pointed out, already quite a way into the week. Be real, Not sure what you mean by the halo. I think what you are seeing is the material that new stars form from. It's gas that is slowly coming together (well quite fast but over millions of miles) and I think, in theory it does happen in or around our galaxy- it happens (or has happened) all over the universe but is observed more clearly in particular parts where young white stars are 'being' born. Because the further you look, the further back you see- the brightest, youngest stars are often observed way back in time- and at the edges of what we see where much of space is filled with these clouds. If you were to be where they are and looking at us, our sun would probably still only just be pulling itself together from the 'halo'.

thanks for the thread! and for the reference Ps 118:8 ...

Surely you mean music that claims to be preaching but is not- seeing as this seems to be your problem Switchfoot. You can be a christian and still play rock, just like christians do enjoy sports and cars- i'd worry too if my preacher never talked about sports or cars or something he lived. Being a christian is all about everyday living here and now- and christians need music that is about day to day living (with the holy spirit) as well as music just reminding them who Jesus is. That's what the pumpkins have got over tim hughes - and no doubt why your user name is cherub_rocket and not jesusislordyesheis or evangeliseevangelise! big love miyako

Hey Barbara! Modesty sure, but as loads of people have said that's a bit different from demanding you all wear dresses, or hats, or any one item really. What you wear shouldn't reflect belief systems you probably don't have as a Christian and that can take you away from God ie. perhaps that you are interested in attracting everyman or that you are overconcerned with appearances or an aesthetic (this one works both ways for those insisting on a dress code). Matthew got Jesus's words on all things material down in chapter 6: 25. 'Therefore I tell you do not worry about .. what you will wear. Is life not more important than food and the body not more important than clothes?' Bit out of context I grant you but God loves each and everyone of us- even those that wear nothing at all for half of our days. Praise comes from the soul, fellowship from the spirit and what we wear can have no impact on God's mighty love nor on what he already knows is in our hearts. Talk to God and wear what you feel comfortable in before him.

I was a huge music fan before I was a christian. ! I played in, followed and toured with bands. It was an amazing part of my life and in many ways was an extremely positive influence on me and is on thousands and thousands of young people- and old. Music allows you to express things you can't easily find words for (or aren't talented enough yourself to!), to share a passion with strangers and to relate to ideas and feelings expressed beautifully that may help you and all your friends get through. Don't stop listening it's great. BUT... For me, I went on to find a lot of music I listened to, and a lot of my friends were into, expressed feelings that weren't really at all my own. I was relating to people and ideas that were in fact- in the cold light of day- very different from what I thought or represented something that had touched me once but that didn't bear years of repetition. Although there's A LOT of great positive secular music out there, once I became a Christian, I found a lot of what was around I couldn't relate to. I didn't feel there weren't answers, I didn't feel lost in love and I certainly didn't relate to many of sentiments secular music associated with happiness. More worrying for me, though, and why I feel since knowing God I haven't listened to my favourite bands so much, or even enjoyed flinging myself about to tunes I used to love, was that music had become an 'idol' for me. I don't mean this like the celebrity worship that goes on and in fact so much of the music industry is about- I've never really seen the appeal of Britney for instance or even the Beatles as people, although this aspect is a real danger. I don't even mean the way that most performers are actually out to be loved and music frequently becomes about individuals rather than tracks (even a lot of christian solo artists seem to treat worship a bit like a gig ). For me, it was just music itself that took my time and my love away from God. Although it wasn't evil, or ungodly, it wasn't where he was either and for a long time it contained the things I admired most, the directions I aspired to. It was a kind of distraction from giving myself entirely to Him and living my life how He wanted me to, just like anything can become if it is something you really come to love without Him. Of course secular music doesn't have to be like this- it was something that personally, in my life I turned to instead of God: it got in the way of our relationship. Different things do this for different people- it's down to you and Him to identify any. Music may instead provide a great outreach opportunity. It's always important to stay in touch with the secular world and not retreat to a bubble of righteousness and seclusion. In fact, the more people who know God that listen to secular music, and influence the music industry, the better it will become- there are people out there crazy about Celine who maybe really need to meet you. Just as there are people who play water polo or whatever, who will find God through people that also do. If you like music then listen to it, sing along, knock yourself out... but, as in everything, remember what YOU know about the world. Remember what really matters and don't let sentiments you hear from anywhere sway your own spiritual instincts or what you have learned from your faith. It's OK to listen to an artist because you like their sound without agreeing with everything they sing or say, it's OK not to take music, secular or otherwise too seriously. There's a lot of good stuff and great kindness out there that isn't overtly Christian. The secular world is by no means all bad, or dangerous or wrong- but if you feel uncomfortable listening to music or to any particular music, then don't. It's that discernment thing Deirdre mentioned. Talk to God directly and be honest with Him AND with yourself. Sorry that was a bit of a rant! Big love, miyako_1984

At the risk of making myself unpopular on these boards, I'm just asking why everyone seems to be looking forward to the End of Days and the tribulation so much! Aren't these going to be terrible terrible times that are cut short just to end the suffering (Mat 24: 9 & 22) ? Dr Luke said it "Am 5:18 Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light." Genuinely, didn't people in every time think they were living in the end times? It's still all a bit cushy round here at the moment don't you think, given that the turmoil we've been promised?

Besides, how is it tunnel vision to simply describe the situation in my own continent unbiasedly and call for a bit more open mindedness??? I have opinions too, but I'm not fixed in them and was simply responding to your observations with a fuller picture. The US has also sent 'battle groups' all over the world, so has the latest Coalition, so have combined terrorist groups. Scripture could mean anyone.

There's no need to get all excited. This post wasn't meant to scare anyone, or put down the EU. I posted it solely to show how this world has changed, along with Daniel's 4th beast. It appears that you're a big fan of globalism, and I have no problem with that, but we all don't share your beliefs or your tunnel vision. Believe it or not, some of us have our own opinions. I realize this may not be your cup of tea, so maybe you should try a cup of coffee or something else instead? No one is cramming anything down your throat here. Whether you or anyone else likes it or not, I'm going to continue to keep watch. Oh yeah, but thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful day. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Sure yeah, not meaning to put down your post either- it's a take on Europe I'm hearing all the time here now- and I am very interested in the signs people are seeing. In fact, it's pretty awesome that you can interpret things this way and maybe I'm being naive. It's just why is everyone convinced that Europe is going to be the new roman empire? The quotes here are just news stories and events that really don't mean much to the people here and I guess must be pretty similar to those found about anywhere. Genuinely, I'm baffled. If Solana is the Antichrist, and that's pretty specific, I just can't see how everyone arrived at it so certainly. After all Europe is among the most peaceful and pro-peace continents in the world. Actually, I'm not a huge fan of globalism or the EU but I just wouldn't think to look to any one nation for an antichrist rather than any other country in the world say, America or my own.

Sorry Marvin- that wasn't really a reply to your lengthy post- which was great and refreshing to read. I totally agree with a lot of what you say, especially about tolerance. miyako

With all due respect, this simply isn't true. Much of Europe is Christian, if any nation can be clumped under one faith. Italy and Spain, Ireland as well as much of the former Soviet Union have deep, deep spiritual roots. Even the UK for centuries was described as a Christian nation. God's hand is at work in China, crazily so in South Korea and much of Africa firmly accepts Jesus as her saviour . Why so Americo-centric? God's people are a People and not an earthly nation, even 'political powers' need not represent states as we describe them. As a European, I find it hilarious (and a little bit worrying) how ready people are to look to Europe for the rise of the antichrist, seemingly simply because it is percieved America to be the seat of christianity and because of some peculiar ideas about the largely token EU. Like SuperJew said, this is a dangerous pride. We should be careful when speculating on people's faith. As to the end of days, we cannot claim to know what only God yet knows- and should be cautious of those who claim to. We will know when the coming of Christ when it happens (Mat 24:27) should the last days come in our lifetime and will be saved as long as we stay close to God, and take counsel directly from him.

Sure, I realise this, sorry- I didn't mean to undermine your post. It's just a common misconception of the significance of red shifts and of course, any motion causing a red shift is relative as you say. I just thought it was an interesting curio that you do get blue shifted matter as well although, yep, my analagy by way of explanation wasn't the right one. miyako

As a scientist and a christian, I spent several years studying cosmology and whilst constantly amazed, never found anything that to me, undermines a faith in God. In order to answer your questions on the Big Bang, it's probably easiest to refer you to one of the many websites dedicated to explaining the theory in simple terms. The best are probably those run by scientists in all honesty as they are likely to give the most accurate accounts and not lead you into mysticism and theology before you are good and ready! A quick google chucks out http://www.astro.ucla.edu/~wright/cosmology_faq.html which seems pretty detailed and may answer some more questions if you get deeper into the subject and http://www.leyada.jlm.k12.il/proj/black/. This last one I'm not sure who made (maybe someone in school) but it has some cool links and movies to explain things. http://www.big-bang-theory.com/ ends in some pretty spurious theology but at the start, has a lot of genuine science well explained. In fact, according to physicists, the most compelling evidence for the big bang came in 1965 when it was realised that far from being empty and cold, deepest darkest space was actually a fairly toasty 3 degrees Kelvin. That's close to -270 celsius, but still a lot warmer than it 'should' be. This is regarded as the remnants of the Big Bang and a hint that all the universe is still cooling down from the moment it emerged and huge energies were around. For the record, not everything is going away from us, just as if you run away from something in a big crowd, some people will be behind you and some of these people will actually be running towards you! There is quite a lot of evidence that our galaxy will one day collide with one of our neighbours- who is moving this way. This is because we aren't the centre of the universe or the point at which the big bang happened (we're not even the centre of our galaxy). In fact, there is a specific centre of the universe that some scientists claim to have calculated and if they are to be believed, in the map of an expanding universe (depending on which way you look) we are a little to the left and quite a way out. Unfortunately, if you subscribe to the Big Bang Theory, then there's no way the Earth was created at the beginning of the universe. Most Physicists agree that the earth only came about long after the universe unpacked itself and long after the creation of many stars we are just seeing being born now. miyako_1984