grandma dolittle

you know one now and also one that has family that died in the shoah. Jason, I am so sorry that the world sat back and allowed that to happen. I lost a beloved brother to cancer, but that I can understand and accept. However, knowing my loved one were stripped naked and humilated, then marched into a gas chamber or lined into a deep ditch and shot, would be a deep grief that only God can take care of. You won't forget and I hope you never will nor allow anyone forget. rather pray for my unsaved 2nd cousin who is old enough to be in the shoah and likely knew them that died. i have asked for the names from her but got no answer. many of my cousins arent saved. My prayers are with you and your cousins. Nothing is impossible with God. Although, I sometimes wished he would work faster. I have a son in prison, one who doesn't believe in God, a daughter living with a man not her husband, and a son who believes, but is not a Christian. Makes me sound like a bad mother. I have committed adultry by divorce and remarriage. I am like David I have been forgiven, but I am also punished. Pray for my children.

Boy! Gary, did you ever hit the mark! Are you hiding in the cornor of my house listening to me? I talk to myself a lot! I understand what you are saying. Bare with me, or is it bear with me... anyway, I am giving it a lot of thought. Eva

Wow! I have never thought of being in God like that! I know his spirit is in me. Lord, help me to understand and embrace the Trinity. I know you will give me the knowledge when you want me to have it. I thank you for prayers you have answered and the wisdom you have given me and I thank you for answering this prayer also. In Jesus sweet name, amen.

Other One, Part of my confusion is things like that prayer. I see that as a Son praying to his Father in heaven. I know Jesus was the Son of God and therefore Holy. If he was part of God, why did he have to pray? I know I am not making sense to you, I don't even make sense to me! I will say this, the part of that prayer that thrills me is where Jesus prayed for me!

Godrules, I am so sorry about being so selfish. i just read where your wife has MS. I will pray for her.

There are aspects to God that most people cannot fathom, and the trinity is one of them. I don't believe God expects us to be able to grasp Him as three Persons in One, but He does expect us to accept it by faith. That is not difficult. So, live out your faith and grow in God, accepting the triune nature of God and in time it will cease to be an issue. I don't have a problem thinking of God, who is Spirit, presenting Himself to the world as a man, the Lamb, the Redeemer, and as Holy Spirit, His great power who ministers to and through Creation. One of God's names spoken in Genesis means Redeemer, which is proof that the Son was right there with Him and the plan of redemption was already in the works. What a comfort to know! I am reminded of the scripture that says who can know the thoughts and ways of God, he is so far above us. You are right and I do accept everything else on faith. I guess the trinity will have to be on faith also. Just as I have faith that God made this wonderful world I live in, I will have to accept the trinity too. This is something for much prayer and time to think about this. At least it keeps me focused on God.

BTW Fez, school was not that way.... I got swats al through my first 12 years of schooling. When we were in the 8th grade, our principle taught the math class, and we had to memoreze multiplecation and division tables and do some serious fraction work on the board. When we missed an answer we got a swat on the rear end. It was not pleasont, but it did cause us to know our tabes up through 12, and by the first week, we all got very good at fractions. I never heard of a single parent that complained. As I remember when I asked Dad if that was fair, I believe he just asked me if I needed help learning. We had very strict safety rules in our woodworking shop classes and any violation of those rules got you two extremely hard swats that would bring tears to your eyes, and it was done in front of the whole class as an example. I never experienced this, but saw some tough kids drop a tear or two. The alliterative was to be booted out of class for the year. When I was in the second grade, I refused to memorize the two's. I was taken into the closet and laid over the teacher's lap and given a swat. The swat didn't hurt that bad, but I was humilated because all the students knew I got a swat. Some teachers took students into the hall, but left the door open, so you could hear the swats and the kid crying. That was a bigger deterent than the swats were. I just retired as a teacher and I have had to wittness several spankings in both the principal and the super's office. The kids actually swaggered back into the classroom, swats(3) forgotten. No one knew of the swats, no incentive to behave in the whole ordeal. My dad would give us a spanking, if we got one at school. Cussing a teacher would have been a death sentence!

So did I.....but I've always been a fast runner! Running and hiding only made it worse. running got us a double dose. That was something you did not do.

Thank you. I am learning to look at this different than i have before. I Thank God for you members that are being paitent and explaining this to me. I love all of you.

Hi Grandma, I wrote this awhile back when I was asking God the same question. It is a bit difficult to maneuver through but pray for understanding and may God help you understand how you are just like him! Gary, I read the topic you posted and it makes sense. It gives me something to ponder. I haven't thought of it like that.

Hello Grandma dolittle: It sounds like you have a problem with the divinity of Jesus Christ. If you believe that scripture reveals who God is and that what is revealed about God is truth and is not contradictory, then these texts will help you see what you do not see. First off, I hope that you decide against "deciding it doesnt matter", because it matters greatly. The doctrine of the Trinity is a uniquely Christian and perfectly biblical truth where the various aspects of Jesus Christ, the Father and the Holy Spirit are understood as the right and true biblical presentation of the One True God in whom we have trusted. Eph 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call-- Eph 4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, Eph 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. In numerous places the scripture places all 3 persons of the godhead next to each other as does the Ephesians texts. So also, 1Pe_1:2, 1Co_12:3-6; The scriptures make this division because the Father is not the Son, nor is the Son the Father, Yet the Spirit is also neither the Son or the Father. You also might have noticed that our Salvation is credited to the working of all three persons...Tit 3:4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, Tit 3:5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, Tit 3:6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, Now let us look at each person more specificially. Jesus Christ is fully human "1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 1Ti 2:6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. Jesus is fully human and it was his manhood=humanity that was crucified and given as a ransom for all. Jesus being human, fully man, suffered, was beaten, hungered, was weary, slept, was thirsty, wept and was circumcised. I didnt post all these texts, but a concordance will take you to all of these. Jesus being fully divine, meaning that he is God, not a demi-god, or an angel or a modal-god. Texts for his divinity. Isa 6:1 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Isa 6:2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. Isa 6:3 And one called to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!" compare this to.....Joh 12:41 Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. Of course it would be good to quote the most straight forward text as to Christ's Divinity and Humanity. Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Joh 1:2 He was in the beginning with God. Joh 1:3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. It is right that we honor Jesus Christ as we do God. It is right that we honor Jesus Christ because he is God. Joh 5:23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. These and many other scriptures that reveal to us that Jesus Christ judges people. That Jesus Christ forgives sins, That Jesus Christ is creator of all things, That Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, a title that no one but the Divine Son of God could ever take upon himself. Jesus Christ bestows grace and imparts the Holy Spirit. As far as the Spirit of God, you didnt make mention so I wont delve into that now. But for brevity, this short post should point you to the two truths about Jesus Christ, that he is fully divine and fully human and we who believe the truth, worship him as the One True God -in whom dwells the fullness of the godhead bodily. R.E. RE, I truly believe in the divinity of Jesus and I believe he was sent to earth in the form of a man. It makes my heart ache to think of the tortures he went through for us. But,... I see him as the "only begotten Son of God" and the Holy Spirit is that part of God that lives in me. I have prayed that God would open my eyes and make the trinity known to me if it was important to him that I understand it. That is why I said it doesn't matter to me because God has not reveal the knowledge to me yet. Don't get me wrong. I believe with all my heart in Jesus and I thank him everyday for his blood. At the same time I thank God for his love to send his son to die for me. I believe that the Word was God, and the Word was WITH God... and now I have confused myself! I'll keep praying. God is the only one who can really show me.

you know one now and also one that has family that died in the shoah. Jason, I am so sorry that the world sat back and allowed that to happen. I lost a beloved brother to cancer, but that I can understand and accept. However, knowing my loved one were stripped naked and humilated, then marched into a gas chamber or lined into a deep ditch and shot, would be a deep grief that only God can take care of. You won't forget and I hope you never will nor allow anyone forget.

I guess it's the 'our likness" 'our image" and "us" that confuses me.

Can some help me understand the Trinity? My minister and fellow church members have tried and they don't seem to have a problem with it. But I do. Most often quoted to me is John 10:30 " I and my father are one." But in other scriptures (I can't find right now) Jesus talks to the disciples and he says I am in you and you in me. All through the scriptures, Jesus refers to God as his Father. I really don't see it, so I have decided it doesn't really matter. I love Jesus and God and I am so glad I have the Holy Spirit. I know Christ died and rose and he is preparing a place for me in heaven. I will live my life according to that knowledge. One day as I see jesus... I will know the truth.

My father told us one time to do something, the second time we wished we had. He never beat us, but he did use the belt and we got more that three swats. My mother used a keen switch to our legs. mine in particular. We were loved and knew it and our spankings were deserved because we did not obey, not because they were angry. As the only girl with four brothers, I probably needed more than I got. However, my parents never failed to show their love with a hug or a kiss. I am 66 years old and I can remember as a big 18 year old girl sitting on my Daddy's lap and crying out my heartaches. He would rock me and encourage me. Thank God, they raised us in church.

I do believe a Christian's body is a temple and there fore we should not desecrate it with tatoos and body pericings. We do not belong to ourselves because Jesus bought us and we became temple for the Living God. I have never though about my soul being the Holy of Holies, but I can see where it would be because the Holy Spirit dwells there. I like that thought.

theories are just an educated guess... that person'sopinion...not facts. I wonder what they would call Jesus? he can't be a theory because history validates his life

It breaks my heart to read this. The Jews are God's chosen people and as a follower of Jesus, I have been adopted into the chosen people. I am not a Jew and don't even personally know any, but I do believe the Bible says God will bless those that bless Israel and curse those that curse Israel. I also believe that the holicost as is today's problems that Israel faces is part of God's plan to bring about the end times. To fulfill the prophecies about bring the scattered Jews back to Israel. I do realize that anti-semetism is alive and growing in America. It was alive an well during the period that Hitler was in power. America isn't blameless, nor is she to blame and at the same time she isn't a hero either. I can understand the Holicost survivers' bitterness and anger about what they went through. Had I suffered as they did and helplessly watched the slaughter of my loved ones, I probably would feel that way too. We should never forget that nor should we allow the world to forget that. However, we are all God's children and should love and support each other. The animosity on this post is not what God nor Jesus would have us to be feeling or saying. The tongue and in this case our fingers are the most dangerous and often sinful part of our body. Words said or printed cannot be recalled or wiped from someone's mind, the hurt they cause will remain. I pray for Jews and the struggle they have to endure just to live. I also pray for those that hate them.

I was reading the life story of John Newton who wrote Amazing Grace among other songs. His life story shows the power of God. The saying you can't run from God is shown in his story. His father was a captain of merchant ship from England and he went to sea with his father at the age of eleven. His father retired and at the age of ninteen, John was impressed into the navy on a man o'war ship, that he hated. He jumped ship and was caught, flogged and traded to a slaver. That captian cruely abused him and he was rescued by a friend of his father's and given a place on that ship... which was a merchant ship... a slaver. John became a captain on that ship and later owned his own slaver. In 1748, on a voyage home to England, he ran into a storm and began to fear for his life. He called upon God. He claims to have been saved that night. However, he continused running slavers for two more years and health forced him to retire. He met John Wesley, founder of Methodism and George Whitefield, founder of the abolition movement in England, and came under their influences. He became a minister and spread the Word across England. Read the words of Amazing Grace. To me they reflect the time he met God. These three verses are definetly his, other have been added by other people over the years. Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, now I am found, Was blind and now I see. Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved. How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed. Through many dangers, toils, and snares I have already come; 'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far And grace will lead me home.

May we never forget!

Amen!

Amen, Fezx I agree, it's a balance. I have preached in Mozambique and rural villages in South Africa on God's grace and mercy. I have also preached against law (in it's worst sense, I understand the balance here too), and I have also, when needed preached on the path to hell. No Christian needs to be fed milk every time they walk into a church. Meat is needed. At my first church a woman walked up to our pastor after the meeting and told him that what he had preached (straight scripture), had hurt her. He replied that it was not his job to send her home every Sunday floating on a cloud, sometimes we need to be convicted of things, even if it is those things that make us squirm in our seats a bit. Amen Fez! Your preacher is right. My minister is fond of saying his messages are from God and if we have an argument with it, to take it up with God and good luck arguring with God! I have set through messages that I thought God was speaking straight to me and recieved a blessing, and at the same time he was putting a conviction on another. We each get from a message that God wants us to have. I was just concerned because my ex-husband was a contruction super and we traved over the country, I went to different churches and I never heard any condemnation on any life style that wasn't Christ-like. I wondered if hell and damnation was preached anymore.

Thank you. Both of you gentlemen have made good points. I agree with Cobalt that God's love and encouragement in living a Christian life is a must. I recieved a blessing in listening to my minister's message yesterday. His message was on repentence and being filled with the Holy Spirit and the beautiful promises that God has given. I rejoice that I have a home waiting me and the encouragement I felt from the message. I just don't see much fear of God in our world, thus people do whatever they feel like doing. I don't want to offend, but living with someone in sin, homosexuality,etc. is growing rampant in our country and it seems no one is telling them that is the road to God's wrath. I know the hate crime holds our minister's hands, but we still need to speak out. Those are just two of the sins God abhors and will punish. However, they aren't the people in church today listening to the messages and True Believers do need messages of encouragement.

You are right about the love of God needing to be emphasied, but many need to know that God gives and God can take away. When you place idols before him, he doesn't like it. He is a jealous God. There is a down side to liviing in sin and the world needs to know that. Hell is as real as heaven and sinners need to be reminded that they have a choice and if they make the wrong choice, the consequenses are horrorible. Having said that, I do think a man called by God; praying for the message that God wants him to deliver; muct preach on what God wants him to say, whether it be about God's merciful love or his great wrath.