Rare Bird

I used to struggle with self life--and I was a Christian for years (but not a Believer because while I read (in the Bible) what I believed, I didn't really believe what I read). Jesus tells us in Luke 9: 23 Then he told all of them, “If anyone wants to come with me, he must deny himself, pick up his cross every day, and follow me continuously, 24 because whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 What profit will a person have if he gains the whole world, but destroys himself or is lost? So what if Jesus walked around while he was on earth saying, "[Sob, sob, sniffle, sniffle] Father! People are not treating me the way I expected and life is not what I thought it would be! Pleeeeease, I'm SO sad and discouraged and want you to get me out of here!" (I hope you understand the point I'm trying to make.) So, if we as Christians/Believers are called first to deny ourselves and surrender everything in our thought life and emotions to Him, how then can we become transformed into His image? Sounds like you need to deny self--your "right" to live from your emotions (what you feel)--that is, anger, bitterness, self-pity, jealousy, fear (etc)... Please understand, I speak from my own experience as a failed Christian, thanks most in part because much of the church, for forty years or so, has focused more on "blessings" (making it about ourselves) than toward being transformed into the image and likeness of His Son (putting the focus on Jesus). I get that you hurt. But you need to make the determination to follow what the Word of God SAYS over what you feel. It's a choice. And God isn't just going to magically "poof" you into something without due diligence on your part. Please know that I am speaking the truth in love because you don't have to live in the pit of despair. Stick with it. Don't give up. I'm cheering for you!

Sorry to hear about your loss. I've been through (keyword "THROUGH") my fair share as anyone--believer and non-believer alike. I think as Christians, because we are under the New Covenant, we tend to think that God should just automatically protect us from every one of life's injustices. I used to think that way, but it is wrong thinking and will lead you down a path that can turn you against God. Jesus suffered the most unjust trials of anyone, yet it was all for God's greater purpose and glory. Here's a good article on why we have trials in case you are interested: https://khouse.org/articles/2006/626 Trials test our faith, and we must remember that until our Kinsman Redeemer breaks the 7th Seal, Satan still has ownership rights of this earth. So press in my brother, and seek help from your church body and family. I don't say this lightly because I know what suffering is (I'm currently in one that's been ongoing for several years now, since 2012 as a matter of fact!) and my heart breaks for your situation and the grief you've had to bear. But God is still good, He's good to you, and He is worthy of all praise. So even if you can just praise Him for salvation and relationship right now, He will honor that. If you know in your heart that He said, "my son, wait upon the Lord, proclaim it 3 times I will wait upon the Lord" in 2012 (seems like a long time and it is!) then you hang onto that no matter what! Wait upon the Lord and not on circumstances. He measure growth, not time. Pour your heart out to Him and search yourself to see what He's wanting to purge from you in order to see His reflection of Himself in YOU! As silver refined. I too received a word from Him in 2013, and I've wrestled with if it was even from Him (which I do know it was), and am still awaiting the promise. He is faithful to His word and will get us to the "other side." Use this as an opportunity to deepen your intimacy with Him by continuing seeking Him even when it's dark and He is silent because he says that He will give you hidden treasures in darkness Isaiah 45:3 “I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden wealth of secret places, So that you may know that it is I, The Lord, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name. This is a test for those with pure hearts whom He is refining and who He is training to use. Rejoice in this! I know it's hard, but instead of asking "Why" simply remember "Who". Trials show us who we are, and test us to see if we will practice what we preach. So in what I've learned, it's more about your mindset and steadfastedness than in the circumstances. Again, not minimizing your suffering, but just sharing some wisdom. I also think about Joseph sitting a prison for two years--what must have went through his head during that time, yet he did not lose faith. Or David when he was holed up in a cave (without a sofa or a tv) left to commisurate and supplicate to God, with Saul combing through every nook and cranny trying to kill him. Or Moses, on the backside of the desert (not the front side mind you!) following a turnaround from ruling in Egypt to tending sheep. Talk about suckiness! I just say this to you because though it hurts, you are in good company. You have a Lion as your best friend and your covenant with Him makes Him responsible for your life. So trust Him. Cry to Him when you have to, and seek out those in your chuch family for comfort and help. You will get through this. Just know that you are loved and one day, all of this crud we go through here will determine our rewards and our rulership in the next Kingdom! One thing I find comfort in is Matthew 6: 25 “For this reason I say to you, [n]do not be worried about your [o]life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the [p]air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27 And who of you by being worried can add a single [q]hour to his [r]life? 28 And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31 Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But [s]seek first [t]His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be [u]added to you.34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will [v]care for itself. [w]Each day has enough trouble of its own. And also meditate on Philippians chapter 4 where Paul encourages those believers to rejoice and make their supplications to God (don't stop praising God for who He is and your salvation, and pour your heart out to Him because He loves you and wants to hear from you). Further in Philippians 4 talks about LEARNING contentment in all things. Life if going to happen, but we have the Holy Spirit INSIDE of us--so rely on Him as your strength. Lastly, Psalm 77 has helped me put things in proper perspective. And then Psalm 13, Psalm 116, Isaiah 50:10 and Isaiah 43. So be strong and courageous, and I will pray! Boy, did a I just diatribe or what!?

It was merely an observation that I was stating in a public op-ed thread. What you choose to do with information that you take offense to is entirely your drama, not mine, and I make no apologies, nor wish you any ill will. It is—and remains—my position on this particular matter, and it is highly unlikely that you, or anyone for that matter, will ever change it. So what was your point in trying to refute it? Based on the demeanor of your response, which is from a defensive position and also demonstrates intent to gaslight me by posing extraneous questions about my personal life (which frankly is none of your business, btw), you may want to do some soul searching to find out what triggered you to act upon such fear-based thoughts/emotions with an unsolicited and contemptuous response, rather than debate ad nauseam about why you feel the need to justify yourself with little ol’ me. P.S. 25 years?! Now I can sleep well tonight. I truly hope the quality was/is as good as the quantity.

You are an exception to the rule. Perhaps when you were married, times were different than of late. Who knows...Some get lucky I guess, and some are indeed God-directed. Nonetheless, the thread topic seemed to be an Op-Ed and I simply stated my opinions based on what I've often seen happen to those who marry in haste.

Sociopaths, psychopaths (narcissists and borderline personality) are classified as cluster-B personality disorders in which the person lacks the emotional "wiring" to show true empathy. Empathy is necessary for one to be self-reflective and see how they brought pain into another's life, and therefore, highly unlikely, if not impossible, for serial killers (who are commonly in the cluster-B personality disorder spectrum) to repent and be saved. They don't see anything wrong with their actions. Ever. This doesn't change as they are wired this way, usually do to attachment, abandonment or neglect during infancy >> childhood, where personality (and disorders) develop.

What I find just as irresponsible is when pastors marry believers who have only known each other for a short time (i.e., less than a year), lest the betrothed couple gets "ruttish" and fall into sin. Just because you are a Christian, does NOT make married life palpable either, as personality dynamics and disorders run the gamut even among those who profess Christ as Savior; and until someone can see behavioral patterns in a potential life partner/helper in all manners of experience and how they respond to it--whether it be in spending habits, hard times, stressful situations--one would do well to avoid marrying, just because the oxytocin is coursing through the neural network of the brain. I've heard of too many emotionally manipulative relationships by those who are believers, and it makes me realize how important it is to have boundaries and pay attention to--and address--red flags before scheduling the nuptials, so the "I dos" don't turn into "I wish I never..." and be unhappily married for the rest of your days. Too many crazies out there. In and out of the church.

As I have discovered elsewhere on this board. Where is the "face palm" emoticon when you need one? Respectfully, "The Rapturist" P.S. Coming from the database marketing industry, weeding out Christians who hold/held firm in the faith, is already an easy thing to do, and why we have things like Facebook (and those silly questionaires to find out what kind of animal you would be..), Disqus, Twitter, et al. in addition to the huge push for government-run healthcare (another database known as the EMR) that are all connected. Buzz words surrounding this idealogy include "The Internet of Things" or "Big Data". It's all being dumped into a SUPER database that can be segmented and used to identify unbelievable detail on a person, their relationships and affiliations. Scary, scary stuff, but this is an example of the spirit of the AC already at work (e.g., translation: INSTEAD of Christ) and what may (keyword "may") very well be the IMAGE of the first beast (Rev 13:14-15 and noted elsewhere in Rev 14, 15, 16, 19 and 20). Just something I've pondered.

When a brother or sister is going through an ongoing trial or heartache, and are told by other naive believers that the reason they aren't seeing any relief or answered prayer is because they "don't have enough a faith" or it must be "because of unconfessed sin in their life", rather than praying for them, encouraging them and comforting them through it. Yeeeaaah. Go get Job's perspective on that one. (Or Joseph. Or Moses. Or David. Or Elijah. Or Jesus. Or the apostles. Or the persecuted saints . . . )

I am a born again Christian--reasoning out scriptures within the context of each particular topic as it relates to the whole of scripture--and am under no obligation to waste my time on a person such as yourself, who is more adament about arguing for the sake of arguing than in edifying the body; realized in the fact that you will not answer my questions, but only propose more. This speaks volumes to your character and personality and tells me that you are a control-freak, manipulative and without any show of humility. I also know all about the "last trumpet". And the trumpets of the feasts and the Jewish heritage that underlays their signifcance as it relates to the 70th week of Daniel (aka: Tribulation period) and Great Tribulation (i.e., last 3.5 years), and common misunderstanding about the [types of] trumpets. Yet anything I relay will only result in more cut-and-paste reply scriptures taken out of context, followed by more questions from you. (So call me a "rapturist" if that will make you happy.) Having said that, I am not about to waste one more moment on this topic, because anything I--or anyone else here--responds with, will only end up with more futile cut-and-paste jobs from the other site you frequent, without you answering our questions in order to reason scripture. This type of behavior--in addition to your grandiose sense of self-worth and need for stimulation (i.e., posting the same stuff on two, possibly more, forums) is indicative to that of a psychopath, and those types of games are best left to the weak-minded. Have a nice day.

Yah but, specifically, where do you believe Elijah (and Enoch) is currently residing since they were "caught up" before the New Covenant? Because they way I read 2 Kings 2:1 below: 2 Kings 2:1 As the time drew near when the Lord was about to take Elijah to heaven in a wind storm, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Strongs H8064 שָׁמַיִם shâmayim, shaw-mah'-yim; dual of an unused singular שָׁמֶה shâmeh; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve):—air, × astrologer, heaven(-s). P.S. Awesome cut and paste btw, taken from http://christianchat.com/bible-discussion-forum/138383-so-what-about-fourth-commandment-63.html you made on March 13, 2013. Do you not have anything better to do with your time but contrive meaningless arguments that you have no intent whatsoever in edifying yourself or others with, but only to "drop scripture bombs" taken out of context in order to form a weak argument(s) that are heretical in nature? Again. All I say is, "Wow".

All I can say is, "Wow." This may just turn out to be the most entertaining forum I have ever visited.

And, "We are not allowed to go to heaven?" Wha...???! Interesting perspective. Wow. I guess the Holy Spirit has misled the majority of Bible scholars and church leaders for the last two thousandish years, and I can just throw away the last 20+ years I've invested in studying the Bible. Also, could I get your perspective on where you believe Enoch and Elijah are currently residing, as I had posed in my former post? I think you forgot to address that. Additionally, if Elijah and Moses were present with Jesus during the transfiguration, and then disappeared while Jesus remained, where did they go? Are they allowed to go to heaven, but nobody else?

Here's my reasoning: Do you buy flowers for your wife because you HAVE to, or because you WANT to? The act of buying flowers is the result of loving her, just as works are the result of loving God because you want to by recognizing the amazing FREE gift he has given us--a gift that we did not have to earn or strive for. Simply take God at His word as Abraham did, and it was credited to him as righteousness. When you work to earn God's approval, you think then, that you deserve a "wage" and shoots grace in the foot, elevating your deeds above God's grace and forgiveness. It basically Sonship versus an orphan spirit. A son knows he's loved for who he is and who his father is. An orphan believes he has to fend for himself, and his acceptance is based on what he does.

So where does this leave John 14:2 "In my Father's house are many mansions...I go to prepare a place for you." I mean, why bother building mansions if you are going to His holy mountain? (i.e., 1 Thess 4:15-18, Isaiah 26:19-21, Zeph 2:3, Psalm 27:5, Psalm 50:5) Also, based on this path of reasoning, where are Elijah and Enoch currently residing? They were "raptured/caught away to be with the Lord before death" were they not? And is Jesus residing at the right hand of the Father (who art in heaven), or not? [Hebrews 10:12]?

Hello (again) Worthy peeps. It's been a few years...So here's my question (and one of the greater issues I had to deal with as I was being "sifted" and God growing me up in my relationship with Him). The Word tells us that when praying we should: Believe and it will be given to us (Mark 11:24, Matt 21:22, Luke 11:1-13 as some examples) --additionally Jesus admonishes the reason our petitions are not answered is due unbelief. (i.e., Mark 6:6, Matt 13:58, John 14:14 and 15:7 But then, we are also to pray according to God's will (i.e., Matt 26:39, 1 John 5:14) I have been praying and petitioning a long-time request to God, but no clear answer yet. During the last few of being sifted, I was also told "prophetic words of knowledge" that turned out be a complete lie, which I believed was from God. (Yah, I get that whole "angel of light" thing, but that's another topic for another time). Now I am VERY skeptical of anyone coming to me with prophetic words and words of knowledge. Here's my dilemma. I don't want to continue praying for something that might not be God's will, causing me only to continue to deceive myself, nor do I want to give up IF it is God's will and then miss the answer/blessing. So. How do I reconcile continuing to make my petition in belief, if in the back of my mind I'm wondering that it may not be God's will, thereby prolonging needless suffering in my heart? ...And does this make me double-minded; that my requests will not be heard? (James 4:8) Any insight would be helpful. Thanks in advance. I am praying for wisdom in this matter, and to resolve in my heart what to do.

I don't find any clear injunction against more than one wife, as I find 1 Tim 3:2 not a clear prohibition. Because if Paul had to articulate "having one wife" an instruction for a deacon, that probably meant there must have been followers who in that culture, DID have more than one wife. Having said that, I'm also pretty certain that Solomon and David commisurated often over the whole 300 wives and 700 concubines thing. It could've been the catalyst for penning Ecclesiastes. There is a poem I ran across that describes this to a T: King David and King Solomon led merry, merry lives—with many, many lady friends and many, many wives; But when old age crept over them, with many, many qualms, King Solomon wrote Proverbs, and King David wrote the Psalms.

Hmmmm...making a dress out of bacon now. I love bacon...the whole reason God created pigs! It's time that us as Christians who are still able to influence government make a stink about the whole sharia/muslim infiltration that is happening in this country. I am not going to stand idly by while evil prevails. Just because I'm a Christian doesn't mean I have a "welcome" sign on my back when it comes to defending MY religious liberties.

Steven, you funny guy. Ha ha! Best advice I ever got..."pick your battles." I'm a lover , not a fighter.

People go to Job looking for answers. Instead, they come out with more questions. My take away from this book/event is that God is sovereign. He can do as He pleases to bring about His perfect will. We aren't always on a need-to-know basis and must bow the knee and continue to worship Him for who He is, rather than what He does for us. Verse 42:5 really hit home with me as I came out of my "night season" which Gary, Mike and Zemke are all aware of--“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear;But now my eye SEES You;..." God uses these periods to refine us into the likeness of His son. Sometimes there are no cut and dry answers. Many Christians are perplexed when trials come (myself included!). Here is something I ran across that helped, hoping it helps others who are enduring the refiner's fire: Why Do Christians Have Trials? [From Hal Lindsey’s book, Combat Faith, Bantam Books, New York, 1986.] 1. To glorify God. (Daniel 3:16-18, 24-25) 2. Discipline for known sin. (Hebrews 12:5-11; James 4:17; Romans 14:23; 1 John 1:9) 3. To prevent us from falling into sin. (1 Peter 4:1-2) 4. To keep us from pride. Paul was kept from pride by his .thorn in the flesh. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) [His eyes? Galatians 4:15; 6:11] 5. To build faith. (1 Peter 1:6-7) 6. To cause growth. (Romans 5:3-5) [Read Faith in the Night Seasons by Nancy Missler] 7. To teach obedience and discipline. (Acts 9:15-16; Philippians 4:11-13) 8. To equip us to comfort others. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) 9. To prove the reality of Christ in us. (2 Corinthians 4:7-11) 10. For testimony to the angels. (Job 1:8; Ephesians 3:8-11; 1 Peter 1:12) Another resource that can shed light on this is the book "Faith in the Night Seasons" by Nancy Missler. P.S. Not going to debate what I wrote. It's just information. Take it or leave it. ;-)

Wherever you stand on the gay marriage issue, this is the long and short of it. In this country, the very first amendment gives Dan Cathy the right to believe as he does, and it gives people the right to eat at Chick-Fil–A or not. (Shocking, I know.) Freedom of religion and freedom of speech were not tucked into page 147 as a footnote within the Constitution, but were the very infrastructure of what OUR freedoms and liberties are based on--not just those of gays, or Hispanics, or atheists--but EVERYONE'S (this of course would include Christians, business owners, people who on Wall Street, heterosexuals, etc.). The First Amendment is the LEAD OFF to our entire Bill of Rights. For government representatives (e.g., despots) to try and shut it down is disgraceful and disgusting; not to mention illegal--even built into the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence (I recommend you read it every now and again as most public school systems have failed to allow your kids to cherish it understand it). The real issue is not about Gay Marriage, but rather, Americans enjoying the freedoms granted by our Creator, as pursuers of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness; as individuals working toward the American Dream. Every single one of us--no matter the party line, no matter our faith--needs to be peeved off, and feel very threatened by this tyrannous behavior, as we now see the very core of what makes this nation like no other in the world, slowing ebbing away for the sake of "fairness" and "protection" and "for your own good". The only real protection we have was already documented some 240 years ago by righteous, extremely intelligent men who understood that a republic is only as good as the people who manage it. Ergo, the 2nd Amendment. If nothing is done to reconcile the tyrannical role our government has played in the last several years, the next item on the senate floor's won't be about Gay Marriage. It will be about something that YOU believe in. I’m not saying to go stand in solidarity with Chick-Fil-A if you think Mr. Cathy is wrong. You have every right not to ever eat another chicken sandwich. But you need to stand in solidarity with every American’s right to his or her belief in his or her religion, and his or her right to express that view. It is the very core of what this nation was founded on. It is the opening Amendment in the Bill of Rights. And when it is gone, the rest will fall like a house of cards. (And yes Virginia, IMHO, I believe the US in not going play any significant role in prophecy/70th week of Daniel. God allows nations to rise and fall for His planned purpose and will, and s a nation, we are SO overdue for judgement.) If you are ignorant or complicit in its erosion, history WILL--not might--will repeat itself. “. . . I think a general Government [is] necessary for us, and there is no form of Government but what may be a blessing to the people if well administered, and believe farther that this is likely to be well administered for a course of years . . . can only end in Despotism, as other forms have done before it, when the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic Government, being incapable of any other...For when you assemble a number of men to have the advantage of their joint wisdom, you inevitably assemble with those men, all their prejudices, their passions, their errors of opinion, their local interests, and their selfish views. From such an assembly can a perfect production be expected? . . . Much of the strength & efficiency of any Government in procuring and securing happiness to the people, depends, on opinion, on the general opinion of the goodness of the Government, as well as of the wisdom and integrity of its Governors. I hope therefore that for our own sakes as a part of the people, and for the sake of posterity, we shall act heartily and unanimously in recommending this Constitution (if approved by Congress & confirmed by the Conventions) wherever our influence may extend, and turn our future thoughts & endeavors to the means of having it well administered.” Ben Franklin, September 17, 1787

Inter-- Excellent points. All of them. As for me, I think I'll be pulling my wagons in a circle on "worthy". I've been convicted and led by the Spirit to spend more time in prayer and serving the kingdom by interacting with living people within my sphere of influence, than debating topics that have been beaten to death here, and elsewhere. So with this, I bid thee all a fond farewell!

Good news! God is clearly not done with you Fudgers. Phil 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. My walk too, has had it share of confusion, disenfranchisement, renewal, "touching hot stoves", and "falling down". God's timeline is not like ours where we think in terms of minutes, days, years...He's got all the time in the world (because He is the Creator of time), so as long as you have that spirit of repentance, He will always--ALWAYS--forgive. That's what unconditional (agape) love is. And God, our Abba Father IS love. As I read in a book that helped to get back to repentance said, "It's easier to hug a dirty kid, than a stiff one." (Approaching God by Steven Brown) I mean seriously...Look at Israel (Jeremiah Ch.3). Look at King David (2 Sam Ch. 11 & 12). Look at the Apostle Paul (Acts Ch. 26) who called himself "Chief among sinners" (1 Tim 1:15)....I could go on and on. They all sinned BIG time. Yet because of their willingness to repent (to be sorry for and stop continuing to do), God used them to His glory. Hallelujah, that's what it's all about. God's whole purpose since DAY1 is calling us to come to him through repentance and being baptized into Christ, so that we can be restored to Him! And He is relentless in His pursuit. All we have to do is ask him--with a broken spirit and contrite heart--to forgive. And He stays true to His word because He cannot lie. (See Psalm 103, below, and write it on your heart.) You have a soft heart, and that is what pleases God more than anything. It's what He looks so that He can work in us and through us. Read Psalm 51--David's prayer of repentance after sinning with Bathsheba, killing Uzziah and trying to cover it up...and then just tell God in your own words how you feel. He already knows but loves to hear it from us anyway, just as our beloved on earth loves to hear it from us. Psa 51:1 To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Psa 51:2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! Psa 51:3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Psa 51:4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Psa 51:5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Psa 51:6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. Psa 51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Psa 51:8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Psa 51:9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Psa 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psa 51:11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Psa 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Psa 51:13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. Psa 51:14 Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. Psa 51:15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. Psa 51:16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. Psa 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psa 51:18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem; Psa 51:19 then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar. Psa 103:1 Of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Psa 103:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, Psa 103:3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, Psa 103:4 who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, Psa 103:5 who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. Psa 103:6 The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. Psa 103:7 He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. Psa 103:8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Psa 103:9 He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. Psa 103:10 He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. Psa 103:11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; Psa 103:12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. Psa 103:13 As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. Psa 103:14 For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. Psa 103:15 As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; Psa 103:16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. Psa 103:17 But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, Psa 103:18 to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. Psa 103:19 The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. Psa 103:20 Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! Psa 103:21 Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will! Psa 103:22 Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul! Now. To avoid falling and touching more hot stoves, you need to stay washed in His word. I know you are disenfranchised with church right now (I was for more than 20 years), but I pray you find a Bible Study--locally or online--to keep truth in front of you, and give you the opportunity to fall in love with the God who desires a relationship with you!) You need to know what God's Word says, not what people say about God's Word. This is causes confusion and leads us away. I speak from experience. Hangeth thou in there, baby! Your in good hands.

Matthew 7:1, "Judge not that ye be not judged." Hmmm. Sounds nice. And no offense to Richochet or Lowen, but taking a closer look at the famous verse that is so misquoted and putting it in its proper context, when looking a this passage, it is actually is teaching us [the believer] to judge based on what we believe is truth and what aligns with scripture, not to refrain from judging! (Comments in brackets.) Mat 7:1-5 "Judge not, that ye be not judged [do not judge others if you do not want to be judged by others; everyone will be judged by God]. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure [or standard] ye use, it shall be measured to you again [if you judge others, they will judge you by the same measures]. And why behold thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but consider not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye [how can you judge someone when you are guilty of the sin yourself]? Thou hypocrite [this is the audience in the context; a hypocrite is one who is not living what he is preaching], first cast out the beam out of thine own eye [FIRST judge yourself and get your own life cleaned up]; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye [THEN after you get your life straight, you will be able to discern clearly and you are commanded to help clean your brother’s eye!]. As believers, scripture instructs to accurately handle the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15 and 3:16) and test ourselves (2 Cor 13:5) and the spirits (1 John 4:1) to see if we/they are in Christ (judging the immoral as found in 1 Corinthians chapter 5), and in order to keep false teaching, false doctrine and false prophets out of the body of Christ (1 Tim 6:3-5). "Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;" Ephesian 5:11 Reasoning further, if we didn't judge then: All the prisons would be empty and thieves, serial killers, drug dealers, rapists, and murderers would be loose in your neighborhood. You could not discipline your children and teach them not to steal, lie, do drugs, or give in to peer pressure. Then students should graduate regardless of their contributions. You could not judge any false doctrine and would have to allow it to be taught from your church’s pulpit ("discerning" is the same thing as "judging"). You should leave your children with anyone who said was qualified to be a babysitter. You should not bother to check his/her background. Later, you should not be upset if this baby-sitter turned out to be a child-molester, because "thou shalt not judge." You should marry anyone that asked. You shouldn’t worry about his/her character or beliefs. What if he beats you up? What if she runs around on you? You shouldn’t get so mad because "thou shalt not judge." Homosexuality will become widely accepted as a "right". In closing let me iterate scripture: Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Cor 6:9-10 While God is indeed the final judge--and judgement means passing a sentence--us as believers are, in fact, called to examine the fruit. Be blessed.

Good discussion. Adding to it... But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. ~Galatians 5:16 No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him. Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. ~1 John 3:6-9 When we believe on Christ and are born again, we are indwelt and sealed with the Holy Spirit. (i.e., Justified). The next step is becoming sanctified by staying washed in the word and abiding (greek: continuous tense) in Him, so that we do not carry out the deeds of the flesh, practicing sin as we once did when we were unbelievers. Once we are justified, sin is now a CHOICE. Now understand me, this is not to say that a believer will have their share of slip ups as they mature in the Spirit--because we still live in a flesh-covered and sinful "tent" (see Romans 7:14-25). So,in order to keep our garments clean, we have to wash them with what I like to call, "The Christian's bar of soap", that is, 1 John 1:9. ;-) Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey it's lusts... ~Romans 6:12