AmateurPoet03

Something else that came to mind, there really is no promise of paradise...peace...or happiness in our time on earth. What happiness, joy, or paradise that is promised is that in Christ Jesus if we live our lives for Him in eternity. Our entire earthly existence might not be that of splendor, but oh...the joys to be had with God in Heaven! Now that...that is worth any price!

Presently in light of these questions my husband and I are looking into leading our Sunday School class on reading one of three possible books. Two that seem to touch down very strongly on the questions I asked and the overall topic. When Bad Things Happen To Good People Why? Suffering is something I struggle with in comprehension. There is a reason. That much I do understand. It is merely learning to accept that there are some things that should not require explanation that I find hard to accept. Job too was an amazing reference and I appreciate the offer of that by others here. Guess you could say, the pity me party, part of me was trying to creep out. Thank you all so much for keeping me on track.

I am not a owner of guns. It is doubtful I ever will be. Not a fan or supporter of them, but will by no means condemn a person who owns such and strives to protect his or her loved ones. That sort of weight, the weight of a life.... should be considered fully before pulling the trigger in any instance. Know some good people who own firearms. Truth be told though, guns scare me, much as they do many other individuals in this day and age. What is more frightening however is who is being allowed to own or carry them. No law though in which that may be passed is going to necessarily keep guns out of the hands of the wrong people. These are are my thoughts, but guns have become more and more prominently used in acts of random violence since God began to be removed from schools, public, and government. The more trust that is given to man, the deeper in trouble mankind tends to find itself.

Suffering is something that I always find myself rather torn about. Job is not a biblical book that I am unfamiliar with. However, while Job might have been ideally perfect in faith before his trials, it seems he let that same pride blind him before he received blessings for his faithfulness. It poses too a few questions for me that I am wanting to do some studying on. Does suffering or hardship mean that there is sin in someone's life and that their pain is a result of such? Does scripture support this? Is suffering more a means for us to grow in faith and wisdom? There are some letters of Paul to the churches that made me ponder on this as I have read much of the New Testament. What can we gain from our sufferings? Is there a purpose to the hardship that perhaps is scripturally founded? How can we endure suffering and remain strong in faith? Then finally...the one question that so many, and even now I find myself asking.... Why is suffering allowed? Why does it happen to good people? I know God is worthy of worship, praise, and above all TRUST. I just honestly have a longing in my heart to understand the harder parts of life and apply faith to difficult situations better, so that way sins through anger and or selfishness can better be avoided.

It is sad, the world is so ready and willing to hate. Yet, if we as Christians do likewise unto them...what kind of message is being sent? Prayer is much needed, much needed indeed.

Politics, from what I have seen, tend to bring out the worst in a number of God's children. This is why I refrain from discussing them.

No. I do believe though that God is with His children as they endure hardship. Have heard, and once did believe that if one endured hardship it was because God was angry with them. That is not a belief I harbor anymore. Trials now are more things I see as a means for growth. Could be wrong. So....just consider this Just Some Food For Thought

Souldn't we be looking for these things to come from our Lord? Jesus is my refuge, my strength, my comfort, my peace, my love, my fortress, my rock. In him I have faith, in him I trust, in him I have hope, in him I have eternal life. Know ye not that the kingdom of God is within you? He is not in a chruch made of hands, Yes, that is scripture. Yes, if God is not the center of the church, it shows. No church or person is perfect. So expecting perfection is going to be met with a great deal of disappointment. So sought love, truth that is written in God's word, and people who would encourage my family as we try to grow in our walk of faith.

I am in the same boat. New skin? Really? Hmmm...maybe my computer is outdated. Lol

In truth, it is my belief that the Book of Luke within the New Testament gives us a very vivid glimpse of what Hell will be like for those who do not know Jesus. Luke 16:19-31 (KJV) 19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. Just Some Food For Thought....

Zion, My heart goes out to you. In a way, I can relate. Sometimes we see things and know of things that others who claim to be God-fearing, do. There are days....that I will not lie to you, I have been urged to shout...yell...grab them by the shoulders...inquire after them...and utterly condemn individuals that I see. Yet, it is in times like that...that sometimes, on the brink of tears I have to turn to God and say...I know I am a sinner too. God please, grant me patience so that way I can be a beacon of hope and love for You unto them. Hang in there....hold true. Pick up the shield of faith and carry it with you.

I too am a Christian. This was not a title I felt at all comfortable with wearing until recently. Seeing how divided the church is, I even had issues being happy being called a member of the church. This of course, was all about pride. Listening to the pastor at the church I attend regularly with my family however, I came to see the errors in this. We as Christians, need one another. Fellowship too is something we are instructed to seek. It is a means to grow as well as learn in our faith. There is no doubt we are not perfect and in need of salvation. Having being brought up in a Christian household....it amazes me sometimes just how much of a child in Christ I am. It is almost like there is a little candle inside of me that on occasion needs to be struck with a match in order for me to see. This is something that I feel is happening more and more as I delve into God's word, seek fellowship within the church, and try....yes,...try to steer clear of the unhealthy elements around me that tempt me on a daily basis. I chose to be a Christian because not only did He first love me, but He showed no shame in loving someone as sinful as me. He did so without expectation. He did so without condemning me. He did so...freely so that way I too, might be free. That sort of love is something I not only would like to know, but share with others who like me, have difficulty loving themselves. For love like His, there is simply no words. There is only joy, hope, and peace to be had. This sort of love too is redeeming. It can move mountains, and bring about miracles. Even without such....this love is everlasting, enduring....and something that no earthly gift or object can outweigh in value.

Got married young myself. Husband was 18. Today we are working on our ninth year of marriage. The reason so many divorce is not about age, it is about where the center of their marriage is. If God is not at the center...it shows. Just Some Food For Thought....

Nebula, you make an interesting point. Something that came to mind was this.... are we to be forced to bear this mark? If not, and it is a matter of choice then we are 'choosing' to follow the beast. Thus allowing ourselves to fall away from God and go astray in such a way would make sense to be the path of destruction. I mean no offense. These are just my thoughts. Just some food for thought.

I agree. Then with the manner in which a number of dresses and skirts and being made today....modesty cannot be practiced in any other way. Some dresses that look good at a first glance when tried on are far too short and show far too much.