Tropicalbound

I'm not sure if an unsaved person spends eternity in hell or not. Here's why: Jesus says to fear the one who can destroy the soul. When that same word (destroy) is used elsewhere, it means to annihilate....to no longer exist. God speaks of the eternal punishment. Now, most people read that as you will be punished for eternity. However, it can also mean just what it says, that the punishment is eternal. Meaning, the punishment never changes. It's the same punishment since the beginning of time and everyone who is not accepted into heaven will be subjected to the same punishment. So, it's the punishment that is eternal, not the soul. Jesus tells a parable in Luke 12 where the slave knew his master's will and knowingly disobeyed. This slave received many lashes. The slave that did not know his master's will and disobeyed received few lashes. If everyone is cast into the same hell, how can there be "many" or "few" lashes? Lastly, Jesus really only promises His followers one thing: eternal life. It seems like an empty promise if you have an eternal soul living in hell. I don't believe the creator of the universe would promise you something that you already have. Anyway, that's my take on hell. If I were somehow forced to make a decision right now, I would say that a soul does not spend eternity in hell. The soul would be punished for a time (few vs. many lashes), and then be destroyed. I don't plan on knowing firsthand though.

Perhaps they hit the nail on the head. Stop fighting God. Perhaps there is a reason they are not supposed to have that particular job. Perhaps God does not want them in that house. God only knows (to coin a phrase). A person cannot put their faith in God and worry at the same time. Grace and mercy are opposites Faith and worry are opposites

What most people don't realize is their bank accounts ARE online. Just because you don't use online banking, doesn't mean your account isn't available online. I use a password manager called KeePass. I had it randomly generate a password with the maximum number of characters my bank would allow, using uppercase, lowecase, numbers, and special characters. I could not remember this password if my life depended on it, but it would be almost impossible for today's computers to crack the passwrd hash in a reasonable time. Here are some things to consider: Do not use a password you used at any other site Do not use free or shard WI-FI Do not answer the bank's security questions truthfully (when it asked for the first name of my best friend, I used his last name) Click the 'logoff' button when you're done, don't just close the web browser Millions of people bank online everyday and very few have problems. Just use common sense.

I am currently working on a study of the Book of Ruth. There was a famine in Bethlehem that caused a certain family to move away (Elimelech, Naomi, and their sons). After they settle in Moab to start a new life, Naomi's husband and two sons die. With the famine over, Naomi and Ruth move back to Bethlehem where Ruth marries Boaz. Their marriage produced the line of David and ultimately Jesus. Without the famine and the tragedy of Naomi's loved ones, Jesus would not have the lineage needed to be King. We cannot always see the big picture in life, but you have to put your full faith and trust in God. If your daughter remains with you, praise God! If your daughter does not remain with you, praise God! I do not believe in coincidence, but I DO believe God is at work in every area of our lives. I pray that she reamin with you, but if not, know that God has something special planned.

Happy birthday!!!

Very good, Salty!!! That was perhaps the most eloquent explanation I have heard yet.

I know how you feel. I felt the same, until rather recently. Have you ever wondered why something has happened (either to you, or perhaps around you)? Let's take driving, for example. Ever come up to a stop light that seemed to turn red quicker than it should? Did God just save you from getting into an accident? Did God use you to help someone else out in that moment? Many times, I have caught traffic light after traffice light, and had slow cars pull out in front of me. I used to get upset, but I have come to thank God for these moments, and I'll say, "OK God, I get it. I'm supposed to be in this vehicle a little longer." I have come to believe that there are no coincidences in life, so I asked God to open my eyes to the 'coincidental' things that happen. I kid you not, just this morning I caught a light while everyone else seemed to get through it, then I got behind someone travelling 10MPH under the speed limit. I smiled and said, "I don't know why God, but You can see the big picture, and I am thankful for being a part of your plan". Just as I arrived, my favorite Christian song came on the radio. I don't hear it very often at all, so I sat in my car until it was over. Had I not caught that light or had I passed the slow vehicle, I would have missed the song. My point is, God is all around us every day. Sometimes it won't be obvious. Sometimes it will seem as if He's not there at all, He has not forsaken you and He will never leave you.

Amen!!!!

How about the Beattitudes (Sermon on the Mount) in Matthew 5?