Riverwalker

The thing I have learned most about such atheists who claim to have questions, or want proof. Is that they do not want answers, and they do not want proof. They are not unaware of God, they just have chosen to be their own gods. They would be perfectly happy in their own self imposed ignorance, if we would just shut up. I have spent a lot of time dealing with atheists online and to a one the person claiming to be an atheist is not looking for answers, they are looking for an excuse*. So Calmly tell them the truth, do not tell then they are taking things out of context...show them. And don't do it at all if you are not prepared. I have heard literally hundreds of so called contradictions that are merely places where they fail to understand what the scripture is saying. Some are well prepared and you are going to have to have irrefutable answers, or they will just end up preening themselves. Some merely copy and paste what others say and have no understanding. Both are unreachable by anything but the truth of God, Remember too that in the parable of the sower and the seed there a those who will never believe, the wayside where the good seed falls on bad ground and dies. There is no use trying to tend this ground. Let the Holy Spirit guide you as to when to take the time. Finally, the well prepared ones will cause you to question things and it will require you to seek God. You must have a strong abiding faith in the Word of God, for the snares they set are clever. The best approach is merely to speak the truth and do not engage them in arguments, for they will not listen, and very few people, especially hard core atheists, have been argued into believing. I If this is what you think God is leading you into then look into "apologetics" *Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,

All of that is an anchor, and frankly gives you a bit of an bitter edge. Embrace the truth you now have and make the best of it. Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery all we have is today, and it is a gift, which is why we call it the present. (Kung Fu Panda - wisdom is where toy find it) Do not look back Do not worry about tomorrow Do what needs to be done today

And here is where you thesis breaks down The Spiritual and Physical "universe" (as you call it) are completely different The natural world is mass, and energy and laws governing those. Science is our tool for understanding the physical world Science, Human Logic and Reason are completely useless in understanding the Spiritual realm Because it has no mass, no physical energy and runs on a completely different set of rules Miracles are times when God sets aside natural law and causes things that could not possibly happen. Parting the red sea, walking on water, turning water into wine et al. These make no sense to the scientific minded. A Christian must be spiritually minded and ready to think outside the narrow box of our comprehensive ability and perceptions 12 Corinthians 1:27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; People looking for a natural explanation for the supernatural would be the "wise" God puts to shame There is no conflict between science and the bible, because God created both

I would suggest you nee to loosen your grip, you are by nature a child of God and when you accept that and allow His will to be done, you will naturally follow the right course

We've been down this road before. Jesus is God. End of story, end of discussion (at least my part of it)

I have never experienced heroin. But I would liken being saved to a butterfly escaping its cocoon. Free, and able to fly. My old crawling fuzzy existence is gone

Jesus, The Son, Never stopped being God.

While everything He did on the earth, he did as a man. He was/is Still God Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but [c]made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

I agree, but I think you have to come up with a better analogy

If Says it A Hundred times....here is one Romans 10: 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. The Son of God is timeless, for He Created time as He Created Everything John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. And we know the Word is Jesus John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Before Abraham was.. I AM

The seed is an interesting thing....and a apt tool for this parable, it has everything it needs to become a tree, including the first few days of energy. but it must soon put down it's roots or it sprouts then dies In Jesus' telling of this parable there are four kinds of ground. One kind is good, one kind is bad and the other two are problematic The weedy ground are people who still full of the cares of the world. The rocky people are the hard hearted with no room in their heart. They receive the seed but give it no room, and the plant (faith) dies So how do we rectify Paul and Jesus? Because we surely cannot reject either one. By understanding that while that person accepted the seed, they never took it in, and they never were saved. They did not fall away, they simply did not complete the process of believing. they were not REALLY saved. They mentally acceded to God but they did not believe Its not a long process, you just take the seed and put it in your heart and let it start to grow - That is when Salvation Occurs And to be Honest with you ORSAS is rather a misstatement because there is ONLY real salvation. But it demonstrates this point But once you are in God's hand, no one else can take you out of it

Well I needed to hear it, just so I can be more careful stomping around in my combat boots

I agree with you. I have always adapted OSAS to ORSAS Once REALLY saved always saved As you have pointed out in the parable of the sower and the seed, there is a period of time between accepting the word, and taking it in and giving it place to take root. In that period we are subject to faith abortions, Salvation is more than mere acceptance, but it is believe and with belief comes actions. But once we take in that seed give it room to root and it starts growing, there is nothing in the word that can uproot it.

Well I do Apologize if I have offended you. God did create male and female. One of each. Every other human was made from the biological paring of male and female. And some times, from those pairings, things happen, from down syndrome, to birth defects, to inherited diseases, male pattern baldness and yes even physical intersexuality. But that is not who we are, that is just what we have to deal with. I myself am dealing with issues that I would prefer not to discuss excuse the following word* but it makes the point We are not born handicapped* we are only handicapped if we let it rule our lives. Yes things limit somethings we can do...but it does not limit who we are. Now it is time for you to step up and stop identifying yourself by your condition, but rather as a Child Of God 2 Corinthians 10:5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ If God has called you his child, you are you or I or anyone to say that God makes junk Love you, and I again apologize if I let my head get ahead of my heart (one of my biggest failings)

Who are you? Are you a mass of cells, and tissues , sinew and muscles skin and bones Or were you created in God's image as a Spiritual being loved and cherished by God. I am short, old, a little overweight freckled and what not, but that is not who I am. Who I am , is a child of God

I sent you a personal mail asking you to take down what I thought was an offensive post, instead of simply reporting it, because you are a long time and respected member of this community. I thought it would be better to handle it that way.

Just because we are disagreeing with you, does not mean we hate you. Please stop with the hyperbolic victimhood

Because the mind is part of the soul. It is not the brain. The brain is merely a interface between the Spirit/Soul and the body. When this body dies it goes to the worm, we will be resurrected into a glorified body. But our spirit (our essence) and our soul (Our mind will and emotions) will carry on

I am not down playing the harmfulness of satan and we are at war. but if we fail...there is NO ONE to blame but ourselves. For instead of casting down those vain imagination we gave them heed.

Okay then....have a good day

Well I am sorry for your troubles. Getting a little personal aren't you?

Uh-huh that would be akin to me bringing up cannibals in a subject of meat eaters. Yes they are connected but so rare as to be somewhat non-sequitor

While I can accept that poisons can have hormonal effects. I have seen nothing conclusive to show that such hormonal effects have any link to gender dysphora. Which to me is more settled in the mind than the body )just my opinion

All sin is fomented in the heart of a person, and is perpetrated by people All satan can do is tempt. If his word find fertile ground, they will grow and bear the fruit of sin Example Temptation: That woman is really gorgeous Man; Yeah...but wait I am married I can't go there Temptation: Meh Married, all your wife does is complain about you Man : well Temptation: She doesn't understand you Man: uh-huh Temptation: she doesn't love you. Man: what? Temptation: If she really loved you, she wouldn't be on your case all the time Man: I guess Temptation: You deserve to be loved Man: Yeah! Temptation: Well there she is Man: Will he chase away those thoughts, or will satan mark one more notch on the gates of hell and destroy a family. It is His temptation but our choice 2nd Corinthians 10:. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not [a]carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.