CATerri

I was so young that I don't know. I have an official date written down in my first grade Bible, but I know I believed before then. But, of course, I could only believe what my little brain could at that time. I've obviously grown and my salvation has grown with it. (I've written that last sentence three different ways, but can't find the correct words.)

Our church allowed a man dressed as a woman attend church, but drew the line when he wanted to use the women's restroom.

Ouch.

Welcome, God's Secretary. What exactly do you want to discuss? Do you have a question or an interpretation you want to share?

I am happy that we do not have a dress code. It makes it much easier for the poor and homeless to attend our church - and they do. I also live at the beach and am glad that we do not shame people who have never learned how to dress for church when they wear what they want. We are glad that they come to church. It is amazing to watch women that I know that have lived hard lives find peace in their relationship with the Lord and become softer and softer (and I mean more their faces and bearing), not that they start to wear pretty, long dresses, that cover their legs.

Thank you for sharing your dream, LadyKay. I really like OpenlyCurious' advice! We can fight the devil even if we aren't in a dream with an angel, but right here in real life.

I'm with ThePatriot on this one. If the federal give you a right that the state takes away, you don't have that right anymore. Follow state law, move to another state, or work towards changing the state law. Unless it is like one of the biblical examples like Daniel praying three times a day or Peter and the apostles preaching. I'm very interested to see what your "details" are. The only thing popping into my head right now would be gay marriage.

I think Gus was just taking an idea to it's logical conclusion. The idea being, "He would never condemn an infant to hell because of Adams sin"

You have someone specific in mind and your posts are clues, right? He wasn't a Jew? He spoke God's Word. My guess is John the Baptist, but I don't think that is right because he doesn't seem to fit all of your clues, if I am understanding them correctly. Matthew 11:11-15 (NRSV) 11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John came; 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 Let anyone with ears listen!

Yikes!

Are these types of comments really necessary?

Sorry, I've been trained in Physics, so the uncertainty principle is easy for me to understand, but I forget that when I bring it up, people's eyes glaze over. I think both freewill and predestination are supported by scripture, so both must be true. Our brains don't easily hold on to both ideas at the same time, but I think God is perfectly able to have both be true. 1. GOD CHOOSES ACCORDING TO HIS WILL Eph 1:4-5 - 4 just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. 5 He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, (NRSV) Romans 9:15-16 - “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God who shows mercy. Ephesians 1:11 - 11 In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, 2. MAN CHOOSING TO BELIEVE Acts 16: 29-31 - 29 The jailer called for lights, and rushing in, he fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them outside and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” John 3:14-18 - 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 17 “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. Acts 10:43 - 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” GOD'S WAYS ARE INSCRUTABLE Romans 11:33 - 33 O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

Sanctified gaseous carbon ?

Am I foolish to think both views can be true at the same time?

Like enoob, I have my high school New American Standard. But I've done some master's classes at a local Christian university and they requested we use the New Revised Standard, so that has been what I have been using to do my studying. I have LOGOS Bible Study software and love it.

I'm glad you are feeling better than you were on Friday. How did you do today?

LeavesSeeds, I don't understand this, but I want to.

This is how I have come to be comfortable with both freewill and predestination at the same time. It is called the uncertainty principle. Light behaves both as a wave and as a particle. If you look at it to see the wave phenomenon, you cannot see the particle phenomenon and when you look at the particle phenomenon, you cannot see the wave phenomenon. Both are true, yet you can't see both of them at the same time. Scripture teaches both freewill and predestination, but when you are trying to prove the one, you have to ignore the other scripture. I am perfectly comfortable with both of them being true at the same time. Doesn't it make sense that it would be more complicated than light?

Algots, do you tend to delete your posts? I get confused when people quote you, but I can't see the original post.

I agree with Wazzup in that this is an issue better taken up with a real pastor in your local area. A pastor that can get to know you and observe you will be much better suited to helping you sort out this issue than here on our forum. It is a serious issue and I am so glad you have sought advice, but I think the best advice here is to seek the help of a local pastor. We'll certainly be praying for you.

I wanted to address this post. I have been diagnosed with Major Depression, a disease that runs in my family. Many mental health issues are physical in nature and can be helped with medical intervention. God has not chosen to heal me in spite of all the prayers prayed on my behalf by my family and friends. But God has used this depression to keep me on my knees, very aware of my dependence on Him. I would not be alive if it were not for my hope in Christ. So my faith makes my depression infinitely better, but there are still mental illnesses that require medical attention. But everseeking, in your post you talk about anxiety about hell and guilt over past mistakes. This doesn't sound like generalized anxiety, but specific questions about where you stand with God. These are great questions that you need to mull over and answer. I will give a few verses to help in your journey, but I encourage you to really search out what salvation means for your eternity and what kind of forgiveness God gives. I'm sure you will recognize these verses, but they are tremendous promises to us. ETERNAL LIFE The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (Jn 3:16–19). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers. 16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 17 “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. John 5:24 - Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life. John 10:27-30 - My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand.30 The Father and I are one.” GOD'S FORGIVENESS Romans 4:7-8 - 7“Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; 8blessed is the one against whom the Lord will not reckon sin.” Ephesians 1:7 - 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that he lavished on us. Jeremiah 31:32-34 (talking about the New Covenant) - 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more. Acts 3:19-20 - 19 Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, 20 so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord