hupo

This would be a real test of humility. I can't see how it is possible to talk about something one did without ANY drop of pride in it. To do this one must really be in the Spirit.... Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth, A stranger and not your own lips (prov. 27:2)

Indeed a heartfelt cry, Ovedya, Lord, arise and shine on Your body, even as it struggles with writing, with trying to encourage, with the building of saints. Lord, I pray you abide by your servents here on earth. I pray you gather us under Your protective wings. I ask that you carry us when we fall, support us when we are too weak to stand. Lord, in Your precious son's name, I ask...... He grieves over His children, over His churches, Over His body...... He grieves for every lost child. He rejoices at every "prodigal son that comes home" He gave us so much. He gave us His very life !! We need to realize how much grace God has shown us even when we didn't know Him......... We are all here Ovedya but making a choice for Yeshua is not a one-time thing. We need to do that every day, every moment, every waking instant of our lives....... We need to make that step of Faith, again...and again.... We cannot do this in our own power and we need to recognize this.... We need Yeshua for this too...... like most other things in our lives........ I can but pray for guidance..........

Hey Johni, Do you have any idea how much I agree with you ? Of course I am perfectly objective about it all, living smack in the middle of what you just described By the way, that person you mentioned who has walked on the lake, just happens to be the architect of the Galilee too I obviously loved your post. Thanks and God bless

This is a question that can only be answered on a personal level. We each percieve God in a different and very unique way. Shalom Hupo, Not necessarily so. We are given indications by Scriptures, as has been posted previously. We perceive His nature, His attributes, His will and Who He is by what we know of Him, by His Word. These things we know because they are truth. It is not so much perception as in recognizing truth. To the question of gender, I believe it is reflective of G-d describing Himself as male and thus that is what is perceived. Hi Vickilynn I guess this is one of the controversial issues going on. On one hand we know God as the only True God. Yet His nature is seen differently by different people. Not that God is different. But we see different sides of His nature, depending on where we are, what we have learned so far, how close we are to the Spirit etc..... That part is all personal. The scripture that indicates who God is, is naturally percieved with our minds, and whatever faculties we use for it. That too is personal and varies from individual to individual. It does not deny God's Oneness and Omni-presence. Fact is, no two humans see/hear God in the same way. Our recognition too, is based on how we percieve the truth, and without denying this Truth, we do percieve it in different ways.... What I'm trying to say is.... God is like the wind. We don't see the wind. We do see the effects of the wind's presence by the way the clouds move in the sky, the way the trees bow their branchess, by the way we are "pushed" when going upwind and so on......... This wind has an effect on a thin stick. It has a different effect on a plank, and yet another effect on a sail of a ship. It's the same wind........ It's all the same, One God

This is a question that can only be answered on a personal level. We each percieve God in a different and very unique way. Well, to percieve God, there has to be something there to percieve. Is part of that "something" - God's Gender? It goes without saying that God wants us to percieve Him, yet, the Gender part? I don't know.... Language has it's limitations. We as human beings have a problem explaining things with media beyond language. One of the limitations of language is gender. God has no problem with Gender. If anyone has, it would be us Well, God doesn't always convey His message by plainly saying so... In fact there were times God hardened people's hearts (for His reasons) so they wouldn't "get it". ............ Besides, human beings tend to make things complicated, and God provides that too My feeling is that God intended for us to deal with the question, not neceserily find any answers (Something I personaly have such a hard time with )

Our opinions are many The Spirit is One !!

I know I'm repeating myself but I still maintain: This topic has NOTHING to do with God It has EVERYTHING to do with the way we percieve God and it's a great topic

I think we did and I apologize for not reading your link. I think the duality of existence was formed when our ancestors saw daylight and night. In the sun, we can see, hunt, gather, light seems to warm us and open flowers. At night, it was dangerous, cold, predators lurk about, we can't see well... That is where we say "God is the Light..." "Devil is the prince of Darkness..." You know J.a.g, only 10 years ago I was telling everyone that I created God.... Today, I cannot think of a more arrogent thing to say. Having been there I can quite understand why you wrote what you did, yet I believe you are missing something here. Having said that..... God was patient and allowed me many years to have my say till the right time arrived for me to understand. You have freedom of choice as a gift from God. I pray you choose well. I pray you will come to that understanding God bless ironicaly about 5 or 6 years for me, I accepted him 4 years, I have said that before aswell though. I'm glad God was patient with me, and gave me understanding. I agree and amen. I would love to know there is a god out there and that there is a soul and we will be going to heaven. That really sounds great. I just don't understand how you people can accept the Bible , digging deep within and then still say everything is clear! Am I that dumb? na, lol your not that dumb, Basicly, if you want to know him your on the right track, seek and you will find. I believe in the bible more now than I did when I first God saved, When I first accepted Jesus in my heart, I had some major doubts on things. It's hard to explain, like the more I read, and prayed about what I was reading, it started making more and more sence, like now I can go back to verses, and it totaly blows my mind how deep it really is. Great response Josh You know j.a.g, to this day, 10 years after being saved, I still have questions. I started out with almost the same statement you made. " I would love to know there is a god out there ...".... but... I was fortunate enough to have been told to "ask God personaly". But that made no sense at all, to me, not yet believeing in God. At some stage I started doing that....asking.... in the shower with the water running, so no one would hear me and think I'm crazy After several weeks, I started getting responses, initially very vague. Only much later did I start reading the Bible. It had nothing to do with my initial meeting with God. Seek and you shall find, Knock and you shall enter.... makes a lot of sense to me today God bless you on your spiritual journey David

Absolutly ! This whole topic proves nothing about God. It show so much about us though, doesn't it ? Blessings

No it isn't an exaggeration. This is one of the main concerns of anyone in government office. Naturally those who "don't quite like us to be around", are doing what they can to change the demographic balance.

I think we did and I apologize for not reading your link. I think the duality of existence was formed when our ancestors saw daylight and night. In the sun, we can see, hunt, gather, light seems to warm us and open flowers. At night, it was dangerous, cold, predators lurk about, we can't see well... That is where we say "God is the Light..." "Devil is the prince of Darkness..." You know J.a.g, only 10 years ago I was telling everyone that I created God.... Today, I cannot think of a more arrogent thing to say. Having been there I can quite understand why you wrote what you did, yet I believe you are missing something here. Having said that..... God was patient and allowed me many years to have my say till the right time arrived for me to understand. You have freedom of choice as a gift from God. I pray you choose well. I pray you will come to that understanding God bless

I can just "See" God sitting up there laughing at what we human beings are trying to figure out. It's very obviously a human thing to describe God's gender, or describe God at all, for that matter. This is a very amusing topic and I would just love to hear what God Himself (Herself, Themselves) would say on the matter. It really shows a lot about us and nothing about God . I vote for this topic Blessings

I think you need to remember that Solomon wrote that in a state of senility and probably depression. That verse is not making a doctrinal statement. Right. And we can't forget how many celebrations there were when children were long awaited and born throughout Scripture. In my opinion, birth should be celebrated because it's honoring a person created in the image of God, a gift to the world to declare His glory. Death should also be celebrated, however, because we get to be with God face to face, with no more suffering and pain. Celebrating a persons death... yes, I agree we should celebrate, on principle, but due to culture we don't really feel like celebrating at that time. There are cultures who actually do celebrate. If I'm not mistaken, there is the Irish wake and the jazz bands of New-Orleans. I recall walking behind my mothers coffin a while back and thinking how wonderfull it would be to have a jazz band accompanying us. We sat "Shiva" over her and what that means is a week, where the whole framily gets together and, yes, celebrates in a way. Mostly celebrating good memories.

OK, I misunderstood. I thought you meant you wanted to check out their beliefs because you were interested in them. . . You are definately correct, they need to hear the Truth. I think the best way to learn about them is to talk to one, or read their websites. God bless you for your heart for the lost. They are not an easy bunch to converse with, I've spoken to them when they come to my door. When they hear I am Baptist, they beat feet. Our retired pastor used to talk to them. He would tell them he would listen to them if they would listen to him. The biggest secret I can tell you about them is to know your sciptures really well and don't let them get you trapped with their useless questions about the end times and such. Stick to the truth of their need. They know their Bible's really well, a lesson many of us could take. Please keep me updated, if you actually do get a chance to talk to some. I would love to hear about your conversation with them. Thanks Biblicist, I would love to bring the whole conversation here but I think it needs the concent of the other person(s). I do understand what you are saying about knowing your scripture. I must also admit that I am very far from being an expert on scripture, especially the NT, yet ...... God will guide me if I follow his consulting and what comes to mind first and foremost is... Eph 6:13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, Eph 6:15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. Eph 6:16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; Eph 6:17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, Eph 6:18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, Eph 6:19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,

I thought that might be where it came from. JW is that group I was told to keep away from. I don't buy that. Would be interesting to hear their side of it. hupo, my friend, Sorry I don't mean to get off topic. . . Please stay away from them. They do not believe that Jesus is diety at all! Their translation of the Bible reads John 1:1-3 1 In [the] beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god. 2 This one was in [the] beginning with God. 3 All things came into existence through him, and apart from him not even one thing came into existence. They are very close to Christian beliefs, but yet oh so far. They believe Jesus was a created being but not God. They say that there is only one God yet as you can see, John 1:1 has been translated that Jesus was A god. My mother in law is a Jehovah's Witness, or at least used to be. Considering she always celebrated Christimas, at the behest of her husbnad and I don't think she practices anymore I am certain they do not welcome her into the Kingdom Hall. I know of a woman who was JW her husband went to a Baptist church and recieved the Lord as his personal saviour. She was forced to divorce him by her elders and was encouraged to remarry someone from their church. They have two children. I appreciate your concern Biblicist, really, and I thank you for it The way I see it is, if we stay away from people who don't believe as we do, how will the Gospal spread around? They too have a right to, at least, hear of God's gift to all His children. If we look at scripture, we see that God actually sent people into the lions den Yeshua went to heal the sick, not the "healthy" So, staying away might make it "safer" for me but is it really what God wants?

Whew! Strong words Shilo! But you know, by being this strong about it, you allow me to get off my would-be angry response. How can I condemn the blind for not seeing? How can I condemn the deaf for not hearing? And mostly, who am I to condemn them even if I could? I can but bear witness to HE who has it all in His Mighty hand. Dear Yeshua, please lighten up the hearts of those filled with hate and anger. I pray You release them/us even as Your word says "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free". Thanks Shilo

I thought that might be where it came from. JW is that group I was told to keep away from. I don't buy that. Would be interesting to hear their side of it.

You know Beta, I think we should get the context of what is written in Ecclesiastes. As far as I know (which isn't too far) this book is all about Vanity. He is asking hard questions such as ... There is nothing new under the sun(1:9) What profit has man from all his labor? (1:3) What is crooked cannot be made straight (1:15) as it happens to the fool it also happens to me (2:15) and so on ....... At first glance the book is about Whine rather than Wine, isn't it? Is this what God wants of us? I doubt it very much, and I'm sure there are scriptures somewhere for it. For instance, what would compell Yeshua to turn water into wine at that wedding in Kana? It also says somewhere that the fruits God has promised us include Joy So this book is not a recomendation for being miserable. There is a lesson to be learned here (in another topic) And along with that comes the celebration of birthdays. A child is born. God created us to have children. Shouldn't we rejoyce over it? The fact that birthdays are hardly mentioned in the Bible doesn't mean we shouldn't celebrate them, for if that was the case we should never fly planes, build skyscrapers or chat in forums either, or even read the Bible!! Did you know, the word "Bible" doesn't appear in the Bible?! So does this mean we shouldn't read the Bible? If it's true that some say celebrating birthdays is a sin, I would think they need to re-read God's word.

It's amazing, the different ways people have for sharing with the Lord. But why am I surprised? after all it's a personal relationship each one of us has. I notice that people chat with God when they are alone. It makes sense of course. There are some moments that don't make any sense, but they do happen. For instance in life threatning situations. Have you ever been under fire or bombardment and found it rediculessly calm?! Thank God it doesn't happen too often but when it does, it's awesome. God takes over and all the worries vanish at that moment. You just KNOW nothing is going to harm you!! Praise You Lord, for knowing how to contact each and every one of us in that special way. Praise You for being with us, caring and loving us even before we knew You. Praise You for Your incredible patience with your children Praise You, in Yeshua's name

Shalom Hupo, Men love to add to Scripture and make doctrines based on opinions. There is nothing in the Bible that states or even hints that celebrating someone's birthday (ours or even Yehsua's) is any sort of problem and certainly not a "sin." So, no, it's not anything Scriptural and not anything to worry about. Birthdays are joyous celebrations and we should give thanks to G-d for the person who was born and especially Yeshua! BTW, I recently had my 50th birthday and had a WONDERFUL celebration, praise the L-rd! During my cancer treatment, there were times that the drs thought I would die, so to celebrate another birthday is a wonderful blessing and I'm gonna celebrate and give thanks! And for each of my children and my husband, their birthdays are precious times to reflect on the gifts that they are from G-d! Thanks Vickilynn, It sure clears up things. Yes, you had so much reason to celebrate your birthday. There is actually no reason not to use birthdays to glorify God too.... I mean, we have birthdays, thanks to God don't we? Thank you all for responding to this topic Blessings

It's written right beneath my name. I'm talking about Israel. There is a whole research going on to finding out who is Jewish and who isn't. As the country is based on Immigration of Jews back to their homeland, it is necesary to determine who is actually Jewish. How they get it right is beyond me but they seem to know what they are doing. What people do on a personal level, is they go to appropriate countries and check the cemetaries. There is a lot of data there.

So what else is new? We have been a target for extintion since..... way back..... We're still around. I don't see Pharoh, The Roman empire, The greeks, The Nazi regime and many more..... Only thing is, we have yet to realize who is REALLY behind it all, and it isn't us....

I heard lately that there are those who see birthday celebrations as a major sin. Is this true? Is it backed by scripture? I googled the topic and found that the only (?) two birthdays in the Bible were used for beheading people... Does anyone have anything on this?

Hi there WSB, I've been following your line of reasoning and actually quite agree with most of it. However what I wanted to say here was how amused I am at your using so much reasoning for showing God need no reasons. It reminds me of my thinking process which used to drive me nuts! Doesn't it make you "blow a fuse" sometimes? God dealt with it, as one day He asked me: "Why don't you live your life rather than explain it" He sure hit the nail on the head, for me!! May God bless you, for no reason