Butterfly634

I've recently been convicted about the shows I watch on tv. There are so few good ones to watch, I've wondered if I should just get rid of the tv in my room all together. I often feel tempted to watch that oh-so-good show I just "can't miss" when I know I should be concentrating on God and reading his word.

I believe I am the one you're referring to. Here's what I posted in case anyone else is interested.

Thanks, everyone I suppose I might as well post my story as well. I was born into a Lutheran family. My father had been attending a small, country church all his life and so I became a member when I was born. When I say small I mean about 100 people came on Sunday mornings. And that's a large crowd. I was sent to a private school (Zion Lutheran) and attended it from pre-school through 8th grade. We had Wednesday chapel there, and had a religion class every day. I usually didn't want to get up on Sunday mornings and go to church; I never really got anything out of church anyway. During this time, I always thought I was a Christian. Although I lived a good life and was always an obedient child, I never was really sure of my slavation. I just kind of figured I'd make it to heaven, because that's what I was being told every day. I wondered how anyone could be so sure of their future when it was in some powerful, unknown beings hand. Then I began hanging out with my cousins. They'd always lived about a mile down the road from me, but I was never very close to them, except for the youngest one; Lacey and I would play together all the time when we were little. I then became closer to her older sister, Vicki, and as a result of this, became closer to the eldest sister, Amanda. She had recently come to personally know God, and had brought Lacey to him as well. They were often urging Vicki to accept him. I had also been reading the Left Behind series, which urged me to turn back to my bible. I became very interested in reading and studying my bible. For the first time in my life, I actually WANTED to learn about God and what the bible said. I became a believer soon after. Since then, I have grown in my faith primarily thanks to Amanda, and my other cousins. She has shown me a good church, one where I can grow and truly worship God, and they have always been there to discuss what I am learning in my bible. Vicki and I were saved around the same time, so we have been learning together. Praise the Lord for cousins!

Wow, that's crazy! I'd like to read a story on this too, if any one can find one... God Bless!

I feel the EXACT same way! I often wonder if I'm a true believer and if I'm actually saved. Everyone on these boards is so on fire for God, and has such a close relationship with him. I want that!

Well, I thought the article was interesting. I'd never interpreted Armageddon in THAT way! God Bless!

But eternity has no beginning or end..... Okay, whatsitmean. You're right. God created time when he created the sun and the moon, day and night. Thanks for setting me straight. God Bless!

All I can say to that is that those people are crazy! God Bless!

I think it says "in the beginning" so that we can understand it. God is timeless! When we reach heaven, we will have no sense of time. Time is a man-made idea. Crazy to think about, isn't it? God Bless!

Yes, there are a couple of verses in the Bible that aren't included in the earliest and most reliable manuscripts. It usually will have a note in subscript at the bottom of the page mentioning that fact. Tatie-I'm sure if you checked your Bible you would see that. I do understand what you're saying about questioning the vadility of Bible verses. However, not all the manuscripts found of the Bible coincide. There is the occasional verse that we SHOULD question. We want God's word to be as reliable as possible! God Bless!

Allright, here we go. The verses I list are all from Matthew chapter 24 The first thing Jesus talks about as a warning are the false prophets who "will deceive many". Throughout history imposters and delusional fanatics have arisen and claimed to be the Messiah. In this generation alone we have seen an explosion of those claiming to be Jesus, including David Koresh, Sun Myung Moon and the Lord Maitreya. (Vs.4-5) Jesus also warned about the increase of wars before his second coming. Statistics show that over the centuries our planet has endured 13 years of war for every year of peace. Despite the numerous peace and disarmament treaties enacted since 1945, we have not known a single day of worldwide peace but rather have experienced more wars than any other genration in history. Despite the growing dangers of war, Jesus told his followers to not be troubled because "the end is still to come."(Vs. 6) Jesus also warned that a series of cataclysmic natural phenomena would characterize his imminent return. Famine, pestilence and earthquakes would not only increase in frequency in the last days; they would also occur in different and unusual places. Here are some statistics that herald the fulfillment of this prophecy. FAMINE: Millions are at risk of famine in this decade in central Africa, India, North Korea and China. Many other nations are unable to properly feed their people due to the decreasing amounts of agricultural lands, increasing amounts of deserts and the soaring growth of their poulations. Diminished food resources will be overwhelmed during the tribulation when worldwide famine destroys millions of lives. EARTHQUAKES: Killer earthquakes (6.5 or higher on the Richter scale) occured only once every decade during the 1800s. According to current statistics, the number of these major earthquakes has increased to over 100 in this decade alone. PESTILENCE: Worldwide pestilence (or disease) would also signal Jesus' return. In the past twenty years, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), health professionals have diagnosed more than 25 infectious diseases with no known treatment or cure. These have come about as a result of travel between nations, poor sanitation, growing urbanization and overpopulation. Sexually transmitted diseases are increasing, causing sterility or death. Recent studies predict that AIDS may wipe out as much as one quarter of global population. Jesus warns that these terrible judgments will only set the stage for the terrible judgments of the tribulation. (Vs.7-8) Jesus warned that his followers would be subject to extreme persecution and martyrdom because of a profound hatred of Jesus by the religious authorities. This prophecy was initially fulfilled during the first wave of of persecution by the Jewish authorities during the first century, but will find its final fulfillment in the terrible persecution of the tribultaion. Because of this persecution in the last days, many will turn from their faith and betray other believers. Jesus also warned of the proliferation of false prophets and the tragic alienation of affection between people. In our generation we have seen an astonishing rise of false prophets, telepaths and cults. The growing litany of child abuse, spousal battery and abuse of the elderly reflects the wide spread iniquity of our time. (Vs.9-12) The generations of the last days would witness the gospel being preached in an unprecedented way throughout the world. Only then would the end come. The spectacular growth of the church in our generation is one of the great signs of the nearness of God's return. Some studies indicate that one person in ten of the world's population today is a christian. (Vs.13-14) Whew! That was alot to type! LOL

Wow! I find it really hard to believe that the large majority of the world could be made to believe that we were created by aliens, but I suppose anythings possible. It's really disturbing that there's these kinds of people out there! God Bless!

All I can think of is the increase in wars, earthquakes, disease, etc. There's an article with all the statistics in my friends bible. I'll post them here tomorrow when I can look at it God Bless!

That's why I like the apple better than water It's all at once Plus you can say which is which. Like I said skin= Holy Spirit. He's on the outside because he draws us in and nurtures us in God and his word. Flesh= Jesus Christ, he gave his flesh for us! And core= God, he should be at the core of everything we do! God Bless!

I always like to think of the apple analogy. I'm sure you've heard it but if not here it is! The apple has three parts. The outer peel or skin, the flesh that we eat, and the inner core. Three parts in one physical item. If the apple can have three parts, why not God?!?!? The peel= the Holy Spirit, the flesh= Jesus Christ, and the core= God. Hope that helps! God Bless!

Well, I took a test on-line last night to find my spiritual gifts (http://www.cforc.com/sgifts.cgi) According to that my highest gifts are Prophecy, Knowledge, and Giving. Don't really know what to do with them yet though.

I agree with you all the way Timothy! I think we all know the first commandment: Thou shalt have no other gods before me. If you follow what astrology is saying above what God is telling you, I'd definitley call it an act of idolatry!!!!! Why should we have to waste our money on THAT?!?!

This MAY help

If it weren't for the fact that there will be no sadness, I'd say I'd miss the night and the moon. And also the surises and sunsets. They're always so pretty when i get to watch them! I think it'll be amazing to always be bathed in light though. And not just any light! The illumination of God and the light of the Lamb!! What an amazing thing!!!!

I LOVE that description of heaven in Revelation!! (21:10-22:6) :inlove: It sounds so amazing and beautiful. And yes I think we will eat!!! yay! "...On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month..."Revelation 22:2 fruit.......yummy..........

Prime- but if Israel was destroyed, how could the prophesy of the end times ever come true? ??? I'm not meaning to attack you, but I don't see how you can believe this

In my bible it says generation could also have been translated as age or nation and this greatly confused me because of how important the mention of a generation is in the timing of the tribultaion. Could someone clear this up for me?

I was just wondering if anyone could recommend some good authors/books that debate between pre, post, and mid tribulation rapture. I keep changing my mind about which I lean towards and would appreciate a scholars point of view that has scripture to back it up. Thanks for your help!