woden

What is Genesis 3:15 on about? It reads like a prophecy. Who is being spoken to? Who are involved? If it is a prophecy has it been fulfilled or is it to be fulfilled? Any thoughts.

So when was this scripture fulfilled? Or is it still future?

As a reletive Newbie this question may of been raised many times before, so one more time won't hurt I'm sure. Religion is in 82% of people questioned, according to one recent poll, the cause of many if not all the conflicts we see around us. If that is true where does that put religion? If there is one true religion, how can you tell? All the denominations that there are can't all be right can they? All Christian faiths are slightly different from each other, they don't all agree on matters of doctrine, interpretation of Scripture and so on. If you believe that your faith is the right one, prove it. Show how it is the one true faith against this checklist. It is free from superstitions. It believes the Bible is the word of God, in it's entirety. That all doctrine is directly from the Bible. That love drives the faith. That they copy the example set by the Master. He was politically neutral, is your faith so? What is "Armaggeddon" to your faith? If you can answer the questions with Scripture and reasoning, in what other ways could you prove your faith is the right one. Example: the Creator, does it have a name? Is it interested in us? Does it keep it's promises, as no-one has heard it speak for a long time? What does it say about the future? Where is our future, on earth or heaven? Don't necessarily try to answer it all in one go. A little at a time will be fine.

When we don't know the reason for something happening, it's easy to try to put the blame onto someone else. I had someone I knew commit suicide recently. He had strayed away from the faith but it was still a shock to learn of it. So is God responsible for the suffering we endure? There are 2 types of healing. Physical and Spiritual. I believe in the latter. But interesingly Spiritual healing can help our physical bodies. There is a verse in Proverbs 14:30, " A calm heart is the life of the fleshly organism, but jealousy is rottenness to the bones." The 2nd part has been proved true medically. If you want to shorten your life, become a bitter and twisted person. Then you will have all the illnesses you can shake a stick at. But if we respond to Scriptual advice we get a calm heart, peaceful sleep and no troubled consciences. That is better than any physical cure. Because there are some things that cannot be stopped. God is not responsible for the pain of losing someone we love and care for. We are all dying. But a relationship with God is worth so much more. It is priceless. What do you think?

What happens if they are not Christian and would use the information against you, or your fellow Christians? What happens then? No hot dinners for a month? back up for me.... do you mean what if the person withholding info from their wife or mom isn't a christian? 20 lashes if they withhold from their mom... it's far more severe if they withhold from their wife! forget hot dinners, they wouldn't get ANY dinner, even cold! no clean laundry either.... no coffee in the morning... and not even a clean sheet to cover up with on the COUCH! Phew. Glad in a way I'm not married and not living at home. " A capable wife, WHO can find. She is worth more than....."

If it happens again you must tell someone. If it was a one off, let it go for now. However get together sometime and go out for a walk, a meal or somewhere and talk. Be open and honest. It seems she will open up to you. She may let you into her world where others are shut out. If she reveals a history of abuse, either verbal or physical then that is a whole new ball game. Such a thing is not acceptable for any Christian. Someone needs help before it gets worse. The most important thing is confidentiality. It needs to be heard by only those who need to know. That could be a senior person in your faith who you trust without exception. She needs Spiritual help and guidance even if she has heard it all before. This may be a one-off, and if so then all will benefit with Spiritual healing from the Scriptures. All the best.

Was Judas Iscariot saved? Yes. Was it instant? No. So at what point would he have been saved? Logically if he had remained faithful and at his death.

What happens if they are not Christian and would use the information against you, or your fellow Christians? What happens then? No hot dinners for a month?

Equally it could be that the teacher's own life was in meltdown and for some reason took it out on the student. Or this student had said or done something to the teacher and no-one else knew? Either way what's done is done. How did the class find out? Did someone break a confidence? Or blab?

I am assuming you were referring too 6:3 I have always understood it that it would be 120 years from that point to the flood. Yes, you are correct. That is why so-and-so died at 969 years of age and so on.

Shalom, I opened a thread about this recently. You might want to look for it. The answer is no. Lying is a sin. Willful lying is willful sin. Actually the answer is Yes, sometimes and when appropriate. Before you stone me let me explain. In some parts of the world Christians are under ban. They cannot meet freely, evangelise freely and so on. China doesn't like Christians very much as do other Socialist and Muslim countries. Christians are harassed, arrested, placed before "kangaroo" courts and so on. If you lived in such a country, and were picked up by the police and had sensitive information in your head that would if revealed place your fellow brothers and sisters in jeopardy if it was revealed by you to the police, and they asked you for that or any information, what would you say? If they threatened you with "waterboarding" or something similar, what would you say? Isn't witholding information a form of lying? Just a thought.

Some people like to have the last word of the last word. I've got 2 brothers who are like that. I wonder where they get it from? Sometimes all some want is an arguement, even if you know you are correct Scriptually, Theologically, Scientifically, Grammatically, Historically, Archealogically or even Logically. Even Jesus got to a point when he just walked away. Why bother. Some people will want to open their eyes to the truth and others will keep them closed. On the Titanic, even when it was going down, people thought it was still "unsinkable" even though the evidence around them proved otherwise. Any thought or will this be "the last word?"

Was that Puccini or Verdi

Second Generation Christians they are known over here in the UK. I'm one and can identify with what you are trying to say. However from the outset this seemed to be a question within a question, if you get my meaning. Something troubles you about a person's claim to be something they are not, you see it but others don't. Are they reaching out for something that they are not entitled to because of their actions and inactions. Are they a "Christian" in name only? What you can do is approach someone of seniority in your church and privately tell them of your concerns. Or if you are bold, approach the person directly and kindly get them to talk about what it means to be a Christian. It could be a misunderstanding on your part, and you do not want that to escalate. If you are right in your feelings remember that God sees all. There may be a reason why this is happening. Is it to reveal a course of action that has been going on in secret? Sometimes and I know this from experience in my own congregation some things go on for years before being revealed. Why? God wants sinners to repent or if they don't the holy spirit will get it revealed. These people think God is a mug, a fool. They think they can fool people and God. What does this show? Pride, selfishness, self-centred thinking with no love for God and fellow worshippers. If there are people in your faith who think like this, God has a surprise for them.

Point number one: There are many other spirits out and about. The dragon in Revelation pulls in his tail "a third of the stars" which is no fixed number, but is a lot. Point number two: It was an angel and Jacob. Jacob demanded to be blessed but the angel wasn't having any of it until the morning when it was time for him to return to heaven. He touched Jacob's hip and put it out, just showing how strong an angel can really be, and then told him his name change to Israel and God would bless him and his descendents.

I concur (did I spell that right?) We talked about Classical music in my Psychology class this week. It actually is good for people, regardless of religious beliefs. It's calming and it can help you focus. I love Tchaikovski!!! He's a genius! Peter Tchaikovsky was also gay. But that aside even though Hitler loved Wagner's music, classical music is on the whole good for the soul. However like all music one has to be selective. You can't be dogmatic about what a person chooses to listen to. If that music has undertones that are not suitable, all one can do is warn of the potential dangers that can be associated with that type or piece of music. If you had a choice, what would you perhaps rather listen to, some of today's music with sexually explicit lyrics, evoking drug culture lifestyles and violence or music of classical origins with occaisional fairies or mythologies. What will soften your brain more? It is a matter of personal choice.`

Once it starts, it just seems not to stop. How easy life may seem to be. No more effort to conform or meet standards. And yet something pricks away at you. It is your conscience. Do you remember the story of the prodigal son. He went his way, lived it up, but when things got tough and he was reduced to looking after pigs ( and if a Jew how low must he have got since pigs are unclean to Jews) he finally decided to return home and work as a hired man in his Father's fields. What was the reaction when he got home? Did his Father give him a hard time? You know what happened and the same could happen to you still. Your Heavenly Father loves you and knows what you need. Being a single parent is not easy. I'm just single, and there are times I wish that I could be not single. The support, comfort and hugs all help. All I have is a cat and he is not one for hugs. So what can you do? Someone, a spiritual man who visited my congregation, said to me, " we come to meetings and we do the things God wants because WE want too." How true that is. If it is our heart we will do all we can. Getting up, getting ready and going through that door will always be a difficult thing to do. But if your heart is full of appreciation for God's love to you nothing will hold you back from returning. No-one will judge you, in fact they may very well be so pleased to see you. It is worth the effort at least.

I think it is fair to say that all Christians have or will have a crisis of confidence at sometime in our life. The question is, "What do I do next?" It may be someone says to you something you never thought of before, or they stumble you in word or deed. How deeply rooted is your faith? Are you a solid food Christian or still on the milk? Have you doubts? Question, research, read your Bible. "Make sure of all things, hold fast to what is fine." Then, "you will give an answer to the one who is taunting me."

A pratical suggestion is if you can, change your locks to your house or flat. In that way you restrict his activities in making contact. Change your telephone number and go ex-directory. If he appears and you feel under threat, call the Police. Make friends with a Police Officer who is used to dealing with such situations so that if the ex comes back you do have someone who will back you up. Next what is he suffering with. He may have bi-polar (manic depression) himself. Alternatively he may be schizophrenic. It may be undiagnosed or under treatment and he fails to take his medication. My mum, when she was in private nursing, was asked to deal with a man everyone else was scared of, because he was having a three-way conversation...with himself. Or he could be demon-possesed. And that could be easier to treat. Does he have anything that connects him to the spirit realm? Clothes, jewellry, books, furniture etc. He may of been given it by someone else, a hand-me-down or similar. Have you yourself been given something by him that causes you issues? Get rid of it, even if it is of some value. Sell it or destroy it. Get it out of your life. Once the link is broken, the demons cannot easily make contact. I hope these suggestions are of some help. Above all pray to the God who brings us comfort so that you may be comforted.

If Hillary wins, she'll come over here and visit the Qween.

It's the old "in National Security Interests" chestnut again. Governments will do anything should the situation arise to make the most of a situation. Or create a situation. Remember Operation Northwoods under JFK? Why do some people mistrust the official line to 9/11? Because they have questions that Governments evade answering. Conspiracy Theories are a huge underground industry. Some may be right too.

Imagine for a moment that you believe everything the Bible says and teaches. You accept it 110%. What have you learned? Have you allowed time to meditate on what you've been taught, a bit like cattle chewing the cud. Thought it through. Well by your question about the Bible you obviously want to be sure that what you read and learn is for your benefit. How many people do you know who don't know even the basics of their faith? How can they believe in something they don't understand even the first things? It boggles the mind. And yet they exist. You may of heard of the Boreans on Paul's missionary tours. They were Jews whom Paul was persuading to become Christians. what was their reaction? Look at Acts 17:10-12 for the answer. Here is a short worded answer: Question, demand proof, research, read your Bible before accepting anything. If you find something that you just can't see, put it to one side and move on to something else. Once the truth of God's Word sinks deeply in, nothing and no-one can remove it.

CCTV has helped in either reducing crime or capturing potential suspects committing a crime. But nonetheless there has to be a balance. Since even before 9/11 there has been a steady erosion of civil liberties. I believe HG Wells mentioned about it when he was alive, and how many years ago was that? When "national security" interests are at stake, and who decides that, then the Geneva Convention or other laws designed to protect members of the public are squeezed and redefined. How many times have we seen in either film or TV shows the idea that given the right conditions, governments become the monster of some Frankensteinian origin. Is it happening in reality? That is the big question. E-mails are intercepted, phone calls monitored by GCHQ, phone lines tapped. It is not science fiction. Someone was paid a visit by a certain police unit recently. Why? Because he happened to mention the word "guns" in a telephone conversation. Innocent? Yes, in this case. But the rise of religious and political fundamentalism in Britain has called upon the Police and Government to make tough decisions that would rather not make. The head of MI5 recently suggested that there were upwards of 1,300 people involved with groups linked to terrorist activities. When the IRA were a problem it was thought their membership was no more than 300. So what, as this is a Christian Forum, should we conclude? How we need God's Kingdom to come as Jesus asked us to pray for. He knew the words of Jeremiah 10:23 only too well. God will step in and sort things out. What Christians need to do is not be too side-tracked and become distracted by what Governments do or don't do. Our future lies with God and Jesus.

Take a look at your TV on sunday morning. Sorry, no can do. Haven't had TV for since before Hurricane Katrina, have I missed much?

It therefore makes one wonder which denomination will be left in a good standing before the Throne, because the whole idea of denominationalism is they are all different in some way either big or small. They can't all be right can they? Take a look at your own faith and compare it with say, a Jehovah's Witness. Nice polite people who knock on doors with their magazines and books. What difference is there between your faith and their's? Is it a crack or a chasm? Will there ever be neutral ground between denominations? Will Catholic and Protestant ever get on or will they just continue as they have always done. Who will stand before the Throne of God? P.S. Don't bother brushing up on Hebrew, for if God could confuse language He can easily unite it again.