hillsong_girl

I can understand that!! God is the only One we can trust 100%, today, tomorrow, and forever!! All we can do is follow Him and try to live for Him in this world.

We should be careful of the words we speak. That said, I don't see anything wrong with joking that has no malice and is all in fun and not meant to be hurtful. We all need to laugh sometimes...and sometimes joking each other and being silly can be fun!

You would be correct.

I support cremation. I either want to be cremated or have a natural burial...in the very far, far future...not any time soon!!

Honestly, I didn't read everyone's responses...but this person doesn't even sound like a friend to me at all!! If she was your friend and had concerns about something, she would have approached you about it directly, not by "sending an e-mail" to your husband! Sounds like the kind of person I would not want in my life. Maybe that is just me. Forgive such a person? Of course. Trust them? Don't think so.

I think it is healthy. I tend to be a skeptical person and sometimes yes I am suspicious - whether of things in the world or even in the church sometimes. We should always be watchful...

I could relate to that. There are days when I feel I am living for the Lord...and many days when I know I've failed to acknowledge Him or to try to live for Him better. Just another reminder of who I should be becoming - someone more like the REAL Jesus I believe in!!

I am friends with both believers and un-believers. I guess when you are friends with an un-believer, it is just important to remember to stand with your convictions. I don't know, just a thought!

I agree with you on that one. The government needs to stay out of our healthcare and frankly, out of our business.

Ok...so just from scanning some of the posts on this topic...maybe a kind reminder to be respectful of each other is needed. There seems to be quite a bit of hostility on this thread. Ok? Anyway, the way I think of is like this: God is merciful...but God is also just. God is loving...but God also hates evil. God is full of forgiveness...but God also judges. Anyone see where I am going with this? God is perfect and we will never fully understand His ways, because they are above our ways. So when it comes to talking about these wars in the OT, we have to remember that God is a God of justice and maybe He was just using people to carry out His justice? I'm just saying

I understand how you feel. I recently posted something in the general forum expressing my feelings about some things. I have slowly been trying to get closer to the Lord and things have happened to me. I have been in 2 car accidents in less than 2 months time, I had problems with my home, problems with my health, and now recently I had an issue at work that got me in trouble. Add that all of this has happened while my husband is deployed and you can imagine how I've been feeling. It will be ok though! Things do turn around and these matters have actually forced me to my knees in prayer at times and helped me talk more to God about different things...which is what He wants from us!! To rely on Him and communicate with Him daily!! Just be strong and continue in prayer, you will make it through

Psalm 63 ESV 1O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 2So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. 3Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. 4So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. 5My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, 6when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; 7for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. 8My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. 9But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth; 10they shall be given over to the power of the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals. 11But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall exult, for the mouths of liars will be stopped.

Take it all literally unless the writing is clearly metaphorical.

My views are pretty set in stone on this subject: marriage is a union before God, intended for life, but under certain circumstances that union needs to be broken. Spousal abuse, child abuse, drug abuse, and other such choices....if the spouse involved has no desire to change or get help....game over. I know I would not stay married to someone who was abusing me. (Not that my husband would do that because he is wonderful!!!) But my point is I think it is a deep shame when anyone would be qucik to condemn someone who is being HURT by their spouse and look down on them if they sought to leave that spouse. I would hope no one would be so heartless, but I have met some who think that way.

If I were going to a Bible school or Christian college....they better be accredited. In fact, I was accepted to a few Christian schools (though I chose not to go)...and they were all accredited. Seems like a big risk to go to school that is NOT accredited.

Totally stupid, but that is the world we live in

So with all of the news going around this topic right now...check this out: http://handsoffmyhealth.org/ Sign if you agree?

1. Whether it's a discussion in person or something I read online, I investigate things for myself. 2. I have altered my views at times because of things from discussions with people, but not often do I do that. 3. Yes I think it's important to listen to how other people see things. As long as you know what you believe and why, I don't think it's "dangerous."

Yea, I think there is truth to that, because when you are hurting beyond words...what else can you do but cry out to God and trust Him?

I understand why people try to say water baptism is needed for salvation. I do understand where the idea comes from, and I do appreciate you writing on this. But I am very upset by any doctrine that suggests we can or must add to the work of the cross. If something besides the cross is required, then the whole premise of Christianity being about the blood of Jesus as the only way for us to be forgiven is destroyed, because we are saying a religious work is still required for us to have salvation. I did not mean to appear "dogmatic," but at the same time I strongly believe the truth of scripture is clear on this issue and the fact that any Christian still thinks we are required to do something beyond the cross is very scary to me. Yes, getting baptized is something Christians should do, but to suggest that being immersed in water somehow has power to make a difference in whether someone is saved or not...again, very scary to me.

Hillsong Girl, How sad. It sounds like you had a very negative experience with the COC. My close friend, who is COC, has told me that some of the COC's are even negative toward all other COC's...very contentious, pious, legalistic, and self-righteous. I suppose not having a central organization or creed to "standardize" their belief system might breed that. There are also legalistic "pushy" people from every other religious stripe...be honest...all of us can think of such people in our own groups that are opinionated and dead set in their ways and consider everyone else to be just plain wrong...period! I can imagine if some of these people are in positions of leadership in a congregation with no central leadership to soften them...Well, I can see where it could be a problem. I have worshipped with the COC my friend attends (and he also worships at my church on accasion) and I have found him and the others at the COC to be sincere, loving, seekers of God. I have had more problems with a few legalists in my own religion than anybody at the COC. They have also treated me with respect. They do hold strongly to their own convictions as directed in Romans 14, but they also are kind and respectful of mine. I respect those who are confident in their beliefs. I don't believe they are a cult at all...although apparently some COC's are extremely self-righteous and judgemental (as are some in all religions!) I wouldn't have a problem with anyone who wanted to attend there...at least the COC I am most familier with. Just my 2 cents. I understand what you are saying. I didn't have any issues with the people in the congregation, just their beliefs and practices. Water baptism as necessary for salvation and saying it is only correct to sing for music (and not use instruments) are not in line with the Bible. Well there are allot of Scholars that disagree with you on that (baptism). Stating your opinion as if it is a carved in stone fact, is the same thing your accusing the CoC of doing. So once again hypocrisy! Wow...why the attack? Do you think being baptised in water is needed for salvation? Trusting in Jesus' blood alone, His sacrifice is how we are saved.

Yes, all very true. Even though I feel overwhelmed right now...I know it is not more than I can stand.

I believe in a combination of all these things. Ultimately, I still look to GOD as the overall soveriegn and ask HIM "What's up?" The things that come into our lives have a purpose in GOD's plan for us. As it is written in the scriptures, "We know that all things work together for good for those who love GOD and the called according to HIS purpose." Trials test what is in our hearts better than anything. IF the heart is truly steadfast on GOD, than trial become something we shrug at. It our hearts are divided between what we want and what HE wants, than we start to kick and scream a little about how unfare it is (fortunately we never really get what would be fare. Thank GOD for grace) Then there are those who have been promised that if you have enough faith all will be well. They get so focussed on what they are expecting from GOD that when they do not get it, they either look at themselves and bemoan how hard the Christian life is or they shake a fist at GOD an tell HIM HE is not keeping HIS end of the deal. Me, I look up and say, "I'm sure you have a reason for this" and just continue on. I like to share my trials when they come so I can share how JESUS took care of them. I find every trial to be a way to share the faithfulness of CHRIST. There are song lyrics that go like this, " sometimes HE calms the storm with a whisper "Piece be still" Sometimes HE hlds us close and lets the wind and rain go wild. Sometimes HE calms the storm at other times HE calms HIS child." Thank you. Yea, that is the right attitude to have. Jesus will take care of me. I need to hold on to that.

I used to think all of those things, but I don't anymore. Sure, the devil could be giving you a hard time, but that's his job. Don't pay any attention to him, because that's what he wants. He wants your attention. If he can keep you preoccupied with all these distractions, he knows he has leverage against you. Don't give it to him. God said, "I will never leave you, nor forsake you". That means He's there, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. He never leaves and His door is always open. Talk to Him. No matter where you are or what you're doing, He's always there. Tell Him what's on your mind. Talk to Him as if He were right next to you. Talk to Him as if you were talking to one of your closest friends. He wants to interact with you. He wants to help you. There are no problems that He doesn't have the answers for. You'll probably have to do some of the legwork, but if you take Him with you, He'll knock aside any obsticles that stand in your way. Don't be afraid to ask Him for peace of mind. If you're stressing, ask Him to take it away. Ask Him to calm your spirit. He can fix whatever ails you. All you have to do is ask. Open your heart to Him and He will open His to you. He is a truly awesome God. Very true, thank you. I know He won't leave me.

Yes, I know. I realize in this moment how easy it is to read the story of Job and rejoice about it...how easy it is to listen to the songs you mentioned and be encouraged...but sometimes when you are actually going through things...well, it's not easy! I just feel like I am at a breaking point and as I said I am more vulnerable because I don't have my husband here. It is very hard on me. When I find self at this feeling you are talking about because I am, I just get on my knees and tell the father in heaven the truth. When the words don't come out to say,I ask him to read my heart and pray that his will be done in the name Of Jesus. The Father does not wants us to suffer so we lay this in his mighty hand with faith that he will help us. The evil one wants us so down that we lose the will to stand back up. The Father through Christ our Lord will stand you up honey. I know, I need to just trust Him, and I think I do, but I have just been hurting so much. I guess I just need to...try not to lose heart.