unbeaten

"The raggamuffin Gospel" so far is a very good book. As far as what ive read, He has been speaking about how jesus didnt come here for "perfect" people. How ever thinks they have to do everything perfect and they rate their "righteousness" and Heaven-worthyness (is that even a WORD?? lol ) based on all the "good deeds" they do for others and the church. Rather than their faith and what is in their hearts. How Jesus came for us imperfect humans. God knew when he made us we had flaws and we would rebel. That people think jesus is for scholars and Kings and Preists or Pastors. But in reality jesus came for the poor, tax collectors, prostitutes......all of us imperfect beings.....the "raggamuffins" And its also talking about the Gospel of grace. How too many people think it can or has to be earned and dont understand that it is a GIFT our righteous and loving God has given to us....we just have to make the choice to accept it Ill let you know about the rest when I finish it! lol

I am curious if any of you have read "the Raggamuffin Gospel" By Brennan Manning or "Left Behind- Are we living in the end times? Current events foretold in scripture and what they mean" By Tim LaHaye & Jerry B. Jenkins If you have, what do you think? I have just started The raggamuffin gospel recently and Have about 2 chapers left of the other. Some of it is VERY interesting. Some is kinda scary

My step-dad really scares me. He was diagnosed with Hep-C last year. Started treatment, but almost a year into the treatment his blood levels were that of a dead person. The doctor said he didnt know why he was still alive. They pulled him off the treatment and wont give it to him. Upon diagnosis he was "given" (tho the cant tell) 10 years. Its affecting my sister horribly. everyone moving away and now my dad being so sick, she has panic attacks and.....

I was reading her post about witnessing to family. And it brought a concern very close to my heart out. My parents never took me to church. My mom had my brother and i baptized, but nothing else. We never went to church, nothing. I decided to go with my best friend when i was 12 maybe? to a penecostal church. When i was 12 my little sister was born. My parents turned a deaf ear and said no to my requests of church. As she got older, she requested it. I love my sister dearly, but shes spoiled lol. My parents joined a church. Im not picky they joined, fine. My dad got a bible for the house. Got the three of them gold crosses for christmas (my brothers and sister and i were moved out already). but then it graduatedly started. My dad found reasons not to go. Then he just wasnt going. Then my mom complained he wasnt going. Then she complained about having to "chauver"(sp) my sister to church every week. Then they just stopped going. My sister is 13, when I lived at home when i got divorced I could see her spirit. I love my parents but its such a negitive environment. When I was there if I had my bible out I would get looks like "Oh lord" or "why are you reading THAT" I could see the spark in her eyes. She would always ask questions. She would come in my room bible clutched in her hands and ask if we could read together and have a "bible study". My best friend Erica and her church took us to see the passion of the christ. My sister and I held each other and cried hyesterically through the WHOLE movie. I can pin point the moment in the movie she went from advocate of the bible and jesus to a hysterical evangilist. That since has changed. She cant drive her self to church. And I see it fading. I thought of sending her bible verses, things to make her search and read. But what can I do?? My parents are members of that whole "As long as im a good person Im fine" and "I dont like church, or people who push stuff down my throat" thing. And their church of all places was the best for them. So relaxed. Soooo confused

Forgive me if I sound judgemental for that is not my intention, but is this not a little harsh? I do not recall Unbeaten acting in any way so as to hopefully win approval in her decisions. Unbeaten, I admire your courage in such a rough time, for you first acted in whatever ways you felt were right to avoid walking on the path of sin, only to be rejected. Unfortunately rejection is something we all must come to face at some point in time in our lives, and I do pray that the Lord is with you in this time of pain. For heartbreak is truly not one of the easiest things to get through when you love someone so deeply. Just keep your chin up and do not let anyone or anything get you down. As Work In Progress said, "Give it all to God." Believe me, you cannot go wrong! Do wish you the best. God Bless With Love In Christ, Danielle Thank You, No I wasnt looking for someone to tell me a desicion, no I wasnt looking for anyones approval. I was honestly hurting last night. THIS is the man I want to spen my life making happy, this is the man I want to aid in his walk with the lord. Am I wrong or is part of being a Christian and attempting to be "God-like" trying to aid other Christians? To not judge and keep personal feelings out of it? No im not looking for sympathy of for anyone to say its ok, but I also wasnt looking for people to judge me and be so harsh. Im human. Im weak. Yes I made the decision I made. No one is perfect.

This....is a subject to close to home. I am naturally olive-skinned with my native american heritage. In high school (the "best years of my life" ) I was told for 3 years of it that I was not white enough to live. I was harrassed,followed, and hunted down like a rabbit being hunted by a hound. I couldnt wait to get out of high school. It all took a toll on me (obviously) I was the "freak", I heard racial comments all day everyday. It was hard to even get out of bed. The depression ended in Bulimia. I was told by some of my "friends" that I wasnt attractive and I had no personailty and i would never find a man and i would never be married. I did find a man. I was married at 20, divorced at 25. Gain a few pounds with pregnancy and the whole story changes I was told on daily basis I needed to lose weight. I was cheated on daily. I tried my best to be a good christian woman and fix my marriage. The bulimia continued. Eventually before i could take no more and left, he told me he wanted a divorce. HE wanted a divorce because i was to fat and ugly. He "saw the way girls looked at him. He could do better" So yes, i know how that feels. God is awesome! This is only 2 minor examples of the life of pain and heart ache i have lived. More in my 25 years than some have in 60. Yet.....I am still here. I trudge on day after day. Becasue I know my Lord and savior LOVES me. not earthy, human, pyhsical, conditional love. but HIS love, that can not be measured and will never leave me. I know he is waiting for me. After all this..... I still have my faith.

Right now until i move, Im living in Maryland. Waldorf to be exact. about 15 miles from Alexandria, about an hour from D.C. (I think) Originally and on my way home to....Columbus Ohio

Believe me......I know

Those of you saw who saw my post in prayer request now that I was in inner turmoil becuase I made a decision to move to another state and live with my boyfriend. After much prayer and thinking, I know its wrong to live here unmarried. I did not want to go. I love him. I want to spend my life with him, making him as happy as he makes me. Take care of him. Help him in his walk with Christ. I opened my heart, took his hand in mine, looked deep in his eyes, got down on one knee, and for the SECOND time.......asked him to marry me. And for the second time......I was turned down. He told me hes not ready

DOH! Thank you :blush:

OK, as much as I have read and attempted to study the people, one thing (among many) that I see over and over, Is that jews are Gods "chosen people" My question? I know my walk is not yet as mature as some of you, but I am going at the rate the lord wants me to. Anyhow lol, What about the rest of us? I mean what if your not jewish? Does the fact that everyone is a decendant of someone mean in some way we're ALL kinda jewish so we're all his chosen people? Kinda confused