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Thoughts I am hoping that I can give you, some insight into my thought process. I am also hoping to tie together this part of my blog, although I might add to it later. I am going to throw out some ideas here. I am a deep thinker. So before I finally get to the Word studies I want to do, I need to give you an idea of how I think. It us quite a lot today. But that can't be helped at this point. I believe that a person's worldview is strongly dependant on a mixture of background, education and personality. I also think that a lot depends on how you build trust. One is especially inclined to trust your own eyes. And many people, quite correctly I think, initially trust their parents (unless your parents were abusive or absent). It is something I don't think we can prevent. We are so vulnerable that we can't ever entirely depend on ourselves, so we are forced to look for outside help in order to survive. And we are forced to belong to something or Somone or we will be alone. I have gone deep into existialist thinking, pondering why life is what it is. And whether what we see is really real. I did this all on my own. No one told me to ask these questions. They just came up as a result of my natural curiosity. I find that there is a lot of competing ideas in the world. Many with more merit than what we might want to admit. And it doesn't usually take us long, when growing up, to realise that there are choices to make. And the question I have often come to ask myself is: on what basis do I trust what I trust? I know the Holy Spirit leads us to truth. But at the time it happened I could not have known that it was the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, we are far too easy to fool. Our knowledge is always limited, even when we do actually have a little knowledge. We walk around with biases which are based on experience and impressions. And both can mislead us. So can feelings. So can intelligence. I often find I need to try to take myself outside my biases and try to consider reality objectively. I don't often succeed . I have rarely been able to shake the feeling that my faith in God has a lot to do with the fact that it is the culture I grew up in. So I've always felt the need to be able to verify what I believe with what I see around me. I guess that's what Romans 1 is talking about. Therefore I have, in the past, done my best to check my assumptions. Down to the most basic assumptions. Even asking myself if there is truth. And the interesting thing is that once I was done with the process of examining my assumptions, I realised that I found the Christian faith the most consistent with the reality as I am able to see it. To me, this was an important breakthrough. So then I realised the Bible must be true. I suppose that was also the Holy Spirit guiding me in the right direction. So then I made the decision that I would make Scripture the basis for what I understand to be true. I would only believe something is true if it didn't clash with Scripture in any way. It would act like a filter for what I could accept. But there is a basic problem with this. The Bible requires interpretation. But I'm long jumping the gun. Before this realisation, after my initial childhood experience with children's Bibles, I started reading the Bible in my early teens. And at first I had very little input to tell me how to read it. So I generally accepted it as literal because I had no reason to see it otherwise. But as I grew older, got saved and started following the Holy Spirit's guidance, I came to realise that it isn't always that simple. There are some things that need further reading, there are translation issues, there are things that need to be inferred and also there are things that are true that aren't necessarily said in Scripture. I'll be quite honest that much of what I learned early on was a mix of considering my dad's position on things (he can be very persuasive, being a rhetorician) . Other influences on me are classical writtings, my grandmother, authors like C.s Lewis and G.k Chesterton, and the Charismatic church movement that I was part of. Also, of course, the friend who led me to the Lord and acted as my source of information for quite some time. More recently I find I like Tim Kelly, and Tim Mackie from the Bibleproject. On Facebook I know a guy called Objective Believe and he impresses me with his clever reasoning, although I am also convinced that one can make good arguments for things that are actually false (another result of experiences I've had) . On the one hand I find I am open to hearing from a wide variety of people because I'm going to filter what they say anyway. I often talk to God about what I hear long afterwards, in order to help understand things better. It helps if I can see that the person cares. It's easier to trust someone who shows true compassion and gentleness. On the other hand, I just don't do blind faith.. I don't put limits on where truth will come from, but I do still use my best understanding of the Scriptures to filter what I hear. At this stage, I am again in the process, of rethinking who and what I should believe. Not around the basics. More around hearing God, hearing the Holy Spirit, what choices to make and where to stand on important issues. I have some frustrations in my church due to these questions I have. They are not helping me at the moment. I am thinking about what my next moves should be, given my circumstances. And I want my decisions to be based on faith rightly applied. I feel that so much of what I have been taught could be wrong and it scares me. I try to push that away. Ignore my misgivings. But I can't anymore. When I get scared I withdraw. I'm especially weary of manipulation. If I'm going to believe, what someone claims is biblical, it should be able to stand on it's own. My way of reading and studying Scripture is pretty simple. I mean, unless something is obviously meant not to be literal, I accept the most obvious meaning of the text. Given what I've said here I have a few great needs at the moment. I have great need for healthy fellowship. I often feel alone. My friends are mostly living elsewhere, my church is filled with a lot of people I struggle to relate to (and I really have tried to relate to them) and my current occupation means I spend most of my time at home. My second need is to have some sort of direction for my life and for breakthroughs in terms of my career and financial position. A serious prayer need. But probably my biggest need is the need to seek God's overall direction for my life. And especially for how I use my time, since I have so much of it. I need to be dure I am the best I can be for Him. And that is why I've also had to rethink how to pproach my online presence. This includes how I spend time on Worthy and this then led me to the need to do this Bible study. Also I will be trying my best to broaden my involvement in more threads (but I can't promise anything yet) and to make the most of the fellowship side. I have some plans. They will soon be revealed. Comments and questions are welcome.

Just when I think I mastered these thoughts.... They're back. I just can't understand the idea of how unending torment is justice for sinners... So I'm just going to lay back... What would that be like? Seeing as how these thoughts won't go away... I might as well do the best with them...Maybe I blasphmened the Holy Spirit

As someone who knows many young adults who are seemingly going the way of the world, I wanted to look into the topic of "the mind". I confess that this study was originally done because I have an older son who is totally focused on the things of the world at this time and I did this study with him in mind. I welcome your input and studies with regard to the Word on this matter...as I think it is a very important topic for those of us who wish we had something on hand to help us witness and testify to how important it is to examine what we are "thinking about". It is also a reminder for us as Christians to be "mindful" of these things as well. What Is On Your Mind? Romans 8:5-7 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Ephesians 2:3, 4:17 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Philippians 3:19 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. Titus 1:15 15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. BE RECONCILED AND RENEWED IN MIND Colossians 1:21 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 2:18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, Hebrews 10:16 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; Ephesians 4:22-24 22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Philippians 2:5 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 1 Cor. 2:16 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ. Col. 3:2 (NKJV) 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. In His Love, Suzanne

Hi, everyone! My name is Michelle, and I am 26 years old. I am married to a wonderful man, and I have 2 overweight cats haha. I don't really know what else to say about myself, haha, but I'd be glad to answer any questions. Now to get started: I am new to this site and so eager to be here to have fellowship with you all! I am having a rough time right now. Something I am ashamed of as it’s a terrible trial for me. I keep saying it’s a trail. I am fairly new in Christ. I have been a believer since I was little, but didn’t truly come to Christ until this year. I was a sinful believer, as sad as that sounds. I really only prayed to God when I needed something or was super scared. I had a strong urge inside myself to start going to church and to thank God for all my blessings – you know before something bad happened (which I know is not how God works haha, but that was my mind last year). I did not thank God as I was putting it off and putting it off, although it was a simple prayer away. I also never started going to church. My life was just getting more and more sinful as I gave into some temptations. That’s when it hit – on the night of March 15, I fell into a great despair and depression. I became very clinging to my husband, poor him. I didn’t know what could help, not even my husband could help me, and I knew in my spirit I had to turn to God. I started attending church, praying, and spending at least an hour a day with God in devotion. I was still very selfish in all this as I was only focused on getting better and not truly on my relationship with God. It eventually grew that wanting a relationship and I finally felt my time was not wasted. Soon, my eagerness of my devotional time dwindled and it started feeling like a chore. I started doing it less and less as I was feeling better and better. God freed me from my depression, the worst time of my life, and this is how I thank Him. So saddening. I started skipping church some and now I haven’t gone to church in over a month. I felt like I could not open up to anyone there, although they were extremely nice and welcoming people. Anyway, when I first had my depression, I started experiencing conflicting thoughts about God, bad things. Things I disagreed with but they kept popping up in my thoughts. I prayed for God to soften my heart to give me more faith. God helped me so much, and I rarely ever experienced conflicting thoughts. I really struggled with it thinking “Oh, how can God still love me when I think these terrible things about Him! Things I don’t think are true!” “These thoughts are unforgivable!” One day, I woke up and had this random thought, that I know to be from the Holy Spirit, I thought “God loves me. God forgives me.” It truly felt it! I was so thankful and thanked and praised God, but I didn’t start going to church more or anything. I was very selfish and still focused on myself and my happiness in this world. However, now, it’s bad and worse! I am miserable! I keep thinking that I am a wretch! A fool! Like God describes people like me in the bible. I pray for this to go away and I calm victory over this trail. I, now, struggle with if God would forgive me again, especially now that it’s worse, in my opinion. I just would love to hear any experiences that are similar to mine because when I hear struggles I hear people talk about struggles with the world and not with God. It’s very hurtful, saddening, and I truly am miserable! I know to cling to God! I am back to being a dedicated Christian! I love God and desperately want to have an amazing relationship with God!! I don't really know what to expect as far as feedback, but I am just happy to have you all to share it with!!! I am just truly happy to share this as it is a lot to keep it inside myself! Thank you, everyone! Thank you for reading! I hope God blesses your day! <3 Thank you again! Michelle *Sorry for the bad grammar, just typing away haha.

In as much as I enjoy writing from time to time, I do so in a blog here. In as much as my ego demands that I assume a few other might enjoy or benefit from what I write, I have made a table of contents of my blog entries. Also, at the bottom, I added a link to diagrams and charts. Occasionally, they are helpfull was to illustrate beliefs, doctrans and other things, so that is a place to store them and find them when I need them, you can look and see too if you like. You might disagree with them, I do not pretend they are perfect, just a growing colltion of illustrations of a growing understanding. Fun with Numbers and the Probability of God's Existence Five Minute Theology - Ongoing online study here, begins July 2015 (should you?) - Updated July 2015 http://www.worthychristianforums.com/blog/25/entry-43-is-social-security-a-ponzi-scheme/ http://www.worthychristianforums.com/blog/25/entry-42-how-i-study-the-bible-one-approach/ http://www.worthychristianforums.com/blog/25/entry-41-did-jesus-rise-from-the-dead/ http://www.worthychristianforums.com/blog/25/entry-40-its-my-right-or-is-it/ http://www.worthychristianforums.com/blog/25/entry-39-propaganda-deception-myth-junk-science-can-you-distinguish-the-truth/ http://www.worthychristianforums.com/blog/25/entry-38-what-worthy-means-to-me/ http://www.worthychristianforums.com/blog/25/entry-37-lessons-form-the-mcdonalds-hot-coffee-lawsuit/ Charts, diagrams, graphical illustrations

I heard both sides. That women should and can be pastors. Then I heard that they cannot be pastors. What are your thoughts. Joyce Meyer is a known pastor that's a women.

Jer 10:23 (23) O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. Psa 37:23 (23) The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Rom 8:13-14 (13) For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. all that a man achieves that is good is the direct result of his being led by God's thoughts, and all that he fails to achieve that is good is the direct result of being led by his own thoughts. the flip side - all that a man achieves that is bad is the direct result of his being led his own thoughts, and all that he fails to achieve that is bad is the direct result of being led by God's thoughts.