What Profit?

[apothanein kerdos]

thechild, states

i think there is no compromise. you either give up your soul or you give up all the world.

You mean sell all you have and follow Christ as the Lord told the rich young ruler?

How would one do that today?

Thanks,

Robert

well, robert, i really dont know how a person would go about doing that. i havent held a paying job for the the past 6 years and i dont own anything. i am blessed, if you can call it that, with a wife who pays for what is here and that is her choice because i guess she doesnt want to live a meager existence. i would just as soon live off the land, but that is not available any more. i did that for a while in alaska, but that went the way of many better things i have known in my 47 years.

i no longer have the stomach for the work i once did and i have no desire to do work that i know will harm myself, my health, or other people and guess what? there isnt much out there. i am a natural healer and wont go near a doctor. in fact, i could be perfectly fine as homeless. i need no provisions that the lord does not provide. i dont need a shelter - it is much healthier not to be in one. i eat my food raw so i dont need fire. i drink distilled water so that is a burden, but i dont have to drink distilled water and i wont drink anything else but water, as a rule. i can make my own medicine, know the use of herbs, dont like alcohol or soap or perfume. i love to be in the sun and i like to be active. maybe i should just take a walk like forrest gump and see if anyone tags along?

these times are not conducive to the spiritual life. to abandon it all seems like insanity to most people. it makes perfect sense to me.

btw, jesus is the truth and he is the same yesterday, today, and forever. everything he said has been in application since he spoke it. i have had too many people tell me too many lies about what the bible says. god is able to speak to me through his word just fine and it is quite clear to me what it says, and what it does not say. in fact, i know it backwards and forwards.

Well, let's go over a few things:

* You have no job and therefore are not contributing to culture, thus violating the Cultural Mandate of scripture given to man

* You are not providing for your wife which means you are violating Ephesians and not being the head of the household

* You do not go to doctors who have been gifted with a mind that understands the body, a mind and knowledge created and given by God

What spiritual life are you trying to promote? By trying to become spiritual it seems you have become the opposite. I do not mean to judge you, but you did bring up your personal life, and I think it is worth evaluating.

Secondly, as I already pointed out, the verse you keep refering to about the rich young ruler you are taking way out of context. Look to the context of what Jesus is saying. Notice that in the synoptic Gospels he does not list all of the commandments, only the commandments that deal with how we interact with humans. Jesus is saying all of this tongue-in-cheek (notice what He says right after the question, "No one is good but God..." is Jesus really saying He's not good? ). With that in mind, the young man says, "Yeah, I have kept all of the commandments." So Jesus responds with, "Good, sell your posessions and give them to the poor, then you are complete." When he does not, he has proven that he has not kept these commandments, and the disciples understand this. How has he not kept them? He did not love his neighbor and he coveted....and in doing so broke the entire law. His actions proved that he had not done this. Which brings Jesus to say that nothing is possible through our own effort, it is only possible through God. The lesson here is not that we HAVE to give up everything, the lesson is that we must do everything through God, that we cannot accomplish good on our own.

[thechild]

thechild, states

i think there is no compromise. you either give up your soul or you give up all the world.

You mean sell all you have and follow Christ as the Lord told the rich young ruler?

How would one do that today?

Thanks,

Robert

well, robert, i really dont know how a person would go about doing that. i havent held a paying job for the the past 6 years and i dont own anything. i am blessed, if you can call it that, with a wife who pays for what is here and that is her choice because i guess she doesnt want to live a meager existence. i would just as soon live off the land, but that is not available any more. i did that for a while in alaska, but that went the way of many better things i have known in my 47 years.

i no longer have the stomach for the work i once did and i have no desire to do work that i know will harm myself, my health, or other people and guess what? there isnt much out there. i am a natural healer and wont go near a doctor. in fact, i could be perfectly fine as homeless. i need no provisions that the lord does not provide. i dont need a shelter - it is much healthier not to be in one. i eat my food raw so i dont need fire. i drink distilled water so that is a burden, but i dont have to drink distilled water and i wont drink anything else but water, as a rule. i can make my own medicine, know the use of herbs, dont like alcohol or soap or perfume. i love to be in the sun and i like to be active. maybe i should just take a walk like forrest gump and see if anyone tags along?

these times are not conducive to the spiritual life. to abandon it all seems like insanity to most people. it makes perfect sense to me.

btw, jesus is the truth and he is the same yesterday, today, and forever. everything he said has been in application since he spoke it. i have had too many people tell me too many lies about what the bible says. god is able to speak to me through his word just fine and it is quite clear to me what it says, and what it does not say. in fact, i know it backwards and forwards.

Well, let's go over a few things:

* You have no job and therefore are not contributing to culture, thus violating the Cultural Mandate of scripture given to man

* You are not providing for your wife which means you are violating Ephesians and not being the head of the household

* You do not go to doctors who have been gifted with a mind that understands the body, a mind and knowledge created and given by God

What spiritual life are you trying to promote? By trying to become spiritual it seems you have become the opposite. I do not mean to judge you, but you did bring up your personal life, and I think it is worth evaluating.

Secondly, as I already pointed out, the verse you keep refering to about the rich young ruler you are taking way out of context. Look to the context of what Jesus is saying. Notice that in the synoptic Gospels he does not list all of the commandments, only the commandments that deal with how we interact with humans. Jesus is saying all of this tongue-in-cheek (notice what He says right after the question, "No one is good but God..." is Jesus really saying He's not good? ). With that in mind, the young man says, "Yeah, I have kept all of the commandments." So Jesus responds with, "Good, sell your posessions and give them to the poor, then you are complete." When he does not, he has proven that he has not kept these commandments, and the disciples understand this. How has he not kept them? He did not love his neighbor and he coveted....and in doing so broke the entire law. His actions proved that he had not done this. Which brings Jesus to say that nothing is possible through our own effort, it is only possible through God. The lesson here is not that we HAVE to give up everything, the lesson is that we must do everything through God, that we cannot accomplish good on our own.

you have proven to me that you dont understand the scriptures. there is no way you could understand me.

i was trying to give an idea to robert about how i have become estranged from the world. i want to thank you for strengthening my resolve to remain so. i want no part of your world. it is quite apparent it lusts for a piece of me, however.

[apothanein kerdos]

thechild, states

i think there is no compromise. you either give up your soul or you give up all the world.

You mean sell all you have and follow Christ as the Lord told the rich young ruler?

How would one do that today?

Thanks,

Robert

well, robert, i really dont know how a person would go about doing that. i havent held a paying job for the the past 6 years and i dont own anything. i am blessed, if you can call it that, with a wife who pays for what is here and that is her choice because i guess she doesnt want to live a meager existence. i would just as soon live off the land, but that is not available any more. i did that for a while in alaska, but that went the way of many better things i have known in my 47 years.

i no longer have the stomach for the work i once did and i have no desire to do work that i know will harm myself, my health, or other people and guess what? there isnt much out there. i am a natural healer and wont go near a doctor. in fact, i could be perfectly fine as homeless. i need no provisions that the lord does not provide. i dont need a shelter - it is much healthier not to be in one. i eat my food raw so i dont need fire. i drink distilled water so that is a burden, but i dont have to drink distilled water and i wont drink anything else but water, as a rule. i can make my own medicine, know the use of herbs, dont like alcohol or soap or perfume. i love to be in the sun and i like to be active. maybe i should just take a walk like forrest gump and see if anyone tags along?

these times are not conducive to the spiritual life. to abandon it all seems like insanity to most people. it makes perfect sense to me.

btw, jesus is the truth and he is the same yesterday, today, and forever. everything he said has been in application since he spoke it. i have had too many people tell me too many lies about what the bible says. god is able to speak to me through his word just fine and it is quite clear to me what it says, and what it does not say. in fact, i know it backwards and forwards.

Well, let's go over a few things:

* You have no job and therefore are not contributing to culture, thus violating the Cultural Mandate of scripture given to man

* You are not providing for your wife which means you are violating Ephesians and not being the head of the household

* You do not go to doctors who have been gifted with a mind that understands the body, a mind and knowledge created and given by God

What spiritual life are you trying to promote? By trying to become spiritual it seems you have become the opposite. I do not mean to judge you, but you did bring up your personal life, and I think it is worth evaluating.

Secondly, as I already pointed out, the verse you keep refering to about the rich young ruler you are taking way out of context. Look to the context of what Jesus is saying. Notice that in the synoptic Gospels he does not list all of the commandments, only the commandments that deal with how we interact with humans. Jesus is saying all of this tongue-in-cheek (notice what He says right after the question, "No one is good but God..." is Jesus really saying He's not good? ). With that in mind, the young man says, "Yeah, I have kept all of the commandments." So Jesus responds with, "Good, sell your posessions and give them to the poor, then you are complete." When he does not, he has proven that he has not kept these commandments, and the disciples understand this. How has he not kept them? He did not love his neighbor and he coveted....and in doing so broke the entire law. His actions proved that he had not done this. Which brings Jesus to say that nothing is possible through our own effort, it is only possible through God. The lesson here is not that we HAVE to give up everything, the lesson is that we must do everything through God, that we cannot accomplish good on our own.

you have proven to me that you dont understand the scriptures. there is no way you could understand me.

i was trying to give an idea to robert about how i have become estranged from the world. i want to thank you for strengthening my resolve to remain so. i want no part of your world. it is quite apparent it lusts for a piece of me, however.

How does any of what I said "prove" that I don't understand scriptures? Is it because it doesn't follow with your interpretation? I base mine off context and the Greek and Hebrew (which I read)....what do you base yours on? Before you say the "Holy Spirit," keep in mind that He will not go against the very thing which He composed. Thus, if your interpretation violates another aspect of scripture, then it is not of the Holy Spirit. IF it is consistent with the overall harmony of scripture, then I would advocate it is.

The fact is, you say I do not understand the scriptures so you can ease out of actually discussing the issue head on in context. You would rather stick to your quasi-Gnostic view of the world instead of actually engaging it. You are in for quite the surprise when God asks you, "Yes, you were secluded, but what did you do for my creation?"

[Rober H]

When Mother Teresa died, her longtime friend and biographer Naveen Chawla said that he once asked her bluntly, "Do you convert?" She replied, "Of course I convert. I convert you to be a better Hindu or a better Muslim or a better Protestant. Once you

[thechild]

When Mother Teresa died, her longtime friend and biographer Naveen Chawla said that he once asked her bluntly, "Do you convert?" She replied, "Of course I convert. I convert you to be a better Hindu or a better Muslim or a better Protestant. Once you

[Ovedya]

bob dylan, our greatest living popular prophet...

[thechild]

The Child,

You are guilty of disobeying God's Word by not providing for your wife. As I also pointed out the Bible says if you don't work, neither should you eat. Then you say you are separated from the world and would be just fine being homeless, yet you are using a worldly tool, the internet, likely paid for by your wife and unavailable to people living under a bridge. Your view in this matter doesn't make any sense.

what doesnt make any sense is people who claim to know the truth not recognizing it when they hear it.

you all keep trying to engage me in a conversation about ME! kill the messenger so you dont have to deal with the message - didnt work for the jews so why are you trying it?

so roberts initial questions to me were not questions looking for answers, they were fishing expeditions. so when i answer openly and honestly, then my words are used to attack me. another ancient ploy. doesnt satan have any new tricks? is that all he can be is a slanderer and false accuser?

do you think i am doing this for amusement? believe me, i would have just as soon sat above your city and watched the destruction from a comfortable spot. i have plenty to do, believe me. i am doing what i am supposed to do. got any other rocks to throw?

[Rober H]

Greetings thechild,

These prophets who were around long before brother Bod Dylan have a word for you...

Silhouettes Lyrics

Song: Get a Job Lyrics

Sha na na na, sha na na na na,

Sha na na na, sha na na na na,

Sha na na na, sha na na na na,

Sha na na na, sha na na na na,

Yip yip yip yip yip yip yip yip

Mum mum mum mum mum mum

Get a job Sha na na na, sha na na na na

Every morning about this time

she get me out of my bed

a-crying get a job.

After breakfast, everyday,

she throws the want ads right my way

And never fails to say,

Get a job Sha na na na, sha na na na na

Sha na na na, sha na na na na,

Sha na na na, sha na na na na,

Sha na na na, sha na na na na,

Yip yip yip yip yip yip yip yip

Mum mum mum mum mum mum

Get a job Sha na na na, sha na na na na

And when I get the paper

I read it through and through

And my girl never fails to say

If there is any work for me,

And when I go back to the house

I hear the woman's mouth

Preaching and a crying,

Tell me that I'm lying 'bout a job

That I never could find.

Sha na na na, sha na na na na,

Sha na na na, sha na na na na,

Sha na na na, sha na na na na,

Sha na na na, sha na na na na,

Yip yip yip yip yip yip yip yip

Mum mum mum mum mum mum

Get a job Sha na na na, sha na na na na

[Smalcald]

thechild, states

i think there is no compromise. you either give up your soul or you give up all the world.

You mean sell all you have and follow Christ as the Lord told the rich young ruler?

How would one do that today?

Thanks,

Robert

well, robert, i really dont know how a person would go about doing that. i havent held a paying job for the the past 6 years and i dont own anything. i am blessed, if you can call it that, with a wife who pays for what is here and that is her choice because i guess she doesnt want to live a meager existence. i would just as soon live off the land, but that is not available any more. i did that for a while in alaska, but that went the way of many better things i have known in my 47 years.

i no longer have the stomach for the work i once did and i have no desire to do work that i know will harm myself, my health, or other people and guess what? there isnt much out there. i am a natural healer and wont go near a doctor. in fact, i could be perfectly fine as homeless. i need no provisions that the lord does not provide. i dont need a shelter - it is much healthier not to be in one. i eat my food raw so i dont need fire. i drink distilled water so that is a burden, but i dont have to drink distilled water and i wont drink anything else but water, as a rule. i can make my own medicine, know the use of herbs, dont like alcohol or soap or perfume. i love to be in the sun and i like to be active. maybe i should just take a walk like forrest gump and see if anyone tags along?

these times are not conducive to the spiritual life. to abandon it all seems like insanity to most people. it makes perfect sense to me.

btw, jesus is the truth and he is the same yesterday, today, and forever. everything he said has been in application since he spoke it. i have had too many people tell me too many lies about what the bible says. god is able to speak to me through his word just fine and it is quite clear to me what it says, and what it does not say. in fact, i know it backwards and forwards.

Hello child,

I think there are some good things in what you have said, but I disagree with other things.

For example the love of material things is something to be condemned and was by Paul and by Christ, so the ability to live in whatever state you find yourself as Paul was able to do, is a great gift, the gift of contentment. However, I think that work itself is good and healthy and can lead you to being a better part of the Body of Christ. I certainly would not do things, which make you unhealthy or unhappy. But I am in my 40's and have had up and down times materially. In my 30's I was laid off from my job, which was a professional job, but found that I really enjoyed just getting out and working at pretty much anything and that is what I did. My favorite was working as a groundskeeper at a university, I really enjoyed it.

I have sense returned to my old career, but it is good to know that I can be content working different things, it is a form of freedom to know that and to trust Christ to provide for us through our work. Paul did say having food and clothing with these we shall be content.

But I do believe and I think scripture totally supports that anything done outside of faith is useless to God and to Christ. For without faith than nothing we do matters, the only reason we exist is God's patience. His waiting for us to believe in Him and to let the Holy Spirit into our body, thus any attempt to justify ourselves by doing something is a fake a fraud, God has done everything for us, what we must do is follow Him in faith, and ask that He forgive us our sins, otherwise we are all doomed. Faith is not a "belief system" nor is it intellectual, it is our total conversion to Christ accomplished by the Holy Spirit, the only power we have is to deny this force which produces belief, and anyone who does not have the Holy Spirit is not His, at least according to scripture.

[thechild]

Hello child,

I think there are some good things in what you have said, but I disagree with other things.

For example the love of material things is something to be condemned and was by Paul and by Christ, so the ability to live in whatever state you find yourself as Paul was able to do, is a great gift, the gift of contentment. However, I think that work itself is good and healthy and can lead you to being a better part of the Body of Christ. I certainly would not do things, which make you unhealthy or unhappy. But I am in my 40's and have had up and down times materially. In my 30's I was laid off from my job, which was a professional job, but found that I really enjoyed just getting out and working at pretty much anything and that is what I did. My favorite was working as a groundskeeper at a university, I really enjoyed it.

I have sense returned to my old career, but it is good to know that I can be content working different things, it is a form of freedom to know that and to trust Christ to provide for us through our work. Paul did say having food and clothing with these we shall be content.

But I do believe and I think scripture totally supports that anything done outside of faith is useless to God and to Christ. For without faith than nothing we do matters, the only reason we exist is God's patience. His waiting for us to believe in Him and to let the Holy Spirit into our body, thus any attempt to justify ourselves by doing something is a fake a fraud, God has done everything for us, what we must do is follow Him in faith, and ask that He forgive us our sins, otherwise we are all doomed. Faith is not a "belief system" nor is it intellectual, it is our total conversion to Christ accomplished by the Holy Spirit, the only power we have is to deny this force which produces belief, and anyone who does not have the Holy Spirit is not His, at least according to scripture.

thank you for being real. what i didnt say was the reason i wasnt working - i was too sick to work. this has been a long chapter in my journey, but it has been incredibly fruitful. besides, i said i didnt work for pay. i didnt say i didnt work. my job has been schooling and teaching. it is what the lord has led me to do. how can anyone argue with that? scratch that, im sure someone will find a way.

faith comes from practice.