Questions.

[Datan]

I'm just starting to read the bible now, actually. But I understand what you're saying. And after talking to her, it's just as you say: she is giving up that which does not glorify God.

Thank you for your time and response.

Datan.

Edited July 9, 2007 by Datan

[Fiosh]

My silly computer froze last night when I was trying to read those psalms you recommended. But I will read them :3. So thank you for the suggestion.

I was reading in Luke last night, and it sort of reminded me of something I remember from grade school. One of the apostles had asked Jesus to teach them to pray, for John had taught his followers how to pray. Jesus responded by saying the Our Father prayer -- something I had forgotten the words to. There was just something about that one particular scripture that seem to speak to me.

Weird, huh?

Not weird at all, Datan. Though we often take it for granted, it's a powerful prayer.

If God is speaking to your heart thru that passage, take time to read it over several times. Take it line by line and meditate on what it says to you. Ask the Holy Spirit to open up His truth to you.

Consider the first few words:

Our Father, who art in heaven...

OUR Father: we are all His children; we are sisters and brothers; He wants us to come to him as a family (it's not MY Father who art in heaven; it's OUR Father)

Who art: God is a Person not an "it"; not a force; not an energy; but a Person

Who art in heaven: there is a place called "heaven" and God is there on His throne listening to our prayers.

You are a blessing, Datan!

Peace,

Fiosh

[Datan]

Cool =D. God talked to me. That's pretty astounding, actually. I'm happy ^ ^.

I read over what you wrote a few times, and it made it so much sense. Like you said, we do take that prayer for granted; it's taught to us as children, so over time it becomes stale, just something to say in the morning (unless you're like me and forget every single word to the prayer -__-).

But He is OUR Father, and he watches us grow; He watches as we make progress; He watches as we stumble and fall out of grace; He forgives us when we make our mistakes; and He's proud of us when we do the right thing -- He's always rooting us on.

Who. He is a person. Sometimes it's easy to forget that because we can only speculate to what He looks like -- and as a child (really, I know this from personal experience), seeing what may intimidate or what one is praying to, fear or hesitation will pass.

I know this is off topic, but is it just me, or does Jesus have a wicked sense of humor? I mean, really. He is just so dry in what he says and he is constantly trying to get his followers to understand what He's trying to say through parable, and they don't get it a lot of the time. I don't know, it could be just me. But I think Jesus had His own sense of humor.

You are my blessing, Fiosh .

May the Lord bless you and everyone here,

Much luff,

Datan.

[Guest]

[Datan]

Thanks for all the loving support =].

I thank God every night for every one of you.

[mikerunk]

If it helps let me share with you were I am at cause im sort of in the same postion (sort of). I have just turned my life over to christ and I am so very grateful for his love and sacrifice that he made for all of use. However becoming a christan is like being a new born child, like a child there all these wonder's around you, some good some bad. Children will some times try and stick there fingers in a light socket not realizing that its dangerious, or they will try and touch a hot stove, it is a world full of wonder but also full of dangers. This is why parents keep close eye on there children to protect them from that danger. Well being a newborn christan is very much the same way.

Now as new born christan im in this world and I have suddenly found my self in postion of not knowing what books are ok to read (save any thing dealing with the bible) music, movies, Tv shows etc etc. Like a child sometimes what we think is good for use and what actually hard to figure out, so like a child we need a parent to guide use and tell use this is ok but that isn't. At this moment I've just kind of taken step back and held off on most of the music I listen to, I flat out don't watch horror movies, I'm still undecided on what books I can read (for example Harry Potter), I figure in time as my faith and relationship in the lord continues to grow the more and more it will become clear.

As for other peoples thoughts and actions, or things they may say that to me is very simple. My best friend is not a christan, and cuss and use lords name in vain constently, use to till I gave my life to christ and haven't take the lords name in vain but once and I stop my self before I finished it and felt bad for saying it, old habbits die hard. I could ask him to stop or at least watch what he says around me and not take the lords name in vain and he might respect that and at least cut back on it. However on that same tolken I would need to respect his wishes and not share my beliefs and faith with him when he doesn't agree with them or want to hear them. So my take on it is that I just block out the things he says, I don't like hearing it but if I start trying to get him to stop saying those things and trying to change him when he doesn't want to it will lead to the end of are friendship. Now one I have no desire to lose him as a friend. Two if are friendship ends then it means we will stop hanging out and it means that he can not see how god will effect my life, and that could be the difference that would make him choose to give his life over to christ. So I think it is better to accept that people are going to say the things there going to say and do the things that there going to do and while you can sit back and preach to them but it will fall on def ears. Its because untill they want to hear to change you will only push them away. So the best thing you can do is follow teachings of christ, and put your faith in christ and let him bless your life in such a way that those around you will see it. Then that maybe enough to make them take pause and think can the lord do that for me, can he change my life, and if that happens they will come to you and talk to you about the bible and about christ.

Don't get me wrong I will use whatever chance I can to talk to him about christ and the bible but I have decided that actions speak louder then words. My friend is not ready to change and he has questions I have no answers to. Methods that migth work on every one else won't work on him and I don't have enough biblical knowledge to work with to help him, that is why I pray to christ to reach in his heart and help him. I might not be able to help him but maybe through prayer christ will send some one who can.

Any way that is my take on things, though im still learning and that means everything about me is changing as I grow in my relationship with the lord.

[Datan]

I appreciate everything you've shared with me, and let me be the first to say that I think you made a very good decision about turning your life over to Christ. Like a lot of the people who have helped me thus far, I agree that it's a gift to want to deepen your relationship with Him.

Anyway. The analogy of a small child being guided by a parent is a good one, indeed. For I am still searching for what convictions are mine, and what ways I can clean up my heart for the Lord. I ask him every night and every morn that I shall be guided towards the right direction.

I wish I could help you with the whole 'what's okay to listen to and to read' issue. My friend said that it was the Holy Ghost that guided her to giving up what she loved. But so far, for me, I haven't really felt that I've found what it is that He wants me to sacrifice, so that I may please Him and live the way He wants me to.

Just keep praying and reading the scriptures, and, like you said yourself, things will become clear. I'm sure of it.

My friend says God is a gentleman, and He won't force you into anything that you've not invited Him to change. So maybe you're just not ready to give up certain aspects of your life -- like Harry Potter, so that's why you don't know if it's right or not.

Specifically, I know that there is a lot of controversy over Harry Potter, but it's a work of fiction that has the central themes of love and good versus evil; good conquers evil and love prevails. So, to me, there is nothing wrong with that series.

However, I've decided that I don't want to watch horror movies anymore, either. Although they used to make me laugh (I don't scare that easily), now that I see what they're really based on, I think it's better for me not to watch them.

What kind of music did you listen to?

I listen to tons of Japanese music, and there's nothing really offensive with what they're saying (well, the bands I like, anyway).

My friend "Xu" is a lot like your friend. She doesn't really listen to anyone, let alone God. I don't know if she prays or how strong her faith is. She was born into Christianity, but her salvation is shakey, for her life is full deceit and ruin; she has burdened her soul with lies and illegal substances. I worry for her, of course. But those who are deaf against these things will never hear what it is that they do not wish to hear.

Like I said to someone else: "better luck conversing with a wall, methinks."

Although I am not a new born Christian, I am still on the same path of learning and trying to find my way. Maybe we can help each other on this journey.

I thank you for honesty. And I'll pray for your being and deepening relationship with Him.

Good luck :].

-Datan.