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God Bible Life People Believe Spirit
I believe as Jesus hung on that cross of horror and excruciating
pain, heart broken, bruised and bleeding, He thought to Himself, "Don't you care that
I am dying?" How his heart must have been broken over and over again as they
ridiculed Him, rejected Him, cursed Him, spat on Him and beat Him beyond recognition. Yes,
our precious Saviour endured all of that pain and heartache for you and for me so that we
may be saved and live with Him for all eternity.
perhaps you could help me shed some light on this issue, as it
has not been so clear in my head in the past. Christians keep talking about this
sacrifice, but I don’t think they really comprehend it. From my understanding, Jesus is
a physical manifestation of God’s grace. The act of someone laying down their life and
or shedding their blood certainly cannot wipe away my own sin. God
says in the bible that we are “reconciled to him through the blood of Jesus”. This is
a mental decision of God to
forgive us our sins, through the sacrifice of Jesus,
not that the sacrifice itself somehow cleans us. And I think that this sacrifice serves a
dual purpose to show us the way – that it is possible to be human and live a life of
full servitude. And it also provides something physical for us, otherwise God just becomes
some distant and ethereal object in our minds and we cannot really connect. But if we see
the pain, blood and suffering,
it sinks into our heads more. It is something we can relate to, or put on our wall, or
watch Mel Gibson’s movie.
But then we get into the discussion of just believing in Jesus is
good enough, as one line in the bible can be extrapolated – although at the cost of
ignoring so many other lines in the bible (including the New Testament). Which eventually
brings us back full circle, where we must live an obedient life to God, and to love him
with “all our hearts, mind, and soul”, as is the greatest commandment in the Old
Testament. So this issue of a balance between grace and obedience has always been a bit
unclear in my mind, and I have always felt a bit uncomfortable about someone else’s
suffering somehow cleaning me. But just today it occurred to me that I could be like Judas
or whoever it was, whose pride would not want to let Jesus wash his own feet, but since
Jesus pushed the matter, Judas then demanded his whole body to be washed. Perhaps this
would be similar to me feeling uncomfortable about the sacrifice, almost denying it in my
heart to a certain degree. Karel
----------------------------------------------------------
i am desperately in need of god. if at all there is a god i need
him now. i am feeling really lonely out here in this world. i don't have anyone understand
me. everyday i come home and find no peace. i am happy when i could cry in gods presence
like when i go to church. i don't really know who you are but if you can really help me i
would be really grateful. please i beg you to pray 4 me.
Perhaps the best way is to pray for Jesus's spirit to enter you
and fill your emptiness, and make sure you are not doing anything like drugs and sinning
which harms to Spirit's presence in us. Jesus can clean us of sin, but if we keep on
sinning it harms the relationship. By trying to live a holy and
clean life, it enables the Spirit to live within us stronger, in which case we should
be happier because we are more filled with the spirit.
After that fellowship is good if you are feeling lonely. You can
hunt penpals down through the internet, or better yet someone local who you can meet and
help reinforce your holy life. I am sure you will find someone if you keep looking. You
can also pray to God to help you find some people. There is no reason why you should feel
alone, especially if you rely on Jesus and God.
Hope you find someone soon! Karel
--------------------------------------------
Well, first of all, there is only one God. There are many
"gods", as the bible admits, but only one Sovereign, omniscient one. As there is
a unifying theory in physics, so it makes sense to assume that there is a unifying factor
in the spiritual world. The bible
says that dust shall return to dust, but what is God's shall return to God.
If you or Buddha does not acknowledge this than that would be a
fairy tale. Anyone can think up a theory. I never read Buddhism but one day I'd like to.
As someone who likes to fast every year, and who is spiritual, I can believe that wise men
can go up to the mountains to meditate, fast, become tuned into the spiritual world around
us, and come to similar conclusions as the bible. God says in the bible: "So that you
could not say you were in a distant valley or mountain top and could not hear my word, I
have stamped my law on your forehead and my Word in your heart". So everyone is with
conscience and without excuses. So it is very possible that other nations, through
meditation etc., could have arrived at similar conclusions.
What concerns fairy tale, the bible is purposefully written in
code, as I explained on this page:
http://001yourtranslationservice.com/Christ/studies/Deciphering.the.bible.html
Everything makes quite good sense to me. There is only one source
of Spirit and Love.
But we all do have spirits, as the bible says. So I don't know what Buddhism preaches but
if it does not preach about a single unifying God, then it would be a fairy tale. Just
because it sounds nice and feels good does not mean its true. Just today I uploaded a page
listing all the miracles that happened to me in my life and convinced me there is a God.
Who acts, and whose Spirit I unquestionably feel. Does Buddhism have that, or is it just
wise words about life, no matter how true they are? I think there is a danger in saying we
are reincarnated, because if it's not true, its like saying, "Well, I can screw up in
this life, because I can just keep trying over and over again until I get it right."
Therefore such an approach could be quite dangerous if it is not true. On the other hand,
what happens to babies who die in accidents? That is why I purposely looked for some hints
on this in the bible.
Cuz there is nothing in the Bible as Budhism is not any of the
Christian fairytales. :-)))
well, not sure if I believe in reincarnation, cause I couldn't
find anything to support that in the bible, but believe that perhaps I could have made a
bigger difference in this life and the present, if I would have been more vocal about my
thoughts.
------------------------------------------
That's precisely the issue I guess. From what your saying, it
seems that Buddhism is a study of life. Like fasting, or tricks how to ride your bicycle
quickly. Or do things on the computer. All these things may be true but they don't really
have anything to do with God. The bible says that one must "love the truth to find
it". If one is not seeking the truth but just happiness and self gratification, then
they wont necessarily find the truth (or Truth). And if Buddhism makes no claim about a
God, how could they claim they know anything about an afterlife, or reincarnation? God is
spiritual, which does not die like a tree. Do they claim there is NO God, or do they just
not talk about it? If you claim there is no God, then you also have to claim there is no
spirit, in which case it is absurd to claim there is an afterlife or some sort of
reincarnation if there is no spirit. Perhaps they perceive the electrical impulses running
through our nerves as some sort of aura that stays behind, gets eaten by a worm, which
shits it out, feeds the grass, eaten by the cows, and we supposedly become a cow in our
next life. A little bit absurd, but really I don't know much about it so don't want to
cast judgement. Anyway, I think the most important point is that it shouldn’t be only
about pursuit of one's own happiness and selfishness, but about the truth. Because if it
is true that there is a God (which a majority of the world believes in, and the God of the
Muslims
is the same as Christians and Jews), who is a God
of justice and therefore there is a judgement day and we will all have to answer for our
lives, then any notions out there, no matter how nice and flowery they may sound, which
preach that it doesn't really matter, that we can do what we want, and we have lots of
chances to fix things, could be very dangerous. Not dangerous to some religious order but
for the person who might believe in that, if indeed there really was a judgement etc.
Well, here we come to completely different approaches. There is
truly no God in buddhism as buddhism is not a religion of faith like Christiniaty, Islam,
Judaism. It is a religion of experience. So, nobody tells you what to believe in, but
there are things you can study ... all that work with your mind and then simply practise.
All that until your mind (can call it spirit) is free and you reach the status of Buddha
... you actually become Buddha. That is not a God, but state of mind. Of course, those who
reach that point are called Buddha, but any one can become that. The results of practising
in Buddhism and Christianity are very similar, although not the same. Anyway ... all
humans are looking for happiness and its up to them which way suits them the best. :-)
------------------------
in light of what has happened, I wanted to ask you for your
opinion. You seem a fitting person to ask this, considering you were Damon's close friend
and because you, most of anyone, has always expressed respect that I've never pushed my
religious ideas on others. I'd say the main reason I haven't done that is because I used
to be an atheist and always felt hypocritical for doing so. Nevertheless, it is my
obligation, and I've wanted to so for a long time. But I've also been gripped with shyness
or shame, which I have been struggling with. And possibly, most of all, motivation. I've
done a lot of reading about this matter over the past year and I've come to the conclusion
that many Christians "push" this issue for the wrong reasons/motivations – for
their own sense of righteousness. That if they save so and so many people they will be
guaranteed a place in heaven. These are selfish reasons and they don't necessarily even
care about the person they are trying to save. I've had arguments with these sorts of
people and they feel pretty justified, and it doesn't bother them that their message could
even be turning the people off or away and doing more damage than good. In their mind
they've done their duty and can walk away with their hands clean. Or perhaps they do it
out of fear, of going to hell, and again these are selfish reasons. Where the real and
core reason, as the bible says over and over again, should be out of love. Legitimate
concern for the well being of the people they are bringing the message to. I somehow feel
that if Damon had known my thoughts more, he might have written to me in his time of
suffering and need. For me God has always comforted me in some way whenever I've been
down, and I can only imagine how dark and hopeless things must seem when someone is
suffering and cannot depend on the soothing Spirit to comfort them. Other times I would
pray and God would provide some ease. He does occasionally provide ease for people who do
not ask him, do not believe in him, or even scoff him, but so much more to those who
depend on him, praise him, and pray in all earnestness for a remedy. This only makes
sense. Would you have great motivation to help people if they only ridiculed you or hurled
insults at your name? Even though God is amazing in his graciousness, my experience with
him is that he is also like a person, whose feelings can get hurt, and who responds to me.
Anyway, I'm thinking that this could be a good motivation for me.
I've always been very averse to speaking my thoughts about this for the wrong reasons, and
with Damon in mind and the fact that perhaps I could have helped him sway away from this
decision, I think I will be better able to speak my thoughts in the future. Same with
medical attention. I believe you remember that Norwegian fellow who died a few years ago
at karaoke after being kicked in the head by some Serb. For treeplanting I took an intensive two week
industrial first aid course and I was the first aid attendant for the entire camp.
Actually, once on my watch someone had died, but the owner of the company, who flew up
from
But since you've always expressed strong revulsion to anything
resembling this concept (which I can understand, because I've seen this revulsion mostly
from people who have been pounded with the wrong message delivered in the wrong way and
with the wrong motivations, most of their childhood), I thought it would be suitable to
ask you for your opinion, considering the circumstance.
later dude
-------------------------------------------------
The more people thing st. is right ... doesn't mean it
necessarily has to be that way. Just look at history. And if the majority is right then
flies would be right about what is the best food, right? :-)))) ... this is a kind of
buddhist saying.
okay, I'm awake again and I can think more clearly.
What you say is true. I took a logics course in university and
this is referred to as "the fallacy of bandwagon reasoning", and I've always
held to my convictions regarding the truth and have never been swayed by the opinion of
the masses. Actually, conviction is another matter. I believe that conviction always or
often comes from God. It is kind of a spiritual thing which burns inside us. For a sense
of justice, for example. These things are not explainable for creatures who are composed
solely of flesh and biological functions. Love, hate, conscience, a sense of justice and
conviction – these things come from God and are not explained in any other way. What
concerns my statement that such a large portion of the world believes in the same God,
this is one argument I occasionally like to use to prove his existence. Because, if you
think about it, if the bible truly was a fairy tale written by the Jews for some big
conspiracy reason, why would so many people believe it? Just think about it. If I were to
mastermind some religion, to control the masses or whatever reason, I certainly would not
place demands on my new disciples to deny all their fleshly passions, and instinctive
selfishness, and personal goals, and to sacrifice their bodies, mind and property for the
good of other people. Only an insane marketing moron would come up with something like
this and think it would sell. No, if the bible was made up by humans, like the pagan
religions, they would certainly offer free sex and all sorts of pleasures and rewards for
their new conscripts. But the reason that so many people believe in the bible and try to
follow it is because God's Spirit is real. It is nourishing and feeds us like water, as
the bible says. It is like the sweetest water, and once you taste of it, you can become
repulsed by the filth of your previous ways. And also God acts in our lives. So many times
I have been driven to the edge of my faith (as God says in the bible that he tests our
faith), and just at the moment when I could not take it any more and resolved to abandon
God and never depend on him again, he has performed some miracle which has only shamed me
with his bountiful graciousness to (at least try to) never give up faith in him again. And
I've talked to many believers and they all say the same thing. Their faith in God is
fuelled and kept alive by his bountiful grace and by the Spirit of his Love which keeps us
going. Otherwise it is absurd to think that so many people would follow this
"religion", with such fervor and conviction, if the words were not backed up by
anything. God himself says in the bible that if it wasn’t for the replenishing injection
of his Spirit in us, we would all fade away and turn away from him. Without this
replenishing Spirit and God's action in our lives, none of us would follow such, at times,
harsh words preaching condemnation, and sacrifice, and which place very difficult demands
running fully contrary to our own instincts and natural desires. No such words, standing
on their own, could win ANY following, let alone a majority of the planet. And I speak
concerning my own experiences and the same of all those believers who I have talked to,
who speak of a loving and nourishing God who has helped them countless times in their
lives.
So if Buddhism does not speak about God, I wouldn't even call it
a religion, but rather some practical thoughts about life, like Confucism, for example. A
philosophy and perspective regarding the world around us. Like someone who wrote a manual
on repairing motor bikes. It can all be true, but it has absolutely no authority or
anything to do with God. The North American Indians (First Nations People) believed in a
Great Spirit, and they would pray to him, and they would have prophets who spoke to him.
They revered and respected nature and I believe they may have lived their lives, in
communal harmony, in much the same way that God wants us to live our lives. Simple lives
of humility, not engulfed in a greedy consumption which is destroying the planet.
Anyway, I can ramble on this subject for ever. It branches out in
every direction. Just responding to what you were saying.
----------------------------------
hey gal, good to hear from you.
Attached is the stuff I'm reading now. The html file when you
unzip it is useful if you want to read the introduction, which explains a bit about his
life. But I just skimmed over that. The txt file is what I prepared, erasing the
introduction, making it easy to read in Notepad, where I could leave a mark so I know
where to continue reading the next time I open the file, and I also search and replaced
words to make it more modern English and easier to read.
For other reading you can go to
http://001yourtranslationservice.com/Christ/christian-reading.htm
The first part I think is similar to what I attached, but a lot
more critical. You can read my comments what I wrote on that webpage. I found it pretty
eye opening and much better than going to some church where the message is rather wattered
down and not so moving etc. There are certain ways we miss the Way and reading stuff like
this is good. ANd be self critical and analysing etc.
From my perspective, over the last few years that we knew each
other you seemed to be getting increasingly insolent and irritable, and falling from the
grace, openness and spirituality that I thought you had before and which I much admired in
you. You seemed to be getting increasingly recluse and hateful of people. You said you
thought it had something to do with clostrophobia and a past life as a Jew in
Anyway, hope this reading helps you. When I was visiting
The caravan
truck is doing well, occasionally I have to invest a little into it, but certainly
much less than paying rent in stinky
Hope you have a nice Christmas and that you learn to endure
that's cool. is it on the net somewhere? where can i find it? i'd
like to read it too. i think it would be also helpful if you could elaborate more on my
fall away from spirituality. i found it is difficult to see oneself without being outside
of oneself - a true self reflection is a difficult thing to do. are you still in your van,
and in what part of the world? may the engine not quit on you and the wheels keep turning.
i wish you quiet and peaceful holidays, i am looking for some quiet time myself. wishing
you all good things,
doing some reading now that I thought might interest you. Not
only is it from an old Scottish writer, but it is some kind of famous dude, whose brothers
were all martyred under Christiandome. He goes into detail about the various ways one can
fall short of spirituality, and I've read other readings based on it (more in depth, and
easier to read because more modern English).
I think this could benefit you because I found that, over the years, you seemed to fall
away from spirituality, bothered by the patriarchal nature of the bible and other matters.
I believe that falling away from such spirituality will be detrimental to your happiness.
Your increasing insolence and irritability also hurt our relationship, but that is another
matter. I can send you the reading if you like. It has opened up for me dimensions of
Christianity, relationship with God and my own flaws that I would have never come to
myself, no matter how many billions of times I would have read the bible. Your happiness
and salvation are no light matter. Hope things are going well with you. C