Douva 0 #26 March 17, 2004 My problem with the Christians is that they have a great sales department but crappy customer service.I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brits17 0 #27 March 17, 2004 QuoteMy problem with the Christians is that they have a great sales department but crappy customer service. I'm not picking up what you're putting down... Christians and the church are nowhere near perfect, we are merely sinners saved by grace. _______________________ aerialkinetics.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cloudseeker2001 0 #28 March 17, 2004 I am not a christian and christian answers are far too simple for my questions. "Some call it heavenly in it's brilliance, others mean and rueful of the western dream" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lainey 0 #29 March 17, 2004 Raised a Christian. I’m Catholic and although I don’t attend church and I don’t follow all the teachings and I don’t really read the Bible and yeah I’m not really a model member of the community… I still believe in my Faith. I have believed from as far back as I can remember, I’ve never doubted it, it just feels right. I may not ever be an active member of any parish, I’ve definitely sinned more times than I’d ever like to think about and I’m well overdue for some serious Confession… but at the same time I don’t think I’m a bad Christian, my ways may not be conventional but I know what I believe and I don’t think anybody could convince me otherwise. I think if it really feels right to you then that’s what matters. . And you shed not a single tear for the things that you didn't need 'Cause you knew you were finally free - Death Cab For Cutie Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muenkel 0 #30 March 17, 2004 Hi Anon, You ask a very sincere question here, so I will not disrespect it by hijacking the thread but rather answer your question. For me, it was easy in terms of where I identify. I was born into a strict Catholic family, Church every Sunday and Holy Days, educated in Catholic Schools. As a kid, this is the way it was. When I grew into adulthood, I had many questions and many concepts I just didn't understand. I found prayer boring (except ofcourse when I wanted something) and going to church every Sunday was a chore. But somehow deep inside, I knew that was where I belonged. So, I went through the motions probably with very little spirituality behind it. Then it eventually hit me. My parents who raised me Catholic always practised what they preached to us. It was more the example they set for me. I can honestly say, I have never witnessed them deviate from what they taught my siblings and I about our faith. That's when my real spirituality kicked in. I began to pray more fervently and my love for God truly grew. Prayers were being answered...not always the answer I wanted...but answered. So basically, I am home in my faith. Even though I sometimes may get plagued with doubts or uncertainties, I still have no desire to explore elsewhere. So, to sum it up. I was given the great gift of people in my life who lived their faith, not just preach it. My advice and prayer for you is that maybe you will find someone who actually lives their faith, whatever denomination it may be, and doesn't just play a role. Best of luck to ya, Chris _________________________________________ Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brits17 0 #31 March 17, 2004 QuoteI am not a christian and christian answers are far too simple for my questions. I understand that... as a Christian and being asked the hard ones is a tight spot. Of course I don't know everything, there's NO frickin way I can understand the magnitude of God and His infinite ways, much less explain it all. There's just no way. I try but my pea-sized brain is no match for God. Lol, I have a 'list' of questions for God when I get there. I've actually read quite a bit of doctrine and Biblical theology, apologetics and such, it interests me. Digging deep may be more complex than you think. _______________________ aerialkinetics.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpjumps 0 #32 March 20, 2004 You asked an honest question, so I'll give you and honest answer. I consider myself a christian, but I sometimes feel that that phrase has been hijacked by people who want to beat you with their bible and tell you why you have to believe exactly what they do or face the consequences of eternal damnation. I know God exists because I know it. Makes perfect sense to those who believe and it is an insane statement to those who don't. I'll try to put it in words non believers will get...I know it because I can feel my dad's love even though he died when I was little of agent orange cancer. I know it because my daughter talks about her Nana, who died years before she was born. I know it because I walk into a classroom of poverty stricken children each and every morning and I am glad to be there. I know it because I walk out of that same classroom counting the hours until I get to go back. I know it because when I hear about pain in this world I hurt. I know it because the angry statements made by a couple of people in this thread only make me sad, not angry. Yes, some churches will take your last dime and laugh all the way to the bank. But that is people, not God. There are sick priests who take advantage of children. They are people, not God. There are devote Baptists who will tell you no Morman will enter heaven. They are people, not God. Pastors will have affairs with those they counsel. They are people, not God. God is love and anything that doesn't represent love doesn't represent Him. Everytime we reach out in love we represent Him. He doesn't care what church you show up at, He only wants to see you reach out in love. I didn't wake up one day and say "Today I become a Christian! Today God saves me from the bottom I hit." I just always knew He was there, no matter what was happening in my life. But I do know that I see His face in the face of every child that walks in my classroom and I know that I am closer to Him with each hug I dish out on His behalf! If you wanna PM me feel free:)! _________________________________________________Your character will ultimately determine your destiny. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aarco 0 #33 March 9, 2015 SkyradHi, To answer your questions I'll do so but not in that order. 2) No I was raised a Muslim. I started to feel like I knew that God was there but it was as if he couldn't hear me somehow, like there was a barrier between my prayers and his answers. I also had a huge problem with the Wahibi element that seemed to be insidiously taking over Islam in the UK prior to 9/11. I had prayed in Churchs as well as Mosques from a young age. When eventualy a friend asked me to go to church with them one sunday. I did and felt something that I hadn't experienced before. 1) I went on an Alpha course. The Alpha course is run in something like 48,000 churchs and locations around the world. It is a non denominational course which originated in my church HTB in London. Its designed for people who aren't Christians or 'Lapsed' Christians who want to know more. Its run over ten weeks and is one evening a week. Each week covers a different area of Christian belife. I garentee you there is one near you. Theres no problem with not being a beliver because thats who the course is aimed at. Don't agree with something? Great! Tell them so. The purpose of the course is not to try and talk you into becoming a Christian , its for you to find out more about God and I supose is more of an introduction. Then its upto you to decide if you want to develope your relationship with him. At any point of the course you can say, Nah, not for me and walk off. No one is going to go knocking on your door. Its compleatly upto you. How did I know it was the right choice? Because after all those years of standing and calling God with a brick wall between us all of a sudden I went round the corner and found a open window, I prayed and God answered me though the Spirit. That window was Jesus, it was like looking for God through a frosted glass then finding a lens that focused everything into clarity, Jesus is that lens. How did I know I was a Christian? I used to argue all the time. I was a aggressive charicter and half the reason I enjoyed the Alpha course to start with was because I could go and argue as much as I wanted. Then on week four I went off to Empuria Brava in Spain. I was on a rented 285 canopy, it was my 50th jump. They called a 50 jump wind hold. I got on the load. As we rolled down to the runway they called a 100 jump minimum. As we took off it turned to a 200 jump minimum. Just before I exited I decided to say a little prayer thanking God for the privlage of being a Skydiver. I jumped and all was fine until I had a slamer of an opener. I then started flying backwards over the road and over fields. I was still flying backwards over a cabbage field when I was preparing to do a backwards PLF. I looked down at the middle of the large field below me and realised with horror that what I'd taken to be cabbages were in fact what appered to be eight foot high Hop poles about two meters apart squared covering the whole field. I turned and was side on to the wind trying to get out of the field. I started to pray and then all a sudden the most amazing calm came over me and I knew every thing was going to be OK. The wind died and I just made it out of the field, turned and landed into wind. I landed in the most beautiful field of wild flowers and made the softest landing ever. My canopy just hung over my head on landing. Behind me was a bright yellow sea of rape plants and all around me red and white wild flowers. I touched down and felt like I'd been caught by the hand of God. The sun shone down on my face and I didn't feel alone. In front of me was a small building to either side trees along the edges of the field and then the hop poles. I came back to the UK and my personality changed. Where I'd had a hard heart it softened, where there had been anger there is now calm. When I'd be irritated with people I now feel compassion. I recived what I now know to be the gifts of the Spirit. Its not airy fairy its very real. The most real thing that you'll ever experience. 3) How did I know it was the right choice? I've become the person that I always wanted to be. I'm, not perfect but I know what God wants of me and am happier for it. Someone once said that Guilt is the difference between the person you are and the person you'd like to be. i feel more happy about who I am. People open up to me more, I am happier and never feel lonley anymore. I feel a freedom that I never experienced before. Check it out you can't loose and have everything to gain. http://alphacourse.org/default.htmGod is as real as your TV, though he ,, would not be watching the same things,, it is faith that defines us by his works, not our wishes, its bride that chokes our path, and mans fear that abides your fortune from his promise, Many said Jacob shook himself before following the lords worlds, yet many still come out of Egypt to this day, not able to even fined his meaning, not to say that Jacob was lost, but that man has fear in his past, just as Adam from the garden has no face,, The future is not remitted from the father, to say so is an obamanation,, to say God is technologically absent is to steal his wallet, or to make war,, to say he is not real is hide from him,,, to do this we find others that can see as other try to block others from seeing, like teaching sciences backwards, and then selling Satan from the fear and loss, Great wars rage and rave in these stars, most men know this, yet GOD, is not going to set any anchor by death, that's more like saying his SON is not a star fighter, or Paul said I know him but do not speak of him, Who if any man here is worthy enough to go into battle with GOD, as it was his SON that said I bring a sword,, are what of you knowing as to what you are fighting, for you do not serve a false god in war, death is real , do not heed the fears of men note the lies of a witch, do not be sick when you have air to breath, yet do not use a sword unwisely, do not let children speak for your leaders yet listen to them for youth is innocent as it is,, do not look to the face of GOD, in War He is Fire, and you will not see a Man, heed the true kindness of his Angels for they speak for him, and are of Grace,, look for the passing of his work in to writings of other faiths, for many may try to bend a word if their tungs are of the serpent, yet see any have moved a rock let alone the mountains. Know the difference between a star system and Heaven, do not seek his sword over his face , nore water after sand,, no spice before a meal,, no vessel without a word,, no lie with cowardice, there is no Christian church of witchcraft, there's the bible and mirror, Angel of death hatred of sin, a glass of water,, Dead bodies floating in space piss the creator of,, if anyone doubts that your doubting him,, there are plenty of movies on the subject, if you find Christ , For GODs sakes, stay their,, are freaking crazy,, Having something never beats doing (>|<) Iam building things - Iam working on my mind- I am going to change this world - its what I came here 4- - - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,027 #34 March 9, 2015 Zombie thread.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeJD 0 #35 March 9, 2015 kallend Zombie thread. Apparently resurrected using mumbo jumbo . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 220 #36 March 10, 2015 MikeJD *** Zombie thread. Apparently resurrected using mumbo jumbo . Could be AyizanI'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RonD1120 62 #37 March 10, 2015 AnonI'm a regular poster here, but I'm not ready to just be totally open about this yet. Hence, the anonymous logon. I've been exploring religions over the last few years, and I'm really starting to feel like Christianity is, well, to sound cheezy, calling me. It feels like my whole life has just been turned on its ear and I don't know which way is up anymore. I just have a couple of questions, and I know I'll get honest answers from you all. 1. How did you know you were a Christian? 2. Were you raised a Christian, or did you choose to become one? 3. How did you know it was the right choice? 1. I accepted the classification following my experience of salvation. 2. I was exposed to the Christian church but I can't say I was raised Christian. My mother enjoyed going to church and my father refused. 3. I explored several other paths and they led nowhere. Every question answered presented two more, so to speak. I had no peace of mind. I humbled myself and surrendered to Jesus Christ out of desperation. I asked Him to come into my heart and into my life and take control. I was totally lost and I knew it. Immediately, I experienced His presence, His forgiveness and He gave me peace of mind. That was 34 years ago, 16 Mar 1981 at Mono Lake in California. I was indeed reborn spiritually, a new creature in Christ. You certainly asked a good question. There are responses from folks I have never seen here before.Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RonD1120 62 #38 March 10, 2015 All these years and all our exchanges and now I know. Thank you for sharing your testimony.Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfriverjoe 1,523 #39 March 10, 2015 RonD1120 You certainly asked a good question. There are responses from folks I have never seen here before. You haven't seen those folks before because they aren't on here anymore. The thread is almost 11 years old."There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RonD1120 62 #40 March 10, 2015 I did not notice the posting dates.Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,027 #41 March 10, 2015 RonD1120 I did not notice the posting dates. Slowing down in your old age?... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RonD1120 62 #42 March 11, 2015 No, I seem to be picking up speed. Trying to do too many things I guess.Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
