posted on June 11, 2001 10:37:59 AM newhttp://www.imb.org/
Southen Baptist International Mission Board
There is also a Home Mission board that works disasters as well as in such places as the French Quarter, building projects, etc.
I think, IMHO, Job suffered to bring him glory and honor and to teach the rest of us what it means to be faithful to God in times of trouble. Earth is but the blink of an eye compared to eternity.
I posted the definition of infidel because I wasn't exactly sure of the meaning and I wasn't sure what you were getting at.
For me, love for God, gratefulness for my creation and many many blessings, appreciation of the dear price that was paid for my sin, ongoing fellowship with the living God, and eternal life with a holy and awesome God are good reasons to accept Christ as my Savior and Lord. I would not like to spend eternity, nor my present life in complete separation from God because of my own imperfections.
If there is no further interest in Christianity, then I need not continue to go on and on repeating myself to the same uninterested circle. I gather that some are asking questions but not willing to read to learn more. Composing and thinking are pointless in that case. If anyone has a question in sincere interest, then I will be happy to answer it. Otherwise, feel free to disuss the other options. This thread is open for discussion of ALL religions, faiths, beliefs, or non-belief, etc.
I enourage any who are sincerely interested to use the links and information already posted, and let me know if I can do anything for you.
I appreciate your all allowing me this opportunity to share with you my faith.
Carry on.
T
~fix link
[ edited by jt on Jun 11, 2001 10:38 AM ]
If anyone prefers the Nictoons/MTV version instead of the written word, see it here:
http://www.thekristo.com/
WARNING it is flash so if you "go" you are in it until it stops. It's not that long.
[ edited by jt on Jun 11, 2001 10:44 AM ]
posted on June 11, 2001 11:48:07 AM new
The Baptist church that I attended for awhile were against the Southern Baptists - heck, they were even against the other Baptist church in the same town!
And it was always about $$$$. The wealthy people in the church were the ones who had the say so in everything - and every Sunday was nothing more than a fashion parade.
[ edited by bobbi355 on Jun 11, 2001 11:50 AM ]
posted on June 11, 2001 12:27:06 PM new
Terri, Im sorry you dont think I am interested. I am, to a certain extent. I just have many questions and never asked them. Your thread opened the door alittle bit, so I thought I would ask what I have always wondered. Job is one of the things I wondered about. The only problem I have with the explanation you gave (your opinion) is that GOD himself visited all that agony on Job to "test" his faith. For some reason, that bothers me. Alot. I would never "test" someone I professed to love to make them suffer in pain to see if they would continue to love me anyway. But then again, Im not God.
Maybe it is not time for me to "search" further, or ask questions. Therefore, I bow out of this thread. Thanks for answering to the best of your ability.
posted on June 11, 2001 12:58:11 PM new
If you read Job Hepburn, you will see that God did not do those things go Job. God protected Job's life. He just removed protection from everything around Job. This sort of similar event is predicted again in Revelation.
It is an interesting book and I admit that I haven't read it in some time. I am a lot more familar with the NT but I certianly do read the OT too...just not as frequently.
~~
Nevermind.
[ edited by jt on Jun 11, 2001 01:52 PM ]
posted on June 11, 2001 01:59:05 PM new
Wasn't Job's whole family killed? I can't remember the story very clearly. Seems like a tough lesson (esp for the family members).
posted on June 11, 2001 02:24:31 PM new
I remember reading Job in a literature class. Job's story questions why, if suffering is punishment for sin then why do good people like Job suffer. God lets Satan test Job's faith and as his
wealth disappears, his children die and he is afflicted with boils, he maintains his faith and eventually he is rewarded.
I don't know anything about the Biblical explanation but people are still asking this question. Why do bad things happen to good people if there is a God.
posted on June 11, 2001 02:28:20 PM new
Helen - There really is a book entitled, "Why Bad Things Happen to Good People" - can't remember the author though.
It's an interesting question. I wish that I knew more about this topic from a religious viewpoint.
I have wondered about the fact that some religious people will stand in the middle of a disaster...as the only survivor... and thank God for saving their life, while victims lay all around. I don't understand that.
posted on June 11, 2001 03:46:11 PM new
Horatio Spafford was a Chicago businessman and a doctor. His young son died, of small pox I think. A year later he lost all his wealth in real estate in the great Chicago fire. Chicago in ruins, He decided to travel to Europe to assist his friend D. L. Moody with the ministry but he was held up by a business meeting. His family went ahead of him.
Their ship collided with another. His wife was rescued but his four daughters perished. After he received word, he traveled to join his grieving wife. On that long journey, he wrote a familar hymn. It goes like this:
When peace like a river attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well, it is well with my soul.
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blessed assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
It is well, it is well with my soul.
It is well, it is well with my soul.
It is well, it is well with my soul.
It is well, it is well with my soul.
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
It is well, it is well with my soul.
It is well, it is well with my soul.
~
I think of him like Job. He had unfailing peace with his lot and so many suffering have gained from that beautiful hymn. I want peace like that!
I love the stories behind hymns because they become so much more meaningful when you hear them.
posted on June 11, 2001 04:04:34 PM new
jtland, Try to think that if there is a God, and He is in that glorious place heaven. If He knows the fate of taking one is snatching them from the hardship and suffering in this life, and in the blink of an eye in comparison with eternity their family will be reunited with them....why shouldn't He grab them up into the safety of His loving arms?
It's only hard for those of us who remain.
T
Death. What is death do you think?
(Sorry, didn't realize this was a topic we were beaming away from. I only read like 2 threads at a time.)
[ edited by jt on Jun 11, 2001 04:19 PM ]
posted on June 11, 2001 07:14:26 PM new
With that last ridiculous statement this thread should be closed! You see, it's something like that, that really turns me off to religious thinking.
posted on June 11, 2001 07:34:20 PM new
Thank you bobbi. I was getting tired of it and yet I did not want to fail to respond to anyone since I did invite the topic. I did enjoy the conversation.
posted on June 13, 2001 06:32:02 PM new
I waited until now to post, I hope you all will excuse my tardiness.
First, let me say that you did a wonderful job answering questions, jt. And with a courage and conviction I admire. This thread worked out much better then the bible study you tried to start last year, didn't it?!
I practiced wicca and paganism for 14 years before I gave my life to the Lord. So I do understand where some of you are comming from. I had the same arguments, until I finally found Christ.
Here is a link (my famous cut-n-paste) for the reasons why the Bible is true and accurate, and it is states much more factually and eliquently then I ever could.
http://www.gospelcom.net/rbc/rtb/6rsn/
Everyone has a free will, and may make whatever choice they wish; it is the way God wants us to be. He does not want robots, but willing people who understand the free gift He has offered to us. I agree with jt on another point as well: I do not wish to see anyone lost as well, and will do whatever I must to lead them to Christ. But, like the old proverb:
You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink.
i am open to more discussion, as well as emails, as I have nothing to hide anymore. Last year emails led to a problem, but my brother fixed it so they will not anymore.
In Christ, the Risen Lord,
Rick
In the begining, God created the heavens and the earth.
