posted on July 31, 2003 01:39:42 PM new
I've never really had much dealing with god myself but I can tell you that I have seen him provide some rather remarkable scape goat services for others. : )
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
If it's really Common Sense, why do so few people actually have it?
posted on July 31, 2003 02:46:04 PM new
Well, since God created the world and everything in it including you and I, we can assume that God can do anything.
posted on July 31, 2003 03:14:46 PM new
God's Resume
The best manager of all tells us why He is so good at His job.
Adapted from Gene Richards
To Whom It May Concern:
I heard you were looking for someone to manage your life. I would like to apply for the job.
I believe I am the most qualified candidate for the position of life manager. Actually, I am the only One who has ever done this job successfully.
I was the first manager of human beings. I made them, in fact, so naturally I know how they work and what is needed to help them run at top efficiency and maximum happiness level. It will be like having the manufacturer as your personal mechanic.
If this is the first time you have considered My services, I would just like to point out that My salary has already been paid by the blood of My Son, Jesus, on the cross of Calvary. What I need from you is the acknowledgment that the price is sufficient to pay for all of your sin and your independence from Me.
The next thing I ask for is your permission to fix what's wrong in your life so you can experience the full life I created you for. Actually, you can expect some major changes and revisions, but that's nothing to worry about. I will make the needed changes, in My way and in My time. The other good news is that I will change your desires and give you the courage and will to undergo these changes for the better.
Please keep your hands out of the way. Don't try to help Me and don't resist Me. All I really need is your full commitment and cooperation. If you give Me those, the process can go smoothly, without delays. You won't be disappointed.
Yours sincerely,
GOD
P.S. If you need to see My credentials, I created the heavens and the earth.
GOD
"No one does it better."
Everywhere, All over, Every Place 00000 "Phone: (123) 456-PRAY
"Be kind. Remember everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." - Harry Thompson
"I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide and then questions the manner in which I provide it." - A Few Good Men
posted on July 31, 2003 04:04:06 PM new
Hmm, wonder where Orleansgallery is? I'm sure she'd give you two pages of answers to any questions you may have.
Cheryl
Power to the people. Power to the people, right on. - John Lennon
posted on July 31, 2003 05:16:18 PM new
LoL Linda!!
Cheryl, I'd love to hear what she would say, although I feel like there are people into trying to understand God, and there are those that try and understand God through the Bible. Both are completely different, imo...
I asked something similar on Hep's board because I wanted to know if others could understand what I mean (because I don't - )
I think that God lives in side each of us, so we are God (in so many words). If we have the same power as God, why do we call on God to end famine, murder, and all that stuff, when we're quite capable of doing it all ourselves, with what he's given us? Does that make sense?
posted on July 31, 2003 08:57:34 PM new
I should have said..whose god are we discussing here? Last time I checked, there were lots of them, and they don't always agree on stuff.
_____________________________________________
What luck for the leaders that men do not think. - Adolph Hitler
[ edited by profe51 on Jul 31, 2003 08:59 PM ]
posted on July 31, 2003 10:28:28 PM new
LOL Couldn't help myself I love this Joke !
ATHEIST'S PRAYER
As an atheist walked through the forest, he smiled at the beauty that was all around him and said, "What natural wonders the powers of evolution have created." Just then he heard a rustling near the river. He went to investigate and a 7-foot-tall grizzly bear was tearing down the path towards him. The man took off like a shot, and when he got up the courage to look back, he saw the bear was catching up fast.
He tried with all his strength to pick up the pace, but he tripped and crashed to the ground. As he tried to get up, the bear jumped on his chest and picked up one paw to whack him. The atheist screamed, "Oh my God!!!" Time stopped! The bear froze. The forest was silent. Even the river stopped moving.
As a bright light shone upon the man, a voice boomed from the heavens, "You deny my existence for all of these years, teach others I don't exist, and even credit creation to a cosmic accident. Do you expect me to help you out of this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer?"
The atheist looked directly into the light, "It would be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask you to treat me as a Christian now, but perhaps could you make the bear a Christian?"
"Very well," the voice said.
The light went out, the river ran again, and the sounds of the forest resumed. And then the bear dropped its right paw, brought both paws together, bowed its head, and spoke:
"Lord, for this food which I am about to receive, I am truly thankful."
posted on August 1, 2003 04:32:30 AM newWhat can God do for you that's you can't do for yourself?
That's a good question Roadsmith and I had to think a bit on that. There were a couple of things I think He did for me that I was unable to do for myself.
When my brother died in 1996, I was inconsolible. The pain and grief were enormous. I'm embarassed to say that I passed out at the funeral home (funeral homes are too cruel). He was just 30 years old. I was angry in the beginning because I couldn't understand how such a lovely, warm, honest and loving human being could be taken away at such a young age. The only thing that helped me to go on were the hours I spent just sitting in a church - alone. I really believe that He heard my prayers and I believe that my brother heard them as well. A couple of weeks after he died, I believe I had a visit from David (my brother). It was after that that I began to heal. I thank God for allowing that brief, but healing, visit.
When my husband died suddenly five years ago, I really believe that my previous experience helped me to get through it.
I think God can get my messages to both my brother and my husband and that's what He can do that I cannot do for myself.
What can I say? I'm corny.
Cheryl
Power to the people. Power to the people, right on. - John Lennon
posted on August 1, 2003 05:22:45 AM new
Cheryl - You're not corny. Sounds to me like you received a sense of peace you couldn't give to yourself. You lived through two major losses in a very short period of time. {{{hugs}}}
posted on August 1, 2003 06:04:51 AM new
I have a great deal of respect for Cheryl because she has clearly demonstrated here that she is tolerant of other viewpoints.
As an atheist, I have dealt with emotional issues such as death by using other considerations so I don't agree, Linda,
with your suggestion that people cannot give themselves a "sense of peace" without God because I have.
posted on August 1, 2003 06:20:51 AM new
Cheryl - thank you very much for sharing your post
I just went through something a few months ago - am I am here to tell you, my faith was tested immensely. I have found that faith is probably one of the hardest things to have
Religion varies from person to person; an except from the "Desiderata" pretty much sums up how I feel about it...
Therefore be at peace with God, whomever or whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
"Be kind. Remember everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." - Harry Thompson
"I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide and then questions the manner in which I provide it." - A Few Good Men
[ edited by wgm on Aug 1, 2003 06:21 AM ]
posted on August 1, 2003 06:32:29 AM new"You can actually look in a mirror with a straight face and say that?" "Wow, you should be reading some of your own posts."
posted on August 1, 2003 06:40:57 AM newI have a great deal of respect for Cheryl because she has clearly demonstrated here that she is tolerant of other viewpoints.
GOOD!!! Learn from her example
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wgm {{{{hugs to you too}}}}
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You make me laugh often, twelvepole...thanks
posted on August 1, 2003 09:26:22 AM new Linda, you should consider taking your own advice. Maybe we'll pick up a vote for Cheryl's democratic candidate!!!
posted on August 1, 2003 12:26:13 PM new
Kraftdinner--------
It is good that you question God. After all He gave the Bible because He knew we would have questions.
I think your question could be turned around also to ask: What could/can I do for myself that God did/has done for me?
God know everything about us:
Do you know God knit you together in your mother's womb? Psalm 139:13
Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Matthew 10:30
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Do you give yourself life, your mental capacity, the very beating of your heart at this moment, or your health?
The biggest and most important think you can't do for yourself is be sinless.
We are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in His blood. Romans 3:23-25
God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. II Corinthians 6:17
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To put it simply: We fell into sin in the garden of Eden. To re-establish the relationship with God we had to remove the sin which we can not do. God is so pure and holy He can not look upon sin. God came to earth in the human/God form of His Son Jesus to take upon himself our sin so He could live with us for eternity. If we ask for forgiveness of our sins He is just to forgive us. If we ask for forgiveness and ask Jesus to come into our heart and lives He will forgive us and change us. The relationship Adam and Eve broke will be re-established.
As for tolerance. Most who say they are tolerant only tolerate those who say there are no absolutes. But by saying there are no absolutes you are saying there are absolutes. God left many many thing in shades of gray that aren't important. However, God put many things in black and white with no room for error. He gave us the commandments for our protection. Can you imagine the world with no laws? All of our laws are from the ten commandments. Do you tell your child not to play in the street because you want to restricting him of his rights. Absolutes are in place for our protection and peace.
We might think God hasn't done anything for us but when it gets down to it He has done everything for us.------ In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:11.--- He loves us more than we can ever comprehend and wants us to be in a one on one relationship with Him. He loves us so much He became a man to die for a debt He didn't owe because we owed a debt we couldn't pay.
Glory and praise be to God forever for all He has done, He is doing and will do.
"Be kind. Remember everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." - Harry Thompson
"I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide and then questions the manner in which I provide it." - A Few Good Men
posted on August 1, 2003 12:35:14 PM new
Thanks, everyone.
Helen and Linda
The one thing we learned early in my large family was tolerance. I have a brother who is Mormon, a brother who is Methodist, his life-partner (yes, twelve I have a brother who is gay), is Buddhist. My mother is a Jevohva's Witness, my step-father is a Roman Catholic. My father and his wife are Irish Catholics. I also have a sister who is Baptist. I guess I'm a bit of all of it.
The two things we don't talk about when we get together at a gathering are religion and politics. No one's voice is loud enough to yell over the top of another.
My grandparent's were staunch Republicans, my mother is a Democrat. My step-father is a Republican (some battles are waged on that home front) My sister votes the Independent party.
Sometimes I wonder if we are part of the same family. But, different as we may be, if one is in trouble there's a group to the rescue. This can be bothersome when you are a teenage girl with boy problems. I have between my mother and father (they are divorced) 7 living bothers, 3 sisters and 2 deceased brothers. Then me. I have the dubious pleasure of being the oldest one of the bunch.
So, the fact that I'm tolerant shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. Least of all me!
Cheryl
Power to the people. Power to the people, right on. - John Lennon
posted on August 1, 2003 12:59:56 PM new
wgm-------
I was just quoting the Bible. I didn't know what I said was on a website. I'll have to visit to read. Thanks
Cheryl------
Boy you talk about a diverse group!
God is very tolerant of people after all we are still breathing at this moment but don't deserve it. It doesn't matter what the church door sign says......it is whether you have ever accepted the death of Jesus as payment for your sins. Whether we believe it or not it is God's truth. That is why I try to tell any and everyone who will listen. God doesn't send anyone to hell, but allows us to make the choice. We can believe and accept or not believe and decline the offer. Have you ever seen the picture of Jesus standing at the door? They have been around forever. If you will notice there is no door knob on Jesus side of the door. If someone offers you a gift you have to reach out and take it. God never pushes himself off on people....it is free but we are free to not take it.
I have THE dearest friend on the face of this earth who is homosexual. I love that man so much I would anything within my human power for him if he needed it. Sometimes I think I would even die for him...but I know that is the love of Jesus who lives in me loving him through me. Have you ever loved someone so much it makes your heart hurt when you think about him being so spiritually lost. He is not a Christian but I pray he will be someday before he takes his last breath. God loves us all but CAN'T look upon sin. That's the beauty of it all He can't look upon sin but he died to pay for that sin. As the old saying goes "God hates the sin but loves the person". That is the pure truth. Just because we believe something doesn't make it true. If you read the bible and say you don't believe it that doesn't make it untrue or diminish it in any way. If we can understand our ways are not God's ways and the way we want to live our lives is not always good we start to understand it all. God lets us make our choices even if they led to our death, spiritual and/or physical. God make it so simple so even the simple could understand it. No, I'm not saying you are simple please believe me. He was born in a barn and lived poor for the poor in spirit. When we become poor in spirit and realize we have sinned that is when God can start to teach us HE IS GOD and HIS SON DIED FOR US. We have to accept it on faith and He will utterly change our lives in ways you can only imagine.
- Harry Thompson
