Oregon shooting and in need of some advice

Welcome! If you need an actual date to look back on in regards to your salvation,, I'll give you one. 33ad, You need a sign, I'll give you one, the cross of Christ. Don't look inward for hope of your salvation, look outward to Christ. Trust in him, then you'll have peace..

Looking for you salvation or proof of being saved in yourself or anywhere else but Christ will prove vain and worthless.

Hebrews 12:2
looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Miles Veney said:

After hearing the news I asked myself, "if someone pointed a gun at my head and asked me if I was Christian and all I had to do to live was say no, would I?"

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This is important, because Jesus says,

"Therefore whoever confesses me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.'" (Matthew 10:32)

But confessing Jesus at the time of possible death is not all Jesus wants. He wants us to give ourselves and our whole lives to Him, which is what you talk about here >

Miles Veney said:

I want to give the entirety of my life to Christ,

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So, we do not want to live in an unreal way, and then do some heroic thing only when we die, as if that would buy our way into Heaven; but always live and love in confession and honor of Jesus.

Miles Veney said:

I want to feel what those people felt as they said YES with no fear of death,

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It is possible that a Christian was not thinking much about possibly dying, but the Christian had care and concern for the shooter, and was praying for him and the other people who were there.

Miles Veney said:

I want to feel what other Christians feel when they shamelessly yell out during worship filled with the holy spirit.

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If what ones are doing is for real during a service, it also is important to always be in worship of God, by being submissive to Him in His peace (Colossians 3:15), loving any and all people, staying ready for God to change any horrible person to become adopted to be with us in God's family, all while being pleasing to our Father in His love >

"rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God." (1 Peter 3:4)

We trust God to correct us and make us His way in love so we live like this. This is a lifelong process of God, not our own self-discipline. So, this is included in trusting in Jesus. We are reconciled by His death, and saved by His life of love in us, I consider >

"For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." (Romans 5:10)

Miles Veney said:

I always hear stories of people being saved however I don't think there has ever been a specific moment in my life where I felt I was saved right then and there. I feel like I need a sign or something.

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Paul speaks of how we "first trusted in Christ" > in Ephesians 1:12 > so we did not "only" "believe" in Jesus and accept the idea that Jesus is Lord and Savior, but we trusted in Jesus for how He died on the cross for our sins, and rose so now He through His resurrection makes us alive in God's love, and we trust Him by submitting to how He rules us by means of God's peace ruling in our hearts.

So, I consider, we have trusted in Jesus for salvation and for how He now corrects us to become and be guided personally by Him, in all we do and how we love each and every person.

Salvation is having faith in Christ, receiving the indwelling/gift of the Holy Spirit, and coming to a knowledge of God the Father. Yes, we have faith, but it is a gift by the grace of God, and it is actually God's mercy (and not our faith) that saves us. God draws us to Himself.

Faith is something of an action word. It's continuous, and it isn't a one moment in time deal. Faith is not merely an intellectual assent to a belief in God. You are saved at your baptism into Christ, you are being saved through life in the Church and partaking of the sacraments, and you will be saved at the Final Judgment. So, a life in Christ is a journey to us. We don't attempt to break things down, but see things holistically.

My advice to you is the following: 1) Keep praying; 2) Keep reading the scriptures; 3) you need to start going to church; 4) you should get baptized; 5) seek instruction in the faith

It is a big deal and any inquirer (even one who is a believer) that wants to get baptized in an Orthodox parish is instructed in the faith before undergoing baptism. Christianity is a big commitment and you absolutely should know what you're getting into. Baptism is what cleanses us from sin and brings us into the body of Christ. Unless you become a martyr or die unexpectedly, you should get baptized.

Where to find an Orthodox parish (as I only recommend those being biased as I am on the matter): http://orthodoxyinamerica.org/lr/locator.php
Basics about the faith: http://oca.org/orthodoxy/the-orthodox-faith
Prayer resources I've found helpful: http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/prayer.htm
http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/prayer_theofan_e.htm
A daily lectionary: http://www.goarch.org/chapel/

Miles Veney said:

Hi. I'm new to this forum and have been doing some thinking and need some advice. I am 18, currently doing some training for the military in Virginia and heard about the shooting in Oregon in which the shooter targeted those who said they were christians. I have never been baptized however I have always considered myself a Christian. Sometimes more than others I feel closer to God, and given all thats happened to me in my short lifetime, I believe there must be a higher power. I pray every single day, and read my Bible occasionally. After hearing the news I asked myself, "if someone pointed a gun at my head and asked me if I was Christian and all I had to do to live was say no, would I?" I guess I came here in need of some guidance. I want to give the entirety of my life to Christ, I want to feel what those people felt as they said YES with no fear of death, I want to feel what other Christians feel when they shamelessly yell out during worship filled with the holy spirit. I always hear stories of people being saved however I don't think there has ever been a specific moment in my life where I felt I was saved right then and there. I feel like I need a sign or something.
Thanks so much for all your help,
Miles

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That is a solemn thing to contemplate indeed. We all need to ask ourselves what we would do. I would like to think that what I would say would be more than "I am a Christian", but that I put my trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. That exalts Him and there is power in that Name. It might even cause the shooter to be restrained somewhat???

Miles Veney said:

After hearing the news I asked myself, "if someone pointed a gun at my head and asked me if I was Christian and all I had to do to live was say no, would I?"

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I think it's a good question to ask, because coming to terms with death is the best way to put life into perspective. Scripture says:


Getting it resolved that we are willing to suffer persecution imparts peace, because essentially we've surrendered and have already died to this world. Ironically, only with that done are we finally free to live.

I think it's plain to see that the pace of change is accelerating before our eyes. And it's not positive change. As the famous poem states, the center is not holding. The foundations are eroding on a daily basis. Politicians don't have real answers, and oftentimes are making things worse - actually leading us into perdition.

With that in mind, we ought to have our priorities straight and make sure we're right with the only One who really matters. If we get that right, everything else falls into place (Mt 6.33). Sometimes the price will be physical death. But for all disciples, the price is death to selfish interests. Paul says somewhere, "I die daily", and that is what we must do if we want to walk with the Lord on a daily basis.

Hi Miles. It seems to me that God is drawing you to Himself, and we all rejoice over that.

I would suggest you pray (to direct your heart and mind to God so you will hear Him speak to you) and then read the New Testament daily (this is the way God speaks to us at first, through His word). Being a Christian isn't just a head thing, and it is more than the way you were raised and the morals you have. It is a real relationship with God through the forgiveness and grace He provided in Jesus Christ. It is not a one time decision (even though that begins your journey), it is a lifetime walk.

Do you know much about Christian beliefs?

You shall not be harmed unless you are given a chance for the Glory of your testimony for Christ.

Luke 12:4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
17 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered
Rev 13:10...he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

Jesus bless u all HalleluYAH

I heard about the shooting just hours after it happened, I was so surprised, because nothing happens in Oregon. I actually live a couple hours away from Roseburg. My little brother just so happened to see the Presidential brigade as it was passing through because his football team was going up north for a game. There were lots of people protesting against Obama to go home and that he's not welcome here, which is funny because the news didn't really cover that, and it was kind of a big deal! Sorry, it was just weird to have something so terrible happen so close to where I live. Like I said, nothing happens in Oregon. That's why I loved it...

Well, here and there. I had a bit I had to add. I don't have any direct answers, just a couple thoughts. You know how the bible says we're all tested like gold and fire, to see if we're pure or not through the blood of Jesus? It was something along those lines, I'm vulnerable to error.

Would this "testing" be through trial and persecution? Jesus talked about the seed that fell on... Oh gosh, what was it? The rocky ground I think. Bear with me, I apologize. Well, he implied some Christians accept the news of the Gospel but turn away when trial and persecution are present. So if one doesn't turn away, it's because they were truly a son/ daughter of Christ.

If you refuse to acknowledge God in persecution, He won't acknowledge you in Heaven. I think that's it, yeah? If you endure to the end, then you've come out of the "fire" as pure. I hope that makes sense. You had a good question! That's something important we should all think about.

Miles Veney said:

Hi. I'm new to this forum and have been doing some thinking and need some advice. I am 18, currently doing some training for the military in Virginia and heard about the shooting in Oregon in which the shooter targeted those who said they were christians. I have never been baptized however I have always considered myself a Christian. Sometimes more than others I feel closer to God, and given all thats happened to me in my short lifetime, I believe there must be a higher power. I pray every single day, and read my Bible occasionally. After hearing the news I asked myself, "if someone pointed a gun at my head and asked me if I was Christian and all I had to do to live was say no, would I?" I guess I came here in need of some guidance. I want to give the entirety of my life to Christ, I want to feel what those people felt as they said YES with no fear of death, I want to feel what other Christians feel when they shamelessly yell out during worship filled with the holy spirit. I always hear stories of people being saved however I don't think there has ever been a specific moment in my life where I felt I was saved right then and there. I feel like I need a sign or something.
Thanks so much for all your help,
Miles

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I'm sorry, I can't help you. Even though you admit that there was never a time when you felt you were saved, if I were to raise the premise of you not being saved, I'd get an infraction.

If you came into my church and asked that question, I would talk to you about your experience, and show you some scripture verses and compare your experience with scripture, walk you through the Gospel, show you more scripture verses that show how you can know you're saved and how you can have assurance of your salvation.

But, unfortunately, loving a person enough to be honest with them about their salvation (or lack thereof) and suggesting that a person might need to start at the beginning, even if that person has admitted they don't know whether or not they're saved, as you have, can get you in big trouble here.

Weird the way it works around here, huh?