If you desire fellowship...
- Thread starter jenjen486
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Lol well we actually have several grocery stores close by. We have done a small garden but nothing big at all...but we hope to have the space to be able to do a huge one someday!
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sk8Joyful
Well-Known Member
Yummy
food is but one reason I asked, the other being that via Gardening you can come to know
just how much beauty is (not just in Christ) in fact God created it Everywhere... ALL God's creations are full 
of God's beauty... His multiverses, this solar system, this earth, a snowflake, a bee, (a SEED: which we each are as well), a baby, a blueberry, broccoli, a flower, & so on forever... and why? did God choose to share this all with us? - Jesus' perfect & infinite LOVE <- when from inside our real-self, we love life then we too treasure 
the Beauty... for God/Jesus said in John10:10 I bring you LIFE & this more Abundant... 
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candle glow
whatever I want to be
Hey Jen,
Thanks for sharing that testimony. I had something similar happen to me when I was 10, where I was not a Christian at all and hung out with a group of rough kids. But then I got a new friend and started spending all my time over at his house. His mother was a huge influence in my life as she was always trying to teach us about God.
That kind of started me on the path to finding my own real faith. Throughout the years I went back and forth between the religious world and the secular world. When I was 21 I met a group of missionaries who were preaching a message which very much inspired me (i.e. work for love not money, forsaking personal ownership, sharing all things in common, etc).
I've been doing that for the past 12 years.
It's interesting that you share about having communal finances as that's something that usually creates the most tension within people and relationships.
Do you guys have any outreach programs? I mean, raising kids is a huge job too but part of the reason why the church in acts was so successful was because they quit their jobs and shared all things in common so that they could have time to reach out to the world. I feel that it s vital part of what it means to live by faith.
Thanks for sharing that testimony. I had something similar happen to me when I was 10, where I was not a Christian at all and hung out with a group of rough kids. But then I got a new friend and started spending all my time over at his house. His mother was a huge influence in my life as she was always trying to teach us about God.
That kind of started me on the path to finding my own real faith. Throughout the years I went back and forth between the religious world and the secular world. When I was 21 I met a group of missionaries who were preaching a message which very much inspired me (i.e. work for love not money, forsaking personal ownership, sharing all things in common, etc).
I've been doing that for the past 12 years.
It's interesting that you share about having communal finances as that's something that usually creates the most tension within people and relationships.
Do you guys have any outreach programs? I mean, raising kids is a huge job too but part of the reason why the church in acts was so successful was because they quit their jobs and shared all things in common so that they could have time to reach out to the world. I feel that it s vital part of what it means to live by faith.
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Well the guys dont work for food that spoils...they simply work as an open door to preach the Gospel and as a testimony to others to work hard with your hands. They are all carpenters so they dont have to pursue work...it is given by word of mouth. And as for our cleaning ministry...us girls make it clear that we dont care what we are paid, if anything, b/c that is not what we are about. We have a local community center that we go to and play basketball at b/c there are a lot of youth there. We have all had different opportunities to talk to people about the Lord there, at the grocery store, anywhere we go. If we are asking with a pure heart then He uses us...there is nothing better than to know God is speaking through you! I don't want this to sound like we have it all figured out...b/c the Lord is still growing us up in all of this...but we are living to what we have attained to. I can say that we all have the same desire of winning souls over to Christ...and that hope is what keeps us functioning!
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candle glow
whatever I want to be
Well, it's not easy to find other people who are willing to share communal finances so even though I can see some significant differences in our beliefs, I feel there is a significant commonality regarding money issues.
What I've seen from the life/example of Jesus (based on the recorded information available and personal experience) is that Jesus definitely wants us to work for love in a way that is VERY different from how the world views the issue of work in general.
In other words, Jesus was a full time volunteer who worked only for love (though he almost certainly received/used money in the form of donations or new recruits forsaking their material possessions to follow him).
I believe he told us to do the same thing. The key issue is motivation. Money never built anything. People using the resources God created have done all the work. Money simply represents a motivation for why people work.
Jesus said that his followers need a new motivation. That's why he said we must be "born again" into a totally new set of values, completely different from that of the worldly system where people have come to believe that they will die without money.
It's an extreme view, radical, fanatical, etc, but that's only when considered from a worldly point of view. In the kingdom of Heaven, working for love is normal. It's not radical, fanatical, or extreme at all. It's our dependency on money that causes us to believe that NOT working for the purpose of getting more of it is "extreme".
The Church from Acts has been referenced several times, mostly from Acts 2 and 4. But consider acts 17, where the early Christians are described as "those who have turned the world upside down" (NOTE: some modern translations water this down a bit. The KJV seems to denote the sincerest interpretation)
You don't turn the world upside down by continuing to live by it's values.
Anyway, is that to much too soon?
What I've seen from the life/example of Jesus (based on the recorded information available and personal experience) is that Jesus definitely wants us to work for love in a way that is VERY different from how the world views the issue of work in general.
In other words, Jesus was a full time volunteer who worked only for love (though he almost certainly received/used money in the form of donations or new recruits forsaking their material possessions to follow him).
I believe he told us to do the same thing. The key issue is motivation. Money never built anything. People using the resources God created have done all the work. Money simply represents a motivation for why people work.
Jesus said that his followers need a new motivation. That's why he said we must be "born again" into a totally new set of values, completely different from that of the worldly system where people have come to believe that they will die without money.
It's an extreme view, radical, fanatical, etc, but that's only when considered from a worldly point of view. In the kingdom of Heaven, working for love is normal. It's not radical, fanatical, or extreme at all. It's our dependency on money that causes us to believe that NOT working for the purpose of getting more of it is "extreme".
The Church from Acts has been referenced several times, mostly from Acts 2 and 4. But consider acts 17, where the early Christians are described as "those who have turned the world upside down" (NOTE: some modern translations water this down a bit. The KJV seems to denote the sincerest interpretation)
You don't turn the world upside down by continuing to live by it's values.
Anyway, is that to much too soon?
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Well I dont know if I comletely understand what you mean? But its not possible to win anyone over to Christ if we are still living according to the way the world does things. I believe that many will take the mark just b/c they will be so worried about being able to buy food...but then where is the faith in God, He provides all things! As for turning the world upside down...I go wherever the Lord calls me, whether that is the next town or another country. I know that i will be hated as well, if I'm truly preaching the right Gospel b/c they hated Christ. No servant is greater than his master. Let me know if this didnt answer your question?
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sk8Joyful
Well-Known Member
Yes, and there are many ways to win souls unto Christ:
(warming a church-pew not being one); but a child, such as I was coming to the states,
from a communist-country, where at age 5 God spoke to my heart, and I talked with Him until He brought me here: (those atheists who could not explain that away, some converted
from my Testimony ~ as frankly only via God talking to me, could I have known, my 1st. time of seeing the Bible, that in fact it is: God's LOVE-notes to us.There are an additional two ways
of also teaching people to Connect with God, have them Allow God to SAVE them, and Welcome
Him to guide their life...
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candle glow
whatever I want to be
So much of what you say is consistent with my own thoughts on the issues.
What made you mention the mark of the Beast?
I thought you expressed your comments about hate very well. It's not a particularly appealing part of being a Christian, and something which is often left out of the "salvation message" altogether in most Christian circles. People are not able to count the cost because they are not told about the cost in the first place.
After all, you don't win converts by telling them about Jesus' teachings on forsaking all and being hated by the world for following him!
No, you didn't answer my "question" but I'm not sure that an answer is all that necessary right now. There is too much to agree on at this point without getting bogged down in disagreements.
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Well I would still really like to answer your question...if you feel like trying to ask again? I brought up the mark b/c we are close to the end and I feel it's something important to share with people! The warning of a false christ coming before the real one as well...that people may be on guard...and know that what we are saying is all in the Word.
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candle glow
whatever I want to be
hmm, I think the question I was asking is kind of "hiding in plain sight" and doesn't need to be addressed again (at least not now).
The Mark is one of my favorite topics, precisely because it's becoming more and more clear. On the Mark page of my website I say much the same you did about how people will find reasons to take the mark, mostly focusing on how they need it to feed their families etc...
The Mark is one of my favorite topics, precisely because it's becoming more and more clear. On the Mark page of my website I say much the same you did about how people will find reasons to take the mark, mostly focusing on how they need it to feed their families etc...
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Well I feel like I've missed something now? lol but ok...Once again, encouraged to hear you say that!
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sk8Joyful-I have been responding to your comments so I'm sorry if you feel I'm ignoring you?
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This verse has been on my mind a lot lately. 2Corinthians 12:11-I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the “super-apostles,”[a] even though I am nothing. 12 I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles. 13 How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!14 Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less? When I read verses like this, I realize how lacking I really am. How often I have wrong motives in my heart! How often my desires get in the way of truly representing Christ! I need to always be willing to lay my life down for the sake of anothers soul.
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candle glow
whatever I want to be
Hmm, I also don't understand whay sk8joy feels ignored but it may be more than that. Her comment about you only wanting to chat with males was a bit weird as it seems to imply something more than that you are (apparently) ignoring her as another poster. Maybe she's jealous? lol
Don't worry, sk8, I'm celibate so I won't steal Jen away from you, at least, not in a romantic way.
Interesting verses you shared about, Jen. I am most familiar with that particular set of verses because of something called the "tent making myth" where people say that, because Paul got a job making tents then it's okay to ignore what Jesus said about how we cannot work for God and money at the same time without cheating on one or the other.
My understanding is that, while visiting the Corinthians, Paul didn't want to be a financial burden to them so they could not use that as an excuse to reject what he was trying to teach them or so that they would not think of him as a sponge.
That's why he says "how did I treat you differently, except that I was not a burden to you". He says "forgive me this wrong" but I think he was being a bit sarcastic, because, although he had good intentions, he could see that his attempts to not be a burden to them only caused them to ignore his needs as their spiritual teacher.
In other words, he was teaching them to be irresponsible regarding their responsibility to help another Christian brother.
You can cross reference this story in Acts 18 where he goes to Corinth and meets up with Pricilla and Aquinas who were also tent makers. Paul started working with them as part of his strategy to take care of himself, rather than rely on (or "burden) his Christian brothers to help him with his needs.
When Silas and Timoty showed up, Paul was "pressed in the spirit" and started preaching about Jesus again, instead of using his time to make tents.
Don't worry, sk8, I'm celibate so I won't steal Jen away from you, at least, not in a romantic way.
Interesting verses you shared about, Jen. I am most familiar with that particular set of verses because of something called the "tent making myth" where people say that, because Paul got a job making tents then it's okay to ignore what Jesus said about how we cannot work for God and money at the same time without cheating on one or the other.
My understanding is that, while visiting the Corinthians, Paul didn't want to be a financial burden to them so they could not use that as an excuse to reject what he was trying to teach them or so that they would not think of him as a sponge.
That's why he says "how did I treat you differently, except that I was not a burden to you". He says "forgive me this wrong" but I think he was being a bit sarcastic, because, although he had good intentions, he could see that his attempts to not be a burden to them only caused them to ignore his needs as their spiritual teacher.
In other words, he was teaching them to be irresponsible regarding their responsibility to help another Christian brother.
You can cross reference this story in Acts 18 where he goes to Corinth and meets up with Pricilla and Aquinas who were also tent makers. Paul started working with them as part of his strategy to take care of himself, rather than rely on (or "burden) his Christian brothers to help him with his needs.
When Silas and Timoty showed up, Paul was "pressed in the spirit" and started preaching about Jesus again, instead of using his time to make tents.
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Well I in no way want to be looked at that way! That is not the reputation of a godly woman...that is not something I chase after. If there is any beauty to be found in me, I desire that it be Christs beauty! As for that verse...Paul even makes reference to making himself a fool for the sake of the church...no concern of having honor for himself with men, but desiring that they see that it is Christ working in Him, who deserves the honor! And in the last verse you mentioned...Paul being willing to put everything aside to allow the Spirit to work through him. People in the church too often try to plan things out and leave no room for the Spirit to work b/c it doesnt fit in with their schedule. But, if we are eating a meal in a restaurant and God says go talk to the person at the other table, then I must obey that compelling, or else i would be stepping outside of the Lord's Will.
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candle glow
whatever I want to be
haha I was just joking about sk8joy. Although I appreciate your deep concern for being a godly woman, Jen. Keep up the good work.
However, for whatever reason, it seems as though our discussion has become so specific as to make other posters feel excluded. I'm not saying that's a bad thing as neither of us has intentionally done so. I wonder what it is about the issues we've been discussing that seems to turn people off?
I really like those comments about being willing to look like a fool. When I was living in California in a Christian community, we would sometimes go to Hollywood to distribute Christian literature. One day while I was there, a man and a woman passed by and the man started to take a book from my hand, but then the woman he was with pulled him away saying, "don't talk to him, he doesn't look like a prophet".
Although I'm usually a bit scruffy, I didn't think I looked that bad! I was a bit shocked at first, but then I was thanking God that I did not fit the "holy person" image that this kind of woman had in mind.
Interesting. I feel that I still struggle with knowing God's will from moment to moment, though I think that is the ideal to struggle toward. There are times when I feel like I just don't know the difference between what God may be asking me to do and what myself or others are telling me to do, but I've come to the conclusion that the best way to learn is to keep practicing no matter how many times I may get it wrong.
However, for whatever reason, it seems as though our discussion has become so specific as to make other posters feel excluded. I'm not saying that's a bad thing as neither of us has intentionally done so. I wonder what it is about the issues we've been discussing that seems to turn people off?
I really like those comments about being willing to look like a fool. When I was living in California in a Christian community, we would sometimes go to Hollywood to distribute Christian literature. One day while I was there, a man and a woman passed by and the man started to take a book from my hand, but then the woman he was with pulled him away saying, "don't talk to him, he doesn't look like a prophet".
Although I'm usually a bit scruffy, I didn't think I looked that bad! I was a bit shocked at first, but then I was thanking God that I did not fit the "holy person" image that this kind of woman had in mind.
Interesting. I feel that I still struggle with knowing God's will from moment to moment, though I think that is the ideal to struggle toward. There are times when I feel like I just don't know the difference between what God may be asking me to do and what myself or others are telling me to do, but I've come to the conclusion that the best way to learn is to keep practicing no matter how many times I may get it wrong.
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