Come Into The Deep End... with ImHisServant (2)

[burn97]

WOW! There are so many Great ones. My all time favorite author is Max Lucado. He is an awesome writer and the words that flow from his are truly touched by God. My second favorite writer, Stormie Omartain, and the Power of Praying Series.

Great House Of God, by Max Lucado (definitely a high contender for #1, takes the Lords Prayer, and breaks it down into sermon like chapters. Max has a sense of humor which he brings to all his books, he's just an great writer.


Stormie Omartain, Power of Praying Series. These were the first books I read when I became a Christian. These are great, because, prayer is so powerful, it brings you closer to God by deepening your walk, and so much more. These series teach of the importance of prayer and the need to hand everything whether big or small to God.

I'd recommend any of these authors, I just got Max Lucado's new book, which I have yet to start. Right now I'm reading Daniel, In God I Trust by PCD. It takes the entire book of Daniel verse by verse in a study guide. So far it's really good. Another one I would definitely recommend. (i'd better stop, or i'll be rattling off books all day )

 

[rosiecotton]

Oh, I love Max Lucado too!!
And Beth Moore!!!

 

[woman.at.the.well]

1. Ordering Your Private World - by Gordon MacDonald
2. Living on Purpose - Tom and Christine Sine
3. I love ALL Beth Moore books and studies and highly recommend them - even ones I haven't read; she is phenomenal!
4. Right now I am reading:

5. I also like Joyce Meyers alot and would recommend her books.
6. I also really liked Joel Osteens-Your Best Life Now.
7. I also make it a point to read thru the bible every year. I have used the Amplified bible; the NIV Thompson-Chain Reference Edition (several times); and recommend the NLT Yearly Chronological read through bible as well.

Will add more if I think of them later. Great idea!

 

[krys4ever]

Topic: Monday March 12th​

Book Reviews​

I know we have many avid readers in this group so I thought it would be really neat if we could all just share some books we have read. There are so many great Christian books out there that have helped me and my walk. They make me think and they push me farther then I would push myself at times.​

You can share any type of Christian book: spiritual growth, bible study, novel, topical etc...​

Please include the name of the book, author, a description of its content, why you liked it, why you would recommend it and what you learned from it.​

I look forward to reading all your responses!​

Have a great day my friends!!! ​

I love to read a variety of books.

My most favorite book is called "Every Young Womans Battle", by Shannon Ethridge".

I love this book, because it has taught me how to trust in God to fulfill my every desire, as being single and how to overcome sexual temptations.

This is book is about helping females of all ages how to develop a close, rooted, loving- intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, overcoming sexual temptation-avoiding temptation, how to truly love yourself, waiting on God to bless u with that special someone, how to be patient and temperant, when to start dating, how to know if that someone is the person God wants u to be with.

There's a book for the males as well.

This book has great learning tools and can benefit one's soul greatly.

God Bless!

 

[LivingLifeHisWay]

Thanks for sharing all these awesome books!

Rosiecotton: I've read Three!!! It's amazing!!!! I've heard of Velvet Elvis and was thinking about picking it up....someone else had recommended it to me.

I like Beth Moore as well, her stuff is very very good.

I liked Stormie's book Power of A Praying Wife but I didn't like it in a small group setting. The bible study questions were way too personal to be discussing with others....they were asking questions like What dark secrets does your husband have? I didn't feel comfortable talking about all that. But the book itself in private was great!

Krystal: A youth girls group at my church was doing the book you mentioned as a study. They really enjoyed it. I think I will pick it up for Nadia when she gets older. Purity and sexual temptation is so prevalant in today's society.

Thanks again everyone...I really enjoyed reading through all the posts!

​

 

[cristianna]

WOW LADIES! What an excellent variety of books! I think I'll be out and about this week in search of a few!

 

[woman.at.the.well]

Before I post today's topic I need to ask if anyone can post a topic for me next Tuesday (the 20th) as I will be gone on vacation for a few days? Please pm me if you can. Thank you!

Here is today's topic:

March 13, 2007​

Who Says What’s Right?

READ: Romans 2:12-16

Gentiles, who do not have the law, . . . show the work of the law written in their hearts. —Romans 2:14-15

People who reject absolute standards of right and wrong are often inconsistent. When they think they are being treated unfairly, they appeal to a standard of justice that they expect everyone to adhere to.
A philosophy professor began each new term by asking his class, “Do you believe it can be shown that there are absolute values like justice?” The free-thinking students all argued that everything is relative and no single law can be applied universally. Before the end of the semester, the professor devoted one class period to debate the issue. At the end, he concluded, “Regardless of what you think, I want you to know that absolute values can be demonstrated. And if you don’t accept what I say, I’ll flunk you!” One angry student got up and insisted, “That’s not fair!” “You’ve just proved my point,” replied the professor. “You’ve appealed to a higher standard of fairness.”
God has given everyone a conscience to tell right from wrong (Rom. 2:14-15), and His moral standards are written in the Bible. Every time we use the words good and bad, we imply a standard by which we make such judgments. Biblical values are true for any age, because they originate with an eternal, unchanging God. —Dennis J. De Haan
God has not left us in the dark
About what’s wrong or right,
For through His works and in His Word
His Spirit gives us light. —D. De Haan
Only God has the right to define what’s wrong.
​

You know I've recently been giving this alot of thought. A Moral Absolute - God. What are your thoughts on this? Rather than place a list of specific questions for today's topics let me just ask you to discuss what would happen without a Moral Absolute. Or what do you see happening as a result of less influence in our culture on His part because so many are walking away from His ways? Or do you see differently?​

 

[cristianna]

You know I've recently been giving this alot of thought. A Moral Absolute - God. What are your thoughts on this? Rather than place a list of specific questions for today's topics let me just ask you to discuss what would happen without a Moral Absolute. Or what do you see happening as a result of less influence in our culture on His part because so many are walking away from His ways? Or do you see differently?

Tough questions I have never contemplated before. I'm going to need some time to divulge and think.

 

[Maharg]

Before I post today's topic I need to ask if anyone can post a topic for me next Tuesday (the 20th) as I will be gone on vacation for a few days? Please pm me if you can. Thank you!

Here is today's topic:

March 13, 2007​

Who Says What’s Right?

READ: Romans 2:12-16

Gentiles, who do not have the law, . . . show the work of the law written in their hearts. —Romans 2:14-15

People who reject absolute standards of right and wrong are often inconsistent. When they think they are being treated unfairly, they appeal to a standard of justice that they expect everyone to adhere to.
A philosophy professor began each new term by asking his class, “Do you believe it can be shown that there are absolute values like justice?” The free-thinking students all argued that everything is relative and no single law can be applied universally. Before the end of the semester, the professor devoted one class period to debate the issue. At the end, he concluded, “Regardless of what you think, I want you to know that absolute values can be demonstrated. And if you don’t accept what I say, I’ll flunk you!” One angry student got up and insisted, “That’s not fair!” “You’ve just proved my point,” replied the professor. “You’ve appealed to a higher standard of fairness.”
God has given everyone a conscience to tell right from wrong (Rom. 2:14-15), and His moral standards are written in the Bible. Every time we use the words good and bad, we imply a standard by which we make such judgments. Biblical values are true for any age, because they originate with an eternal, unchanging God. —Dennis J. De Haan
God has not left us in the dark
About what’s wrong or right,
For through His works and in His Word
His Spirit gives us light. —D. De Haan
Only God has the right to define what’s wrong.
​

You know I've recently been giving this alot of thought. A Moral Absolute - God. What are your thoughts on this? Rather than place a list of specific questions for today's topics let me just ask you to discuss what would happen without a Moral Absolute. Or what do you see happening as a result of less influence in our culture on His part because so many are walking away from His ways? Or do you see differently?​

Hmmm . . . It's a tough one I think. There is a moral absolute, and even if people do not acknowledge it in their day to day life, I think somewhere in their conscience they recognise it. They may bury it deeply and not respond but it is still there.

 

[Smileyill]

I find this topic compelling. Although we all do not have the same fairness standards, it changes with our experiences, we all have a conscious. Take 20 small children and give 5 three pieces of candy, and the other 15, only one. You’ll have a revolt on your hands The kids will realize the inherent unfairness of your action, absent other factors.

Yet this world inherently treats people differently simply because of their birthplace, among other environmental factors. This inconsistency disconcerts us when we process it through our consciouses. Why would God make an unfair world? This question, and the lack of an obvious answer, repulses many from Christianity. We claim God is perfect; yet, this world clearly has huge imperfections. Thus, calling God “fair” poses huge problems. Claiming he has correctly given absolute truth does also.

But, as the professor demonstrated, all appeal to a higher standard, an absolute truth, when pressed in real-life situations. Many overcompensate and reject God. Instead they argue all truth depends on the relative situation (relative truth). Clearly they don’t mean that (because “all truth is relative” would have to be an absolute truth itself). Instead they mean that the absolute truth depends on the situation.

Christians largely agree, not causing a brother to stumble for instance. However, we also insist that some absolute truths apply regardless of situations; this many will not accept. Or more precisely, they won’t accept those absolute truths because they don’t jive well with their inherent sense of fairness.

This brings us to the ultimate issue, some of God’s actions, absolute truths, do not compute with our consciouses. For instance, why judge those born in different cultures, with different religious upbringings the same? Their elders perhaps taught them, from birth, that worshiping the sun, is the right thing to do. How would we react, if taught the same way? Why give some riches and others poverty or illness? Ultimately, we trust God controls all and will reveal himself sufficiently for all to accept him, as Romans states. We understand that our lives last only a very short time and eternally no unfairness exists. We trust God despite the world around us; many don’t think God has earned that trust.

 

[Shubunkin]

Has anyone ever read "A History of Christianity" by Paul Johnson?

A History of Christianity​

 

[SunMessenger]

​

 

[CoolMom6]

Hello and God bless~~

 

[LivingLifeHisWay]

Has anyone ever read "A History of Christianity" by Paul Johnson?​

A History of Christianity​

No I haven't, but it sounds interesting...

 

[LivingLifeHisWay]

Before I post today's topic I need to ask if anyone can post a topic for me next Tuesday (the 20th) as I will be gone on vacation for a few days? Please pm me if you can. Thank you!

Here is today's topic:

March 13, 2007​

Who Says What’s Right?

READ: Romans 2:12-16​

Gentiles, who do not have the law, . . . show the work of the law written in their hearts. —Romans 2:14-15

​

People who reject absolute standards of right and wrong are often inconsistent. When they think they are being treated unfairly, they appeal to a standard of justice that they expect everyone to adhere to.
A philosophy professor began each new term by asking his class, “Do you believe it can be shown that there are absolute values like justice?” The free-thinking students all argued that everything is relative and no single law can be applied universally. Before the end of the semester, the professor devoted one class period to debate the issue. At the end, he concluded, “Regardless of what you think, I want you to know that absolute values can be demonstrated. And if you don’t accept what I say, I’ll flunk you!” One angry student got up and insisted, “That’s not fair!” “You’ve just proved my point,” replied the professor. “You’ve appealed to a higher standard of fairness.”
God has given everyone a conscience to tell right from wrong (Rom. 2:14-15), and His moral standards are written in the Bible. Every time we use the words good and bad, we imply a standard by which we make such judgments. Biblical values are true for any age, because they originate with an eternal, unchanging God. —Dennis J. De Haan
God has not left us in the dark
About what’s wrong or right,
For through His works and in His Word
His Spirit gives us light. —D. De Haan
Only God has the right to define what’s wrong.​

You know I've recently been giving this alot of thought. A Moral Absolute - God. What are your thoughts on this? Rather than place a list of specific questions for today's topics let me just ask you to discuss what would happen without a Moral Absolute. Or what do you see happening as a result of less influence in our culture on His part because so many are walking away from His ways? Or do you see differently?​

We live in a society with a "do what is right for you", "do what makes you happy", "do whatever you feel comfortable with" mentality. People are carefree and live as they want without morals or boundaries. Why? Because in our flesh we want it our way and submitting to a moral absolute means change. If we admitt that there is an absolute is to admitt that God is real and that means change. Not many people I know want to change. My brother-in-law stated once, "I bieleve in Jesus but I will never be born again - I'll never stop living the way I do - I will never change" Does he really believe in Jesus? Hmmmm What do I see happening....we as a people are going downhill fast because people in general are rejecting the fact that there is a moral absolute and we are being way too liberal in our ways.

I often think about how the children are being raised nowadays...the filth in music, tv, schools, magazines etc...they are being indoctrinated with sex, violence, crude language and it's all labled "normal". That's not normal to me. We are going backward in our thinking.

Ok...I think I should step off my soap box now. lol

 

[IBLuke226]

LivingLifeHisWay, I agree with all you have posted, and add to that as a thought, we are all condemed- see: Romans 3:23 'all have sinned and come short of the glory of God' as this is the fact that we Need our Redeamer and are called into repentance by the Spirit that seals us. For truely Only God has the right to Judge His creation, and He has given us His standards, and only Jesus lived up to them and will Judge those that are His.
Todays social tendances are reflections of Isaiah 5:20-23, and the cost will be great for those left for that day will be a great and terrible day of judgement.
I can only say that we are to be the virgins keeping their lamp wicks trimmed and oil reserviors filled awaiting the Groom. Though we live on the earth at this time we are only passing through and we are told to be salt and light, salt preserves and/or irritates, light allows for sight and growth of living things, and be watchful for His return

 

[woman.at.the.well]

We live in a society with a "do what is right for you", "do what makes you happy", "do whatever you feel comfortable with" mentality. People are carefree and live as they want without morals or boundaries. Why? Because in our flesh we want it our way and submitting to a moral absolute means change. If we admitt that there is an absolute is to admitt that God is real and that means change. Not many people I know want to change. My brother-in-law stated once, "I bieleve in Jesus but I will never be born again - I'll never stop living the way I do - I will never change" Does he really believe in Jesus? Hmmmm What do I see happening....we as a people are going downhill fast because people in general are rejecting the fact that there is a moral absolute and we are being way too liberal in our ways.

I often think about how the children are being raised nowadays...the filth in music, tv, schools, magazines etc...they are being indoctrinated with sex, violence, crude language and it's all labled "normal". That's not normal to me. We are going backward in our thinking.

Ok...I think I should step off my soap box now. lol

and !!! What a well written and thought out post. I can not think of one thing to add what you said LLHW!

I actually posted yesterday's "Our Daily Bread" in the Ethics and Morality forum here on CF. I haven't had a chance to go over there and see what was written yet; but I am headed that way soon. If you decide to go look at the responses let me warn you -- that thread is not for the weak at heart. And I don't mean that in a nasty way, I really don't. And it's not to say anyone who goe there will feel week. It will probably anger you (as it should) to see that the E & M thread has essentially been taken over by people whose value system is much different than that of ours (Christians) -- for the most part. And I can not believe some of the responses I see over there. From an observational standpoint (and not to sound all judgemental) I have a lot of trouble understanding how people with no moral absolute system in place can guage anything where right and wrong is concerned. Sure, most of us know right from wrong but what's the consequence for doing wrong if you don't believe in a moral absolute? Little too convenient for my taste. You can see where that would go -- all over the map (so-to-speak) -- which is I guess very suitable for some folks just not for me.

I hate to sound all dooms-dayish and all but I do believe we are living in the times Jesus spoke of in the bible where He said that in the last days -- people would be living in perilous times; having a form of godliness but denying His power (absolutes). It's a dichotomy to be sure. I guess that is a good sign in a way to us Christians. We know all to well what it means. Christ is knocking at the door. Maranatha Lord Jesus! Maranatha!

Ok . . . I'm off my soapbox now . . .

 

[cristianna]

I also have to agree... LLHW totally summed up my thoughts in a wordy manner much, much better than I could come up with!

 

[rosiecotton]

I haven't forgotten about today's topic. My son had a doctor's appointment this morning, and it took longer than I thought it would. I'm at work now, but will post soon. I just have to read through what I'm going to post and shorten it some.

 

[cristianna]

Sounds good!