question-Ist this for real?

[JesusServant]

Hey Ocean. I don't know if this will matter or not, but it's on my heart to ask you to do this and it won't take much of your time.

This part of the Bible got me on the right track and basically saved my life (actually Jesus did, but this portion of the Bible made a lot of things clear to me and helped start me into seeking more of God's word)...

John 3:1-21

(John 3:1) There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

(John 3:2) The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

(John 3:3) Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

(John 3:4) Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

(John 3:5) Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

(John 3:6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

(John 3:7) Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

(John 3:8) The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

(John 3:9) Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

(John 3:10) Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

(John 3:11) Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

(John 3:12) If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you [of] heavenly things?

(John 3:13) And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, [even] the Son of man which is in heaven.

(John 3:14) And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

(John 3:15) That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

(John 3:16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

(John 3:17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

(John 3:18) He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

(John 3:19) And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

(John 3:20) For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

(John 3:21) But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Pay very close attention to these verses and read them a few times. There is a humongous wealth of knowledge here.

God bless!

 

[psycmajor]

I have Christian friends, I also have some atheist and non-religious friends. The thing that bothers me about Christianity is that it's so conservative. Most Christians are very right-wing, and (no offense) prejudiced about certain races and groups of people. I really don't think it's for me, I'm a very liberal person.

How is Christianity racist?

I also don't like the close-mindedness of Christianty, as it claims that all other religions are wrong. I just don't believe that. If God really exists, then there has to be more than one way to him. I know that verse about Jesus being the only way, but a lot of other religions recognize Jesus. I just can't get into the idea that Christianity is the only way to God.

Consider this: can there be many truths? Can "yes" be also "no" at the same time?

I also can't get into young earth creationism or that 'great flood' theory, simply because it's not true. It has been falsified and I can't believe in it just because the bible says so. The bible is not a science book, it is a spiritual book.

Honestly, I know about YEC, but I'm not familiar with the science behind it. Do you believe that God made the heavens and the earth?

I will read that chapter tonight, thanks for all the help and suppport.

-ocean

 

[GodOwnsMe]

well. it's the sin-thing, it's between us & God, and Jesus had to carry it, to die for it in our stead.
I dunno, do you have problems w/ that thing ??

like in that verses JesusServant quoted, Jesus explained the you need to believe in me to be saved-thing with
what happened w/ the Israelits some time ago when they rebelled against God in some way, got bited by snakes and would be healed by looking at this uh, serpent-thing. Maybe that was even a sign to show how things'd work with Jesus........

oh there's something about Jesus in Jesaja 53 that explains stuff about that aswell

 

[Galadriel]

Hey Ocean!
You have been in my thoughts, you and Royboy, and will continue to be so. Anything you want to ask, just give a pm!

 

[God_follower]

While a lot of Christians do wierd and crazy things, believing in christ doesnt mean u are instantly bonded to never do anything bad ever again. I know a lot ppl who have accepted christ for fire-insurance and not followed it one bit, but in heaven God will ask them what did they do and they will say i didnt do much but do whatever i wanted and not what you wanted and they will be immeasurable sad for a long time until they finaly get ot heaven. I cannot tell you that all christians are non-prejudice or anything, but Christianity is about your relationship with God not anyone else's. I will help anyone if they need help. just cuz im that way

The simple fact is that we are probably the only exclusive religion and thats something that im frankly proud of because it gives a good system. I believe in it a lot and im not changing my ideas but those other religions are all about works. How can a God who is perfect and holy love me because ive done some good stuff? He chooses to love us and I thank Him for that C.S Lewis says "I am here trying to prevent anyone from saying the really foolish thing that people often say about him: 'i'm ready to accept Jesus as a great teacher, but I dont accept His claim to be God.' That is the one thing we must not say A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic on a level with a man who says he is a peached egg or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is the Son of God; or else a manman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon; or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to!".

Uh-oh creation/evolution on approach. im not gonna touch taht one except to say noone was there to see it cept God and, 500 years ago they knew the world was flat so they might be wrong. thats all im saying. The bible does a great job of cataloging isreals travels thought the wilderness and the nations they ran into have records that they did run into them. and i believe that the bible is a book with a bigger purpose then to teach us how His creation works, just that it does and hey... its still going. All scripture is useful for teaching rebuking, correcting and training in rightiousness that the man of god may be fully equiped for every good work. What good would a periodic table in the middle of it been to anyone? well anyways i hope this hasnt been to confrontational but more of an explanation of sorts. Good luck and God bless.
Psalm 8 is a good one about creation

 

[Globexgirl]

Hmmm, you are in an interesting point of life. My friend was once skeptic about those sorts of things, as well, but I have my thoughts as to Science VS Christianity thing.

Christianity is supposed to be based of Faith, you must have faith in the lord and what it says in the bible. And wouldn't you think that if God could do all the great things he has done, that he could add Science in the world to keep us occupied and FORCE us to go off of Faith.

I used to debate with myself over christianity, and I live in a non-religious home. Both of my brothers have some hatred for christians and such, and they are always arguing that Jesus isn't real and such like that. But then I started a Youth Group which I fell in love with, and I realized how completely awesome God is, and I came up with that idea. I dunno, it's just something I'll ask God when I get to heaven.

Let me make another suggestion. If it's at all feasable... I don't know where you live or if their is anything, but if there is a church near where you live that has a Youth Group, you should check it out. Now, watch out, many youth groups I have come into contact with, should not be considered youth group. You want to find one that has some sort of teaching, and a pastor that obviously knows what he's talking about, one that isn't biased. Now it's only a suggestion, but maybe you'll think about it. And don't be scared off if they do soemthing odd, or strange, and honestly if you aren't ready for anybody to know about you being a christian, then don't tell them. Wait until you are comfortable with your being one and then come out into the open. The youth grou, if you go to one, doesn't even have to know you are one. A YG should be comfortable with you whther or not you are one.

Please think about it, if you don't already have one of course, you may like it.

 

[wonder111]

hey Ocean,

you sound like I did a couple of years ago, I see what you are talking about clearly. I like to think about the parable of the Good Samaritan, even the priest passed the badly beaten man on the side of the road, it was the plain samaritan who took care of the man. I have met many "christians" who are not very Christ-like but like to believe and show to the world that they are. I believe it's proverbs 21, where it states all men are right in their own eyes, but the Lord weighs the hearts, and also those who know love, know God. God has written this on our hearts and in our conscience. If people are disrespecting others and judging people in their church by what clothes they wear or something of the like, there is One who knows the hearts of these people. This is why your relationship with God needs to be personal, Jesus said in the end times many will come to him saying they preached and cast out demons in his name,he said he will respond to them by saying "I don't even know you".

Also, I know many ministers who have preached about the beauty that is in other religions, and there is a good book called "eternity in their hearts" by Don Richardson, it shows some great examples of many far away tribes who knew of Jesus before they even heard of him, (meaning it was written on their hearts) and many were expecting to hear of him soon. I believe God has a way of speaking to everyone this way, and with God anything is possible!

Faith is the most important thing when you are questioning things like you are, I still question things at times but when my faith is strong, I am led back to what the message of Christ is everytime, and that is to Love God with all your strength, you don't necessarily have to understand everything; in fact the bible says not to lean on your own understanding, that is not the point, many murderers and "evildoers" could probably recite all the scriptures from memory, but are obviously not in Christ, it's love that matters!

 

[New Creation]

Hey there Ocean, glad you're here. I have to ask- do I know you from the MMBB? If so, I used to be Torch The Witch. former hard core lefty, pagan, stripper, occassional prostitute, pot-smoker, drinker, indiscriminate sleep-arounder,non-racist, non-sexist, card carrying NDP member, feminist, environmentalist, vegetarian, hater of all things Mike Harris, etc. etc. etc.
One of the things I worried about when I was thinking about accepting Jesus as my Saviour was would I become some intolerant hate-monger?
this was and still is an important issue for me.
Well Ocean honey, all I can say is that I still believe free will is the greatest gift God has given us besides His beloved Son. We have the free will to decide our lives and what we believe. I will never stand in front of an abortion clinic and stop a woman from making what I know from personal experience will be a destructive decision, but I will now tell the entire truth about my liberal life. I will not soften the TRUTH for ideology. There were many things that I excluded from people for the sake of arguments, things that I even had myself convinced of. things that were destroying my heart. I cannot begin to describe the pain I lived with because of the way I lived Ocean, and I thought it was so cool to be who I was- I thought I was so trendy- the height of it all- cutting edge sex-workers rights advocate- I had my name in the Toronto Star, I was on CBC, CITYTV blah blah blah, but it was so empty honey. It was all a big lie.
I practiced paganism for many years, I was looking for God. that's what I was doing. I had heard of Jesus, I'd heard the story, I thought it was crazy though, that Christians were all wackos and I got a major hate on for Christians and Jews until I started to come around a little. But I was more intolerant of them than the hardest core right wingers ever were of me becasue I realize now, that I didn't even give Jesus a chance! It's not about fundies or Pat Robertson or George Bush or racism or any of that. I CAN HONESTLY AND TRULY SAY OCEAN THAT MY LIFE IS INCOMPARABLE TO BEFORE -INCOMPARABLE! I actually have a RELATIONSHIP with almighty God and it JUST BLOWS MY MIND!!!!
We communicate OCean, we actually communicate- it's incredible. Ocean, I suggest that you ask Him to help you as was suggested to you earlier. It's the best advice I can think of. Talk to Him and tell HIm the way you feel. That's the great thing about God. You can tell HIm anything. Ask HIm to guide you, to help you open your heart. the amazing thing is- IT WILL HAPPEN.
Ocean, I have not become a racist or a sexist or anything rotten like that. I HAVE BECOME A KINDER MORE TOLERANT PERSON THAN I EVER COULD HAVE DREAMED. Jesus has done this for me Ocean. give Him a chance. Give yourself a chance. God bless you sweetheart. pm or email me anytime. YOu're in my prayers. No kidding. Good luck fellow Canuck.

 

[kimber1]

that was an incredible and beautiful testimony new creation! and i hope it's a real inspiration for ocean. i continue to pray!!

 

[ocean]

I have accepted Christ into my life. Last week I said that Christianity is no longer an option for me, well, it is not just an option, is is the ONLY option. I could not have done it without you on this board. Thank you so much!

I need a new username here. Any ideas?

 

[kimber1]

PRAISE GOD!!! ocean, i hope you feel the comfort God can give you!!! i am sooooo happy for you adn will continue to pray that your walk with God will strengthen everyday!!!

 

[Knight]

ocean,

Assuming your profession is genuine, congrats.

(Please don't read anything into that.)

As to your username I don't see why you would have to change it. In fact it could be a good testament to your changed life.

I would recommend changing your signature though.

 

[New Creation]

OCEAN!!!!!!!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!! OH PRAISE GOD!!! I AM SO HAPPY AND THRILLED FOR YOU!!!!!!!!

Your profession gave me goosebumps!!!!! You made my whole day!!!!!!
Thank you my new sister for making a decision that will change your life, literally forever!!! I am so excited for you!!!AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

I am not kidding Ocean, you really just made my whole day!!! the ANGELS are REJOICING!!! IT IS A GREAT DAY!!!!
I WILL CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR YOU MY NEW SISTER!!!

On another note, thanks Kimber1. I wasted a lot of time. I"m trying to make up for it.

 

[Galadriel]

Hey Ocean!! That is GREAT!

I agree, you could keep your name but change your signature. Need blessings to help with that? Here ya go!

 

[PuppyforChrist]

I agree with New Creation. Praise the Lord God Almighty!! That's so awesome Ocean! There will be a party in heaven tonight!

 

[ocean]

Uh. . . . .I'm a guy.

Thanks for all the help and support.

 

[GodOwnsMe]

wow !!!!!!! *throws some confetti*
thank God =) 8) rawk it on w/ God !!