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Should I be a Christian? Help me
- Thread starter the_lighted_path
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- Dec 10, 2003
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Somebody has protected you -- but maybe not who you think.the_lighted_path said:
-- Radagast
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Serapha said:Hi there!
I'm going to ask you a personal question.... when you pray to your goddess and the prayers are answered... do you pray in an audible voice or do you silently petition the goddess to answer your prayers through mental telepathy? Do you make actions of worship to the goddess as you pray or do you sit silently in a small corner somewhere speaking only to your goddess while no one is aware of your actions?
Honestly, I would like to hear your response.
~serapha~
when I pray, I talk to her in quiet, usually alone in my bedroom, where I pray silently with no disturbances. At the same time, I do visit temples to pay homages and make offerings.
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asjs1206 said:
Let me relate you her story. She (Miao Shan) was born a princess in ancient China, to a wicked king. She led a simple life, helping out in the kitchen, observe vegetarian diet and dressed simple; just like the servants.
When all the king's daughters are all of marrying age, she objected her father's wish to marry her away for she wants to be a nun. She left the palace, and hid in one of the monasteries (The White Sparrow Monastery), where she was ordained a Buddhist nun. When her father discovered her hiding place, he sent out soldiers to destroy the monastery. Mias Shan was caught and was ordered to be executed. When the sword touched her neck, it broke into thousand pieces. Seeing to this strange happening, the soldiers ran away. A tiger appeared and took her body to the caves. She died later (without any harm on her neck from the sword).
She descended into Hell, for disobeying her father. But when she put her foot onto Hell, fires are quenched and flowers started to bloom in profusion in her path. Her merits are transforming Hell into Paradise, to the King of Hell's dismay. He raised his hand to curse, and opened his mouth to bellow, but he has no power over the holy girl. She silently prayed and the souls in Hell received salvation and slipped into babies on the Earth's surface, ready to reborn. He has no choice but to send the princess back to life. Back at the mountains, she awakened and received immortality through Buddha Amitabha.
Suddenly, her father fell into deep sickness. The chief monk of the King's country said, to cure this illness, it requires the eyes and arms of the one who was never angry. He heard that there is a Bodhisattva at the holy Mountains and sent his soldiers to beg for help. When she was approached by the soldiers, she was sad, knowing her father's illness. Before she did anything, she first ask for the price of repent from her father. Then, she gladly cut out her eyes and severed an arm.
Soon, the King's illness is cured. And the next thing he did was to make a pilgrimage to the Bodhisattva. When the King reached Miao Shan, he and the queen cried to learn that the Bodhisattva was actually their own daughter. Miao Shan taught her father to repent and bid her farewell.
Then, the clouds parted and a stairway of light was formed for Miao Shan to walk her way into Heaven. Her soul raised from her mortal body, and ascended the stairway while the whole army fell on their knees. When they lost sight of Miao Shan, they took her earthly remains, cremated it and place it in a stupa, where it still stood now on "Pu-Tuo Mountain" in China.
When Miao Shan finally reached Heaven's gate (Buddha Pureland), She heard a cry from the world below. Gladly she turned away from Heaven's gate and returned to help suffering souls on Earth. She has delayed her whole Buddhahood in order to help suffering beings. She will only return to rule the Buddha Western Paradise when suffering is finally eliminated on earth. Right now, she will be dwelling among human beings, helping them.
From then, she is known by the name "Bodhisattva of Compassion, Goddess of Mercy, Hearer of the Cries of the World, and the Future Buddha of Western Paradise". Her image appears in most Chinese homes, as a serene, white robed lady holding an elixir bottle and a willow branch, known by the name Kuan Yin (Hearer of Cries).
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I have tried going to a Church service last Sunday, but the 7am service was off (I believe it has something to do with the pope). The joined service is at 9, which I don't think makes me comfortable. So, I did not go since I hate to pray when thhere are too many people.
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ragdolly said:
Whenever I find myself in anger, when I recite her holy name, the anger is reduced, and I am my happy self again. Talking of miracles, I can't really explain everything since there are too much, Miracles are not only through what you can see bare-eyed, it can be how she helped give me confidence before interviews, or comfort when distressed. It means more like, erm... a divine connection with God. You don't always see it, but you know that there is a miracle.
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the_lighted_path said:
Miracles aren't what make a god or savior. In the Bible, it is said that the antichrist will perform miracles, too, in order to deceive people. However, that hardly makes the antichrist a god.
Miracles are miracles, though. God (I mean the Christian god) isn't limited to bless or perform miracles for people who believe in Him. He is all powerful and can do miracles for anyone of any religion. Perhaps God performed a miracle for you, even though you thought it was your god, because He loves you.
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Lighted_Path,
What a beautiful story. It speaks to any of us of protection from injustice, and for sacrificing comforts for the common good.
We christians see, as you probably do, the need for all believers to live with a similar heart, to strive for justice and protect others from danger. We consider each other saints, as we see God's power working through them to support us.
We strive to honor each other (we slip up on this often) because of this; God puts his Holy Spirit within us to guide us daily, and our bodies are temples for His Spirit.
Even though you missed church, feel free to pray at home, as you are accustomed to praying to your goddess. God will hear you wherever you are.
May I ask, where do your heaven and hell come from? We believe our God to be the creator of all we see, who spoke everything into existence. Even though we see him as the biggest thing in existence, He counts the hairs on our heads and collects our tears in a bottle.
You might be interested in a thread started by humblemuslim on the holy spirit.
http://www.christianforums.com/t1478924-holy-spirit-interaction.html
What a beautiful story. It speaks to any of us of protection from injustice, and for sacrificing comforts for the common good.
We christians see, as you probably do, the need for all believers to live with a similar heart, to strive for justice and protect others from danger. We consider each other saints, as we see God's power working through them to support us.
We strive to honor each other (we slip up on this often) because of this; God puts his Holy Spirit within us to guide us daily, and our bodies are temples for His Spirit.
Even though you missed church, feel free to pray at home, as you are accustomed to praying to your goddess. God will hear you wherever you are.
May I ask, where do your heaven and hell come from? We believe our God to be the creator of all we see, who spoke everything into existence. Even though we see him as the biggest thing in existence, He counts the hairs on our heads and collects our tears in a bottle.
You might be interested in a thread started by humblemuslim on the holy spirit.
http://www.christianforums.com/t1478924-holy-spirit-interaction.html
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A
ALIgator
Guest
I'm really glad that you're considering Christianity, and although I could never understand exactly what you're going through, I know it must be very hard. I don't know your parents,but I'm sure they want what's best for you, and if it turns out that that's Christianity, will they understand? I want you to know that I will be praying for you and I really hope you will come to Jesus. He loves you so much!!!! He created you special and He has stayed with you every moment of your life. Although He died for everyone in the world, if you were the only one who needed to be saved, He still would've done it, that's how much He loves you!!! And you were right, Christianity is a wonderful relgion!!
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SarahBeara
Active Member
the_lighted_path said:
Who's to say that your Goddess isn't the same as the Christian God? You view God as female, some people view God as male, and some view God as not having a gender. I personally don't see anything wrong with you believeing that it was the Taoist Goddess that sent Jesus Christ to this earth because truthfully I see my God as the same being as your Goddess. If Christianity feels right, go for it. But just remember that you will run into opposition. Don't let that get in your way. Just remember that God/the goddess loves you and that's all that matters. If you have been lead to Christ, embrace him in your heart. Have you ever been to beliefnet.com? That's a very good site to go to if you want to find out what religion your beliefs are most in line with. That's how I discovered the Quaker religion. Good luck and God/Goddess bless
.
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Hi William
I am conviced that it is a big loss of getting to hear about Jesus' message and not act. I know it is hard, but we know from Jesus that without difficulties, there isn't any rise.
As Jesus himself said, the true path to God, to salvation and to the Truth is through him. I think that all of us should be proud and happy from the fact that the Son of God lived once where we are living and died for us: the least that we can do is follow him.
I know that you are on the right track. What you may do now is start reading the Bible to get to know Jesus more and more, his wonderful examples, his message and his glory. Start talking with him: he will tell you what to do. Start visiting the Church and take part in this fabulous community: you will feel the inner joy.
As for your family, they will be happy if they feel that you're really happy. Maybe they will start also taking the direction of the Truth and Light which you started exploring.
I just want to add the following: let us always know what u think or if you need anything. God bless you.
I am conviced that it is a big loss of getting to hear about Jesus' message and not act. I know it is hard, but we know from Jesus that without difficulties, there isn't any rise.
As Jesus himself said, the true path to God, to salvation and to the Truth is through him. I think that all of us should be proud and happy from the fact that the Son of God lived once where we are living and died for us: the least that we can do is follow him.
I know that you are on the right track. What you may do now is start reading the Bible to get to know Jesus more and more, his wonderful examples, his message and his glory. Start talking with him: he will tell you what to do. Start visiting the Church and take part in this fabulous community: you will feel the inner joy.
As for your family, they will be happy if they feel that you're really happy. Maybe they will start also taking the direction of the Truth and Light which you started exploring.
I just want to add the following: let us always know what u think or if you need anything. God bless you.
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heron said:
In Buddhism and Taoism, Hell and Heaven is not created, but has existed from the beginningless of time and will last till eternity.
If Jesus is the only way to Salvation, what about those who has never heard about Him? What about those born before he was born on Earth??
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seekingpurity047
Why am I not surprised
Hey buddy.
Don't get me wrong, but God is definitely calling you to His good purpose. He wants you to be a child of God. He wants you to be born again. There's one thing to clear up, however. You mentioned how the goddess that you worship came back to earth as spirit and so on. Well... the thing is that Jesus Christ not only died for YOUR sins on the cross at calvary, but He also rose again on the third day! What a tremendous thing? Nobody on the face of the earth would have thought of that one. Jesus came back, not only in Spirit, but in the body as well. He took the body away. Ever wonder why they can't find it at all? No traces of it anywhere.
Concerning people who have never heard the gospel. Those people have the right to go to heaven, becuase nobody dared to share the gospel with them. Thing is that... in the world of today, such things rarely happen. The gospel is shared over the internet, over the phone, and we send missionaries all over the world. The gospel is being spread, and people are getting saved all because of the great love of Jesus Christ.
And for the people who came before Jesus, who were seen as righteous before God, had other customs. They had to follow the Law of Moses to follow. Those people who really tried to follow it, they surely sinned, and they were not saved. HOWEVER, those people will rise again! At the return of Christ, they will come back, and will be able to go to heaven after all! There were some who rose immediately, like Elijah.
Another thign we have to recognize is that wath sarahbeara said is false. There is only One living God, and that's Jesus Christ. God is not your goddess, and will never be your goddess. God is the great "I AM" or in the great hebrew: Yahweh. God is God, nothing else. God is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. Only through Jesus Christ may you receive salvation.
My suggestion to you today: Listen to waht Jesus has to say to you in your heart. Realise that this whole time, it was Jesus who has you sheltered. Accept Jesus Christ's call for you. He wants you to be in His family. He wants you to be real royalty. He is calling you to His good purpose.
Here's a prayer for you.
Father, be with the_lighted_path on this wonderful day. May he realise the power of Your awesome love. God, you are an infinitely good God, but it is not by works that we are saved. It is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Father, reveal yourself to this young man today. Lord, that he may accept Your will, and that he may receive salvation. Father, we know that You work in wonderful ways. Draw him close to You. Have him surrender his all to You. May Your name be exalted, oh God. Our praises shout out to You. May this man know that there is no God but You. May he realise that we may have all of these religious beliefs, yet in all of this time, all we want is You. Father, may this guy go directly to You. Don't make him seek through relgious beliefs, but that he will realise that having a relationship with You is better than anythign in the whole wide world. May You be his shelter forever. In Jesus' precious most awesome name, Amen!
Buddy, if you are ready to accept Christ into your life, here's waht you do. You pray to Him this prayer.
"Lord, I may not know You as well as You may want me to, but I'm ready to fulfill Your goal for my life. Father, give me salvation. I recognize on this day that I am a sinner, and that You sent Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, here on earth to die for my sins. I also recognize that He rose again on the third day to finish the job. Lord, send Your Holy Spirit down to me today. I'm ready to live for You. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
That's all you have to do. I am praying for you partner, may by the grace of God you accept Christ today. For today is the day of salvation. Not tomorrow, or the next day, or next week, or next year. There is no better time then right now.
Blessings be to you on your splendid life journey. May the love of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you forever and ever.
- Randy
Don't get me wrong, but God is definitely calling you to His good purpose. He wants you to be a child of God. He wants you to be born again. There's one thing to clear up, however. You mentioned how the goddess that you worship came back to earth as spirit and so on. Well... the thing is that Jesus Christ not only died for YOUR sins on the cross at calvary, but He also rose again on the third day! What a tremendous thing? Nobody on the face of the earth would have thought of that one. Jesus came back, not only in Spirit, but in the body as well. He took the body away. Ever wonder why they can't find it at all? No traces of it anywhere.
Concerning people who have never heard the gospel. Those people have the right to go to heaven, becuase nobody dared to share the gospel with them. Thing is that... in the world of today, such things rarely happen. The gospel is shared over the internet, over the phone, and we send missionaries all over the world. The gospel is being spread, and people are getting saved all because of the great love of Jesus Christ.
And for the people who came before Jesus, who were seen as righteous before God, had other customs. They had to follow the Law of Moses to follow. Those people who really tried to follow it, they surely sinned, and they were not saved. HOWEVER, those people will rise again! At the return of Christ, they will come back, and will be able to go to heaven after all! There were some who rose immediately, like Elijah.
Another thign we have to recognize is that wath sarahbeara said is false. There is only One living God, and that's Jesus Christ. God is not your goddess, and will never be your goddess. God is the great "I AM" or in the great hebrew: Yahweh. God is God, nothing else. God is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. Only through Jesus Christ may you receive salvation.
My suggestion to you today: Listen to waht Jesus has to say to you in your heart. Realise that this whole time, it was Jesus who has you sheltered. Accept Jesus Christ's call for you. He wants you to be in His family. He wants you to be real royalty. He is calling you to His good purpose.
Here's a prayer for you.
Father, be with the_lighted_path on this wonderful day. May he realise the power of Your awesome love. God, you are an infinitely good God, but it is not by works that we are saved. It is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Father, reveal yourself to this young man today. Lord, that he may accept Your will, and that he may receive salvation. Father, we know that You work in wonderful ways. Draw him close to You. Have him surrender his all to You. May Your name be exalted, oh God. Our praises shout out to You. May this man know that there is no God but You. May he realise that we may have all of these religious beliefs, yet in all of this time, all we want is You. Father, may this guy go directly to You. Don't make him seek through relgious beliefs, but that he will realise that having a relationship with You is better than anythign in the whole wide world. May You be his shelter forever. In Jesus' precious most awesome name, Amen!
Buddy, if you are ready to accept Christ into your life, here's waht you do. You pray to Him this prayer.
"Lord, I may not know You as well as You may want me to, but I'm ready to fulfill Your goal for my life. Father, give me salvation. I recognize on this day that I am a sinner, and that You sent Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, here on earth to die for my sins. I also recognize that He rose again on the third day to finish the job. Lord, send Your Holy Spirit down to me today. I'm ready to live for You. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
That's all you have to do. I am praying for you partner, may by the grace of God you accept Christ today. For today is the day of salvation. Not tomorrow, or the next day, or next week, or next year. There is no better time then right now.
Blessings be to you on your splendid life journey. May the love of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you forever and ever.
- Randy
the_lighted_path said:
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Dear Randy,
Thank you for the kind prayer.
My feelings for Christianity is getting stonger, however, I cannot really accept it yet, I am not ready, that is why I am in this forum. If God is there, he will listen to my prayer and will take me to the Truth. May Truth prevail, and whichever path is the Truth, may I be led there.
Thank you for the kind prayer.
My feelings for Christianity is getting stonger, however, I cannot really accept it yet, I am not ready, that is why I am in this forum. If God is there, he will listen to my prayer and will take me to the Truth. May Truth prevail, and whichever path is the Truth, may I be led there.
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H
Hark3N
Guest
My advice would be, go for it. If someone rejects you becuase of your decision, tell them you love them.
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the_lighted_path, I just wanted you to know that I'm praying for you also. It must be very confusing to feel this yearning but still feel the comfort of what is familiar.
I strongly suggest that you find a Bible and start reading through it so that you learn more about Jesus and who He is.
God Bless.
I strongly suggest that you find a Bible and start reading through it so that you learn more about Jesus and who He is.
God Bless.
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