Thoughts

[FanthatSpark]

MATTHEW 11:6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

If I am Christian where did I learn disdain of others.... Stature, Power, Hypocrisy, Sickness, Wellbeing (or lack there of in "He stinks. Got bad breath, always dirty, ect"... ). Does disdain come from ambition of the successful of the "Haves" and visa-versa the "Have not's" disdain under oppression of opportunity and where is the root of this very real problem in our Christendom? In America, is not learning "Standards " a sin? Yet our Moms & Dads set the standard in our attitudes.

Promoting the rich are lawless and the poor are tolerated will be our downfall and we will continue in this genre until our destruction. So sad that. Where did we get away from Christ in our way? Our very existence in what we people hold dear (money) prevents fulfillment of scripture in us in Rom 12:2 and above scipture. Thus all evil in holding disdain is manifest in the "Haves & Not's"and money is our masks to hide behind in attitude. Is money our true God now? We are so entrenched in Money now that the second coming of Jesus is the only wake up for us.

Can we as a people rise to the occasion of "In God We Trust" again? Look at Japan for instance. All children receive the best education possible. Look at England & Canada. Health care through taxation. How do we put a price on life?<--Such arrogance, that. Socialism and capitalism is the American way and we will burn in it because to survive we must put Money first. Thus, most scripture can not be fulfilled for the masses out there toiling for the "Almighty Dollar". <--- So sad that I oppress the masses in my support and I too will burn as the supporter.

Be advised that this is not a single thought throughout the thread. Thus, subjects may change through out this thread. It is suggested that after reading OP and if that subject does not interest , go to last page to see where the thread and subject is at . Thoughts are fickle in nature and can change subjects quickly.

 

[JGiddings]

Unfortunately for Christians, society grabs them in and tries to never let go. I am included in this as well. Heck churches embrace the almighty dollar. I know many that instead of giving to the poor, they build gyms and basketball courts for themselves that cost hundreds of thousands. They say that they help the poor, but they don't realize they are the rich.
It is our faith in Christ that gets us by, but do we tolerate due to being afraid to put our foot down? I believe most of us tolerate due to fear of losing one's job, becoming poor, therefore being thought of as less than the well off.
Yep the good ole' "Almighty Dollar".

 

[FanthatSpark]

Unfortunately for Christians, society grabs them in and tries to never let go. I am included in this as well. Heck churches embrace the almighty dollar. I know many that instead of giving to the poor, they build gyms and basketball courts for themselves that cost hundreds of thousands. They say that they help the poor, but they don't realize they are the rich.
It is our faith in Christ that gets us by, but do we tolerate due to being afraid to put our foot down? I believe most of us tolerate due to fear of losing one's job, becoming poor, therefore being thought of as less than the well off.
Yep the good ole' "Almighty Dollar".

I think we got lost and I agree JG that we fear man & dollar now more than God so we do not put our foot down (Me included family, so don't get on that holier than thou attitude lol ). Some one replied to this thread about resources to make changes in policy. HHHmmm I think I posted this in the political forum just to stir the pot a little . But in all seriousness in the decades to come we have set ourselves up for failure in loss of Morals. If we leave our children under educated "Public Schools" loss of "God Trust" no more prayer and bible due to rights of individuals = Man & Dollar over God.

I saw a commercial the other day while watching the Daytona 500 where Wal-Mart is bringing back industry in America. Wal-Mart is CHINA owned people !!!! Look around now, all the older people... I bet you remember somebody somewhere talking about we sold our country, morals and just plain ole good wholesomeness to the $$$$

I further watched someone state on T.V. For $200,000,000 he would beat his mother down. And for a "moment" I too considered it. MEAN GREEN.

 

[HereIstand.Todd]

MATTHEW 11:6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

If I am Christian where did I learn disdain of others.... Stature, Power, Hypocrisy, Sickness, Wellbeing (or lack there of in "He stinks. Got bad breath, always dirty, ect"... ). Does disdain come from ambition of the successful of the "Haves" and visa-versa the "Have not's" disdain under oppression of opportunity and where is the root of this very real problem in our Christendom? In America, is not learning "Standards " a sin? Yet our Moms & Dads set the standard in our attitudes.

Promoting the rich are lawless and the poor are tolerated will be our downfall and we will continue in this genre until our destruction. So sad that. Where did we get away from Christ in our way? Our very existence in what we people hold dear (money) prevents fulfillment of scripture in us in Rom 12:2 and above scipture. Thus all evil in holding disdain is manifest in the "Haves & Not's"and money is our masks to hide behind in attitude. Is money our true God now? We are so entrenched in Money now that the second coming of Jesus is the only wake up for us.

Can we as a people rise to the occasion of "In God We Trust" again? Look at Japan for instance. All children receive the best education possible. Look at England & Canada. Heath care through taxation. How do we put a price on life?<--Such arrogance, that. Socialism and capitalism is the American way and we will burn in it because to survive we must put Money first. Thus, most scripture can not be fulfilled for the masses out there toiling for the "Almighty Dollar". <--- So sad that I oppress the masses in my support and I too will burn as the supporter.

Our society has become a money hungry greedy place. The attitude of making more to get bigger houses and new cars is so rampant in the good old USA. People will do whatever it takes to do it, lie, cheat, steal, and the list goes on. I want what I want and I want it now. That's why we had the housing bust. People kept buying more than they could afford but they wanted to appear like they were well off by buying larger homes and new cars until finally the balloon busted. Sin is rampant in our country. It is paraded on TV like it is ok to sin, ok to have sex all the time with different people, ok to be gay, ok to walk around on the beach almost naked, ok to cheat on your spouse and the list goes on. Where is the church? The church for a large part has become like our society. The church should be a light in a dark land shining the way. But for the most part all you hear are feel good sermons that tickle itchy ears. No real preaching on sin, no real preaching from the bible on how sin destroys our lives. There are still a handful of God fearing preachers and churches out there but they are getting harder to find. Some preachers might worry about losing their job if they preach it like it is. But I have news, being a preacher, pastor, priest is a calling. Not a job. If its just a job to you maybe its time to go get a job in public and stop taking money from the church if you do not have the guts to preach the Word of God without candy coating it.

I am just calling it like I see it. Good day!

 

[JGiddings]

Tidbit: Actually Walmart is owned by a family in Bentonville, Arkansas not China. Figuratively they sell so much "made in China" items that is does seem like they are owned by the Chinese.

 

[FanthatSpark]

Tidbit: Actually Walmart is owned by a family in Bentonville, Arkansas not China. Figuratively they sell so much "made in China" items that is does seem like they are owned by the Chinese.

If china stocks my shelves who owns me? If my name is Jim Walton and I hold no sway in policy because I now answer to the Public Exchange & China who owns me? China stocks walmart on a global scale now . I do apologize for the lack of information given in my passion of above statement but china owns walmart T- totally in if they pull out "walmart America" folds. International interests China still supplies while putting Walmart America out of business. It is understood that we would then cut china off in food and hostilities would rise and war would maybe ensue in hypotheticals.

The following site gives particulars on just how extensive international interests are . Walmart - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[pescador]

Our society has become a money hungry greedy place. The attitude of making more to get bigger houses and new cars is so rampant in the good old USA. People will do whatever it takes to do it, lie, cheat, steal, and the list goes on. I want what I want and I want it now. That's why we had the housing bust. People kept buying more than they could afford but they wanted to appear like they were well off by buying larger homes and new cars until finally the balloon busted. Sin is rampant in our country. It is paraded on TV like it is ok to sin, ok to have sex all the time with different people, ok to be gay, ok to walk around on the beach almost naked, ok to cheat on your spouse and the list goes on. Where is the church? The church for a large part has become like our society. The church should be a light in a dark land shining the way. But for the most part all you hear are feel good sermons that tickle itchy ears. No real preaching on sin, no real preaching from the bible on how sin destroys our lives. There are still a handful of God fearing preachers and churches out there but they are getting harder to find. Some preachers might worry about losing their job if they preach it like it is. But I have news, being a preacher, pastor, priest is a calling. Not a job. If its just a job to you maybe its time to go get a job in public and stop taking money from the church if you do not have the guts to preach the Word of God without candy coating it.

I am just calling it like I see it. Good day!

But I don't think that you see it too well. Most people that I know live like they have always lived: they work hard, bring up their kids as well as they can, have close families, and in general are decent, kind people. There is no question that some are greedy but that is nothing new. Compared to a hundred years ago when the rich were truly predators and there was no protection for the poor, sick, and elderly, we are far better off.

In the recent housing crisis people bought homes because they were convinced that they could afford them, either by convincing themselves or being convinced by over-eager lenders. Their mortgages were over-valued and some, having lost their jobs, couldn't make the payments. Yet many, many people still have their homes and pay their mortgages. (I'm one of them.)

You have a very dark view of society which IMHO is nowhere near accurate. Do you really believe that "People will do whatever it takes to do it, lie, cheat, steal, and the list goes on. I want what I want and I want it now"? I don't see people that way at all. Many people "fudge" a little bit but many are honest. Do you drive the speed limit all the time, or do you "fudge" and go a little bit too fast, hoping that you won't get caught? If the latter then you are a lawbreaker and live in sin (according to your standards).

Why are your media examples all about sex? The amount of violence portrayed is far more than the amount of sex portrayed yet you are silent about that. Most programs are the way they are because the producers believe that by watching them the viewers will want to buy something. They get people into an excited state then show how easy it is for them to buy things. I have a suggestion for you: if you don't like what's on TV turn it off.

The church is there as it always has been for the last 2,000 years to give people hope while living in the world and for eternity through salvation in Jesus Christ. I'm quite certain that more people will listen to a church which gives them hope and promotes love and tolerance than will listen to your gloom-and-doom ranting. Condemning everybody and everything is a hallmark of self-righteousness. Jesus said "&#8220;Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.&#8221; Why not be an imitator of Christ instead of a ranting Pharisee? "The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." Go spend some time in the wilderness, gain some wisdom and humility, and come out a better man.

 

[FanthatSpark]

But I don't think that you see it too well. Most people that I know live like they have always lived: they work hard, bring up their kids as well as they can, have close families, and in general are decent, kind people. There is no question that some are greedy but that is nothing new. Compared to a hundred years ago when the rich were truly predators and there was no protection for the poor, sick, and elderly, we are far better off.

In the recent housing crisis people bought homes because they were convinced that they could afford them, either by convincing themselves or being convinced by over-eager lenders. Their mortgages were over-valued and some, having lost their jobs, couldn't make the payments. Yet many, many people still have their homes and pay their mortgages. (I'm one of them.)

You have a very dark view of society which IMHO is nowhere near accurate. Do you really believe that "People will do whatever it takes to do it, lie, cheat, steal, and the list goes on. I want what I want and I want it now"? I don't see people that way at all. Many people "fudge" a little bit but many are honest. Do you drive the speed limit all the time, or do you "fudge" and go a little bit too fast, hoping that you won't get caught? If the latter then you are a lawbreaker and live in sin (according to your standards).

Why are your media examples all about sex? The amount of violence portrayed is far more than the amount of sex portrayed yet you are silent about that. Most programs are the way they are because the producers believe that by watching them the viewers will want to buy something. They get people into an excited state then show how easy it is for them to buy things. I have a suggestion for you: if you don't like what's on TV turn it off.

The church is there as it always has been for the last 2,000 years to give people hope while living in the world and for eternity through salvation in Jesus Christ. I'm quite certain that more people will listen to a church which gives them hope and promotes love and tolerance than will listen to your gloom-and-doom ranting. Condemning everybody and everything is a hallmark of self-righteousness. Jesus said "&#8220;Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.&#8221; Why not be an imitator of Christ instead of a ranting Pharisee? "The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." Go spend some time in the wilderness, gain some wisdom and humility, and come out a better man.

Before we get lost in the picking out sections of thread lets bring back to the table the Christian belief system of Church and State. You are correct in that we are inherently "of goodness". Lets look at standards according to resources too. If I am brought up in "take to survive" attitude then that is a "havenot" view of the world around me. If I am brought up with resources provided food/clothing/shelter/love then I am in the "haves" and can be taught ethics and morality because I have no need to worry about survival. The feel of your post is understood in your frustration of "the glass is half full people" as we are being told "the glass is half empty"
and we tend to get emotional about it while the points buried in trivialities
of the single life experiences of the individual.

Are we not the sum of lifes experiences? With that said, the OP concerns thoughts on "we" and not I or you. Yes we struggle to put food on the table for our children and in that alone we are invested in money. "How do we get it" attitude. Or "how do we get more of it" attitude. If we look at it in depth, for some, it can drive them to madness in how much they are "personally invested" in money but proclaim God as there God first and will invest even more of their selves to attach emotion to a, thing/money to defend it. This is not to justify the poor or rich in whose view is correct. The OP looks upon Church/Bible/God and State/law/world/politics/money and how the Church is loosing to State through socialism/capitalism/money and our personal investments in it that we are now lost in the "psyche" of the "Almighty Dollar". I am in it too pescador because my survival in this World depends upon it. Lets just say that it is a brilliant "Carnal" plan by the deceiver to have us loose the Spirit in the complexities of the dollar/politics/law to invest ones self totally that we are blind to it. Being blind means severe foundation shaking to wake up the dead in spirit. Me too . Do understand Todd & pescador that your feelings are not overlooked and as you can see by post not ignored as in you both show frustration of Carnal things because we are all invested in it . Just 5 cents worth brothers . The problems run too deep to be fixed by three of us on a forum, yet the problems can be brought to the light if we would but Hear. Me too...FTS

 

[Bramwell]

Unfortunately for Christians, society grabs them in and tries to never let go. I am included in this as well. Heck churches embrace the almighty dollar. I know many that instead of giving to the poor, they build gyms and basketball courts for themselves that cost hundreds of thousands. They say that they help the poor, but they don't realize they are the rich.
It is our faith in Christ that gets us by, but do we tolerate due to being afraid to put our foot down? I believe most of us tolerate due to fear of losing one's job, becoming poor, therefore being thought of as less than the well off.
Yep the good ole' "Almighty Dollar".

Good insight, JGiddings. I agree that most churches spend more money on buildings (basketball courts, auditoriums, improved "sanctuaries" etc.), than they do on the poor. That is a real shame.

Jesus said things like "sell what you have and give alms" (Luke 12:33), and "sell all that you have and distribute to the poor" (Luke 18:22). But the church says to give your money to them, so they can use the money for better buildings. What a deviation from the life and teachings of Jesus!

I also agree that many of us tolerate far too many things due to the fears JGiddings mentioned. We don't want to lose our job, the respect from those we know, etc. But all of these things hold us back as Christians, and keep us from bearing fruit. We become like the stone which fell on stony places. (Matthew 13:5-6)

 

[Alithis]

an error one can take up is the mistake that you can save a nation or that a nation even wants to be saved .
we will not correct the ills of society ,we will not heal it or change it .
we are not even called to . there is no commission to elevate our society and make it right .
every attempt to do so has had ongoing adverse implication .

we are called to preach the good news of Jesus
we are called to make disciples
to help the widow and the fatherless and aid the poor in their trials .
..
some people say "my nation is corrupt ",, then they steal a pen .. they do not see that corruption is a mater of the individual heart .if all the hearts of all the people seek only gain(money) for the good of self .then you will only be left with a selfish corrupt people -
and that is the world .
the lord is going to destroy the world -he has plainly said so .. if we believe in the lord JESUS we can be saved from the wrath to come , but the wrath to come, will still come !.
the lord Jesus is not going to spare the USA hes not even coming back to there .he is returning to the mount of olives .
we must look to save each and every individual and their salvation lays in JESUS ..
if we do not tell them ...what good are we to them ?
..
i sounded a bit anti american there lol. just to clarify i think that it is a land of severe contrast ..the wicked there are buried in self deception and vile wickedness ..but the true believers there are slowly becoming more sanctified as that wickedness around them grows .
for too long the lines have been blurred in shades of grey .
but this is swiftly going to change .

--------------------
i was just having thoughts too lol

 

[FanthatSpark]

Nice post Michael and some things to think upon for me. Kinda like the serenity prayer...

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

The courage to change the things I can,

And wisdom to know the difference.

 

[HereIstand.Todd]

I am sorry my earlier post came off harsh and almost seemed anti-american. I did not intend for it to sound that way. I love my country and served several years in the US Army and later the National Guard. I am just bothered by those who do anything they can to get to the top of the ladder (at work) and they step on others to do it. I also know folks from working at my last job (our customers) that had bought these expensive homes on the lake but they could barely make their utility payments. In other words they over extended themselves and then when they did either lose their job or had their hours reduced at work could not afford to keep the home anymore. So people just wanted more than they could really afford.

Someone above of spoke of churches that spend lots of money on buildings, family life centers, and etc. without giving much if any to help the poor. I agree that many churches do this but in their eyes that think they are doing what is best for the congregation. As long as they do support the poor through homeless shelters, food kitchens and etc. then I think it is ok because they are more balanced. There are alot of people that are hard working citizens that struggle to support their families, those really need help from the church. Also the ones that are disabled and can't work need help to.

We as the church should help the poor and disabled, we should spread the gospel, and we should support our own members that need it. Perhaps this should all be down before building huge buildings and if we do spend money on ourselves in this way we should never cut the budgets that help the needy.

 

[Norah63]

Yes your OP touched on some very insightful points.
Distain promotes oppresion, and it aims to do just that.
The dirty or vulgar ways of expression in some posts is out of place for christians. imho.
And I saw the one about "bad breath" in another part of the forums.
Maybe they think the shock value will make their post more believable.
It works just the oppisite for me.

 

[FanthatSpark]

How do we enfold "the american dream" into Ethics of others?

 

[FanthatSpark]

Must be tough content here-in to make people evade.

 

[Norah63]

Preach the good news, there is no other plan.
Some will recieve, many will not.
Jesus says, the poor will be among you always. Does this reveal anything to anyone?
Poor is a person not related to Christ, not one with out a house and car.
The school system got theway it is when government took it over during the Carter years.
Government grows till it topples over, like the tower ofbabble.
Christians limit there effectiveness as they walk in disagreement with their Head.
Jesus Christ is the head of the church, all is well. .......

 

[Knockout]

The church has to move to a commodity based system in order to solve the problems of the world - a new kind of central bank that does not use money

 

[Alithis]

The church has to move to a commodity based system in order to solve the problems of the world - a new kind of central bank that does not use money

?what for

 

[Knockout]

To supply the needs of the 1 billion starving, and the other 5 billion that are without what we would consider basic goods of necessity.

 

[Alithis]

oh ..