WARNING!!! long post but yea, I need help

[Shuuyaru]

I guess Ill post here.

Ive been trying to get someone to help me understand the christian faith for a long time. I found someone here but unfortunatly he left the forums and the other people I asked help to told me simply they didnt have time to do so, so this is my last attempt. I dont have access to a pastor, a church or anything, so i do things online. I married a little over 2 years ago. My husband is chirstian baptist. He's accepted the fact that I dont believe and things are fine as long as we dont talk about religion but I know hed like me to believe and I thought it was silly until one day we had a conversation (which ended up with him crying and me being dumbstruck) at one point I asked him why it was so important to him that I believed in God. He said "I love you and I want to spend my life with you, and I want to love you even after death. I want you to be with me in heaven." That was an eye opener. I love my husband beyond words and I would do anything to prevent him getting hurt or him being sad. So I thought Id at least look into it and see if I can understand. He's been extremely supportive of my actions.

I dont ask him to coach me because I like to argue and debate. Its not lack of respect, its my way of understanding things, and I dont want to enter his religion half hearted.

I need someone to coach me, I need someone I can argue with. Im warning you tho, I have a strange view on life. It comes from the kind of life Ive had so far.


quick intro:
I was baptised a catholic when I was a baby, follow around 7ish by the first communion, and then at 12 by the confirmation. My family never went to church, we didnt speak about religion at home. It was a touchy subject since my mother's father had been abused as an altar boy by the priest. Up until grade 7, I took the mandatory bible study class. It gave me some knowledge of what the bible is about and who God and Jesus are and for awhile I was really interested, the summer between 6th and 7th grade I took my mother's old bible and red it. or atleast red as much of it as I could stomach.

In 7th grade I was transfered to a music school. It was a multi-ethnic/cultural/religious school, so before we took religious studies, we had to do a placement test. Well...after that test I was by the head of the religious departement that my views of God and Jesus were too twisted and that it would disturb the class, therefore I was put in the philosophy class (arg so boring) that was thought by a man who had once aspired to be a priest, but got kicked out of the seminar for misconduct (he told us what he had done and I was surprised he could land a teacher position). We also had religion in music class where we learned about the history of the church in music. It unfortunatly showed us a not-so-holy side of the church.


Being such an open school and me being so naive then, I made friends... the wrong ones, but they were so nice to me and everyone is nice right?
It started with some silly things... smoking a cigarette during break, a little pot, some alcohol... nothing to bad. Then I fell in love. He was so beautiful. IVe never to this day seen anyone as beautiful as he was, and he thought I was pretty and wanted to date me. I was so happy! He was only two years older then me, more serious then anyone I hanged out with then. More dangerous too, but I found that later. After a good 6months with him, he had never done anything bad to me or infront of me. He spent as much time as he could with me, I thought this is it, its love. So he wasnt the knight in a shiny armor sitting on a white horse... he was the knight in a shiny armor sitting on a black horse. Whenever someone would pick on me hed be there defending me (now I look back its more a "threatning the bully").

Just before my bday we were walking home from the arcade and there was a shortcut. It cut throught old abandoned factory's courtyard. Well, we were ambushed there by one of my boyfriends rival. Yup he was leader of a pretty tough gang but since he started dating me he wasnt so much with the gang he was trying to steer away from it and get back into more "normal" things. Apparently the other gang didnt like that and had some grudge against him. They wanted him to fight with them. Well, he had promised me he wouldnt fight when with me and he kept his promise, he didnt fight with them. Now I wish he had but he kept his promise to the end. That day is printed in my memory and will never leave.
The leader said "Well if you dont want to fight maybe we should find something that will make you want to fight" He pulled out a gun and pointed it toward me and ordered him to fight. I was scared, I couldnt move. my boyfriend yanked me to the ground and covered me with his body. He got beat and kicked some more and when he wouldnt move away from me or fight back, the leader shot him in the head, kicked him off me and shot me in the abdomen. He then spat on me and said he wanted me to feel my life slip away. They left us there. I called to Tav and he didnt answer, I turned on my side, it was so painful but i wanted to make sure he was ok, and i saw his head was it ws not complete.

After Iretured to school I asked to head of religious study why would God let this happend. I was told "God's way isnt ours to question and to have faith, that I'd understand one day". well, that was not what i wanted to hear lol. I joined Tav's gang and the rest of high school is a blurred cocktail of drugs and many other things.
I can only guess some of the things I did but I prefer to think it was pretty horrible. I overdosed on drugs twice before I woke up and left it all behind. I was lucky that the then leader was close to Tav and me, he let me walk away. He could have killed me on the spot.

I cleaned up my act and never touched drugs since even tho its still tempting whenever Im faced with hardship even after 10 years.

About 4 years ago, someone from my past found me. I had apparently done something to him since he was obsessed with me. It was actually pure luck, I was working at a 24h donut shop, I was on the night shift. He walks in to get a coffee looks up and he recognised me.few weeks later he followed me home, walked in and beat and tried to kill me.

Ive probably said more hen I should have in here but I wanted you to know where I came from.

My husband has accepted all this, with difficulty, but he's accepted the fact that im far from an angel or a good christian girl and he still loves me.

I want to learn, understand his faith.

 

[unkern]

you said you want someone to coach you or argue with you. If thats true then you may want to PM me you questions. Just a little on my background, I grew up catholic as well. When I got into high school I got introduced to gangs as well "k13" bad scene. So, I think we should be able to relate

 

[Shuuyaru]

I would rather keep it public, you never know someone else might benefit from my struggle

Ive left the "bad girl" behind, it was a long and painful process and I emerged empty. Ive been taught to feel again, to connect again. the reason I gave the background is so people knew where I came from.

What I need now is coaching in the christian faith, I would like to understand it.

When I asked my husband why he believed he said he wanted to be saved. I asked him saved from what and he answered he was afraid of hell, he wanted to be saved from hell.
My thought at the time was that there was no "Hell or Heaven". People make their own hell, their own heaven. One without sin doesnt have to live with the weight of the sins, which can make life a hell.

I have sinned. More then Id care to confess publicly, but Ive done some pretty horrible things, some I remember, some I dont. Ive lived in my own hell. I still live with that weight on my shoulder, its someting i have to deal with every moment of my life, I dont think its a weight that can be lifted by just asking "the holy spirit" to forgive me.

Thats one of the major part Im having trouble with. How can someone no one has proof existed in the first place, forgive me for what Ive done?

I guess another major issue is why, if God created us and loves us, does he permit atrocities?

One thing I am NOT and never will believe is that the earth was created in 6 days, some 6000 years ago and that all of the evidence brought forth by scientist is fraud.

 

[unkern]

Before I say anything theres a book called "A Case for Faith" you really should read it. Hell is simply this: your entire life you only want things that are not of God you get an eternity of that. We as humans have a hard time giving our burden to Jesus because to us it cannot be that easy, it always has to be something earned, something worked for. But I assure you it really is that easy. As for proof, there is plenty of proof of Gods existence, but we can get on that later. God permits atrocities because he does not interfere with our freewill. If overall God wants the most amount possible to make it to heaven, he only does certain acts in order to work with our freewill. Its we humans who choose hell instead of loving him. Not all that scientists find are fraud. Many scientists now our being blown away at how everything works, because everything has been pointing to what they call "intelligent design". As for 6 day creation, its not that hard to believe because if the universe was created slowly then the universe would implode on itself, so it had to be a big bang. As for carbon dating, not only would you have to find someone living during that time to get an accurate reading, the readings arnt that accurate. They dont tell exact moments they give you a period of time, like: john doe died 2-4 days ago.

 

[unkern]

here check out this site http://www.creationexpeditions.com/?news_and_articles/a/2005-08-16_01

 

[Shuuyaru]

I have afew problems with "Intelligent design". Ive studied it for the sake of knowing what it was about. Ive researched the arguments and conterarguments.

IF there is a God and He is the one that created everything, how do you explain the rather large bones found as fossil?

IF there is a God and He is the one that created everything, isnt it presumptous of us to think we understand his time? who is to say that 6 days for him isnt 6 million years for us?

 

[unkern]

Im assuming the large bones your talking about are dinosaur bones, Most assume that they were not evil until they left the garden of eden and that they died during the flood of noah. Since there is no eye witness testimony of them not even scientists can do anything but assume. However I did find an article about them running carbon dating on a dinosaur bone and it came back only a few thousand years old. They didnt like the results because it didnt line up with their beliefs. Now I did take a look at Potassium-Argon dating which is us to date rock and dirt. the problem is as soon as it goes under pressure all the argon escapes through gas. At the mt. St. Helens eruption there was a big controversy because 10 day old magma was dated millions of years old.

We would never be able to understand the lords time because for him it would be laid out from beginning to end him being able to see all of it at once. the reason why it would be 6 day creation, it is similar to other passages in the bible referring to days as an example: The sabbath day is the 7th day when God rest from creation.

 

[Shuuyaru]

How long ago was that flood exactly?
Since that flood was planet wide how come the layer of sediment that would be left behind by a flood of that magnitude isnt the same every where?
Where did all that water come from?
Where did it all go?

There is a geologically explainable reason for the flood of Noah, it was pretty localised tho, not a planetary disaster.

As for the dinosaur bones, some where found above a sediment layer that had traces of sea life in it, some where found below it, some where found in it.

And they know carbon dating is innacurate, they age fossils by which layer of the earth they find it in. Theyve already found a reason why dinosaurs where so big, and they found that reason in the traces of gaz that was in the soil. They still use carbon dating for manmade object since we havent been around that long.

 

[Rindicella]

Dear Shuuyaru,

Many people get sidetracked by confusing science with theology. Science only addresses the mechanics of the Universe. It does not have a standard opinion on whether there is a God or not. The mechanics, the "how' the Universe was created is a much different question than "why" the Universe was created.

Carbon dating, the findings of science and all those things are concerned with
the mechanics.

Religion, theology and philosophy are subjects that are concerned with questions about why the Universe was created and by whom. These subjects are not in opposition to the mechanics of science. They are simply different questions.

Trying to apply science to matters of theology is rather like asking a car mechanic to examine the by-laws of the corporation which manufactured the vehicle. He may be able to read it, but he may not understand it. Likewise, asking a corporate administrator to fix a car, is probably just as pointless.

Additionally, knowledge is the not the same thing as wisdom. Lots of well educated people serve wholeheartedly, in abusive political regimes. Their knowledge has not helped them avoid "living badly".

This is not to say that all atheists are "bad"---I'm simply pointing out that science does not tell us "why" the Universe was created, and it never will. Likewise, theology is not really equipped to answer scientific questions. They are two entirely separate fields of study and though they are not necessarily diametrically opposed to one another, they are not concerned with the same questions. It is entirely possible to be a person of faith, while still acknowledging scientific truths. I am such a person.

The questions you propose are legitimate, and they properly belong to a scientific realm. Religion, or "faith", is a matter of the heart, not necessarily an intellectual exercise or assent to a prescribed set of beliefs.


Best wishes,
R.

 

[LJSGM]

Ive lived in my own hell. I still live with that weight on my shoulder, its someting i have to deal with every moment of my life, I dont think its a weight that can be lifted by just asking "the holy spirit" to forgive me.

Luke 7
36Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. 37When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

39When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner."
40Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."
"Tell me, teacher," he said.
41"Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[d] and the other fifty. 42Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"
43Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled."
"You have judged correctly," Jesus said.
44Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."
48Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
49The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" 50Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

You are the very person Christ died for.

Luke 5
31Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

 

[Shuuyaru]

Dear Shuuyaru,

Many people get sidetracked by confusing science with theology. Science only addresses the mechanics of the Universe. It does not have a standard opinion on whether there is a God or not. The mechanics, the "how' the Universe was created is a much different question than "why" the Universe was created.

Carbon dating, the findings of science and all those things are concerned with
the mechanics.

Religion, theology and philosophy are subjects that are concerned with questions about why the Universe was created and by whom. These subjects are not in opposition to the mechanics of science. They are simply different questions.

Trying to apply science to matters of theology is rather like asking a car mechanic to examine the by-laws of the corporation which manufactured the vehicle. He may be able to read it, but he may not understand it. Likewise, asking a corporate administrator to fix a car, is probably just as pointless.

Additionally, knowledge is the not the same thing as wisdom. Lots of well educated people serve wholeheartedly, in abusive political regimes. Their knowledge has not helped them avoid "living badly".

This is not to say that all atheists are "bad"---I'm simply pointing out that science does not tell us "why" the Universe was created, and it never will. Likewise, theology is not really equipped to answer scientific questions. They are two entirely separate fields of study and though they are not necessarily diametrically opposed to one another, they are not concerned with the same questions. It is entirely possible to be a person of faith, while still acknowledging scientific truths. I am such a person.

The questions you propose are legitimate, and they properly belong to a scientific realm. Religion, or "faith", is a matter of the heart, not necessarily an intellectual exercise or assent to a prescribed set of beliefs.


Best wishes,
R.

I know the difference between science and theology. Like i said in my opening post, the way I feel about creation and evolution is not open for debate, Ive just finished polishing that theory.

I dont think that religion and science have to be two seperate things tho. But thats just me...

What I wanted help with is understanding faith. Understanding why people believe in something that isnt physically there.

 

[Shuuyaru]

Luke 7
36Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. 37When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

39When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner."
40Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."
"Tell me, teacher," he said.
41"Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[d] and the other fifty. 42Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"
43Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled."
"You have judged correctly," Jesus said.
44Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."
48Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
49The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" 50Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

You are the very person Christ died for.

Luke 5
31Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

True repentance is something one does to oneself.

That is something I have a lot of trouble dealing with.

you just say sorry and things are fine?

"Sorry I just shot you and tried to kill you, lets be friends ok?"

it doesnt work that way...

 

[salida]

The first thing we should be asking ourselves is why does mankind need a savior? So, I would therefore ask, Are You a Good Person? http://livingwaters.com/good/ . The only good person that exists that was good was Jesus Christ because he kept all the 10 Commandments 100% of the time. Romans 3:23 - All have sinned, and have fallen short from the glory of God. Mankind has spiritual fallen and to be reconciled with God we need a savior. This man was and is Jesus. I'm a christian first for spiritual reasons and secondly for intellectual reasons. Below is more the intellectual reason.

Read The Evidence That Demands A Verdict by Josh McDowell(it would stand up in court concerning biblical evidence and Examine the Evidence by Muncaster (a former atheist). Also, info on bible below in a nutshell. You know the bible is the only book that has hundreds of detailed prophesies in it that has come true and more to come. Just one characteristic out of many that it could only have been written by God. Also, www.reasons.org -about science and belief. I'm a scientist - there is good science and bad science. This website is about good science.

If you have any more questions, feel free to email me.

Biblical Evidence – This is a very small amount of information
out of large amounts of information out there.

Internal Evidences-Prophesies that are confirmed with Bible;

mentioning only a few – but there are hundreds.

Life of Christ
The Tribe of Judah, Gen. 49:10, Luke 3:23-28
(Genesis was written 4004 BC to 1689 BC)
(Luke’s time period is 60-70 AD)

Royal Line of David, Jer 23:5, Matt 1:1
(Jeremiah 760 to 698 BC)/(Matthew 60-70 AD)

Born of a Virgin, Isaiah 7:14/Matt 1:18-23
(Isaiah 760 to 698 BC)/(60-70 AD)

Rise of Empires
In the book of Daniel, Chapter 2 – four kingdoms are described in the interpretation
of the dream of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greek – Daniel 8:21, 10:20/ and a fourth great kingdom to follow which was part iron and clay – which is the
Roman Empire – during this empire, Christ came and the church was established – Daniel 2:44.

Historical Accuracy

The Bible is loaded with historical statements concerning events of hundreds of years ago, yet
none of them has been proven to be incorrect.
(Bible compared to other ancient documents)
New Testament – starts at 25 years – between the original and surviving copies
Homer- starts at 500 years/Demosthenes – at 1400 years/Plato – at 1200 years/
Caesar – at 1000 years

Number of Manuscript Copies

New Testament – 5,686/Homer – 643/Demosthenes – 200/Plato – 7/Caesar – 10

Consistency – Written by 40 men over a period of time exceeding 1400 years, and has no
Internal inconsistencies.

Claim of Inspiration- It claims to be spoken by God, 2 Tim 3:16-17). No other religious book makes such claims.

External Evidences

(Prophesies Outside the Bible)
These cities were prophesied to be destroyed and never to be built again- and they haven’t.
Niveveh – Nahum 1:10, 3:7, 15, Zephaniah 2:13-14
Babylon – Isaiah 13:1-22
Tyre -Ezekiel 26:1-28

Bible before Science

He hangs the earth on nothing – Job 26:7
(Job was written at least 1000 years ago – some scholars think it could have been even 3000
years ago)
Note: Man only knew the above for 350 years.
Earth is a sphere – Isaiah 40:22/Air has weight – Job 28:25/
Gravity – Job 26:7, Job 38: 31-33/Winds blow in cyclones, Eccl 1:6

Documents that Prove Bible is True

Gilgamesh Epic, The Sumerian King List, Mari Tablets, Babylonian Chronicles

Archealogical Evidence (Still adding to this list today- it hasn’t stopped)
Excavations of Ur, Location of Zoar, Ziggurats and the foundation of Tower of Babel

 

[LJSGM]

True repentance is something one does to oneself.

That is something I have a lot of trouble dealing with.

you just say sorry and things are fine?

"Sorry I just shot you and tried to kill you, lets be friends ok?"

it doesnt work that way...

No, you're right, true repentence is not just "saying sorry," it is a turning of one's heart.

This is the experience of being born again.

Forgiveness is a part of unconditional love, God gives it to us freely through Christ, and we in turn are enabled to give it to others by this new found love in our hearts.

Of course the scriptures are the best source of information when it comes to grace and faith. My recommendation would be the book of Romans. There is biblegateway.com online for free.

 

[Rindicella]

I know the difference between science and theology. Like i said in my opening post, the way I feel about creation and evolution is not open for debate, Ive just finished polishing that theory.

I didn't mean to imply that you didn't understand it. I was simply pointing out that these are two entirely different exercises, for the benefit of anyone else reading the thread.

I dont think that religion and science have to be two seperate things tho. But thats just me...

Okay. While I said that they were two distinct fields of study, I did not say that they were diametrically opposed to one another. Quite the opposite.

What I wanted help with is understanding faith. Understanding why people believe in something that isnt physically there.

Physicality, in relationship to the observer, is not a measure of existence.
My mother is not physically present in the room as I type this. But she exists nonetheless. She exists 500 miles away.

Additionally, a supernatural being (God) is not limited to your personal observation. Because you have never personally observed its existence does not mean it does not exist.

I have never personally seen a black hole, or experienced one. But they exist nonetheless.

In your original post, you stated that you wanted someone to argue with you. You'll find plenty of argumentative people here who enjoy the opportunity. Since I don't think I can add much to your discussion, I'll bow out now and wish you all the best.

 

[FutureAndAHope]

I would like to share with you a true story from my life that may have some connectiveness to your struggle with violence and God.

One morning I woke up and heard Jesus say "How would you like to be stabbed in the valley". I was planning to go down to the valley latter that day after work to ask people out to church. I felt afraid but went anyway. The first person I met was an aboriginal man. I asked him if he would like to go out to church. He told me, "I am an athiest". I just said "ok no worries", and hoped to talk to him more. He then opened up his shirt and showed me scars, Hew said "I was attacked by a man in the valley with a knife, and spent months recovering in hospital". It took me a while but I began to realise what had been said to me that morning was "How would I like it if I was stabbed and attacked in the valley", how would I like it. I would not. Latter a few weeks after our meeting he gave his life back to Jesus. He now knew that he was understood by God. In the same way you are understood by God. He knows what has happened and in the same way he would say "I understand that girl", none of us might get you, but God gets you, he knows and understands why you tick the way you do.

Col 2:12 having been buried with him in baptism, wherein ye were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
Col 2:13 And you, being dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, you, I say, did he make alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses;
Col 2:14 having blotted out the bond written in ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us: and he hath taken it out that way, nailing it to the cross;

 

[OldChurchGuy]

I know the difference between science and theology. Like i said in my opening post, the way I feel about creation and evolution is not open for debate, Ive just finished polishing that theory.

I dont think that religion and science have to be two seperate things tho. But thats just me...

What I wanted help with is understanding faith. Understanding why people believe in something that isnt physically there.

First, yours is an amazing story of survival and triumph over an amazing set of obstacles. It is a testament to your strength and fortitude that you are here today and happily married.

Regarding faith, I believe it is subjective. That is to say, I've had various experiences / events in my life which I ascribe to the presence of God. I don't believe these experiences / events are random chance working in my favor. But, these events cannot be proven in any scientific sense as the work of God. To me, these events are the work of God and I am OK with not being able to prove it.

There are probably better explanations of faith, but that is the best I can come up with.

I am curious about something. What kept you willing to stay alive during all the challenges you were facing?

Sincerely,

OldChurchGuy

 

[samrobinhr]

HI Shuuyaru

I read all your posts. from it i could understand that you need a more precise answer to the following questions......

1. How could a man called Jesus Forgive our sins?

2. If we just say 'sorry' will our sins be forgiven?

3. If there exists a God ,who is love, why should He allow atrocities in my life?

4. "What I wanted help with is understanding faith. Understanding why people believe in something that isnt physically there".

Feeling like you are an elder sister of mine, I would like to answer your queries.

You get saved and accept not cos of the fear of hell, but by the love, Jesus has in store for you. First you need to know the Love of Jesus. the love of jesus which saved me and your dear and dear most husband from the horrible pit and miry clay of sin. Now your hubby and I are pleading with you to taste the love joy peace that we are enjoying everyday in our life. As i was a sinner before i could firmly tell you that all the pleasures of sin that i enjoyed can never ever be compared to the love of God i m enjoying now. yes i really mean it sister. I dont have a job now and the house owner is demanding me to change the house, but still my heart rejoices for the love of god. Oh you need to taste it sister. I bet you it will be more tastier than your boy friends love, the drugs you consumed and all the horrible things you committed in life. You said that these things are now troubling you as a burden upon your shoulders.

Yours sins will not be forgiven if you just say sorry. You need a real repentance for your sins. When you really repent you will weep. the tears shows your heart is broken. You can receive salvation when you repent for your sins with a broken and contrite heart dear sister.

You said that your husband has accepted you inspite of all the wicked things in your life and loves you still. Now i ask you a question. If your husband were like this will you be able to love him as you are loving now? No you cant. but your husband loves you even though he knows you are not good. how? Cos the love of Jesus has thaught him to love his wife with all his heart. He is now loving you cos his heart is filled with the love of God. A man who has never tasted the love of Jesus cant love in this manner for sure sister. so your husband is a livng example for the love of Jesus kept before you by God the Father. so then how can u say there is no god physically.

I would like to coach you my sister. So if you are still open with this topics post a thread replying this, I will continue this session there after.

Before leaving something about me.

I am from India, age 23. I was saved by Jesus Christ when i was in the second year of my bachelors degree. I have committed all sins that one could think off under the sun. it was a wretched life i was living then. But my parents, relatives and servants of God were earnestly praying for me to get saved. before my salvation i was a festive christian. i ll be to church only in the new years eve. I knew nothing about jesus' salvation. At this time without my knowledge i went to the faith home(church) for no reason on February 2004. I was sitting at the last line in the congregation. During the worship time, the lord convicted me of my sins of the youth. it was before me like a movie in the theatre. I started to weep like a small kid confessing "yes lord its me i have committed all this wicked things in my life. I am a sinner lord worst sinner of all.oh lord please save me" this repentace came from the bottom of my heart not just from my lips. then i could feel a whole load of burden relieved from my shoulders. now i understand that burden was the yoke of sins i committed all along my life. while i was still confessing my sins a sister who was sitting in the first line in the church prophesied saying " My son you are here in my presence full fo tears for your sins. surely I will anoint you with oil of Gladness. You never Judge yourself a sinner anymore, I have washed your sins by my Blood." By this way God washed my sins on that sunday service and anointed me with Holy Ghost a month later, March 2008.

 

[FrederickM]

It matters not who you are, especially who you were. For Jesus' love is unconditional, and sinners need him the most. He came to earth not for those who try to not sin, but to help the sinful for they are the ones who need his help the most.

I advise you to take things slowly and open your heart to Jesus' know his love for us. Accept him and acknowledge his unconditional gift of love and salvation. Jesus loves us always.

 

[Maranatha27]

Im glad you were able to have children after being shot in the stomach. I thought I was a rebel growing up, but your story puts me to shame. My strength in the Bible is in prophecy, it is the most abused and ignored subject in all of scripture. If a person truly believed that Jesus was coming again, and at any moment. it would motivate that person to holiness and evangalism.

I'm touched by how much your husband really loves you. Christianity is an exclusive faith, there is no denying that. He believes that if you die, you can't come with him without Christ, and that is Biblically accurate.

Now, I can't go into creation, evolution and science with you because By faith I accept that the world was framed by the word of God. Although I believe the world is 15 billion year old or so and man was created from the dust 6000 yars ago or so. I can however go into history and present day events and show you that the Bible is indeed the Word of God.

Israel is a nation in the middle east. The God of the Bible has given them the land forever, this he swore on Himself. Although the use of the land was conditional and two parties were involved; God and Israel. God promised if they were disobedient, he would scater them throughout the world. After the death of Christ, The Jews were scatered throughout the world, The Romans destroyed the city and killed myriads of them. God faithful to his covenant with the Jews promised to regather them in the Last days. The tiny nation of Israel that you see in the news is a fulfillment of prophetic scripture. 38 year before you were born God planted them back into the land. Satan hates them, they are in constant turmoil, war and unrest. God promises in Amos 9:14,15 that they will not be rooted up again. If Israel were destroyed I could put down my Bible and confidently say "God is a liar and no god at all". If you have any knowledge of the peace process taking place between Israel and the Palestinians. You know that Jerusalem is the major issue that can not be resolved. The Bible prophesies that the worlds armies will gather together over this issue.



Stop and read this passage from the Bible and tell me who it refers to and generally where it is found:


Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
[5] But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
[6] All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.







If you said Christ you are 100% correct
If you said you can find this passage in the New Testement you are 100% wrong.

This was written by Isaiah the prophet 700 years before Christ was born to Mary.

David 1000 years before Christ guided by the Holy Spirit:

Ps. 22:13 They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.
[14] I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
[15] My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
[16] For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

Satan may have by now filled you with doubt, funny how the mind works. Christians are so easily shaken in there faith. The Davinci Code came out and made a statement that Christ divinity was decided by men in 325 ad and I had a friend I played baseball with in college, convinced that this was the truth. what an out right lie. Lets take a look at what The Old Testement prophets said about my Lord

Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
[7] Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Mic. 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Man at the beginnig cedded authority of this world over to Satan. The Bible calls him the god of this world. The prince of the power of the air. Man chose a peice of fruit over God. I can't explain why the love of your life was brutally murdered. And I don't know how it you feel, I remember listening to a godly woman that lost her child. She said to God " Where were you when my child was killed" and she said the Holy Spirit said back to her, The same place I was when my Son died.