What's on your mind?

[EyesOfKohl]

I thought I would get a smart negative comment from someone in regards to my new faith, and it was from one I didn't expect either

'So when are you going to kill your family for being Christian?'

I feel quite offended and disappointed really.

 

[OcifferPls]

Sorry to hear that. Maybe you can show them wrong by showing them the other side of Islam, or something. I'm not very knowledgeable of the subject to be honest. I've always been interested to know how a non-hostile Muslim approaches the relationship between Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Some of the Jews I've spoken to assent to Islam, but shun Christianity as polytheist. On the other hand, I've seen some Muslims show more favor toward Christianity because they regard Jesus as a prophet. It's a strange, and confusing circle.

 

[MrMoe]

Then, just marry me, Lioness. You won't have to worry about regretting it, then . ... Plus, then my avatar name will make more sense.

Thems fightin words

 

[Galatea]

Wondering what this year will bring, and wishing I could peer into December 2017 and see what it's like.

 

[SarahsKnight]

Thems fightin words

I know, right?! Like many of the other good ladies here in the community, Lioness has got it goin' on. ^-^

( Ummm ... Is that lingo still relevant? "Got it goin' on?" I might be an entire generation ahead, there. =P )

 

[SarahsKnight]

Ugh ....

If I may drop my light-hearted and carefree, full-of-whimsical-compliments half for a moment and put on the more rare, dark and solemn and/or dryly critical facade, here, long enough to say that I am in a Buffalo Wild Wings bar right now and noticed a commercial where the familiar face of Dakota Johnson came on one of big-screen TV's. And, true to my ensuing dread, it turned out to be a pitch for the upcoming "Fifty Shades Darker".

*sigh* You know, between a Fifty Shades of Grey sequel, The Notebook, and Old-Fashioned, I am really starting to believe that neither Hollywood nor Conservative Christianity are exactly the wise and helpful guru you should turn to when trying to discover what "true love" or any kind of healthy sexual connection entails.

 

[leothelioness]

Ugh ....

If I may drop my light-hearted and carefree, full-of-whimsical-compliments half for a moment and put on the more rare, dark and solemn and/or dryly critical facade, here, long enough to say that I am in a Buffalo Wild Wings bar right now and noticed a commercial where the familiar face of Dakota Johnson came on one of big-screen TV's. And, true to my ensuing dread, it turned out to be a pitch for the upcoming "Fifty Shades Darker".

*sigh* You know, between a Fifty Shades of Grey sequel, The Notebook, and Old-Fashioned, I am really starting to believe that neither Hollywood nor Conservative Christianity are exactly the wise and helpful guru you should turn to when trying to discover what "true love" or any kind of healthy sexual connection entails.

The Bible does an excellent job of explaining how it should be.

 

[OcifferPls]

Is there such a thing? As an expert in unrequited love all I can say is that love before the timing is right is absolute foolishness, yet hardly anyone agrees on the correctness of the time, so it's almost always foolishness.

 

[Galatea]

The Notebook wasn't that bad. They ought not to have gotten together before they were married, but they did get married and had a beautiful relationship.

But yes, the Bible is best.

 

[SarahsKnight]

The Bible does an excellent job of explaining how it should be.

And how it should be certainly ain't in any of the three movies I mentioned.

 

[SarahsKnight]

The Notebook wasn't that bad. They ought not to have gotten together before they were married,

It's not even the sex before marriage that bothers me. It was her blatant cheating on the innocent fiance (at least, I don't remember the fiance ever being a jerk or anything, treating her badly, but I left the theatre in disgust for most of the third act, so I could have missed it) and the movie glorified it as her just going back to her true love or some garbage. Yeah, what a great romance. And it all started off with Noah psychologically manipulating Ally into going out with him by threatening suicide off of a Ferris wheel. I'm pretty sure there's a law against doing something like that.

I'm sorry. There I go again. ... Just ... I only saw this movie once when it was out in the theatre (I just thought I'd tag along when my extended family invited me to go see it with them, not suspecting a thing) and to this day - like twelve years later - it manages to get under my skin every time it crosses my mind. It's just my particular personality and ideals on love, such that a movie with seeming sentiments like The Notebook just manages to strike the worst nerve possible.

 

[EyesOfKohl]

Sorry to hear that. Maybe you can show them wrong by showing them the other side of Islam, or something. I'm not very knowledgeable of the subject to be honest. I've always been interested to know how a non-hostile Muslim approaches the relationship between Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Some of the Jews I've spoken to assent to Islam, but shun Christianity as polytheist. On the other hand, I've seen some Muslims show more favor toward Christianity because they regard Jesus as a prophet. It's a strange, and confusing circle.

I'm still studying through the Qur'an at this stage, but I can share some verses from Surah 2 Al-Baqara from the Qur'an in terms of the relationship between Islam, Judaism & Christianity.

Note: I'm not proselytizing, promoting or beginning a debate here. Rather sharing some insight with OcifferPls as per above.

62. Those who believe (in the Qur’an), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians, any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.

110. And be steadfast in prayer and regular in charity; and whatever good you send forth for your souls before you, you shall find it with Allah; for Allah sees well all that you do.
111. And they say: “None shall enter Paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian.” Those are their (vain) desires. Say: “Produce your proof if you are truthful.”
112. Nay,-whoever submits his whole self to Allah and is a doer of good,- he will get his reward with his Lord; on such shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
113. The Jews say: “The Christians have nothing (to stand) upon;” and the Christians say: “The Jews have nothing (to stand) upon.” Yet they (profess to) study the (same) Book. Like unto their word is what those say who do not know; but Allah will judge between them in their quarrel on the Day of Judgment.

120. Never will the Jews or the Christians be satisfied with you unless you follow their form of religion. Say: “The Guidance of Allah, - that is the (only) Guidance.” If you were to follow their desires after the knowledge which has reached you, then you would find neither Protector nor Helper against Allah.

135. They say: “Become Jews or Christians if you would be guided (to salvation).” You say: “Nay! (I would rather) the Religion of Abraham the True, and he joined not gods with Allah.”
136. You say: “We believe in Allah, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Isma’il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) Prophets from their Lord, we make no difference between one and another of them: and we bow to Allah.”
137. So if they believe as you believe, they are indeed on the right path; but if they turn back, it is they who are in schism( rupture); but Allah will suffice you as against them, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.
138. (Our religion is) the Baptism of Allah, and who can baptize better than Allah? And it is He Whom we worship.
139. Say: Will you dispute with us about Allah, seeing that He is our Lord and your Lord; that we are responsible for our doings and you for yours; and that We are sincere (in our faith) in Him?
140. Or do you say that Abraham, Isma’il Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes were Jews or Christians? Say: Do you know better than Allah? Ah! Who is more unjust than those who conceal the testimony they have from Allah? but Allah is not unmindful of what you do!
141. That was a people that has passed away. They shall reap the fruit of what they did, and you of what you do! Of their merits there is no question in your case.

 

[OcifferPls]

I'm still studying through the Qur'an at this stage, but I can share some verses from Surah 2 Al-Baqara from the Qur'an in terms of the relationship between Islam, Judaism & Christianity.

Note: I'm not proselytizing, promoting or beginning a debate here. Rather sharing some insight with OcifferPls as per above.

62. Those who believe (in the Qur’an), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians, any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.

110. And be steadfast in prayer and regular in charity; and whatever good you send forth for your souls before you, you shall find it with Allah; for Allah sees well all that you do.
111. And they say: “None shall enter Paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian.” Those are their (vain) desires. Say: “Produce your proof if you are truthful.”
112. Nay,-whoever submits his whole self to Allah and is a doer of good,- he will get his reward with his Lord; on such shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
113. The Jews say: “The Christians have nothing (to stand) upon;” and the Christians say: “The Jews have nothing (to stand) upon.” Yet they (profess to) study the (same) Book. Like unto their word is what those say who do not know; but Allah will judge between them in their quarrel on the Day of Judgment.

120. Never will the Jews or the Christians be satisfied with you unless you follow their form of religion. Say: “The Guidance of Allah, - that is the (only) Guidance.” If you were to follow their desires after the knowledge which has reached you, then you would find neither Protector nor Helper against Allah.

135. They say: “Become Jews or Christians if you would be guided (to salvation).” You say: “Nay! (I would rather) the Religion of Abraham the True, and he joined not gods with Allah.”
136. You say: “We believe in Allah, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Isma’il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) Prophets from their Lord, we make no difference between one and another of them: and we bow to Allah.”
137. So if they believe as you believe, they are indeed on the right path; but if they turn back, it is they who are in schism( rupture); but Allah will suffice you as against them, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.
138. (Our religion is) the Baptism of Allah, and who can baptize better than Allah? And it is He Whom we worship.
139. Say: Will you dispute with us about Allah, seeing that He is our Lord and your Lord; that we are responsible for our doings and you for yours; and that We are sincere (in our faith) in Him?
140. Or do you say that Abraham, Isma’il Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes were Jews or Christians? Say: Do you know better than Allah? Ah! Who is more unjust than those who conceal the testimony they have from Allah? but Allah is not unmindful of what you do!
141. That was a people that has passed away. They shall reap the fruit of what they did, and you of what you do! Of their merits there is no question in your case.

That is interesting, and relevant. Thank you.

Not to argue, but to swap notes, and on the subject of producing a proof, I think it's interesting that the last time I ended up in a (friendly) debate with both Jews and Muslims, neither camp could explain to me the mechanism through which they received their inspired texts. The Jews, explained that traditionally, they hold Moses and other prophets to have received them through unknown means. The Muslims, as I recall, held that angels delivered them to Mohamed. Modern christians were confused for the most part, but as an Athanasian christian, I would posit that being united to the being of the Word, is requisite to speaking the Word of God, as the prophets always had. That said, I would hold that it's the faith of the prophets, which is the progenitor of both Judaism and modern Christianity, and maybe even Islam (although I've yet to form a solid opinion on that). If interested, or if that bothers you, I'd be happy to hear your response or rebuttal at any time.

 

[leothelioness]

I take it the church you left favored the ones God was most generous to?

My biggest frustration with this world is that people don't seem to care about your ability to show empathy, compassion and character. Instead, they only care about your physical appearance, intelligence, social skills, talent and athletic ability. All of which was all accident of birth and did very little to earn those gifts and talents.

At least God doesn't fall into this high school mentality. He is indeed a breath of fresh air even if I do not always recognize it as such.

It is hard being that one talent person when no one respects you for it.

I was going back through my devotionals this evening and it made me think of your post, so I thought I'd share.

"Are you currently involved in something for Christ that seems small in comparison with others’ ministries or talent bases? Be sure that your Lord is the master at taking the seemingly insignificant and transforming it for mighty kingdom purposes."

God sees us as useful even when we or the world see it as insignificant.

 

[Saucy]

I was going back through my devotionals this evening and it made me think of your post, so I thought I'd share.

"Are you currently involved in something for Christ that seems small in comparison with others’ ministries or talent bases? Be sure that your Lord is the master at taking the seemingly insignificant and transforming it for mighty kingdom purposes."

God sees us as useful even when we or the world see it as insignificant.

Thank you for sharing that. I was feeling incredibly frustrated tonight.

 

[Saucy]

So, last night I fell asleep watching Anthony Bourdain on CNN. Did I accidentally become a liberal by osmosis?

 

[Travelers.Soul]

OMM: Okay this cold/sickness can leave now. I am so done with this cold/illness season.

 

[alsughasoughaiuyfygh]

I was going back through my devotionals this evening and it made me think of your post, so I thought I'd share.

"Are you currently involved in something for Christ that seems small in comparison with others’ ministries or talent bases? Be sure that your Lord is the master at taking the seemingly insignificant and transforming it for mighty kingdom purposes."

God sees us as useful even when we or the world see it as insignificant.

Exactly. This is why working for the world is a lost cause. It's all a comparison. A talent show. In God's system, a mentally disabled person who does his best to love others will be honored by God far beyond a lazy and self-centered genius.

Beautiful system if you ask me. Just do what you're capable of and God will reward your hard work instead of your genes and starting environment.

 

[SnowyMacie]

So, last night I fell asleep watching Anthony Bourdain on CNN. Did I accidentally become a liberal by osmosis?

Yup, sorry, you're one of us know. You should be sent an email with our weekly agenda later today, as well as your introductory email that includes our pledge of allegiance to Obama and the rainbow flag, which you should be receiving yours in the mail later this week.

 

[Saucy]

Yup, sorry, you're one of us know. You should be sent an email with our weekly agenda later today, as well as your introductory email that includes our pledge of allegiance to Obama and the rainbow flag, which you should be receiving yours in the mail later this week.

All I find myself doing this morning is going around and blaming Russia for all my problems.