Would be thankful

[GraceAnn2]

If you could please tell me where in this forum, I could get help with a beginners basic bible study? I came to learn, and am not a debater in any way shape or form. Thanks! (a bashful one)

 

[Non sequitur]

If you could please tell me where in this forum, I could get help with a beginners basic bible study? I came to learn, and am not a debater in any way shape or form. Thanks! (a bashful one)

This says it is a Daily Bible Study

You can also use the toolbar up at the top (User CP, Blogs, Prayers, Jobs...) and click on search, top look up anything said or talked about in the forum.

 

[GraceAnn2]

Thanks "non-seq" but it is not quite what I had in mind since that link was more of a devotional. I guess maybe it is best just to read, since I have no idea where to start learning and viewpoints abound.

 

[Non sequitur]

Thanks "non-seq" but it is not quite what I had in mind since that link was more of a devotional. I guess maybe it is best just to read, since I have no idea where to start learning and viewpoints abound.

Np.

Although it is categorized under "Daily Devotionals", it appears to be a daily bible study.


This was today's, found here.

Daily Bible Study

Date: Jul 7, 2011
Topic: Holiness
Man's Impurity; God's Remedy


Than again I probably should have asked you to be more specific.

I'm sure someone will come along who could help you far more than I could

 

[GraceAnn2]

Yes, I read 4 of them. They are called "Bible Minutes" but they are not seeker- oriented. Someone once said, "Wait for Jesus to come find you". Guess that is the best idea for my personal needs, since this forum doesn't have seeker studies. Do you think maybe that is best?

 

[GraceAnn2]

I appreciate your replies to me GREATLY. I just realized that lots of Christians have posted here in the last two hours but a non-christian responded to me. KUDOS to you for trying to help.

 

[Non sequitur]

Yes, I read 4 of them. They are called "Bible Minutes" but they are not seeker- oriented. Someone once said, "Wait for Jesus to come find you". Guess that is the best idea for my personal needs, since this forum doesn't have seeker studies. Do you think maybe that is best?

Well, supposedly you have to go looking. But then if you haven't found him, keep looking and he will.

Or something along those lines

Maybe here?

I'm sure someone will show up eventually.

I appreciate your replies to me GREATLY. I just realized that lots of Christians have posted here in the last two hours but a non-christian responded to me. KUDOS to you for trying to help.

I find that hilarious, actually


I don't mind trying to help you. I have no agenda.

You were seeking specific information, I was just trying to help you find it.

Everybody hopes that everybody ends up at their truths, but it would be disingenuous of me to steer you away from anything that may possibly be your truth

 

[GraceAnn2]

No, actually it is not hilarious but VERY SAD! Guess what I just read in the rules here --
" If another non-Christian seeker wishes to ask questions about the Christian faith, they may start their own thread. No more than one non-Christian (the OP) may post in a thread."

I am leaving this forum and wish to thank you for your replies before I take leave.
I apologize to the staff for my disobedience.

 

[Non sequitur]

For some reading material, in the mean time, I find godandscience.org very interesting.

It's full of information and you could be there forever, but I'm an information junkie


It reads well and if it is critical of anything, it doesn't do it harshly. (Which I find makes it seem like someone really has no argument and is trying to shove an idea down your throat.)

Also looks like they have a e-newsletter you could sign up for.

 

[Non sequitur]

No, actually it is not hilarious but VERY SAD! Guess what I just read in the rules here --
" If another non-Christian seeker wishes to ask questions about the Christian faith, they may start their own thread. No more than one non-Christian (the OP) may post in a thread."

I am leaving this forum and wish to thank you for your replies before I take leave.
I apologize to the staff for my disobedience.

Wait, wait, wait!

If you are a non-believer, it's cool that you are here.

I was just kinda stalling, until someone got here to help you "more properly". It would be a shame if you never got your answers, left and never came back.

I hope you didn't leave!


I'm gonna PM you.

 

[drich0150]

Wow I guess we were shown a great level of hypocrisy for those of us simply following up on other open threads first,(Through our user CP's) and not answering a "honest seekers" question quickly enough.

Maybe with my newly discovered humility, you may permit me to share a lesson I learned a long time ago when I was seeking God out for myself. For those who "seek" God on their terms and time tables, they will generally find what they are looking for. (Their own terms, and their own elapsed time tables.) For the one who truly seeks God, That one must be humble and patient. Throwing a fit will not bring you any closer to God.

I do ask for your patience and forgiveness if you do truly seek study materials, and are not trolling for an argument. It just the back and forth you shared with seq wreaks of a typically staged tag team effort, a pair of non believers would try and use, to show how much better they are when compared to a well meaning unaware Christian.

This scenario has played out may times here and your efforts threw up too many red flags of a scripted performance. Usually time will sift the wheat from the chaff, the wheat from the weeds.

Your impatiens has weighed and sifted your intentions.(For most of us I suspect) Because truthfully if it is God you seek, then what does it matter who directs you to Him? Despite Seq's intentions the references he listed that I looked at were sound. Your despondence only points to an ulterior motive.

However if I am wrong, and If you want study material then I will be happy to provide you with direction.. if you simply give some indication as to the direction you are headed. What do you want to learn first? Do you have questions?

 

[Non sequitur]

...and are not trolling for an argument. It just the back and forth you shared with seq wreaks of a typically staged tag team effort, a pair of non believers would try and use, to show how much better they are when compared to a well meaning unaware Christian.

This scenario has played out may times here and your efforts threw up too many red flags of a scripted performance.

Your impatiens has weighed and sifted your intentions.(For most of us I suspect) Because truthfully if it is God you seek, then what does it matter who directs you to Him? Despite Seq's intentions the references he listed that I looked at were sound. Your despondence only points to an ulterior motive.

I am truly flabbergasted.

Half of your response is talking about you questioning their intentions and you say things like, "what does it matter to you who directs you to God?"

Why in the world would you include all that?

Worst case scenario; they were a troll.

Now, best case scenario; they were truly looking for Christ and you told them how they appeared to be deceitful and lying.

Do you not understand how those remarks were absolutely unnecessary and more likely to make someone afraid to say anything back?

 

[drich0150]

I am truly flabbergasted.

I am sure you are, as the opportunity "presented" itself.

Half of your response is talking about you questioning their intentions and you say things like, "what does it matter to you who directs you to God?"

Why in the world would you include all that?

Because if God truly is the ultimate Goal, then what or in this case who does it matter where or how that Goal was obtained? God through out the history recorded in the bible used "unbelievers" to push his people in a direction or deliver a message, even in their open defiance of Him. My question is how where you being used any differently than an unbelieving Saul of Tarsus or a reluctant Pharaoh?

Worst case scenario; they were a troll.

Actually this was a worse case and a best case, in that you two have given me an opportunity to role back your/her understanding of how to approach God and help redirect your collective efforts to the Humility and patients that is needed, to make any real progress in a personal relationship with Him. Study is necessary, but it comes a distant second to the humble and contrite heart that is needed to Approach the throne of the Father.

Now, best case scenario; they were truly looking for Christ and you told them how they appeared to be deceitful and lying.

Again if this was not an excessive in pride, and she wanted to "Explore Christianity" then the OP should heed my advise. I pointed out that her wording and impatiences did indeed look like the scripted efforts of a tag team of unbelievers, and with the rebuke of your last message, it seems to have cemented this effort.

If this person is genuine then all I suggest is that she reword her efforts to not parallel so many other works performed by trolls. If this is too great a hit on her personal pride, then she is not ready to seek God beyond academic research at this point in time. In which case via your efforts she has all that she needs to complete her stated task. Now through my efforts she sees the next step in her journey as well. (If she is indeed going in that direction.)

Do you not understand how those remarks were absolutely unnecessary and more likely to make someone afraid to say anything back?

Again, What does it matter who delivers the "Good News" if the "Good news" has truly been delivered? My pride does not mandate that only a "Christian" must provide this "seeker" with the resources that she requested. You did that in a complete and God serving way. The only thing that her effort was lacking was the proper mind set to approach the word and God. This was what my message was about, the Humility and patiences required for a fuller understanding of what she claimed to seek. Because, If She truly seeks God she will need not only scripture but also a measure of Humility and patiences to complete this undertaking. If she does not have these attributes all she has to do is ask God for them.

 

[Non sequitur]

... in that you two have given me an opportunity to role back your/her understanding of how to approach God and help redirect your collective efforts to the Humility and patients that is needed, to make any real progress in a personal relationship with Him. Study is necessary, but it comes a distant second to the humble and contrite heart that is needed to Approach the throne of the Father.

All you said was that study was necessary, but it comes in second blah blah blah...

You can't come with a humble and contrite heart if you never knew (studied!) to, in the first place.

Again if this was not an excessive in pride, and she wanted to "Explore Christianity" then the OP should heed my advise. I pointed out that her wording and impatiences did indeed look like the scripted efforts of a tag team of unbelievers, and with the rebuke of your last message, it seems to have cemented this effort.

Your pride was what made you say it.

If this person is genuine then all I suggest is that she reword her efforts to not parallel so many other works performed by trolls. If this is too great a hit on her personal pride, then she is not ready to seek God beyond academic research at this point in time. In which case via your efforts she has all that she needs to complete her stated task. Now through my efforts she sees the next step in her journey as well. (If she is indeed going in that direction.)

So, "Try not to come across as a possible troll when seeking God" is your godly advice.

Again, What does it matter who delivers the "Good News" if the "Good news" has truly been delivered? My pride does not mandate that only a "Christian" must provide this "seeker" with the resources that she requested. You did that in a complete and God serving way.

Nobody did. That's irrelevant.

The only thing that her effort was lacking was the proper mind set to approach the word and God. This was what my message was about, the Humility and patiences required for a fuller understanding of what she claimed to seek.

"where in this forum, I could get help with a beginners basic bible study"
"I came to learn"
"I have no idea where to start learning and viewpoints abound"
" "Wait for Jesus to come find you". Guess that is the best idea for my personal needs, since this forum doesn't have seeker studies."

What a horrible mindset!

Because, If She truly seeks God she will need not only scripture but also a measure of Humility and patiences to complete this undertaking. If she does not have these attributes all she has to do is ask God for them.

And that is what I was trying to do, by directing her to things that talked about those things!

They can't know to be humble and patient, until they know they should approach it that way.


I can't believe I am defending your religion against yourself...

*shakes head*

 

[GraceAnn2]

Wow I guess we were shown a great level of hypocrisy for those of us simply following up on other open threads first,(Through our user CP's) and not answering a "honest seekers" question quickly enough.

Maybe with my newly discovered humility, you may permit me to share a lesson I learned a long time ago when I was seeking God out for myself. For those who "seek" God on their terms and time tables, they will generally find what they are looking for. (Their own terms, and their own elapsed time tables.) For the one who truly seeks God, That one must be humble and patient. Throwing a fit will not bring you any closer to God.

I do ask for your patience and forgiveness if you do truly seek study materials, and are not trolling for an argument. It just the back and forth you shared with seq wreaks of a typically staged tag team effort, a pair of non believers would try and use, to show how much better they are when compared to a well meaning unaware Christian.

This scenario has played out may times here and your efforts threw up too many red flags of a scripted performance. Usually time will sift the wheat from the chaff, the wheat from the weeds.

Your impatiens has weighed and sifted your intentions.(For most of us I suspect) Because truthfully if it is God you seek, then what does it matter who directs you to Him? Despite Seq's intentions the references he listed that I looked at were sound. Your despondence only points to an ulterior motive.

However if I am wrong, and If you want study material then I will be happy to provide you with direction.. if you simply give some indication as to the direction you are headed. What do you want to learn first? Do you have questions?

Oh my goodness. Your post is full of judgment and untruths about me (a first-time seeker) At almost 70 yrs. of age, my daughter just taught me how to use a computer and told me that I should go visit a Christian forum to learn of God and His precious people. I do not even know what a troll or tag team is!! I do not know "non-seq" from a hill of beans. If this is a sample of God's beloved people, I want no part of it. I also humbly apologized for two non-believers posting in the same thread that I started. I think you owe me an apology. Please don't label or lump all seekers into one awful category. I am just sickened by this. May He forgive you for your attitude. I was thankful for the info received by "non-seq" and went on my way to read some very good stuff.
You said--"then what does it matter who directs you to Him?"
You are right! "Non-seq" did a fine job as a non-Christian, but it was my daughter who gave me direction to seek out a Christian forum and God's precious people. Seems like Jesus can use even a total stranger, to touch a seekers heart. I was shocked at how a first-time computer user who was seeking info on becoming a Christian was treated here in God's house.
I can do much better without your God. Hopefully I will not get discouraged and assume that all posters respond to seekers like you did to me. It WILL take humility to keep seeking God as I am not eager to go through this unwarranted attack by someone who does not take the time to get to know me before bombarding me with false accusations.

 

[Non sequitur]

I was thankful for the info received by "non-seq" and went on my way to read some very good stuff.

Thanks

I was shocked at how a first-time computer user who was seeking info on becoming a Christian was treated here in God's house. I can do much better without your God. Hopefully I will not get discouraged and assume that all posters respond to seekers like you did to me. It WILL take humility to keep seeking God as I am not eager to go through this unwarranted attack by someone who does not take the time to get to know me before bombarding me with false accusations.

Why do I keep finding myself defending him...


I wouldn't go so far as to say, his responses should warrant you to not look into or dismiss "his" God.

He is but one person who represents an idea, also, in his own way.

"Cum dilectione hominum et odio vitiorum" ("Love the sinner but hate the sin" or "Hate the sin not the sinner") would probably apply to this.


Teh interwebs is full of trolls, so you have to take everything with a grain of salt. Takes some getting used to.

 

[drich0150]

All you said was that study was necessary, but it comes in second blah blah blah...

You can't come with a humble and contrite heart if you never knew (studied!) to, in the first place.

Studying the word of God is a luxury that most of the church did not have. We all typically learn by hearing what others say and teach.

Your pride was what made you say it.

Made me say what? That you two seemed to be working together by labeling all of those who had nothing to say or did not have time to respond as "bad believers?"

I said what i said so that IF this lady is who she says she is, that she would stop bad mouthing those who did not choose to tend to her immediate needs on her idealized time table. I also point out the great need for patients and humility if she was to proceed in her journey.

So, "Try not to come across as a possible troll when seeking God" is your godly advice.

Yes, as we have been commanded not to "throw our pearls of wisdom before swine." Why else do you think everyone representing God to this point has reserved comment?

Nobody did. That's irrelevant.

Tell yourself what you must, but know there are at least two people in this thread that think you have.

"where in this forum, I could get help with a beginners basic bible study"
"I came to learn"
"I have no idea where to start learning and viewpoints abound"
" "Wait for Jesus to come find you". Guess that is the best idea for my personal needs, since this forum doesn't have seeker studies."

What a horrible mindset!

Couple this with an unrealistic expectation and a very limited time line to which a response was expected, and you do indeed have a terrible mind set. No matter how the "Challenge" was phrased.

And that is what I was trying to do, by directing her to things that talked about those things!

They can't know to be humble and patient, until they know they should approach it that way.

Or if by some chance this behavior is pointed out to them. As it would have been in the early church.

I can't believe I am defending your religion against yourself...

*shakes head

What your defending is your own understanding of christianity. What you have done is judge me by what you believe to be "christian." Your actions and apparently the OP's are no different than my own. What it all comes down to is the reason why we are doing what it is we are doing, and to whom we are glorifying by our actions.

 

[drich0150]

Oh my goodness. Your post is full of judgment and untruths about me (a first-time seeker) At almost 70 yrs.

I did indeed make many different judgments based on your own words and thoughts. If you would like a complete dissection of your efforts to this point, I will help you see where your words and thoughts lead me to believe what I have posted thus far. I have made no mention to your age. My judgment of your fruit/efforts has solely been based on your word and thought.

my daughter just taught me how to use a computer and told me that I should go visit a Christian forum to learn of God and His precious people.

Your daughter is/was mistaken. Most of us have been fighting on the front lines with people like non seq for a long while. Most of us have been placed on edge, and question the intent and efforts of everyone who challenge christianity or the efforts of those who defend it. Just like if you wanted to meet a parade ready hero, you do not wade out to the trenches. Sure they are made there, but you are just as likely to be hurt by them as have one greet you. If you want to see "God's people." Goto church or the "parade grounds" where we are all wearing our war medals and are not looking over our shoulders for those who wish to do us harm.

I do not even know what a troll or tag team is!! I do not know "non-seq" from a hill of beans. [/QUOTE]..And I do not know you from a hill of beans. All I have to go on is your word and thought. I have shown you where both are not consistent with one who is seeking God. This does not mean you are not truly seeking God, it just you are giving off the wrong impression at a first glance.

If this is a sample of God's beloved people, I want no part of it.

We are all different members of the same body. Not all members of the body act the same way. Just because you got kick in the butt by a foot does not mean that a hand will not reach out to greet you. If you seek a hand or a parade ready hero then go and seek them out where they are found.(In church) If you wish to make snap judgments and feel justified in your previously stated words and thoughts, then you are in the right place. Because your words and thoughts will be judged weighed without prejudice or thought to title or social honors here.

I also humbly apologized for two non-believers posting in the same thread that I started. I think you owe me an apology.

and offered one several times now, funny how you have over looked my efforts for the sake of putting me through your personal paces. (demanding an apology on your terms and over looking my own efforts. Again not consistent with who you have represented yourself to be thus far.)

Please don't label or lump all seekers into one awful category.

I haven't. I judged your words and thoughts on their own merits.

I am just sickened by this. May He forgive you for your attitude.

And many many other things. Amen.

I was shocked at how a first-time computer user who was seeking info on becoming a Christian was treated here in God's house.

How were you treated? You made a comment asking why a non believer was the only one who cared to respond. I diagnosed the situation for you. I point out why I believe no one responded. In that your dialog look or seem rehearsed, and it seems you are only looking to point out the defiances in those representing Christianity. And now that you have been given an opportunity to respond, just look at all that you had to say. Again I am sorry you do not like what I have to say, but it is the truth as i see it and how you have chosen to represent yourself so far..

I can do much better without your God.

Do you think I am god? If at 70 you have never heard of God, or no nothing of Him or his people as you Opening Post leads us to believe. then why would you make such a foolish judgment unless you thought I was God? Either you were not honest about your initial intentions, or you are the person I have painted you out to be, and are looking for an opportunity to soap box your own version of righteousness. Over that of God, and those who do their best to represent Him.

 

[Biker Angel]

I can't believe I am defending your religion against yourself...

*shakes head*

Wow, amazing post. Very unlike you sequitur but praise the Lord, I knew there was hope for you yet.

 

[GraceAnn2]

>>"Your daughter is/was mistaken."

She will be so disappointed. But I am glad you shared the truth with me anyhow.

>> " If you want to see "God's people." Goto church or the "parade grounds" where we are all wearing our war medals and are not looking over our shoulders for those who wish to do us harm."

Thanks again for explaining. Which church do you suggest? There is a JW church just down the street from me.
Could you explain "parade grounds" please? I have not heard of any church with them.
I will get out of the trenches here as you suggested, but I don't want to jump from the frying pan into the fire either.
So sorry you feel the need to look over your shoulders with everyone, especially since I am totally harmless. If you can point out a church affliation, I will be delighted to go away and relieve you of that awful feeling. It must be terribly hard to live like that. I am truly sorry that I unintentionally caused you such distress.