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Offbeat

Rant

This I know

Posted 18 months ago|71 comments|2,831 views
Written by
I would like to keep my rant short(er). I want to talk about some things I know. Not things I think I know... but things I know. But first I will give examples so you can understand what I mean.

I know how a broken leg feels. I know what it feels like to get my arm caught in a conveyor belt in a vegetable processing plant. I know what it is to stop a baseball bat with my forehead twice, on two different occasions. I know what it is like to break a brick with my fist. I know what it is like to break two bones in my fist with a brick. I know what it is like to break my wrist while punching someone. I know what it is like to break someones face. I know what it is like to wake up getting whipped. I know what it is like to break my ribs on two different occasions. I was in critical condition twice... and I know what it is like to have my guts on a table beside me. I know the experience of hate, hurt, loss, love and pain. I know the results of giving myself to Satan... TM... astral projection... alcohol, drugs... and Jesus Christ. I know the Bible because I have read each word... a couple of times. I know what a lie is and I know what the truth is. I know what it is like to be saved from suicide by a premonition. I know what it is like to be a new man. I know what it is like to be married to the same woman for 25 years. I know what it is like to raise 5 kids with my wife (oldest 22 youngest 10). I know what it is like to sing gospel music in 3 different bars. I know what it is like to stop a group of more than 10 guys and share Jesus after being threatened. I know what it is like to lead a vicious skin-head from Ireland to Christ. I know what it is like to be laughed at. I know what it is like to be a hypocrite. I know what it is like to be long-winded... so I will keep this short.

People can rant about things they know nothing about... like how God doesn't exist and that there are contradictions in the Bible... there are 66 independent books written at differing ages in the Bible... it is like saying there are contradictions in your public library!?! They use great words to cover their lack of experience... great questions to cover their lack of answers. I know what it is like to be a fool. What I don't know, is how to be patient enough to win skeptics without their participation in an experiment... of humble prayer to Jesus Christ... but I do know by experience... that God is.

"And this is eternal life, that they know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." (John 17:3)
UPDATE - 18 months ago
I know what it is like for God to answer my prayers, speak to me and keep His promises. I am less concerned with having more years to my life... since He has given me more life in the years I've had already.
UPDATE - 18 months ago
http://www.livingwaters.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=2617:are-you-a-good-person&Itemid=267&lang=en
UPDATE - 2 months ago
John Piper - Don't Waste Your Life
http://dwynrhh6bluza.cloudfront.net/reso...
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COMMENTS
Out Of The Box
Out Of The Box
 Moderator
18 months ago: Inspired.
markbyrn
markbyrn
 Moderator
18 months ago: The problem with with the argument from personal religious experience is the argument from inconsistent revelations. Many people claim to have sincere religious experiences but they don't agree or indeed, flatly contradict each other - even within the same religion. It's only value is to proselytize and of course that's what you're doing here.

…there are 66 independent books written at differing ages in the Bible... it is like saying there are contradictions in your public library!?!…

So you're saying that the 66 books of the Bible (73 if one is a Catholic) are as contradictory as all the collected books at the public library and that's suppose prove the Bible's validity? Perhaps I'm missing the point but I do find OOTB's response interesting.

In another post where he detected some Pagan philosophy, he jumped all over a Pagan author's book for logical contradictions yet the Bible is similarly flawed and OOTB find it's inspired? I guess that's part of the argument from personal experience; if you convinced yourself that you had a 'supernatural' experience, than you can ignore logical standards for your own religion while applying those same standards to another religion in order to disprove it.
18 months ago: Apparent contradictions in the Bible only prove that there was no collusion in putting it all together... because then the content would be totally the same without individual perspective. To say that an experience is invalid because it is not the same as another... is like saying ones existence is invalid because it does not mirror everyone else's... like in the case of a person that is mentally or physically impaired. I believe that this is evangelizing... not proselytizing... to proselytize is to sway someone from their own absolute beliefs... is this where we find you? If so what are they?
markbyrn
markbyrn
 Moderator
18 months ago: ...Apparent contradictions in the Bible only prove that there was no collusion in putting it all together...

That is what I call jamming the square peg into the round hole, and if we buy that kind of logic, than a Muslim can say the same for the Qur'an and it's numerous 'apparent' contradictions. Same for the Mormons and their Book of Mormon and any other so called sacred text.

..I believe that this is evangelizing... not proselytizing..

Proselytize: to convert or attempt to convert as a proselyte; recruit.

Evangelize: to convert to Christianity.

You can call it what you like; selling, hawking, proselytizing, touting, evangelizing, etc. but it prompts the question. Why does a deity need a human sales team to promote itself in the manner of a car or a service?
18 months ago: God doesn't need a sales team... like Him... we too want to know who are friends are... and more importantly, if we can be someones friend. If you were my friend you would stand with me even if you disagreed with me... if I was your friend I wouldn't be embarrassed to be called so... or to be seen with you.

"..but it prompts the question:"

If you were a most amazing Spirit that had the capacity to communicate love so deep that it could heal the greatest wounds of the most unlovable... wouldn't you advertise at least a little... for their sakes?
18 months ago: Beautifully precise.

There are multitudes hurting people in the world who welcome and who need the words of unconditional love, acceptance, and healing that Jesus the Christ brings. That Word is to become flesh in us. Once we've tasted, who are we that we would not share that?

In fact, if we did not share, we would not be fit to be His disciples. It's a wonderful life that He has given us. We should not be selfish.
18 months ago: "Why does a deity need a human sales team to promote itself in the manner of a car or a service?"

With that logic... Why does a religion need a sales team or a major ad campaign to promote itself...
...like Scientology?
markbyrn
markbyrn
 Moderator
18 months ago: ...like Scientology?...

From a rationalist perspective, the cult of Scientology's theology (or Ufology) is no more or less irrational or preposterous than any other religion. Like various sects of Christianity and other religions, the adherents of Scientology claim extraordinary powers that they don't have and can't prove. Like various sects of Christianity, the cult of Scientology demonizes medial science in favor of it's own Dianetics quackery and is intolerant of competing religions. For example, Scientology believes that that the concept of of the Christian god is an alienate implanted false memory.

And yes, the cult of Scientology is also a proselytizing religion that heavily markets itself except they engage in deceit to hide their UFO theology until their converts have been sufficiently indoctrinated and most importantly, have paid big money to the cult.

At least in a religion like Christianity, you generally get to drink the Kool-Aid before you get indoctrinated to become an ATM (ABM or Cash Machine depending on your locality)
Perfect Horizon
Perfect Horizon
Chicago, IL
18 months ago: All religions are cults...
18 months ago: "Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you." James 1:27
markbyrn
markbyrn
 Moderator
18 months ago: ...All religions are cults...

Per the Oxford Dictionary, the definition of a cult is "a relatively small group of people having religious beliefs or practices regarded by others as strange or sinister."

Give Scientology a couple of thousand years and and it will probably be a conventionally accepted religion like the others. I realize there's other definitions for cult that would include every religion and that's fine too. Of course there's the definition that's used by one religion pejoratively and laughably calling out a competing religion as a cult - if I was giving that impression, my apologies.
markbyrn
markbyrn
 Moderator
18 months ago: ..."Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you." James 1:27...

Many do that without believing in your particular religious theology or any religion at all.
Perfect Horizon
Perfect Horizon
Chicago, IL
18 months ago: Which assumes only the Christian religion is real and correct...which its not.
Perfect Horizon
Perfect Horizon
Chicago, IL
18 months ago: The dictionary is cute, but highly unreliable as it only reflects the definition based on the writers. Working definitions are far more useful.

Cult: A group of people who blindly follow a leader regardless of other peoples feelings or beliefs.

All religions are cults. Even if we simply remove the "small" from the OED then it clearly describes organized religion (especially Christianity in relation to the word "sinister")
18 months ago: "Many do that without believing..."

That's what makes it so pure and undefiled... nothing to be gained by giving to those who can't give back. Anyone can do it.... I guess that's what makes it true.
18 months ago: What do you believe? It is easy to stay out of the cross-hairs when you don't stand for anything.
Perfect Horizon
Perfect Horizon
Chicago, IL
18 months ago: Believe in regards to what? Religion? Human Compassion? Society as a whole?
18 months ago: Christianity is more of a relationship than a religion. Religion is man preforming to appease a deity trying to reach God... Christianity is God reaching man through His efforts not ours. Jesus had most of His corrective words reserved for the "religious".
18 months ago: How about the point of our human existence?
18 months ago: markbyrn,

...not to defend Scientology but you sound quite "intolerant" too. The very thing you are accusing others of... you model quite well.
Perfect Horizon
Perfect Horizon
Chicago, IL
18 months ago: Perhaps. I am going to leave this argument alone and just sum up with this:

The only thing I believe about any Christian faith is that everything that it stands for is a lie.
18 months ago: Perfect Horizon,

"Sinister" may refer to religion, politics and power... but how are the greatest commandments (Love God, and your neighbor) sinister?
Perfect Horizon
Perfect Horizon
Chicago, IL
18 months ago: There isn't one. We are living beings that have evolved from other living beings over millions of years. We are a complex set of chemical reactions that have a form that we call "human".

Life is what you want it to be, I do not need some money-grubbing institution to tell me how to be a "good person". Human compassion is something that occurs out of trained responses...our chemical reactions instinctively react to situations based on stimuli. Inherently we as humans must attempt to justify existence. Some of us do this by living life to the fullest and trying to be a good person (I have accepted the fact that I am for all intents and purposes a giant science kit living in chemical reactive fashion). Other people are the product of a line of people who have been brainwashed by sinister people (the church as an entity here) into believing that they must act a certain way (originally this was the way that the monarch controlled the people..."don't question the king or you'll go to hell...just pay your taxes or you'll go to hell etc etc") That brainwashing has continued into the present day, however it is much more likely that the brainwashing this time is so that the priest can pay for his Ferrari.
18 months ago: Perfect Horizon,

Thank you, very refreshing.

I respect your belief and can agree with the hurtful hypocritical greed thing done in the name of God. I only disagree with respect to moral responsibilities.
Perfect Horizon
Perfect Horizon
Chicago, IL
18 months ago: Well the loving God thing is questionable...(I have never seen any proof he exists and such it is hard to love him).

As for neighbors...if by this you mean other people...I do not need a religion to tell me this...it is built into human beings...compassion is simply a chemical reaction.
Perfect Horizon
Perfect Horizon
Chicago, IL
18 months ago: Can you clarify "moral responsibilities" and what you disagree with, please?
18 months ago: Perfect Horizon,

..It is sad though, "no point to our existence", there is such a waste of talents and potential. I mentioned that I was saved by a "premonition" in the original statement... I was in a "place" like that... no point to life. It was a beautiful day, crossing the Kootenay Lake in the spring of 1983. I was tired of just existing. I was outside on an upper deck looking down at the cold water... and it all became so clear... today was the day I had planned for along time... since I was a child.

I actually felt good. I did all the things I wanted to do, and all those things others didn't want me to do... yet it seemed I was alone in the end anyway... so why stick around? I figured I could dive down into the cold deep water and let out all my breath to get real deep... then stay down until I could no longer bear it. I thought even if I wanted to escape I wouldn't be able. Also, the Ferry wouldn't be able to swing around or stop in time to save me. Seemed good.

I was about to do it when I was grabbed ruggedly around my body and arms from behind... it was my girlfriend. She was crying. What now? I had enough troubles of my own! I asked her what her problem was and she couldn't even talk because of her shaking and sobbing. So I threatened her that we were "through" if she wouldn't tell me (duh, I was going to kill myself). Finally she got it out that when she walked by the window inside the Ferry, she saw me going over... and she ran outside knowing it was too late... but there I was and she grabbed me!

Now... I can see I was worth the effort, and everyone else is too... but I didn't then.
Perfect Horizon
Perfect Horizon
Chicago, IL
18 months ago: Well I am glad you didn't! I don't mean that life is not worth living...I am saying that there isn't some great point to it. We are what we are...organic beings. Live life to the fullest while you are here :D (The only difference is that I don't need God or religion to do this...others do and that's fine too)
18 months ago: Perfect Horizon,

Ok, gotta take off for work... nice chat. Not to beat a dead cat.. but, about evidence for God's existence: did you check out...

http://www.rantrave.com/Rant/Does-Space-... ?
Perfect Horizon
Perfect Horizon
Chicago, IL
18 months ago: Umm...I am fairly certain that people have been out of Earth's atmosphere and not smacked into Mars or the Moon or the Sun. I have seen the pictures from the Hubble.

I can point to years upon years of documented scientific studies etc.

The only proof I have ever seen for God has been a fictional book...Space is infinitely more convincing.
markbyrn
markbyrn
 Moderator
18 months ago: The religious tend to demand tolerance and respect for their own religion yet are often intolerant and condemn other religions - that would be hypocrisy and/or a double standard. I don't believe in one religious superstition while calling out other religious superstitions as false, and I'm not running around hawking a religion.

If you're selling a religion, I'm going to kick the tires and open the hood to see it's a lemon. I have yet to find one person who can back up the sale of their religion with any proof. Scientologists say they have the ability to control matter, energy and spacetime in the physical universe, free of the encumbrance of the body. Christians say they can do miracles. Nope, sorry, - thats the realm of charlatans like Benny Hinn or Tom Cruise.

If you want to call me an intolerant rationalist, that's fine - it's the pot calling the kettle black except to quote Carl Sagan, "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence" and the burden of proof is on you.
18 months ago: Perfect Horizon,

We are finally getting somewhere... and now it is time for the paradigm shift. I was not talking about the matter (Mars, Moon.. Sun), I was talking about Space... the very space between all that stuff! Every "scientist argues about what the "space" really is... it is nothing! If you really think about it you will agree, all the evidence supports it.

As to your reference to a "fictional book" ...the oldest one in the compilation as been telling scientists the undisputed truth about this space since...

Job 26:7 "He stretches out the north over empty space And hangs the earth on nothing."

Here is your opportunity... prove it wrong. Without Hubble... or Hercules... God hangs the earth on nothing. Nothing means nothing. There is literally nothing of energy or force that makes up "space" ..matter simply is floating in perfect order in it. It breaks all the "rules" ...you might enjoy that.

I agree the space is the most convincing.
18 months ago: markbyrn,

I wasn't demanding tolerance... only that you made a big deal of it... I am intolerant... not like that wasn't obvious already. I am intolerant of many things like injustice... and lies. I believe we are more alike than you may think. If what you said was true... you like to "check the car out before you buy it" I am the same way. The "extraordinary evidence" you are looking for is not with the charlatans, but with the One who made the promise.

In my original story about what I know.. I mentioned that I led a Irish White-supremacist to Christ... this is how it happened:

I said.. If your father promised to give you $500.00 to mow the lawn.. what would you think? Maybe.. Well, he never even paid me $5.00 last time! But, how would you know for sure.. if he was lying? I said you need to mow the lawn with Jesus! He promised:

Look! I am standing at the door and knocking. If anyone listens to my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he will eat with me. To the one who conquers (their fear) I will give a place to sit with me on my throne, just as I have conquered and have sat down with my Father on his throne. Revelation 3:20-21

The man did more than kick the tires... he went for the ride of his life!

You can mock, laugh and jeer... but if you take Him up on His offer... and He doesn't do it... only then you can call Him a liar and the Book a fake. Don't blame anyone else for your lack of courage, or on the possible fact that God hasn't answered your every prayer... this one is a promise out of His Book! Open the door... invite Jesus Christ of Nazareth in... and get back to me. We will be waiting.

The miracle I bear for all to see, especially those I grew up with, is a changed heart. I have not smashed someone, drank or did drugs since February 5, 1982 at approximately 8:30pm ... without any "treatment programs" ..many say they have done the same without Christ... not me.

The burden of authoritative experience is on you... and that is all the evidence you will ever need. If the Bible is wrong, and you open the door... you've lost nothing. If the Bible is right but you cheat... you cheat only yourself. Peace.
Content Removed by Truthbrary
Content Removed by Truthbrary
18 months ago: PH,

"The only proof I have ever seen for God has been a fictional book.."

I heard that before discussing what books should be in our public library... about the Bible being "fiction"... well, IF it is a "fiction" it is the greatest fiction ever, say even greater than Harry Potter... IF it is a "deception" it is the grandest plot, even more sinister than, lets say The Origin of Species... IF the main character of the book is a tyrant... he would be he most fierce ever, say more brutal than Hitler, Stalin and genghis khan all put together..... on those merits alone by critics... the Bible should be as is TODAY... undisputedly the World #1 Best Seller of all times! (and most or free)
18 months ago: PH,

"Which assumes only the Christian religion is real and correct...which its not."

It has been some time, however I wanted to ask, because you seem so positive that Christianity is not real or correct... I myself have followed other philosophies and religions and know them by experience... have you been a student or follower of Christ? ..to make that conclusion?
Perfect Horizon
Perfect Horizon
Chicago, IL
18 months ago: I have indeed.

My point wasn't so much whether it is in fact wrong or right...but rather that it is so far fetched that there are many other religions MUCH MUCH MUCH older than Christianity, yet Christians claim that it is the only truth. Not to mention that there are so many religions today that it is completely implausible that 1 is correct and the others are wrong. All religion is, is a crutch for people to feel better about the fact that we all die in the end. Every religion exists as a way to justify existence and to soothe the mind to the fact that we are simply carbon life forms that eventually expire.

Christianity tends to bother me most because it is Christians (especially Born Agains and Evangelicals and Catholics) that feel the need to impose their fairy tales on other people. I have never had a Wiccan or Buddhist or Jew tell me that I was going to hell because I have a different view than them, yet I am regularly assualted by Evangelical Christians and other right wing Christians that seem to think that they have the right to tell people that they cannot get married if they are homosexual or have an abortion because it hurts their feelings and its against their morals...to which I tend to reply: "Fine, if its against your religion/morals don't marry a gay person and don't get an abortion and get on with your life and leave the rest of us alone".

You will never convince me that Christianity is not a religion created by kings to control peasants. It is a fairy tale, and a wicked one at that.
Out Of The Box
Out Of The Box
 Moderator
18 months ago: Christ was here roughly 2000 years ago. There could not possibly have been any Christianity before then.

Please don't confuse Christianity with Catholicism, Protestantism, or any of the other "isms".
They definitely aren't the same thing.
18 months ago: PH,

First I agree "age" and longevity of a particular "faith" is a good start in substantiating its validity. For this reason and overwhelming evidence that there was a world-wide flood... shows that the Judeo-Christian faith has been around since the foundation of the world.
18 months ago: PH,

"All religion is, is a crutch for people to feel better about the fact that we all die in the end."

Secondly, I agree totally! The fact that Christianity is true is beside the point. We all have "crutches to help us get by" until we die... from friends to fantasy... but we have definitely more potential than carbon fiber. I don't even know you and I think you are a lot more engaging than a piece of fertilizer!
18 months ago: PH,

"Christians that seem to think that they have the right to tell people that they cannot get married if they are homosexual or have an abortion because it hurts their feelings and its against their morals.."

Third, everyone including Christians have the right to share their beliefs and give the uninformed more information. If you were going for a major operation wouldn't you want all the info you could get? As to the damaging effects of a particular "lifestyle" ...the biggest preachers on the subject have had prior experience and have something to say.
Out Of The Box
Out Of The Box
 Moderator
18 months ago: Well, actually I was saying that the writings of Truthbrary were inspired. You chose to interpret a single word the way you wanted it to mean. You get my drift?

I also believe that many of the apparent contradictions in the Bible are simply a case of mistranslation, or misunderstanding the underlying meaning. You have to remember that much of the Bible was written during the reign of oppressive governments, and therefore had to be couched in allegory and metaphor. Many parts of the King James Bible were mistranslated.

The combinations of words mean different things today than they did way back then. A translation cannot do justice to a text unless the translator is fully intimate with the colloquialisms of the people doing the writing.

The problem is that most people, Christians included, do not take the effort to discover the truth, and they repeat the same misinformation they were taught. God never intended it to be a cakewalk.

"Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Timothy 2:15
Altruist
Altruist
Eugene, OR
18 months ago: Judging from all of the fights you have been in, what I have learned from the rant is that you are intolerant of the opinions of others. You are convinced of the truth of what you believe and woe to those who don't share your beliefs.

That is the major problem with the Taliban and all of the other religious extremists that caused 350 years of inquisition and innumerable wars and immense suffering.

What happened to all of the compassionate teachings of Christ; turn the other cheek, love your enemy, and live by the golden rule?

Perhaps if you were truly open to others and to new ideas you could learn some patience and tolerance from the compassionate Buddha.
18 months ago: I am glad you mentioned fighting... I may have been a wolf, but I can assure you I am a lamb. I may make a lot of noise... but I see life worth living and dying for... as apposed to life worth living and killing for. I have personally had automatic weapons pointed at me in Mexico and Guatemala... and with a smile on my face I concluded that I as yet did not know what it is to die.

Truth need not be defended... it need only be lived ...you are bang on the teachings of Jesus Christ must govern my life... "turn the other cheek, love your enemy, and live by the golden rule" ...but don't forget "go into all the world and make disciples... teaching them to observe all things I have commanded."
Paper Tiger
Paper Tiger
England
18 months ago: Hi Truth

Reading your post, I don't know you, but you sound proud of breaking bricks with your fists,busting somebody's face etc. etc. etc.. If you want believe, then believe. If you want to convert people, then do it. What has being serial bully, to do with religion?
18 months ago: I apologize if I came off proud for hurting someone... trust me I deserve worse than a few smacks upside the head... no matter the circumstances for my actions... and it has nothing to do with "religion" ...only a changed life.
Paper Tiger
Paper Tiger
England
18 months ago: I hope your new life gives you and your loved ones great pleasure.
markbyrn
markbyrn
 Moderator
18 months ago: ...many of the apparent contradictions in the Bible are simply a case of mistranslation, or misunderstanding the underlying meaning...

That's very charitable but yet for other religious writings that don't sync with your theology, you call them out as contradictions and full of crap (sic).

In other words, for your pet religion, you have a 'supernatural' standard and for competing religions, you have an objective rational standard of measurement. If you applied the same rational measurement to your own 'sacred' cow books, you might not be so charitable.

And while I'm pointing to you, it's merely an example of what I've observed from almost every religious zealot irrespective of their particular religion or denomination; they are unable to view their own religious dispassionately and hold it the same exacting standard as they hold other religions.
Out Of The Box
Out Of The Box
 Moderator
18 months ago: Replied way down here? Ah my mistake, I tend to get too wordy and allow others to gloss over my main point. I'm learning something new day by day.

But I'm sure it wasn't lost on you.
18 months ago: Amen TB.

Amen.
amishking
amishking
 Moderator
 Auburn, NY
18 months ago: Nicely written rant. I like the "I know" device. Martin Luthor King did it with his "I have a dream" speech.

I do find it funny that you came to christ after being hit in the head with a bat twice.
18 months ago: Yea, I think it's funny too... but I am a slow learner... I guess I was more "tolerant" back then... you know... too busy checking out the philosophies of the world... like Buddhism (seriously) ..and other eastern religions... but it wasn't until 5 years later after being hit in the head that I was hit in the heart.

I basically came to Jesus to see if He was a liar... I approached everything in life like that... "don't tell me about how good or bad something was (alcohol, drugs..) I'll find out myself!" You see some "religious nuts" said the Bible promised me a new life in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17)... and I was the perfect crash-test-dummy for the challenge... I went to Church to smash some heads and smear their blood on the wall... so that those Jesus-freaks would leave me alone... and that they could see that there are some people God doesn't even "love!" However it didn't turn out like that... I accepted the offer... and soon would find out for myself if it was a lie.

Well, that was 1982...

I think that's what scares some people... they don't want to know the truth... because they fear they just might end up being a "freak" ranting and raving for Jesus!
Gregoire
Gregoire
18 months ago: Jesus became like us in every way...and was not ashamed to take on weak flesh, yet without sin.
We, on the other hand, like to pretend we are so different from one another and that nothing of another's personal experience could ever speak to me.
Yet we know, by the spirit...all flesh is the same.
The self in each man is its own god, approving and disapproving as it sees fit.
The man still snared in his own opinions cannot ever imagine being free of them...cannot imagine a life that does not spring from his own view out his kitchen window. Therefore he can only project his own bondage onto the one who came to do not his own will.
The blasphemer accuses the righteous one of blasphemy.
The unbelieving one accuses the righteous one of departing from the faith.
The ignorant one accuses the Lord of being a fool.
And so it goes...and shall...for any who have accepted his yoke and are participating in his experience of life in the earth.
No man can make another man see anything...no man can argue cleverly enough to get another man to abandon himself into the arms of Christ.
All we can do is share what we do know, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and all who come to him shall find eternal life.
And in that, brother, you have acquitted yourself well.
18 months ago: "Truth need not be defended... it need only be lived"

There it is.

Folk can babble on about all kinds of stuff, the life that is lived out is what matters. I believe we would all rather see a sermon rather than hear one.

Individuals peddle their own world views all the time. Just seems like when Christians speak up we get criticized and called names. So be it. The fact is that Jesus told believers to speak of Him. Just 'cause some others may not want to hear it, that is their problem not ours.

I preach all the time, sometimes I even use words.
18 months ago: What Huey said.

"I believe we would all rather see a sermon that hear one."

"...sometimes I even use words"

Sort of like "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid."

Pefect may turn out to be sandal dust.
Perfect Horizon
Perfect Horizon
Chicago, IL
18 months ago: Here we go again. Provide real proof from outside the Bible that God exists...
18 months ago: Pssssstttt...

Pefect.....


er....uh.... That's where the proof is............

READ IT.
18 months ago: PH - All due respect, this post is not about a debate or a treatise on why anyone should believe anything.

You need to prove it or disprove it for yourself. Read what has been shared. Put it through your filter. If anything sticks, fine. If not, shelve it or throw it out. Just keep an open mind and live your life.
Content Removed by Edward Lee
18 months ago: What else can God do or say, He sent is only Son into the world to die so that we may have life, missionaries have unselfishly gone into third world countries to take this message, some receive and others kill the messengers.

How else can we say it, let you take my life to prove that I am sincere?, forgot Jesus did it already.

Those that believe have a eternal future and those that will not, do not.
18 months ago: Hey Edward,

Loosing our lives may eventually be what its going to take.
Gregoire
Gregoire
18 months ago: Whether we live or die...are found faithful or false, whether we preach or not....every knee shall bow...not to us...but to the Lord.
18 months ago: Amen!
18 months ago: Folk want to be comfortable in their sin and the only way to do that is to eliminate God.

Period.
18 months ago: People want to be left... the Hell... alone... and wonder why it happens.
Gregoire
Gregoire
13 months ago: How well put.
That is alone, is it not?
13 months ago: Gregoire,

Unfortunately my friend ...very alone.
18 months ago:
amishking

7 days ago: Nicely written rant. I like the "I know" device. Martin Luthor King did it with his "I have a dream" speech.

I do find it funny that you came to Christ after being hit in the head with a bat twice.

Most of the time it takes more than that, like being held in a prison camp, for 3 years, no food, by terrorist, or how about a deep depression?
18 months ago: You got that right!
18 months ago: I know it is dern freeezn up here!
14 months ago: I know what it is like to get my butt kicked at Rant/Rave ...and be the better for it !:]
13 months ago: Hello Truthbrary! Very well said. I am surprised,.......really I am shocked,........you left the table and still had something good. Very well done. Ya'll have a good one.
13 months ago: Thanks Ricardo,

God is good... and merciful.

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