These aren’t in any order!
- The Doctrine of Depravity – and if I am such a big piece of shiznip – then why did Jesus die for me.
- Prayer – The recorded life of Jesus shows that he was much like us and prayed during the “tough times in life”. There is no mention of Jesus and the disciples praying religiously every morning, before “every” meal, or every night to end the day.
- Serving – Most of the recorded life of Jesus shows that he was more interested in serving the poor than praying and getting people saved. Since this is true, why does alomst every sermon end with a prayer and a call to those in the congregation to get saved?
- Death – If we truly believe that heaven is this great and wonderful place then why do we cry when someone leaves us and goes there?
- Evangelism – Shouldn’t your life be your evangelism tool? People should see you and want to be like you because of the changes that you have made in your life because of Jesus. The unfortuunate part is we as Christians aren’t much different Sunday afternoon thru Saturday night then the good people we want to evangelize on to our team. Evanglism has become a “get them to believe what I believe” multi-million dollar business ministry, instead of a this is what Jesus did for me testimony.
- New Age - Me? – Yes! Well, actually not yet but my new age will be 33 in 16 days.
- Billy Graham – Possibly the greatest evangelist ever. Started poor and now is quite wealthy, but shunned by many because of what he says in this video. I like Billy Graham and I have liked everything I have ever heard him say/preach (except that recorded comment with President Nixon) and I like this video also.
I will be honest and say that I dont even know what the doctrine of depravity is, but I believe that John 3:16 tells us all why Jesus died for us. He loves us. Loves us with an incomprehensible God love. (thats mine dont steal it) As for prayer, of course He prayed during the tough times, but I believe that He also prayed continually. His life, because He was human, testifies to the fact that He was a man who used His mind to place himself before God, always. If Jesus prayed without ceasing, and I believe He did, then everything He did was out of obeidence, including serving. I think more that anything He just loved people, and I believe His relationship with His Father helped Him do it. I really dont have any thoughts on evangelism. “Why do we cry when someone leaves us and goes there” This seems like a ridiculous question, especially for you, to be asking, but I know why I cry. I miss my daughter and I dont understand why God didnt heal her the way I prayed for her to be healed. Thats why I cry. I dont think you clarified whether or not you are a Christian or a New Age thinker. You cant be both.
A lot of the times when Jesus was asked a question He did not answer it directly. Many time people try to “trap” christians into saying that this is the way it is, and even if it is true we often come off as unloving and judgemental. We should not allow ourselves to be trapped in conversation, the result is usually an arguement that cant be won.
Chris, what in the world! I am not perfect, noone has to prove that me, but still….
Why are you wondering so much about stuff like this?
Do you spend more time reading “Christian” books other than the Bible?
Could you perhaps be becoming infulenced by others theology than that of the sound doctrine of the Bible?
I promise I am not throwing out an attack here, or even judgement. I just ask because I KNOW what havoc was reaped in my life when I was reading too much of what others thought about Christianity, the Christian Life, and Jesus other than just reading about Jesus from His own book.
There is a lot in this world today that will try to drive people away from clear thinking about the sound doctrine of the Bible… even Christian material that is offered to us is often ‘innocent’ wolves in sheep’s clothing. I’m just saying this , because I am one who suffered greatly because I was more into searching the words of other Chirstians who “told/ or offered good advice” to me how on to live my relationship with Christ through their books, and internet material that did the same, basically anything else that the one true source first offered (the Bible) that teaches us and how to serve right, how to pray right, I found myself reading more of.
This is not an accusation. I do admit, I don’t know if how often you read the Bible. Nor is it my business. There is no wrong or right way to be in the WORD, I am not one to pass advice on this either, simply again, it is just a question (that I don’t even desire an answer to really). I just write out of concern because of the road I walked and had to learn my own lesson. I just share my testimony here that’s it… if it is helpful -than great… if it is trash to you-then okay, I’m not offended as I know you won’t be either.
The Bible is the only true source to offer sound and perfect God breathed truth on such topics.
I still have not arrived and connot even offer you the ‘perfect advice’ even though I am a Christian myself. So please up front…. If I even sound self-righteous, you call me out, really I am just sharing a little bit of testimony here, which I hope is okay, and hope does not come across as a “finger-pointing”. I could have even read this post of yours out of context, for I don’t know your inner heart as you typed away… so, see, I could be way off, in this comment box.
One thing I do want to say… is that Jesus wept. I believe John the Baptist is in Heaven and Jesus grieved the loss of this dearly beloved one of His. Even Lazerus (sp? – sorry) He wept at his death, even tho he went on to still raise him back from the dead. Did He weep because he was overwhelmed with the others who lost their brother and friend…. (like I might find myself crying as I watch a love one loose one of their precious loved ones even though I KNOW that the one who is passed has only passed into all GLORY.)… or did Jesus weep because He knew a loved one of His was not present in the body any longer even while He personally knew of all the Glory and Greatness to behold in Heaven. I’d don’t know…. perhaps both… I don’t know, who am I?,
But I know our Savior wept, God in the flesh, wept. We are in the flesh too and we will weep at either the loss of a loved one or even other circumstances that bring sorrow into our lives. In the Old Testament you can read that God in Heaven wept over His people who kept turning their backs on Him. God has a heart and the word was used as “weep” God weeps over Israel and the pain they brought to Him as they kept turning against Him after all He has done over and over again for them. You weep too, am I right? Or even if you don’t let the tears flow, I can’t believe that your heart has not ever wept. Are you just wondering why you may weep even though a loved is in Heaven? I know it is a puzzling thought for sure, why would we weep, I mean Heaven is the best place for anyone :O) , yet, we still weep, like our Savior who did the same.
But, Glory be to God who is the sustainer of all who will call upon His name… and while Jesus was in the flesh, I believe He lived a life just like you and me (only He was perfect even perfect when He faced temptaion – He always had a choice to make… even the choice to surrender to the cross) And Jesus in the flesh provided the perfect example for us,- who sitll in the flesh-, to know that God will and CAN provide and will and Can sustain through all circumtances even when the trial is hard and weeping may come.
What are you in search for, Chris? That is just a hypthetical question and do not expect a return answer, not await to hear one.
Also as I started this LONG comment, ….
When I say, “What in the World!” to you, it’s not an attack or judgement… it’s just because I know you and find it natural to say a thing like that to a friend.
ps- didn’t mean to write so much… working on shortening up my words. maybe I could just “shut-up” ~ right? Please don’t tell me that, cause it might hurt. anyway…. bye.