Christians Unite!

[Changing4Best]

I think of God as a parent. Parents let bad things happen to their children sometimes to allow them to learn things. It is called TOUGH LOVE. Take the teenager who wants to drive too quickly. When a parent gives the keys to the kid, they might say something like, "Drive safely." Then the parent prays. The kid is on his own, just about then. He can listen to his parents, or..... then the parent can take the keys away for awhile, until the kid learns more how to control himself. It does not mean that the parent loves the kid any less. Maybe the next lesson is to advise the kid to earn some money to buy his own car. Then he can be more responsible with it, because it is his own. The parents do this rather than buy the kid a car, you know. Again, tough love.

Or take the kid that keeps borrowing money and not paying mom and dad back. Sometime or other, they have to say NO. That is tough love too. So, like parents, sometimes God has to say NO. Even though it hurts, even though it makes no sense at the time, still, He needs to say NO for His own reasons.

Then there is the analogy of the rainy day vs the sunny one. 5 folks prayed for rain, they wanted their crops to grow. 5 folks prayed for sun, they were planning a picnic. You get the picture?

 

[VioletButterfly]

@Lionheart777 - I am sorry that you are struggling with this. I don't believe you are doing anything wrong. Most believers struggle with their faith at some point in their lives and some, like me, struggle over and again. God understands and He won't let go while you figure it out.

God is love in the bigger picture, so you are not off base in any way in feeling more comfortable in using "love" instead of the words God or Jesus. Since identifying with love is more comfortable for you, then that might be where you start and maybe stay for a time, concentrating on finding and really seeing/embracing all of the love around you in its many forms. You might also find it helpful to review readings in the Bible on love. Maybe start with 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8. The Psalms are also very comforting if you of a mind and heart. Blessings to you. VB

 

[Changing4Best]

My Bible Study group just finished a study on the Book of James by N. T. Wright. James is a very forthright person, getting to the point quickly. We admired him for that.

Next year we plan to do a study on small groups. The pastor wants some of us to branch off and lead smaller groups yet, making them into accountability groups. I like that idea. We had a pretty large group for our study this time, about a dozen folks. We are a small church, in a small town, so this was a good turn out for us.

 

[VioletButterfly]

Reading selections from the Bible on fear. Psalm 27, 28, 30, 31 is where I'm at right now. Praying for discernment, guidance, strength, and courage.

 

[Changing4Best]

There was a time that we all decided to do a Bible Study here in this thread. Maybe sometime soon we can do that again. We do have to be careful with the copyright rules, but we can paraphrase things and be OK, as far as I know. What do you all think?

 

[Lionheart]

This is highly personal but I am sharing it here anyways...

I connected with God, as a child, through nature. I am returning to this connection because it is a connection which for me, is strong, innocent, and pure. I simply realized and understood that I am a part of the beauty of God's Creation(s). I belong to God and God to me, there was/is no separation or fear. Death was/is simply a part of the cycle of life and there was/is no need to fear it.

I was and am important to my Creator. No less than the moon and stars as they say. Just as God created the heavens and the earth and all that is in it, he created me. There is no separation between me and Creation/The Creator. You cannot separate a creation from its Creator...the separation is an illusion, at best.

This was the connection of my childhood understanding. And while it may seem a little overly simplistic, isn't there something in the Bible about becoming 'child-like' again? Anyway, it works for me. It helps me to understand my place in the universe.

I know there is much more to it than just a connection thru nature, but isn't it a nice starting place for me? That and a focus on the unconditional love of God, self and others, should make a nice place for me to begin to re-connect and strengthen my relationship with God. What do ya think?

PS: I am all for bible study here in this thread if everyone else agrees.

 

[Changing4Best]

@Lionheart777 what a beautiful tribute to the Creator. Yes, I do remember somewhere in one of the Gospels that Jesus says the Kingdom of Heaven is for one just as these, (children). I think it was when he put His hands upon them and blessed them because their parents were asking Him to. He went on to say that one must receive Heaven as a little child would, or words to that affect. This is from my memory, so I may not have the right reference, sorry if I am off a bit.

Glad that you would be willing to do a Bible Study, thanks.

 

[Changing4Best]

Sermon by Andy Stanley "ME & MY BIG MOUTH"

This is the first in a series that might be interesting for us to watch together. Check it out and see what you think, OK?

 

[VioletButterfly]

Praying on Ephesians 6: 10-20. Needing and being thankful for the gifts.

Reading through Philippians and finding much to sustain, encourage, and direct me.

 

[Changing4Best]

The children did their Christmas pageant today during worship service. We had a real live baby Jesus too! They did a wonderful job. I got a balcony seat, as I almost always do on Sundays, and I got a bird's eye view. It was adorable.

 

[VioletButterfly]

Reading passages on hope. Hoping you all have a blessed day. :)

Just a few in case your soul need a pick-me-up.

Jeremiah 29:11
1 Peter 5:10
Isaiah 40:31
Romans 15:13
2 Corinthians 4:17-18

 

[EveHarrington]

Does anyone struggle with hypocritical Christians?

Ok so here’s the story in a nutshell.

My dad married a new woman who has an extreme jealousy problem. It’s so bad that she won’t let him have a father/daughter relationship with me. He’s not even ALLOWED to see me for lunch anymore. Anyway, the last time I saw him and every time I have to deal with him, he tells me he’s praying for me (like there’s some wrong with me). They act like such great Christians, especially her, but WTF is this crap about keeping him from his family?!?!? A GOOD CHRISTIAN WOMAN DOESNT DESTROY A FAMILY!

Argh.