Born Again Christians Thread-No Bashing please

[Rajah]

Yep, it happens all the time here. Frankly, it's really, really annoying when you're on the subway and trying to get home and someone is shouting that you're going to Hell. I keep thinking, "Now how does he/she know that? That's kinda rude." But everyone just tunes them out.

I did have a great interraction with a woman and her family recently. I was on my home from work and I noticed a family (OBVIOUS tourists - you guys stick out like sore thumbs! LOL! Tourists I mean). They kept peering at the subway stations, clearly trying to determine if they needed to get off. I asked them where they were going, offered directions, one thing lead to another and we chatted. Turns out they were in NYC from Arkansas for vacation and were showing their kids around town for a birthday. Next thing you know, she tells me she's Christian and they also like to come to the city on missions.

Had a really nice conversation, and she asked me about my wife. I wear a ring on my left hand, keeps the single women and (ahem) gay guys away. I explained the ring, why I wore it and told her about Joe. I give her kudos 'cause she didn't even blink. I was impressed! She asked what I did and also told her Joe was in publishing but working hard, taking classes and certifications to become a teacher in NY state. I also told her that Joe was actually taking two big time exams the next morning and we were both pretty worried about them. They were tough!

She and her entire family offered to say a prayer. At first I thought they meant a prayer for me because I was a sinner, blah blah blah. She must have seen the look in my eye because she clarified that they would say a prayer for Joe due to his exams and that if he didn't pass for whatever reason, they'd also pray that he got the strength to continue with his dream. I thought it was pretty darn nice if you ask me!

We came to their stop and they hopped off. I couldn't help but think of them on their vacation during the rest of my ride home.

We got word yesterday that he passed with high flying colors!

Now *that* was in the true spirit of Christianity. Thanks for sharing, Rick.

 

[Aidensmom]

Thanks for sharing that story Rick, it was a wonderful blessing. That's what really gets me when people catorgize us all in with those screaming on the street corner. While I don't think that we should ever water down the scripture, like other posters I agree that you aren't accomplishing much by screaming at people.

If we would all react in a similar manner as this lady, Christianity might not have such a bad rap by public opinion. There is a DC Talk song on one of their albums that starts out with a speaker saying that the greatest hinderance to Christianity is Christians themselves and I have to agree with that to an extent. Will have to go home and listen to that and get the exact wording.....would be a great addition to my signature.

Oh....I know what song you are talking about, it is out in my car, and I just can't think of it!

Rick - Wow, I am amazed at what you have to listen to every day, I have never seen that kind of thing around here! And thank you for the great story about the family you met, I can really see Jesus acting that way.

 

[ead79]

Rick, thanks for sharing that story! Please tell Joe congratulations for passing with flying colors!

 

[DisneyTrippin]

I can't resist:

Genesis 1
The Beginning
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
2 Now the earth was [a] formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
3 And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.
[/i]

lovethatduke - that is interesting and a great insight. I would have to go back to part of that scripture however and say that I believe it is a pretty clear indication that life did not live on the earth before "light."
formless and empty

 

[DisneyTrippin]

ford family, as I posted earlier, I don’t really have a specific date for what I believe the age of the earth to be. However, I do think it’s much younger than billions of years. As for your dates and evidences of societies from long ago, I would say that the artifacts that have been found have likely been dated using carbon dating. This method can be highly unreliable, hence my problem with accepting the dates often found in evolutionary textbooks. Also, I do not believe that man evolved from apes. I find the assumption that we evolved from apes to be largely without a good scientific basis. For example, I often hear the argument that man must’ve evolved from apes since our DNA is so similar. Never mind the fact that the most minute changes in DNA are what separate one type of organism from another. At any rate, I know we won’t agree on this issue, I just wanted to respond to your statements.

Agreed. Scientiest have been approached with the 5000 - 6000 year theory and have not been able to argue it. The sun moves a certain amount of distance away from the earth each year. Scientists have been approached with the question, "If the sun moves x amount of "space" from the earth each year, shouldn't our planet be barely lit." The scientists said theoretically yes, but they could not provide a "scientific" explanation. Maybe that is because most scientists are athiests and we just cannot explain God away.

I highly recommend reading He Who Thinks, Has to Believe and The Evidence for Creation.

 

[DisneyTrippin]

Some people are only comfortable talking with people who agree with them. My guess would be that he wasn't very experienced in witnessing to someone. It is hard to do face to face, it's easier for me to type here. Our church does do door to door ministry but we mostly visit people who have visited the church (kind of a follow up glad you came type deal). We did go through the community once knocking on doors and inviting people to an old fashioned prayer meeting........that was my first door to door experience and it was scary to me. To witness effectively like this person was attempting......one really needs to be grounded in their faith and know what they believe and why and have the scripture to back it up. If you aren't prepared it can be intimidating to speak to someone who doesn't have the same views.

I have been here at the warehouse since 1992 (left from 1998-2000) but here I am back again. We have and have had very rough individuals as employees, when DH & I recommitted our lives.....I wasn't really grounded in the scripture and didn't have answers to lots of questions. My witness was my example....how I treated people, reacted, etc. I have never preached to them, but if someone has a question I will find the answer in scripture and share it with them. Have seen 3 co-workers come to know Christ since I have been here and all the others are respectful enough of me and my faith, as I have treated each of them with respect, that they refrain from bad language etc......and will usually mention it to someone from the plant next door if they come up here using foul language, one of our guys will say, "hey, you can't disrespect Ms. Cristy like that" Makes me feel like I'm their Sunday school teacher.

I could not agree with you more. It is a bit hard to do face-to-face. I think a true Christian does witness to people each day by their actions, but it is hard to tell somebody they are wrong or that they are living wrong face-to-face. I think it is the fear of how they will respond. For me, I don't want to let Jesus down, but I also hate to hurt people's feelings. Like when the people at work who drink every day and get drunk on the weekends refer to me as a "good girl" and I feel the need to explain myself. I don't mind the label, but it is so hard for me to tell them why, when I can be an example - if all of that makes sense.

Rick - I think it is unfortunate that Joe was so nice to him and the guy was unkind. Perhaps the man went home and thought about and prayed about how he could be a more effective witness.
Tell Joe congrats by the way.

 

[DisneyTrippin]

Well I guess I just don't know where to look. Sigh...I guess they could be lumped in with "creatures that move along the ground".

Job 40 - 41, honey.

 

[DisneyTrippin]

i'll make you a deal. i'll try not to generalize christians if you try not to generalize "non-believers".

But you are coming to a thread where Christians are fellowshipping. What up wit dat request.

 

[DisneyTrippin]

Weldon, a man from my church, went to be with the Lord today. He is happy, but many of us who are still earth-dwellers miss him terribly. Please keep his family and friends in prayer.

 

[luvthatduke]

ford family: ... although I'm not sure why you felt moved to cut and paste genesis. I'm not intending to get into a debate about any of these interpretations" as it would be a waste of everybodys time. However, I did look at the creationist website you referenced and I found the content quite underwhelming. One thing really disturbed me, though, and that was this line;
"research done by leading creation scientists..."

Well, this was started as a Christian thread for Christians to fellowship together, but we welcome anyone who has a question about what we personally believe, and the discussion that usually follows. The discussion in the last day or two has been mainly about the age of the Earth, as well as taking it further to discuss our personal views, including regarding science. Frankly, I'm amazed anyone would even question someone quoting Genesis on a thread such as this one, especially in light of the current discussion. I'm sorry you felt my response was a challenge to debate - it wasn't.

And I understand your point about the term "creation scientist," and I could say the same thing about the scientists who are clearly evolutionary thinkers, but simply choose not to call attention to themselves by giving themselves away by title. I don't think that either science is necessarily biased or flawed, I would consider each source individually. However, I stand by my belief that many things we inherantly trust today as "scientific truth," are based on flawed science, and in some instances outright fraud.
hyerpraise gave another link to a website I couldn't recall when I posted, you may want to check it out when you have the time.

DisneyTripping: lovethatduke - that is interesting and a great insight. I would have to go back to part of that scripture however and say that I believe it is a pretty clear indication that life did not live on the earth before "light." formless and empty

Oh, I agree!! I didn't mean to imply that there was life in the waters... Oops! I was merely saying that since the waters were there
before God created life, that science and the Bible don't necessarily disagree. Sorry for any confusion about where I stand on that one - thank you for pointing it out

Rick, congrats to Joe. I'm sorry you New Yorkers have to go through that on a daily basis. I think the young guy that approached Joe was out of his element, and realized it. I'm glad the woman on the subway did such a good job of representing Jesus, because that's really what it's all about. It's not about how we, as BAC's, are represented (although the things we do and say can certainly impact the way another BAC is rec'd), it's about how Jesus looks in the eyes of the people we talk to and live with and live next door to, etc.

 

[Aidensmom]

But you are coming to a thread where Christians are fellowshipping. What up wit dat request.

I understand what she is saying. Sometimes, we, as Christians, tend to lump unbelievers all into one group, just as unbelievers may lump us all into one group along with people who are members of cults, who proclaim to be Christians but aren't, etc. I don't know how many of the other threads you read, but there are a lot of varying opinions out there, some of which are not so nice towards Christians in general. Caitycaity is always very respectful and I enjoy her participation in this thread. I understand this thread is for Christian fellowship, but IMO the questions and respectful comments of anyone are welcome, and may even help us on our Christian walk because sometimes people with varying opinions make us think much more than talking to someone who agrees with everything we say.

 

[Grandma Bear]

I understand what she is saying. Sometimes, we, as Christians, tend to lump unbelievers all into one group, just as unbelievers may lump us all into one group along with people who are members of cults, who proclaim to be Christians but aren't, etc. I don't know how many of the other threads you read, but there are a lot of varying opinions out there, some of which are not so nice towards Christians in general. Caitycaity is always very respectful and I enjoy her participation in this thread. I understand this thread is for Christian fellowship, but IMO the questions and respectful comments of anyone are welcome, and may even help us on our Christian walk because sometimes people with varying opinions make us think much more than talking to someone who agrees with everything we say.

This is why I feel as true christains that our talk must match our walk! We don't want to be sterotyped and we have to avoid sterotyping others. I have met many claiming to be Christians over the years;but their life and attitudes don't reflect Jesus' presence.

 

[Aidensmom]

Job 40 - 41, honey.

OK, I have read these scriptures, but would still really like to hear people's knowledge on this? Is this saying that dinosaurs existed at the time of Job? That they existed before (when?) and they are just being referred to? If they were there at the time of Job, what happened to them? Will someone who has studied this give those of us that don't understand this some insight? This is really interesting to me. Thanks.

 

[Buckalew11]

Rick, again, another congrats to Joe.

Someone already mentioned the 6000 yrs. because of Bible history. And that's what I was taught. 4000 yrs. before Christ and now 2000 after (approx.) Haven't you ever seen a history time line that shows this explanation? I'm sure your local library has one. It is really fascinating to see.

I'm doing a history study with a friend of mine and she brought this really cool book that has a time line that goes back to Adam and Eve and then it puts all Bible history onto the time line and also regular history with it. It made it all come to life reallt, so you could what all was happening at the same point in time.

Funny thing was, she isn't a believer and the history that we're studying is more scientific and doesn't follow this time line. She had this book and didn't realize until she opened it up that the 2 views of history were a bit different!

Surely someone else has heard of the 7 day creation theory paralleling the world's having an existence of 7,000 years? I have no idea if there is any kind of truth in something like that...if I live long enough, I'll let ya'll know.

As always, I've enjoyed the sharing of thoughts.

 

[jaxchapsteve]

Hi all!
I've been lurking on this board forever and a day, getting ready for my big WDW vacation which begins next week!
Not only am I a believer, but a worship pastor at a large church in northern NJ. I'm so excited to see brothers and sisters coming together, even on a Disney level! Keep on keepin on. I long for a day when Disney and the world is looking to the church again for creativity, new ideas and innovation!

Your bro,
Steve Hawthorne

 

[luvthatduke]

Hi all!
I've been lurking on this board forever and a day, getting ready for my big WDW vacation which begins next week!
Not only am I a believer, but a worship pastor at a large church in northern NJ. I'm so excited to see brothers and sisters coming together, even on a Disney level! Keep on keepin on. I long for a day when Disney and the world is looking to the church again for creativity, new ideas and innovation!

Your bro,
Steve Hawthorne

Welcome! Glad to know you

 

[Albertan mom]

Hi all!
I've been lurking on this board forever and a day, getting ready for my big WDW vacation which begins next week!
Not only am I a believer, but a worship pastor at a large church in northern NJ. I'm so excited to see brothers and sisters coming together, even on a Disney level! Keep on keepin on. I long for a day when Disney and the world is looking to the church again for creativity, new ideas and innovation!

Your bro,
Steve Hawthorne

Welcome!!

 

[ford family]

Originally posted by luvthatduke
And I understand your point about the term "creation scientist," and I could say the same thing about the scientists who are clearly evolutionary thinkers, but simply choose not to call attention to themselves by giving themselves away by title. I don't think that either science is necessarily biased or flawed, I would consider each source individually. However, I stand by my belief that many things we inherantly trust today as "scientific truth," are based on flawed science, and in some instances outright fraud.

To me, the difference is that most scientists are not evolutionary rather than creationist, they are simply scientists. They work in their specialist field, be it physics or geology or whatever without any thought for any religious implications from their discoveries.
On the other hand, the creationist scientists are only looking for arguments that support their preconceived ideas and ignore any findings to the contrary.

ford family

 

[live4christp1]

OK, I have read these scriptures, but would still really like to hear people's knowledge on this? Is this saying that dinosaurs existed at the time of Job? That they existed before (when?) and they are just being referred to? If they were there at the time of Job, what happened to them? Will someone who has studied this give those of us that don't understand this some insight? This is really interesting to me. Thanks.

Go to www.drdino.com and click on articles. There are several different topics and all are interesting reading. Click on dinosaurs and then on What happened to the Dinosaurs. There are also some articles there that show dinosaurs found recently.

 

[live4christp1]

Listening to Dr. David Jeremiah (www.turningpointradio.org) this morning on WMBW.(www.wmbw.org)....he is speaking about the rapture.......he's speaking pre-trib rapture......very interesting message. One verse he refrenced as the promise that the church will not go through the tribulation is Revelations Chapter 3, Verse 10 - Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Adrian Rogers (www.lwf.org) message was really good this morning too.