Born Again Christians Thread-No Bashing please

[Miss Jasmine]

Not a verse, but a whole passage. It really spoke to me today:
Psalm 86

1 Hear, O LORD, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.

2 Guard my life, for I am devoted to you.
You are my God; save your servant
who trusts in you.

3 Have mercy on me, O Lord,
for I call to you all day long.

4 Bring joy to your servant,
for to you, O Lord,
I lift up my soul.

5 You are forgiving and good, O Lord,
abounding in love to all who call to you.

6 Hear my prayer, O LORD;
listen to my cry for mercy.

7 In the day of my trouble I will call to you,
for you will answer me.

8 Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord;
no deeds can compare with yours.

9 All the nations you have made
will come and worship before you, O Lord;
they will bring glory to your name.

10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds;
you alone are God.

11 Teach me your way, O LORD,
and I will walk in your truth;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.

12 I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify your name forever.

13 For great is your love toward me;
you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.

14 The arrogant are attacking me, O God;
a band of ruthless men seeks my life—
men without regard for you.

15 But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

16 Turn to me and have mercy on me;
grant your strength to your servant
and save the son of your maidservant.

17 Give me a sign of your goodness,
that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,
for you, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me.

 

[live4christp1]

What a beautiful Psalm Miss Jasmine.....thanks for sharing it. I need to get back to reading a Psalm a day.

Have been reading the book of James, I always find something new there and God deals with me about some part or something in my life. Talk about the two-edged sword......wow......

 

[Grandma Bear]

Thanks Miss Jasmine that was a great way to start my day! I also enjoyed Imhall2000's report. Our church is having it's annual women's retreat for two days. The theme is prayer.

 

[Albertan mom]

Its great to be back! I was gone from the DIS for 3 days. When I left we were at about page 95, now over 100 pages! YAY!!
When I first started reading, I was frustrated to see all the heated discussions going on, and was feeling sad. I was happy to see that all change in the last 2 pages!

Great stories you are all sharing, and great verses! God is in the business of moving mountains! Hallelujah!!

I saw Christ working in many peoples lives this weekend at the reunion we were at. I saw people that have really grown in their relationship with the Lord, and I saw people who are sitting on the fence that are really struggling. You can just see it in their eyes. I saw couples who are having marital struggles, and those that are overcoming their struggles with Gods help.

We had a family issue while we were there and it was great to see 4 generations of Christians sit around the table and pray and lift our problem to God. It was tear-jerking and overwhelming and wonderful!!

I am thankful for this thread, and the direction that it is now headed.

 

[disneymom3]

I have a praise to share. Last week I saw an ad in the paper for this girls choir camp and I called about it. it is this week and DD 9 is going, she started yesterday. This camp and the choir performance group it is associated with, are going to be a huge blessing in our lives! I can already tell. This last year, Dd was in the kids choir at our church and it became obvious as the year went on that things were pretty "political" The favorites got lots (and I mean Lots) of solos etc--same thing happened with the Christmas play--and I think in a manner of overcompensating, DD sang on her own once. Her dad leads the worship team musicians but is not involved in hte kids choir and I really think the leader was trying to make it clear that she wasn't playing favorites, but honestly, favorites were played anyway. All this to say, that DD always was left wondering what was up and why the song she was supposed to sing ended up being not done until the last performance of the year. It overall was not the greatest set up for several reasons and we were trying to determine if she was doing it or not this year. And here I found this camp.

Now, I don't want DD to be spotlighted and I think it sounds that way. What I want is for her to be valued equally and learn new skills in singing. She is amazingly talented--honestly, she has a true gift and talent from God. I am so thrilled that she has come together with this group and she has already learned such a huge amount in just two days. This is a kid who could really take music far in her life and I am so thrilled to have found this path for her! Her talent just blows me away. She started piano a little over a year ago taking lessons from me, originally. I soon had to find a teacher for her as she outpaced me quickly! Then at the end of last year, the piano teacher was telling me that although she could continue with her for the technical aspects, for the next year, she wanted me to know that she herself was looking for someone for DD to go to to take it to the next step. I really see this choir as being one of those steps. And God is soooo cool--it had been several weeks since I had even read the local paper and the week the ad was in there, here I read it cover to cover. This is such a God thing!

 

[Albertan mom]

Cool!

There is no such thing as coincidences in Christian lives!!

 

[Grandma Bear]

Cool!

There is no such thing as coincidences in Christian lives!!

Amen! Welcome back.

 

[Albertan mom]

Thanks GrandmaBear!

I just finished reading the verrrrrry long and painful abortion thread and I just wanted to say a "Good for you" for those that put themselves out there, knowing they are going to be flamed, and are standing up for the gospel. (and in this case-the innocent defenseless babies)

Christians that put themselves out there and stand up for what they believe in, will always get persecuted. That is to be expected, as we live in a fallen, sinful world.

I dont blame those of you that dont get into the debates, because there is very hurtful things said. We all need to pick our battles, and sometimes it is not worth getting worked up over, 'preaching' to people we don't even know.
Sometimes it feels like a lost cause. ..

Thanks for the encouraging pm's, and again, thanks for supporting me, when I feel down and beaten!

 

[Aidensmom]

I just want to confess here that I let a little anger get away with me today, but there was something that really got under my skin, and I really want to say something about it. I apologize that I may have been offensive towards someone today, only because I let myself get caught up in the anger, (and they know who they are) but I feel what was being said was judgemental and not what God would have wanted to be done.

Let me start by saying that when I first came on the community board, I just played a few games, then went back to the trip planning boards. One day on the CB, there was a post asking what it meant to be a Born Again Christian. Being naive to the "battles" that go on here between christians and non-christians, I answered the post with sincerity. I was soon greeted by a lot of judgement towards me by people figuring they knew everything about me because I was a Christian, and was told I was judgemental and offensive, etc, etc. I went back and read all my posts on that thread, and for the life of me could not figure out what I said that caused those feelings. I never said anything about anyone else, only what I felt for me, and was really confused. I didn't realize that people already had a bunch of preconceived notions here, as in real life, I have never had anyone judge me like that because I was a Christian.

Well, I started getting involved with more on the CB. I found that many people would already assume what I was going to say even if that is not how I felt. I never thought about leaving though, because sin may it be, I like to spite people, and thought I would hang around just because people didn't like me. I never have been one to hold back what I feel or think, and just went on expressing my opinion.

In the meantime, I have made a lot of friends on this board. Many of them I couldn't even tell you what their religious or political beliefs are, they are just people that I like to "hang out" with, and a lot of them are also people I know believe all the opposite things that I do. And then there are some that hold my same religious beliefs, and they are people that help to encourage me greatly in that area.

I finally just recently figured out where a lot of the hostility on these boards towards Christians is coming from. It is not "non-Christians" faults, it is ours. There are Christians here that will question the faith of other Christians (including my own) and I must ask why? Isn't the ONLY thing that makes you a Christian is the acceptance that Jesus Christ died on the cross to take the punishment for all our sins and that through that is the only way you are worthy of God? If that is what someone believes, how can their Christianity or their salvation be questioned. If fellow Christians are feeling judged, can you imagine how non-Christians are feeling? Because even worse judgements are being made against them.

God commanded us to go preach the gospel. What does that mean to you? Telling everybody about His love, or telling everybody about their sins?

What I believe is God wants us to tell everyone about His love. Unless someone expreriences His love and has chosen to become a Christian, I don't think that anything else in the Bible is going to hold any meaning. It is backwards to preach against sin to bring someone to God. You show the love of God to someone and HE will reveal to them what is sin.

If some people want to call me out, go ahead, but I firmly believe in what I am saying. If I need prayer, pray for me, and let God do His part.

 

[Grandma Bear]

As long as we are following God what other's say doesn't matter! On the day we stand before him each of us will give an account. The Bible says by our words we are justified or condemmed. We've all gotten angry and had to ask forgiveness;but that's not the same as delibertly being mean or spiteful.

 

[Wishing on a star]

It is backwards to preach against sin to bring someone to God. You show the love of God to someone and HE will reveal to them what is sin.

AMEN!!!!!

I have tried to make this point many many times. We are, in fact, expressly forbidden to try to point out, convict, judge, or punish 'sin'!!!!

It is, as you said, completely backwards!!!!

This work is Gods... The 'battles' that are so heavy on our hearts, they are Gods.

Like the chocolate chip cookie example on that other thread. It is useless for someone who knows the wondrous joy of warm chocolate chip cookies to try to discuss the merits of different cookie recipes with somebody who, figuratively, feels that they are allergic to chocolate, or that chocolate is bad for them!!!! To the latter person, it is all nonsense! Their eyes have yet to be opened... This can only result in negativity and hurt feelings on both sides.

And, it just makes it even worse if we spend time arguing and putting down each others favorite recipes... the ones that they love and that work for them.

It is all the work of God, and the LOVE of God, not US, but GOD. I could no more "bring somebody to God" than I could fly them to Mars! LOL!!! If, as a Christian, I am painfully aware of the fact that I am merely a sinner, and "There, but by the grace of God...." And that God made Himself known to me, and drew me to him... I mean, if I could not even save myself from my sin, then how in the heck could I even begin to imagine that I could save, or judge, anyone else!!!

Like the other poster recently mentioned... For us to do the work of Christ, is to believe on him, and to love him, and to show that love to others... Nothing more, nothing less.

Aidensmom, while I know what you are talking about in your post, from reading what you have been posting on this BAC thead (Haven't been reading the other thread....), I just find it so hard to believe that anyone would question your Christianity or your salvation!!! We all must remember, the only person who has a right to question this, is Christ!

 

[cra-z-4-dizney]

I am not sure if I am the one that is being talked about here, but I truely did not mean in any way to judge anyone. I meant only to stand up for my personal beliefs. If I offended anyone then I apologize. It seems, and I do not want to start a debate about it, that whenever a Christian tries to take a stance in their beliefs they are berated and called crazy, and other such names.
I have no doubts about where I stand, I know when I die I am going to heaven, and while here on earth I will be a disciple of Christ.

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:7-9).

 

[luvthatduke]

Jeepers! What did I miss today??
Just want to give some to everyone
who is feeling badly...

Thanks Miss Jasmine & Live4Christp1 for your
verses, passages, etc. - very uplifting!
BTW, what's the "p1" for I've been wondering?

eta: Welcome Back Albertan Mom!

Forgive me but I've already forgotten who posted
the praise about their DD & the choir,
but my heart's in the right place - I'm glad for you
and praise the Lord with you, I pray He does mighty
things through your DD and your family!

Lots of other things spoken about, I want to ponder them...

Blessings to all...

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Aidensmom, As Christians we accept Jesus and try our best to live our lives like Him. The problems come because men interprets what is meant in the Bible and some people are not open to what other people think those things mean. I think you could pluck a passge from the Bible, post it here, and you would have many variations of what that passage meant to them. And yes sometimes I should turn the other cheek, but I can't help myself.

 

[live4christp1]

Jeepers! What did I miss today??
Just want to give some to everyone
who is feeling badly...

Thanks Miss Jasmine & Live4Christp1 for your
verses, passages, etc. - very uplifting!
BTW, what's the "p1" for I've been wondering?
eta: Welcome Back Albertan Mom!

Forgive me but I've already forgotten who posted
the praise about their DD & the choir,
but my heart's in the right place - I'm glad for you
and praise the Lord with you, I pray He does mighty
things through your DD and your family!

Lots of other things spoken about, I want to ponder them...

Blessings to all...

This was DH's first choice of an email address....live4christ@....., that was already taken so they suggested adding something at the end.....P is the first initial of our last name and they slapped the 1 on the end.....it just kind of stuck with us.

Everyone can call me Cristy though, it's a lot shorter to type.

 

[ead79]

What I believe is God wants us to tell everyone about His love. Unless someone expreriences His love and has chosen to become a Christian, I don't think that anything else in the Bible is going to hold any meaning. It is backwards to preach against sin to bring someone to God. You show the love of God to someone and HE will reveal to them what is sin.

Amen! When I see people who are anxious to tell others what is wrong with their lives, I find myself asking, “Where is the love?” I’ll let God worry about the sin, I’ll just try to express His love.

Julie, wonderful news about the choir for your DD! Music can be such a wonderful blessing.

 

[disneymom3]

Cool!

There is no such thing as coincidences in Christian lives!!

Exactly! I just love how God manages to work around our little crazy human brains and bring about His glory and plans for us anyway!

 

[cardaway]

I finally just recently figured out where a lot of the hostility on these boards towards Christians is coming from. It is not "non-Christians" faults, it is ours.

 

[cardaway]

Like the chocolate chip cookie example on that other thread. It is useless for someone who knows the wondrous joy of warm chocolate chip cookies to try to discuss the merits of different cookie recipes with somebody who, figuratively, feels that they are allergic to chocolate, or that chocolate is bad for them!!!! To the latter person, it is all nonsense! Their eyes have yet to be opened... This can only result in negativity and hurt feelings on both sides.

And, it just makes it even worse if we spend time arguing and putting down each others favorite recipes... the ones that they love and that work for them.

It is all the work of God, and the LOVE of God, not US, but GOD.

Glad you liked it.

Since you read it you must have picked up that there are people like myself that believe in the same God, but are not Christians.

 

[dcentity2000]

Since you read it you must have picked up that there are people like myself that believe in the same God, but are not Christians.

Yah, I think that's perfectly valid - God permeates every facet of life and takes on many guises. To me, all good paths lead to God, not just Christianity.



Rich::