Stress Center Peer Support

Yes, let's remember our service families too!
I have said lots of times latley-we could be in Kosovo-but by the Grace of God we are here instead. We need to be thankful that most of our needs are met!
If I have ever made anyone on here feel offended I am soooo sorry.
Always, Deb^J^

"Come on People Now-smile on your brother...everybody get together try to love one another right now"
The Youngbloods

yes we can! Mello!

^J^

...and Mainstay........we can do what you posted!
Because we have FreeWill!
^J^

Wow, this posting has really gotten off the subject, lol. But, anywhos, thanks for all input, opinions. Well, am ready to go to church. Go worship the uncreatd God, through his Son, Jesus Christ. Have a nice day everyone...

Jim,
I hope you know, your topic was extremely informative. And you are living by example. God Bless you:) Nelly

Thanks Nelly! That's what this was for, to inform people there are answers. I wish every Christian would study apologetics. There's a wealth of information to be learned. Jesus IS who He said He is, the Son of God! Be well everyone.

There is a guy that was an atheist that spoke at our church last year. He is an investigative reporter and has authored many books about apologetics. If anyone is interested in reading more about apologetics, Lee Stobel is a great resource. He came across as a very fact based, needs to "see it" to believe it type of person. (he even said something to that effect!) He thought that Christianity was based on mythology or was something that was made up. He decided that he would search for the truth to "IF" Christ really rose from the dead. He stated he DID find overwhelming historical evidence that Christ DID rise from the dead. His revelation of this is written in his book called "The Case for Christ". I have not read it yet as I started his "A Case for Faith" and have not finished that yet. That night Strobel and our Pastor talked about Sam Harris, author of "Letter to a Christian Nation" which blows religion to pieces.

Who do you believe? What is right?

That would all depend on a persons own faith, beliefs (or absence of then which of course there is no God, Jesus, et.al., etc).

FAITH: (from Wikipedia) Faith is a profound belief or trust in a particular truth, or in a doctrine that expresses such a truth. Formal usage of the word "faith" is largely reserved for concepts of religion, where it almost universally refers to a trusting belief in a transcendent reality (ergo spirituality and spiritual immortality), or else in a Supreme Being and their role as a guide for people moving into an experience of such reality. Informal usage of the the word "faith" can be quite broad, and may be used standardly in place of either as "trust," "belief," or "hope". For example, the word "faith" can refer to a religion itself or to religion in general. (For informal uses of the word "faith", see Faith (word)). As with "trust," faith involves a concept of future events or outcomes.

Faith in Christianity. (from Wikipedia)
The Biblical understanding of faith has many contextual applications. However, one of the most prominent definitions is found in Epistle to the Hebrews 11:1 which states, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."[1] In other words, faith is the "evidence" of what Christians "know" to be true within their own hearts that has been revealed to them by God.[2]

Since I do not know Who made God, or where He came from, I just go by my own faith and beliefs in Christianity; I trust in them and my own heart. For me personally I think God is just "there", He just "IS", always has been.

Thanks Jim.

Wow Liz,
Awesome post, i have heard of Lee Stobel and my daughter has his book " A Case for Christ" which i plan on borrowing from her when we go down in May, Ive heard alot about his book. Thanks again for your input:) Nelly

Originally posted by Jim2:
Wow, this posting has really gotten off the subject, lol. But, anywhos, thanks for all input, opinions. Well, am ready to go to church. Go worship the uncreatd God, through his Son, Jesus Christ. Have a nice day everyone...

lol... this thread definitely got off topic...

In all fairness, you even got off topic a bit with your political statements involving religion and your opinions about Atheists. This is the reason for this response:

Although I agree with you that certain Atheists are becoming fundamental in their beliefs, they are certainly not militant or even irrational about their beliefs.

Additionally, I'd argue that the "Ten Commandments" being displayed on the walls of legal institutions is un-American. The majority of our Founding Fathers, despite popular belief, were not Christian and they believed in a secular government. So the idea that this countries legal system or even governmental system, for that matter, is based on Christianity is incorrect. Our founding fathers believed that a secular government is the best way to protect religious freedoms, regardless of their religious beliefs. I agree with them. So regardless of whether or not they were Christian, they, as do most scholars, agreed that the best way to protect the freedom of religion is for the government to STAY OUT OF IT!

The Ten Commandments being displayed on public buildings, "God in the pledge of allegiance" (which wasn't added to the pledge until the 20th century anyway, even though it isn't a big deal in my opinion, it honestly doesn’t really belong there), teacher lead school prayer, etc. All of these are blatant abuse of our constitution’s first Amendment. Our federal government is not supposed to involve themselves in the religion of the public.

"The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe in blood for centuries." James Madison (the author of our Constitution)

Freedom to practice religion was put in the FIRST amendment of our constitution for a very important reason...

Conclusively, although we live in a nation whose majority is Christian, this is still a secular nation. Yes, "In God we Trust" is on the back of the dollar bill, but so is "Novus Ordo Seclorum", or rather "New Secular Order."

I feel it is important to say what I did because this isn't a matter of faith but a matter of historical/political fact. I hope you do not take offense to this and I full heartedly respect your rebuttals, if any, in advance.

Originally posted by Jim2:
Thanks Nelly! That's what this was for, to inform people there are answers. I wish every Christian would study apologetics. There's a wealth of information to be learned. Jesus IS who He said He is, the Son of God! Be well everyone.

Right... This thread was intended to inform people that there is an answer to this "anxiety invoking" question. I really don’t understand why it is hard to understand this point. Jim has attempted to answer a question for believer’s that often creates a lot of anxiety and confusion for believers. He has merely stated an answer to a question, a very good answer might I add, to a question that creates anxiety for many people. I see no reason to bash this post and I sincerely see nothing wrong with it.

I do, however, see a lot of immaturity in the majority of people responding to this post. It is clearly recognizable that there is anger, confusion, and ignorance being shouted out in this thread; on both sides!

I completely disagree with Jim's opinions on this subject, but I don't see anything wrong with his willingness to state them, especially when they are intended to answer a spiritual question that poses a very difficult struggle for many believers. He is trying to help others and this is admirable. So give him a break… please… Remember we are all here to help one another, not to BASH one another!

And for any non-believers who are responding, you are making us look bad... so if you have nothing intelligent or helpful to say... then say nothing!

That's my two cents,

- Beat

This has been a good discussion...nice job everyone.

As always, we will not change anyone's mind once it is made up/closed. For most of us that is peaceful and comfortable-and that's ok as long as we allow others their opinion.

For those of us who are seekers...we search on. I propose we do it without critisizing others and be mindful that searchers have always walked the earth and we are not alone nor condemned.

I believe in - Inner Peace, Carolyn