Introduction : New Member JJFlanagan 04/05/2025

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J

JJFlanagan

New member
#1
Apr 4, 2025
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#1
Good morning, my name is John, and I am 80 years old, a Christian my entire life, though often I have wandered and stumbled along this journey of faith. Sin always lie at the door, and the ways of the world disturbs one’s peace of mind and best intentions to obey and serve Our Lord. Was it not for Christ, and the grace, mercy, and patience of God, we would all perish in unbelief. I suppose many of you have experienced similar situations, where your faith seemed to waiver under the burdens of life and the trials which confront the believing child of God. Spiritual warfare, friends, affects the aged Christian as well as the young. But the Holy Spirit is hard at work to admonish, encourage, convict, and guide us. Sanctification is a process, as we are still in the flesh and in this fallen world and working out our salvation day by day. But having been justified by Christ, and not by our works, we will receive the promises of God at the end of our earthly sojourn. I would encourage everyone to make sure you read the word of God daily. That you always pray, find a faithful church, and separate yourselves from the values and motivations of this carnal world, content with what you have in life, and just strive to walk closely with the Lord. I will share my favorite verse in scripture before closing, though there are many others I love as well. it is John 3:30. “He must increase, but I must decrease.” These are the words John the Baptist spoke concerning Jesus. Once we have removed ourselves from the center of life, and focused on Jesus instead, our motivations are changed, our affections directed to Our Savior. The Christian life may never be a situation where we walk through the world on a bed of roses, free of grief, sorrow, temptation, or trials, but it is the only path I want to take. Jesus has given my life redemption, strength, purpose, meaning, and direction, something He does for all of His children. God bless you and keep you. Soli Deo Gloria. JJFlanagan
 
Magenta

Magenta

Senior Member
#3
Jul 3, 2015
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#3
Good morning, John, that was a lovely introduction, and I did welcome you on another thread you created, though your other OP was devoid of content, which, happily, you have well and truly more than made up for here. There may be those who would point out that nobody is a Christian all their life, as there must have been some point where you came to believe, or came to realize that you did believe, or were convinced, as many are or do discover, as it is also a fact that people believe things without realizing what actually inhabits the depths of their hearts, which is why there is value to be found in being introspective, for those hidden things are often driving factors in a person's life, and we have some here also who are adamant that one can only come to Jesus one way, which they call making a moral decision, which sometimes shockingly excludes any supernatural revelatory working of God upon His subject, whom He of course desires to believe and does act upon in loving ways to draw us to Himself that we may repent of our rebellion toward Him. The claim in that case is that the wicked heart of the natural man decides to believe that which it can neither receive nor comprehend and which it is in fact opposed to and hostile toward for the various reasons given in Scripture. I myself am of the opinion that God does reveal Himself to those who diligently seek Him, just as His Word promises, and am actually sometimes more than somewhat puzzled at how much of Scripture gets denied by the many here who contradict what Scripture plainly states, as you may no doubt discover for yourself. I do like the verse you have chosen... short and sweet! That is another challenge you may face here also as there are many who elevate their opinion to be on a par with the written Word.
 
J

JJFlanagan

New member
#4
Apr 4, 2025
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#4
Magenta said:
Good morning, John, that was a lovely introduction, and I did welcome you on another thread you created, though your other OP was devoid of content, which, happily, you have well and truly more than made up for here. There may be those who would point out that nobody is a Christian all their life, as there must have been some point where you came to believe, or came to realize that you did believe, or were convinced, as many are or do discover, as it is also a fact that people believe things without realizing what actually inhabits the depths of their hearts, which is why there is value to be found in being introspective, for those hidden things are often driving factors in a person's life, and we have some here also who are adamant that one can only come to Jesus one way, which they call making a moral decision, which sometimes shockingly excludes any supernatural revelatory working of God upon His subject, whom He of course desires to believe and does act upon in loving ways to draw us to Himself that we may repent of our rebellion toward Him. The claim in that case is that the wicked heart of the natural man decides to believe that which it can neither receive nor comprehend and which it is in fact opposed to and hostile toward for the various reasons given in Scripture. I myself am of the opinion that God does reveal Himself to those who diligently seek Him, just as His Word promises, and am actually sometimes more than somewhat puzzled at how much of Scripture gets denied by the many here who contradict what Scripture plainly states, as you may no doubt discover for yourself. I do like the verse you have chosen... short and sweet! That is another challenge you may face here also as there are many who elevate their opinion to be on a par with the written Word.
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Thank you so much for your insights. JJF. (Note: The hymn I was unsuccessful in posting earlier is on YouTube under JJFlanagan. Hymns from my notebook. I had a larger body of hymns I wrote and covers of traditional hymns in public domain that were posted over 10 years plus. I had rewritten and revised many, and created derivative hymns. I was displeased with my own creative pieces and took the site down awhile ago. I reinstated it today and will post sparingly to share with others those hymns which I like the best. Thank you again, and God bless. JJF
 
Magenta

Magenta

Senior Member
#6
Jul 3, 2015
63,392
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#6
JJFlanagan said:
Thank you so much for your insights. JJF. (Note: The hymn I was unsuccessful in posting earlier is on YouTube under JJFlanagan. Hymns from my notebook. I had a larger body of hymns I wrote and covers of traditional hymns in public domain that were posted over 10 years plus. I had rewritten and revised many, and created derivative hymns. I was displeased with my own creative pieces and took the site down awhile ago. I reinstated it today and will post sparingly to share with others those hymns which I like the best. Thank you again, and God bless. JJF
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Thank you so much, and you are welcome! Is this the video you wanted to post?

 
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JJFlanagan

New member
#8
Apr 4, 2025
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#8
Magenta said:
Thank you so much, and you are welcome! Is this the video you wanted to post?

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Magenta said:
Thank you so much, and you are welcome! Is this the video you wanted to post?

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Yes, that was the video. It is titled “I Am,” and reflects the words of Our Lord. I wrote it at the desk in my den, where I play my guitar privately, and record through a mic to my IPad. Simple process. I do not play in public, and deal with an aging voice and tinnnitus, but I have a passion to write hymns and record them From time to time. I don’t know how you posted it here, but thank you. I am not very good with figuring out computers at times.
 
TabinRivCA

TabinRivCA

Well-known member
#9
Oct 23, 2018
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#9
Hi JJFlanagan, great to have you joining the fellowship here at CC! I thought we had another lad living in Ireland when I first saw your name, lol. To your Intro I think of 'the just shall live by faith' whatever comes our way. God bless & keep you and yours🙏✝✡
 
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