But it still says must pay one year membership. I've paid it twice now, and nothing happens.
Despair Over the Future
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I disagree on some points. For one thing, if a man gets too emotional, he is seen as weak, or feminine. I've always felt intense emotions, and I'm not good at hiding them. As a boy, this meant that other boys would call me "wussy", "girly", I didn't project the image of the tough, masculine man. I never had a desire to join the military and shoot our enemies. I was never into rugged sports like football or soccer. I was always a quiet guy that mostly stayed in my room listening to music, or learning how to play it.
And guys can come under attack for the way they look or dress. Either your hair is too short or too long, you're dressed too casual or your dressed too proper.
It's even worse in the church, because now everyone wants to play God, and decide if what you are doing or wearing or saying is pleasing to God or not. I used to get attacked a lot as a songwriter and singer, because not every song i sang or wrote was about Jesus. Why are Christians limited to only singing songs of praise or worship?
No, I don't know what it's like to be a woman. I never will know. I'm not gonna complain on and on about how terrible it is to be a man. I'm not the world's most masculine man, but I know what I am, and I'm glad I'm a man.
I was talking about how girls tend to be simultaneously told to "dress to impress" or to dress in a way that doesn't cause men to "fall," as if that's our responsibility. Besides, guys are not lust-filled animals and it's insulting to treat them as such.
(Idk women nowadays are even running for president, serve on the frontlines, and work blue collar jobs.)
With no paid parental leave like other first-world countries.
(Very true. But women can destroy a man through divorce, child support, take the home, etc.)
Don't you dare tell me those are the same as sexual assault. Money and bodily trauma are not the same.
(But this is really a high bar to live up to. We define strong but often we fail to live up in all ways. Then culture condemns us for not being manly enough or too manly they label it toxic masculinity.)
Same for girls. We're told to be tough but then just get catcalled for acting like men.
(The boys in my household do. I did as well growing up.)
Are they told that if they dress a certain way that girls will lust after them?
(Ugly? People are attractive to each other from all age groups. We got 70 year olds marrying and being attracted to each other.)
How many women over the age of 40 do you see in fictional media? Why do you think a lot of women, young and old, put so much stock into their appearance? It's because we're subtly taught that we're worthless if we're sexually unattractive.
(Idk who judges nowadays? I dont.)
Yeah, 'cause fatherhood isn't held up as the pinnacle life for a Christian man the same way motherhood is for women.
(In today's culture a feel like neither get judged enough. We should want to frown upon sex without limits.)
If a guy sleeps around he's calls a player. If a woman sleeps around, she's called a sl*t.
(Maybe not physical pain (in less STD) but child support is no fun. Typically pain only indicates something is wrong because God made it enjoyable for both genders. Also most women see pregnancy as a gift and having children as a blessing. To grow a life, to bond, to feel the kicks, the hiccups, to nurse it, cuddle it, and have a maternal connection that men will never experience.)
I won't deny children are a blessing. Thing is, not all women want to be moms. Some are too tired. Some can't afford it ('cause colleges offer no childcare services and, again, paid maternity leave had yet to become a thing in the US). Some don't have the patience. Some simply don't like the idea of their bodies being used as holding tanks.
(Men get judged for being too emotionless and both genders get away with immorality all the time.)
Women get judged simply for being smart, and as the child abuse scandals in both Catholic and Protestant denominations has proven, it's that men in church positions are more interested in protecting their "friends" and their own interests than actually caring for their congregations.
(Again, I get it. It's because of sin. But sin tends to shape our worldviews far more than God does, whether we (or he) want that to be the case or not. To quote one insightful statement, "Boys define the group, its story, and its code of values. Girls exist only in relation to boys.")
I agree, sin can tarnish or views. The Bible shows us God's perspective.
(We are created in the soulish image. We are one in Christ. Our souls get the same rewards, same salvation, same crown of life, both royalty, both seen as saints, and same relationship with the King of kings.)
Up until about 150 years ago, it was taught that women were innately inferior to men in all ways. Even now some denominations still teach this. Apparently verses such as Galatians 3:28 weren't enough to convince everyone otherwise.
With no paid parental leave like other first-world countries.
(Very true. But women can destroy a man through divorce, child support, take the home, etc.)
Don't you dare tell me those are the same as sexual assault. Money and bodily trauma are not the same.
(But this is really a high bar to live up to. We define strong but often we fail to live up in all ways. Then culture condemns us for not being manly enough or too manly they label it toxic masculinity.)
Same for girls. We're told to be tough but then just get catcalled for acting like men.
(The boys in my household do. I did as well growing up.)
Are they told that if they dress a certain way that girls will lust after them?
(Ugly? People are attractive to each other from all age groups. We got 70 year olds marrying and being attracted to each other.)
How many women over the age of 40 do you see in fictional media? Why do you think a lot of women, young and old, put so much stock into their appearance? It's because we're subtly taught that we're worthless if we're sexually unattractive.
(Idk who judges nowadays? I dont.)
Yeah, 'cause fatherhood isn't held up as the pinnacle life for a Christian man the same way motherhood is for women.
(In today's culture a feel like neither get judged enough. We should want to frown upon sex without limits.)
If a guy sleeps around he's calls a player. If a woman sleeps around, she's called a sl*t.
(Maybe not physical pain (in less STD) but child support is no fun. Typically pain only indicates something is wrong because God made it enjoyable for both genders. Also most women see pregnancy as a gift and having children as a blessing. To grow a life, to bond, to feel the kicks, the hiccups, to nurse it, cuddle it, and have a maternal connection that men will never experience.)
I won't deny children are a blessing. Thing is, not all women want to be moms. Some are too tired. Some can't afford it ('cause colleges offer no childcare services and, again, paid maternity leave had yet to become a thing in the US). Some don't have the patience. Some simply don't like the idea of their bodies being used as holding tanks.
(Men get judged for being too emotionless and both genders get away with immorality all the time.)
Women get judged simply for being smart, and as the child abuse scandals in both Catholic and Protestant denominations has proven, it's that men in church positions are more interested in protecting their "friends" and their own interests than actually caring for their congregations.
(Again, I get it. It's because of sin. But sin tends to shape our worldviews far more than God does, whether we (or he) want that to be the case or not. To quote one insightful statement, "Boys define the group, its story, and its code of values. Girls exist only in relation to boys.")
I agree, sin can tarnish or views. The Bible shows us God's perspective.
(We are created in the soulish image. We are one in Christ. Our souls get the same rewards, same salvation, same crown of life, both royalty, both seen as saints, and same relationship with the King of kings.)
Up until about 150 years ago, it was taught that women were innately inferior to men in all ways. Even now some denominations still teach this. Apparently verses such as Galatians 3:28 weren't enough to convince everyone otherwise.
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pablocito
Guest
I am going to drop a bombshell on the Christian world. The church is still living in the dark ages in a certain respect.
What I am going to say will cause some to say that God keeps moving the goal posts. But this is not so. I will use an illustrative example so that anyone saved or unsaved can understand.
The product of copulation between a man and a woman produces a fetus which goes through several stages including the embryonic state then finally a new stage of a new born child into this world.
The stages are as different as night is from day and the fetus could not exist outside of the watery sac and also the new born baby could not exist under water or go back into it's mother's womb.
Paul, as everyone knows during the 1st century church age, insisted on a man ruling a woman and also his own household. (similar to the genesis story)
The truth of the matter is that we have all passed that stage and because we are considered spiritual people in the sight of God, there is no difference between a man and a woman.
Gal_3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Now the problem with this is if you are still in the flesh and living under secular laws (worldly) or under church ordinances (as in the 1st century), then you are not spiritual and thus this verse thus does not apply to you.
In fact it would be similar to putting the new born baby back into the mother's womb. This statement that I have made can cause a lot of confusion because Christians really do not know who they are.
The debate in the post above is a secular one and Christians should not indulge in it, because it leads nowhere. We are a new birth and thus are guided by the Spirit and not by arcane laws which ruled our prior fleshly existence. It would be similar to the Jews building altars and offering animal sacrifices to God which God now abhors and call the offering as offering a dead dog to God.
Isa_66:3 He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.
Thank you. Although to be honest, some of of the guys I've known ARE lust filled animals. But you should not have to be responsible for them.
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pablocito
Guest
I am posting a part of your post, it says the following -
And for all that "relationship with God" talk, I call BS. God and I are nothing alike, and after trying everything I was told to do and receiving no lasting results, I've given up. If there's any relationship between us, it's strictly one of business.
Almost everything you said in your entire post is true, in the sense that it is the normal reaction of every human being on this planet to react the way that you do. (from your post)
Life is not easy. We can lie down and give up and wait to die, especially after things do not work out in our favor, and to be sure, some people really do that. Thus they enter their graves, knowing much less than when they first came into this world. They end up knowing nothing at all.
Jesus who gave advise to people who were trying to follow him, loved them, but the people could not within themselves come to follow his advise and many went away sad. (Probably willing to die in their anguish and despair about the harsh reality of life.)
Mark 10:21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
Mar 10:22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
You may not have great possessions as the man above, but you have you life, the here and now, that you would like to enjoy and feel accomplished in this world. There is no difference, you have something that you cannot give up for God and that is your block to God. However God still loves you but he cannot force you against your own will.
Apparently you have been called by God but you just cannot find the strength to commit to him. The bible states that many are called but few are chosen.
Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
Now I am talking from my own experience. Jesus Christ brought us life, true exhilarating life in the here and now, and also eternal life for the future. (So we will have the best of both worlds both the here and now, and also the everlasting life in his future kingdom.)
I quoted a part of your post above which says this - "and after trying everything I was told to do and receiving no lasting results, I've given up"
I am going to stop here right now because in the past when I write too long a post, it has been rejected by this sites rules as being too long.
But I will say this last thing. Everything you were told to do by men or the church or whoever taught you, they most likely were lies. Very deceptive lies. Things that are impossible to do. Thus the Devil can say - Gotcha.
Dump everything you have ever learned from man and go back and read the bible from scratch, word of word. Word for word because it is the word of God, which is life and stay with, be diligent and don't give up until something gives way.
Many prospectors searching for gold, did not find it in a day, but through perseverance (maybe many months or even years) they became rich overnight. God's word is more sure than any prospecting for gold, for God says if you search for me with all you heart you will find me.
Who cares about this life aka the first birth. It is short and brutal. And yes the world is and was immensely evil.
But the second birth will be GLORIOUS. No sin. No worries. No tears. No strife. Perfect joy and perfect relationships.
The thing is......there is no doubt that God's word is true and factual, an integrated message system from outside our time and space domain.....literally from heaven. And that Jesus is the Redeemer and Savior.
Rest in that. Forget the other stuff. Even your present pain.
I have a dear friend who is a paraplegic from an accident @25 yrs old (70's now) who was practically homeless for decades. Walks with crutches and is in constant pain.
Well.....the Lord by a sequence of providential miracles (no kidding....providential miracles) he obtained a little house, literally 300 feet down the road from his wonderful Church (great little Church built is the 1860's and great congregation and pastor), and his brother and nephew are his roommates. His brother was a home builder and fixed the place with all kinds of help from his churchmates. He now has a place to call home and plenty of support from loved ones.
This man, who's trials were so great is the ONE PERSON that is filled with more thankfulness, kindness, joy, longsuffering, patient endurance and peace than ANYONE I have ever met or known. This before any of these blessing were poured out mind you. And he hasn't changed a bit.
Talking with him (I call at least 3X a week) is the best part of my day. Always.
The point is, I also never found a legit Church in my large city either. Zero real Christian friendships either.
But......after 10 years, the Lord gave me ONE TRUE CHRISTIAN friend. And that was worth waiting for.
Patient endurance. This you must possess.
2Th 3:5
May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.
Heb 10:36
Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.
2Pe 1:6
and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness,
Rev 1:9
I, John, am your brother and your partner in suffering and in God's Kingdom and in the patient endurance to which Jesus calls us. I was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and for my testimony about Jesus.
Rev 2:2
“I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don't tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars.
Rev 2:19
“I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things.
Here you go. Get back to walking the lighted path.....
Jhn 12:35
Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going.
Jhn 12:36
“While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them
John - Expositional by Joe Focht (blueletterbible.org)
Isaiah - [1990s] by Chuck Missler (blueletterbible.org)
I think you got me mixed up with History Princess because our names both start with "H" so we were assigned the same H avatar. I only posted the "BLESSINGS" which is a link to a short message that will be a blessing to her and you as well. Have a great day.
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pablocito
Guest
I concur (agree) with the testimony that you have given here. I can find no fault with it except for one thing. It is a very strong, powerful and inspiring testimony.
But the quotes from the version of the bible you used, I am not sure which version it is.
It seemed to have added a few extra details which is not in the King James Version. Of course the extra details do no impact it's ability to inspire others to Jesus Christ.
I will just mention what is different. The place Patmos is mentioned only one time in the bible. Whether it is a prison or a place of exile for those fleeing from Roman rule, can only have come from worldly historical documents.
It is possible that the writers of that version did their homework and concluded that John was exiled there.
I cannot find anywhere in the bible (king James Version) to confirm this conclusion. If you could enlighten me on this matter, I would appreciate it. (I know that this belief is held to be true by all Christian religions around the world. But I cannot add a letter or even a dot or hyphen to the word of God even if it came from the dead sea scrolls or much later and older manuscripts.)
Thanks for sharing such a moving story which is the story of God. It is a part of every true Christian's life.
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pablocito
Guest
Yes I did at first, until after my reply, and then I saw that you were only quoting her post. I have done the same thing recently in another post and it only goes to show that there are perils with using the web.
Unfortunately I do everything spontaneously and the bible very clearly states - He that believeth must not make haste.
I interpreted this to mean that if you are secure in God, he has your back and you must take your time and not be anxious about anything or to be quick to speak or do anything hastily. (This is new for me and guess I will have to bite my tongue before I do anything in haste.)
I would like to address another point in that post which said -
And for all that "relationship with God" talk, I call BS. God and I are nothing alike, and after trying everything I was told to do and receiving no lasting results, I've given up. If there's any relationship between us, it's strictly one of business.
She speaks the truth when she says that God and she is nothing alike. She is right.
Satan tried to make himself equal to God and was thrown down.
But having a relationship with God without love is a no-no.
She apparently has never been married and everyone marries for love.
God gave us human marriage and love in order to teach us about himself. He is the personification of love and those who love him call him Father.
Forget about marriage. If you are a child with parents and your parents do not love you, your growth will be stunted as children depend 100% on love to mature into healthy, confident people.
To have an ongoing business relationship with your spouse and/or children is inconceivable to me.
But God loves in spite of and even when we hate him, he still loves us and supplies all our needs. There is something that is called common grace where God gives everyone the sun, oxygen, rain, everything for their ability to live in this world. (Of course he gives his children who recognizes him much more)
Act 17:26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
Act 17:27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
Act 17:28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
Act 17:29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.
Act 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
If I have made any foolish grammatical errors chalk it up the Argentine win in the world cup from which I am elated.
Lastly God's children ( a remnant of those who are called) will always be saved. But his enemies both the winners and losers in this world will all be destroyed.
Pharaoh in Egypt who lost to God was destroyed in the red sea, saving only Israel (his chosen people)
Babylon who won over Israel, was eventually destroyed by the Medes and Persians. Only a select few like Nebuchaddnezar and also the Israelites (who were their slaves for 70 years) were saved.
This world will be destroyed by God (similar to Noah's days) saving only the elect, (a scattered people on the face of the earth), whose names are recorded in the book of life.
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pablocito
Guest
Hell and destruction and similar terms in the bible, I believe is completely misunderstood by men.
Everyone will be resurrected both the good and the bad.
John 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
John 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
Now hell really is a place or a state that exists without God's grace. God's grace is his peace, and all the amenities that make life livable.
Without God's grace there is torment.
When Paul says it is better to marry than to burn, I believe that he means to burn with passion, uncontrollable lust. Not burn with actual physical fire.
The evil spirits in this world were tormented. They asked Jesus if he had come to torment them.
That was their lifestyle. They were naked and ashamed and always had to find the body of a host whether human or swine to escape into (to hide).
No one knows what heaven or hell is like until they get there. But it will be terribly awful as Jesus told Judas Iscariot, it would have been better if he had not been born.
I remember the days when I could not control my emotions. I did things that made me want to hide my face. It would consume me for a very long time.
Finally God is love and everyone in this world chooses what suits them best. God's love or their own lusts and follies.
Everyone will get exactly what they want, what they live for, nothing more nothing less.
The lake of fire I believe is just the ultimate form of hell, the severest form of hell.
Again I do not know what it really is like so do not take my word for it. No one has been there to come back and tell
Everyone will be resurrected both the good and the bad.
John 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
John 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
Now hell really is a place or a state that exists without God's grace. God's grace is his peace, and all the amenities that make life livable.
Without God's grace there is torment.
When Paul says it is better to marry than to burn, I believe that he means to burn with passion, uncontrollable lust. Not burn with actual physical fire.
The evil spirits in this world were tormented. They asked Jesus if he had come to torment them.
That was their lifestyle. They were naked and ashamed and always had to find the body of a host whether human or swine to escape into (to hide).
No one knows what heaven or hell is like until they get there. But it will be terribly awful as Jesus told Judas Iscariot, it would have been better if he had not been born.
I remember the days when I could not control my emotions. I did things that made me want to hide my face. It would consume me for a very long time.
Finally God is love and everyone in this world chooses what suits them best. God's love or their own lusts and follies.
Everyone will get exactly what they want, what they live for, nothing more nothing less.
The lake of fire I believe is just the ultimate form of hell, the severest form of hell.
Again I do not know what it really is like so do not take my word for it. No one has been there to come back and tell
KJV bro.
Everybody recognizes that John was exiled to Patmos. Never heard anyone take issue with this fact.
This is exactly the kind of response that would push me further away. It sounds to me like you are judging HistoryPrincess very harshly. If you are happy every waking moment, filled with joy every hour of every day, great for you. But don't assume others are doing everything wrong. Depression is real. Don't blame the depressed person for the way they feel. For some of us it is a lifelong battle. Let us offer comfort, not condemnation, to those who are struggling (I include myself in that group).
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pablocito
Guest
Rev 1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
The above is the only reference to Patmos in the King James Bible.
The problem is that changing one word in a key passage of the bible can change the entire meaning of the passage and send you in the opposite direction, which after a while can cause you to millions of miles away from your original objective.
Sending a rocket to the moon, if you are off 1 degree, you probably could end up in Jupiter or Pluto (a fictional example).
The king James bible has been around since 1611 and not a word of it has been changed to this day. Even the New king James Version, I do not use, even though I have a copy.
You must realize that a woman is called a man today. And evil is called good etc etc etc. The bible translators today sell their bibles for profit. They most likely are not children of God.
I would take a guess that most people today get their bible education from videos, TV and movies and the internet. Just today I was watching on TV a documentary on the life of Jesus Christ. It was the most atrocious thing I have ever seen. A lie was probably introduced every couple of seconds.
Back doors and shortcuts do not work in Christianity.
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pablocito
Guest
I made a statement the other day that I would endure hell, if only for a little while if it then resulted in my being in a heavenly paradise forever.
That is a true statement for myself, and from that you can surmise that I am not afraid of extreme tribulation, although I also know that God would not make it boundless where I would be overcome.
I cannot save anyone and really am not trying as God is the only one to do that.
Also I am not trying to push anyone away from God.
This evil world has pushed me to be as honest as I can about the dire state of the world. Anything that I say about you or HistoryPrincess is not personal.
If you check some of my past posts you will find that I often get into heated disagreements, mainly because my views are very radical.
A man should live by his conscience and not be swayed to say things that others can cheer and agree with.
If you can recall King Herod in the bible got a standing ovation from the people and immediately he fell down dead and worms ate up his body. (this happened because he failed to give God the credit for his speech and was seeking men's approval.)
I don't know what else to say except that I feel your hurt and if I was able to take it away I would do so in one second.
But I guess life does not work that way but is really a process of give and take by consent by all parties involved.