BellaOnline Forums Family Christian Living Why do you believe?

Love this thread and the conversation regarding life changes that God has given. I've been so wrapped up in the hard facts lately, due to conversations with a Da Vinci Code loving friend, that I tend to forget the life altering stuff.

I love my life now, it is much better, more peaceful, less stressful, and filled with so much love. Money is an issue, but God has always provided some when we needed it most. I don't worry anymore and I have faith in everything.

My son heard my non believing husband asking me questions one night, so all of a sudden he has questions that are effecting his faith (he's 7, so it's a child's faith with adult questioning).

He asked me how I knew God made the world, I said logic. If I throw a bunch of lego pieces together what do I get? Do I get a cool building or a mess? Although the way the pieces go together is science, it still needs a force to put the pieces in the right place.

So if anyone has the answer to How was God made, I sure would love the answer.

LOVE that answer Shannon!!!! <img src="/images/graemlins/heart.gif" alt="" /> That's great!



OK, I'm Baptist, so I'll explain why we believe "once saved always saved" (it's actually part of a book I'm working on about Christianity and Depression). Here's an excerpt of what i've written (red is from the Bible)

Redemption Through the Blood of Christ
[color:"red"]Hebrews 9
11But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 12he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. 13For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies� for the purification of the flesh, 14how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our� conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
15Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. 16For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. 17For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. 18Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. 19For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20saying, �This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you.� 21And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. 22Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
23Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. 25Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, 26for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. [/color]

Jesus sacrificed himself for us. If we accept Him as our Lord and Savior then our sins are forgiven, forever. That is what His blood was spilt for. It is necessary for us to come to Him the first time admitting we are sinners, because how can we correct what is wrong in our lives if we do not first recognize it? And then to repent those sins, with His help. Forever after our sins are already forgiven us. In Jeremiah 31:30- 34 God tells his nation of the new Covenant that will come with Christ. He says, �For I will forgive their iniquity and remember their sin no more.� Confessing our sins is good for us however. It helps keep us on the straight and narrow. It reminds us to to mold ourselves in Jesus� image.

Other verses that have led me to this same conclusion are Isaiah 54:10 & Romans 8:35- 39. And there are still others (but hopefully one day I'll actually finish this book, and maybe you'll read it then!) <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

But I do feel that we still need to confess our sins to keep us on the narrow path and striving to be like Jesus. If we in our human nature felt we were "getting away" with our sins, then we would be less inclined to feel bad about them and more liekly to repeat them. Confessing them and asking forgivesness brings them to the front of our minds. I believe the Catholic penances are not a bad thing- in that they helpe keep people humble and make them think about what they have done. But I don't believe God has ever set these penances down anywhere.

I also think that sometimes confession and penance can backfire in that some people feel all they have to do is confess a crime, say a few rote prayers, do a penance and then they are absolved. Most of our sins, while hurting God, have more to do with our fellow man and the exmaple we set. Soemtimes an easy penance is just a way for a person to feel "unguilty" and go out and commit the same sin again.

But in the end- we will come before God for final judgement. And although as Christians we are assured a place in heaven - we will still have to look at Him and explain why we did or didn't do certain things. I know how badly I used to feel as a child when I disappointed my grandfather. I dread to think that this is going to make me feel so much tinier. But then the joy afterwards to know that I will be forgiven and will get a big hug! (and maybe some chocolate milk.) <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

well fair is fair right I posted the questians taht every Christian should know right so i should be able to answer my self. righ? here goes. I was born in to a it. my dad believe in God and Jesus's teaching but did not believe in church and its plotics. my mom when to a Nazerine church until my dad died of a heart attack when i was 5. We still believed in God but it was more of what i believe is between God and me not open for convertation even between mother and daughter. I was about 11 or 12 when one of the church ladies my mom was friends with called and said she would pick me up for church if i would help her in the nursy. I am an only child and the fact she need my help with babies and the fact that if any one needs help im the first in line. i said yes. I took care of one little baby boy with her for about 3 months. my aunt goes to the same church so i knew some of the people and most of them new me. i found a Sunday school class and stayed in the nursy to for church and i would hear the chior praciesing before church and i love to sing and could pick up a new song quick with out music and one day they were short on altos and the lady in the nursy said you can do sing in the chior if you want to they are short and i dont think any one would mind. so i did. I start chior practous every sunday and they have adlut Bible studyes that i loved because i could ask question that would make them think about thing in another way. In school I had a friend that would read a satanic bible and one that was into witchcraft and read spells and i would read the Bible. i never though to put them down for there believes they did not do that to me. but when i said something in church about my friends. i got leatured. I wanted to be a missornary but i did not know that at the time (ok idid know it i just had not named it that yet). i heard a song Gangsters Paradice and there is a line that stuck in my mind "how can you teach me if you cant reachme I guess you cant i guess you wont i guess you front that why i know my life is out of luck ya'll"
i know it a rap song and not christian but God used it to drive home the point how can you help someone if you dont bather to find out whats wrong. just because my friend studyed a satanic Bible did not mean that was his problem and that should be what i helped him change.( by the way he is a chirstian now and no one convertied him BUT GOD.)

after i droped out of high school i felt led to be a missonary at an Nazerine boarding school in AZ. i worked as a dish washer. after a while there i saw... let me tel you theis story because it points it out better:

one day i was in the kids chapel (ages 5to 9)severvice. the head of the Dorm supervier stood up to testefiy and i will never for get what he said. "I would like to take all on the Navajo and Hopi and anyother trip, calolics,morman, Jahova witness, (these are all of the main religans on the reservation and all the kids were Navajo and Hopi) and all the satanic people of the world and put them in the chaple with 2 ft of gas and strik amatch while all the good christians watch them burn." I figure i was tired and he was making some sort of point. I worked in the little girls dorm that night i had 30 girls to put to bed. my and a friend went to do bed check and could not find my girls in the las room and in one bed all my girls were there...terafied ( the Navaj and Hopis are very literal people) the started sreaming dont burn us and they were in a panic. we clamed they down.
the next day i went to the adminasterator to ask what the other guy realy said there was no way he could have ment it the way me and the kids took it. but that is exacly what he said and ment when i ask why he did not stop him he said freedom of speech and he agreed with him. I was there almost a year when this happend i leaved and came home. to my surpriase i was a failer in the eyes of my home church. my once close as family love me forever church die to me when a lady i had never met came up to me in front of my paster and friends and said "I am so glad you are right with God again! Now all you have to do is give up you drugs and alcolhal and the men your sleeping with and you can be saved. I was a virgin and never been on a date. the only drugs that i took was insulin and i am sure God approves. and being dieabetic and alchole dont mix well.
so i quit church, the whole bit if thats what it is to be christian i dont want any of it. i tryed to commit suicide after that and was put in the povilaion for 3 days.I started smoking, priced my toungue, and died my hair black. there were a few in the church who ignored my hair and periceing and the fack i wore black closths. i was still the same person( at this time i was 21). it was through them taht i realize it was not God that i did not want any thing of if was the polatics.one of the kids said some thing to me while we were working in the kitchon at the school..." the Bible talks about Jesus and I believe He is a great man and your Gods Son, but i cant believe in a one day aweek god who hes people know so little about or understand." I feel the same way
the hardest to convert are those who think they believe.
I feel God has called me to be a missoinary to the church. ifeel led to learn about and under stand other religans and cultures. while i dont believe you can marry two reliegons at this time i think it is important to find commen repect andunderstand that we are not enamies at war we are here to help one anther and let God convert people in His time and way.

those are good answers.. I dont know why Nazerines believe you can fall from Grace. I asked once and all I got was because humans sin. and round and round it went to the point I was told that I need to repent of my doubt and get resaved and take it on faith. I was told that my question were a foot hold for the devil. but how can you learn more if you dont ask question...I ask God questions all the time.. sometimes He answer.. sometime He laughs and waits for me to get it. some times He give me more question. the one that I am working on is How can you Judge another person and there believe if you dont know what or why they believe and how can you help them if your afraid or have prejustice's agains them? and Didn't I make Everyone and call them to ME?
so far all can say is ah... but...ah ok I will study and learn if YOU help me!!

Freebubbles:
You should read Philip Yancey's book about surviving in faith. He found his church to be oppressive and killed his faith. He has since researched and asked questions to revive his faith. He is an editor for Christianity today and has written lots of great thought provoking books.

I can't remeber the name of this particular book though. Does anyone else? Does anyone else know of a book about surviving in faith in spite of church?

Freebubbles if you want to be a missionary there are churches and organizations that would be beneficial to you and not judgemental.

Some missionary denominations are:
Baptist
Alliance
Evangelical
Pentecostal

Write letters to the various christian world charities:

Samaritians purse
World Vision

Go with what God calls you to and you will find that you will find happiness and deep faith.

i dont feel called to go to other places. I feel my mission is right out my front door. the shape that America is in my mission is here and starts with who ever God puts in my path. and I dont think the way to do it is by "door to door AVON calling" trying to "sell God". i have had ten couples come to my door trying to convince me i will go to hell if i dont go to there church and 3 Jehovah Witness who try to tell my i am the wrong kinda christian and they are Christians to they believe the same God and Jesus and Holy Spirit. the only thing is you have to use Gods Name to invoke the power of God. they freely admitted that no one knows for sure what the names of God is seines the Abbreviated it and dropped the vowels. and they when frothier to say that the true name of God is not important as long as everyone agrees on a name. God is still God by any other name. so why cant i call Him God and stay right where i am? I also see tv preacher that say "for the MIRACULOUS price of $25.99 we will save your soul from eternal damnation, heal your ailment, and give your the life you have always wanted but never thought you could have!!!" where is that in the Bible and sense when can the preach, Evangelist, or any other human, save me with $25? am not trying to bash any one but i keep thinking about when Jesus tore down the Temple and how He must be raging.

LOL Wow, what a deal! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

The sad thing is that there are people who do think thats the way it is done. You sound like you have truely found your calling Freebubbles. You are needed and God will put people in your path who need to hear what you have to say.

that what i think too why else would God call me to research other religians and make me feel so unwelcome in most churches for that reason? I when to a work and witness trip in Mexico tempico. I saw Glorrous churches big stained glass, golden magniacent churches that just floored me but on the other side a few blocks down you have cardbourd house with kid running around with no coats of any kinda, hungery, that was the only time i had culture shock i broke down and cried because Gods people are the one that should give them a hand up and help them not build a bigger better church to the glory of God.. when i was little we had can food drives and food baskits, money trees and if you needed help with what ever there was some one with talent to share and happy to help. but its not that way any more. now all the preach has to say is YOU MUST TEITH AND BE A CHEERFUL GIVER OF MONEY. when God said the first tenth was his He ment EVERYTHING time talents emotions gift house and money the lessed being money. yes money is Gods and we should give ten% but God works through people and there free will to do thing for him money can only help so far and some churches get greedy and want more and more so the church can get a gym so the kids will be attracked and a bigger this and a new this. and if people only come to church because we go on trips and have a gym they missed the whole point we as a church have faild to witness help or love anyone. where some other religain can and will with out forceing you to convert and be a good what ever relgis term they want to use Good Witch, Good Buddist or Good Musilm, how many of these do you see trying to convert or makeing sure you know with out a doubt that they ARE a GOOD whatever?
but i have a learning disablity and i dont like large groups of people.. so why has God Picked me? to point this out? I am not a popular fun to look at type of person and i tend to be blunt and sarcastic. why would anyone lesson to me or not be offended? it does amaze me that i have been in the Wicca and Christion Sites and have yet said any thing that offended anyone that i know of. that have to be from God!!!

ok i have another question why do we always focus on the Virgin Brith, Blood, and Christ Dieing on the Cross? how come the is not more focus on Jesus Healing the sick,helping the poor, walking among the common folk even though His is God Son?... and why do we not call Jesus the Virgin Jesus?...or any other man in the Bible Virgin and would that be the reason women are expected to be virgins when they marry but boys can be boys? i mean i never thought about Jesus' ah mmm personal life...but maybe if the church pointed out men in the Bible that are virgins my be it would reinforce the wait for married for both sexes? I am bubbling with ideas and questions....

We focus on the virgin birth, Jesus' blood and sacrifice because it is the proof that God became flesh and came to live among us. If He didn't die on the cross, we would still owe the payment for our sins. We would all die without God. His perfect sacrifice was what was required.

These things don't have anything to do with whether men and women should be virgins when they marry. - Which by God's commands, they should. Sexual sin is covered in the Bible - for both men and women. It is Jesus' sacrifice that allows us to be forgiven when we mess that up - when we confess and repent.