[Pastor Isaac Peters]

Re: Howdy, all

I don't refuse; refusing implies that I don't want to open myself. But I do, even when I'm doubting. I want to believe, and I don't know how to convince myself that it's just me being paranoid. That's why I asked, any advice?

My advice is that you stop trying to think these things through for yourself. If you want to believe, then just believe.

Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

[Pastor Ed Lowman]

Re: Howdy, all

...though I do worry sometimes, late at night while trying to sleep...what if it's all a lie? A lie someone started up two thousand years ago to control the people, and give them Hope?

There is simply no way that can be. You have a very active imagination. You think too much.

I have faith. I know in my heart God is real and Jesus would never lie. God's one and only Book has been the source of that faith since it was transmitted through Bible times, through the dark ages, through the so-called "enlightenment" period, the reformation period, the restoration period, and finally, through today.

There is no way God's Holy Book could have been corrupted by the men who wrote it during those vast stretches of time (please see 2 Peter 1:19-21; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). We have God's promise on that.

In Him,

Pastor Ed

[Zechariah Smyth]

Re: Howdy, all

Hey there. Found this site while browsing and I thought I'd join and say hello.

I'm a California girl, eighteen, haven't completely read the bible through yet, but I'm getting there. I don't go to church anymore, because both my mother and I have arthritis and we can't go anywhere without it hurting like the dickens. That's not to say we don't believe in God any less, though.

In addition to that, I also have clinical depression, and find myself wondering if there really is a heaven, or if this is the only life we get. My friends from Steam and TF2 have all been very supportive; I can only hope that the friends I make on here will be supportive too.

Counting down the days to Halloween, my favorite holiday next to Christmas. I'm a big fan of horror films and the like! I might dress up as the Engineer, my favorite character from Team Fortress 2. What are your plans?

Nice to meet you all!

The part I quoted in red is what jumped out at me.

Of all the things in your life, any doubts or goals or plans or anything, this is the one that will be the easiest to satisfy. Obviously you can read, and even if you don't have a Bible handy you can read it online.

I was around your age when I read the Bible through for the first time. To say that it radically changed my life is an understatement. I encourage you to do the same.

Start at Genesis 1:1 and end at Revelation 22:21...skip NOTHING. It doesn't even take that long, and you will have done something that the vast majority of people haven't.

I'll be praying for you.

YiC,

Zech

[Brother Mark Loman]

Re: Howdy, all

Sister, could it be that from not wanting to let go of, or holding on to a "certain" dirty sin that you engage in, is in fact a paramount part of your pent up rage and deep seeded issues you hold on to?

I'm hoping that you would spread open the Bible, taking in the sweet Spirit of the Lord with your heart fully open and the mind/thinking capacity of a child so that Jesus can finally help you put an end to your maddening delusions that are unedifying and divisive amongst our brethren in this holy sanctuary...

Just because you're paranoid does not mean that Satan's not roaming around trying to devour and basically(think Nephilim) molest your precious, sweet little soul that probably smells good to Jesus. Considering the Bible shares with us that the smell of burning flesh pleases God. A good example of this would be the animals that God had Noah faithfully sacrifice to God after there long, stressful ordeal on the Ark. I now ask you to repent so you can join us in Heaven praising and worshiping our Perfect and Just God for eternity, it just wouldn't be the same without you there sis

Last but not least-Thank you very much for callously storming into the sanctuary in utter, appalling irreverence with your muddy, shat-n- grass stained sneakers to savagely and barbarically persecute us. In mine and Gods reality you have blessed us all and the True Christians here will reap the rewards in Heaven(bigger mansion, higher karat gold gifts on my wish list) Let Gods Love be apparent to you from all of the genuine heart-felt responses God has graciously bestowed upon thee, and I pray that you would experience the joy of seeing how Gods chosen people are so holy and rational in discussion by the mere fact we have not openly shunned you. This just goes to show how the fruits of the Holy Spirit are alive and well here by our obvious God given display of patience...

And let it be known, my shoes are dusted, taken off and placed by the back door before I type one word in this sanctuary. I would imagine this might sound odd to you but I do this out of respect to our God since He, in his justness preordained sinful ol me eons ago to be one of His chosen few I suppose that if you weren't preordained and chosen long ago by God this would all seem like rubbish to you and out of your God forsaken pinner lil brains comprehension This would explain your maliced attitude and spiteful rubbing of filth and dung here...For that I will let it slide for now, but if I happen to slip, slide or fall in my faith from the filth you drug in, then may God have mercy on both our souls..Please stop questioning God as doing so will only cause you to further doubt him. It's a slippery slope that's hard to climb back up and since your shoes are already slick I'd be extremely cautious of every thought that entered my head. Accept the Bible as literal truth and that's a good start, but first you gotta read it silly! Something for you to think about. God bless you sister

[Faith_Machine]

Re: Howdy, all

Welcome, Engie's Girl! I assume Engie is your husband? If so, then why aren't you busy birthing his sons, as opposed to playing Team Fortress?

That arthritis is just a gentle reminder from God that you are getting up there in years. He wants you to put down the Nintendo controller and start filling up your quiver.

Get to it!