[Irinka the repentant jewess]

Re: Hello, everyone!

This is all wonderful, Irinka! And brave of you.

I remember the first time I walked up to a man on the street and asked if he'd like to meet my friend Jesus. He whipped out a switchblade and said, "No, would you?" And he stuck it right into the pocket Bible I had inside my coat pocket, almost went all the way through!

What do you tell people when they ask you what it means to be a Christian, and what happens to them if they choose to turn their backs on God's offer of Unconditional Love?

Reverend, the reference to the Prophets was meant for Mr. Matthew Hopkins, sorry for the misplaced response. When I am asked what it means to be a Christian, I say that it means picking up your cross and following Jesus no matter what the cost. I tell the person I am speaking with that it means dying to self and allowing Him to reign in one's heart, to take charge of one's life and to do with it as He pleases. I tell them it is not easy and most likely not fun (though it can bring much joy if you have the right attitude and perspective). If they choose to turn their backs on God's offer of unconditional love, it really is not for me to be concerned with - it is between them and God, for I am but a vehicle, a vessel in His hands, a messenger, if you will. If they have a problem, it is a problem with the message, not the messenger. I have learned patience and remain polite at all times. Once in Houston, during a witnessing expedition, I encountered an angry man who was so mad that I even dared to speak about God to him that he kicked me in the lower abdomen. The Lord has been good to me and healed my wounds, and I was able to give birth to two healthy children a few years later. Glory and Praise be to His Name!

[Irinka the repentant jewess]

Re: Hello, everyone!

Mr. Hopkins, why are you interrogating this young lady in such an accusatory manner?

You are not a certified True Christian™. I suggest you engage in discussion rather than attacks.

Thanks!

Irinka, how do you most like to share the Good News with others?

The second division of the Hebrew Scriptures (The Tanakh - תנ"ך) is called “The Prophets", with first being "The Torah" or "The Law" (The Pentateuch) and the third being "The Writings". Of the eight scrolls of the Prophets the first half are called “The Former Prophets” (Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings) and the last four “The Latter Prophets,” (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and the Minor Prophets) as Zechariah seems to hint in Zechariah 1:4. The eighth book, the last of the Latter Prophets, contains a collection of all the twelve “minor” prophets from Hosea to Malachi.

[Matthew Hopkins]

Re: Hello, everyone!

I realize you had a difficult time with Maimie. Please try to support Irinka in a more positive manner, so she does not meet the same fate, choking on challah. We wouldn't want her to abandon Christianity because she thought Christians rude, right?

Yes Brother Reverend. And apologies to Sister Irinka too!

YBIC

[Rev. M. Rodimer]

Re: Hello, everyone!

I have engaged in various activities ranging from street evangelism - simply passing out literature and speaking to people on street corners or subway stations. I have also participated in street musical worship sessions where a crowd would draw to listen to us and then we would speak with people and tell them about the Lord in one-on-one conversations. I had the honor of praying with quite a few for God's guidance in their search for truth and witnessed a few make a decision to follow Christ. We have a small group of people at church and we invite people who do not attend church to join our Bible studies and fellowship so as to expose them to the Word of God. My favorite way of sharing the Good News is in one-on-one fellowship or Scripture study with someone who is really looking for God in their life.

This is all wonderful, Irinka! And brave of you.

I remember the first time I walked up to a man on the street and asked if he'd like to meet my friend Jesus. He whipped out a switchblade and said, "No, would you?" And he stuck it right into the pocket Bible I had inside my coat pocket, almost went all the way through!

What do you tell people when they ask you what it means to be a Christian, and what happens to them if they choose to turn their backs on God's offer of Unconditional Love?

[Deaner]

Re: Hello, everyone!

I have not yet said anything to anyone or posted anything, but have already been labeled Unsaved Trash!

I have not read the whole thread Irinka and I apologize for the defaults in our computer program.

Would you be more comfortable with hook nosed yid?

[Irinka the repentant jewess]

Re: Hello, everyone!

Mr. Hopkins, why are you interrogating this young lady in such an accusatory manner?

You are not a certified True Christian™. I suggest you engage in discussion rather than attacks.

Thanks!

Irinka, how do you most like to share the Good News with others?

I have engaged in various activities ranging from street evangelism - simply passing out literature and speaking to people on street corners or subway stations. I have also participated in street musical worship sessions where a crowd would draw to listen to us and then we would speak with people and tell them about the Lord in one-on-one conversations. I had the honor of praying with quite a few for God's guidance in their search for truth and witnessed a few make a decision to follow Christ. We have a small group of people at church and we invite people who do not attend church to join our Bible studies and fellowship so as to expose them to the Word of God. My favorite way of sharing the Good News is in one-on-one fellowship or Scripture study with someone who is really looking for God in their life.

[Rev. M. Rodimer]

Re: Hello, everyone!

Apologies, Brother Reverend. My intention was not to accuse, only to delve further into Isaiah and what it means to this young lady. For is it not that book which prophesies the coming of our Lord?

Forgive me, but the third Mrs Hopkins was a Jew convert. Until her untimely and tragic death, Maimie Hopkins would sometimes backslide into her old yiddische ways. On the first occasion, I caught her spinning strange wooden tops during Advent. A few months later, she was caught eating raw horseradish on Good Friday. It was shortly after she brought plaited loaves to the Saturday prayer picnic, that she accidentally strangled herself.

Once again, I will endeavor to be less accusatory in my contributions.

YBIC

I realize you had a difficult time with Maimie. Please try to support Irinka in a more positive manner, so she does not meet the same fate, choking on challah. We wouldn't want her to abandon Christianity because she thought Christians rude, right?

[Matthew Hopkins]

Re: Hello, everyone!

Mr. Hopkins, why are you interrogating this young lady in such an accusatory manner?

You are not a certified True Christian™. I suggest you engage in discussion rather than attacks.

Thanks!

Irinka, how do you most like to share the Good News with others?

Apologies, Brother Reverend. My intention was not to accuse, only to delve further into Isaiah and what it means to this young lady. For is it not that book which prophesies the coming of our Lord?

Forgive me, but the third Mrs Hopkins was a Jew convert. Until her untimely and tragic death, Maimie Hopkins would sometimes backslide into her old yiddische ways. On the first occasion, I caught her spinning strange wooden tops during Advent. A few months later, she was caught eating raw horseradish on Good Friday. It was shortly after she brought plaited loaves to the Saturday prayer picnic, that she accidentally strangled herself.

Once again, I will endeavor to be less accusatory in my contributions.

YBIC

[Rev. M. Rodimer]

Re: Hello, everyone!

Sister, is it as the "first of the latter prophets" that you know Isaiah? Or simply as the twenty third book in the Holy Bible?

Remember, Sister, "A false witnesse shall not be unpunished, and hee that speaketh lyes shall perish" Proverbs 19:9

YBIC

Mr. Hopkins, why are you interrogating this young lady in such an accusatory manner?

You are not a certified True Christian™. I suggest you engage in discussion rather than attacks.

Thanks!

Irinka, how do you most like to share the Good News with others?

[Matthew Hopkins]

Re: Hello, everyone!

Matthew, I appreciate your concern. It is not my intention to establish my own righteousness on this forum. "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away" (Isaiah 64:6). This is certainly about me. Filthy rags is what my righteousness amounts to, so without the blood of Jesus to wash me clean I have no hope. So "I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels" (Isaiah 61:10).

Sister, is it as the "first of the latter prophets" that you know Isaiah? Or simply as the twenty third book in the Holy Bible?

Remember, Sister, "A false witnesse shall not be unpunished, and hee that speaketh lyes shall perish" Proverbs 19:9

YBIC

[Irinka the repentant jewess]

Re: Hello, everyone!

When Paul said:

"For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God." Romans 10:2-3

he was talking about Jews. Are you certain that your zeal is according to knowledge? Are you not, in fact, trying to establish your own righteousness on this forum, without first submitting to God's righteousness?

YBIC

Matthew, I appreciate your concern. It is not my intention to establish my own righteousness on this forum. "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away" (Isaiah 64:6). This is certainly about me. Filthy rags is what my righteousness amounts to, so without the blood of Jesus to wash me clean I have no hope. So "I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels" (Isaiah 61:10).

[Matthew Hopkins]

Re: Hello, everyone!

All I mean is that I have to obey the law (and not go killing children). When the Lord Jesus returns He will do exactly as the Father in Heaven wills and who am I to disobey or hinder these actions? It is His will that while we are here on earth, we grow to be more like Him and follow and obey His commandments.

When Paul said:

"For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God." Romans 10:2-3

he was talking about Jews. Are you certain that your zeal is according to knowledge? Are you not, in fact, trying to establish your own righteousness on this forum, without first submitting to God's righteousness?

YBIC

[Rev. M. Rodimer]

Re: Hello, everyone!

All I mean is that I have to obey the law (and not go killing children). When the Lord Jesus returns He will do exactly as the Father in Heaven wills and who am I to disobey or hinder these actions? It is His will that while we are here on earth, we grow to be more like Him and follow and obey His commandments.

Well said.

[Irinka the repentant jewess]

Re: Hello, everyone!

Then perhaps you misspoke when you said you wanted to be just like Jesus. You know, the one who will return at Judgment and slaughter 1/3 of all humanity, then resurrect all the dead sinners and non-Christians from unknowing death (Ecclesiastes 9:5) so He can burn them alive for all time in His Lake of Fire?

Surely, you don't mean you want to do those things yourself. Right?

All I mean is that I have to obey the law (and not go killing children). When the Lord Jesus returns He will do exactly as the Father in Heaven wills and who am I to disobey or hinder these actions? It is His will that while we are here on earth, we grow to be more like Him and follow and obey His commandments.

[Rev. M. Rodimer]

Re: Hello, everyone!

Reverend Rodimer, you mentioned that I am new to the Bible and do not know to follow secular law. I have been a student of the Bible for quite a few years and, though I do not know it perfectly, I do hold a Bachelor degree in Biblical Studies - with missionary emphasis from Moody Bible Institute. I am not insisting that this somehow absolves me from needing Jesus' saving grace, but I do consider myself a bit more than being "new to the Bible". I invested 5 years of my life in ministry and serving as a witness for Christ in Chicago and New York. I would never dream of being anything but a law-abiding citizen.

Then perhaps you misspoke when you said you wanted to be just like Jesus. You know, the one who will return at Judgment and slaughter 1/3 of all humanity, then resurrect all the dead sinners and non-Christians from unknowing death (Ecclesiastes 9:5) so He can burn them alive for all time in His Lake of Fire?

Surely, you don't mean you want to do those things yourself. Right?