Quote (Nick Hassan @ April 08 2008,06:24)Hi cato,God in His mercy does rescue many outside of the way of Jesus and wishes for none to perish. But nowhere does it say that those who just revel in their vain thoughts can find their own way to God.   It depends on how such knowledge is used – to glorify and thank the amazing God of creation.To…[Read more]

Ancient Indian tribes are led by the “Spirit” in the sky.  Is this the same spirit that leads you, Nick?  How do you know?  The tribe members may not know the name of Jesus, but it matters not to them as they worship God.Besides, if God wanted them to know the name of Jesus, by his spirit he would tell them – right? That is, if we are “led” by th…[Read more]

Hi Nick,But again, this is an instance where you are listening to the dried ink instead of your living, breathing brother. Cato is none of the things that Romans suggests. Nor did he encourage vain thoughts. Read his post again. I think you are glossing over what he is saying, sort of like someone who says they are listening but they are…[Read more]

Quote (Nick Hassan @ April 08 2008,06:24)But nowhere does it say that those who just revel in their vain thoughts can find their own way to God.With all due respect, I think you misunderstand Cato once again.Pondering nature and using your reason to find God or discover God, is not “vain thoughts.”

Quote (Cato @ April 08 2008,06:11)By means of shrewd lies, unremittingly repeated, it is possible to make people believe that heaven is hell — and hell heaven.This appears to be the case with Stu. He would rather not even entertain heaven if it comes with all the other regulations against humanity…..heaven becomes hell.Hmmm Interesting.

Cato,The practice or entertainment of magic of any kind is forbidden in the bible. So, I guess you have to determine what part of the bible is OK and what part you can ignore. This is tough work. The bible – can it be followed to a “T”? More importanly, shoud it?

Tim and Cato,Thank you brothers. I am learning to shut out the folks who would like to keep me in bondage. I know God loves to hear my ideas and thoughts – we have great conversations. Just recently I have asked God if he requires blind obedience to the bible….I didn't hear anything.

Quote (Gene Balthrop @ April 08 2008,03:38)Nick…..there are things written in the bible that were not in the original scriptures, retaining God in our knowledge does not mean we need to believe everything we read as absolutely true and accurate. It's almost impossible to translate one language into another without error, not to mention the…[Read more]

Cato,Wow. I'm speechless, almost….See I am beginning to let go of fear. The fear that keeps me in bondage to every dried stroke of the pen. I'm finding that the loving but just God that I know does not match what has been written of him (totally). There is a freedom in this like none I have ever known.Even this morning I have been…[Read more]

Quote (TimothyVI @ April 07 2008,23:08)Hi 94,You said “And so, the hardening of the Pharaoh's heart were judgments from God because of his evil deeds.”God told Moses that He would harden pharoes heart so that He could show the Egyptians He was LORD bybringing on the plagues and killing all of their firstborn. That was why God said that He hardened…[Read more]

Quote (kejonn @ April 07 2008,23:00)Quote (Not3in1 @ April 07 2008,00:35)Quote (942767 @ April 07 2008,16:48)Quote (Not3in1 @ April 07 2008,15:27)Yes, Kevin, I have also wondered about Pharaoh and Judas for that matter, that they were basically used for evil so that prophesy could be fulfilled.I guess God will have mercy on their souls because…[Read more]

What seduced Judas, do you think?It can happen to anyone at anytime.

Quote (942767 @ April 07 2008,16:48)Quote (Not3in1 @ April 07 2008,15:27)Yes, Kevin, I have also wondered about Pharaoh and Judas for that matter, that they were basically used for evil so that prophesy could be fulfilled.I guess God will have mercy on their souls because they had a role to play?No, Mandy:God allowed them to obey their own evil…[Read more]

True.But one does need to know what they are being obedient to.We can only know this by searching things out.

Thanks for the links, Nick. I read quite a bit of a couple of them. Interesting how the Holy Spirit is exploited, I feel.My mom was a huge Benny Hinn fan and we went to one of his meetings once. When my mom was prayed for she immediately fell to the ground supposedly under the Holy Spirit. When they came to me, I also fell, not because I felt…[Read more]

Back on the topic of MAGIC….Magic is appealing. When I was a kid, I loved the Wizard of Oz. Nowadays the kids are crazy for Harry Potter. I wonder, is there a difference between what we thought was harmless as a kid (Wizard of Oz) and HP? I confess that I wouldn't let my kids get drawn into the whole HP thing. To this day my kids have not…[Read more]

I figured that is how it went. Thanks!

Yes, Kevin, I have also wondered about Pharaoh and Judas for that matter, that they were basically used for evil so that prophesy could be fulfilled.I guess God will have mercy on their souls because they had a role to play?

Synonyms for DILIGENTLY: agilely, animatedly, ardently, arduously, assiduously, briskly, carefully, diligently, eagerly, earnestly, energetically, enthusiastically, expeditiously, fervently, hastily, hurriedly, indefatigably, industriously, laboriously, nimbly, painstakingly, perseveringly, persistently, purposefully, restlessly, seriously,…[Read more]

I think that when God says he will reward those who earnestly seek him, he doesn't mean we are to make decisions quickly. We are to search him out. Sometimes the longest game of hide-and-seek is the most fun and rewarding.