Jordan Independent - God - Comments

How's that old saying go?

ctriverrock — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 23:10:53 -0600

How's that old saying go? "He who waits til the last minute to come to Jesus dies at a quarter-to" Think of all the people who die instantaneously. 2 Corinthians 6:2 For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

Yeah, we Baptists have far

Mathias Baden — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:27:19 -0500

Yeah, we Baptists have far too few rituals. I would tend to think that's similar in the e-free church. I decided that it's far more important to attend church with my darling wife than it is to be pigheaded about the fact that I'd rather go to a church that exactly fits my beliefs.

(Mathias Baden is the editor of the Jordan Independent. He can be reached at editor@jordannews.com.)

It’s good to hear that

Brandon — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:34:34 -0500

It’s good to hear that you’ve taken to the Lutheran service. I’m a bit worried about it myself. My fiancée really likes traditional Lutheran services, while I grew up in and enjoy a more contemporary service (I grew up as part of an evangelical free church). She would like to start attending a Lutheran service at some point in our married lives together, and I’ve so far resisted. I feel like the meaning would get lost in the ritual, if that makes sense. But I guess, like you’re saying, that ritual can be an excellent reminder.

I would recommend "Into Thin

bhall09 — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 09:04:53 -0500

I would recommend "Into Thin Air"

“Under the Banner of

Brandon — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 11:55:16 -0500

“Under the Banner of Heaven” is on my bookshelf just waiting for me to take some time and crack it open. I’ve also heard great things about “Into Thin Air” and “Into the Wild,” so I’m excited to give Krakauer a shot.

That does sound like a great

Brandon — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 09:52:47 -0500

That does sound like a great process. I think I may try it tonight with a couple of verses that have been in my head since church on Sunday, 1 John 4:7-21.

Here are a few of the highlights:

Verses 10 through 12 – This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

Verses 16 through 18 – And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Verse 21 – And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Can we ever pray enough? Not

KoolD — Thu, 24 May 2007 07:12:17 -0500

Can we ever pray enough? Not likely. Jesus made an example of prayer for his disciples to pray all the time. No matter the circumstance. Prayer is conversation to me. It is meeting the one I love and adore. Jesus. I love Him and I live for that day, when I am with Him forever. It is the basis of what I believe and trust in.

Life is tedious at times, even downright boring. Chores to do, people to see, problems to solve. Life is meant to be lived. I guess that as time has passed, I want to live real. I believe that when we read the word of God. We need to swallow it whole. Meaning we do not whimper over the hard teachings on sin and morality. We certainly do not take the position of reinterpreting to match our likes for sinful behaviors. If we do? All we have is religion. Dead and useless. The bible is not an easy read. Yet it is the basis of truth. If we pray and believe, no matter the outcome. We “feel” better. I am not suggesting a feel good religion. I am talking about men and women who believe. Who get cancer, who have strokes. Who have car accidents. We are not protected from life’s issues and pain. Nor was Christ. But prayer helps us to cope. Just knowing that there is one listening is a comfort to a hurting heart. But to know that there is a living God that is confirmed by the Holy Spirit in us. Is a great peace to the soul. All is indeed well with my soul as the old hymn would suggest.

In His Service
KoolD

What an edifying

Mathias Baden — Tue, 22 May 2007 10:13:21 -0500

What an edifying conversation! I'm going to write about what I'm reading more often. But I forgot to read anything this morning. Maybe I can take a minute to read my Bible during lunchtime.

Good points, KoolD. I am a mature Christian. I can hardly even remember not being a Christian. Since my belief began so long ago, sometimes tend to let my focus turn to perseverance in following the will of God, rather than remembering the gift of the Christ's cross, which I have accepted.

As you and Brandon have pointed out, I need to do both -- believe and persevere.

I don't think I pray enough, either. Can you ever pray enough?

(Mathias Baden is the editor of the Jordan Independent. He can be reached at editor@jordannews.com.)

Agreed there is much more to

KoolD — Tue, 22 May 2007 09:39:25 -0500

Agreed there is much more to becoming and being a believer when one communes with the living God. I agree with all you said. Thanks for the clarification. Many times my faith is that simple, thanks for the additional scripture that fills in the thoughts.

KoolD

I agree that God is

Brandon — Tue, 22 May 2007 09:10:21 -0500

I agree that God is intimately involved with our daily lives and that reading and believing is the first step. I’d also add, though, that God isn’t just going to carry you along – we have to act in the relationship, too. Faith, truth and salvation are all very important, but one line that gets ignored in this passage a lot is the last one (where Mathias cut out of the passage). In the NIV, Paul writes "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should."

That’s an awful lot of prayer!

I’ve heard it said that the best way to build a relationship with anyone is to talk to that person and have real, meaningful conversations. The same goes for God, and we can do that through prayer and the Holy Spirit. That’s a big step toward wearing His armor every day.

Thoughts on the Armor of

KoolD — Tue, 22 May 2007 06:38:25 -0500

Thoughts on the Armor of God

How do I do that, exactly? Do I already do all of that? Am I wearing the armor of God and praying all the time? How strong is my faith in God -- as strong as armor?

Mathias,

Your questions are to do with actions. Yet the actions you have already taken. Like believing, living out the truth. The steps of any man or woman are counted by a living God. When one reads and believes, one becomes. God is not inert, innocuous or uninterested. He honors those who read and believe. I am convinced that He is intimately involved in the walk of faith. Believe and seek Him. He will provide the armor and the escape if needed. Trust Him.

In His Service
KoolD