Revisiting an old topic

Back some time ago ther was some....no, much discussion on, what I guess some wood call, a religious or religious in nature topic. I enjoyed it. It was the first time in a while that I had seen so many people have a common discussion without the flare of tempers.(well, nothing serious anyways....lol) I dont really want to get it going again unless, youall do. As I was sitting here this morn. gettin ready to head out for the day, I wanted to leave you lads with a last thought, I actually feel compelled to do so. A very learned and supposed to be Religious man came to Jesus once and this is just a replay of that meeting.

1. There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2. The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5. Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Get your dictionary out and look up the meaning of the word see. Such a little word , with such a big meaning.>>>

This is a slight diversion . You will have to C & P the title on this . I wish there was some way of posting the pics. funny . I know it for our protection from virus not to be able to do post em. The script goes like this ,

Do dogs go to heaven?

This is literally a 'church signs' debate, being played out in a Southern US town, between Our Lady of Martyrs Catholic Church, and Cumberland Presbyterian, a fundamentalist church. From top to bottom shows you the response and counter-response over time.

The Catholics are displaying a much better sense of humor! You get the impression that the Presbyterians are actually taking this seriously and are getting a bit upset... >>>

BRAVO.....David....well said, and timely. You sound like a man with a good heart.>>>

I am guilty of citing scripture because sometimes, my interpretation does not hit on every issue that the scripture had in it. In an effort to not do that, and to get into this conversation..something that was circling within my thick skull for a few days was something that basically says....we must pray for those who lack faith for they will not know the redemption of heaven. As was said previously in this thread, it is hoped that one realize, before the end, that what is being said is true and to know the truth before the end is all that is hoped for. somewhere Jesus was quoted that, as long as he found and helped one man, he had been successful in his intentions. The bible is the bible is the bible.....the interpretation of the reader is what is up for conversation......to silently doubt and disagree is every man's right.......to verbally confront those that do believe and converse, and suggest that they take it elsewhere, is where the line gets crossed. I think it's called freedom of religion? It is my experience that those that lash out against the words of the Lord do so in response to their own guilt and lack of understanding of the opportunity that they have to change their way, and regardless of their comfort, or lack of being comfortable in believing is often what causes some men to deny and resist. To live and lead by example is all that the Lord expects, to go beyond that, to preach his word to all men that will listen is what assures man that he too will sit with our heavenly father, again, when his time is up. Sorry for preaching, maybe I should just stick to reciting scripture....

David>>>

Yep , that was it.>>>

Pot Try this one Stereotyping & Religion B) :)>>>

Mike Hicks....I had forgot about that one, we are in complete agreement here. Chuck, come on down to the redneck level an you'll do jus fine.. :woohoo:

............and as far as I am concerned they are nothing more than a fairy tale, so like I said the whole thing becomes secular and would be better suited to a like minded website.....boredchristians.com or something similar.....JMO! Jed... don't know that I get your meaning of secular. And also , I thought this was a thread about either religious views,interpretations of the scriptures or such that pertains to the Scriptures, really don't remember for sure now what started the thread.>>>

Pot You just explained your self perfectly . That's what I'm talking about . It doesn't have to be sophisticated . Usually I try to explain way too much . Thanks Pal. Glad to have the spell checker. ;)>>>

Pot,

I'm always reminded when talking of eternal issues with non-believers of the scripture "...the law is to those that perish, foolishness." Don't know the exact location, and don't have time to look it up now, but that is so true, and I know it's what Jed's saying. Until a heart is convicted of the Spirit, the scripture is too, foolishness. It's not right or wrong on Jed's part, it's just the way it is. Jesus used the law when talking to the Jews. He used life experience when talking to gentiles. Of course he didn't hold back the truth, and didn't sugar coat, but he always made it relatable.>>>

Pot To shed some light on what Jed is saying ,( my interpretation ) using scripture only to interpret what someone claims to know without a personnel , testimony has a hollow hypnotic I'm a chicken when the finger is snapped sound . Not a personal attack , please do not interpret what I'm saying that way .

Chuck , I sorta understand what you are sayin....not taken as a personal attack..My salvation is my personal testimony...the Holy Spirit that works inside of me and that communes with me on a daily basis, drives me ....I don't know exactly how to put that into words or maybe the proper perspective.>>>

One day Jed, you will understand where I am coming from. It is my prayer for you, that it will be before you take your last breath on this world.

What ever state death finds us in, is how we will spend eternity. The human man is sometimes in the Bible paralleled with a tree, as in which ever way it falls , there it will remain, because it cannot change its resting place. Eccl 11 3. If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.>>>

Pot To shed some light on what Jed is saying ,( my interpretation ) using scripture only to interpret what someone claims to know without a personnel , testimony has a hollow hypnotic I'm a chicken when the finger is snapped sound . Not a personal attack , please do not interpret what I'm saying that way . Trusting your conscious enables you to see true, believe truly, in what your heart hears and sees ( the small still voice ). True " faith " fails miserably when the babble of prayerful repetition, chapter and verse solo scriptorium gets in the way of the heart ( wordless message ). There is true life in this wordless-knowing and holding fast is the true faith. God will rewards you with stronger faith and patience for things to come. I have come to this belief through many trials and rewards . I have had many great teachers in this field .>>>

Sorry you see it this way Jed, my thoughs, which may not be very creative or inteligent,(I'm not very creative or inteligent , btw) that I did post along with the scriptures, were based on the very scriptures that I posted. If I say or believe that white is white, I will put something on here with this belief that may be used to clarify why I believe white is white. As far as I am concerned the scriptures are ABSOLUTE AND THE WHOLE TRUTH.Based upon this thought, why should I not use them to base my thoughts upon. If I say that black is black and nothing to base this thought upon, it is no more than just what I think it to be without nothing to prove it.>>>

Lets become a little more provocative here. A great philosopher made me aware of this . I knew from within was put into words here .......Using music, bright lights, exciting Hollywood-type personalities and the power invested in all authorities, it is possible to eventually make anyone believe and do anything, to actually make people think that snow is black, and yes, that right is wrong. The kingdom is within to me says " Don't live off feelings and emotions . My still small voice ( conscious ) will guide you . Sit still be quite listen I will guide you . Ready . Set . Goooooooo !!!!!!!!!!!!>>>

Nicodemus made a bold move coming to Jesus and professing his belief when others of his ilk sought to discredit Jesus. He did not follow through with his conviction and was able to keep his place among the jews in that kingdom but I don't think he will be found in the kingdom of heaven. This passage tells me that when I say "I know" but don't act like I know I got nothin coming.>>>