Parrothead

Well, that's not what I was talking about, but since when did sticking to the topic matter?

I think we are done here. You are your own god. I get it.

SimplyAmorous

Seriously Parrot, I am not delusional, I do not believe I am a God, I believe in the Golden Rule. Do I deserve a hanging for this, what.

Lord Parrot. You are simply TOO much.

I tried, I Reealllyyyy tried, I gave it my best shot to get just 1 kind word out of you, just 1, some glimmer of a smile through a written expression. Something. How clear it is - you are simply incapable of showing any kindness to another outside of your specified beliefs.

I understand we differ in our beliefs, but why so cold, so callous at every turn. Baffles me.

I read your last reply to my husband, he says to me... "why is he so angry?".

The Jesus I have read about, that you claim to serve -- would NOT act like this.

I do wish you happiness. I think God wants that for all of us.

__________________
"Love Good Blog"

Parrothead

Oh, for God's sake....

You have obfuscated the issues at every turn, you have misrepresented me, you have shown me no respect as a fellow Christian or an elder, you have disparaged me, you have talked down to me, all this while telling me how wonderful you are and batting your eyes at me, wondering why I just don't understand, all the while parading your superiority for your lack of education or your lack of faith.

Unbelievable.

Okay, here's what you want, this is what you get from Clarence and the others:

"She's wonderful, she's marvelous, she's fabulous, she's beautiful, and everyone can understand why

I'm leaning on the lamp post at the corner of the street in case that certain little lady comes by."

that_girl

She hasn't done any of that. You come across as the type of person that pushed me away from Christianity. Maybe you don't mean to be that way, but...yea.

__________________

Parrothead

That statement says more about you than it does me.

I, on the other hand, have managed to stay with Christianity despite having to put up with "your type" lol.

You know, I never get this from fellow Christians, only from nons, lol.

SimplyAmorous

Obfuscated means to confuse, blur, darken. People often do this in politics, but yeah, it can be anything, true.

How does one have a legitimate discussion with another if they can not present their side of the story.... Where they have come from, where it has led and WHY. It is not my intention to obfuscate you in any way - but to lay out my religious journey- from my youth till where I am now. We all have a story to tell.

I desired to find some common ground with you. I understand our beliefs are different, but this is typical in life, I am sure you work & breathe among many like me. How do you handle it?

I don't quite undersand why these things bother you so much. It is no skin off YOUR back. Billions of "Mes" lurk outside your door in this world who aren't doing a thing to hurt you in any way. Just living our lives. I am simply some internet irritant to you. I feel Obfuscation is a bit extreme. I have been accused of many things, but this is a 1st for me.


You have represented yourself. I know so little about you, other than you are a Married Anglican, of Indian heritage, you do prayer & bible study with your wife, you love your church, you are up on theological matters -much study & feel VERY strongly about your theological position & appear to feel all NONS are against you & hate christianity.

I've allowed many stories about myself on here for you to take shots at. If I have went overboard in some areas in mentioning my son & friends, it is only to persuade you to see I do NOT hate christians, they are a HUGE part of my life.

I have very little to go on -with you. So it is very hard for me to misrepresent the unknown.

I have agreed with you on at least 3 or 4 occasions in 2 threads, I have apologized a couple times for taking something you have said & using it the wrong way -"Remnant Theology" for one, I have given you & your Anglican Church praise for the way you reach out to the poor, feed the hungry, Muslims come to your meetings, all races & creeds you open your door too in accordance with Matt 25. How you do not subscribe to the Prosperity Gospel, I feel some of your Authers are commendable -such as Hank Hannagragh for one.

You know what is really funny, I went to bed last night, honest to GOD, (yes, I do believe in GOD), and I was feeling BAD about my last post on here, it wasn't very nice. If I had no replies on here this am, I would have deleted it.

I do not think anyone is of lower esteem than me, I think we are ALL valuable and have something to contribute. I don't get that from your words - but only those who believe like you are of any worth in this world.

I do LIKE myself Parrothead, but I didn't in the past... MY mother left me for an alcoholic growing up, my Step Mother didn't want me living there, it was a dysfunctional atmosphere, my friends, their parents were my mentors, I was angry, I had issues. I understand ANGRY JEALOUS HURTING people of all walks of life -if anything, I am happy I walked in those shoes so I can be more understanding when I meet up with those who have "attitude" against me.

I do not think I am any more wonderful than anyone else, no matter our shortcomings, we ALL have something to offer in this life, to make some sort of difference, to be sunshine , even shelter for someone, even if just a handful of people. We all have a sphere of influence.

If you want me to list all of my faults here I will -so you can take shots at them. I can be impatient, I can be admittably selfish, demanding with my family (not friends), I could be a more "attentive" mother, I think about sex too much, I enjoy playing Devil's advocate with others, I will agree my children probably fair well mostly because they take after their Father, The little one has MY temperment, GOD help me if he goes the wrong direction in life! I swear sometimes, I get annoyed with those who do not keep their word, black & white thinkers rattle me, yes I have rolled my eyes at them, I don't have alot of pity for those who purposely engage in carless irresponsible acts, find themselves in a MESS, then want others to bail them out- I lack some compassion there.

But I also cry when others hurt, I want to do the right thing, I can be humble about my own shortcomings, believing the bad evens out the good, or at least I think so. James 2:13 I've always been for the underdog too, if I see someone with no friends, lonely, I am more likely to go to that person and strike up a conversation than hang with the popular crowd. I was never a bully, in fact I would tear someone's head off with my words if they even tried to mess with someone who was already beaten down. I would give more to a poor person who NEEDS it & would appreciate-over someone who had the $$ -trying to impress. That means little to me, let them judge. I drive old cars, buy used clothes, I have no desire to keep up with high society.

I apologize if I come off sounding like I am better than anyone here. I am not.

And the whole FAITH thing is a good question. Who says I don't have faith ? Just because I have issues with the whole "total Depravity" thing, Original Sin doctrine, Jesus born of a virgin belief - does NOT mean I have zero faith.

I still get on my knees and pray, like a Jewish man who believes in one God over all. And I also do what I can DO from MY end to make those prayers come to pass, we have to put actions behind our prayers. A monks lifestyle makes zero sense to me. I see more usefulness in a social activist.

Faith to me .....is believing in a better day, having HOPE that maybe even statistically you can beat cancer (but you'll have to go to the doctor), save your marraige (more listening, more forgiving, more giving etc), overcome alcohol (attend AA faithfully, take up a new hobby).... living the Serenity Prayer (some would say that is not Biblical) - but I feel it is truth, the more we can grasp it, the better off we will be in our circumstances. We all have something to overcome, some limitations.

I DO have FAITH. To be totally faithless would be to have no hope. As long as their is life, there is HOPE.

If the most dark unforseen thing would come upon me (my greatest fear)-- lets say my husband would die suddenly on me & our children, I would grieve like nothing I have ever experienced in this life , I do not even work, or have a degree to fall back on, but with FAITH wrapped within me, good people by my side, I will get myself up off the floor, and believe I WILL SURVIVE, and enjoy living again.

That is the attitude of FAITH for me. WHY does it all have to be of a supernatural nature. I have faith MY MAKER will judge me accordingly to what I have done, how I have lived & treated other people. If I may use a scripture, I rest in Ecclesiastes 12 I once heard a story of a Mom saying her prayers with her little girl at Bedtime, telling her "Jesus loves you" and the little girl said "but Mommy, I want someone with skin on". Something to that effect anyway.

You know, I kinda look at life like this too....think about it -Who has more Happiness /joy /fullfillment in their life ---someone alone, no friends to visit them, never gets out with people BUT has GOD /Faith / Belief . ....... OR someone who may be an atheist even --but has a loving supportive family, surronded by friends, family gatherings, ongoing social events, I can assure you -likely the atheist will have more self esteem , more Hope, more a sense of healthy belonging & acceptence than the Christian who sits alone with his faith.

It really comes down to People, a comminity, fellowship, this is what keeps christians on that HIGH, and there is nothing wrong with that , we all NEED fellowship, a sense of belonging, to be ACCEPTED.

But take away that fellowship and see how long they last! They would even join the heathen for some company after a while.

I once seen a documentary on men who were captured In war, put into cells for months, alone in the dark, NO CONTACT with others captured. I listened to their stories, their darkest hours on earth, these men said what kept them alive was just the faint tapping of another soldier in another cell -knowing they were NOT alone. It was about "connection". They did not talk about their belief in God as much as holding on to HOPE , knowing these others soldiers were still alive so they might make it out together.

I think it all comes down to fellowship with others. God intended this. This gives us purpose.

I do wonder what that person would look like to you?

__________________
"Love Good Blog"

Clarence Rutherford

Quoting Herman's Hermits (mid 60s)?
I'm Leaning on The Lampost - YouTube

Clarence Rutherford

SimplyAmorous,
This is a good point.

I didn't grow up in a holy roller environment, but at one time, dated a divorced woman who was a Pentecostalist and into speaking in tongues. It made me uncomfortable attending services at her church, though I know there's scriptural basis for some of those things.

If I judge today's Democratic or Republican party by an experience I had with some of that group's members years ago, wouldn't be right.

Please consider this when forming opinions.

SimplyAmorous

Come on Clarance, you TOO! ?? After all I have shared here, pages & pages (if you count the other thread) ..... do you really think I am looking at ALL Christians through the eyes of my Pentacostal experience?

I TRY my darnest to NOT look at any group as a whole ( I am guilty with the WestBoro Baptisters though). Even Pentacostals themselves, they are NOT all the same by a long shot. Many sit in those pews & have issues with the very things the Pastor speaks. You wouldn't know it, people are very quiet, they don't talk about it, but some have sure opened up to me! I am very approachable, I listen, not jumping to correct. People tend to let their guard down with my type.

I still hold many friends from this Church.

Does this not speak anything? I am not someone who gives up, turns their back on a class of people/ believers/ old friends, I look for the GOOD, there is PLENTY of GOOD to be found.

My issues was not the people but the Doctrines anyway, it wouldn't matter what church I belonged too, I know I would heartily enjoy the Fellowship but still have grave issues when they felt they had the corner of truth & the rest of the world, including my Mormon friends, my jewish friends, is lost & deserved to burn.

__________________
"Love Good Blog"

Parrothead

We don't discuss politics and religion

Because truth is important. And it doesn't matter which truth we are talking about - religion, politics, the color of the carpeting in your house. People have beern lying to themselves for at least 40 years that I know about, with disastrous results. It's about time they woke up and realized they are entitled to their opinion, not their own reality, because I, along with many others, have to live in that reality, too, and they keep messing it up.

I have never said that. You don't have to think like me, just think. All you have done is give me the same arguments I have heard a hundred times.

Do some reading, and not on the internet. I have watched the internet turn into a wastebasket in only about 10 years.


Welcome to the human race.

With 6 kids I am not surprised...

It doesn't matter whether you have faith or not, what matters is what you have faith in. Original sin is something for the acedemics to kick around, the question YOU have to answer is do YOU have sin in your life, if you are going to claim to serve a righteous God.

None of us ever "arrive" - but we at least try to control the things we can control.

And if you don't believe Jesus was born of virgin birth, what exactly is it that makes you "Christian"? I have been through this with Jehovah's Witnesses - they don't believe Jesus was who he said he was, but they still think they are Christians, even as they denounce the rest of the world and condemn them to whatever the JW version of hell is.

People think that because they are polite when they show up at your door, they must be "Christian". Personally, I think that makes them frauds.

At least monks try to improve themselves. In order to affect a society the place to start is yourself.

Hope and change. The light bulb just went on. You heard all this nonsense in AA, didn't you? I used to argue with those guys all the time. Just who are they praying their "serenity prayer" to, if not the Creator of all things?

That isn't the worst thing. The worst thing is that your husband would leave you, you would have a heart attack or get cancer, those loving people around you deserted you, and you lose everything you have. See how much "faith" you'd have then.

Because that's the only kind of faith that really will sustain you.

Yes, He will, and you better be doing it up to His standards, not yours.

That's what the Eucharist is, the body and blood of Christ.

Yeah, that's why atheists are constantly attacking people of faith, because they are so secure in their beliefs.

Which is what the Church is.

The shallow ones do. That's what the parable of the sower is about. Matt. 13.

Fellowship with people who worship Him. Constantly having to fend off attacks on the faith does no one any good.

Catherine602

This is an interesting thread although religion is a very touchy subject.

I too have questioned my faith. I was at one time a devout Catholic. I happened to meet a learned, wise and kind professor in college who was Jewish and he engaged me.

We talked of evil, suffering, pain, differences in the state of a child born in a low cate in Calcutta Vs. an English noble.

I doubt that God minds these questions and does not consider them "attacks" on Christians. There is certainly to over dramatize and assume the lofty status of a martyrs. How presumptuous is that. It certainly is effective in shutting down discussion; who want to be the vehicle of another's martyrdom?

In the end, we come back to Him in one way or other. Some of us come to Him in prayer, some in acceptance of the mysteries of life, some in an appreciation of the Divine in the very workings of the universe, among others.

My route back to faith was through the knowledge of science. The utter perfection of the universe, I believe, could only have been designed by a Devine hand. If He can do that then He must know what He is doing, though it is beyond my abilities to understand .

However, I believe it is the people who come to God through faith alone are most prized, unlike like me.

I have observed that being beat over the head with pompous, elitest, supercilious, put downs is rather counterproductive. One could ask, what would God do under similar circumstances, Him who drew people in to follow him.

I have little knowledge of great theologic works and if I did I would find my own way. I do read the Bible and I am guided by some very comforting passages.

"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you" John 14:2

"But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19-14

The Beatitudes

To me, these passages show a God that is wide in His acceptance of us. The way is narrow but not exclusive to intellectuals, apparently learned men who come up with seemingly cogent arguments, or the formally educated, or those who never question.

I think we are expected to be Gods emissaries and to use His gifts in service to Him. He washed the feet of a beggar after all, how many pompous azzes would stoup to that? Moreover, the gift of easy intellect is just that, a gift that we do not earn. Therefore, pride has no place. "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required" Luke 12:48

And what does it mean? Why go through that process when simple humble understanding debate would draw a questioner in. Isn't that the purpose of the gift of intellect and faith?

Just sayin'

Of course, I am cognizant of the following "And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?" and I am chastened.

greenpearl

Parrothead,

I think Jesus will be ashamed of you.

From your posts, you are very rude.

Jesus is mild and humble, I don't see you are showing any of his qualities, so what if you believe in him.

SimplyAmorous

Parrothead, I do not agree or believe that all mankind outside of your specified beliefs is stupid and has not studied these things. At one time in my life , ALL I bought was christian books. Did you hear me, I READ, I READ, I READ. I studied.

Of coarse I didn't get into heavy theological things -I am not intelligent enough for that & I would have gotten BORED OUT OF MY MIND . But I did the Lee Strobel books , Listened to the Bible Answer Man, bought numerous books on "THE HARD scriptures" , this one still sits on my shelf today Amazon.com: When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties (9780801011429): Norman L. Geisler, Thomas Howe: Books.

I read Josh McDowell -had this one also Amazon.com: Evidence That Demands a Verdict, Volume 1: Historical Evidences for the Christian Faith (9780840743787): Josh McDowell: Books

My thirst was NOT quenched. Maybe if I was born retarted, I would go to Heaven, but unfortunetly , my Creater instilled within me a LUST for questioning, seeking, wanting to know both sides of a story, uprooting the WHY's behind the mysteries of our time. I am very analytical -maybe it will be the death of me -but this is who I am, I tried to deny that person within me for many many years of my life. Did you not hear me ...I WAS HINDERED.

I desire to hear FULLY both sides of the story. I just don't happen to agree with you.

Here is an illustration for you ...... It is a bizzare one, but stay with me......

Looking for a children's book on Amazon, I stumbled upon this: Amazon.com: The Giving Tree (0000060256652): Shel Silverstein: Books I seen this little book had over 700 reviews & I thought "My lord, what is so great about this little book!! " so I started to read reviews .....

You would simply not believe the various interpretations from this 1 little book of maybe 50 pages & few words on each page, if any. The ideas, the messages recieved from each reader was WILDLY different - it was insane, I was so intrigued , I bought the Book! Come to learn Essays have been written in College over the meaning of this book!

As an example -- here are 2 ....

Can read one here entitled "Sweet, sad story of unconditional love"
Amazon.com: A. Ryan "Merribelle"'s review of The Giving Tree

Then I stumbled upon this crazy review entitled "Horrifying Depressing" - Amazon.com: A Kid's review of The Giving Tree I laughed so darn hard when I read this, I just HAD to get this book & see for myself.

In case you are wondering -here is what the back cover looks like so you won't give the Garbage man a heart attack:



My point in this is : Mankind can take the same Book, the same Portrait, the same story - and still get something completely & utterly different from it. You are correct , we BOTH can not be RIGHT !! But then again, maybe both of us are WRONG! Neither you nor I can PROVE with any Certainty that we are RIGHT in our beliefs. I never claimed that of myself, nor will I.

As I go along in life, there are certain things I will reject in belief as I have seen it HURT other people, not necessarily your specified beliefs, but how such have used the literal interpretation - yes. That is my position.

Our MINDS work differently, YOU see Unconditional LOVE in the way GOd has Designed us helpless, depraved, dust, wretched, sinful, evil -not being capable of living "Good enough" to ACCEPT his own Creation, and the NEED for a Savior, a blood sacrifice, or we all DESERVE to burn in Hell. I do not see Love in this. I am sorry. MY brain does not work the same as yours in this area. I think that concept is Monsterous and Masochistic.

And as I have cited before, which I am sure you will not care to understand my position, but I look upon US as capable of living "Good enough" without a blood sacrifice - I didnt say we didn't sin, for me, sin does NOT = HELL , damnation , burning for eternity. For me , it = we can do better, we can get right with our brother , we do our best to appease for our mistakes here on earth, Love in our hearts is the determining factor to whether we are walking in accordance to our Creators "acceptance" of us. Did we forgive, did we learn anything, do we want to make a difference, can we help someone today, built a bridge of understanding?

I guess I see God as Forgiving and NOT blood thirsty. Maybe that means I see him as not PERFECT, I am not sure, after all HE made us, then according to scripture decided to destroy all mankind through a flood for the blunder -excect one family, he counted Noah as upright ! And he got DRUNK TOO!


If I am wrong, I will go to Hell. For me to go back to those beliefs that warred against my mind is not something I have any desire to do. And I do NOT call myself a Chrisitan, I used to be, or I will say it like this ....I THOUGHT I was , I tried to be, I tried to walk the walk. I do not believe I ever truly was, because I was a doubter & struggling questioner the entire time.

I was always fasinated by "belief" -had many cult books (only written from Christian perspective) comparing faiths, and forever trying to CONVINCE myself Christians were RIGHT but I never was able to "get there".

I mentioned this book before in the other thread, this interpretation of Genesis -is One that does NOT war against my mind -this is a Jewish Author, the same that penned "When BAD things happen to GOOD people ' (a classic) -I heartily enjoy this author Amazon.com: How Good Do We Have to Be?: A New Understanding of Guilt and Forgiveness: Harold S. Kushner: Books



I wanted every one of my children, I make no apologies for not living more high society, I have no desire too, even if we had more $$, I would choose to live frugally so I would have more to "give" who need it more than I. It makes you feel good when you help others, that is from GOD.

I agree -we will never "arrive". I would say I DO try to control the things I can control, I am all for discipline, just ask my children. We all should try to better ourselves, acheive a more loving attitude. My opening post trying to give a picture of that -through the words of another, not myself.

I am not sure why you keep thinking I am a Christian, I have said many times I am NOT. I consider myself a DEIST -if a term must be put on my beliefs. (So was Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, even Lincholn was Deistic-great admirer of Thomas Paine)

And I agree with you on this, to not believe Jesus was born of a virgin & reject Original Sin, is to NOT be a Christian, those are part of the universal creed of christianity. I informed those Mormons who came to my door exactly why they are NOT Christians, because they sided with Pelagius was who deemed Heretical , unorthodox.

When it comes to doctrine, you are correct.

The problem here is this - and again, I am on more side of the liberal Chrstian soul -not ALL believers take a literal interpretation and they put MORE weight on Jesus' WORDS in Parables--how he instructed others to live and LESS weight on the words of PAUL about salvation. Some just don't think about these things, and they may even be a JESUS JUNKY, and still call themselves "Christians". Personally I am not bothered by this and would get along better with these types, but you already know this.

For them , if they are sincere, it is MORE about the heart than DOCTRINE - that is my position also. But I take it a step further and would never call myself a christian again. I have no desire for the Fundamentalists to throw this in my face, so I remove that option .

To be honest, I know very little about Monks, I thought they just prayed ALL day long, how are they trying to improve anything- if they are not out & about in society- moving among people? I would imagine them to be extremely HORNY & lonely, I have read where they have to do x amount of hail marys to overcome a sinful thought, how SILLY this sounds to me. Of coarse I do not have the facts.


Let me 1st say, I have never been drunk a day in my life (husband & friends say that would be dangerous! ha ha), I have never been in an AA meeting -but since my Mother ran off & married a severe Alcholic, I know how it DESTROYS lives & loved ones.

But I have not one issue with the method used to help these men, I think God would agree with it. Bill Wilson, the founder was an Alcoholic who became a Believer, his heart was set on fire to help these men-- While lying in a hospital bed depressed & despairing, Wilson cried out: "I'll do anything! Anything at all! If there be a God, let Him show Himself" - He then had the sensation of a bright light, a feeling of ecstasy, and a new serenity. I would say that was GOD!

I feel he lived what God intended for him in every way. His life is an example of how we take something very bad from our past , fully understanding where others ARE, being stuck mercesslessly in it - God gives us a FIRE for change, to help such sufferers, he lived that, I think AA is a tremendously wonderful program.

I really don't understand what is wrong with the Serenity Prayer-for you at all. Of coarse they are believing in GOD when they say it. And I also find it commendable that ALL faiths are welcome & can share a common bond with that particular prayer , having access to this life changing program -and this IS a type of fellowship after all...why there is power there.


I agree, and if you are in any church that is worth any SALT at all, they will be there for you during that time. This is one thing I LOVE about church, the fellowship, but their damnation for you when you don't agree with their doctrine is a problem for me. It is about LOVE , helping the sick, the poor , those who are alone. I don't give a damn what someone believes, what type of person you ARE is all I see. Lables mean nothing to me, they are deceptive.

I talked to a friend last night, she goes to church faithfully, involved in a Bible study group for yrs, , she has a heart of Gold, I have always been impressed by her, we have talked about many things, even she admits, she has problems with this idea that no others faiths go to Heaven, she disagrees too! She says Gandhi will surely be there, she believes GOOD hearted people of any faith will be there....But she isn't going to announce her thoughts to anyone in her Prayer group! See, that is my point, lots of people like me, they just won't talk about it ! She even told me she believes in reincarnation. And she still considers herself a Christian.


It says in Matthew 7 we will be judged on how we judge others, the mearsures we use. ....“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. If this be the case, I think I will fare OK at the Judgement. I am very forgiving - infact near everything, my mearsuring stick is on myself 1st and NEVER longer on another. I am very hard on myself Parrothead, you do not know me, so you would not know this. My husband tells me I am TOO hard on myself.


I'll tell you something else interesting about me, I can be STUPID sometimes -I do this more often than a smart person would -not sure why, I WANT to trust people I guess, I take a RISK and I get trampled. I even cry over it sometimes but I know it was my own stupidity, so I need to listen more to this >> “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces" Some of those Dogs have been Christians, I am not meaning YOU either, do not take it personally.

I appreciate THIS discussion for the most part & you replying to this thread- after you deleted yours.


...And don't overlook verse 15 -23 where it clearly states you will know them by those FRUITS and how MANY will say "Lord Lord..and he replies "I never knew you". I am telling you Parrot, it is HOW you live & treat other people, it is LESS about the Doctrine, MORE about our hearts.

The Sheep And The Goats - YouTube

Accually I see this both ways. When a Christian comes from a point of SHEER UNQUESTIONABLE AUTHORITY welding his Bible in someone's face - and another has a different take, a different belief, raised in another faith, how do YOU expect them to re-act ? Timidly?

Ask yourself how YOU re-act when another questions YOU, are you any different Parrot?



Lets talk about that, if you will notice, this comes back to FRUIT again. - notice verse 8 " But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold"...

It mentions "the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful" (verse 22). Many scriptures about FRUIT there.




I see people as people, I don't judge them on belief, I can fellowship with them all, I feel we all have the same God, even if We Don't know it -or believe it. We have just blinded ourselves with different doctrines which has only fueled to separate and divide.

__________________
"Love Good Blog"

greenpearl

SA,

I don't know what kind of monks you two are talking about here.

In my opinion, there are good Christians and bad Christians, and there are good monks and bad monks.

Good Christians absorb knowledge from the Bible, they live according to Bible principles, they learn to be like Jesus, they share their wisdom with others. Some people claim themselves to be Christians, but they are judgmental, they are condescending, they are arrogant, they are just as selfish as others, they are just as greedy as others. It is not the Bible's fault, it is not Jesus's fault, it is not God's fault. These people are human, they are blinded by their own weaknesses. They don't know what true Christians are.

Monks are the same, there are good monks and bad monks. Good monks sink themselves into Buddhism teachings, they use what they have learned to help the world, they share their wisdom with the world. Buddha's teaching is similar to Jesus's teaching. They both felt sad for the world, they both felt sad for people who are suffering in this world, they both wanted to help people get away from pain. They both teach people not to be greedy about power and wealth, they both teach people to be forgiving and let go of their own ego. They both teach their followers to use what they have learned to help the world. Helping people achieve peace is their main goal.

I am not interested in churches anymore. I just don't want to be around fanatics. I don't care about the doctrines. The earth was created or evolved, I am not interested. But how do you learn to benefit from the wisdom of the Bible, or Buddhism teachings? How do you learn to help yourself live a responsible and happy life? That's important to me.

SimplyAmorous

Greenpearl -I noticed you was gone for awhile! Nice to see you back & kicking. Accually when I mentioned Monks, I was thinking more along the line of Catholic Monks What do Catholic monks do

I shouldn't have mentioned it at all, cause I know of not what I speak. I just recall reading some of the religious chants & penances, Hail Mary's they have to go through -awhile back - if they masterbate or have a dirty thought, testosterone being their biggest enemy I am sure! Although it was awfully interesting, I couldn't believe any man would want to put himself through such straightjacket hell. The things men come up with!! Might as well cut off thier balls too & make them eunuchs- to help them meet these Pure thought/ celibacy unNATURAL requirements.

And then the sexual SECRETS it BREEDS, Come on, they ARE masterbating! then the Church EXPECTS them to lie about it, hide it, bury it.

Couldn't these Monks be just as thriving without all of this heavy baggage put on them. I Guess it is their choice afterall. Some take vows to not speak for a specified amount of time!

I LOVE your words Greenpearl, they are SIMPLE and EASY to take in, my heart agrees !

__________________
"Love Good Blog"