I Changed My Mind A Bit.

My last post has been online for quite a while now. The reason why I have not posted anything lately is because I have changed my mind on what I wrote about. I wanted my next post to explain how and why this change came about. Several people that I would consider "wise" men and women have read my last post. These people have brought to my attention some interesting points. Some of these points, opinions, and biblical referrences actually contridicted my view a bit. I still hold true to my opinion on many levels but I have examined my writing and need to voice how God continues to help me grow. In my last post I spoke about my opinion on how I do not think christians need to constantly defend the bible and their beliefs. This statement I made is not all the way true. There are two differant situations a christian is going to have his or her beliefs challenged. My opinion in my previous post holds true when the challenger is not seeking sincere information. Basicly when a person is just trying to peck a fight or get you riled up then its time to hush up and be the bigger person. In this situation no matter what you say or try prove is not going to change the challengers attitude. However, if a person comes to you with questions seeking sincere spiritual information or advice then IT IS a christians job to help guide them. It should be very easy to tell the differance between the two situations. I want people who read this to know that all of these are my opinions only. I love posting a public journal, but I don't want my thoughts to be a stumbling block to anyones growth in Christ. I try and live a life that Christ would be proud of, but I fall short very often. I want people to understand I am a growing christian man who is far from calling himself a godley man. I encourage everyone to get into God's word whenever possible and form your own beliefs that you feel confident in and be able to explain why you are confident in that belief. But always be aware of what situation your in. Explainging yourself to provide information, or explaining for defense. Thanks for reading this and feel free to comment whenever you want.

 

Keeping It Skinny,

FlacoJake

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Is The Bible A Bluff??

I was listening to a conversation at a poker table on how to defend the bible's integrity to other people. The people in the discussion were trying to come up with several historic facts that could prove the stories from the bible. This is a very common strategy to protect ones beliefs in the bible. Often times a man that gets asked the question "how do you know that stuff in the bible really happened??" Its really confusing to me why people have no problem ridiculing someone for their beliefs, because they don't believe the same thing. If I approched that same person about their disbeliefs in the bible it would not go the same way. The bible is a tool that God designed to help us in our daily lives. This is my belief. My belief is that the bible is God's word, God inspired several writers to write this feast we call the bible. I don't partake of this feast as much as I should, but its also my belief that God doesn't just limit his communication to speaking to us through his word. Its very agravating when I see a non-believer going after a "lamb" thinking they are weak. I have seen it even in my own family. Here is a common example; a man goes to his friend who has been going to church for a short period of time and asks, why do you believe in God and the bible?? This always makes me see red a bit. In this day and age a believer even a baby believer feel it is their duty to defend the integrity of the bible. Why do belivers feel this way?? Why do we feel its our job to make people understand the bible, when we ourselves don't fully understand it?? I have personally been involved in several of these situations. The people questioning my beliefs or questioning the bible's accuracy, or historic relevantcy have been very confused by my responces. When confronted with the question "how do you know if the bible is real??" I simply answer "how do you know its not??" If confronted with another question (always another question) such as, "if you feel so confident that the bible is truth then why not show me more proof??" another simple answer is given "why do I need to prove my belief to you, I'm not asking you to prove your disbelief to me." My next answer usually quiets the questions at least for a few moments while they try and understand what I just said. I simply apply the basic tolerence and understanding Christ did while standing in front of Pilot. Although Christ had the power to free himself during his scurging or before his crusifiction, he did not. How is this relevant to my story?? Just like Christ, we have the power to defend ourselves and our beliefs, but Christ already proved himself for us by dieing on the cross. If a person decides not to believe this that is their choice, just like it is my choice to believe it. I also feel that it is not my job to make people believe in what I do, so I will not aggressivly defend my God's word. When posed with the oppurtunity to rumble with someone in a spiritual battle it is a very dangourous spot for even the most faithful believers. The reason it is powerfully dangerous, is we are all sinners and we all fall short of God's plans for our lives. This makes us at times very poor examples or ambassadors of Christ's teachings and comandments. I don't know about all of you but that is a lot of pressure. So if ever confronted with these powerful questions, just remember keep it simple. I am a simple man I believe in the bible because I choose to do so, and my belief will not waiver until I choose to do so. Bottom line is, God's abundant love is given to ALL people. If they dont believe in him he still loves them the same as he loves the most faithful. How do I know this is true?? It says so in the bible!!

 

Keeping It Skinny,
FlacoJake

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