TS-Shouting here is a good thing. I've kindof done it myself. The neat thing is that God knows what we are going to shout even before we do, so nothing is a surprise to Him anyway. He knows how we feel.


Years ago I was trying to figure out the exact steps to take to become a Christian. I figured that it must take certain steps, in an exact order for us to get there. I read lots and thought about it for some time and eventually came to the realization that there is only one thing that I have to do (and actually it is something that we don't do rather than something we do).

One of the books I read said, and I realized that the Bible was saying the same thing in James.

Can it be that simple? Is it possible that God can take me just the way I am and if I don't resist His love? Will I really be drawn to Jesus? Another quote caught my eye:


I have spent several years lately looking at some of the things God has made both here on this earth and in the universe (at least what we know of it). I am increasingly amazed at how complex things are and I wonder why God spent the time doing all this stuff just the way He did.

As an example, I was thinking about this earth, about what is needed to support life and realized that what we really need is just some kind of water and food and some oxygen. If God hates us, why didn't He just create us on a sandy or rocky, barren waste land with just enough plants that would give us just barely the oxygen we need and produce just enough terrible tasting stuff for us to eat? Why didn't He create only bitter water for us to drink? He could have forced us to live in a place like that and even made it so that we would never die, but just suffer forever.

What's going on? Why do we have all kinds of really neat stuff to enjoy? Could it have something to do with His attitude toward us? Does He actaully care about us? It's really amazing to me that the one being in the whole universe who can do everything also wants us to be happy. He wants us to be FULL of Joy. Why? Because He hates, us or is it because He loves us?

The more you see the truth of God the more you will love Him. He is AWESOME!

Thanks Lineman for your contribution. I am glad that you have found your faith. Though i cannot rely solely on the bible as a basis for my life because it contains so many promises that just don t come true in personal lifes. For instance, Jesus said we could ask and do anything in his name. Still there has never been anyone healed from an amputation or that sort of stuff. Why is that?

In contrast, science is responsible for the savings of hundreds of millions of people from pestilence etc. In the bible it says that the whole world would be filled with the knowledge of God. Maybe the knowledge of God is assimilated in science, culture etc. I don t know.

I see my life as a spiritual journey and maybe this hard experience was necessary to figure out that Fundamentalism is not THE truth. Maybe Jesus had some kind of good relationship with God and is loved by God but i cannot see him anymore as God himself. Rather as one of the many representatives of God. I realise know that all i have to back up Ellen White s version of the Great controversy are heavily disputed facts. In the bible it says that faith comes by hearing the word of God. If i read New Age stuff it also makes me a believer so this is not a fair way to introduce people to God and get to know him. I no longer wish to rationalise everything away in order to maintain a set of beliefs. God must be greater than the adventist church and the Christian faith. I know there is a supreme being out there and he wants me to be happy. If ever there will come a national sunday law at least i know with whom i am loyal with.

To be honest with you i am afraid to make certain steps toward Christ. I want to see a transformed life and that s something i don t see happening. Sometimes i wonder if it is because that i am not baptised that he ignores me, but that can t be the reason because i have asked him many times to assist me in my steps toward baptism.

My name is truthseeker and i geuss i have found new valueble truths; fundamentalism is wrong. Nevertheless i believe that the bible is inspired by higher powers and that this church is the most consistent bible believing church in our time.You guys have so many truths that you could start a revolution if you wanted to. Prior to believing in the bible alone i used to believe that all evil is only the result of misunderstanding things. I really don t know actually where to go now i have passed this station. There are no other credible theories i know yet about good, evil, the creation of this planet. That s why i believe that all the religions are perverted distortions of God. I geuss i am somethingistian.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEugchJ0-sE

There's only one answer, and that's to put your faith and trust completely in Jesus Christ.

If you want help, ask God sincerely to lead you to someone who can give you the help you need. God knows your heart and mind and He knows your deepest longings.

I'll be praying for you, and I know others are praying, too. We pray that you will have a desire to surrender your entire life to Christ and be willing to follow Him in every way He leads.

When a bridge goes down, engineers and their workers fix it. You don't pray for God to fix it. When your watch stops running, you go to a watchmaker instead of asking God to repair it. If you are a diabetic, a doctor can help you with insulin or some other medication instead of asking for a miracle.. Why the reluctance to see a counselor if he/she might be able to help you?

Gerry

Hi TS,

You wrote,One online definition of "fundamentalism" is:
It seems that someone has deceived you. The one basic principle of the Bible is love, love for both God and man. EVERYTHING else is based on that. Believing in this principle as being wrong cannot be right.


But the most important topic we can discuss has to do with your statement:You have been concerned that God is not listening to your prayers for help. You ask, even beg, Him for help, yet you really are not sure if you want His help, am I right? (I know the feeling.)

I ran across a statement that kind-of floored me a few years back though.
Sounds like me. I wanted to be "good", but I was afraid to "let go and let God". The question for you right now is, are you "willing to be made willing"? If so, tell God. Then He can do His good work in you. Then you will see answers to those prayers of yours.

The neat thing about God is that unless you want Him to, He will not make rapid changes in you. He gave you the ability to choose life or death and He will never take that away from you. Of course He wants you to live and to be happy, but it is still your choice. Even after giving your life over to Him completely you are free to turn around and say, "Hey, I'm out of here." Remember, Lucifer did that. He chose death, but you are free to choose whatever you want.

Today, I choose life. (I hope you do too.) Tomorrow I may choose a different way, but because I like what I see God doing in my life I think I will just let Him keep doing whatever it is He wants to do.

Being willing to let God do in you what He wants is not the same as giving up your free will. Pretty awesome when you think about it. What freedom!

Blessings,
Dan

I ve decided to follow my heart. IN life this has always proved to be the best way to live my life. If there is a God he knows i am willing to sacrifice everything for him. Anyway i am absolutely certain that the bible is not perfect and is not always to be taken literally.

I feel sorry for this church because there are so many warm truth loving people in here. But i am afraid that this movement cannot remain pure for a longer time because of several reasons;

- A lack of a scientific approach concerning prophecy. What i mean is that there are a lot of people who want to introduce conspiracy theories into the church without backing them up by several scientific confirmations. Then this church will be labeled as one of those wacko churches

- Secondly, the church is very weak represented internationally. This is dangerous in cases of crisis and also not beneficial for spreading the 3 angels messages. I could have created institutional frontiers for the church internationally so our position in the world would be way stronger.

- Thirdly, there is a lack of desire in the hearts of man to conquer this world spiritually. Rationalising and other excuses for doing nothing, prevail in the church.

- Fourth, the church becomes more and more accustomed to this world. Without strong man holding the pure faith as a banner unto the world, evolution theories and other man-made wisdoms will infiltrate. What this church needs is a man who is able to visualise the spiritual borders and put the right men at the right places. Empower the scientists to the battle against evolution, unite the theologians in a sub organisation so they are able to represent themselves in front of all the international governmental and non-governmental organisations etc. etc. The church should operate as a perfect machine.

- To achieve this we need unity. Yet the church remains divided.

These facts and many others will destroy the purity of the church. I could prevent all this from happening but God refuses to listen to my prayers. Now, i believe that if ever this church will be destroyed spiritually God cannot rightfully be angry. He should be angry with himself instead because he refused to work with me.

Rudy woofs,

Rudy it is not about me. I am not chosen. I wish just someone would step forward and take care of the church. All i need is some confirmation from God to carry out my plans. I will never on my own authority carry out these plans. I know i am able to make this church a real powerfull church. If just God somehow gave me a confirmation i would find ways to fulfill this mission. By organising assemblies, organising the tools of the church in an efficient way etc. etc. I am not stuck in hierarchical ways of thinking. I am not claiming to be a great theologian, instead my knowledge is very poor. However i do have the capacity to organise and present the church in its full glory and to expanse truth.

I wish someone would step forward as well, and not try to play the political correctness game within the church. I keep wondering when the church is going to get back to the basics of the church as depicted in the Book of Acts - evangelizing yes, but taking care of the people who are being won to Christ, yet, for lack of follow-up are being lost.

Hi Truthseeker.

Your love for the church is evident by your willingness to do what you can. Praise God for that. But, you ideas seem grandiose to me. And sometimes when you have such high thoughts ... that can send you down into discouragement when it doesn't happen.

My understanding of the end times .... is that things get worse rather then better. So, perhaps it is not in God's plans for you to accomplish what you have in mind.

However, I think your to be commended. I just hate to see you discouraged that YOUR plans are not accomplished.

Redwood thank you for your response but i disagree with you on this matter. Correct me if i am wrong but are you saying that we should take a defensive position regarding our faith? I think that nowadays we should fight as never before a spiritual fight. I am not talking about military power, money and posessions but i am talking about the words that are able to heal sick minds and unite us as a worldwide people. Of course, while we are in this world we are to suffer according to the flesh, but to prosper according to the spirit. It is this kind of being rich what it is talking about in Revelation. I firmly believe that Jesus wants us to take an offensive stance concerning our faith and conquer the world. That s why i am frustrated because if this is really God s will, then why doesn t he answer me? The institutionalisation and organising of the power of the SDA departments/scientists/theologians etc. is not a goal itself but rather a worldwide powerfull tool to enlighten the broken souls of a fallen mankind. Should we holdback the tools that are most hated by the devil in order to gain a false sense of comfort? Should a doctor posessing all kinds of medicines hold back these tools because the body is supposed to endure the consequences of sin? I think not.

Now what makes me feel terrible is this; i am always talking about how things should be like, while at the same time i am not working on these goals for several reasons. Depressions got me captured once in a while, addictions hold me in a mental prison and my lack of faith is destroying everything i have created in my head. IF there is a God, it is absolutely necessary that he makes himself known unto me so i can act.