Jetrosr

How do I know the bible is real?

This is where we separate the true seekers from the bashers. There can be no intelligent discussion until we agree on terms (i.e; the bible is real). If you have the most limited searching skills, along with a teachable spirit, you will find overwhelming evidence that the bible is indeed very real and the very words of the Creator of the universe. Some discernment is required in this search, as many will try to lead you down other paths. You are the only one who can do this: the old addage 'You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink'

Which bible is the REAL one?

Everyone wants to give you a bible, tell why this one or that is better or worse for this reason or that. There are a few that I've found to be true what God is trying to communicate. King James (old english, hard to read), New King James (modern language version of the latter), New International Version, The Amplified Bible, New American Standard Bible are the the ones I have personally read and found to be trustworthy. The purpose in so many translations is first, there are really way too many denominations/doctrines and such, which really are just a bunch of guys got together and decided "We believe blankity blank, therefore logically you do this and this" Most of that is crap, in other words not in the bible and man made (read "religion") I will bash formal religion every chance I get, it has nothing to do with God.  The second reason, I have discovered, is the languages (Hebrew, Arameic and Greek) are a couple thousand years older than english, so they have ALOT more words. Try to explain quantum mechanics with a 3rd grade vocabulary.

Whats so special about Jesus anyway?

Once we agree on the bible, we can intelligently discuss Jesus Christ. In the form of old testament sacrifice for sin, Jesus is the one time, for all time sacrifice to condition your spirit for Heaven, where we who believe (follow the teachings) of the bible will dwell eternally with God (perfect being, cannot dwell with sin)

I'm so fed up with religion, I don't want any part of a church

For the most part religion talks all around God, while trying to put Him in a box. In my expirience religion is more about the religion than God. Stand up, sit down, eat a cracker, drink a juice, stand up sit down. Whatever. God doesn't care if you wear a black sabboth t shirt or a 3 peice suit. He cares about what's inside. Most churches have lost sight here as well.

How am I suppose to have a relationship with someone who makes planets and grasshoppers and stuff?

He's already paved the road, wrote the instructions down and created YOU! You are created in His image; body, soul, spirit. He loves in a way we cannot fathom in this old bag of skin. /p>

More to come...

"The only way someone is going to change is if where they are is more painful than where they need to be"

 

This statement displays our need for information. Information that changes perspectives, that inspires a paradigm shift. By nature we become complacent when we think we got all our fires put out, ducks in a row. Some more than others, but I think it applies to everyone in at least one area. You don't have to be a couch potato to be complacent. I know people who run wide open for 16hrs. a day and are going nowhere. The information, and the spreading of it, is the catalyst for change. It must lead to a consequence. The " action/ reaction" principle is in play here as new information causes perspective, therefore thoughts on consequences to engage.

 

 Example; Your driving a long distance trip. Unknown to you, you gas gauge happens to fail and reads perpetually full. The difference between your perception and reality separates with every mile. Inevitably, your perception and reality will meet; you realise you've driven 300 miles and still have a full tank, or the engine dies and you are immediately sucked into reality, plans change, scenarios are thought thru and consequences weighed. Your thought process will be on the path of least resistance to gas in your tank, getting back to zippin' down the highway, instead of how McDonold's shorted you 78 cents on your egg mcmuffin. You consider the reaction of the people waiting at your destination, the work you put off because you where going to arrive early, how much is it going to cost to fix this stupid gas gauge that put me in the middle of nowhere? Why is this happening to me? Who is to blame?

 

 As the days in front of you dwindle, you (hopefully) learn that everything has purpose. Everyday is chuck full of lessons. Yes, there is purpose in running out of gas. There is purpose in that pimply kid at the Micky D's drive thru shorting you 78 cents. If you avert the lesson, guess what, here it comes tomorrow in a different wrapper.

 

So how do you get the guy's attention who's toolin' 85 down the interstate, flying by gas stations cus the gas gauge reads full? His perception is the fires are all put out, but in reality, whats in front of his mind is about to be ripped out and replaced by survival instinct type stuff.

 

I get the impression the sites purpose is to tell this guy, "Hey Dude, your gauge is giving you bad information, look at these facts; (insert x,y,z). I think the way to change (one person, the world) is to show people you care about them. Why do people give the guy with the 'Will work for food' sign their money? They think of themselves in that perdicament and feel his pain and hopelessness. Whether or not he's a drunk and will shoot striaght over and grab some night train is another discussion altogether. One of my favorite speakers, Zig Ziglar, said " No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care". Real power is in serving others. Think about it. Think about people who have impacted you. Why did they impress you? What did they do to make you think differently, to look at things in a new light? Most people these days are selling something. Once and a while you'll find someone who will just give and not expect a return. Anyway, forgive my longwindedness, just airing out some thoughts. Take from it what you will and leave the rest.

First of all, I believe in God, the "I AM" from the bible. Although initially a little disappointed to find myself in the company of atheists, I choose to stay. Without our differences, there is no point in having more than 1 person on the planet. The inspiration for this blog was reading the ACT- Action Causes Things post. The whole "You don't believe the same as me, therefore you are infinitly stupid and I will hurl injury at you at every opportunity" theme is a bit transparent and immature. Tranparent in that obviously someone has shoved their beliefs/religion on you in an unproductive way. Someone in/representing 'The Church' has broken your trust, left you for dead, crapped on you in the way only someone close to you can. People can really suck, and in the next moment perform some unselfish act of kindness, then go right on sucking. You've been the guy that sucks for someone else at some point, as have I. The point is, you only have your own perspective. I assure you no one has ever had it all figured out, including yourself, and especially me. The more I learn, the more I find out how tiny my brain is. The most empowering thing you can do is understand the person sitting next you without judgement. Build a bridge instead of blowing one up. I could go on, but I would like to see what kind reaction this post brings...