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Hello Chris, Because the author did such a good job of presenting the Biblical facts, I am going to take a totally different tact. The time that Jesus was in the grave is important but let's not discuss that yet . Instead let us think about the pagan word Easter. How can any supposed Christian allow that word to desecrate the Resurrection of our Savior, Jesus?
Was the story of Jonah simply an allegory? Did he or did he not spend 3 days and 3 nights in the belly of a great fish? Jesus spoke as though He saw Jonah's story as fact, Reality! I know what "Christians" traditionally think and do on Easter. Those traditions are bogus. Let us return to God's Word as the basis for our belief and way of life.
Hello Robert, I encourage you to do what Tyler suggests. But also consider the context of his suggestion. That is, what is going to be the basis for your LIFE? God is 'into' (to use a phrase) life, not death ! That means that you must not only get answers to your very real question BUT you find out that YOU must DO something different in your Life that will be difficult. Death will happen to us all; what must we do till then?
Hello Shannon, You will notice that quite a bit has been written in the past about this subject. I would like to scripturally disagree with your last sentence which said, " Stop following doctrine and ...." Let's look at 1 Timothy for a minute : 1 Tim 6: 20 "O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge...." Wow! That IS God's Word! Enoch was real but what we can read that is purported to be Enoch, that is Very, Very suspect!
Hello Rebecca, Over the 50 years that my wife and i have had pets, we have thought a bit about your question and have come to a somewhat surprising conclusion. (But first of all, reread Janet's article. It is properly empathetic.) God created some animals to be pets (as well as working animals.) God knew what He was doing. Have you ever had more than one dog that you liked? If you live long enough you will ! God is creator but He is not quite finished creating. Right now He is creating Holy , Righteous character in some. During the coming Millennium He will still be working with those who need that work. Although there are good dog breeders now, don't you think they could be even better with some "Godly" insight? So what I am saying is we have missed some of our pets who have gone the way of all the earth. But with some very real assistance from the creator, we actually think, if we have some extra time, we just might be able to come up with a composite dog that incorporated the best aspects of the 5 dogs my wife and I enjoyed together. All physical things grow old and die but only people are to be resurrected.
Hello Barry, Simple question! Complex answer! But, as simple as I can make it: First you need to ask yourself who are you going to believe? You already know that different people will give you different answers. So where do you go to get the straight scoop? Here is the hard part: If you choose to believe what God says, then you need to find what He has already said. Yes, that is right! If you believe that the Bible is the Word of God, and True, then you are going to need to do some serious reading and study. There is no other way. A fresh, want to be believer once asked me, "But aren't there exceptions to the 'Study to show yourself approved' rule?" And I answered, "You bet! There are a couple in Scripture." But then I asked him," Are you an exception to the rule?" After you have read the Bible (and of course we all can use help!) then you will be more able to answer that question yourself.
I suggest you study some of our booklets (but I am predisposed to think that we are, well...
correct.)
Hello Peaceful Thinker, When I read the first post (of yours) I thought that something seemed to be missing. I wondered, what point is he wanting to make? Then I read the second post and I think I know. Although your citing of symbolic/metaphoric meaning to trees in God's Word is quite inciteful, the point that I think you wish to make, in my opinion, is off the mark. Christmas is Pagan and cannot be made Holy. That there are scholars who argue for (or against) Biblical statements will never be the criteria for establishing Truth: Rom 3: 4. Does this mean that we can trust no man or that we, humans, can never find Truth? Not at all but we need to be careful and not just allow well established, but worldly 'experts' to be our guide. If I am mistaken in your overall point, I apologize. But to me your posts imply an ecumenism that I personally do not accept. I strongly believe that when Jesus returns He will teach Truth that is clear, doable by humans and not syncretistic.
Hello Jackie, May I be allowed to congratulate you? Many come to realize what you wrote in your first sentence but few are chosen to continue in that way of life. I am 75 and , so far, have remained faithful to the radical change I made quite some time ago. UCG has congregations all over the world (though we are relatively few in number when contrasted with mega-churches.) If you contact us we will attempt to help you find a congregation close to where you live so that you can fellowship and learn more about your real purpose in this life and the grand plan (at least the start of it !) that God has for Eternity.
Hello Brian, I advise you to get some professional help but I will tell you from reading God's Word for 47 years and from being 75 years old and from my experience as a professional teacher that you cannot stop what you are doing unless you replace it with something else.
God is the answer but those words are just words. You will need to be guided . Think about
(deeply) who you are going to trust to help you.
Hello Marcia, I think we can understand Your point of view. YOU do not see that which day we keep makes much of a difference, to You. I personally believe the same way. But, on the other hand, I honestly believe that the day for congregational worship was set by The Eternal God and that my personal ideas should rank well below God's stated Law. As we research (and I believe we should) we will find that people changed the day for congregational worship. I would like to give you one ludicrous example. Please consider gravity. Scientists tell us that large bodies attract (but they cannot exactly tell us why!) Interesting! So say, since they cannot, I will just float or fly because of my strongly felt, personal belief that I should float or fly!! As I said, that idea is ludicrous! God's Sabbath is incredibly important and was given to humanity as a Great blessing. We will not see its real value until we study it (in God's Word), embrace it, and humbly attempt to keep it.
Hello Deeann, When I read your question I almost thought at first that you were asking a legal question. but after reading and agreeing with Lena's answer I see that it is a lot deeper than human legality. It is heartbreaking to watch someone you love die. In our present day world, many live (and die) without any concept of even why they were alive. But Lena and I (and many others) do not see the tragedy of suffering and death without a purpose. The question really is, how do YOU see your journey through this "vale of tears?" If you have any kind of hope, you will want to search out a meaning to life that makes some kind of sense.
Our booklet "Why God Allows Suffering" gives a perspective different from many. It can be the beginning of a worthwhile search for Godly answers, and will offer you some peace.
Hello Cecilia, As was clearly stated in the above article, it is not good, or profitable in any way to you or others to hold a bad feeling about others (or even yourself!) If you can correct the obvious hurt that exists (without bringing an even worse hurt) then do it. But some things are best left alone. Do not find fault at all !! But if some sort of peace can be achieved (and God knows how) then let our Father in Heaven lead you to that. Those so many years ... so many ... let God lead you.