Life and times of a new farmer/homesteader

Where were we, oh yeah, Idolatry.

The Way

{ 05:23 , Monday, January 22, 2007 } { Posted by mvose1051 }

Hi Raymond!
Here is some scripture:

John 14: 6

Jesus told him, " I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."
There are many more but to shorten this post I would recommend that you read the whole Gospel of John. That is what I am doing right now. I don't think that it matters what religion you are but the important thing is that JESUS if the focus of that religion. That's about all I can say freely here because I don't want to get into religious conflicts with anyone here who doesn't believe that Jesus is the Messiah & our Savior.
Blessings,
Miki

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{ 06:16 , Monday, January 22, 2007 } { Posted by morningsunshine }

yes, I do think "religion" can be a form of idolatry. in the new testiment, we read about the pharasies who are so concerned with the LAW, that they forget about God. so concerned about "keeping the sabbath" and not doing anything to be concidered work that they chastised Jesus for healing a man's crippled hand on the sabbath. in this situation, the "law" was an idol, because it caused them to forget why God had instituted the sabbath and to deem rules more important than Love and Charity.

I think there are two reasons for organized religion. one is fellowship with others who believe as you do. sometimes it is very hard to be in this world and have the spirituality sucked out of you. going to church can recharge your spiritual batteries, give you strength to fight the good fight, to survive the rest of the week. that is the way it was for me when I was in college, a place to kind of let down my defenses a little and relax and be with others who believed as I do and understood my struggles. for this, no, I do not think it matters where you attend church services, if people believe as you do.
The other reason is for saving ordinances. I believe it is very important to have God's authority to perform these. the scriptures say that one must be baptised, for example, but in the new testiment, folks went to john the baptist because he had authority from God to perform this ordinance. In the old testiment, only the priests had authority to offer sacrifice. in one instance, King Saul offered sacrifice because the prophet was not there, and he was reprimanded for that because he did not have God's authority to do so. for this, I do believe it matters where you attend church services.
Mostly, I would rather hang out with church-attending and religion-LIVING people who truly love God and understand His will and direction, than people of my own faith who only go to church because it's the thing to do, or their parents make them or would be disappointed if they stopped going, or because they have always done it.
anyway, that is my thought on the issue.

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{ 06:30 , Monday, January 22, 2007 } { Posted by BlueApple }

Lot's of thought provoking questions, Ray. And, I'm sure you will get a varied response. I do believe that my Church has the fullness of faith - as I'm sure many do about theirs. Follow the Commandments and you can't go wrong:-) and it will lead you where you need to be.
Blessings,
J

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{ 07:13 , Monday, January 22, 2007 } { Posted by Anonymous }

why do you insist on stirring in the pot? let it go.

Hey, dude

{ 09:59 , Monday, January 22, 2007 } { Posted by ZookeeperCat }

found your link from BlueApple's blog. You sound like a kindred spirit.

<If you study the worlds religions, they really aren't that different. The golden rule exists in all of them. Every one has a primary vision of love, understanding, and belief in God. The rituals may be different, but the message is the same. Who am I, or anyone else, to say that they are not all the word of God?>

How do you know those are the correct parameters for evaluating world religions? Who told you to think about them that way, and why do you believe them?

Keep questioning everything.

Cat, Lazy Creek Zookeeper

Edited by ZookeeperCat on Monday, January 22, 2007 at 01:18

I Can't Do It

{ 12:45 , Monday, January 22, 2007 } { Posted by Anonymous }

I think the main difference is that most people believe that they can be saved because of something that they "do". I believe the only way to be saved is because of what Jesus did for me...died on the cross to pay for my sins. There is nothing I can "do" to earn my salvation. Obeying the ten commandments won't "do" it either. They are God's standard, but we are powerless to do them all the time. We are unrighteous and miss living the way God intended us to live, so we needed Jesus to live a sinless life and pay the price, (to "do" what we could not do), so His righteousness could be imparted to us. God loves the people He created and made a way for anyone who would like, to come to Him and be with Him forever.


"For by grace are you saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." (Eph. 2:8-9)

A word gently spoken ...

{ 01:22 , Monday, January 22, 2007 } { Posted by Suze321 }

I have been a member here since September. In that time, I've seen some amazing writing and some amazing hurts to people who would, inter alia, close down their blog to comments; close down their blog entirely; limit who could post to their blog; etc. I can also tell you that some of the deepest hurts and most scarring events in my life were caused by those calling themselves Christians. I am a Christian. I try very hard to walk a path that evidences my faith and to show others that faith by how I behave.

I certainly don't have all the answers; all the answers are not for us to know. God has all the answers and that which he wants us to know is revealed in his Word, The Bible. All I do is ask myself in any given situation, "What would Jesus do?"

Assuming, arguendo, that Raymond has questions because he is honestly and openly looking for answers to the whole issue of faith. What would Jesus do?

And, for "anonymous", let us assume that Raymond is "stirring the pot" ... for whatever reason ... including the fact that he is a thinker who enjoys a challenging dialog and the company of others who think, and for no other reason beyond that. What would Jesus do?

I'd like to think that Jesus would, regardless of the possible motivations, want to sit Raymond down and answer whatever questions he could through the scripture and through example. I'd like to think that Jesus would always be kind regardless of circumstances. And, given his history, I'm really pretty sure that Jesus would certainly never remain anonymous, but would want the world to know the truth of matters through the scriptures that are the inerrant Word of God.

May you all be deeply blessed. Suze

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{ 01:37 , Monday, January 22, 2007 } { Posted by Anonymous }

Just a note; I was the second "anonymous" who was NOT the first "anonymous". I like Ray's blogs. :) I don't have a blog here but I guess I better get a name!!!

Second Anonymous

{ 01:40 , Monday, January 22, 2007 } { Posted by Suze321 }

Yes, I knew that you were probably not the same person and that's why I was specific. People who aren't members apparently do sign off as "anonymous." Simple and easy answer ... just sign your name after your note. No pressure here!! ;o) Blessings!

Thank you everybody!

{ 01:43 , Monday, January 22, 2007 } { Posted by zoggypdx }

I have been reading through Exodus, but I'll begin in with John today. You all have some good food for though.

Doesn't stirring the pot keep stuff from sticking to the bottom? :) Really, that isn't my intent here. I am just a searcher, unsure of what I will find. "Not all who wander are lost." But I am, so don't follow me :) (Yeah, I know you can read that in a lot of different ways.)

I'm learning. About all sorts of stuff. Sometimes I have questions. Thanks for helping with some answers.

Raymond

10 great religions

{ 02:04 , Monday, January 22, 2007 } { Posted by mccrjill }

I just have to add to this.
In High School I read a book called the 10 great religions. Some had good ideas, but the last, Christianity was clearly different. Like a previous comment said - God reaching down to us, not us trying to reach God by what we do to try to gain acceptance. I accepted this truth by faith when I was a very confused freshman in college and I've never been disappointed since then even though life has been challenging with things we all go through. Jill

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{ 06:52 , Monday, January 22, 2007 } { Posted by KSC }

Wow, you sure know how to attract the comments! Glad to see you back from your short break. I like to read people's stories and share household tips and recipes. You could pray to the god of cabbage heads for all I care. There seems to be too much importance placed on religion around here. It's nice to see someone who isn't afraid to speak their mind! Can't wait for your next entry!

Hi, Raymond...

{ 07:51 , Monday, January 22, 2007 } { Posted by teapots66 }

Hi, my name is Chris, my friend Darcy suggested I read your blog because it's interesting. She is right! You know, I admire your openness and honesty, in all things. You don't hide who you are, what you've struggled with, and you don't hide your questions - goodness, I think it's great to ask questions. Hard questions. Why not? So I have enjoyed reading - and I think I'll add you to my friends list so I can keep reading, if you don't mind, and I did read your warning label, so consider me warned, new friend. Here's to a love of hard questions - Chris