It's a funny thing...

[Matthias]

There is always a thousand voices competing for your attention at any given moment.

There are on this platform too. If you think I’m a liar then mine is a voice which you shouldn’t be listening to. If I were in your position, I would put all people who I thought were liars on ignore.

I see this on my YouTube feed. In many ways, everything has turned into the Jerry Springer show. Shock entertainment. The next big crisis. The stupidity.

It's mindless entertainment. I hate that it's become this thing that I rely on. But at the same time, it's hard to walk away from.

 

[Matthias]

In many ways, everything has turned into the Jerry Springer show. Shock entertainment. The next big crisis. The stupidity.

It's mindless entertainment. I hate that it's become this thing that I rely on. But at the same time, it's hard to walk away from.

Well said.

From my X / Twitter “For you” feed this evening -



The X / Twitter bots strike again.

 

[Riven]

Well said.

From my X / Twitter “For you” feed this evening -

View attachment 66319

The X / Twitter bots strike again.

There is a lot of truth to that. I find that when I'm out in nature or some place quiet, I'm more in tune with whatever God is. The trouble is that it's very difficult to find a quiet place these days. Lol.

 

[Matthias]

There is a lot of truth to that. I find that when I'm out in nature or some place quiet, I'm more in tune with whatever God is. The trouble is that it's very difficult to find a quiet place these days. Lol.

Internet discussion forums aren’t quiet places. At this point in your spiritual journey, you need a quiet place for a while. (And everyone needs a quiet place daily.)

 

[Riven]

Internet discussion forums aren’t quiet places. At this point in your spiritual journey, you need a quiet place for a while. (And everyone needs a quiet place daily.)

These days, even when you think you've found a quiet place, your phone makes sure you're never truly alone. You're always connected. And if you decide to turn it off for a while, people freak out and think you're becoming mentally unstable or something.

 

[Lambano]

There is always a thousand voices competing for your attention at any given moment. I see this on my YouTube feed. In many ways, everything has turned into the Jerry Springer show. Shock entertainment. The next big crisis. The stupidity.

It's mindless entertainment. I hate that it's become this thing that I rely on. But at the same time, it's hard to walk away from.

I hear you. And I have the same issues with this board.

 

[Matthias]

These days, even when you think you've found a quiet place, your phone makes sure you're never truly alone. You're always connected. And if you decide to turn it off for a while, people freak out and think you're becoming mentally unstable or something.

Everything reminds me of a song. (A lifelong peculiar quirk of mine.)

 

[Matthias]

That’s the way my life has been @Riven. That’s the way life goes.

 

[Lambano]

Don't know which emoji to put on that one; the laughing face, the thumbs up, or the lovey-eyes.

 

[Matthias]

Don't know which emoji to put on that one; the laughing face, the thumbs up, or the love one.

The Hombres say let it all hang out.

(When I said everything, I meant everything.)

The Rabbi said there is a blessing for everything.

I say there‘s a song for everything. (Maybe it’s rooted in my 8th Grade Music Appreciation teacher‘s admonition, “Everything is better with music.” She was pretty and I took what she said to heart.)

 

[Riven]

The path to redemption.

 

[Matthias]

Well, lately I've been watching what's happening out there in the world, while simultaneously looking inward and towards this character of Jesus Christ. The funny thing is, the more time I spend learning about him and listening to what he had to say, the more real he seems relative to the world.

Last Friday I visited the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park. This morning I read a quote attributed to Lincoln that I hadn’t seen before -

“I don’t like that man. I must get to know him better.”

That made me wonder, is there something, anything, that you don’t like about Jesus?

 

[Riven]

Last Friday I visited the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park. This morning I read a quote attributed to Lincoln that I hadn’t seen before -

“I don’t like that man. I must get to know him better.”

That made me wonder, is there something, anything, that you don’t like about Jesus?

That's a great question. Seeing as how I never met the man personally, it's difficult to discern if there are any of aspects of his personality or behavior that I dislike. Plus it's like, which Jesus are we talking about? The Jew that was wandering around Jerusalem in the first century, or God himself made flesh?

I dislike the Americanized version of Jesus. The evangelical version of him, specifically. He's made out to be this white guy who looks right at home at Woodstock during the hippie days.

The Jesus in the bible was a bit more localized. He seemed to care more about the Jews than the gentiles, I think. The move towards being more inclusive towards the gentiles came later through Paul.

So one could say that Jesus wasn't impartial when it came to ethnic matters in that part of the world. Which would be a little unusual if he were indeed God, but not so unusual if he were a human being living under Roman occupation.

But in short, I don't really have any issues with him personally. My issues are largely with the religion that came after him decades later.

 

[GodsGrace]

That's a great question. Seeing as how I never met the man personally,

Hi Riven
Haven't seen you in a long time..nice to see that you're still here.

You say you never met THE MAN in person...
How many years you gotta be on these here forums before you figure out THE MAN is GOD???

it's difficult to discern if there are any of aspects of his personality or behavior that I dislike. Plus it's like, which Jesus are we talking about? The Jew that was wandering around Jerusalem in the first century, or God himself made flesh?

Jesus was perfect because He was God.
So what could we possibly not like about Him?

OOOOH.
I know.
He demands obedience.

I dislike the Americanized version of Jesus. The evangelical version of him, specifically. He's made out to be this white guy who looks right at home at Woodstock during the hippie days.

Agreed.

The Jesus in the bible was a bit more localized. He seemed to care more about the Jews than the gentiles, I think. The move towards being more inclusive towards the gentiles came later through Paul.

Jesus DID say that He had other sheep to tend to.

John 10:16
14 "I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me,
15 even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.
16 "I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd.

And let's not forget that Abraham was told that he would be the father of many nations...it was all planned from the beginning.

So one could say that Jesus wasn't impartial when it came to ethnic matters in that part of the world. Which would be a little unusual if he were indeed God, but not so unusual if he were a human being living under Roman occupation.

But in short, I don't really have any issues with him personally. My issues are largely with the religion that came after him decades later.

I wonder what religion that would be....
but I doubt this is the place.

 

[Riven]

Hi Riven
Haven't seen you in a long time..nice to see that you're still here.

Likewise, Fran.

You say you never met THE MAN in person...
How many years you gotta be on these here forums before you figure out THE MAN is GOD???

Well, not everyone, including Christians, agree that he is God.

Jesus was perfect because He was God.
So what could we possibly not like about Him?

OOOOH.
I know.
He demands obedience.

You've never disagreed with God about anything? I had some ethical questions myself after reading the story of the Israelites wiping out the Canenites, for example.

Jesus DID say that He had other sheep to tend to.

John 10:16
14 "I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me,
15 even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.
16 "I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd.

And let's not forget that Abraham was told that he would be the father of many nations...it was all planned from the beginning.

But notice how he doesn't say that these other sheep are gentiles. He leaves it open to interpretation.

 

[Matthias]

That's a great question. Seeing as how I never met the man personally, it's difficult to discern if there are any of aspects of his personality or behavior that I dislike. Plus it's like, which Jesus are we talking about? The Jew that was wandering around Jerusalem in the first century, or God himself made flesh?

Does confusion over which Jesus is the genuine one play any part in your decision not to become one of his disciples?

I dislike the Americanized version of Jesus. The evangelical version of him, specifically. He's made out to be this white guy who looks right at home at Woodstock during the hippie days.

Americanized Jesus isn’t the genuine Jesus.

The Jesus in the bible was a bit more localized. He seemed to care more about the Jews than the gentiles, I think. The move towards being more inclusive towards the gentiles came later through Paul.

At the direction of Jesus.

So one could say that Jesus wasn't impartial when it came to ethnic matters in that part of the world. Which would be a little unusual if he were indeed God, but not so unusual if he were a human being living under Roman occupation.

Is it your impression from reading about him in the Bible that Jesus is a human being and not God himself?

But in short, I don't really have any issues with him personally. My issues are largely with the religion that came after him decades later.

Christianity is fractured. I think it’s perfectly reasonable to have issues with the religion. How much does that impact your decision not to become a disciple of Jesus?

 

[GodsGrace]

Likewise, Fran.


Well, not everyone, including Christians, agree that he is God.

If a person does not agree that Jesus is God...
He cannot be defined as Christian.

I agree with @Matthias ...
Christianity is fractured.
It has lost its definition.

You've never disagreed with God about anything? I had some ethical questions myself after reading the story of the Israelites wiping out the Canenites, for example.

I don't disagree with God about anything....
How does one disagree with God?

The Amalekites being wiped out could be discussed.
If God said to do it,,,there was a reason.

Also, I don't base all my faith on the OT...I'm Christian, not Jewish.
The Amalakites were sacrificing babies to a pagan God.
God wanted the land for the Israelites.

Why Did God Command The Absolute Destruction Of The Amalekites?

God’s command to utterly and entirely destroy the Amalekites in 1 Samuel 15 has been a cause of stumbling for many Bible readers over the years. The command itself leaves little room for compassion or mercy.

intotheword.ca

But notice how he doesn't say that these other sheep are gentiles. He leaves it open to interpretation.

"A blessing TO ALL NATIONS" is not open to interpretation.

Also, read Romans 1:19-20--------------God is for everyone.
19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

 

[Matthias]

I cannot discern what a true believer is from one who isn't.

Do you have difficulty discerning what a true believer is when it comes to non-religious subjects?

 

[Lambano]

But in short, I don't really have any issues with him personally. My issues are largely with the religion that came after him decades later.

Now I'm curious - How do you envision our relationship with God as preached and practiced by Jesus looking like ideally?

 

[Riven]

Do you have difficulty discerning what a true believer is when it comes to non-religious subjects?

In what context? Few things outside of religion require that kind of belief or disbelief.

Now I'm curious - How do you envision our relationship with God as preached and practiced by Jesus looking like ideally?

Ideally, God would interact with humanity directly instead of hiding. Otherwise, ones relationship with Yaweh isn't any different than the ancient Greek's relationship with Zeus.