The cycle of abuse

[amadeus]

Few people lose hope. Usually, they just lose perspective.

And remember also what Paul wrote here:

"If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable." I Cor 15:19

Hope is what some people do have in this material world, but what is the maximum duration of that hope if it is indeed a worthwhile hope? Do we expect 70 years or 120 years? How many for assorted reasons fail to achieve either of those marks?

 

[Helen]

Take first this with regard only to what you may recall from your secular schooling in science. Darkness is the absence of light. A windowless closet without a connected light bulb or a flashlight or a candle is black darkness. Light itself is something measurable. When no light is present we call it darkness, period.

<snip>

Thank you so much John for your time and patience in posting this here.

I read it...but I must go back and re read is much slower so I really get it.

you said

God did not create the evil or the darkness. Rather He created man with possibility within himself to reject the Life and the Light which God was. Man did so.

So in a nut shell is evil and darkness the absence of Good and Light? Or is that simplified too much.

Remember also Helen that I would be what some people call an annihilationist.

Agree, if it were not that I go a step further and believe in The Restoration Of All Things . Acts 3
21 "Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began."

Then I too would be an annihalist....

Now I must read your post again.
Thank you.

 

[amadeus]

I do not know if or how much different levels of punishment matter. I only know that by what Jesus said, it will be better in the judgement for a sodomite than for a hypocrite. But...you don't see this taught at all.

One reason might be that few if any are competing for such a place, high or low. Fire and brimstone preaching was once a popular method, but it would seem that some have moved a considerable way in the other direction. Should we not strive for the best that God has to give if we are going to strive at all?

 

[Lady Crosstalk]

I do not know if or how much different levels of punishment matter. I only know that by what Jesus said, it will be better in the judgement for a sodomite than for a hypocrite. But...you don't see this taught at all.

A complication is that we are all hypocrites at times. Adam and Eve started it all with their blame-shifting (Eve:"It wasn't me, it was the snake"--Adam: It wasn't me--it was that woman you gave me."). It is easy to point the finger at someone or something else and forget about our own sin. Hypocrisy seems to be at the top of God's list for things He loathes, but it is not unforgivable. Pride is the underlying sin that hypocrisy protects and pride is deadly.

 

[amadeus]

So in a nut shell is evil and darkness the absence of Good and Light? Or is that simplified too much.

That is it in a nutshell but as you know some people are more complicated in their views or beliefs.

Agree, if it were not that I go a step further and believe in The Restoration Of All Things . Acts 3
21 "Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began."

Then I too would be an annihalist….

Not a bad place to be at the moment but then someone will likely come along trying to disturb your peace with things which ultimately probably matter very little if at all.

 

[JellyJam]

Well, I don't take the view of mainstream Christianity on many things.

There is a sin unto death and there are sins not unto death.

Mainstream Christianity thinks your daughters sins not unto death are really sins unto death.

And as for your daughter, who hasn't known God yet versus we who have, we will be judged more harshly than her. More will be asked of us because we were given our sight.

To a man who doesn't know, and sins, his stripes will be fewer. And to those who say they know and are hypocrites who would condemn your daughter, I'm scared for them. They will be judged more harshly. Because if they really knew as they say they do, they would fear God and not condemn your daughter, who Jesus died for.

Apart from that stuff. She's so busy with the world today, I've not received a signal from her since this morning. What do you do when the child you love just won't take her medication?

I keep sending her emotional message's, but heck all I get back is busy signals.

Madness, I tell you.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

One reason might be that few if any are competing for such a place, high or low. Fire and brimstone preaching was once a popular method, but it would seem that some have moved a considerable way in the other direction. Should we not strive for the best that God has to give if we are going to strive at all?

My mind was going a different way I guess. I fear more for some of the people and the things they've said to JJ in here than I do for JJ. Things like...you will be in eternal torment. And an arrogance that, instead of fearing God and being thankful for their sight, would blame a blind man for being born blind by claiming they chose to see and he is choosing not to see.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

Apart from that stuff. She's so busy with the world today, I've not received a signal from her since this morning. What do you do when the child you love just won't take her medication?

I keep sending her emotional message's, but heck all I get back is busy signals.

Madness, I tell you.

I don't know JJ. I've never had children so I can only imagine the worry.

Unfortunately, the only advice I have for what works for me when I get sick with worry about something is advice you can't use.

 

[JellyJam]

I don't know JJ. I've never had children so I can only imagine the worry.

Unfortunately, the only advice I have for what works for me when I get sick with worry about something is advice you can't use.

I'm not worried, my step mother used to use worry on people. So I gave her something to worry about for life.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

Oh...I don't know then. I would be worried if someone I loved wouldn't take their medication. Not saying you're wrong not to worry, just saying I would. Guess I have no advice on that.

 

[Lady Crosstalk]

One reason might be that few if any are competing for such a place, high or low. Fire and brimstone preaching was once a popular method, but it would seem that some have moved a considerable way in the other direction. Should we not strive for the best that God has to give if we are going to strive at all?

Agreed. We need a balanced approach. David Wilkerson could hardly have been described as a "fire and brimstone" preacher (his manner was quite gentle and loving) but he did preach against the "so-called love gospel" where prospective converts are told, "you're fine, you're good--just believe and get saved. Nothing about repentance or godly sorrow." Wilkerson termed that as a "half-gospel" and stated quite firmly that a "half-gospel is no gospel at all". If I am "good" in my own sight, what need have I of a Savior? That is what Jesus had against the religious authorities of His day--they thought they were already good enough when their own Scriptures told them, in no uncertain terms, that we ALL, "...like sheep have gone astray--each of us to his own way."

 

[JellyJam]

My mind was going a different way I guess. I fear more for some of the people and the things they've said to JJ in here than I do for JJ. Things like...you will be in eternal torment. And an arrogance that, instead of fearing God and being thankful for their sight, would blame a blind man for being born blind by claiming they chose to see and he is choosing not to see.

Fear! Indeed. You know what I fear? Spider's, but only because they are little field generators.

 

[JellyJam]

Oh...I don't know then. I would be worried if someone I loved wouldn't take their medication. Not saying you're wrong not to worry, just saying I would. Guess I have no advice on that.

Oh, damn.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

Uh huh.

 

[JellyJam]

Uh huh.

Lol, are you happy I decided to say? To bad I don't actually know you in person, or I'd be sending you my tipsy feelings all day.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

Yup, no idea what you just said.

 

[JellyJam]

Yup, no idea what you just said.

Let me explain it to you so you'll understand.

Scientifically there's a process in nature called entanglement. This is just particle stuff in us that can exchange data faster than the speed of light. Just like wi-fi, or sharks, yeah go with that.

What man creates already exists in nature, in a simple form. Wait for it, soon we'll all be downloading 1 & 0 from the internet. Yep.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

Wow...you made all that effort and...I still have no idea.

Although, I do think you meant to say "stay" rather than "say." I think I figured that out anyway.

As to my wildest guess, I think you are saying we can communicate with each other with our minds, but I could be totally wrong on that guess.

 

[amadeus]

My mind was going a different way I guess. I fear more for some of the people and the things they've said to JJ in here than I do for JJ. Things like...you will be in eternal torment. And an arrogance that, instead of fearing God and being thankful for their sight, would blame a blind man for being born blind by claiming they chose to see and he is choosing not to see.

I see the same things and have concerned myself much about it before, but some time ago God reminded me of what Jesus said here:

"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Matt 5:6

If someone is really properly hungry and thirsty God is the one who will fill them whether it is direct or through you or me or through some talking donkey. As Apostle Paul wrote: God gives the increase. When God determines that an increase is due, what man through his ignorance or foolishness is able to stop it?

Jesus said to Peter and also to us: "...Feed my lambs... Feed my sheep... Feed my sheep" [John 21:15-17]

"I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase." I Cor 3:6-7

There are many lazy people going to churches regularly sitting in the pews and they can misdirect people as can preachers without the anointing of God, but will that stop the promise that Jesus made in Matt 5:6?

 

[JellyJam]

Let me explain it to you so you'll understand.

Scientifically there's a process in nature called entanglement. This is just particle stuff in us that can exchange data faster than the speed of light. Just like wi-fi, or sharks, yeah go with that.

What man creates already exists in nature, in a simple form. Wait for it, soon we'll all be downloading 1 & 0 from the internet. Yep.

Did I forget to say this.

Wow...you made all that effort and...I still have no idea.

Although, I do think you meant to say "stay" rather than "say." I think I figured that out anyway.

As to my wildest guess, I think you are saying we can communicate with each other with our minds, but I could be totally wrong on that guess.

Nah, not that far.

Here, enjoy this song.