Case in point. Do you think you're forming a relationship with someone at McDonald's when you order a Big Mac?
The good man that turned bad out of necessity
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I’ve got to step away for a couple of hours but this is something that you need help with.
Case in point. Do you think you're forming a relationship with someone at McDonald's when you order a Big Mac?
Yes. Three weeks ago I gained a new friend from it. Her husband wound up doing some carpentry work for me in my home.
Well that's not the normal McDonald's drive thru experience. How did the topic of carpentry come up, I wonder?
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RLT63
Well-Known Member
I understand your frustration. I was a Youth Pastor for about 7 years (over 20 years ago) and I filled in for preachers when they needed time off. It’s a difficult job. I was disappointed in my pastor as well.
I was in the youth group around 20 years ago. This was during the time of the new atheists movement. Hitchens, Dawkins, Harris, etc.
The youth pastor I had at the time set up a debate between me and some random person. Which I imagine was somewhat unusual, but maybe her was struggling himself. It was some random girl that I barely knew. I told her to stand, and she did. I then told her to sit, and she did. I then told her, "good dog".
I may have only been 18 or 19 at the time, but I would have preferred to spar against the pastor at the time. But he didn't make the offer. He was married to the daughter of the owner of the church. So you see, he didn't want to ruin things. In retrospect, I don't really blame him. She was easy on the eyes, too.
RLT63
Well-Known Member
I was also in law enforcement and I arrested the biggest meth dealer in the circuit and one of the board members from my Church testified as a character witness for the man I arrested. The meth dealer was paying off the head of the drug unit and I had to spend so much time on that case that I didn't feel I could keep doing the Youth Ministry .I was in the youth group around 20 years ago. This was during the time of the new atheists movement. Hitchens, Dawkins, Harris, etc.
The youth pastor I had at the time set up a debate between me and some random person. Which I imagine was somewhat unusual, but maybe her was struggling himself. It was some random girl that I barely knew. I told her to stand, and she did. I then told her to sit, and she did. I then told her, "good dog".
I may have only been 18 or 19 at the time, but I would have preferred to spar against the pastor at the time. But he didn't make the offer. He was married to the daughter of the owner of the church. So you see, he didn't want to ruin things. In retrospect, I don't really blame him. She was easy on the eyes, too.
Death threats, lack of sleep and marital problems led to a nervous breakdown.
That's when I found out who my real friends were, and they were few
You live like a teenager. I live like an old man.
I don’t typically use the drive thru at any restaurant. Over the past 10 years - that is, since my retirement on August 1, 2016 - I’ve probably used a drive thru no more than five or six times - and only twice when I was the driver. (I didn’t want to do it then, but it wasn’t worth arguing about with my passenger.)
How did the topic of carpentry come up, I wonder?
I brought it up in conversation. I asked if she knew a good carpenter. She did.
I don't believe in the devil either but as a matter of interest, do you believe that the serpent that spoke to Eve was the devil?
I believe you.
Why is it a matter of interest to you? Will finding out move you closer to listening to Jesus or closer to putting me down? Please continue being frank with me.
I don't remember putting you down at any point, I was just being honest.
I'm interested because early Christians promoted the idea that Satan used the serpent in the garden of Eden and was wondering what your thoughts are.
The question that should be asked is why did it change.
The answer to that question is outside interference; which I’ve generically referred to as “mother hen”.
Do you remember building me up? Are you neutral toward me?
I’m a 1st century Christian living in the 21st century. Their thoughts on the matter are my thoughts on the matter.
RLT63
Well-Known Member
Some people don't take the first 11 chapters of Genesis literally, but more of a literary framework.
I believe the serpent represents Satan
I used to take it literally but now I am willing to listen to other views.
As long as you accept Jesus as your Savior your view of Genesis doesn't matter
I don't really know what building up you're referring to?
What do you mean by neutral?
I have no opinion on you as a human being, I don't really know you well enough. I have an opinion on your religion and am asking you specific questions to work out what it is that you actually believe.
Christianity is a broad church as they say.
If I'm bothering you at all, let me know and I will not engage with you any further.
I don't believe in the story of Adam and Eve so it does matter.
If they never existed then there's nothing to be saved from.
RLT63
Well-Known Member
I do believe in them but I think we may be missing something.
For example, what if you went to a restaurant and there was a sign that said "No football coaches "
Would that make sense? Had there been a problem with rival football coaches?
Was it just the coaches who were banned?
Now what if I told you that the sign was in Europe.
Soccer is called football. Buses are called coaches. Soccer fans are known to be rowdy.
So no football coaches actually means no soccer buses.
Some people say the same thing is happening with the Bible
That may have just been a false perception on my part.
You’ve heard @Riven say that he doesn’t trust or respect pastors. He was telling me the truth. I’m aware that you don’t trust pastors. Do you respect pastors or are we a matter of indifference to you?
I only know you as a human being. I’m getting to know you better by the day.
As you do on all religions.
I appreciate it but what do you get out of it that makes any difference in your life?
Yes. Fractured and fragmented. I’m not trying to win you to Christianity. I’m trying you win you to Jesus.
You’re not bothering me.
I was among a small number of people selected by the government to receive intensive training by the FBI in conducting interviews. I needed those skills in order to conduct investigations. Rule #1. Get them to talk and keep them talking.
The Bible is the Bible, it's what we're stuck with whether things have been lost in translation or not.
It's the collection of books that you're pinning your hopes on. If some parts are inaccurate, then how do you decide what is correct?
People tend to take the parts of the Bible that they like and quote those They sweep the nasty stuff under the carpet.
RLT63
Well-Known Member
And then suddenly everyone stops talking
The Bible is not inaccurate. Some interpretations of it are inaccurate
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