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 | Blogs > wpx1 > SILLY-SERIOUS. Sillyerious! > Does life make sense? A POLL. |
Does life make sense? A POLL.
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Embarking on a new journey If you want to get to know me, or my Blog.  wpx1 © |
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1/4/2009 7:06 am |
Yes AND No. Yes it does make sense when most of the world lives in it and NO it doesn't make sense when someone sent me a package and someone helped their self to it. I hope He (or he) gets sick as a dog on MY Caramel Apples! Perhaps it's time to hook up the cameras! Roaches aren't the only thing that crawl around at night! Christians are like Timex watches. We take a lickin', but We keep on tickin'! Steve 
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1/4/2009 7:10 am |
Thanks for letting me vent. Above was supposed to be HE (OR SHE!) Christians are like Timex watches. We take a lickin', but We keep on tickin'! Steve
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1/4/2009 7:42 am |
What's happening with you lately, wpx1? Are you experiencing a "negative loop"? (Again?) Btw, you should be more "generous" with your voting options, or at least put one open vote, yes, the "Other" alternative, though without strings attached... This cannot be an absolute yes or no answer, especially for the "thinkers", or should I have said the "thoughters"?  (It will always depends on "who-and-where-and-when-and- how-and-why..."Go watch some Kent Hovind's debates on youtube... I'm finding them highly interesting and engaging what the "making sense" concerns! (Have you heard abt him?) B  BPS: Still waiting for the details in your other poll. ____________ He, therefore, is truly happy who has all that he wishes to have, and wishes to have nothing which he ought not to wish. (St. Augustin)
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1/4/2009 11:14 am |
I told a friend of mine recently my life does not make sense in the worldly realm; my life only really makes sense in the spiritual realm. In the perspective of being a Christian, of being an ambassador for Christ, I find peace, perspective, clarity, hope, love, and meaning. And yes, sometimes there is suffering, that too is part of life. How deeply our Lord suffered.. there is no escaping suffering in this life, but it also has its purpose, even if we cannot see it at the time. Life, for me, in the worldly realm, does not make a lot of sense.. it's like trying to travel on a dead-end road.. not a true journey. However, with faith, life is a different story altogether. With faith, I find myself on a true journey. When we are suffering, we need to dwell on our faith more so than anything in this world. May the peace of Jesus be with you, when you need it, so that you may overcome suffering. As for Planet Earth.. suffering will always exist here to some extent, but even the end times can ironically serve to strengthen mankind's faith. Sweet
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1/4/2009 1:00 pm |
As Christians, are we supposed to understand everything while here? "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4: 7  - Pat -
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1/4/2009 4:42 pm |
r2d2, I voted "Yes" [I am in the process of quiting (3-30 days from now?) this] I am a free Christian thinker, "I will fight for your right to be wrong!" << S.G. Tallentyre
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1/5/2009 1:58 am |
I told a friend of mine recently my life does not make sense in the worldly realm; my life only really makes sense in the spiritual realm. In the perspective of being a Christian, of being an ambassador for Christ, I find peace, perspective, clarity, hope, love, and meaning. And yes, sometimes there is suffering, that too is part of life. How deeply our Lord suffered.. there is no escaping suffering in this life, but it also has its purpose, even if we cannot see it at the time. Life, for me, in the worldly realm, does not make a lot of sense.. it's like trying to travel on a dead-end road.. not a true journey. However, with faith, life is a different story altogether. With faith, I find myself on a true journey. When we are suffering, we need to dwell on our faith more so than anything in this world. May the peace of Jesus be with you, when you need it, so that you may overcome suffering. As for Planet Earth.. suffering will always exist here to some extent, but even the end times can ironically serve to strengthen mankind's faith. Sweet Christians are like Timex watches. We take a lickin', but We keep on tickin'! Steve
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1/5/2009 12:23 pm |
Does a POLL make sense?
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1/5/2009 1:56 pm |
BB, you shouldn't ask that question since we're not supposed to understand everything.  I am a free Christian thinker, "I will fight for your right to be wrong!" << S.G. Tallentyre
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1/6/2009 5:18 am |
I voted yes, and what Sweet said! "There is no pit so deep, that God's love is not deeper still" Corrie Tenboom
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1/6/2009 8:29 pm |
I said "NO"....cuz I felt like it, am being a brat and trying to annoy you - lol  "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." -Mark 12:30-31
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1/6/2009 11:56 pm |
r2d2 is a good man ...you have my permission (which you obviously don't need) to bug him as unmercifully and unmaliciously as you want!  I am a free Christian thinker, "I will fight for your right to be wrong!" << S.G. Tallentyre
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1/7/2009 2:53 am |
BB, you shouldn't ask that question since we're not supposed to understand everything. Where did he go? On va-ca-∫awhn? [French tone] 
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1/7/2009 4:54 am |
Ah, I forgot... if one considers the "not-having-been-born" as opposed to life and/or being given a "choice" between being/not being born, what would/should one choose? (I know the question/answer is hypothetical - no need to remind me - but, nevertheless, it's still a "valid" hypothetical question.) On which criteria could one choose? Would one ask for guarantee? A testing period? For how long? Something like "Return item if not satisfied"? "Money back guaranteed"? Ah! 
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 1/9/2009 1:29 am |
Sorry folks. I forgot to Watch my own post, and it sort of slipped through the cracks of, uh, life, for a few days. And it was in the wrong place on my computer, so, out of sight out of mind. Some fun posts here. None mean. Well, maybe one that's "unmerciful". © Embarking on a new journey If you want to get to know me, or my Blog. wpx1 ©
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1/9/2009 1:45 am |
What's happening with you lately, wpx1? Are you experiencing a "negative loop"? (Again?) Btw, you should be more "generous" with your voting options, or at least put one open vote, yes, the "Other" alternative, though without strings attached... This cannot be an absolute yes or no answer, especially for the "thinkers", or should I have said the "thoughters"? (It will always depends on "who-and-where-and-when-and- how-and-why..."Go watch some Kent Hovind's debates on youtube... I'm finding them highly interesting and engaging what the "making sense" concerns! (Have you heard abt him?) B BPS: Still waiting for the details in your other poll. ____________ He, therefore, is truly happy who has all that he wishes to have, and wishes to have nothing which he ought not to wish. (St. Augustin) Yeah, I suppose a "loop". But this Q. has always been a bother to the mind of Man. And more-so more recently to this man's. As to voting options, I deliberately wanted some thought on that Other option. I wasn't really looking here for the usual stuff one gets when this conversation comes up. Whether "Creation" makes sense is possibly clearer as to the intent, as that includes not only life but non-sentient things. But, it was experience -- necessitated by life itself -- that drew me to ask the seemingly-simpler question. For, if a thing is made for destruction, it likely suffers no ill effects, for (we presume) it has no sentience or perception or experience of any kind. But that which CAN suffer -- or feel Joy -- DOES. Thus, life as the focus. And possibly the idea of the creation of it in particular. Did it REALLY make sense. "The foolishness of elohim is wiser than men". Not familiar with Kent H. Thanks for the idea. Hopefully I'll remember, when my brain has had some sleep. The other poll. Actually, your question about knowing more about it is nearly answered in the Poll itself -- if you were just wondering what the rest of the article was. In the * footnote, I wrote that people could find it by Googling "Would-be thief says 'supernatural figure' prevented him from fleeing". (Use the quotes around the title.) Good enough? Or was there something else? If ought else, post there. (You said you'd do something there after the New Year.) Held captive by a "supernatural figure". One of the more believable strange stories. A POLL.I kind of like the Augustine quote, but it doesn't address all. Maybe I'll address something important in response to another's post here who touched upon something else pertinent. © Embarking on a new journey If you want to get to know me, or my Blog. wpx1 ©
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1/9/2009 2:09 am |
I told a friend of mine recently my life does not make sense in the worldly realm; my life only really makes sense in the spiritual realm. In the perspective of being a Christian, of being an ambassador for Christ, I find peace, perspective, clarity, hope, love, and meaning. And yes, sometimes there is suffering, that too is part of life. How deeply our Lord suffered.. there is no escaping suffering in this life, but it also has its purpose, even if we cannot see it at the time. Life, for me, in the worldly realm, does not make a lot of sense.. it's like trying to travel on a dead-end road.. not a true journey. However, with faith, life is a different story altogether. With faith, I find myself on a true journey. When we are suffering, we need to dwell on our faith more so than anything in this world. May the peace of Jesus be with you, when you need it, so that you may overcome suffering. As for Planet Earth.. suffering will always exist here to some extent, but even the end times can ironically serve to strengthen mankind's faith. Sweet By "worldly", I presume you meant "Earthly" not "carnal". Life with Faith or faiths is indeed a different story, though possibly not a true one if hope is not really Hope. Regardless, does it make sense to create something that will end up causing so much misery and suffering? Oh but "Wisdom is justified by her children". She is?? Hmm. Thank you for the wish of Peace. In past years, I could nearly explode with Joy inexpressible, and had my mind cleared by remarkable Peace. I don't know that It truly is beyond comprehension but it would be, I suppose, to a mind not accustomed to It. (So would getting drunk or falling in love, LOL. Oh how philosophical, lol.) As you said, the Earthly realm -- with its agonies and evils -- can really seem to not make a lot of sense. And it is THAT sense that I suppose I am mostly addressing. Now, even with the Joy and no-tears-and-all PROMISED -- later, of course -- does that even fully make sense? Hmm. Overcoming is wonderful. Having to overcome is evil. (I don't necessarily mean sinful. Evil and sin are not the same thing.) For-- The creation itself shall also be delivered from the bondage of corruption/decay/perishing/destruction into the glorious liberty of the children of God. --Rom. 8:21. But-- The creation was made subject to vanity/futility {{Gr. g3153 ματαιότης mataiotēs}}, not willingly/by choice, but through him who/that which has subjected, in hope. --Rom. 8:20. Yeah, something or someone is to "blame"; and it's not just Adam and Eve, and satan, and succeeding sinners. For again, it says, "The wisdom of elohim is wiser than Humans". © Embarking on a new journey If you want to get to know me, or my Blog. wpx1 ©
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1/10/2009 3:03 am |
As Christians, are we supposed to understand everything while here? "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4: 7 Now THIS question aims at the CRUX of the problem, regardless of how its worded. (I should probably get a copy of C.S. Lewis' book The Problem of Pain.) We who believe might not mind so much the drug-like Peace or Joy, which one may have through Charis (Greek, usually translated as Grace). Though it then says to be "sober-minded", LOL. Some people don't often mind when the drugs come, and are free. BUT-- Suffering and pain, etc., are the near-opposites of Peace and Joy. And it is these kinds of things that trouble our understanding. Unfortunately, "How can any living Human complain in view of his sins" is often what the argument and attitude come down to, when someone has questioned too deeply. Paul the Apostle did this with himself! In Romans 9, Paul said, in reference to someone being hardened by elohim: Is this not a logical question? It IS. But then Paul gets testy with his own hypothetical argument: The only problem is -- except for our PHYSICAL makeup -- we are not pots and clay. Pots, as far as I know anyway, don't have feelings or wills or the ability to suffer or feel anything. We DO. My initial reaction was to think that Paul had not answered the question, but resorted to a sort of name-calling. Basically saying, Just who and what do you think you are? Then I realized that that WAS Paul's argument. The problem with that is, the problem of PAIN, etc. No. we don't "need" to understand "everything". But understanding things like elohim not completely protecting children from perverse adults; or understanding constant prayers going up for healing, but it does not come-- Even understanding how a Wise elohim could have allowed a serpent to wander near Adam and Eve, elohim's "children", when Yahshua of Nazareth Himself asked, "If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?" Luke 11:11. Satan (or the serpent) rebelled, broke elohim's law, and yet was being allowed to run loose, and that near elohim's children! But in reference to complaints, we can always resort to "The FOOLISHNESS of elohim is wiser than Human beings": So shut up, Human. Who do you think you are to complain? The supreme denigration of Humans in this way is in part to shut them up, to keep them from complaining, to even keep them from thinking that they have certain "rights", and that thinking and and acting this way is wrong, because all the world is "under sin". And while you're wanting to agree with that sin bit, first consider the children, who also suffer -- sometimes immensely -- and consider whether in TRUTH they did ANYTHING so that such allegations could be made against THEM, or anything for which such immense suffering could be justified. Frankly, I think that one of the TESTS -- which it seems that most FAIL -- is that of a simple comparison of the crime (sin) with the punishment (or virtual-punishment, via suffering and pain). Anyone who justifies such in his or her mind has failed. Though, there is also "I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy {to be compared} with the glory which shall be revealed in/unto us." Fine, I suppose, but that may not answer all the "sinners" who not only suffer here, but supposedly suffer further for some time after here. Now if you "love/agape the world/cosmos", like it says NOT to do in 1 John 2, you'll feel for these folks too much, and question the goodness of elohim to allow such. But Job complained. And was he entirely wrong? I don't think so. (YHWH elohim said that Job was, before that, "perfect" and/or "blameless".) And part of elohim acting (shown in the OT) occurred when or after the people's CRY was GREAT toward Him, because these people knew that the SUFFERING was great (and so was elohim). Great suffering called them to cry out greatly. Will WE be silent? Should we become familiar with the complaints and prayers of the prophets toward elohim? And then call out as they did? It doesn't take a genius to see that much of the suffering is evil. What requires special Understanding is that it was allowed to go on this way in the first place, and for millennia. To those who think they will get pie in the sky, it may not be "worthy" to be compared. "Mansions" are mentioned (in the KJV), and streets of gold. To those who do NOT get pie in the sky, it apparently means suffering here throughout life, PLUS later on. This, in their view is fully worthy of consideration. To those who have compassion for or toward those who do not get pie in the sky, shall we/they fan the flame, keep our time away from those who are called pigs/swine, goats, or dogs (in the Bible)? And/Or will we/they cool the burning, end the burning, complain against the burning, ask for it or the suffering to stop, because we Agape-Love our NEIGHBOR--not just our believing brother or sister--as ourself? © Embarking on a new journey If you want to get to know me, or my Blog. wpx1 ©
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1/10/2009 3:41 am |
Ah, I forgot... if one considers the "not-having-been-born" as opposed to life and/or being given a "choice" between being/not being born, what would/should one choose? (I know the question/answer is hypothetical - no need to remind me - but, nevertheless, it's still a "valid" hypothetical question.) On which criteria could one choose? Would one ask for guarantee? A testing period? For how long? Something like "Return item if not satisfied"? "Money back guaranteed"? Ah! PART 1: Who are these "not-having-been-born"? There are the maybe-obvious already-conceived ones (whether in a womb or not). Then there is the possibility of someone not yet biologically conceived, but "life" nonetheless. And someone biologically conceived, but not brought to term. And someone brought to term, but did not live for long. Who are ALL the "not-having-been-born"? Please FULLY answer the question, but let's then keep this Blog Post on track. Thanks! © Embarking on a new journey If you want to get to know me, or my Blog. wpx1 ©
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1/10/2009 3:43 am |
Ah, I forgot... if one considers the "not-having-been-born" as opposed to life and/or being given a "choice" between being/not being born, what would/should one choose? (I know the question/answer is hypothetical - no need to remind me - but, nevertheless, it's still a "valid" hypothetical question.) On which criteria could one choose? Would one ask for guarantee? A testing period? For how long? Something like "Return item if not satisfied"? "Money back guaranteed"? Ah! PART 2: > Would one ask for guarantee? ... > Something like "Return item if not satisfied"? "Money back guaranteed"? A music artist named Lenka has a song and video called "The Show" (3:55). The song is apparently available on iTunes. Her song asks similar questions, or makes similar statements (like, "I want my Money back".). BUT, it seems to be satisfied with ending the "conversation" by saying: "Just enjoy The Show". Really. Seems more like an answer from an ad agent, or a naïve person, or both. Or maybe from someone saying that your other options are: to pay the price for asking, as despots don't like people questioning their ways and decisions; or, to pay the price for asking by throwing or joining a revolution. On the other hand, saying "Enjoy life", wouldn't be so bad. Except there's more to the story than that. And some people can't or won't abide all the injustices, whether they come from the visible or the invisible. © Embarking on a new journey If you want to get to know me, or my Blog. wpx1 ©
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1/10/2009 3:58 am |
Wow. I was surprised to find out that so far 40% have voted that life does NOT make sense. Interesting. There IS an apparent need to fully address this! © Embarking on a new journey If you want to get to know me, or my Blog. wpx1 ©
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1/10/2009 9:48 am |
Again, I have been on UTube lately having heavy discussions with, not only unbelievers, but antichristians and antibelievers and antireligion, and the wrangle (as I said to "Noah235" in his last post) can/could continue ad lib, since the points of view are completely opposite and contradictory. That is: God Vs. No God, thus with more implications than just believing/not believing. The "enemy and company" seems to have gone so far now in trying to distort the Scriptures and let it appear "faulty" and willingly "human made", arguing on details (both scriptural and historical - not to mention scientific poppycock) that it sincerely - how I see it today - makes an outward non-participating "enjoying the show" weaken, unsound and irresponsible. There always IS a kind of duty/obligation and necessity to participate in it somehow, wanting it or not. Hence what I mean is, one can't actually stay inactive and observe passively how others conduct their life, when all humans' life, strictly speaking, has the same origins, potentials and goals and levels of participation. It is WHAT and HOW one interprets this life "to be lived" that is at the bottom of any possible controversy! In other words the subjective Vs. the objective reality, the "physical reality" as the "world" that we see out there and experience Vs. the "ideal world" that we don't see but that is more or less "real" for each of us. From a true believer's, mature and well reflected Christian's standpoint, there can only be TWO possibilities on how to comprehend the entire issue of the meaning of life: living WITH God, or living WITHOUT God! In full union with Him or separated from him. There is NO way in between! Christ's message to the entire world as in the Law and the Prophets, is clear: Repent, follow God and Follow Me IF you will live! (Living as not letting one's soul perish.) • For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?( Matthew 16:26 ) • I and my Father are one. ( John 10:30 ) • He that is not with me is against me ( Matthew 12:30 ) • For he that is not against us is on our part. ( Mark 9:40 ) • He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.( John 3:18 ) • He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. ( John 3:36 ) • So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. ( Romans 12:5 ) I've thought to share these controversies on BC, as to mobilize several counter-arguments against the enemy. When I do I'll let you know. Stay tuned... _____________ 
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1/10/2009 8:27 pm |
I said "NO"....cuz I felt like it, am being a brat and trying to annoy you - lol To me? Not always. To God? Yes. The Christian faith acknowledges the existence and reality of evil (Gen 3). Yet it promises there is a purpose behind it all. Ultimately, good will come out of it (Rom 8:18-30). The God of Christianity is omniscient (Prov 15:3), omnipotent (Luke 1:37), infinite (Eph 4:6), and unchanging (Num 23:19), and can know He loves me (1John 4:8-10). So I can trust He knows what He is doing and that He can and will bring to pass all He has promised (Ps 33:10f). This means His pledge to end evil and to "wipe away every tear" is reliable (Rev 21:4). Even now, this God can comfort me. He promises, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Heb 13:5). This assurance of His presence can be taken literally since He "fills heaven and earth" (Jer 23:24). He is also in control of all things. So He can and will work out all that has happened to me for His glory and my ultimate good, just as He did for Naomi (Ruth 4:14,15; Phil 1:6,11). Honestly, my friend, I have a hard time wrapping my brain around some of your posts. Not necessarily the questions, but what you are trying to get at or accomplish. Can intellectuality get in the way of faith? I honestly believe heart knowledge is just as important, if not more, than intellectual knowledge. I think we can spend so much time debating and researching that we forget the two most important commandments: #1 - Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. #2 - Love your neighbor as yourself. Let's go out and love God and love people -- and not spend so much time behind our computers *thinking*. Love doesn't require so much thought. *hugs* Lynda "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." -Mark 12:30-31
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1/11/2009 2:15 pm |
Does life make sense? To me? Not always. To God? Yes. The Christian faith acknowledges the existence and reality of evil (Gen 3). Yet it promises there is a purpose behind it all. Ultimately, good will come out of it (Rom 8:18-30). The God of Christianity is omniscient (Prov 15:3), omnipotent (Luke 1:37), infinite (Eph 4:6), and unchanging (Num 23:19), and can know He loves me (1John 4:8-10). So I can trust He knows what He is doing and that He can and will bring to pass all He has promised (Ps 33:10f). This means His pledge to end evil and to "wipe away every tear" is reliable (Rev 21:4). Even now, this God can comfort me. He promises, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Heb 13:5). This assurance of His presence can be taken literally since He "fills heaven and earth" (Jer 23:24). He is also in control of all things. So He can and will work out all that has happened to me for His glory and my ultimate good, just as He did for Naomi (Ruth 4:14,15; Phil 1:6,11). Honestly, my friend, I have a hard time wrapping my brain around some of your posts. Not necessarily the questions, but what you are trying to get at or accomplish. Can intellectuality get in the way of faith? I honestly believe heart knowledge is just as important, if not more, than intellectual knowledge. I think we can spend so much time debating and researching that we forget the two most important commandments: #1 - Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. #2 - Love your neighbor as yourself. Let's go out and love God and love people -- and not spend so much time behind our computers *thinking*. Love doesn't require so much thought. *hugs* Lynda > Can intellectuality get in the way of faith? Yes. So can the apparent lack of sense behind life as we are forced to experience it. I see Faith as something more akin to: Never, ever, ever do I see Faith as what some people make of it: BLIND faith, which to me is not The Faith at all. As to our HEART vs. our mind, a lot is made of this, and I agree that if we don't feel through life, we are not fully engaged. But, never do I read in Scripture that the experience should overbear the reason. I experienced what I believed was great Joy and Peace and Love. But, that was subjective. I look around me at others -- their suffering, and people's supposed faith experiences (and lack of "critical thinking" about their experiences) -- and I am caused to wonder. How MUCH of it is deception? How much of it is a true fulfillment? Any? IF what we are offered is mostly pie in the sky -- if it's, You get to really find out what is real after you're dead; just trust now with all of your heart that it's all good; just submit your will; and just let another Being (ostensibly Christ) live in you now (supposedly Gal. 2:20?) -- THEN there is something WRONG. I am not only impressed with immense power -- power means nothing (though it can instill fear or awe) -- I am impressed by faithfulness, and what I sense and see to be Goodness. "Life, and that abundantly". "... greater works than these will you do". "the Spirit will lead you into all Truth". The song "Great is Thy faithfulness" aside, where IS such great faithfulness? Don't just point me to 3000 years ago, or to events even 2000 years ago. I'd like to see this supposed faithfulness throughout the LAST 2000 years, 200 years maybe, and even TODAY. I want to see people being healed, inside and out. This is Power from the invisible. I want to see people honoring all. In several years of Bible study, I've practically never heard this Bible-heart taught. I want to see people have Vision, but if there has been Vision, from the smallness of what I have seen, it seems only somewhat greater than some Human could muster, not so much a clear view that an Omnipotent God was involved. And, as it says, If anyone will speak, let him speak, as it were, the oracles/utterances of God/elohim. So, I want to see and hear this too. Should we not pray and CRY OUT when this all does not make sense? Or will we be like a generation of whom it was written, "The righteous are perishing, and no one is taking it to heart!"?? There are those who are given the gift, I suppose, of encouragement, and those who are given exhortation. These can seem like opposites. But both are needed. VERY LITTLE real correction from someone with a real "demonstration of the Spirit and of Power" seems to occur. Mostly insults rather than correction (Job 33:32 and surrounding). And in all this, it almost seems as if elohim is SILENT. Psalm 28:1. Let YHWH elohim SPEAK through His spokespersons! Let Him act in Power to heal, not just to judge or to destroy. (Even a Human could do that.) Let elohim SHOW MERCY, not promise and then seem to withhold it. > He is also in control of all things. I notice no Scripture was given for this concept. Nor have I ever heard any. Many say such things, but I would never use such words as they would make Him look guilty of "all things" as well. (If you use, Acts 10:36, then see Hebrews 2:8. Related 1 Cor. 15:24-28.) What I mostly see and hear are "promises". Anyone can make promises. Even the invisible satan could promise Yahshua the world. (He was not impressed.) How much easier it is to promise something seen only AFTER physical death. Many promise this. But even Paul said, "The Kingdom of God/Theos/elohim does not consist of WORDS but of Power". And also this: "My message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of 'wisdom', but in demonstration of the Spirit and of Power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the Power of God". --1 Cor. 2:4-5. This is much of what is lacking. This is what I do not fully see. And YHWH elohim's seeming-silence is deafening. Believers MUST cry out! even now! (READ THE PSALMS for ideas.) © Embarking on a new journey If you want to get to know me, or my Blog. wpx1 ©
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1/11/2009 2:29 pm |
Again, I have been on UTube lately having heavy discussions with, not only unbelievers, but antichristians and antibelievers and antireligion, and the wrangle (as I said to "Noah235" in his last post) can/could continue ad lib, since the points of view are completely opposite and contradictory. That is: God Vs. No God, thus with more implications than just believing/not believing. The "enemy and company" seems to have gone so far now in trying to distort the Scriptures and let it appear "faulty" and willingly "human made", arguing on details (both scriptural and historical - not to mention scientific poppycock) that it sincerely - how I see it today - makes an outward non-participating "enjoying the show" weaken, unsound and irresponsible. There always IS a kind of duty/obligation and necessity to participate in it somehow, wanting it or not. Hence what I mean is, one can't actually stay inactive and observe passively how others conduct their life, when all humans' life, strictly speaking, has the same origins, potentials and goals and levels of participation. It is WHAT and HOW one interprets this life "to be lived" that is at the bottom of any possible controversy! In other words the subjective Vs. the objective reality, the "physical reality" as the "world" that we see out there and experience Vs. the "ideal world" that we don't see but that is more or less "real" for each of us. From a true believer's, mature and well reflected Christian's standpoint, there can only be TWO possibilities on how to comprehend the entire issue of the meaning of life: living WITH God, or living WITHOUT God! In full union with Him or separated from him. There is NO way in between! Christ's message to the entire world as in the Law and the Prophets, is clear: Repent, follow God and Follow Me IF you will live! (Living as not letting one's soul perish.) • For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?( Matthew 16:26 ) • I and my Father are one. ( John 10:30 ) • He that is not with me is against me ( Matthew 12:30 ) • For he that is not against us is on our part. ( Mark 9:40 ) • He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.( John 3:18 ) • He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. ( John 3:36 ) • So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. ( Romans 12:5 ) I've thought to share these controversies on BC, as to mobilize several counter-arguments against the enemy. When I do I'll let you know. Stay tuned... _____________ > can/could continue ad lib, since the points of view are completely opposite and contradictory. That is: God Vs. No God, thus with more implications than just believing/not believing. I presume you meant ad infinitum. > God Vs. No God, thus with more implications than just believing/not believing. Indeed. Yet, whether God or not, if people KNEW (and were persuaded) that there are invisible powers that affect (and even judge) others, it all might not necessarily end in absolute anarchy. Such powers are at times nearly obvious to all full adults, except the willfully blind: "The fool has said in his heart that there is/are no elohim". The word elohim can mean something like "being/beings of power", and is not necessarily translated as "God" or "gods", even in all standard Bible versions. Whether angel, demon, "karma", "gods", God, or something else, there is SOMETHING POWERFUL there in the invisible -- and people sense it. This is one reason why superstition and religion work to help keep people in line, whether the belief is true and accurate or not. © Embarking on a new journey If you want to get to know me, or my Blog. wpx1 ©
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1/13/2009 1:49 am |
I can't possibly address all you have brought up -- but I thank you for your persistence and for encouraging others to dig deeper, even outside of their comfort zones. *I* do not believe in blind faith. My faith is not blind, but I have A LOT to learn In my soul, in my mind and in every fiber of my being -- God is my Father in heaven and is a tangible part of my life. My walk over my lifetime (as He was calling to me as a child even though I didn't become saved until I was 27). Talking about this with a friend the other night, there has to be a balance between the heart and mind in faith. *I* do not believe that God's seeming silence is deafening. I know He is with me always and speaks to me all the time (even when I don't listen). Are you not hearing His voice? Are you working both sides of arguments for believers and non belivers? *I* believe that God is in control of all things. Honestly, S, I'm not sure what you believe and what you are trying to get at most of the time...that's okay...just saying. The Scriptures teach us that ALL THINGS are under the control of our Lord. Everything is held together by His power. “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. -Colossians 1:16 There is so much more -- but there is only so much time in each day and I honestly don't have the spare time to dicuss in great depth most days. Between work, raising kids, serving at church and loving the people in my life -- it's never boring! We only have enough time in the day to do what God wants us to -- the rest we have to let go. It takes all kinds to make this big old world go around -- so I do appreciate your uniqueness and ability to analyze things deeper than some. I don't want to overrun your blog with my words, so I have posted a blog with my questions about Salvation because I'm not only curious what other's believe, but I believe that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. I believe that you can be a follower of Christ -- with the faith of a child -- with not ever having read the bible or very much of the bible. God seeks after us -- it's not by *our* power that we are saved. A good book that comes to mind is "The Heavenly Man" by Brother Yun. That is not to say we should not read our bible daily and seek out understanding -- we should -- but we should have that balance and not forget that loving God and loving others is the priority over "head" knowledge. Faith and salvations is not accomplished by works! God bless, Lynda He Maketh No Mistake My Father's way may twist and turn, My heart may throb and ache, But in my soul I'm glad I know He maketh no mistake. My cherished plans may go astray, My hopes may fade away, But still I'll trust my Lord to lead, For He doth know the way. Though night be dark and it may seem That day will never break, I'll pin my faith, my all in Him, He maketh no mistake. There's so much now I cannot see, My eyesight's far too dim; But come what may, I'll surely trust And leave it all to Him. For by and by the mist will lift And plain it all He'll make; Through all the way, though dark to me, He made not one mistake. (A. M. Overton) "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." -Mark 12:30-31
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1/13/2009 9:05 pm |
WARNING: Though it's a dangerous book, for "faith", yet for those struggling with this topic, believe it or not, The Bible itself appears to have something to say to the question "Does life make sense?". But it's not pretty. The book of Ecclesiastes is a hard one for many. I had a friend from high school read it, and at that point practically left the assembly I was going to. Most of the book doesn't read like an advertisement for God/elohim/YHWH -- except at certain points, especially at the end, where it seems someone added to the words of "The Preacher" (or whatever that word should say). In fact, it almost reads in some versions as an argument AGAINST "sense" or meaning (which I think are two different things). Not only that, it seems like it could be elohim's loophole, where elohim could one day say, The Scriptures TOLD you that it was all "empty". The very first thing it says is: "Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All {is} vanity." Vanity: KJV, NKJV, ESV, NASB, ASV, YNG, DBY, WEB, HNV, Lamsa, NAB. Other versions use a word other than "vanity". Futile/Absolute futility/Sheer futility: HCSB, NJB, Douay-Rheims Bible. Meaningless: NIV, NLT, NIRV. Nonsense/Nothing makes sense: CEV. Pointless/Absolutely pointless: God's Word (1995). Smoke: MSG. Useless: NCV. Vapor: AMP. (Then it says, "All is vanity (emptiness, falsity, and vainglory)".) ESV Footnote on the first Vanity: * Hebrew vapor (so throughout Ecclesiastes) I find it odd that none of the versions I checked picked Empty and Emptiness. Or Senseless (though Nonsense is close). How about Hollow. Or, Lacking substance, Insubstantial. (As the English words for this seem to or may be imprecise, synonyms for these words are in a separate post below.) Anyone suggest a better word? RELATED: Ecc. 1:14; 2:26; etc. say that a lot of things are: vexation of spirit. grasping for the wind. a chasing after the wind. a striving after wind. pursuit of the wind. That concept is repeated several times in the book. ESV Footnote: * Or a feeding on wind; compare Hosea 12:1 (so throughout Ecclesiastes) (Actually Hosea 12:1 says that he was feeding on Hebrew ruwach, most often translated spirit. Feed could be shepherd.) The Vulgate (Latin) for the phrase in 1:14; and 2:26, etc. is: et adflictio spiritus. If that means an affliction or afflicting of "spirit", I agree. LOL. For in much wisdom {is} much grief/vexation; and the one who increases knowledge increases sorrow/sadness. -- Ecc. 1:18. © Embarking on a new journey If you want to get to know me, or my Blog. wpx1 ©
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1/13/2009 9:06 pm |
Synonyms for the words above, and maybe a few additional words: (Some of these were small caps or all caps, but pasted as lowercase. Sorry.) Emptiness: noun she had filled an emptiness in his life VOID, vacuum, empty space, vacuity, gap, vacancy, hole, lack. Empty: adjective 1 an empty house vacant, unoccupied, uninhabited, untenanted, bare, desolate, deserted, abandoned; clear, free. antonym full. 2 an empty threat meaningless, hollow, idle, vain, futile, worthless, useless, nugatory, insubstantial, ineffective, ineffectual. antonym meaningful, serious. 3 without her, my life is empty futile, pointless, purposeless, worthless, meaningless, valueless, of no value, useless, of no use, aimless, senseless, hollow, barren, insignificant, inconsequential, trivial. antonym worthwhile. 4 his eyes were empty blank, expressionless, vacant, deadpan, wooden, stony, impassive, absent, glazed, fixed, lifeless, emotionless, unresponsive. antonym expressive. Futile: adjective they piled on thousands of sandbags in a futile attempt to hold back the river fruitless, vain, pointless, useless, ineffectual, ineffective, inefficacious, to no effect, of no use, in vain, to no avail, unavailing; unsuccessful, failed, thwarted; unproductive, barren, unprofitable, abortive; impotent, hollow, empty, forlorn, idle, hopeless; archaic bootless. antonym useful. Futility: noun the futility of his actions fruitlessness, pointlessness, uselessness, vanity, ineffectiveness, inefficacy; failure, barrenness, unprofitability; impotence, hollowness, emptiness, forlornness, hopelessness. Hollow: adjective 1 having a hole or empty space inside : each fiber has a hollow core. • (of a thing) having a depression in its surface; concave : hollow cheeks. • (of a sound) echoing, as though made in or on an empty container : a hollow cough. 2 without significance : the result was a hollow victory. • insincere : a hollow promise. Insubstantial: adjective 1 an insubstantial structure flimsy, fragile, breakable, weak, frail, slight, unstable, shaky, wobbly, rickety, ramshackle, jerry-built. antonym sturdy. 2 insubstantial evidence weak, flimsy, feeble, poor, inadequate, insufficient, tenuous, insignificant, unconvincing, implausible, unsatisfactory, paltry. antonym sound. 3 insubstantial visions intangible, impalpable, untouchable, discarnate, unsubstantial, incorporeal; imaginary, unreal, illusory, spectral, ghostlike, vaporous, immaterial. antonym tangible. 4 an insubstantial amount small, negligible, inconsequential, inconsiderable, trifling, measly; informal piddling. antonym ample, generous. Meaningless: adjective 1 a jumble of meaningless words unintelligible, incomprehensible, incoherent. 2 she felt her life was meaningless futile, pointless, aimless, empty, hollow, blank, vain, purposeless, valueless, useless, of no use, worthless, senseless, trivial, trifling, unimportant, insignificant, inconsequential. antonym worthwhile. Nonsense (See also Sense): noun 1 that's a lot of [darn] nonsense rubbish, gibberish, claptrap, balderdash, blarney; informal hogwash, baloney, rot, moonshine, garbage, jive, tripe, drivel, bilge, bull, guff, bunk, bosh, BS, eyewash, piffle, poppycock, phooey, hooey, malarkey, hokum, twaddle, gobbledygook, codswallop, flapdoodle, hot air; dated bunkum, tommyrot; vulgar slang bullshit, crap. antonym (good) sense. 2 she stands no nonsense mischief, naughtiness, bad behavior, misbehavior, misconduct, misdemeanor; pranks, tricks, clowning, buffoonery, funny business; informal tomfoolery, monkey business, shenanigans, hanky-panky. antonym good behavior. 3 they dismissed the concept as nonsense absurdity, folly, stupidity, ludicrousness, inanity, foolishness, idiocy, insanity, madness. antonym (good) sense, wisdom. exclamation “Nonsense!” she retorted rubbish, balderdash; informal no way, get out of here, get real, phooey, puh-leeze, hooey, poppycock, come off it, like hell; dated pshaw. THE RIGHT WORD ¶ If you write or speak in an obscure, senseless, or unintelligible manner, you'll probably be accused of producing nonsense. It is the most general of these nouns and may refer to behavior as well as to what is said (: the demonstrators were told in no uncertain terms to stop this nonsense or leave the room). ¶ Twaddle refers to silly, empty utterances from people who know nothing about a subject but who write or talk about it anyway ( | I was sick of her twaddle about the dangers of electromagnetic fields). ¶ Bunk (short for bunkum) applies to an utterance that strikes the popular fancy even though it is lacking in worth or substance ( | the speech, which received enthusiastic applause, was pure bunk). ¶ Poppycock applies to nonsense that is full of complex, confused, or clichéd ideas ( | the report was a strange combination of logical thinking and outright poppycock). ¶ Bull is a slang term for deceitful and often boastful writing or speech ( | he gave them a line of bull). ¶ Perhaps the most insulting of these terms is drivel, which implies a steady flow of inane, idle, or nonsensical speech or writing similar to what might be expected from a very young child or an idiot ( | his first novel was full of romantic drivel). Pointless: adjective our attempts to help Ryan were pointless senseless, futile, hopeless, fruitless, useless, needless, in vain, unavailing, aimless, idle, worthless, valueless; absurd, insane, stupid, silly, foolish. antonym valuable. Sense (See also Nonsense): noun 1 the sense of touch sensory faculty, feeling, sensation, perception; sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell. 2 a sense of guilt feeling, awareness, sensation, consciousness, recognition. 3 a sense of humor appreciation, awareness, understanding, comprehension, discernment; informal nose. 4 she had the sense to press the panic button wisdom, common sense, sagacity, discernment, perception; wit, intelligence, cleverness, shrewdness, judgment, reason, logic, brain(s); informal gumption, horse sense, savvy, (street) smarts. antonym stupidity. 5 I can't see the sense in this purpose, point, reason, object, motive; use, value, advantage, benefit. 6 the different senses of “well” meaning, definition, import, signification, significance, purport, implication, nuance; drift, gist, thrust, tenor, message. PHRASES ¶ bring someone to their (or come to one's) senses restore someone to (or regain) consciousness. • cause someone to (or start to) think and behave reasonably after a period of folly or irrationality. ¶ in a (or one) sense used to indicate a particular interpretation of a statement or situation : in a sense, behavior cannot develop independently of the environment. ¶ in one's senses fully aware and in control of one's thoughts and words; sane : would any man in his senses invent so absurd a story? ¶ make sense be intelligible, justifiable, or practicable. ¶ make sense of find meaning or coherence in : she must try to make sense of what was going on. ¶ out of one's senses in or into a state of insanity. ¶ a sense of direction a person's ability to know without explicit guidance the direction in which they are or should be moving. ¶ take leave of one's senses (in hyperbolic use) go insane. Senseless: adjective 1 they found him senseless on the floor unconscious, stunned, insensible, insensate, comatose, knocked out, out cold, out for the count; numb; informal KO'd, dead to the world, passed out. antonym conscious. 2 a senseless waste pointless, futile, useless, needless, unavailing, in vain, purposeless, meaningless, unprofitable; absurd, foolish, insane, stupid, idiotic, ridiculous, ludicrous, mindless, illogical. antonym wise. Smoke: noun the smoke from the bonfire fumes, exhaust, gas, vapor; smog. Useless: adjective 1 useless attempts futile, to no avail, (in) vain, pointless, to no purpose, unavailing, hopeless, ineffectual, ineffective, to no effect, fruitless, unprofitable, profitless, unproductive; archaic bootless. antonym useful, beneficial. 2 useless machines unusable, broken, kaput, defunct, dud, faulty. 3 informal : he was a useless worker incompetent, inept, ineffective, incapable, unemployable, inadequate, hopeless, no-account, bad; informal pathetic. antonym competent. Vanity: noun 1 she had none of the vanity often associated with beautiful women conceit, narcissism, self-love, self-admiration, self-absorption, self-regard, egotism; pride, arrogance, boastfulness, cockiness, swagger, rodomontade; informal big-headedness; literary vainglory. See notes at egotism, pride . antonym modesty. 2 the vanity of all desires of the will futility, uselessness, pointlessness, worthlessness, fruitlessness. Vapor: noun bluish vapor rose from the basement window haze, mist, steam, condensation, moisture; fumes, exhalation, fog, smog, smoke. (No. I didn't read all the Thesaurus results, as I didn't fix by hand the capitalization errors.) SOURCE: Dictionary 1.0.2, which came with Apple OS. Fair use intended. © Embarking on a new journey If you want to get to know me, or my Blog. wpx1 ©
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1/26/2009 5:39 pm |
If a Comment got deleted here, feel free to repost after making necessary changes to keep it on the topic of this particular Blog Post/Poll. Thanks! © Embarking on a new journey If you want to get to know me, or my Blog. wpx1 ©
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10/29/2009 12:00 pm |
October 29, 2009: Right this moment this old watched post showed highlighted... BB
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