I am anonymous, but will disclose a little bit about myself (without disclosing too much). I am:

-- a male
-- between 20 and 50
-- have between 30 and 150 college credits
-- live in the USA
-- believe in Jesus
-- and enjoy discussing religion, theology and Jesus.

I'm glad to be here!

<FONT COLOR="red">testing</FONT c>

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<FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial">This message has been edited by me again on 03-05-2001 at 10:58 AM</font>

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Okay-- My suggestion is to create more religious titles for people to click on. For example, you currently have:
-- It is Written
-- Veee Haaa!!!
-- Fuse Box (ecteria)

Instead of having titles such as "Veee Haaa!!!" or "Fuse Box", you could have more interesting titles, such as:
-- Religion
-- Theology
-- Questions (ecteria)</FONT s>


<FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial">This message has been edited by me again on 03-05-2001 at 11:38 AM</font>

Welcome me again, thanks for coming out of stealth mode... tho your description sounds like me too..

We try to offer a variety of forums to promote discussion on a variety of subjects. We believe our ministry is basically to the lost, not so much the "grew-up-in-church" Christian. To that point, you really will find little in the discussion of religious dogma, man-made doctrine, different interpretations of scripture, etc. We think it is a waste of our precious little time we have here on earth to argue over interpretation of scripture, which most "Christians" use to avoid the Great Commission. Besides, there's plenty of sites where you can argue, this just isn't one of them.

We are here to support you in your walk, realizing that we are in the same walk. I'll be the first to admit that I am a sinner saved by grace alone. Nothing I can do to make me sound holy will get me one inch closer to heaven. God knows where my heart is before I type these words. Our fuse box forum is for prayer requests. Prayer is powerful stuff and we can't not have that be a part here. Our yeehaa! forum is for praise reports, it is always good to hear the great things God has done, wouldn't you agree?

I refuse to argue with someone over theology, just because you were raised differently. Most people here have a protestant/ charismatic-type upbringing, but we have most every church represented that anyone can go to.

Anyways, we are glad you are here, if you'd like to discuss things in your life, things you are going through, please feel free. You have lots of available ears/ screens..

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- Allen

Hi...welcome.....don't really have anything to say...just didn't want you to be talking to yourself.....my therapist says people think we're strange...so let's keep a low profile.




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Just a thought.

Well all of us who talk to ourselves have to stick together

Ive always subscribed to the "If you cant say something nice....." club myself...however ...welcome to you ...and thats all I got to say about that

Just a thought

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JESUS IS LORD

"In all your ways acknowledge HIM, and he will direct thy paths" Prov 3:6

Joseph

<FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial">This message has been edited by jlowery96 on 03-05-2001 at 08:23 PM</font>

Welcome...I'm gonna have to stand with Allen on this one. I am one who grew up in church...know all the right things to say...right things not to say. I can quote some scripture, I can argue both sides of a religious issue. Been there and did that. And all the while I was LOST. I did not have a relationship with the one who I was discussing. I knew all about Him...I knew facts about His life. I knew where He was born and where He died. I knew how old He was when He started His ministry. I knew who His mother was...and both of His fathers. I knew who His cousin was...His first miracle...the last thing He said before He left the earth...
But I realized one day that I knew most of those same things about movie stars...TV preachers...singers...Celebrities. I can pick up an autobiography of anyone and read it and memorize it and quote it and argue points that the author was trying to make. Does that mean I know the person who wrote it? Not any more than I know you. Am I intimate with the person because I know facts about them? Certainly not any more intimate than I am with you. Do I need to know any of the people I mentioned intimately? No...
But do I need to know Jesus on a personal one on one level? Well, you know the answer to that question.

As far as interesting topics and stimulating discussions, well we have had our share of them here. And I think that I will not stand alone if I dare to say that MOST of the people that participated in the discussions are better for having been a part of them. I know that I am. Do you want to know what I got out of all of the religious "debates" that I have had since I have become a Christian? I have gotten hurt, offended, confused, lied to, scared, angry, and depressed. And I know that if you look up the scripture you can tell me who those DO NOT come from.
I welcome you with open arms if you wish to become a part of this forum. We can discuss what God has done for you in yeeehaa! We can discuss the needs that you have and the burdens that God has placed on your heart in fuse box. We can even get into some Bible study/what do you believe about this and why? In "IT IS WRITTEN". I say this without hesitation that I would not be "okay" if it weren't for the people and the discussions that I have had with the people in these forums.
So feel free to prop up your feet and relax. We won't pelt you with criticizm...we won't tell you that your church is a cult. We won't condemn you. We will be happy to discuss with you...and more than thrilled to pray with you and be as close as we can be via internet connection. God's love knows no boundaries. I can find more than one person who would be able to tell you that God can and has touched their life through the words that have been typed in these forums.
But as Allen said, we have precious little time, and the job that God has placed us here to do tends to take a back burner when you go off and beat other Christians to death with philosophy and criticism. We try not to preach to the choir too much around here.
We are real people in a real world going through real struggles and tough situations. But in the end we know we will be more than conquerors and triumph victoriously because we are covered with the REAL blood of our precious Saviour. It just helps to know that you aren't the only one going through trials here on earth...
Having said all that, I will say thank you for the suggestion. It's just that most of us have been there/done that, and don't care to go back...Welcome once more...please stick around. It really does get interesting around here sometimes.

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Michelle

Hi there Me Again!

I see you are checking things out, come on in and make yourself at home.

Just a comment for my Bro Allen, I agree there should be a separation between evangelism and doctrinal sword fights ( ) I have been to many of the places where iron sharpens iron and the nature of discussing doctrine can cause many well meaning Christains to blow their witness for the simple sake of trying to "be right." I truly beleive that this site and its deisign is led by the Holy Spirit through our fearless leader. It is evidenced by the love and sensitivity of its members and that I have not found any of the strife that divides the Body of Christ.

Let us all pray that Allen stays humble in his administration and sensitive to the leadings and whispers of the Spirit!

God bless you all!
Steve

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When God is all you've got; God is all you need!

Men's Ministry Home!

Sign up for weekly Devotional MensHelpDevotional@JESUSaves.every1.net

Send me an email SLattier@JESUSaves.every1.net

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<FONT COLOR="purple"><FONT size="2">Wow, the following is shorter!!! </FONT s></FONT c>


I never thought of it that way...



Thank you.


It's a good idea to keep a low profile in my line of work too.


That is one of my favorite scriptures.


I am sort of like doubting Thomas. I refused to believe in Him. Due to miracalious circumstances, I now believe in the Lord Jesus. But for those of you who have never seen miracles, you are truly blessed for still believing!!!!


Just when I was getting used to being pelted...

***this is a note by foreverchanged: I rememberd half of your post that I deleted and tried to post it to the best of my ability. I don't remember what colors were in there...Sorry again for the mess-up.***

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I would love to hear your story of your near-death experience... I have experienced a miraculous healing myself, it was a knee injury, verified by before and after arthroscopes... let me in on your story...

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- Allen

Yes...if it wouldn't blow your cover please DO share your story. I would love to hear it.


Hmmm...I have a friend I wish you could talk to.
But really...I haven't seen anyone raised from the dead...haven't been through a near-death experience, haven't been miraculously cured of any strange deformity or injury (that I am aware of). But God shows me miracles every waking hour of every day. Each breath that I take in...each word that I speak...each person that I meet, each friend that I have. They are all miracles. Gifts from God. When I drive down the road and just stop and look at the landscape: the forest, the lake, the wildflowers. All created and clothed in wonderous beauty and sustained by the same one who created and cares for me. A storm...when the wind is blowing damp air, and the clouds are almost black...and the lightning flashes...the thunder claps and then the rain starts to pour. And the fresh scent that permeates the air after it is all over accompanied by the rainbow...I don't understand how anyone could wintess that and think that there is no God. Does it just happen by itself? We used to not be...and now we are. Where did we come from? Am I supposed to believe that by some strange accident a little microscopic thing exploded/collided with something...and we just evolved from that? Impossible...and if so, where did that little microscopic thing come from?
My daughter--although exhasperating as she may be at times--a miracle. The people that I love...all miracles. The people who refuse to believe in God...the are all walking miracles too. They just don't know it yet.

I have to admit *sheepish grin* I wasn't quite sure WHAT to think of you...but I think that if ya stick around, we could learn alot from each other. All of us walking miracles.

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Michelle

I gooofed!!! I was trying to quote something meagain said and I (with the help of my kiddo and my short attention span) pused the wrong button!!! I edited his message and it is waaaay shorter than it was....so me again...I sent you a pm and I will apologize again now, and I left what was LEFT of your post so that you can edit it and repost what you had posted....IM SORRY!!!

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Michelle

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<FONT size="2">If you click on the following link and look under the user name Topdog, it's near the bottom of the screen (Topdog's 4th posting on that page):</FONT s></FONT c>
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http://www.jrgmedia.com/theology/forums/Forum6/HTML/000495-9.html </FONT s>

<FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial">This message has been edited by me again on 03-06-2001 at 01:38 PM</font>

<FONT size="2"><FONT COLOR="blue">Several people commented on how they have been berated for believing what they do (name calling and the like). Well, here is a thread where I was berated and called names at another web board. This heated dialoge is between myself (under the user name me again) and Rev. Knox and noodle. Click on this link:</FONT c></FONT s>
http://search.viafamily.com/bbs/ubb/Forum21/HTML/000001.html

<FONT COLOR="red"><FONT size="3">Update!!!: The above link was deleted, due to the name calling by Rev. Knox and Noodle!!!! Yeaaaa Haaaa!!!!</FONT c></FONT s>



<FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial">This message has been edited by me again on 03-08-2001 at 08:00 AM</font>

Hello there, and here is my two cents...

I am Catholic, may be the only one you might see on this site (if not, it doesnt matter, we are all miracles as foreverchanged said), but I come here to this site often and listen, contribute, laugh at these silly people who are really NORMAL and myself as well as cry at stories and pray for people I have never met.

Personal story (not much drama and the cliff notes version)....

The group that started this site are local to the area I live in. I was brought up in my church and active in my church. I love my faith and my doctrine etc.etc. Yet there came an event that caused much pain and was with someone who was within my church. I made the grave mistake and self wounding act of associating church with this pain a HUMAN caused me. (back on track) ... This group of people, this forum and the prayer from within this site has led me back to trust that the church (and world)is full of people who are capable of hurting you and challenging your faith, but within the hearts of people who truly are here to basically "figure it out" together and "let love rule", I have regained a faith thread that puts me back where I think God wants me to be.

In short, this group has been a lifeline NOT because they have brought to light something I lost or never found, but because they have reminded me that it isn't about ME or what I have fallen short in or seen others fall short in, but that God is the center and all can exist if we live and learn IN HIS NAME.

WHOO ... that was the longest speach i have made in years .. if i need to edit this ... al or michelle, help me here !!!

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If at first you don't succeed, try and try again ...

I hope you don't mind...I took the liberty of posting your testimony over here...





That is awesome! Can you tell us how you died?

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Michelle

That noodle guy is an idiot... plain and simple. Please tell him Judaism comes from Judah, not Judas... He calls it Judas-ism...


"after the first fall of Jerusalem (586 BCE) the ancient "Israelitic" religion gave way to a new form of the "Jewish" faith, or Judaism, as formulated by Ezra the Scribe and his school (5th century BCE)."

http://www.britannica.com/bcom/eb/article/9/0,5716,108149+2+105859,00.html

Your responses to him show a measure of restraint I couldn't muster without mucho grande prayer before hand... which is another reason we do not argue interpretation of the scripture here...

My computer is slow this afternoon, so I haven't gotten to your NDE account yet, will try tonight...

Forever... smooth... real smooth...
angel... gracias, we try to live up to that, tho not always successful... thank you again...

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- Allen

Yes...noodle is not using his noodle...

Allen...I never claimed I was smooth. I am sorry allready!!!!!!!!!!! I tried to fix it as much as I could...

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Michelle

Forever, it is at the top of this page:
http://www.jrgmedia.com/theology/forums/Forum6/HTML/000495-10.html

me again, you state that you did not become a follower of Christ until 2 years later... how did you arrive to that decision?

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- Allen

wow.....
Thanks Allen...I just didn't read far enough...It will take me a while to read through the whole thing, but that is a very interesting topic...(soul sleep).

I am glad you didn't succeed in your attempt too, but I am curious as well...what finally happened to change your mind two years after the incident, and why do you think it took so long?

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Michelle

Who's me again???

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Michelle

You really must get some rest... In fact, why don't you go ahead and take the next couple days off. I will talk to my dad today and see what we can't do about paying you for the rest of the week even tho you're off... Have I told you lately what a good job you're doing?
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- Allen

Yes...you just did But I could never do that, I am so grateful already for all the things you do for me, just working with you has it's own rewards... thank you thank you thank you.

Do ya think we scared him away?

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Michelle

Well... ummm... you're welcome; but it is YOU who makes the job worth showing up to every day. Thank YOU.

We might have, but he's prolly off fightin battles with noodle... noodle prolly has taken his sheet off and trying to tie "me again" up with it now...

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- Allen

Thanks...I think.

Hmm...I hope noodle doesn't keep him tied up too long...I'm in suspense here! But thankfully when I get that not-so-regular feeling, there's always Mylanta handy...

My Doctor, Mylanta...

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Michelle

You really are one of a kind, foreverchanged...That's why you're so wonderful to be around. Here. Have some of my Pepto. I don't need any more after last night...

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- Allen

Trust me Allen, Pepto ain't gonna help this...

BTW, I would like to make some coffee but can't quite remember which button turns the coffee maker on, is it the big red one that says "On", or the smaller black one that says "Off"?

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Michelle

Hmmm...that's a tough one. Maybe we should just skip the coffee and have some pizza. It's in your fridge, right???

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- Allen

You guys are totally whack.

me again, your background sounds fascinating, I'd like to hear more when you get a chance.

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Mango

- what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?

<FONT size="2"><FONT COLOR="blue">I could not log on yesterday (was too busy). I'm back </FONT s></FONT c>


<FONT size="2"><FONT COLOR="blue">Suicide. Four bottles of sominex, totaling 120 pills. I was having emotional problems and believed that if I killed myself, I would cease to exist. </FONT s></FONT c>


<FONT COLOR="blue"><FONT size="2">LOL, yeaa, he was unreal! His theology needs some major renovations! </FONT s></FONT c>


<FONT size="2"><FONT COLOR="blue">I never call people names on the internet because it would cause me to lose my credability. I still lose credibility with some people. Once I lose credability, I am no longer an effective witness for Jesus. People judge us by our:

1) actions

2) and our judgements of others (name calling is the same as judging that person).</FONT s></FONT c>


<FONT size="2"><FONT COLOR="blue">Let me deviate from your question for a moment and then I will answer you. When I died, I didn't see Jesus or any angels or anything wonderful. I committed suicide and I was going straight to hell!!! I had rejected Jesus. Most people who died and then return describe some wonderful experience. Well I am the other extreme: I was going to hell. My story is one of shame. I have no glory in telling people I was going to hell. I cannot hold my head up high. There is nothing good about suicide or going to hell.

I believed that when we die, we cease to exist. The only thing I learned (when I died) was that we continue to live. I relate to the following Bible quote very differently than most people:</FONT s></FONT c>



<FONT size="2"><FONT COLOR="blue">Getting back to your question: Since I now knew that there is a God, I chose to accept the Lord Jesus (by faith). However, due to my suicide and my conscience, I had doubts about whether I was good enough to enter the kingdom of heaven. One summer day, while I was alone and parked in my car in a movie theater parking lot, I was praying: "Lord, I guess I'm going to heaven because the Bible says that if we believe in Jesus with all our heart, we will be saved." Suddenly a voice spoke from above, saying twice: "You will enter the kingdom of heaven. You will enter the kingdom of heaven." Since that day, I have no doubts about my destiny to enter His kingdom. However, I encourage people to believe based upon the Word of God and not on personal experiences, as I have described. </FONT s></FONT c>



<FONT size="2"><FONT COLOR="blue">The death experience made me an instant believer in God. After I came back to life, I did not have any "church connections" or "church friends." None of my family was born again, so I was essentially on my own. I died when I was 17 and in that same year, I graduated high school and moved away from home to another state, where I was completely on my own. By divine appointment (Romans 8:28), I moved into a house where the neighbor was a non-denominational preacher-man. He proselytized me and told me about Jesus and I accepted Him and was baptized. Then I moved again and ended up in Los Angeles.

In Los Angeles, many cults were proselytizing me. They would present a scripture out of context to support a bogus thesis. I had never read the Bible, so I could not challenge or refute their interpretations of the scripture. So I read the Bible - it took me four years! Well, I'm rambling…</FONT s></FONT c>




<FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial">This message has been edited by me again on 03-08-2001 at 11:22 AM</font>

Wow...That is so neat about the way that scripture applies to you! (Psalm 30:2-4)
There are a few scriptures in the Bible that apply to my life in such a way that I can't help but get excited every time I read them. Goes back to the fact that He knew us before we were even on this earth...
Thank you for sharing that story!!!

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Michelle

<FONT size="3"><FONT COLOR="purple">My belief exactly!</FONT c><FONT COLOR="red">Amen</FONT c><FONT COLOR="purple">!</FONT c></FONT s>

Kinda strange to think about, isn't it? How He knew us before we knew we existed...mind boggling. But true, nonetheless. I am a little curious about your time in Los Angeles...you talked about the people who presented scripture to you out of context. What was the most convincing lie that they tried to feed you?

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Michelle

Yes! Need the info!

Input!

Input!!

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- Allen