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Jan. 5th, 2010

  • 10:16 PM

[info]kinsmed
[info]caturday
"Okay. I guess it's just you and me."

Augustinian Volunteers

  • Jan. 5th, 2010 at 11:47 AM

[info]restless_friar
[info]christianity
Recently someone posted about Catholic volunteer service organizations. So here I am plugging the Augustinian Volunteer program. Their web site can be found here. Here is a video promoting the Volunteer program. Obviously I'm biased, but I've had a lot of experience with our volunteers over the years, and I've yet to encounter one whose life has not been positively transformed as a result of the year of service. Many of the volunteers ended up volunteering for a second year, and quite a few continue to work for the program to this day. Here's the video:

question

  • Jan. 5th, 2010 at 12:20 PM

[info]anti_nietzsche
[info]christianity
How would you go about removing the log from your eye?

Jan. 4th, 2010

  • 9:08 PM

[info]kinsmed
[info]caturday
"You're not AFRAID to post... are you?"

Jan. 4th, 2010

  • 5:28 PM

[info]agentrayevyn
[info]christianity
Please pray for my roommate Suzanne. We found out some really bad news today that may keep her from going to school, and if her appeal isn't approved, she'll be homeless. Please, please pray that God will help us find a way through this.

criminal justice

  • Jan. 4th, 2010 at 6:58 AM

[info]anti_nietzsche
[info]christianity
What do you think of the system of criminal justice that the Israelites practiced? Do you think that the law that prescribed their methods and punishments was a *perfect* law? I mean, allegedly it was instituted by God, and allegedly God is perfect - so how could He have installed an imperfect law? Yet most people I know would say that in our day we have better laws, methods of justice and more effective punishments than the Israelites had. What do you think is really good in the Israelite laws, and what is really bad? Is there something about their system of criminal justice we could still use today?

LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES - Hebrews

  • Jan. 3rd, 2010 at 6:34 PM

[info]thelivingword
[info]christianity

THE EVIDENCE OF FAITH

 

[42]

Read Hebrews 11-12
     Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen...By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.  Hebrews 11:1, 3 NKJV
* * *
 
This is the inspiration section of Hebrews. Some call it the “Hall of Faith.” These Old Testament believers didn’t have the clear picture of redemption that we have in the completed Scriptures. They saw it by faith from afar off, believing in God’s promise of a Messiah. They obeyed what God told them to do, even when they didn’t fully understand. For them, and for us, the requirement for pleasing God was believing Him. For ...without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (11:6)
 
* * *
 
Lord, reading about these heroes of the faith, we are put to shame. Help us to "lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1b-2 NKJV
 
* * *
 
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth....But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.   Hebrews 11:13, 16 NKJV

Reading through from page to page....

  • Jan. 3rd, 2010 at 2:16 PM

[info]ladyneferankh
[info]christianity
Hi there--I wasn't sure if this was allowed, and if it was already too late in the year, but I saw a few others do it, so I decided to post this anyway: [info]biblereaders . I hope to post roughly once a week, around the end of the week.

The basic point is to talk over what we've read, and try to keep going. It's a non-denominational group, and we don't really care about how well versed you are in any particular creed, or your age, gender or nationality. (Though discussions are to be held in English).

I hope that all of you have a good new year. I enjoy many of the discussions here, and look forward to another year of reading,--or joining in--the various chats.

Note: If this is violating certain rules after all, feel free to delete it!

"10 challenges of religious communities"

  • Jan. 2nd, 2010 at 9:00 PM

[info]redstar826
[info]christianity
I came across this list on one of the blogs I read and, as an ex-Christian, I could relate to some of the points he makes about the bad experiences people have had with churches.

I was wondering what folks here thought about it. Do you think that his points are fair? Do you think that there are things that shouldn't be on this list, or things that he has left off?

Drinking question

  • Jan. 3rd, 2010 at 9:20 AM

[info]alexeivaron
[info]christianity

So I'm a little bit conflicted. The drinking question seems pretty straightforward until I consider a few things. I looked up a couple of verses for some guidance:

"Who has anguish? Who has sorrow? Who is always fighting? Who is always complaining? Who has unnecessary bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? It is the one who spends long hours in the taverns, trying out new drinks. Don't let the sparkle and the smooth taste of wine deceive you. For in the end it bites like a poisonous serpent ..." Proverbs 23:29-32

"Liquor is for the dying, and wine for those in deep depression. Let them drink to forget their poverty and remember their troubles no more." Proverbs 31:6-7

I'm not dying or depressed or trying to drown a sorrow. I am of age. I'm never drunk or am around drunk people and don't do stupid things, nor am I addicted in any way. I have a beer ... one beer ... with friends. Is this wrong? I know being drunk and looking to alcohol to cover a problem that should be fixed through Christ is wrong, but is what I am doing wrong? I can't find anything in the Bible that doesn't talk about being wasted. I know a lot of regular churchgoers -- and even a pastor -- who drink occasionally in the way that I do, but I've also heard conflicting opinions.

Really, I'm open to anything. I need alcohol about as much as I need soda or candy (not al all), so I would gladly quit if this is really wrong or if it ever interfered with my beliefs. I'm wondering about it. Any input, guidance? What are your personal habits (if you don't mind sharing)?


Thoughts on the development of the Danish church

  • Jan. 3rd, 2010 at 3:04 PM

[info]maleroleactress
[info]christianity



Some thoughts I've had and a conclusion I've reached about the recent development in the discussion about the Danish church. All views expressed in this essay are my own and not necessarily shared by other theologians or attendants in my church.

( Matthew 27.46 )

X-posted to my private journal.


  • Mood: hopeful

Read the Bible through this year

  • Jan. 2nd, 2010 at 4:43 PM

[info]renbyrnes
[info]christianity
Join the new community [info]bible365  to read the Bible through with others this year. Join in discussion, prayer and grow in Jesus our Lord.

Tags:

Jan. 2nd, 2010

  • 9:41 PM

[info]kinsmed
[info]caturday
(Day after warranty expires...)

Jan. 3rd, 2010

  • 6:14 AM

[info]zarikus
[info]caturday
invisible cute!

humility

  • Jan. 2nd, 2010 at 6:07 PM

[info]anti_nietzsche
[info]christianity
I would like to discuss humility. How would you define it? How would you acquire it? Thanks.

Jan. 1st, 2010

  • 10:01 PM

[info]kinsmed
[info]caturday

Prayer request

  • Jan. 1st, 2010 at 12:19 PM

[info]uberreiniger
[info]christianity
Hello everyone. The New Year is not off to a good start in my home. Several months ago following the dissolution of my marriage I had to move back in with my parents. Shortly after that happened I lost my job and have not been able to find steady work since. I'm getting a few hours here and there through what are essentially odd jobs, but it's hardly enough. Yesterday my father was terminated from his job leaving my mother the only one with full-time employment. She doesn't make very much and is already working very hard at well past retirement age as it is. Our situation is becoming desperate very quickly and we are very much in need of prayer. Thank you.

Dec. 31st, 2009

  • 11:44 PM

[info]kinsmed
[info]caturday

Luke 2:1-7 : Turning Burdens Into Blessings

  • Jan. 1st, 2010 at 2:45 PM

[info]karwren
[info]christianity
Celebrations sometimes helps to forget your burdens. Sometimes, we party and get drunk, we forget our problems but we know that it is only temporary. We need to learn how to turn our problems and burdens into blessings. There are things in our hearts that will always weigh us down. Problems that we'd rather not have. They are called burdens, hardships, and difficulties. They are things that cause us pain. We need to learn to turn burdens into blessings. So we are going to look at the accounts surrounding the birth of Jesus.

( Read more... )
  • Mood:artistic

One friend for sure

  • Dec. 31st, 2009 at 7:25 PM

[info]susannahclark
[info]christianity
As the New Year arrives, I'm mindful of those lines by Minnie Harkins, quoted by King George VI at Christmas 1939 in the shadow of war and the unknown that lay ahead:

I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year
'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.'
And he replied,
'Go into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God -
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way!'

May the God who knows and loves you, walk with you and watch over you, whatever the new year brings. And may God's grace and goodness accompany you. And so, may blessings be with you, and with us all. All who live on this earth, and for whom we work and pray.

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