Topic : Faithful Friends

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Created on : Friday, March 24, 2006, 06:53:36 pm
Author : _marie_

Welcome!

 

This is a place where people of all faiths can come together and share their faith with one another, ask and answer questions and make new friends!

 

All who enter here is precious in His sight...please be mindful of that simple phrase, and all should be well!

 

God Bless!


Marie


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March 25, 2006, 10:07 pm PST

to Marie

Quote From: _marie_

You don't have to sign your posts if you don't want to (or if you forget to) here!  You just post away and do what feels natural to you. 

  

For me...if I want to get really technical, it does all come down to love.  Jesus gave us the Two Great Commandments, "Love God with all you've got...and your neighbor as yourself". 

  

There is so much involved in these two commandments, though. 

  

Loving God with all I've got means I have to worship Him...and keep the Sabbath Holy the best I can.  I have to put Him in the center of my life, the best I can.  Everything I do and don't do needs to be right in His eyes. 

  

Then there's loving my neighbor the best I can.  That includes my kids, my husband  AND MYSELF!  That's a biggie, too!  If I can't be gentle, compassionate, forgiving toward myself...how can I be that for anyone else?  I have to honor the Child of God within me, take care of myself, eat right, rest, etc, etc.  I have to duty to be a good wife to my husband, and a good mother to my kids.  I have to forgive and seek forgiveness.  I have to try really hard not to judge...that's really hard.  Whatever I do to the least of my brethren, I do to Jesus...I work with elderly and disabled people.  Do I just move them along when I am in contact with them, or do I really see Christ in them?  Do I share what I have with others?  The list goes on and on... 

  

There is so much more to being Christian than the label of "saved" or "unsaved"...our salvation is a process...ongoing...always presenting us with new challenges... 

  

Are you sorry you asked?  LOL 

  

Hugs backatcha... 

  

Marie 

  

PS...I wish I could help you with your icon!  Maybe some Dr Phil peeps will come by soon... 

  

M. 

  

:o) 

No Marie, not sorry I asked but trying to get a grip on this.   Here is another question, correction three questions.   

  

So, you don't believe that Jesus' sacrifice saved you?    His death did not atone for your sin?   Why is he called the "Saviour"  if what he did didn't work? 

  

Little sheepy is going to have to stay where he is, because I do everything right and he refuses to upload.   Baaaad  baaaad little sheepy. 

  

hugs 

blcksheepy :o) 

 
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March 25, 2006, 10:15 pm PST

Hmmm...

Quote From: blcksheepy

No Marie, not sorry I asked but trying to get a grip on this.   Here is another question, correction three questions.   

  

So, you don't believe that Jesus' sacrifice saved you?    His death did not atone for your sin?   Why is he called the "Saviour"  if what he did didn't work? 

  

Little sheepy is going to have to stay where he is, because I do everything right and he refuses to upload.   Baaaad  baaaad little sheepy. 

  

hugs 

blcksheepy :o) 

I do believe His sacrifice saved me...but I still have to uphold my end of the bargain by keeping His commandments and living a good life. 

  

His death did atone for my sin...but only if *I* repent of my sin.  For as long as I live and breath, I will commit new sin, I have to be mindful of this and repent when I sin.   

  

What Jesus did *did* work...but I have to uphold my end, too. 

  

It's not enough to call Him my Lord and Savior...not everyone who calls Him Lord will make it into Heaven... 

  

Hugs, 

  

Marie  

 
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March 25, 2006, 10:52 pm PST

to Marie

Quote From: _marie_

I do believe His sacrifice saved me...but I still have to uphold my end of the bargain by keeping His commandments and living a good life. 

  

His death did atone for my sin...but only if *I* repent of my sin.  For as long as I live and breath, I will commit new sin, I have to be mindful of this and repent when I sin.   

  

What Jesus did *did* work...but I have to uphold my end, too. 

  

It's not enough to call Him my Lord and Savior...not everyone who calls Him Lord will make it into Heaven... 

  

Hugs, 

  

Marie  

Thanks Marie, and thank you again for starting this board.   It's a great place to get my questions answered. 

  

Hugs 

blcksheepy :o) 

 
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March 26, 2006, 6:18 am PST

The Way

Quote From: blcksheepy

Is communion (either the Catholic transubstantiation way, or the rememberance Protestant way) necessary for our salvation?   I finally learned how to spell transubstantiation. 

  

hugs 

blcksheepy :o) 

Hi everyone, 

  

BlckSheepy, here's my view on the pathway toward salvation.   

  

Although the path in the garden of life which leads to the arbor of the Lord is narrow and curving so long as we walk upon it we shall arrive.  Some of the gardens' path stones are just tiny pebbles that our footsteps might never touch upon.  Others are bigger and we may only touch upon a part of those stones.  Yet there are very large stones along the pathway that in order to avoid we'd surely have to make a conscious effort to leave the path and go around.   

  

So long as we walk peacefully and steadily along the path with good intentions, we will be fine.  If we choose to do the "river dance" in order to stomp upon each pebble and stone, thereby creating a spectacle that all can see, we might be frowned upon when we reach the Lord.  If we avoid the largest of the pathways stones, we will have some explaining to do.  This is just the way I view it, sorry if it's a bit abstract. 

  

Here is another way I think that we will be forgiven our sins.  Read the following, try and imagine really doing what I suggest.  I think that you'll have a new appreciation for how much good is in your heart of hearts.  :)) 

  

Imagine, for a minute.  You have had the WORST possible day....  You have been fired from you job, cutbacks.  Your car "died" on the way home from work, as did your cell.  So you had to walk several blocks to a pay phone to seek alternate transportation.  When you finally got home you realized that your  hot water heater malfunctioned and your basement had 6 inches of water in it.  You are about to pull your hair out and just sit down a bawl.  Then your phone rings and it's your best friend with some heart wrenching news that an old school chum was killed today in a car accident.  By now you just want a drink and your sofa.  You pour yourself a glass of wine ( which by the way empty's the bottle) for there was just enough for that glass.  You are about to take a drink but your hand clumsily misses and you spill the red all over your white living room carpet!  You look outside and see you neighbors cat crapping and digging in your newly planted flowers.  You "fly" outside and kick that cat in all your anger and frustration extremely hard.  You turn and walk inside,  then something catches your eye from your window.  You see your neighbor in her back yard on bended knee cradling her dying cat and sobbing in uncontrollable sobs. 

  

How do you feel? 

  

He knows what is in our hearts.  Do you see? 

  

Peace, 

  

Fredi       

 
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March 26, 2006, 10:08 am PST

to Fredi

Quote From: fredastare

Hi everyone, 

  

BlckSheepy, here's my view on the pathway toward salvation.   

  

Although the path in the garden of life which leads to the arbor of the Lord is narrow and curving so long as we walk upon it we shall arrive.  Some of the gardens' path stones are just tiny pebbles that our footsteps might never touch upon.  Others are bigger and we may only touch upon a part of those stones.  Yet there are very large stones along the pathway that in order to avoid we'd surely have to make a conscious effort to leave the path and go around.   

  

So long as we walk peacefully and steadily along the path with good intentions, we will be fine.  If we choose to do the "river dance" in order to stomp upon each pebble and stone, thereby creating a spectacle that all can see, we might be frowned upon when we reach the Lord.  If we avoid the largest of the pathways stones, we will have some explaining to do.  This is just the way I view it, sorry if it's a bit abstract. 

  

Here is another way I think that we will be forgiven our sins.  Read the following, try and imagine really doing what I suggest.  I think that you'll have a new appreciation for how much good is in your heart of hearts.  :)) 

  

Imagine, for a minute.  You have had the WORST possible day....  You have been fired from you job, cutbacks.  Your car "died" on the way home from work, as did your cell.  So you had to walk several blocks to a pay phone to seek alternate transportation.  When you finally got home you realized that your  hot water heater malfunctioned and your basement had 6 inches of water in it.  You are about to pull your hair out and just sit down a bawl.  Then your phone rings and it's your best friend with some heart wrenching news that an old school chum was killed today in a car accident.  By now you just want a drink and your sofa.  You pour yourself a glass of wine ( which by the way empty's the bottle) for there was just enough for that glass.  You are about to take a drink but your hand clumsily misses and you spill the red all over your white living room carpet!  You look outside and see you neighbors cat crapping and digging in your newly planted flowers.  You "fly" outside and kick that cat in all your anger and frustration extremely hard.  You turn and walk inside,  then something catches your eye from your window.  You see your neighbor in her back yard on bended knee cradling her dying cat and sobbing in uncontrollable sobs. 

  

How do you feel? 

  

He knows what is in our hearts.  Do you see? 

  

Peace, 

  

Fredi       

This does help Fredi.   Thankyou for taking the time to type that up for me.         

  

I guess God knows every single minute thing about us and our past.  He knows what we have encountered since day one. 

  

My friend works with street people, and she tells me the story of some of their lives sometimes.   Some of their stories are horrific.  

  

Someone who saw me kick the cat would think I was a really bad peson (and so would I when I calmed down), but God would know all the other stuff that came before that, and in the years before that. 

  

Hugs 

blcksheepy :o) 

 
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March 26, 2006, 12:26 pm PST

Today's Readings

March 26, 2006

Image

Fourth Sunday of Lent  

  

Psalm: Sunday 16

Reading I
1 Sm 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a

The LORD said to Samuel:
“Fill your horn with oil, and be on your way.
I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem,
for I have chosen my king from among his sons.”

As Jesse and his sons came to the sacrifice,
Samuel looked at Eliab and thought,
“Surely the Lord’s anointed is here before him.”
But the LORD said to Samuel:
“Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature,
because I have rejected him.
Not as man sees does God see,
because man sees the appearance
but the LORD looks into the heart.”
In the same way Jesse presented seven sons before Samuel,
but Samuel said to Jesse,
“The LORD has not chosen any one of these.”
Then Samuel asked Jesse,
‘Are these all the sons you have?”
Jesse replied,
“There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep.”
Samuel said to Jesse,
“Send for him;
we will not begin the sacrificial banquet until he arrives here.”
Jesse sent and had the young man brought to them.
He was ruddy, a youth handsome to behold
and making a splendid appearance.
The LORD said,
“There – anoint him, for this is the one!”
Then Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand,
anointed David in the presence of his brothers;
and from that day on, the spirit of the LORD rushed upon David.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 23: 1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6

R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Reading II
Eph 5:8-14

Brothers and sisters:
You were once darkness,
but now you are light in the Lord.
Live as children of light,
for light produces every kind of goodness
and righteousness and truth.
Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness;
rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mention
the things done by them in secret;
but everything exposed by the light becomes visible,
for everything that becomes visible is light.
Therefore, it says:

“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will give you light.”

Gospel
Jn 9:1-41 or 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38

As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth.
His disciples asked him,
“Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents,
that he was born blind?”
Jesus answered,
“Neither he nor his parents sinned;
it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.
We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day.
Night is coming when no one can work.
While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
When he had said this, he spat on the ground
and made clay with the saliva,
and smeared the clay on his eyes,
and said to him,
“Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” -. which means Sent .-.
So he went and washed, and came back able to see.

His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said,
“Isn’t this the one who used to sit and beg?”
Some said, “It is,”
but others said, “No, he just looks like him.”
He said, “I am.”
So they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?”
He replied,
“The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes
and told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’
So I went there and washed and was able to see.”
And they said to him, “Where is he?”

He said, “I don’t know.”

They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees.
Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath.
So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see.
He said to them,
“He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.”
So some of the Pharisees said,
“This man is not from God,
because he does not keep the sabbath.”
But others said,
“How can a sinful man do such signs?”
And there was a division among them.
So they said to the blind man again,
“What do you have to say about him,
since he opened your eyes?”
He said, “He is a prophet.”

Now the Jews did not believe
that he had been blind and gained his sight
until they summoned the parents of the one who had gained his sight.
They asked them,
“Is this your son, who you say was born blind?
How does he now see?”
His parents answered and said,
“We know that this is our son and that he was born blind.
We do not know how he sees now,
nor do we know who opened his eyes.
Ask him, he is of age;
he can speak for himself.”
His parents said this because they were afraid
of the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed
that if anyone acknowledged him as the Christ,
he would be expelled from the synagogue.
For this reason his parents said,
“He is of age; question him.”

So a second time they called the man who had been blind
and said to him, “Give God the praise!
We know that this man is a sinner.”
He replied,
“If he is a sinner, I do not know.
One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see.”
So they said to him,
“What did he do to you?
How did he open your eyes?”
He answered them,
“I told you already and you did not listen.
Why do you want to hear it again?

Do you want to become his disciples, too?”
They ridiculed him and said,
“You are that man’s disciple;
we are disciples of Moses!
We know that God spoke to Moses,
but we do not know where this one is from.”
The man answered and said to them,
“This is what is so amazing,
that you do not know where he is from, yet he opened my eyes.
We know that God does not listen to sinners,
but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him.
It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind.
If this man were not from God,
he would not be able to do anything.”
They answered and said to him,
“You were born totally in sin,
and are you trying to teach us?”
Then they threw him out.

When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out,
he found him and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
He answered and said,
“Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?”
Jesus said to him,
“You have seen him,
the one speaking with you is he.”
He said,
“I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him.
Then Jesus said,
“I came into this world for judgment,
so that those who do not see might see,
and those who do see might become blind.”

Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this
and said to him, “Surely we are not also blind, are we?”
Jesus said to them,
“If you were blind, you would have no sin;
but now you are saying, ‘We see,’ so your sin remains.”

or


As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth.
He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva,
and smeared the clay on his eyes,
and said to him,
“Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” .- which means Sent .-.
So he went and washed, and came back able to see.

His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said,
“Isn’t this the one who used to sit and beg?”
Some said, “It is,”
but others said, “No, he just looks like him.”
He said, “I am.”

They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees.
Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath.
So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see.
He said to them,
“He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.”
So some of the Pharisees said,
“This man is not from God,
because he does not keep the sabbath.”
But others said,
“How can a sinful man do such signs?”
And there was a division among them.
So they said to the blind man again,
“What do you have to say about him,
since he opened your eyes?”
He said, “He is a prophet.”

They answered and said to him,
“You were born totally in sin,
and are you trying to teach us?”
Then they threw him out.

When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out,
he found him and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
He answered and said,
“Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?”
Jesus said to him,
“You have seen him, and
the one speaking with you is he.”
He said,
“I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him.
 

 

 
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March 26, 2006, 12:28 pm PST

Beautiful Insights...

Quote From: blcksheepy

This does help Fredi.   Thankyou for taking the time to type that up for me.         

  

I guess God knows every single minute thing about us and our past.  He knows what we have encountered since day one. 

  

My friend works with street people, and she tells me the story of some of their lives sometimes.   Some of their stories are horrific.  

  

Someone who saw me kick the cat would think I was a really bad peson (and so would I when I calmed down), but God would know all the other stuff that came before that, and in the years before that. 

  

Hugs 

blcksheepy :o) 

This is so true... 

  

And I am reminded why we are to work out our own salvations with Jesus... 

  

We each have a unique walk with Him... 

  

Off to have a bite with my hubby...he cooks...brunch is ready. 

  

Love, 

  

Marie 

 
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March 26, 2006, 2:09 pm PST

to everyone

Quote From: _marie_

This is so true... 

  

And I am reminded why we are to work out our own salvations with Jesus... 

  

We each have a unique walk with Him... 

  

Off to have a bite with my hubby...he cooks...brunch is ready. 

  

Love, 

  

Marie 

Hi Marie.     

  

I have seen you say this to posters  "I know you by your fruit", and it reminds me of something I saw somewhere that went like this "GOD WANTS SPIRITUAL FRUIT, NOT RELIGIOUS NUTS".    I didn't know what it meant back then but I'm beginning to understand now. 

  

To me "Religion" means man-made religious intitutions with man-made religious rituals and rules & regulations....none of which are going to get anybody points with God.   My mother in law attended church for many years and religiously (:o) took part in all the required rituals, gave money, the works.   I did not see the "fruit" you refer to. 

  

"Spiritual fruit" seems to mean the kindness that develops in a person when they get the Holy Spirit?   Still working on that one, but that is my understanding.   The problem seems to be that people who are churchy may call themselves "Christians" but not actually have the Holy Spirit.   Most people don't understand the difference and I know I didn't. 

 
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March 26, 2006, 2:59 pm PST

to Marie

Quote From: blcksheepy

Hi Marie.     

  

I have seen you say this to posters  "I know you by your fruit", and it reminds me of something I saw somewhere that went like this "GOD WANTS SPIRITUAL FRUIT, NOT RELIGIOUS NUTS".    I didn't know what it meant back then but I'm beginning to understand now. 

  

To me "Religion" means man-made religious intitutions with man-made religious rituals and rules & regulations....none of which are going to get anybody points with God.   My mother in law attended church for many years and religiously (:o) took part in all the required rituals, gave money, the works.   I did not see the "fruit" you refer to. 

  

"Spiritual fruit" seems to mean the kindness that develops in a person when they get the Holy Spirit?   Still working on that one, but that is my understanding.   The problem seems to be that people who are churchy may call themselves "Christians" but not actually have the Holy Spirit.   Most people don't understand the difference and I know I didn't. 

 I go Marie.   I have learned in the past that sometimes if I post a thought people can think that the thought is specifically directed to them.   I am learning to qualify my thoughts and realize I did not do that in the above post, so here goes. 

  

Even tho I said "Hi Marie" these thoughts were not specifically directed to or about you.    If anyone has any doubts and thinks I am accusing them of anything please just ask me okay?    I was talking about my friend who acts superior in the past and Turtlelove seemed to assume that the remark was directed at her.   I do not want this kind of misunderstanding to happen again. 

  

Hugs 

blcksheepy :o) 

 
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March 26, 2006, 5:03 pm PST

Hi Blcksheepy...

Quote From: blcksheepy

 I go Marie.   I have learned in the past that sometimes if I post a thought people can think that the thought is specifically directed to them.   I am learning to qualify my thoughts and realize I did not do that in the above post, so here goes. 

  

Even tho I said "Hi Marie" these thoughts were not specifically directed to or about you.    If anyone has any doubts and thinks I am accusing them of anything please just ask me okay?    I was talking about my friend who acts superior in the past and Turtlelove seemed to assume that the remark was directed at her.   I do not want this kind of misunderstanding to happen again. 

  

Hugs 

blcksheepy :o) 

Being a medical assistant, who works with the public...AND the mom of 2 TEENS...I've learned not to take things personally. 

  

Please don't worry about sharing your thoughts.  I know your processes, your walk with Jesus have *not a thing* to do with me. 

  

I will step back and let My Master do His work. 

  

I so get what you mean about religious nuts, too.  I would NEVER do this much sharing in "real life" for fear of being perceived as a religious nut.  I tend to shy away from people like that...I'm very soft spoken, mind my business...etc etc.  I'm really put off by judgmental people.  There were a lot of church people that judged me and my parents when I got pregnant.  Pharisees?  I know I never want to be like that... 

  

Hugs...and lots of love, 

  

Marie 

  

:o) 

 

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