Topic : Faithful Friends

Hi Marie, as one low life to another I know we can discuss this safely!   I am in no position to judge anyone, but this is not about judging it's about loving.    I know you don't believe what I believe so I am not telling you to do what I do, but this is my take on this touchy subject. 

The reason I believe it is because it's what Jesus himself said with his own words. ("No one comes to the Father except through me").  I don't believe Jesus ever told a lie because he was God, and God is sinless.  

I will tell my family and friends not because I am judging them, but because I LOVE them and want them to have what I have.     However, I don't know how to go about it yet.   I have to make sure I can answer the questions they will ask me.    I do know one thing already,  and that is to tell them about the love of Jesus (that I have found) will be my intention.....not tell them they are going to be in hell without him.   That would be a real turn off right at the start, and they would close their ears to the truth about who Jesus is.     Billy Graham doesn't go around announcing that people go to hell if they don't agree with him, rather he invites people to come forward and accept Jesus as Saviour doesn't he?  (I have never been to a rally but I know that much). 

Even if you did believe that Jesus was the only way it would be a waste of time rushing around telling everyone 24/7 they're going to hell without him    People who don't have the Holy Spirit to "unblind"  them don't believe it no matter what a person says.  I have just left behind that state of affairs, so I know.    They would just decide you had lost your mind or were trying to scare them into agreeing with you.     I don't think the people with sandwich boards announcing those kind of things attract many to Christ do you? 

When I first talked with Sheltie on the other board she answered my questions but didn't "threaten me with hell".    It was only after I started to understand what I had done by accepting Jesus that I appreciated what I had escaped, but hell talk  is not a good way to approach the subject of Jesus, for sure.    I know it came up on the other board in response to your question, but it's not through fear that people start to open their hearts to Jesus, but through love.   Then it will be their choice whether or not to accept what God has offered as atonement. 

Low lifes unite! 

hugs 

blcksheepy :o) 

ps:  My friends (except the Seventh Day Adventist) are not Christians and I love them all.   If anything I am much more sinful than they are, so it's not a matter of judging but of  telling. 

Refuse to worry! 

"Who of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?" (Matthew 6:27) 

Worrying gives the devil the opportunity to move, just like worship gives God the opportunity to move.  Worrying means to play the enemy's lies in your mind, over and over again.  God promises in Isaiah 26:3 that He will keep us in perfect peace when we keep our minds stayed on Him.  So when the opportunity to worry comes, use it as a reminder to worship the Lord and thank Him for His good and precious promises! Wast all of your cares on the Lord, because He cares for you! 

Prayer for today: 

God, I am weary from worrying.  Please help me to stop the soundtrack of needless worry that plays over and over and over again in my head.  I want to place my fears and concerns in Your hands and live in peace knowing that You will fulfill all of your precious promises to me.  Amen 

Have a good day!!!!! 

I love Joel Osteen.  Every Sunday Morning, my husband and I watch his show while we have our coffee. 

Thanks for sharing this. 

Looking forward to may more posts from you. 

Marie 

I don't want you to ever feel uncomfortable posting here.  I respect everything you've posted here as your truth, and everything you've posted here makes so much sense, too. 

Blcksheepy, when the time comes to share your faith with others, I wish you the best.  To me, though, by and large you don't have to be wearing a sandwich board to be put "off" by a person who approaches them about any kind of religion.  It's touchy no matter what.   

We are definitely united, though... 

Hugs, 

Marie 

:o) 

Here is what I imagine when I meet Jesus: 

Jesus:  Marie...you were pretty awful at times. 

Marie:  Yes, I was. 

Jesus:  But you tried, I know this. 

Marie:  Yes Lord, I truly tried. 

Jesus:  And you preached LOVE in My Holy Name? 

Marie:  Yes, Lord...when I didn't know what else to say, or when I was afraid...I just preached Love in Your Name... 

You fill in what Jesus would say to me... 

Have a blessed day, everyone... 

Marie 

I liked it a lot too Marie.   

It included the psalm I read to someone when he was dying.   I was the only peson with him,  and I have no idea if he could still hear my voice because he was unconscious, but it seemed like the right thing to do to comfort him.   I was pretty out of it with grief to be honest, and don't really know why I did it.   It saw it in a magazine that was lying on a table in the room where the nurses put people who are dying.  

Hugs 

blcksheepy :o)    

Last time I answered one of your questions (on the other thread)  I got myself into trouble! :o) LOL ....so if you don't mind I'm going to give this one a miss today and leave it to the others. 

Hugs 

blcksheepy :o) 

Hi Nightlady.    

I must say I totally agree with you about not worrying. 

By the way I really like your pic, but I am NOT jealous  (not not not not not). 

I personally am finding a lot of answers to important questions here.   It is my "study" I guess you could say, but I am not worried.   I know that God doesn't make any mistakes, and I trust him.   If he wants something to happen,  he will make it happen.  He is the commander in chief after all,  and just like any situation where there's someone at the top I take the lead from him.   

I am like an employee trusting that the person at the top knows what they are doing.    I don't insist on having an explanation for all decisions, or having to understand why the boss comes to those decisions, because I respect his wisdom and authority and what he tells me.   

Imagine any set up like a company with employees, or even the military where every person insists on a meeting with the CEO every time they get an instruction, so that they can understand and "Okay " (or not) his/her decisions before they accept direction?   If people can take direction from higher ups in real life, I don't think we need to rebel against  taking direction from God, our Higher Up or Higher Power.    It doesn't make us brainless passive zombies, any more than employees taking orders from a boss are B.P.Z.s.    

It just means we trust God, and accept his authority and wisdom.    So yes I agree with you 100%. 

Hugs and welcome. 

blcksheepy :o) 

Thank you for your response.  As I was searching through all the message boards last night I came across this one, read a some of the posts and felt like this was a place I'd like to visit often. 

Thank you for making me feel OK for being here.  I hope I can contribute some things that will bless all of us.  Barbara 

Wow that's fancy.   I am glad you joined us. 

Hugs 

blcksheepy :o)