Good morning, starshine, the earth says "Hello!"

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You read the Bible, it's all in there. I have trouble understanding the Bible and knowing where to find what I'm looking for. I use other tools to help me out, such as a book called Promises for You, and biblegateway.com. There are also Bibles that have additional information about the passage to help you understand. Also, there is no mention of purgatory in the Bible.

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I think the Christmas story.

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Yes

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Yes

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the dictionary gives the definition of porn as "the act or practice of engaging in sexual intercourse for money. " So yes, porn is a form of prostitution.

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The purpose is to worship God (God's a bit selfish) and "rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” -Genesis 1:26

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I never questioned how many friends you had, nor do I care...

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I never questioned you and your relationships with other people...

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Merry Christmas Sarah!

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Why does your doctor want you to undergo hypnotherapy to learn about 3 past lives that there is no evidence that they actually exist? John 3:6 says "Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit." and Genesis 2:7 tells us that God made man from the dust of the earth. When you think about it when we die we go back to our original forms, our bodies being formed from the earth go back into being dust, and our spirits go back to God who's in heaven but only if you believe Jesus is His Son. The Bible says several times that those who believe in Christ will have eternal life in Heaven (their spirits will). It also said those that do not die, so that means your spirit doesn't move on to anywhere it just becomes non-existent.

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christian-- non-denominational

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A few days ago I answered a formspring question that asked me "When did you start to truly believe in Him and His power? (:"

I want to expand on my answer more. (This will probably also answer "How can you believe in something that you have not seen?)

Like I've said before, I grew up in a Christian family-- that is to say, my mom grandma, great aunts and all believe in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. In my household though, I wasn't really taught what it meant to be a Christian, until about the time I was in high school. My earliest memory of church with my family was when I was about 9 years old, and we attended a Christian Science church (which with my lack of understanding confused me to no end). I attended the children's sunday school and I remember being embarrased because 1) I did not attend church regularly, 2) I could not answer any of the questions that were related to Christian Science, 3) I didn't read the Bible, nor did I own one. We didn't stay with the Christian Science church very long, maybe just a month or two. After that I just remember church hopping. I never liked this because I didn't feel comfortable being new all the time, and having to be asked questions about my religious background that I had no clue how to answer. I didn't really know Biblical stories, or what a denomination was-- it was all just too complicated, overwhelming, and frustrating. I ended up not liking church very much.

In middle school I remember wanting to go to church with different family members when I visited my grandma. For a while I attended a sunday school that had a shuttle bus that picked me up from my grandma's house. I don't know why I was so eager to go; maybe I just wanted something to do other than staying at my grandma's house, or maybe I thought I was supposed to go to church, so I did so because I was supposed to go to church like I was supposed to go to school.

Fast-forwarding to high school years-- when my family actually started to attend a church regularly. This is also the time that we moved to the area I call home now. When we first moved, our new neighbors invited us to church with them at Oakland Baptist Church . My experience there was not impacting. I was just there. The only thing I can recall was being mesmerized by the sign language interpreter. We eventually left Oakland and became members of New Life Ministries , where I actually became more involved and attended the youth group Xtreme regularly.

I liked New Life a lot; the youth group help me gain an understanding of Christianity, but left me feeling a little left out because I didn't feel "on fire for God". So I felt like I had to fake it, something I didn't want to do because I wanted to feel the fire that everyone else was feeling, but I just wasn't. Since I couldn't figure out how to get this fire-- afterall, I was going to church regularly, reading my assigned scripture, and being a good person-- I figured that maybe it didn't exist and people were brainwashed or something, thus I inevitably gave up and once again was just there in church. A couple of years later some drama happened between some members in the church and my family followed some friends to another church in the area River of Life Pentecostal. I became the morning scripture reader, but by this point I was just going through the motions. (meanwhile I still attended Xtreme off and on). A year later more drama happened between members of the church, and we followed a family friend to Strong Tower Ministries. It was there where I decided to stop calling myself a Christian, because it was there where I saw the "on fire" people outside of church being opposite of the act they put on in church. And it was there that people judged me based on appearance (at this point I was going to a fashion phase and dressed goth).

I will never forget the lady who approached me at McDonald's after service to tell me that "Jesus loved me" because she thought I was an atheist or a satanist because I was dressed in black and metal. I responded to the lady "I know. I saw you at church this morning. You should have listened to the message: Don't judge a book by it's cover." After that moment I didn't want to be called a Christian, but just a follower of God. Based on what I saw (the drama, the hypocrites, and the "on fire" brainwashed people) being a Christian was just for the clergy and their right-hand people, and the congregation during Sunday morning service.

I enter college as a follower of God, but the problem is something was still missing. I knew the something was missing had to do with God, so I tried to figure it out by joining Cru and going to a Bible study group every week, in hopes that the Bible study would lead me to the answer. Freshman, sophomore, and junior pass, and no answer. I eventually stopped going and just tried to find the answer in the Bible on my own. This failed as I did not know where to begin in the Bible and had become accustomed to using the Bible as a supplement to the Bible study lessons. I found my way back into another Bible study group and after a month quit because they were hounding on me to read the Bible more, something I didn't know how to do without an assignment. On the plus side, that Bible study group did help me find what I was missing-- I was missing God ironically enough. I was told that I could find Him by actively seeking him and reading the Bible. Ugh! Wasn't I actively seeking Him for the past few years already? And how exactly do I find Him in a book that only makes sense with a lesson attached to it.

From then on I prayed to God to help me find Him. In a way my prayers were more thank you's because I thank Him for helping me find Him, I thanked Him for everything He's done for me that I have not realized yet, and I thanked Him for giving me patience. This lead to my prayers being answered in a snowball effect. In November 2009 I figured out how to find God, I must first except Jesus Christ as His son and believe in Him. (By the way, this was in the Bible! One would have thought I would have discovered that back in high school.)

And here come's the big question "How do I know that Jesus is really the son of God?" My boyfriend would tell me because it's written in the Bible. This lead to my "Yeah, but"s. I went back and forth with this until about April 2010. At this time I was really down in the dumps, I had just lost my little brother, I was unemployed, and I was lonely. I'm laying in bed, feeling tormented. I finally asked "God if Jesus is really your son, then do something to give me a definite yes, and I'll believe and call myself a Christian." I heard a little voice in my head, well, it was more of like a vague thought, but anyway it said to read a certain scripture then the phone would ring. It's 2 or 3 am. No one in there right mind would call at such a time. I figure, what do I got to lose. I read the scripture and sure enough the phone rang. In which case I start crying because to be honest with you, that's freaky! That night I called myself a Christian and now I'm on looking for that on fire-ness that I've seen in some people in my life about 10 years ago. I know that I'll get it eventually. I now know that you just don't seek, believe, and bam you're on fire, that you must grow into it. (or at least that's how it's working out for me)

Please don't take this and think that God is going to make Himself that obvious when you ask. In my experience He does what is necessary for you, not what you want. I believe what was necessary for me was to get a small slap in my face by Him showing me His power. Also to clarify, by no means did God literally say something in English to me as if he was whispering in my ear or on a speaker, most of the time I knew He was speaking when things seemed like a coincidence, but you have that weird feeling it's not, or it was like a vague thought. This is not to say He doesn't speak to people in a clear voice as well. To believe in Him and Jesus you just have to have faith and believe.

Merry Christmas to you too, Rose!

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Not sure? Eve would have been casted out of the garden, and Adam would have stayed in maybe... Here is one theory: http://www.eternalgod.org/qapdf/9333

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You're entitled to your opinion.

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This scripture was given to me to read from someone on formspring:

Ephesians 3:14-19

¹⁴ For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God

Will do, thanks!

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Yeah, I wonder what it looks like. Is it invisible like the wind? And where does it stay?

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mostly lab animal husbandry and research assistance.

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My thought: "A new episode of House is coming on soon" :)

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not much, getting over a stomach flu.

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Also in 2 Chronicles 7:14
"if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. "

and

Mark 11:25
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.

So pretty much look at your life and ask yourself if you are doing what the Bible says to do in order for God to answer your prayers. I'm not trying to say that you aren't but if you feel that He isn't answering your prayers then check and see if all your ducks are in a line. In order for a prayer to work, you must always be thankful for what you have in life and continue to thank HIm, continue to seek Him, be patient, and realize that He's allowing to suffer for a reason (Romans 5:1-5 has that reason).

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Aaron and I read through Romans 5:

Romans 5

Peace and Hope

¹ Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
-So this is pretty amazing in that it answers the question why God allows us to suffer. Someone on formspring asked me "Is it sometimes ok to ask God... WHY? You know, when you feel really really down? As if you're not alive." And well here's you're answer. You suffer to strengthen your preserverance, which stregthens your character, which strengthens your hope.

⁶ You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

⁹ Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! ¹⁰ For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! ¹¹ Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ

¹² Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—

¹³ To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law. ¹⁴ Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.

¹⁵ But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! ¹⁶ Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. ¹⁷ For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

-the trespass is Adam's sin , versus a trespass is a sin.

the gift is God's mercy forgiving us of our sin.

¹⁸ Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. ¹⁹ For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

-this verse explains why Jesus dying on the cross saves us. I always wondered that.

²⁰ The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, ²¹ so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

I am me :)

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If by mermaid, you mean God will transform you into something beautiful, then he already has... if you like literally mean a mermaid... um... to each his own?

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Thanks!

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I live by this verse: Romans 12:12 "Be Joyful hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. " I've had a ton of negative things happen all my life- from a dangerous alcoholic father, to sexual abuse, to my brother committing suicide this year, and yet I'm blessed and have taken all the negativity and found positivity in everything. Now, I have an awesome start to my career, I'm complete self-sufficient, I'm healthy, and have all the material things I could want. I have an amazing boyfriend, and I'm looking at continue my education and work on my master's starting in 2012. No matter how many trials I'll face in my life I can overcome them, and as long as joyful hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer, God's by my side making sure I can handle all of it.

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I hope you're near a bathroom then.

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Sorry to confuse you

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1. I believe there the devil exist, not necessarily as depicted in cartoons as the red horned, hooved creature. 2. Yes and no... 3. I've never seen an atom but I believe it exists. I've never seen the dark side of the moon, but I believe it exists.... There's tons of things I've never seen, but I believe they exist.

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Maybe Satan is needed in order for us to have free will.

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Um, so the people who knock on your door to invite to attend the local baptist church isn't God's way of actively pursuing you?

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First post in a long time, so let's catch you all up to speed.

In July I started a new job-- it is exactly how I wanted to start my career. I work with animal used in research at various locations, learning many skills of different jobs in the field. My job involves a lot of travelling, which inevitably resulted in the death of Mr. Socko (my old car). However I bought a brand new 2011 hyundai, and made the whole ordeal a learning experience worthwhile.

In August I moved closer to the general area of the sites I visit, and have 2 roommates whom I hardly ever see because our schedules don't permit it. I'm actually kind of lonely here as I have no friends in the area, and I do not exactly know how to make friends outside the academic environment (something that school fails at teaching). I joined a Monday yoga group, but it's small and the ladies there are out of my age range. My boyfriend told me that I make new friends by getting involved in a church, but I haven't found one that suits me in the area.
Any suggestions with this? (Also because I am constantly changing sites at work, becoming buddies with the people I work with is a bit difficult)

Anyway over the past 4 months I've attended a few churches, depending on where I am a particular weekend-- my cousin's church (Mosaic Christian Church) if I'm here, my parents' church when I'm there, my boyfriend's family church, and I tried one other church in the area (Advance Church)thinking I'd like it and turned out I didn't. So far I like Mosaic the best, my boyfriend is kinda iffy with the pastor (as am I). For example, I don't agree with taking communion every Sunday.

I'm not too worried about finding the right church, that'll come with time. As long as I continue to seek Him and pray, I'll continue on the right path on my journey.

I work in the research field.

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Happy belated Thanksgiving to you, and Merry Christmas!

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I'm currently searching for a church in my area. I recently moved, and have tried a couple of services. I continue to thank God for all that he has done for me so far, and continue to ask for wisdom as times become trying.

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I ask why a lot, and the thing I try to remind myself, is instead of asking why, ask God to help me gain wisdom to understand.

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I got a new job, and so much has happened, that i'm still getting used to all the changes, I will update this weekend, I promise!

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People's action speak louder than their words

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March of this year (2010).

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:)

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:)

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It has definitely been awhile since I have updated. First to update with a message I received at First Baptist in Bassett, VA (http://www.firstbaptistbassett.com/).

The message was from 2 Corinthians 5:14- 20. The lesson was "One died for all" meaning the grace of God extends to all who will receive it, and it is through grace that we are saved.

And that's all I can really say about that.

In the mean time. I'm not reading the Bible. I always think to do it, but am too lazy to do it. I really want to continue reading Romans with Aaron. But I don't mention anything to it. I'm irritated that I lost my little book Aaron's mom gave me. It has to be around here somewhere, it just got misplace when I rearranged my room. Currently I try to keep Romans 12:12 in mind, but it gets more and more difficult. The only thing I have is hope, but I am too depressed to be joyful about it. And my patience has flown out the window. And now that I think about it I don't know even if I have any hope to pray about. UGH! I just get overwhelmed so easily.

Yesterday Carol gave me some words of encouragement and told me that sometimes before God opens the door that he wants us to go through all the other doors that I went through need to be closed first. Which thinking about it, I still have one more door to close. I have no idea why I'm leaving it open, because I don't want to go back through it. I guess now is as good of time as any to close it. (goes and close door)

Okay done. And it wasn't that bad. Honestly it was relatively easy. Why didn't I do that before? I actually have some relief now :) Well, I'll guess that will suffice as an update.

Lates!

Last week I was visiting friends and attending my boyfriend's graduation. Whenever I'm in the area, I usually go to church with Aaron at Main Street Baptist Church in Christiansburg, VA (http://www.msbc.org/). I do not usually attend church on my own, and won't until I find one I feel right with. My mom always gives me grief for not going to church on my own, and I've ignored it thinking to myself that when the right church comes along I'll go there. The day that I travelled down to Blacksburg, someone told me exactly that, so I'll take that as a confirmation.

Anyway, the message from Sunday service was from 1 John 1:5-7. John is talking about what it means to lead a real Christian life. 1 John 1:5-7 specifically focuses on fellowship with God.

"⁵This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. ⁶If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. ⁷But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all^a]'>[a] sin."

The key thing to know here is that in order to have a fellowship with God, Because there is nothing remotely evil about God, he cannot become like us. Thus, we must become like him.

Pastor Dr. Tim Hight tells us that our fellowship with God is broken through our sinful choices. Sin makes our character deficient, God's word is valued, and our testimony is defeated. We misrepresent Jesus, and misdirect the one's that are coming to Him. Dr Hight compares our fellowship with God with a lighthouse and a ship in the darkness. If the light is not on, then it cannot guide the ship to safety. Likewise, if our light is out we cannot guide others, and are not in fellowship with God.

Now that I think about it this is a good message to follow my last post. They go hand in hand-- putting on the characteristics of a Christian and being in fellowship with God. I'm still struggling with those characteristics, but I'll get there.

Sunday I went to church with Aaron and his family; they are members of First Baptist Church (http://firstbaptistbassett.com/). Aaron tells me the morning's praise and worship were atypical-- usually they have their band playing. This particular morning consisted of the quartet group Joyful Sound, the Handbell Choir, a mother and daughter duet, and hymns. I paid most attention to one of the songs that Joyful Sound sung. Its message was about patience. Oh how I need to be patient during this time in my life.

The service message came from Colossians 3:12 - 3:17: "The Christian Wardrobe"- delivered by Pastor Lou Bennett. The main point he drove across was that there are characteristics that we as Christians should always put forth.

Quick background: The apostle Paul wrote to the church of Colosse. Colosse is well-known for it's purplish-red dye collosinus. Colosse with its unique dye manufactured the Dolce & Gabbana of fashion, and the Colossians wore their garments to be distinguishable from everyone else. Paul uses the Colossians' fashion sense as a metaphor to relate to them. Like the Colossians put on their clothes to set themselves apart, as Christians they should put on certain characteristics to show what it truly means to honor God.

Col. 3:8 - 3:10- Paul outlines what characteristics need to be removed in order to make room for the characteristics Col. 3:12 - 3:17. "⁸But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. ⁹Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices ¹⁰and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator."
I have yet to rid my self of all these characteristics. I am a very emotional person, and tend to anger when I'm not getting my way. I try not to express my anger by immediately lashing out. Instead I try to completely just stop and take a breather before re-entering the situation. I never want to lash out and say or do something that I don't mean and will later regret. I place anger and rage on the same table, but I guess anger could be as simple me just having the feeling. It's hard to control something like anger, I mean who doesn't have a teensy bit of anger when something goes against what you would like it to? Actually come to think of it: anger can lead to all the characteristics. Only when angry do I experience rage, malice, slander and filthy language. Well, maybe the slander and the filthy language do occur outside of anger-- speaking negatively and spreading rumors, and just using filthy language to look/feel cool. In other words, mimicking the negative behavior of those around me just so I can fit in with them. The best solution is to be attentive to avoid these characteristics.

The first characteristic that Paul says to put on is a compassionate spirit. "¹²Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."

The second, a forgiving spirit. "He who cannot forgive others destroys the bridge over which he himself must pass."- George Herbert
"¹³Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

The third characteristic, a loving spirit, is one that Paul says is above all others. A loving spirit is the glue that keeps us together. It affects our anxiety, the way we are able to worship God, and work. "¹⁴And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. ¹⁵Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. ¹⁷And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

I wear these characteristics all the time, consciously. Unconsciously, I am unsure. I know for a fact that refocus my mind to love someone, even when it's hard too. Forgiving is a bit harder. I do not forgive initially, I seethe with anger first, then I forgive. I think the more conscious effort I put into wearing the characteristics in 3:12- 3:17, the more I will unconsciously be wearing them. :)

For the past week my boyfriend and I have been reading the book of Romans together. He's currently a four hour drive away, so we do this by way of Skype and biblegateway.com. Since I started this blog four chapters into Romans, I'll catch you all up to speed what we discussed and gained from each chapter.

Romans 1:
Aaron explained to that Paul is writting a letter to the Romans, more specifically the Roman Jews, or I guess the Jews in Rome. That's pretty much all we talked about in the chapter. This was actually one of my first times of reading the Bible without it being assigned from youth group/ Bible study. I have read with Aaron a few times before, like twice. So reading through Romans and having him help me understand all on my own is like a great achievement for me.

Romans 2:
I had a question about Romans 2:10-11 "but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. ¹¹For God does not show favoritism."I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile." Why did the Jews get glory, honor and peace first? Doesn't them being first show favoritism? As Aaron had explained it to me the Jews were promised it first, because they were the first believers. At least I think that's what he meant.

Romans 2:25- 27 "Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. ²⁶If those who are not circumcised keep the law's requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? ²⁷The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker."

I could not understand this passage because I had no clue what the what the significance of circumcision was. In Judaism, circumcision is part of the law of their religion-- it's an act of cleanliness, much like the modern health reason to get circumcised. In essence circumcision is sorta kinda like righteousness (cleanliness, is next to Godliness).

Romans 3:
No one is righteous; righteousness is purity/without sin. Therefore Jesus Christ is the only one who is righteous because he's the only one that has lived without sin. However, you can be righteous "...through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.(Romans 3:22)"

Romans 4:
Here, Abraham is used as an example to tell us that God will grant a person righteousness of there faith even if they aren't following the rules set by the church just yet. This is not to say that one is not to follow the church's rules, but through your faith God will bless you before you are follow all the rules. Basically even brand new believers can achieve righteousness.

Skype Chat between Aaron and I about Romans 4:

[5/1/2010 11:45:55 PM] Aaron: righteousness: as sinless

[5/1/2010 11:46:06 PM] Aaron: also pure

[5/1/2010 11:48:03 PM] Aaron: Romans3:10As it is written:

"There is no one righteous, not even one;

11there is no one who understands,

no one who seeks God.

12All have turned away,

they have together become worthless;

there is no one who does good,

not even one."[c]

[5/1/2010 11:49:30 PM] Christian n00b: so nobody is righteous?

[5/1/2010 11:49:45 PM] Christian n00b: but we are to try to obtain righteous

[5/1/2010 11:49:48 PM] Christian n00b: ness

[5/1/2010 11:50:02 PM] Aaron: nobody is with out sin except Jesus

[5/1/2010 11:50:16 PM] Aaron: yes

[5/1/2010 11:51:07 PM] Aaron: to be rightous and to be granted or given righteousness for our faith are the differance that Romans has been talking about

[5/1/2010 11:51:31 PM] Aaron: there is a differance

[5/1/2010 11:51:42 PM] Aaron: the be righteous is to be sinless.

[5/1/2010 11:53:03 PM] Aaron: to be greanted righteousness of our faith is that even though we have sinned there is forgivness and the give of rightousness ( to be made or have the quality of being sinless or pure: aka forgiven)

[5/1/2010 11:53:31 PM] Aaron: give =gift i think

[5/1/2010 11:53:46 PM] Christian n00b: ok

[5/1/2010 11:55:36 PM] Christian n00b: so what this chapter is saying is that though abraham is uncircumcised (not following the jewish law), he is still granted righteousness from God because he believes God

[5/1/2010 11:56:04 PM] Aaron: no, he said while he was still uncircumised

[5/1/2010 11:56:19 PM] Christian n00b: well was then

[5/1/2010 11:56:29 PM] Aaron: before he was given the command to be circumsized

[5/1/2010 11:56:30 PM] Christian n00b: started off uncircumcised i should say

[5/1/2010 11:56:37 PM] Christian n00b: okay

[5/1/2010 11:56:40 PM] Christian n00b: beans

[5/1/2010 11:57:07 PM] Aaron: he was granted rightousness and forgiven before he followed the jewish law

[5/1/2010 11:58:26 PM] Christian n00b: so like an average joe schmoe can receive righteousness by believing before he is like doing all the things his church says he should be doing?

[5/2/2010 12:01:54 AM] Aaron: yes, that is the general thought that if; one believes that Jesus is God and died to be the final sacrfice for all mankind, and has asked to be forgiven. then he is saved. This is made evident throught the way that he chooses to live his life. and the church saying all the things you "must do" are adding pressures that are not required for salvation.

[5/2/2010 12:02:06 AM] Aaron: Reading the bible is not to save you

[5/2/2010 12:02:52 AM] Aaron: it is to build your knowledge

[5/2/2010 12:03:02 AM] Aaron: baptism is not to save you

[5/2/2010 12:04:47 AM] Aaron: it is a way to show that you understand the significance of the Death barriel and resurection of Jesus and to show others that you are a christian.

[5/2/2010 12:06:17 AM] Aaron: alot of time churches read into the bible more than it is saying and then try to increase the difficulty of salvation

[5/2/2010 12:06:54 AM] Aaron: did i answer your question at all?

[5/2/2010 12:07:03 AM] Christian n00b: yes

[5/2/2010 12:07:05 AM] Christian n00b: thanks

[5/2/2010 12:07:07 AM] Christian n00b: :)

Aaron is in exams, so we did not get a chance to read Romans 5 tonight. I hope to read it tomorrow. Until then I think I'll set up a twitter account. I may use the twitter to update things like things I find difficult or easy about my faith.