What about the change?

[CzarJ]

Okay, big post time.

I learned some things at Church Camp. Actually, I already knew them. They just hadn't sunken in yet. Basically, my life is screwed up. Not any more screwed up than the next guy's, necessarily, but we're all screwed up. I'm a sinner. I wanna live my life right. Not you-only-live-once-so-live-every-moment-right... right right. I don't wanna go on sinning figuring I'd still be here tomorrow and God can forgive me then. Life's too short. That's no reason to go partying and having fun your whole life. That's a reason to live every moment for the Lord. My whole life, people look at me, and they say, "He's a Christian. He's got it all figured out. He knows where his life is going." or whatever. Sure, I'm a Christian. But what kind of example am I giving at school? What kind of example am I giving out in public with my friends? I'll be the first to admit that at school, I'll cuss and make dirty jokes and make fun of people just like anybody else. But I'm not anybody else. I'm me, I'm a sinner, and I'm a child of God. I want to change my life. I want to devote my life to the Lord, and focus my mind on the cross of Jesus Christ. I'd like to share the lyrics of a song that we sing at church sometimes. It's called "Does He Still Feel the Nails?", and it never fails to bring me to tears of firm conviction.

Does He still feel the nails
Everytime I fail?
Can he hear the crowd cry crucify
Again?
Am I causing him pain
When I know I've got to change?
'Cause I just can't bear the thought of hurting him.

I don't want to hurt the Lord. And yet every time I lie, cheat, steal, whatever, I bring Him to tears, without even giving it a second thought. I am a sinner. I am a sinner. I am a sinner. But if I change my life and live for Jesus Christ every day, I can know with certainty where I'm headed. And with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and hopefully your prayers, I can make it. I can make that change and I can live my life for my Lord and God. I pray that God will lead me to the truth, and you as well. I have so much more I want to say, but it's just not coming out right now. It'll be here later, along with any scriptures I think we need to hear. Feel free to post your response, scriptures, whatever in this thread. I leave you with one of my favorite scriptures, which seems especially relevant right now, Phillipians 4:13 from the NIV:

"I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

Go with God.

[dethwing]

II Corinthians 5:17

Therefore if anyman be in christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are made new.



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"Though the people support the Government, the Government should not support the people."---President Grover Cleveland, said after his veto for sending $10,000 to draught stricken farmers

[carebear]

Praise God for that.

Micah 6:8

For what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God?


I wish more people had your kind of courage.

[Quailman]

Luke 10:27 He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

[Ghost Post]

Romans 12:1-2 Therefore I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God- which is your spirtual worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -his good, pleasing and perfect will.

And by the way,CJ, that 'renewing of the mind' I'm finding has to come EVERY day!

Sounds like it was a FAB camp...

For His Glory!

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This is Punster, I left my password in my other pants.

[Pablo]

[CzarJ]

I can't stop lying, cheating, and stealing. But trying to is the whole point of what the post is talking about. I don't want to do these things, but I do them anyway. Satan's a powerful little booger. And no matter how much more powerful God is, Satan still manages to get to me. But I can still live a life that shows my love for God. And quite frankly, I'm a little insulted.

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Basket-Weaving For Donuts, Where You Weave Baskets And Get Donuts.

The Doctor Is In. $.05

[Pablo]

[CzarJ]

YES, I'M ASHAMED.

But I'm also insulted that you would imply that I don't love God. If there is anything that I am, and always will be, it's a God-fearing Christian man. And perhaps I am fooling myself. I'll be the first to admit that it's happened before. But my faith has been tested and has stood firm more in the past few months than any other time in my life. And I know that my life isn't perfect, but I'm headed in the right direction.

"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 NIV

We're all sinners, and there's nothing wrong with admitting it.

As for Satan, yes, I blame it on him. My faith is weak sometimes, and for that I let him in. But without him, I wouldn't sin. Adam and Eve had it fine until he popped up and said "Hey, want an apple?" I am not saying that I have a perfect life, that some or even most of this isn't my fault, I'm saying that Satan is at the source of all evil in this world.

You can say whatever you want about my faith, but I stand firm in Jesus Christ my rock.

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Basket-Weaving For Donuts, Where You Weave Baskets And Get Donuts.

The Doctor Is In. $.05

[Courk]

*clap clap clap*

[Pablo]

My step son became a Mormon a few years ago. Since that time, I doubt that he as lied, cheated, or stolen even once. He spent two years on a mission enduring great discomfort and making great personal sacrifices. His faith is strong and it guides his life. He makes the right choices even when they are difficult.

Hmmm. I wonder why Satan makes you do the things you do, but doesn't seem to control Bryan.

Bryan is a Christian. I am not, but at least I'm not pretending to be.

[CzarJ]

It sounds like his faith is very strong. Congratulations.

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Basket-Weaving For Donuts, Where You Weave Baskets And Get Donuts.

The Doctor Is In. $.05

[CzarJ]

Yes, my faith is weak. It's very hard to admit that. But after some prayer and study, I've found that I'm nowhere near where I want to be. I've always known it, and admitting it was just the next step. I know that nothing would help more than some daily prayer and bible study, but I have been doing barely any of that over the last 14 years of my life. I want to start, but I find other things taking up my time. They're not bad things, but it's hard to stay away from them long enough just to get a little bit of quiet time with God in. That's really one of the reasons I posted this thread. But it hasn't been happening.

That's why I am announcing a temporary break from the GL. Only for a week, for now. But from (Edit: Now it's) tomorrow, Sunday the 29th of July through Sunday the 5th of August, I won't be here. I may still be on AIM, I haven't decided yet. I will probably check my e-mail once or twice a day while I'm gone, but that very well may be the only time I'm on the computer. This is hard for me to do, because waking up and just getting on the computer has become a habit over the past few years, but I need so much more to make a habit of prayer and bible study. Keep me in your prayers.

And Pablo, I still maintain that it will be almost impossible for me to stop sinning, especially while still attending a public school, but I will try as hard as I can, and pray daily. Tell Bryan to keep me in his prayers.

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Basket-Weaving For Donuts, Where You Weave Baskets And Get Donuts.

The Doctor Is In. $.05

[This message has been edited by CzarJ (edited 07-28-2001).]

[Pablo]

CzarJ, I haven't said these things to insult you. I hoped to shake you our of your artificial comfort zone. If you want to be a Christian, it takes work. It's not a title you bestow on yourself. Go earn it. You'll be better for it.

[CzarJ]

Well, I was quite insulted before, but I think it's just because our beliefs (or lack thereof) are so different.

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Basket-Weaving For Donuts, Where You Weave Baskets And Get Donuts.

The Doctor Is In. $.05

[Pablo]

I didn't intend to insult you, but I do recognize that what I said could be insulting, so I understand.

[CzarJ]

I think I understand what you were trying to say as well, but I really believe that we differ in opinions on sin in one way or another. I believe that it's virtually, if not literally, impossible to stop sinning altogether, although that's no reason not to try and that doesn't mean you should sin just because you're going to sooner or later anyway, and it should be an ultimate goal. Apparently, you don't believe that . We can talk sometime via E-mail or something if you want.

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Basket-Weaving For Donuts, Where You Weave Baskets And Get Donuts.

The Doctor Is In. $.05

[Pablo]

Not everyone has the same definition of "sin", but let's choose an easy one, like being unfaithful to your spouse. You and I both believe it's wrong. I believe that if you do it, you are doing it because you choose to do it and because your desire to do it is greater than your fear of the consequences at that moment. I also believe you should then take the consequences for your decision.
You seem to believe that you do it because some external power is causing you to do it.

Here's how I see our fundamental difference: I believe the righteousness of a person is defined by his behavior, not his intent.
You believe it is the intent that rules.

Is that accurate?

[CzarJ]

Not completely. I don't believe that Satan makes you do it, completely. I definitely believe that your own decision is a part of it. A large part of it. I didn't want it to come across like that, but I suppose it's impossible for at least part of your message to be misunderstood if you don't, like, write a book on it or something. I believe that you can choose not to sin. God gave us free choice, and we can choose whether to sin or not. But Satan does just as much to push you in the wrong direction as God does to push you in the right, usually. There are some times that Satan can't touch you. For example, on the Mission Trip and at Church Camp, I never even thought of sinning. But back here at home, unless I can... force myself to study the bible and pray everyday--multiple times everyday--Then I don't have nearly as much to pull me back to God as I do pulling me towards Satan and Hell and sin. Which is the main reason I'm cutting the GL out for a week. It has become one of, if not entirely the most important thing in my life. And that's not right. There are so many things more important than puzzles and the internet and talking to people you'll probably never know IRL. I'm sure I'll come back and still be a fairly regular member, but I can't let this be my life.

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-Basket-Weaving For Donuts, Where You Weave Baskets And Get Donuts.
-The Doctor Is In. $.05
-GL Luna Capone: it's not REALLY anti-christian propaganda!

[Luna]

[CzarJ]

Sorry

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-Basket-Weaving For Donuts, Where You Weave Baskets And Get Donuts.
-The Doctor Is In. $.05
-GL Luna Capone: it's not REALLY anti-christian propaganda!

[CzarJ]

Okay, I'm back. I'd tell you everything that went on this week, but it'd take forever and I'd probably faint at least twice before I was done. The annual church trip to Six Flags was Tuesday, and I didn't know about it til Sunday, which btw was our preacher of seven years' last day ( ). We had a garage sale Saturday that I didn't know about until Friday. Anyway, as for the becoming closer to God, I think I did. But I really wanted to start a habit of some time daily when I could study the Bible and pray. That failed miserably. I think it'll be easier once the school year starts. then I can say "I'll do it before bed" and know a more specific timeframe for bed than between 11 and 3.

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-Basket-Weaving For Donuts, Where You Weave Baskets And Get Donuts.
-The Doctor Is In. $.05
-GL Luna Capone: it's not REALLY anti-christian propaganda!

[Stern Tart in Green]

Failed miserably?

Easier once the school year starts?

Procrastination is very easy! Actually starting something (like Bible studies, diets, exercise, homework) is difficult. In my case it took a major life change to force me to start studying properly.

My advice (if you really want to study the Bible), is to read this post, then:-

Set a time limit for completing your GL posts, ringing friends, etc. Say an hour.

Go tell someone (parent/sibling) that you'll be studying for just half an hour and would like some peace for that time.

Go study for just half an hour. If it gets difficult before 30 minutes is up, then stop. The trick is to make it a regular, easy activity, so trying to do three hours every day is doomed to failure. Start with 30 minutes, or even 15, but do it every day, and tell someone that you're doing it.

Important points:-

Also set a limit on how many days you will do this for. Again, set this realistically and for starters, make it a week, starting today. So that's seven lots of 15 minutes, maybe. Not a lot, but it's getting you into a routine that will become easier to expand into an hour a day for another two weeks, then a month, etc.

Make sure you tell this plan to someone who you trust and wouldn't ordinarily want to let down. Someone who you care about and who cares about you. The act of telling someone else means that you no longer can kid just yourself that you'll 'start tomorrow', and it works very well. People trying to quit smoking use this trick quite effectively.

And lastly, if Bible study is something you don't like very much, then maybe allow yourself a small treat for afterwards. Maybe time it so you can finish in time to see a favourite TV show, or have a chocolate bar or something. The idea is to associate Bible study with a pleasant and easy way to spend your time, not a big never-ending chore.

Don't be upset that you failed. But DON'T put it off another day. You can do it!

So post us in a week and let us know you did a little bit each day, OK? Trust me, you'll feel much happier and proud of yourself if you do.

And best of luck!

[CzarJ]

Thanks for the advice. I'll try it, but the problem is not in studying the Bible, it's in making a habit of it and doing it every day. During the summer, each day is so volatile and different from the day before that it's hard to start any habits. The school year is much much more routine in general, and I think it would be much easier to start then. But that doesn't mean I won't try now. Thanks again for the advice. Off to church I go.

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-Basket-Weaving For Donuts, Where You Weave Baskets And Get Donuts.
-The Doctor Is In. $.05
-GL Luna Capone: it's not REALLY anti-christian propaganda!

[Stern Tart in Green]

It's been a week.

How've ya been doin'?

[Alfie]

Romans 7:14-25
For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that [it is] good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Paul describes exactly this problem. You are almost echoing his words. The advice above is good advice. I, too am starting a Bible study program. I am reading through Job at the moment. My strongest encouragement to you, Czar.

[CzarJ]

STiG: Well, I'm doing better. I'm still not where I want to be, but now I know I can get there. School starts tomorrow, so hopefully that will be helpful in developing habits. Thanks for your encouragement.

Alfie: That's all I wanted to say but didn't bother to work as hard as a I should've to find it

Everyone: The preacher at our church left... uh... 2 weeks before last Sunday, I guess. I was really sad, because he'd been here for seven years, and had really been a great leader and a great friend. It's still really hard, I miss him a lot, but I have renewed faith in the leadership of this congregation. 1 week before last Sunday, the elders did a service about going through this transition, and it made me realize that it's gonna be okay. They told us more about our "interim minister" (fancy word for "in-between preacher"), and how great he was, and I had the opportunity to hear him last week. He was obviously a very spiritual, godly man, and a great preacher. We've also put together a "screening committee" to meet all the candidates and they'll submit their choice to the elders, who will make the final decision. It's a system I've seen work for the last 4 ministers we've chosen (2 youth, 1 campus, and 1 discipling (And no, even I'm not sure what a discipling minister does (except that he preaches sometimes when the "interim minister" can't be here (whoa, getting out of hand with the parentheses again...)))), who are 4 of the best guys I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. I'll still miss Dan very much, but I'm no longer worried about the future of our congregation. We're in good hands... God's.

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-Basket-Weaving For Donuts, Where You Weave Baskets And Get Donuts.
-The Doctor Is In. $.05
-GL Luna Capone: it's not REALLY anti-christian propaganda!