Sapphire, you really must hear this group, if you like great guitarists, great singers, and well-written lyrics! Christian alternative from back in the days when rock rocked, thrash thrashed, and alternative music had melody. I went to their concert at a local college when I was a teen. Most of their cds are hard to come by. I think Long's music may have them. Or I can burn you a copy, lol.

Only the coolest Christian group ever. Surely someone has heard them???

Thanks for the link, Irish Angel!

Just my 2 cents:
I think we are saved by grace of God, who causes us to believe, so that we can be saved. It's kind of thinking in a circle, but I don't think we can ever fully grasp the meaning of our salvation (till we get to heaven). God knew we were going to be saved before we were born, so it was His doing, not ours. However, He has said numerous times to believe and be saved. It's a paradox, but God doesn't contradict Himself. It's no easier to understand salvation than it is to understand the Trinity. My preacher used to say we were always saved, we are fully saved, and we will be saved. Past, present, and future. Something to think about.

However, in all Christian love, may I point out that you are on "Just for Women"? I thought I could get on these threads and discuss womanly things without a man overseeing. It makes me very uncomfortable to think that if I was discussing personal female stuff, that you would be listening in.

  On a public forum, how much privacy are you expecting? Did the other men who posted on this same thread bother you or just Early 57?
 Men have mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, nieces, etc. They have a perspective that can offer much insight. I think that's a good thing!  

Yeah, it's all the men on here that bother me, not just Early 57. I guess we need to change the topic to Just For Women and Anyone Who Is Not a Woman, Too. I guess I figured that I could get wisdom from women on here about women's issues and that Christian men would honor the topic heading. Oh well.

Rockin.

I know exactly what you mean.

lizmom makes a good point.  In transition, one might be a "gay" Christian, I suppose...that is, coming to Jesus and out of his/her sin...

No actually it's a horrible point as I don't see anyone running around claiming to be a fornicating Christian or lying Christian.  Should we start little groups for each particular sin one has?  Last I checked there is a support group for sinners, it's called Church where saved sinners hear God's word and give honor and glory to him.  I don't talk about my past sins and harp on them.  If the LORD has cast them from out of his sight so should we.  Cast them away and bring glory to the LORD.  Tacking on a sinful title does nothing to glorify God but bring attention to a sin.  This isn't AA and the twelve steps program it's salvation of the soul and FREEING from sin.

Let's keep that in mind.

Hey Saved 4ever, you really made me stand up and realize where my comment was wishy-washy. You are so right on.

Mbear, I considered finding something like this to block the bad stuff, but then I decided to just keep my kids off the net. I don't know what it will be like when they get to be a little older though!

Ok, maybe my comment was a little snide. I am sorry that a fellow Christian would think we were loveless. I don't want to be perceived that way. But it is true that many Christians fall into accepting the sin while they "love" the sinner. I just don't think it's very loving to agree with people (homosexuals) as they disillusion themselves about God and how He has told us to live. I'm sorry that Wanderer was so disturbed by our discussion, but I'm sure that God is using this very discussion to work in the heart of Wanderer and each and every one of us. I, for one, need these reminders to be more loving, and to follow the Word more precisely. Iron sharpening iron.

thank you Willow.

I agree. Apparently we're the only 2 so far, but I'll be happy to pray for you! I never did believe that fasting was necessary for modern Christians, but now I see the benefits. Sometimes I still question my motives, though. It seems I have a hard time keeping the focus on God as I go through the day. Maybe you have more experience or insight?

What were you thinking of as far as a "fasting group" goes? Perhaps a topic of prayer, or support as the day gets long?

You're welcome, Willowbirch!

http://www.matthewmcgee.org/qa1.html#Q2


Answer: The key is, do they really believe they are saved by grace through faith in the gospel of grace without works? If so, then they are saved. Now some groups believe they have to be baptized, or that they must not work on Sunday, or that they must perform certain good deeds or rituals etc. If they know that those works have nothing to do with their salvation, then they are saved (through faith alone, without an ounce of works). But on the other hand, if they do believe that doing this or that is required for their salvation (as many groups and denominations teach) in addition to their faith, then that is mixing faith and works. It is telling Jesus Christ, "No Lord, your death was insufficient." That is not faith in the gospel, and I see no scriptural reason to think that such a person would be saved. The doctrine known as Lordship salvation makes this error in a subtle way. Saying that one must make Jesus Christ "Lord of your life" to truly be saved is really saying that you must add at least a little works to your faith in order to be saved. That is tainting the gospel. Salvation is by the grace of God alone through faith alone. See Ephesians 2:8-9. Faith does not equal works, but rather, faith is belief. So among those who mix the dispensations of Law and Grace there are some who are saved (if they keep the works out of salvation), but many who are lost.

Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

http://www.matthewmcgee.org/qa1.html#Q2

Amen A4C! Good quote and who cares who wrote it, it's truth!