I think the further society gets away from following God's commandments, the more erratic and irrational it becomes. It appears that God's commandments are just arbitrary rules and regulations meant for us to deprive ourselves of joy, but that he knows how humans and all creation works, so he tells us the best way to live happily. God is the creator of reason just as much as he is the god of faith. Hurting, I will be praying for you. If there's anything specific you'd like me to pray for just post it up or message me. Take care.

-Aiden-

About a year ago I heard some of her singing. She's absolutely amazing. I have yet to get a CD of her though. Oh well, Christmas time's coming up so maybe then.

-Aiden-

Some bagpipe and fiddle music. Oh how I love celtic music.

I forgot to ask this Red Letters, are you seriously questioning this or is it meant as just something to evoke thought. I thought it was for evoking thought, my apologies if you didn't mean this to be a debate like that. And yes Brother Love I agree with your statement, but I think that if this topic is just a friendly debate then that was a kind but unnecessary post. Not to say that it isn't good to be reminded of course. Take care.

-Aiden-

I have no firm basis on which I base the following, I'm simply going to give an idea for people to support or tear to pieces.
Ok, here it goes:
I should think that God does rate sins. Reasons for this would be because he found Sodom and Gomorrah utterly offensive ( and thus getting a higher sin rating) than other cities. I should think however, that if God rates sin, then it is only in the present life. Once we are dead I don't think God'll take the time to rate each sin, "it's either you chose me or you didn't". Back to S and G, God may not rate sin, but instead was trying to make an example for the world. Perhaps all the cities were viewed as just as sinful. I had some more points, but one point drives out another so that's it for today. Take care.

-Aiden-

At four years of age (young I know) I asked Jesus into my heart. However, I did not realize what this meant and I suspect that it was more out of fear of hell than anything else. Around age 12 I began doubting my salvation. So I prayed the sinner's prayer, again. This time was quite confusing. I had no grasp on what being a Christian was and once again I suspect my intentions. Starting 9th grade I began attending an excellent christian high-school. At the school I begun to grasp what living in Christ truly meant, and just all the implications that come with the faith. I would have to consider my submission to God as not one amazing moment of revelation that brough me to God after a life of darkness. Rather it has been like a slow turnover of control to God. He slowly shows me who I am, who I am to be, and who he is. I used to doubt my salvation because I have no "spiritual birthday", but no longer does that bother me because dates and regulations can't save me. Only the realization and submission to Jesus can do that. I praise him in my patheticness, I thank him for my incompleteness because through my emptiness he can fill me up with himself. Praise be to God who is forever and good! (this is a rather short version, but I think the story is still clear)

-Aiden-

I recently finished Brennan Manning's book, entitled "Abba's Child". I truly have grown in Christ because of this book. It speaks of our utter dependency upon Christ and how to live in Jesus' present riseness. Another book that he's written that I highly recommend is his "Ragamuffin Gospel", it speaks of God's grace and its implications in our lives, not just our spiritual eternal lives. Take care.

-Aiden-

I absolutely love Lewis! I just finished reading Mere Christianity for the third time. I can't encourage people enough to read Lewis actually. Screwtape Letters was very interesting. I liked how the demons seem to think that God is just as scheming as they themselves are, that they can't see his goodness. Take care and keep on reading.

-Aiden-

If you think the media is controlling minds, then think about the public education system. Straight from the Communist Manifesto it seems. The main way of changing a culture and thought process is through public education. I have grown up for years in the public school system thinking that evolution was an accepted law, when it is only a theory that is taught as law.
Both these venues of brainwash (whether intentional or not) would have us think that everyone is a hedonistic relativist. But the truth is that while many people are such, plenty remain that believe in morals. Thus, we should prevent the contagious fatalism seen so often in Christian history from prophets speaking of imminent destruction. Take Care.

-Aiden-

The only reasons (besides having unchristlike designs) I could bring for not having a tatoo goes sort of hand in hand with what Paul said about eating food sacrificed to idols. If getting a tatoo is thought sinful by another christian brother or sister, then don't get a tatoo for their sake. Also the fact that our bodies are temples could come into play, but I'm no expert on that matter. I'd pray some more about it and consult with some more christians around as to whether they think it glorifies God or not. Not that tinkerbell is a very serious thing of course, but ever action can cause ripples. Take care.

-Aiden-

    We are the salt and light in the world. Salt in the ancient world was used to preserve and add flavor to food. Likewise, we as believers should slow the decay of the world and bring life back into it. If we shrink from politics, we are letting people fall into decay because they are not going to grasp the truth. We should be the vibrant and lively people who attract the lost with our lives.
    Christians should definitely be involved with politics if that is one of their gifts. People are judged after this life, but nations as a whole are judged during the present. Christians can and should prevent God's judgement from falling upon their nation. Just because we know that the world will end after nations have fallen into decadence, doesn't mean that America has to be one of the nations. As the salt we should be striving to bring America back to God. An excellent book to read on the matter is "Mindsiege" by Tim LaHaye.

-Aiden-

Talmadge,
Be careful when talking of heave having multiple levels. It has a tendency to encourage hierarchial views. I would like to see the verses however, but I fear that they may have been taken out of context. Nevertheless, I look forward to checking the verses.

-Aiden-

Balance is definitely vital to the Christian walk. It is by grace that we are saved, not only that, but it is grace that allows me to pray for grace. Works are not causes, but effects. Because I am redeemed and held in awe by God, I want to do better. Not only that, but Christ himself is making me better. There grace is present yet again. Works are the fruits of a tree. Judge a tree by its fruit. Yet works without faith and grace are dead. I'm not sure if this spoke to anyone, but I hope it did.

-Aiden-