Friday Fun!

[HisDaughter]

Okay folks.  It's been a grueling week in the news and now it's Friday so let's have some fun.  Now I know the "Boys Club" has already done this (I peeked  )  but lets all have fun and get to know each other a bit more.
My idea is to share our favorite bible character.  This can be your favorite as a child and/ or your favorite now.  Who you relate to/ admire the most and why.  Don't just put down "Moses".  Add a "because" to it.  Be funny or serious.  Your choice!
Happy Friday!
Grammyluv 

[HisDaughter]

What?  Three views and nobody wants to play with me?
Okay.  Well I'll share because there is nothing "shy" about this ol' gal!

The one I remember the most from Sunday School was Jonah and the Whale.  It had all the componets of a good story.  Action, adventure, danger and a happy ending! (And big colorful pictures  )

Now, the one I enjoy the most is Peter (if you haven't guessed already).  Picture this big footed, bumbling, outspoken, opinionated, and aggressive fellow that is constantly putting his foot in his mouth.  He was probably bigger than all the others and a bit clumsy but had this really sensitive heart.  He was brave (walked on water), and when he stubbled he was comforted by the Lord.
Reminds me of ME!  Except, I'm not big.  I'm short. 
 

There now.  Anyone else want to give it a go?

Grammyluv's Fridays!

[Soldier4Christ]

I don't have any one favorite Bible character except Jesus and I don't relate to Him in the manner of characteritics. After all He is perfect.

I do see just a little bit of me in a number of Biblical characters. The reluctant witness like Jonah, the reluctant leader like Moses, a Soldier that loved God like the centurion of Acts 10, a "thorn in the flesh" like Paul and I'm sure if I thought more about it I could find more.

[Eva]

Right on Pastor Roger.  Jesus would be number 1.

I have several others, which haven't been mentioned yet.

I love Daniels' faithfullness. Rather than give in to the excessive Babylonian customs and idolatry, he did what was right and was saved from the Lions den. (Daniel 6) Not only that, He was given Divine Interpretation of the king's dreams and the handwritting on the wall.

And how about his 3 friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego-Pre-incarnate Christ walked with them through the fiery furnace-without so much as the smell of smoke on them.  Now that's cool. (Daniel 3)

I feel as though I am walking through my own fiery furnace or lion's den.  So, these charcaters help to remember I'm not alone.

Thanks for asking and God Bless, Eva

[HisDaughter]

I don't have any one favorite Bible character except Jesus and I don't relate to Him in the manner of characteritics. After all He is perfect.

I do see just a little bit of me in a number of Biblical characters. The reluctant witness like Jonah, the reluctant leader like Moses, a Soldier that loved God like the centurion of Acts 10, a "thorn in the flesh" like Paul and I'm sure if I thought more about it I could find more.

You are right Pastor Roger.  Jesus is first and formost!  After all it's all about the Lord.
There are also many more that I admire too.  Like Ruth's faith, Esther's courage, Abraham and Noah's obedience just to name a few others.
I was just hoping to have fun with this and lighten up what seemed to be such a heavy week in the news. 

[ibTina]

Interesting thread. One person/story from the Bible that really touches me is Job. As much as that man went through he still loved God and never lost his faith! Oh to be like him.

[nChrist]

Brothers and Sisters,

I'm late in seeing this thread, but I'm glad to find it.

One of my favorite characters of the Bible is the Apostle Paul. I love the story of his life, and I love reading Paul's Epistles.

People of today can relate to Paul and see life in a true perspective. Paul started out as an enemy of GOD. Paul was an Old Testament Bible Scholar, a Jew who rejected CHRIST and persecuted Christians. JESUS CHRIST changed Paul's life forever in a most dramatic way.

I like to think of Paul as a wonderful example for all Christians to follow. Paul was an Apostle, but he didn't exalt himself. Paul was the opposite of many of the "glamor-type" preachers that we see today. Paul related more to the common man, and he lived a simple life devoted to CHRIST. Paul told us the truth about what Christians should expect, and Paul never hinted that Christians would have it easy in this short life. Paul was bold and never ashamed of the Gospel. He shared the Gospel in times of great risk and suffered much to carry out the mission that GOD gave him.

Paul changed from the persecutor to the persecuted, and he exchanged a life of ease for one of hardship. Paul experienced just about every kind of trial and difficulty we can imagine, and they simply caused Paul to continue in his ministry with more determination and dedication. Paul had illness in his body, and he prayed that GOD would heal him. GOD heard Paul's prayers but left the thorn in Paul's flesh. Every trial and affliction brought Paul closer to GOD, so Paul was well qualified to teach us how to do the same thing.

Paul was beaten and imprisoned for sharing the Gospel of the Grace of GOD, but these trials strengthened Paul in CHRIST and he tells us how to do the same thing. Paul related over and over again how he desired to do GOD'S Will and give GOD all the Glory. I love Paul's descriptions of running a good race, fighting a good fight, and finishing his course. Paul's course was one set by GOD. Paul talked about his desire to go Home to be with CHRIST, but Paul had a bigger burden on his heart to finish what GOD wanted him to do. Paul did finish his course, and he was martyred in service to CHRIST. I have no doubt that Paul did hear "well done good and faithful servant".

Love In Christ,
Tom

Ephesians 3:11-13 NASB
This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory.

[HisDaughter]

Excellent summary of Paul's life Blackeye!  Enjoyed it very much.  Have you ever read, "Saul of Tarsus"?  Can't think of the author right now but it was a great "fictional" book about Paul.  Seemed very much like it could've been. 

[nChrist]

Hello Grammyluv,

I haven't read any fictional books in many years and never one about Paul. I do have many study resources, but I think the best one about Paul is the Holy Bible itself.

Love In Christ,
Tom

KEEP LOOKING UP!!

[HisDaughter]

Hello Grammyluv,

I haven't read any fictional books in many years and never one about Paul. I do have many study resources, but I think the best one about Paul is the Holy Bible itself.

Love In Christ,
Tom

KEEP LOOKING UP!!

True that, Brother Tom!

[nChrist]

Hello Grammyluv,

I got to thinking about that fictional book about the Apostle Paul later. I can't understand why anyone would do that or why anyone would buy it. I've seen some excellent commentaries and study guides for Paul's Epistles, and I do understand why people buy those. I can't imagine a fictional story about Paul being more interesting than the real one in the Bible.

After thinking about this, I would also have a problem with someone fictionalizing a portion of the Holy Bible and trying to make money with it. It just seems wrong to do something like this. Is it just me, or do others understand why I feel this way?

Love In Christ,
Tom

KEEP LOOKING UP!!

[HisDaughter]

Well I don't know how to explain it to you Blackeyedpeas.  I think it was Marjorie Holmes that wrote Two From Galilee.  It was a fictional love story of Mary and Joseph.  It gives the persons a real personality and sticks very close to what was true as far as the times they lived in and what "could" have transpired in their lives between them.  Marjorie is Christian writer.  As I said, I forget the author's name of "Saul of Tarsus" but it was excellently done.  I think the same author also wrote a book about Sampson, but I never read that one.  Anyway, nothing the matter with good, clean fiction.  It's not for everybody and that's okay.  I also like to read Frank Peretti, another Christain fiction writer.  There are lots.  I think there is a time, place and room for both reading for relaxation and doing bible study.
It's the same with music.  I like a lot of different kinds of music.  And I can enjoy each in it's turn.  However I confess that mostly I listen to Christian music because it makes me feel the best.  Once in a while though I like the oldies, blues etc.
I know I haven't explained this well Tom, but I guess each to his own.  I wouldn't think though that someone that likes the Blues or even likes to read a good detective story, as I do also, would be less in love with the Lord than one that doesn't.  God gave so much talent to many for others to enjoy also. 
Now I would agree that, and this has happened to me before, if something doesn't set right with your spirit don't do it.  I've gotten rid of alot of my music because of that.  And there are books, movies etc that I wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole.  I think the Holy Spirit, if you're listening and in tune, will let you know what is okay and what is not.  One of my spiritual gifts is perception, thankfully.  Wheather it be in material things or people.  Ever since I was a child, I have had discernment.
Well with that my friend I will close.  I don't' know what else to say and I may be rambling now.
In Christ,
Yvette

[nChrist]

Hello Grammyluv,

Please forgive me if I came across as saying it was wrong to read a book like this, rather I just didn't understand it. There's a lot of things I don't understand and that doesn't make them wrong. I'll give you a laugh and say that golf is one of them. My wife took golf in college and thought it would be relaxing for us. All I can say is we would have been like the three stooges with a third player. We did everything wrong and it was embarrassing. I can't remember if she passed that class or not.   

By the way, you explained this well and I understand it now. I know lots of people who read all kinds of books for relaxation. BUT, please don't try to explain golf to me because that's already been tried several times, including by my Son-In-Law. I needed two dozen golf balls to play the first 9 holes, and I felt like Custer at his last stand.   

[Soldier4Christ]

Golf ... let me see ... that's were there is a small ball that gets hit around with a club and they try to get it into a small hole in the ground. When they miss the hole they rant and rave and throw the bag holding the clubs, that they spent a small fortune for, into the water. That's my understanding of it anyway.

 

[nChrist]

Golf ... let me see ... that's were there is a small ball that gets hit around with a club and they try to get it into a small hole in the ground. When they miss the hole they rant and rave and throw the bag holding the clubs, that they spent a small fortune for, into the water. That's my understanding of it anyway.

 

       That's the one. We have people here so desperate to play golf that they play in thunderstorms. I've always wondered if they knew those clubs could act like a lightning rod and make them a target. Me - I came in out of the rain unless I was working and had to be out in it. AND, I wore rubber boots instead of metal-cleated golf shoes.  UM?  AND, I think that they get 4 extra points when they hit someone else on the golf course. That's why they always peer down the fairway when folks are playing ahead of them and hollering "fore". If one of them drops, they get 4 extra points. I think that's the way it works.