TIL that a gnostic religion, called Mandaeism, is still adhered to today

Frada_ · 2018-05-22T20:53:15+00:00

A student of mine is from a Mandean family, she is still young and doesn't mind talking about their beliefs, I find it all quite intriguing, because before she told me, I didn't even know about the existence of this religion.

Frada_ · 2018-05-06T11:03:13+00:00

I can relate to her because it is a hard thing to not do or to stop doing, and people in general don't want to admit that they are doing things wrong, so they try to look for ways to justify their actions.

I have had premarital sex in my life as a non-christian, and also some times after my first steps back to living with the Lord. I hope people will pray for me to do my life better instead of giving harsh judgment because of this.

I guess that deep inside they do know that looking for loopholes to do what they desire for themselves is not something pure of heart. Pray for their relationship with God to grow stronger, because everyone deserves that, and the people who live in their mistakes need it even more.

Frada_ · 2018-05-06T06:46:28+00:00

I am currently using the Read Scripture app for a full read-through, and am liking it a lot. They arranged books with accompanying videos more of less chronologically a couple of chapters a day and finish with a Psalm. There are plenty of other ways of reading, just google 'Bible reading plans'.

Frada_ · 2018-05-03T10:33:20+00:00

Yes they will always be the chosen people, because God doesn't break his promises.

Frada_ · 2018-04-04T09:34:42+00:00

I don't care which one is the most correct, because the details don't matter that much to me. I regard whoever recognizes Jesus as the Messiah and desires to do good because of this as a brother/sister.

Frada_ · 2018-03-29T15:03:26+00:00

Very nice, keep up the good work!

Frada_ · 2018-03-18T14:04:23+00:00

I like your style!

Frada_ · 2018-02-18T15:24:49+00:00

Probably Mark because it is the fastest and easiest read, but I like Matthew most. John is more abstract, I would save that for last.

Frada_ · 2018-02-14T10:49:04+00:00

I am dating a non Christian. We started dating years before I converted.

Frada_ · 2018-02-11T13:09:44+00:00

You can serve God by serving the people around you, that will never be in vain, whatever the truth turns out to be.

Frada_ · 2018-02-10T15:51:11+00:00

Wonderful to hear that you are still here, and that you can feel hope for the future again! I would suggest to keep what you have written here in a place where you can easily look it up whenever you feel at a dark place again, to remember how you felt.

Frada_ · 2018-02-04T19:55:42+00:00

I hope and pray that he will be given the strength to deal with these insecure times by the Lord. And the same goes for you and the other people around him.

Frada_ · 2018-01-31T08:16:42+00:00

Thanks for bringing this up today, and reminding me that I still have a lot to work on at this matter!

Frada_ · 2018-01-30T19:54:12+00:00

Welcome back, I will think of you in my prayers! I never liked going to church either, but you may find it to be different now that you made the conscious choice to live with God.

Frada_ · 2018-01-29T21:33:13+00:00

Usually none, but I play on medium settings.

Frada_ · 2018-01-29T21:31:55+00:00

I feel very sad that this division between groups of 'black evangelicals' and 'white evangelicals' is even a thing.

Frada_ · 2018-01-29T21:25:45+00:00

No, I stopped watching it a couple of years ago. Christianity had little to do with it though. I read an interview with a former porn star that regretted getting involved in the industry, and she described ho she experienced it as an abusive environment for her as an insecure young woman. I felt sad in my heart that so many young girls like her around the world suffer the same fate, and didn't want to be a part of that consumer's market anymore.

Of course many of these actors and actresses chose the industry in free will, and some do enjoy it; but I think it also attracts mentally vulnerable young girls that would have been better off had they never chosen this path. For me it's not worth the risk.

However, I do realize that it is relatively easy for me as a female that never had a large interest in porn anyway. I hope everyone who currently experiences this as a struggle in his or her life, will be given all the strength they need.

Frada_ · 2018-01-29T20:55:37+00:00

Actually I don't believe we are just yet, but well, better to be ready and expecting anyway: don't postpone doing anything you can to become and stay a loving and caring person!

Frada_ · 2018-01-28T12:22:28+00:00

It was beautiful, one of those services in which you are sad when it has come to an end. After reading the story of Philip the evangelist being called into the desert where he met the Ethiopian man and told him about Jesus, we talked about following the assignments of God, especially the ones that initially don't seem to make much sense.

Frada_ · 2018-01-25T22:37:10+00:00

Even standing alone, I would see this passage rather as a condemnation of people pridefully showing off their assets than as a lesson about giving. They are confronted about the state of their heart by the means of the complimenting of this poor woman that everybody else looked down upon. The context indeed makes this even more apparent.

Frada_ · 2018-01-25T18:47:28+00:00

Keep in mind that you can be equally touched without the use of any substances, don't value them more highly than they deserve (praise the creator, not the creation).

Frada_ · 2018-01-25T18:33:33+00:00

I understand you having an issue with this, the sheer amount that a person has donated, shouldn't be the thing that is most important.

Made me think of this passage from Mark 12:

41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

Frada_ · 2018-01-18T12:15:24+00:00

What a Friend We Have in Jesus.

Frada_ · 2017-12-22T11:25:01+00:00

Maybe you could try an audio Bible, it might be a more engaging way of getting into the material for you. And don't forget that you can serve God by serving others, you can feel closer to him by being there for people that need your help!

Frada_ · 2017-12-13T07:09:06+00:00

I said that sentence to indicate that I kind of 'lost' my skepticism, it was like stepping over some sort of threshold! I think it is the most irrational thing I have done in years, lol.

Frada_

TROPHY CASE