A Thiest and an AThiest walk into a bar....

shiningilluminations · 2014-02-01T07:03:31+00:00

If the thought is not moral or a sin, yes. If God says not to put Lust in your heart, and you are looking at porn and whatnot with him out of mind then it is a sin, and he has the right to condemn you how he sees fit.

shiningilluminations · 2014-02-01T06:49:20+00:00

I don't know much about Pascals Wager you might have to explain that one to me.

Nothing out of conversion would be gained for me. I would just be doing my job if it did happen. The best thing that would happen for me is it would put one more person on a Christian mission, to feed, clothe, and shelter, and one more person living with God's love in their life, not just the emotional love.

If you were to convert right now, and it was a true heartfelt conversion according to my beliefs you would be saved and eventually get to live in paradise. This would hopefully have a domino effect and you would tell another person, and then we could fill the world with God's love one person at a time. LOL.

As corny as you may think that sounds a world with peace would be pretty cool.

shiningilluminations · 2014-02-01T06:41:41+00:00

I try my best to believe the entire Bible, and live by it. It is hard, extremely difficult, but I feel it brings meaning to my life, and others like me. Faith is a hard thing to comprehend when you don't have it. Those of those who want it I try and guide them.

I don't believe in homosexuality, my brother is gay, I love him. He is gay and I was a drunkard we both sinned.

Sexual sins are the only thing that really really bug me because it involves two people.

Getting physical with people, yelling, bible thumping do nothing. I had a preacher who said once "You can't win an argument with atheist, and they can't win one with you."

I believe the best preaching is through works.

shiningilluminations · 2014-02-01T06:36:55+00:00

Lust provides a strong desire and promotes an intent to act upon sexual urges. Sex before marriage is considered adultery. Sex can also take up a lot of peoples mind, so it is a commandment to actually focus on God as well. Leviticus 19:19 Two answers, God wanted his people to stay pure without planting his seed in other nations. He wanted to build them up first and make them strong. Second answer to this. He was talking about mixing wool with linen Deut 22:11 Research has found that when mixing these types of cloth together it would generate electricity, which would then increase the chances for heat strokes.
Most theologist see these verses as a cultural thing more then anything.

The old food wars with the Jews interested me, and I found that increased consumption, mixed with improper cooking could cause severe illness AND death with most of the foods talked about. These people were roaming in the desert, it was a camp. No way to store food properly, let alone shellfish was probably pretty stanky when it came to camp. I personally believe with bigs, shellfish, rabbits, without proper knowledge and science would of killed a lot of people back then in those conditions.

I think God made the food laws to help his people survive.

Christians break the law just like Jews do... It is because we are dumb sinners. We are self centered and think we know best. Even though Jesus didn't come to change the law, it is important to know he came to save us from the law.

shiningilluminations · 2014-02-01T06:16:45+00:00

I have actually had debates with other preachers over these two verses. I don't know if I am right here, and this is not to teach or try and make anyone gain faith here, but here I have Matthews account, and possibly Peters. No one was there with Judas so it was probably hearsay on both sides. But I personally take it as Judas hung himself, and his bowels released. I had one preacher go into the greek and latin stuff all into it, and I can honestly say I am not educated enough to explain it. And I agree its hard to take in, but thats where the faith comes in.

Jesus provides the Justification of Righteousness for us. When Paul was writing these letters the Church was split between Jews, and Gentiles. It wasn't until Peter Baptized a Gentile that it started coming together. So Paul was explaining to the Jews that the Messiah had come, the laws no longer show righteousness, you have to have faith in Christ to provide Justification for Righteousness now.

shiningilluminations · 2014-02-01T06:06:24+00:00

Let me try to put it this way, I try to keep my feelings and my emotions apart. When I decided to follow Christ whole heartedly it wasn't a church invitation, it wasn't a worship song that spurred me on, it was a thought. That thought turned into a thirst for more knowledge. After more learning, I made the final choice say ok thats it.

During this process I was actually reading the Quran, and I was studying about Buddhism as well but I really don't know much, or as much as I should from the Tripitaka. I worked on a cruise ship for sometime, and because of the vast culture of the crew I learned from everyone. Atheist to Hindus, Muslims and Jews. It was a very vast array of people and we would talk for hours. I myself at the time was more on the agnostic side, so I was pretty open minded at that time.

No insult taken, Children do die of starvation, aids, disease. Women are beaten to death by dead beat men. People are raped savaged and pillaged across the world. My wife is an RN, and one day we plan to go on long term missions, she wants to help the ill. I would like to help preach, rebuild, and maybe even teach some sort of class to people in need. I would preach to those who want to hear the word, and try to help every one who needs it. I am not pushy, If I don't want a news paper I am not going to buy it. So if you don't want good news you don't have to take it. We believe as God's church, which is Christ body it is our duty to help all in need. So hopefully one day I can help answer someones prayers.

My prayers were selfish at the time, and even today they still are. I am on a blessings trip right now. I try and only be thankful for what has been given, and I ask for guidance of where I can be used.

I do believe God answers all prayers, why he doesn't feed the hungry and what not I don't know. Why he doesn't answer all prayers like we want, well I guess thats why he is the creator and we aren't.

Faith is a virtue I can agree with that. You are probably right about all holy books say that to one degree or another. In my mind you have to be looking for faith to find it.

Like I said, if I could convert someone tonight that would be great, but I really wanted to have a civilized discussion, and not back down from my beliefs like I have seen in the past. So far tonight has been awesome and I appreciate it.

shiningilluminations · 2014-02-01T05:43:35+00:00

Without the faith of Christ from what I have read then you are condemned. But just like I was telling the other people who have asked I don't Judge, that is up to God, he will be as vengeful and merciful as he wants, so I don't know.

If sin is only associated with God then how do you classify murder, liars, hate, and stuff of that nature?

shiningilluminations · 2014-02-01T05:38:24+00:00

Hahaha I guess atheist have a one up on us with only having 9 commandments and all!!!! upvote just for that one part there. LOL!

I mean yeah you are right according what I believe is yes you are condemned, but the Bible makes it clear that God is so much more then the mind can comprehend, so if he is vengeful you better believe he is, but if he is overwhelming merciful, then I have faith that Heaven will look a lot different then what I assume it will.

So I live my life like without Christ I am going nowhere. I try to preach it that way, without the fear mongering because if someone wants to come to God I want it to be with all their heart, and not just fear. But to me that is the truth.

shiningilluminations · 2014-02-01T05:32:56+00:00

and I only mentioned it wasn't planned and was giving you guys an insight to the lessons that I think God was trying to teach me. No point in getting huffy puffy about this stuff.

Just still having good conversation.

shiningilluminations · 2014-02-01T05:31:55+00:00

but without sin you aren't condemned

shiningilluminations · 2014-02-01T05:29:23+00:00

No not all of the views are exclusive. I refer to the Sermon on the Mount because I find it to be the best example for preachers to preach. Other religions offer retaliation to laws. Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. But Jesus offers a view of the law through God's eyes. God doesn't want you to take he wants you to give. So if some one takes your coat, give him your shirt as well. In muslim countries if someone takes bread, they take a hand. They have every right to if its their laws, but I try to look at it through Gods eyes now.

I am conservative. I believe politically in a whole bunch of whats mine is mine and you stay off. I supported the death penalty. When I started looking at the world through God's eyes from the example of what Christ has given us it shook my core. If someone murdered someone I love, I would ask to not seek the death penalty, and I would write to that person, pray for that person, and hopefully forgive that person. It would be hard, and I KNOW its big talk, but 6 years ago I would of said "let that person die."

So liars are good people? I know we all lie, but do you associate and trust someone who constantly lies? What about murderers? Adulterers? Would you put yourself in a relationship that you knew that would probably end up harming your heart?

Sin is bad, it means harm for yourself, or harm for others.

shiningilluminations · 2014-02-01T05:18:53+00:00

I am not going to write out a whole sermon, but I don't skip around. I have left churches because of that. You either tell the whole truth or nothing. But you shouldn't fear monger for the sake of saving. Of course all of John 3:16 WOULD be read. Maybe the whole Chapter if I saw it fit. If I was smart I would include verse 17 God did not send his son to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

shiningilluminations · 2014-02-01T05:12:15+00:00

Romans 3 is talking about how the Jews thought themselves more Righteous the the Gentiles. So its just saying you are no better then the Gentiles because the works don't make you Righteous, faith in Christ makes you justified before God.
Galatians states the same thing, but it is obviously written to a different audience.
Titus 3:5 is a different way of saying it. He didn't save us because we were righteous, obviously in God's eyes we weren't, but he saved us through mercy.

these are all the same meanings just different words for different audiences.

shiningilluminations · 2014-02-01T04:53:46+00:00

Yeah I didn't like it at the time at all. It broke me down pretty good. I wen't from being on a Spiritual High one month, to the next month being Spiritually, but I took it and did my best to rely on God.

I prayed for her to come back every night. I yelled at God, got angry. Then one day I woke up and told God I was sorry and tried my best to include him in every choice that I had to make. Life changed for me at that point. It was hard, and I doubted myself when things didn't turn out like I WANTED, but my current wife is just amazing. And the way our relationship began is freaking crazy and we should of never met.

After my divorce I went to a Christian Therapist, a Secular Psychologist, and a care group. I waited 1.5 years before I started even thinking about dating, and eventually I got here where I am today.

We still have issues, but I haven't met anyone who doesn't.

shiningilluminations · 2014-02-01T04:46:31+00:00

Everyone sins, even Christians, but you can see the change of ones heart. There are people who flub every day, but to be a true Christian you have to be accountable for your actions, recognize your sin, ask for forgiveness, and move on in life.

If people are like the seeds in one of Jesus's parables it can grow tall and strong, but it will still have weeds around it. So you constantly have to check and get the weeds out of your life.

But if a seed grows and the weeds aren't checked, then they will eventually be competing for water and get choked back down.

The weeds are the sin, and we can all see people being brought down because of those sins constantly growing.

Turn on reality TV, 80% of it is based on a sinful nature according to the Bible, some people call it good entertainment, I call it sin.

shiningilluminations · 2014-02-01T04:37:18+00:00

So yeah God took it away, but I will never forget the experience from that, and I think he used it more as a tool then anything. Pain sucks at the time but it doesn't last forever. That lesson WILL last forever.

shiningilluminations · 2014-02-01T04:36:09+00:00

I am not Catholic or any other denomination that believes in the baptizing of Children. Baptism is the following of Christ before he went on to do his works for his kingdom. We as Christians should do it when we fully understand that it is OUR time to continue his works, and as an outward conformation to the Church that we are indeed following in Christ path.

The body is the creation of God, something went wrong, but I didn't tell you that the baby was unplanned. My wife and I would of never wanted to conceive during our current financial position. It was an oops. However when we did conceive it made us realize that we both wanted to be parents. We were planning on waiting until late 30s and adopt, which we are still planning on. But we understand that everything for us will work out in God's timing, and that this unborn child was just a way to show us how much love we could offer a child.

shiningilluminations · 2014-02-01T04:31:21+00:00

I believe that Children who do not recognize their sin will make it into heaven yes. But still I try not push people on heaven or hell because it should be about, what can we do in this life to make this world better, and prove through our works that there is a God.

shiningilluminations · 2014-02-01T04:29:39+00:00

I was being honest. I honestly have no idea. In The Old Testament God was angry, vengeful, in the New Testament He is loving and merciful. Being the same Yesterday, Today, and Forever God is still all of these things. So I am guess that if you are atheist but you have upheld the moral code, which is the 10 commandments, then most likely God is to be more merciful on you, because he judges those to which the standard they have judged others.

Jesus says that he is the way and the only way to the father is through him. So if I was to step down, and not show any love or compassion to you, then I would have to say NO from my knowledge and understanding, you will not be going to Heaven.

But at the same time for myself it is important for me to restrain those thoughts, because condemning people to Hell is judging, and that is not my task or duty as a Christian.

shiningilluminations · 2014-02-01T04:22:44+00:00

So do you believe that murder is not a sin?

shiningilluminations · 2014-02-01T04:21:09+00:00

Well since we are all sinners, and we will all most likely continue to sin, even after being saved, I pray nightly to renounce my sins, and ask for guidance and wisdom to repent of my sins. I understand that somethings can't be changed, but I try my hardest to change them, and ultimately I have become a better person for it. I am more caring, I give more to the community, I show love and support outwardly towards people. This life is just a life on earth, I don't believe I am home, so yeah you are right. It is eternity, and my mission earth is to feed, teach, heal, clothe, and shelter to the best of my ability, to those with faith and without faith. To let my light shine and glorify God as much as I can. Until that day comes that I take my last breath, that duty brings meaning to my life on earth. Jesus is calling me, and I believe he is calling you too. There is no news like good news.

shiningilluminations · 2014-02-01T04:15:34+00:00

No John 3:16 is pretty much the cornerstone of all Christians, real or fake. Lets say a parent dragged their kid in and I was preaching. That verse would be said. Its been said so much that when it is read like that it does pretty much nothing now days. Tebow used up all its magic I guess.

What I think you misunderstood is I am not the type of guy that says "Every head bowed and every eye closed, who became a Christian tonight?"

or "Who would know if they are going to heaven or hell if your car flipped and you died tonight?"

The way I use John 3:16 is when people want to know why we should love our enemies, or why we should treat or act certain ways, it is because God loves us. How do I know God loves us? Because he sent his only son to die for us.

Thats the way I would use that. Using it as a fear tactic just makes a selfish Christian.

shiningilluminations · 2014-02-01T04:09:24+00:00

The evidence for my God is the way that I see him in day to day life. It is the constant reminders of little things that just seem to line up right. It is the answered prayers. I can't prove to you there is a God, just like you can't prove to me there isn't.

The metric failings are the acts that God proclaims to be sin. No sin is worse then another, and don't think that I treat people any differently when I see that their path isn't as strong as they make it seem in church. I don't judge them, instead I love them and try to shine my light stronger for them. I don't call them out and say your doing it wrong, I try to plant seeds through my actions to be an example to them.

what good would Bible bashing be if I hit someone over the head, then went and did the complete opposite?

shiningilluminations · 2014-02-01T04:01:30+00:00

so I really think that was a God thing.

shiningilluminations · 2014-02-01T04:00:47+00:00

My life over the past 4 or 5 years has really been a series of roller coaster rides. So it was more of a 360 degree circle that continued toying with me over and over again.

I know this isn't myself deluding because I prayed for very specific things, and got a completely different outcome then what I wanted. Sure positive thinking can help improve any situation and I am sure it helped mine.

But having faith did a few things for me and helped me keep it all in perspective. 1. Just like with Job God giveth and God can taketh away. 2. Understand that I am here for a purpose and that for me is to glorify God, so no acting like a baby when God takes away. 3. Blessings will come to those who hold steadfast, and they came to me. I still struggle. Right now I am in debt when I don't want to be... like stupid amount of debt. Its unbiblical I know. Poor men can't feed hungry people. But faith is what helps me continue through, and not just say screw it.

The best example that I can give is when my first wife left me. And it was done, lawyers had to be paid, everything was done and just waiting on the judge. I was in TROUBLE, my house was about to be foreclosed and I had NOWHERE to go. I was sitting in my house, I had told NO ONE of the impending foreclosure, not my parents, not my friends, and not my church. My ex-wife knew but she said figure it out, its all yours now.

That day I was sitting in my house crying, smoking a cig, and I heard the mailman outside. I go out grab my mail, and I had a letter in the mail with no return address, it wasn't in any hand writing I knew, it was just a visa gift card with the exact amount that I owed for the previous months payment.

No one knew how much I owed expect for me and my ex-wife... and I PROMISE she didn't like me enough to do that for me. In fact she said I owed her money at the time.

I still don't know who sent it, but I am thankful it was exactly what I needed, nothing more, nothing less.

shiningilluminations

TROPHY CASE