Con_Alma;1150769 wrote:I don't think we are pawns... either way you have eternal life. One way you are in the presence of God. The other you are not.

sleeper;1150799 wrote:So when you make a big decision like modifying the very core of your existence, you don't need to justify that said decision is correct and accurate?

I don't know if I believe that; you don't seem to be illogical.

enigmaax;1150801 wrote:If your father on earth said to you, "Son, you can make whatever choices you want in life. If you choose the way I tell you to choose, then I'll do (insert reward). If you choose to do anything other than what I say, I'm throwing you in the basement and torturing you.....FOREVER!!!!", would you: a) feel like you really have a choice? and b) feel like your father is a bit of a nut job?

Con_Alma;1150802 wrote:Justify it to whom? You? Lol. Oh my gosh, no.

You don't have too believe me. It's not your belief I am seeking.

sleeper;1150806 wrote:No, justifying it to yourself. If you didn't grow up with faith(read: childhood indoctrination), then something had to move you from non-belief to belief. You seem to be dodging this question repeatedly. I'm curious why.

Con_Alma;1150808 wrote:I haven't dodged it. In fact, I have answered it multiple times. I like your words, "move you". They describe well the direction towards CHrist that happens.

Once I experienced presence of the Holy Spirit combined with the reading of Scripture and prayer, the desire to justify the Gospel of Christ simply needs no recognition from me.

Con_Alma;1150808 wrote:I haven't dodged it. In fact, I have answered it multiple times. I like your words, "move you". They describe well the direction towards CHrist that happens.

Once I experienced presence of the Holy Spirit combined with the reading of Scripture and prayer, the desire to justify the Gospel of Christ simply needs no recognition from me.

sleeper;1150811 wrote:This isn't the answer I am seeking. It's a dodge. Did you just wake up one day, and start reading the Bible? Why did you pick the Bible and not the Quran? How do you know you are "right", especially given that your personal justification uses the tools designed to make you internally justify the belief. It's a little self-fulfilling don't you think?

Something happened; something you seem unwilling to expose on the internet despite being anonymous.

enigmaax;1150818 wrote:Do you feel like David Koresh got a raw deal, considering he was a prophet and all?

Con_Alma;1150819 wrote:I don't answer based on what you are seeking. Lol. I answer based on what I want to share. I don't post for your benefit.

Yes, one day while traveling I was thinking about many things including the depth of life. While in a gift shop in the airport at LAX I purchased a Bible and read it.

The reason I am confident in my understanding is because of the presence of the Holy Spirit. When looking for God you find Him if you are open to him. From there, much prayer and further exploration or my growing relationship with His Son becomes a desire and I continue acting on it.

sleeper;1150821 wrote:Mid-life crisis.

Thank you for sharing.

sleeper;1150811 wrote:... It's a little self-fulfilling don't you think?

...

sleeper;1150789 wrote:You do realize that by claiming a statement as fact, without providing said evidence, that you are committing fraud in the court of logic and reason?

Just so we are on the same page.

Con_Alma;1150820 wrote:What do you mean by "raw deal"? as in his place eternally?

sleeper wrote:...Just so we are on the same page.

enigmaax;1150827 wrote:I assume you feel that his eternal place is fine since he lived a holy life. The whole raid, burning down his complex, and murdering him thing. I mean, was he the most persecuted holy man since Jesus?

rmolin73;1150826 wrote:We need a copy of your OSU degree as well as a copy of your name on the McDonalds franchise?

Con_Alma;1150823 wrote:I see your logic! Lol. I kid.

A crisis? Hardly. I had just landed a sales deal.

Con_Alma;1150832 wrote:Living a Holy life isn't what determines eternal presence with God. The acceptance of Jesus Christ as the Messiah does.

I don't know if he was a Holy man at all. If he was, the proclamation of the God and Christ is told to be met with hardship on earth. It's not to be surprised by but expected. I guess I don't see that as a raw deal but one that was predicted...if indeed he was what you say he was.

Con_Alma;1150838 wrote:I accepted it as successful trip. I don't know how it could have been a crises.

sleeper;1150840 wrote:The only sales deal you could have possibly landed at the time was selling your soul to an unproven lifestyle.

Like I said, I sure hope you picked the right bet.

enigmaax;1150839 wrote:In general, could the Bible ever have additional books added?

Con_Alma;1150845 wrote:Why wouldn't a sales deal have been possible? At the time it was with MetroFiber.

Why do you hope I chose correctly? My fate shouldn't be any difference to you at all.

sleeper;1150851 wrote:It doesn't matter to me as long as you can your beliefs to your own life and no one else.