Mockingbird

"Nothing in the bible qualifies" as a fact"??? Nothing in the bible can be "proved"??? Dictionary.com says that a "FACT" is: "fact n 1: a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred; 2: a statement or assertion of verified information about something that is the case or has happened; 3: an event known to have happened or something known to have existed; 4: a concept whose truth can be proved." The bible contains many facts... about people, places... but especially about Christ. Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

Yes, and his life is not over... meaning, the last chapter has not been written. This is a person who believes what scripture says about God; but he will not receive Christ personally. I hope that he will come to the realization that receiving Christ is the best thing he could possibly do. I am glad to hear that you will not change your beliefs or your ways because someone else wants you to. God is the one to whom you are accountable, not me (and I am very glad not to responsible for you as I would no doubt screw it up somehow). What you do in response to God's truth is between you and Him. Your last statement about there being room for a lot of different gods in the interpretation of scripture, could not be more untrue, according to that same scripture. The only "god" that scripture recognizes as the true god is Jehovah (Heb. "the self-existent one"). (Yes, I'm going to quote scripture because it is more appropriate than my own feeble words:) Exodus 3:13-15: But Moses protested, "If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, 'The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,' they won't believe me. They will ask, 'Which god are you talking about? What is his name?' Then what should I tell them?" God replied, "I AM THE ONE WHO ALWAYS IS. Just tell them, 'I AM has sent me to you.'" God also said, "Tell them, 'The LORD, the God of your ancestors--- the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob--- has sent me to you.' This will be my name forever; it has always been my name, and it will be used throughout all generations." I know from scripture and from personal experience that if anyone is really interested in evaluating the evidence for proof of Christianity's truth, God will give light. Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

Thanks for posting the link. I was just getting around to it and saw that you already had. Thanks. I want to take this tiny opportunity to say, that for me, the bible and historical sources which validate people and events which I've always read about in the bible, makes faith a very logical response for me. Why are FACTS not worthy of faith? I know some people, one in particular, who knows the facts but is stubborn in saying he believes them. He doesn't want to RECEIVE Christ because of how it would affect his personal life.... so he sacrifices eternity for a few years of casual sex and denial of God. That is really logical, huh. But, it's his life, so I don't bug him about it. Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

Oh, I see. Sorry; no it wasn't directed to you. (As I compose this reply, I notice that if I want to, I can change the name of the person to whom I'm replying... Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

I think it's basically a conspiracy theory type thing by the King James Version advocates... it's been going on for years. Heck, we can't even all agree that the Bible is the "Word of God" (a term even I don't really feel comfortable with!), much less that the "King James Version" and ONLY the "King James Version" is the "Word of God." Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

Not everyone is familiar with what the Bible contains, and with the fact that the Old Testament is basically a history of God's special relationship with the nation of Israel. The first five books of the New Testament are a history, too, of the life of Christ and his followers. This is the book under consideration in this thread. Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

For anyone who is interested in seeing a brief overview of the Bible's storyline, go here and look at the chart. http://www.cresourcei.org/storyline.html Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

I'm sure you realize that anyone can claim to be a Christian. But Christ said, "You will know them by their fruits. Not everyone who calls me 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out demons, and in your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you.'" Christ appears to be talking about those who make a show of their Christianity but are, in fact, not genuine article. But even those who love and follow Christ are not perfect. That doesn't make them fakes and hypocrites, just human. Look at Peter who bragged that he would *never* be unfaithful to Christ...but during Jesus' trial, Peter publicly denied being a follower of Jesus three times! He subsequently repented with much remorse, and Christ forgave him. How's about an example? Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

First, give us an example of some "cheap talk" from Jesus, Crwtom. Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

Hi, Alex. Another evening of interesting converstation! Don't forget that thousands of Jews at the time DID understand the fulfillment of prophecy by Jesus and followed him... especially after his resurrection! (Nicodemus was one of those who became a follower of Christ even before the resurrection. He was a Pharisee and a renowned teacher of Judaism--- a very prominent respected academic. Another well known Jewish leader who recognized Jesus as the promised Messiah was Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Sanhedrin (rulers of the nation of Israel). In fact, it was Nicodemus and Joseph who went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body so that they could provide a tomb suitable for him. They were both wealthy men. Even the fact that two rich men provided the tomb for his burial was prophecied by Isaiah. These are just two examples, yet there were thousands who believed and followed Christ.) Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

OH! I know you're right about that! I've been reading Rosalia's book on Mental Training. It reallllllllly helped me do well on the last two jumps. What you saw in that last post was a temporary relapse into pessimism! Darn. That's something I have to work on constantly... I'm naturally very pessimistic, especially about what I can do. Thanks for the reminder.

I was thinking you had to repeat 6 because of not doing the back loop or tracking right. I forgot about the other. Is it hard to regain stability after a back loop? Is it hard to maintain stability while tracking? What keeps you from going into barrel rolls while you're all stretched out in that tracking position? Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

I definitely didn't feel like you were attacking any of us by those comments. It was just a bit over the top (in my world) to compare Christ to a porn star. But if you were raised in an uninhibited world where you didn't have to be considerate of others' "sensitivities" and watch what you say, it's understandable. Not excuseable, just understandable. But we should get back to the real issue... Has God revealed himself to man? What IS the word of God?.... Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

Makes sense. I already know what my next problem is going to be: back loops and tracking... Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

Alex, hey. What I understand you to be saying in your last post, basically, is that: 1. Some people (Jews) thought/think that the Talmud is the word of God. 2. Some people think that the two commandments with which Christ summarized the Old Testament laws, and writings of the prophets ("Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength" and "Love your neighbor as you love yourself") is the only "word of God" we need. 3. Some people (Protestants) think the Bible is the word of God. 4. Some people (Roman Catholics) think that the bible and Catholic tradition are the word of God. Will the REAL "word of God" please stand up? Alex (and others), in your humble opinion, IS the "word of God" available to people today who want to know Him? If so, what form does it take? Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

Definitely, but prophesying a humble birth is a bit different than comparing the Son of God to a pornstar. I mean, there's nothing inately evil about being poor. Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

I have to agree that he seems to be speaking out of both sides of his mouth. Not an attack, of course, just an observation. These days as long as you preface your remarks with “I mean absolutely no disrespect to your beliefs" you can be as crass as you want, even about God, I guess. Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

Hi Melissa! Remember the Alamo!--- Here's one San Antonian who's learning to fly, too. (pm reply coming your way...) Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

Oh, gee, this does not bode well for me. If YOU had to repeat 6 & 7, it's practically certain I will have to... Oh no..... Not again..... Alright, spill it. Why did you have to repeat those levels? {sigh} Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

Thanks, Reginald. Your story was very motivational and really made me feel that I was doing the right thing in going. You were right. It was magic. My instructor, Ed, was fantastic.

Thanks, Joe. (I was beginning to think my post was invisible.) I'M still ecstatic about it. Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

I think you're right on. Just watch two toddlers when one of them has something that the other one wants. I think most of the problems between people can be traced to selfishness or jealousy or wanting to control... practically anything having to do with "I" (ego). Of course, skydivers are exempt from this human malady. Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

Alex, have I totally misunderstood your reply? You're not saying that this is the "overall message" of the Bible, are you? You're joking again, right? Seriously, what do YOU think is the overall message of the Bible, if it can even be summarized somehow? Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

What about when a Christian "judges" someone in a positive way (by reassuring that person) that, if they receive Christ as their own Savior and Lord, they will not go to Hell? Do non-Christians find that type of "judging" hypocritical as well? or is it just the negative judging that is bothersome? (I don't mean anything personal, Vallerina, because your comment is a very common observation among non-Christians and Christians alike.) Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

Why, YES, I did. How did you know? I did my AFF Level 4 & 5... quite a huge triumph for me as I had been stuck in Level 4 for almost 2 months. I tried and tried, but couldn't pass. So I went to the wind tunnel a couple of weeks ago, and lo & behold, I passed yesterday! I feel like a heavy burden has been lifted from my shoulders. Thank you for asking. First, what do you mean that you DO find the bible to be consistent in a "larger sense"? Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"