if i wasn't a christian...
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Maybe I did not become an alcoholic. Or I would not have died. I would have lived my friends and relatives. They did not die and did not become alcoholics. Not all.
Is a good question. Cause it made me think again about what people feel who live without God.
Yes, they feel happy. If there is no grief.
Yes, they are safe. If you do not walk too late.
But they do not have one. Relationship with God.
gipsygirl, thanks. This question gives me think about what to have a relationship with God.
Is a good question. Cause it made me think again about what people feel who live without God.
Yes, they feel happy. If there is no grief.
Yes, they are safe. If you do not walk too late.
But they do not have one. Relationship with God.
gipsygirl, thanks. This question gives me think about what to have a relationship with God.
if i wasn't a christian:
+ i'd still be looking for the next fun time, and when would it stop? i'd be the girl with no boundaries. ewww.
+ i'd be incredibly self-loathing. my perfectionism would swallow me and taunt me.
+ my need to learn, try, and experience as much as possible would render me compromised in some profound way(s)
+ my desire to be around people and bond with others would have me choosing some pretty bad influences and even some who probably would have a catalytic/destructive effect on me
+ i'd be working a million hours to pay for all my crazy adventure-seeking. i'd be stressed out ALL THE TIME.
+ my pride would be out of control. i'd be sitting atop a rock judging everyone else and blind to my own massive failure.
praise God from whom all blessings flow! looking at this stuff makes me so grateful that God ransomed me from this, and so much more i can't possibly conceive of.
why did i do this list? because sometimes i need to be reminded that my non-christian friends are just like me -- except they're doing it all without God.
and that makes me realize we're in the same boat, and nothing about ME is special without God.
+ i'd still be looking for the next fun time, and when would it stop? i'd be the girl with no boundaries. ewww.
+ i'd be incredibly self-loathing. my perfectionism would swallow me and taunt me.
+ my need to learn, try, and experience as much as possible would render me compromised in some profound way(s)
+ my desire to be around people and bond with others would have me choosing some pretty bad influences and even some who probably would have a catalytic/destructive effect on me
+ i'd be working a million hours to pay for all my crazy adventure-seeking. i'd be stressed out ALL THE TIME.
+ my pride would be out of control. i'd be sitting atop a rock judging everyone else and blind to my own massive failure.
praise God from whom all blessings flow! looking at this stuff makes me so grateful that God ransomed me from this, and so much more i can't possibly conceive of.
why did i do this list? because sometimes i need to be reminded that my non-christian friends are just like me -- except they're doing it all without God.
and that makes me realize we're in the same boat, and nothing about ME is special without God.
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Hmmm!
Here is my limit... http://christianchat.com/customprofilepics/profilepic198379_2.gif
Here is my limit... http://christianchat.com/customprofilepics/profilepic198379_2.gif
yahweh permitting, (as he sets the boundaries for every one, even kings and kingdoms)
if i wasn't (by sheer grace) in (yahweh's set apart people abiding in yahshua hamashiach),
i'd likely be a rich medical scientist pharmacist married to a divorced woman working for the government involved in politics and in freemasonry and with the rcc and the banks and stock market and maybe hollywood/tv/media .....
if i wasn't (by sheer grace) in (yahweh's set apart people abiding in yahshua hamashiach),
i'd likely be a rich medical scientist pharmacist married to a divorced woman working for the government involved in politics and in freemasonry and with the rcc and the banks and stock market and maybe hollywood/tv/media .....
I don't understand why anyone would dwell on what might have been, or what was in the past...........??? That is the deceivers favorite weapon to use against Christians............
Philippians 3:13 .) Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 .) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15 .) Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Isaiah 43:15 .) I am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King.
16 .) Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;
17 .) Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow.
18 .) Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
19 .) Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
Just saying...........Seems to me folks would have far more joy and far less strife if they put what is forgiven, forgotten, remembered no more where it belongs...........in the depths of the sea.
Philippians 3:13 .) Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 .) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15 .) Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Isaiah 43:15 .) I am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King.
16 .) Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;
17 .) Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow.
18 .) Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
19 .) Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
Just saying...........Seems to me folks would have far more joy and far less strife if they put what is forgiven, forgotten, remembered no more where it belongs...........in the depths of the sea.
I completely understand your point... However, I must add that for me, I actually enjoy hearing these kinds of testimonies.
For my own self, it's important to me to remember what I could have been without Jesus because it keeps me humble and in tune with how much I really do need Him. I think it's also important to remember because sometimes we are tempted to go back, and remembering the pitfalls of the old life can keep us moving forward.
The other reason it's important to me to read things like this is because it reminds me that every person is in a different place. When I encounter someone who isn't saved at all, is a new believer, or is in a different situation than I am, reading stories like this reminds me not to judge or be unduly demanding of others.
For instance, some CC users have shared in other threads about their previous experience growing up in unsaved homes, surrounded by things such as the occult, etc. When they talk about what they used to be, it helps me understand and better empathize with someone in that position.
This means that when I run into someone who says, "I'm a Wiccan and really into white magic," I won't automatically write them off as a heathen or run away from talking to them.
I might not understand everything they've been through, but thanks to the testimonies of others, I have a small glimpse that equips me to have a more meaningful conversation with that person about spiritual things. I personally feel that it's always important to show that you have a small inkling of where the other person is coming in order to build a relationship with them and then invite them to church.
I realize it may be different for different people, but that's just my own style of witnessing and reading things like this thread actually enhances my confidence in talking to people from many different backgrounds. Some of the best conversations I've had have been with people who lived completely unsaved lives, but in their heart, they can feel God calling them.
For my own self, it's important to me to remember what I could have been without Jesus because it keeps me humble and in tune with how much I really do need Him. I think it's also important to remember because sometimes we are tempted to go back, and remembering the pitfalls of the old life can keep us moving forward.
The other reason it's important to me to read things like this is because it reminds me that every person is in a different place. When I encounter someone who isn't saved at all, is a new believer, or is in a different situation than I am, reading stories like this reminds me not to judge or be unduly demanding of others.
For instance, some CC users have shared in other threads about their previous experience growing up in unsaved homes, surrounded by things such as the occult, etc. When they talk about what they used to be, it helps me understand and better empathize with someone in that position.
This means that when I run into someone who says, "I'm a Wiccan and really into white magic," I won't automatically write them off as a heathen or run away from talking to them.
I might not understand everything they've been through, but thanks to the testimonies of others, I have a small glimpse that equips me to have a more meaningful conversation with that person about spiritual things. I personally feel that it's always important to show that you have a small inkling of where the other person is coming in order to build a relationship with them and then invite them to church.
I realize it may be different for different people, but that's just my own style of witnessing and reading things like this thread actually enhances my confidence in talking to people from many different backgrounds. Some of the best conversations I've had have been with people who lived completely unsaved lives, but in their heart, they can feel God calling them.
Sorry, ran out of time for the edit...
The other reason I think it can be important to post these things is because we have a lot of people who visit this site who aren't Christians or might be considering Christianity. They read these posts in order to find out what a Christian is and how a Christian lives.
If all we ever talk about is our victorious life in Jesus and how we're all saved and new creatures and on the right path, it can be very intimidating to someone who might be interested in becoming a Christian. That person will think, "Wow, I could never do that. All these people are somehow doing all the right things and I know I'm about as far from God as possible..."
My personal style of witnessing is to build relationships with co-workers and then invite them to church. It might take years to build that relationship, but I get to know them pretty well in the process. As you can imagine, the invitation to attend church gets turned down a lot, and the two biggest reasons I always hear are: "Christians are hypocrites," and, "I could never go to church. I've done too many things wrong... and I know I'm not living right now..."
It's hard to convince them that this can actually be the perfect time to get to know God!!! I personally believe that when people such as this KNOW that we too are an imperfect bunch with a lot of "colorful" pasts and backgrounds, it can really encourage and inspire them to start their own relationship with Jesus.
I've had the privilege of talking to all kinds of people with all kinds of pasts, both Christian and not. Hearing what other people have been through or what they would be without Jesus can really encourage them to think, "Wow... if they could keep seeking God... even after going through all that or know what they could have become... maybe I can, too."
The other reason I think it can be important to post these things is because we have a lot of people who visit this site who aren't Christians or might be considering Christianity. They read these posts in order to find out what a Christian is and how a Christian lives.
If all we ever talk about is our victorious life in Jesus and how we're all saved and new creatures and on the right path, it can be very intimidating to someone who might be interested in becoming a Christian. That person will think, "Wow, I could never do that. All these people are somehow doing all the right things and I know I'm about as far from God as possible..."
My personal style of witnessing is to build relationships with co-workers and then invite them to church. It might take years to build that relationship, but I get to know them pretty well in the process. As you can imagine, the invitation to attend church gets turned down a lot, and the two biggest reasons I always hear are: "Christians are hypocrites," and, "I could never go to church. I've done too many things wrong... and I know I'm not living right now..."
It's hard to convince them that this can actually be the perfect time to get to know God!!! I personally believe that when people such as this KNOW that we too are an imperfect bunch with a lot of "colorful" pasts and backgrounds, it can really encourage and inspire them to start their own relationship with Jesus.
I've had the privilege of talking to all kinds of people with all kinds of pasts, both Christian and not. Hearing what other people have been through or what they would be without Jesus can really encourage them to think, "Wow... if they could keep seeking God... even after going through all that or know what they could have become... maybe I can, too."
I "liked" this because you make an excellent point. It is not good to look back with longing (Lot's wife is a good example) and your scripture references are excellent!
However, there is a difference in looking back with a sense of longing or nostalgia for the good ol' sin-filled days and looking back to gauge one's spiritual progress. One does this when preparing a testimony. To me, it is similar to the Jews observance of Passover.
Sometimes it's good to look back down
We've come so far - we've gained such ground
But joy is not in where we've been
Joy is who's waiting at the end
- from Petra's "Road to Zion"
However, there is a difference in looking back with a sense of longing or nostalgia for the good ol' sin-filled days and looking back to gauge one's spiritual progress. One does this when preparing a testimony. To me, it is similar to the Jews observance of Passover.
Sometimes it's good to look back down
We've come so far - we've gained such ground
But joy is not in where we've been
Joy is who's waiting at the end
- from Petra's "Road to Zion"