Pagan Holiday Thread

[hornetguy]

Most importantly, how was the food and the views?
I hope you didn't get turned off by the many icons in the churches you might have visited?

No, it didn't bother me. Mary's house is treated as a shrine by the Catholics, of course. But it doesn't bother me.
The food was wonderful. The real Mediterranean diet...
We saw so many things, it's difficult to describe. The old city of Ephesus, the Agora and Acropolis in Athens, Pompei in Olympia... we watched Turkish rugs being woven, and saw how they harvest silk from silkworm cocoons for the really high end silk rugs... got to taste freshly pressed olive oil...
Good times....
This was a 14 day cruise out of Rome.... I'm not big on cruises, but this one wasn't too bad. We got to see a lot of things that we likely would never have "chosen" to visit on our own.

 

[Lynx]

She apparently is quoting her own direct prophesies from God. She has indicated that God speaks directly to her in several posts.

Yeah, no, I was hoping she would have something more substantial... And substantiative... Than that.

 

[cv5]

Thank you for taking the time to post these references!

I appreciate your time and have bookmarked them so they won't get lost in the shuffle.

And mostly, I thank you for speaking up in letting people like me know that we're not alone in our observations (and in trying to break free from the spiritual manipulation of others.)

Break free. By all means. And God wants us free and He is the God that brings freedom by making free will choice an intrinsic aspect of the creation....

Rev 21:6
And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

Rev 22:17
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

=================================================================================

Oh.....and you might want to consider throwing out every misconception you have ever heard about this two....
Truly, this account is amazing. And yes, the Church today is 100% wrong for the most part.

• Jacob Cheats Esau? Wrong. Question everything you've been taught about this story
  
  
• 
  Birthright for Stew? Is that what you think happened with Jacob and Esau?

 

[Ballaurena]

Chapter and verse on that also?

What prophecies are you citing?

I said from a "prophetic word." Therefore it doesn't have a Bible reference because I never even suggested it was from the Bible.

I mean do you really know people who use this expression when they are referring to scripture? Because it wouldn't be technically wrong, but it would be confusing since this lingo is usually used in my experience to differentiate a recent prophecy from biblical prophecy. If so, how do people in your circles indicate the difference without being excessively wordy?

And I certainly hope you aren't being disrespectfully obstinate too. I mean it's one thing to say you reject the idea that God still speaks, but it is abusive and disrespectful to play games with people over it.

 

[2ndTimeIsTheCharm]

off topic a bit, but was meaningful to me... about 3 weeks ago, I was standing on the top of the hill that Paul was on when he preached to the Athenians.... the Areopolis, Mars hill... it's just below the Acropolis there in Athens. Meant a lot to me.

Oh wow, very nice!


🍉

 

[Ballaurena]

Just because you see that as a prophecy doesn't mean it comes from the Lord. Oftentimes, manipulative people will dress up their views as prophecy to try to force others to do things their way.

I'm so thankful to God for helping me see the truth so that I don't end up under your sway or other people like you.


💐

Wow, so much arrogance in there, from presuming you know better without testing than I who tested extensively (though you weren't even humble enough to ask me about it), to foolishly thinking you alone can't be deceived even despite multiple Bible verses warning us to test things. (1 Thess. 5:19-22, 1 John 4:1, etc.)

I will move on then and pray that God and life bring you down to earth before Satan uses this to destroy you.

 

[Lynx]

Wow, so much arrogance in there, from presuming you know better without testing than I who tested extensively (though you weren't even humble enough to ask me about it), to foolishly thinking you alone can't be deceived even despite multiple Bible verses warning us to test things. (1 Thess. 5:19-22, 1 John 4:1, etc.)

I will move on then and pray that God and life bring you down to earth before Satan uses this to destroy you.

That's classic spiritual power play for you. Denounce anybody who disagrees with you as obstinate, rebellious, arrogant, etc.

Can you substantiate your theories with anything more concrete than something you claim you heard in a private prophetic revelation that none of us have ever heard of?

 

[Lynx]

Wow, so much arrogance in there, from presuming you know better without testing than I who tested extensively (though you weren't even humble enough to ask me about it), to foolishly thinking you alone can't be deceived even despite multiple Bible verses warning us to test things. (1 Thess. 5:19-22, 1 John 4:1, etc.)

I will move on then and pray that God and life bring you down to earth before Satan uses this to destroy you.

Wait, where have I heard this before? Somewhere recently, actually...

Thank you for articulating this thought. You just worded something I've thought of for years, but couldn't describe as precisely.

I used to go to a "Spirit-filled church" in which multiple people seemed to believe they were always direct mouthpieces of the Holy Spirit. If you didn't go along with them, join their ministry, support their cause, believe in healing to the degree they did ("Throw out all your meds unsupervised and believe in Jesus for healing!"), well, then you just didn't have enough faith, didn't really believe in God or were fighting against Him yourself, because they were just the messenger (and somehow always in perfect lockstep with God, making them able to correct everyone else but never accept correction themselves.)

And if that didn't work, well, there's always good old 1 Samuel 15:23 -- "Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft (like the sin of divination,) stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols, arrogance like the evil of idolatry."

I was called rebellious and stubborn more than once. And of course there's times when I am! But something was bothering me, especially when these people lamented about others not being humble or teachable but somehow always failed to show any of those qualities themselves. I guess that's just for all the other pathetic sinners like myself and not them? This is one of my own personal litmus tests -- I will only choose those who display humility and being able to be taught themselves as teachers. I tend to ignore "teachings" from anyone I've never seen apologize to anyone or refuse accept correction as much as they give it (because I don't believe anyone is that perfect that they need no or so little correcting.)

And as I was figuring these things out, the term that came to mind was "spiritual manipulation."

I'm a lot less prone to falling for it now. And I've become pretty adamant about warning other singles about this, because I've seen and heard too many cases of lonely singles being sucked in by dynamic, forceful personalities who won't accept any other way but their own -- because of course, "their way" is always "God's." But they see themselves and God as one in the same, and they want to make you more like them, not like God.

They always tell me, "Take it up with God, because you're arguing with Him, not me."

Oh believe me, I do. If I'm wrong, I ask Him correct me and show me the reasons why I need to listen to so-and-so. But I also ask that if they are wrong, well... I'm sure God is capable of dealing with it on His own. After all, the OT bar for anyone giving false prophecies was death, so I'm sure God has some kind of modern-day measuring stick figured out. May all who speak prophecy be held to His standards and then some, as the Bible says teachers are held to higher standards.

Mostly though, I just ask Him that no one else will be strong-armed into deception by such people.

Oh yeah, that's what it was!

Thank you for so thoroughly illustrating what seoul said.

 

[ThereRoseaLamb]

Right now the thread is for Halloween. It will be here before you know it. Do you have your demonic costumes and possessed candy yet?

Ok Christmas still isn't here so I guess I will put my 50 cents in on this. Growing up we always went out trick or treating. We'd put on our costumes and then our snowsuit, cause, you know, Canada. A lot of times it was something blended with makeup our mother would do for us. We did that until an old time pastor came to our church and preached the hell out of us, or into us, IDK but everyone stopped celebrating Halloween after that fiery sermon on it. Our parents would take us out to what ever was our favorite restaurant during Halloween to make up for it. By the time that pastor left we were too old to go out.

So fast forward to today. I was with my sister when she dressed up her boys as firemen or whatever and I have a great nephew now that is 9 mons and will be dressed up. My feeling about Halloween is that we have made a way that kids can participate that doesn't get in to demons and witches and that side of things. Also it's much safer than when we were kids. The trunk or treat, which was more popular here than home but I think they caught up. Dress as your favorite Bible character and celebrate with your church family, I don't see any wrong there. It's become a more adult holiday than ever before, but I think Christians can stay away from the dark side of Halloween and not be going against anything the Bible would say. JMO

 

[Ballaurena]

That's classic spiritual power play for you. Denounce anybody who disagrees with you as obstinate, rebellious, arrogant, etc.

Can you substantiate your theories with anything more concrete than something you claim you heard in a private prophetic revelation that none of us have ever heard of?

If you follow the thread, I didn't denounce anyone for disagreeing. I denounced their bad behavior. This is consistent with my spiritual gifts and calling, by the way; and if I ever overstep, God has indicated that He is capable of reigning me in.

And since when is it my job to prove anything to anyone? I shared something for those who are interested in pursuing it further. It is up to each person to test things with God for themself. Everything I offer here is a gift offered for those who want it and I owe them nothing.

 

[Ballaurena]

Thank you for articulating this thought. You just worded something I've thought of for years, but couldn't describe as precisely.

I used to go to a "Spirit-filled church" in which multiple people seemed to believe they were always direct mouthpieces of the Holy Spirit. If you didn't go along with them, join their ministry, support their cause, believe in healing to the degree they did ("Throw out all your meds unsupervised and believe in Jesus for healing!"), well, then you just didn't have enough faith, didn't really believe in God or were fighting against Him yourself, because they were just the messenger (and somehow always in perfect lockstep with God, making them able to correct everyone else but never accept correction themselves.)

And if that didn't work, well, there's always good old 1 Samuel 15:23 -- "Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft (like the sin of divination,) stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols, arrogance like the evil of idolatry."

I was called rebellious and stubborn more than once. And of course there's times when I am! But something was bothering me, especially when these people lamented about others not being humble or teachable but somehow always failed to show any of those qualities themselves. I guess that's just for all the other pathetic sinners like myself and not them? This is one of my own personal litmus tests -- I will only choose those who display humility and being able to be taught themselves as teachers. I tend to ignore "teachings" from anyone I've never seen apologize to anyone or refuse accept correction as much as they give it (because I don't believe anyone is that perfect that they need no or so little correcting.)

And as I was figuring these things out, the term that came to mind was "spiritual manipulation."

I'm a lot less prone to falling for it now. And I've become pretty adamant about warning other singles about this, because I've seen and heard too many cases of lonely singles being sucked in by dynamic, forceful personalities who won't accept any other way but their own -- because of course, "their way" is always "God's." But they see themselves and God as one in the same, and they want to make you more like them, not like God.

They always tell me, "Take it up with God, because you're arguing with Him, not me."

Oh believe me, I do. If I'm wrong, I ask Him correct me and show me the reasons why I need to listen to so-and-so. But I also ask that if they are wrong, well... I'm sure God is capable of dealing with it on His own. After all, the OT bar for anyone giving false prophecies was death, so I'm sure God has some kind of modern-day measuring stick figured out. May all who speak prophecy be held to His standards and then some, as the Bible says teachers are held to higher standards.

Mostly though, I just ask Him that no one else will be strong-armed into deception by such people.

Et tu Brutë? ☹️

I have feelings, you know? If your comment was indeed in response to me as another poster suggests, how is it that you have come to assume the worst about me on the grounds of what others have done?

I guess Paul didn't exactly get great receptions for speaking the truth either. Like him, though, I know where I stand with God whatever others may say. I just didn't know so many of the regulars here would be among the stone-throwers.

 

[Ballaurena]

yep. I say "give me a verse" and they say "if you dont believe me you are arguing against God, you should not need a verse, et cetera, et cetera, et etera." and I say "ok, whatever. it isnt worth arguing about. and they denounce me as stubborn and unacceptant of Gods truth. sheesh

Do you mean to insert yourself into another's dispute? Because right now your words are coming across like a libelous accusation against my character.

 

[enril]

Do you mean to insert yourself into another's dispute? Because right now your words are coming across like a libelous accusation against my character.

I honestly find it funny that you assume that I am talking about you. when I never even mentioned you.

 

[Ballaurena]

I honestly find it funny that you assume that I am talking about you. when I never even mentioned you.

Then the context is lost on you, which was my point in asking if you were aware.

Whether you know it or not, you mention mixed-up elements of conversations that transpired today, which has the effect of painting a false picture of events and motivations.

 

[daisyseesthesun]

Et tu Brutë? ☹️

I have feelings, you know? If your comment was indeed in response to me as another poster suggests, how is it that you have come to assume the worst about me on the grounds of what others have done?

I guess Paul didn't exactly get great receptions for speaking the truth either. Like him, though, I know where I stand with God whatever others may say. I just didn't know so many of the regulars here would be among the stone-throwers.

Ballaurena,

Don't be upset. There are many Christians that don't celebrate holidays either. Your not alone. But you won't find many Americans that won't hand out candy at Halloween.

 

[enril]

Then the context is lost on you, which was my point in asking if you were aware.

Whether you know it or not, you mention mixed-up elements of conversations that transpired today, which has the effect of painting a false picture of events and motivations.

when did you ask if i was aware, when did i mention mixed up anything? why would i want to paint false pictures? i have not read anything else today.

 

[Ballaurena]

Ballaurena,

Don't be upset. There are many Christians that don't celebrate holidays either. Your not alone. But you won't find many Americans that won't hand out candy at Halloween.

Thank you but that issue was long ago (and my beliefs actually aren't that clear-cut). The problem at this point is that someone spoke disrespectfully to me and when I called them out for it, others attacked me for speaking up. Your kindness therefore really touches me to the point of tears right now.

 

[daisyseesthesun]

Thank you but that issue was long ago (and my beliefs actually aren't that clear-cut). The problem at this point is that someone spoke disrespectfully to me and when I called them out for it, others attacked me for speaking up. Your kindness therefore really touches me to the point of tears right now.

Blame it on me. I got them all ready for the holidays with the food I posted. God forgive me. I never thought it would cause anyone to be bullied. I'm sorry.

 

[Ballaurena]

when did you ask if i was aware, when did i mention mixed up anything? why would i want to paint false pictures? i have not read anything else today.

I'm sorry for any miscommunication on my part. Thank you very much for clarifying.

 

[Ballaurena]

Thank you for articulating this thought. You just worded something I've thought of for years, but couldn't describe as precisely.

I used to go to a "Spirit-filled church" in which multiple people seemed to believe they were always direct mouthpieces of the Holy Spirit. If you didn't go along with them, join their ministry, support their cause, believe in healing to the degree they did ("Throw out all your meds unsupervised and believe in Jesus for healing!"), well, then you just didn't have enough faith, didn't really believe in God or were fighting against Him yourself, because they were just the messenger (and somehow always in perfect lockstep with God, making them able to correct everyone else but never accept correction themselves.)

And if that didn't work, well, there's always good old 1 Samuel 15:23 -- "Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft (like the sin of divination,) stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols, arrogance like the evil of idolatry."

I was called rebellious and stubborn more than once. And of course there's times when I am! But something was bothering me, especially when these people lamented about others not being humble or teachable but somehow always failed to show any of those qualities themselves. I guess that's just for all the other pathetic sinners like myself and not them? This is one of my own personal litmus tests -- I will only choose those who display humility and being able to be taught themselves as teachers. I tend to ignore "teachings" from anyone I've never seen apologize to anyone or refuse accept correction as much as they give it (because I don't believe anyone is that perfect that they need no or so little correcting.)

And as I was figuring these things out, the term that came to mind was "spiritual manipulation."

I'm a lot less prone to falling for it now. And I've become pretty adamant about warning other singles about this, because I've seen and heard too many cases of lonely singles being sucked in by dynamic, forceful personalities who won't accept any other way but their own -- because of course, "their way" is always "God's." But they see themselves and God as one in the same, and they want to make you more like them, not like God.

They always tell me, "Take it up with God, because you're arguing with Him, not me."

Oh believe me, I do. If I'm wrong, I ask Him correct me and show me the reasons why I need to listen to so-and-so. But I also ask that if they are wrong, well... I'm sure God is capable of dealing with it on His own. After all, the OT bar for anyone giving false prophecies was death, so I'm sure God has some kind of modern-day measuring stick figured out. May all who speak prophecy be held to His standards and then some, as the Bible says teachers are held to higher standards.

Mostly though, I just ask Him that no one else will be strong-armed into deception by such people.

On a re-look, it looks like the other poster was simply misapplying your post to mine. I certainly hope that is the case since I'm sad enough about that other poster suddenly turning on me. If so, I apologize for my mistake and am hopeful for peace. I have shed enough tears tonight over the matter.