RevRainbow

Thanks for posting the site, Bro. I have been perusing the "Dinosaurs in Art" and "Boneyards" sections and cant really comment yet as I have not delved too deeply. I must say they have a lot of stuff in different categories all easily accessible. It appears to be a most interesting site and one that I will be spending more time on. I have felt for a long time that many things in our lives have not been newly discovered but simply re-discovered from times past. Both religion as well as science have anathematized things that were not in line with their rationale of "truth." I wonder if there would be smirks and dismissals if the site were run by atheists, pagans or any other non-Christian source instead. Seems to me that sometimes we let labels get in the way of discovery. It would be wise for us to realize that bias, interpretation and perspectives appears in all reports and accept the fact that we also form our own opinions with the same tools. From my own experience, I have researched a grouping of prehistoric, late stone age tools from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. What intrigued me was that these stone tools are copies (shape and design) of already then-existing bronze tools from China which were far better quality. Sure, there was an overlapping of stone/bronze age but what makes it interesting is how advanced one society was compared to the other at the same general time.

...large raccoon perched on his shoulder biting his ear. "Looks like Hop Sing is having trouble preparing lunch today," said old Ben. "Dang, macaroni and cheese again." Hoss said discouragingly. Just then, the aliens, seeing the raccoon...

...hey guys, quit fightin' and come see the neat crop circles we just made along the north 40! Hoss looked up and said...

Methinks "fear" of God could be better understood as "reverential awe." I am not afraid of God, I am overwhelmed by Him.

Ah, yes, Ive read that in part. Lot of good mushroom recipes too! As my grandfather used to say: "Utinam logica falsa tuam philosophiam totam suffodiant!"

Gee, I'd like to comment but I dont know which version to use!

You have my prayers. May God watch over you and address your concerns.

I have no difficulty in accepting this perspective and tend to agree with you, Pete. My problem lies with the folks who are constantly getting " a word from the Lord." If they indeed are getting God-breathed information, should that not also be included in scripture? This ties in to what you were saying, and I believe God does speak to us through His Spirit, but it is for our spiritual education, correction and sometimes, rebuke. The "letters" of the NT are just that, letters written so that believers in Christ would have a foundation and direction to base their lives on. As usual, those who seek power have used what we term sacred writings to control people rather than set them free. This is true in any corporate religion.

Wishing you the best. Looks nice and comfy. Looks like a big back yard too.

Right now, Im just listening.

My prayers also.

I knew you would pop up sooner or later! I can almost see you smiling with a knowledgeable wink. You always bring a grin and special insight to the discussion, rabbi. I am always gratified when you enter the discussion when Christians are arguing what Jews think!

Well, Fawzo (took me a while,sorry), I sing what my lesbian friends like. Mostly, I do a mean Willie Nelson impression (the ladies like my Willie), and some Johnny Cash. I also do a few duets (sometimes I have to do the girl part) like Proud Mary (I'm Ike), or Paradise by the Dashboard Lights, Jackson and even Sonny and Cher or "Picture (which I usually do Cheryl Crow's part)." My fear is I'll wind up on YouTube one day.

LOL. Very deep statement, Fawzo (I get it)! There is one supposition that came to mind. What if In Romans Paul is talking about the antedeluvian folks and in Acts, he is talking post deluge? Just a thought (and a little more fog).

Well, I thought about it and am kind of in a bit of a fog myself! I know you are missing something and I perceive I am also. The best explanation I can give is that the Romans verse applied to a rejected knowledge of the One God and in Acts, ignorance (gotta love those Greeks!) of that knowledge. I do understand how one can read contradiction in the two verses, but I just don't see any contradiction. So, let's have another cup of coffee.

Ask Fr. Corey, he knows!

"Bunkum." I like that word!

Before I answer, Im gonna go back and carefully read our dialogue again. But not tonight. I'm going to karaoke (no, not at the church).

Interesting. Perhaps they'll find more. Thanks.

Fawzo, I do not see where you are getting the idea that I believe the verse pertains to only Christian believers! We do NOT disagree. You have been misreading my words, confusing the two different texts. Both pertain to ALL. In one, it pertains to ALL who do not acknowledge that God IS and create their own gods (God does not wink) and the other pertains to ALL those who believe there is a God but are ignorant of Truth (so God winks). The confusion probably comes because I stated that in one verse, Paul is speaking to believers and the other verse he is not. I did not state that he was speaking of, but to them. I pointed this out so that one may see that there is no contradiction between the verses, IMO, when the reason for the apparent difference is explained.

I am in agreement with you Pete, and there is no getting around the fact that greater things are we capable of doing as Jesus' disciples. The problem lies not with the Bible, but within ourselves. Methinks, Pete, there is a reason why we do not see the promises of Jesus reflected in the lives of His followers. Our lack of faith. Coolhand also referred to this situation in regards to healing and miracles. They don't happen because we are afraid. It is, as it usually is with sin, a matter of pride. Even as Christians, our spirit tell us that many of these healing services are phony and without merit, a sideshow which blasphemes God. Might I also add those folks who desperately want to speak in tongues to prove to others they are surely saved, to the point of faking it...and the interpretations. These things should not be so but they exist because of the sadly lacking faith in that what we believe is actually true. We shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover. Okay, sounds good so why don't it work? You pointed out, Pete, that many times the card is played that the recipient had not enough faith. An easy out for the healer and, for the most part, erroneous. As I see it, the reason is WAVERING. A momentary doubt (such as Moses striking the rock twice for water) can keep you out of the promise. Faith is the key. We may say we believe the bible but it boils down to not quite everything. The problem we have is our understanding that Jesus doesnt lie so, we must blame some reason for not being able to heal. We fail to see that we are a vessel, a conductor for the power of God through the Spirit, in Christ. Yet, when the test comes, when we are brought into the house and see a sick child, as we begin to lay hands on them, we whisper in our mind, "I hope this works because I do not want to look like a fool." Therein lies the problem, we are worried about how WE will appear to others if it doesnt work, so our faith is misdirected as we put the faith in our hands rather than in the power of God which can flow through them. Our vanity as to "how we will look" is what prevents us. There are reasons for sickness and disease. Remember Jesus said that the one guy was born blind not because of the sins of his parents but so that the glory of God could be manifest in him. Some are sick because they have sinned, some are sick because of natural cause-effect and some simply to be healed at the right time. A christian walking in the Spirit, will be able to discern and use appropriate response in healing (there are different methods). We all can pray for healing but some have a specific gift of healing, given by God, through the Holy Spirit. A Christian may receive this gift of being able to heal, either directly or through asking. But without faith, it will avail little. Doubt works like this in our mind. We believe in the power of healing, yet we ask God to "make it work." It does work so why ask, just gird up your loins and do it. He who wavers in faith is like a ship tossed about the waves. I fear we do not have the "power" because deep down, we really don't have the faith to believe that it "really" works. I remember one night, some years ago, receiving a call that someone's child had died. I felt a strong spiritual movement to go to the hospital and pray over that child and restore her life. Instead of getting in the car and going, I hesitated and said to myself, what if it doesnt work...I'll look like a fool, and, as I pondered, I decided not to go. It was a grievous sin of unbelief for which I am sorry. Another time, a few years later, when I worked in the City Health Department, I was walking down the hall of the clinic when a woman and child approached, the child holding her stomach and crying in pain. I asked the nurse who was with them what was wrong (I am not a doctor), and she told me the child had ingested lead paint and they were headed for X-ray. Instinctively, without forethought, I bent down, placed my hands on the child's face, looking in her eyes, and said, don't cry, you'll be alright." The child began to stop crying; sniffling and wiping her tears, they continued to walk on. Later, the nurse told me they found no evidence in the X-ray of any lead paint and the child was released! Christianity is proven not by words, but by deeds. We have to ask ourselves, do we really believe what we say we believe. If we believe in the words of Jesus, why then can we not act on them with full assurance. Perhaps we should pray like the man in the NT, "Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!"

Pete, I have always had a difficult time with trying to understand the personality of God as it is written in the OT compared to Jesus view in the NT. I do see the love of God in the OT often, but as you point out, much of His vengeance sure seemed extreme. It would be nice to have answers to that enigma instead of just an attempt at explanation. Of course, anything we come up with is opinion and many of us have agreed and disagreed at times when comparing certain understandings. When we realize there are no answers until after the curtain falls, we realize also it is our faith that gives us courage to face the unknown. Our hope is in what we believe as to God and eternity and no one has a right to tell you how to believe or where to place your hope and trust. It is, however, our responsibility to seek out answers that lead us to the truth which sets us free, not imprisons us.