Meggido is a hill in the holy land, Not an action of adjective. You are twisting this yet again. Please do real research. Stop trying to read what does not exist.

Find something more meaningful to do with your time. Like, for instance, instead of constantly focusing on the BAD in most religions, start picking apart your very own, for once! You'd be amazed at how your incessant hatred towards people you don't even know, is completely unfounded and an irrational way of thinking.

cfder,

Really show me how I am attacking someone's beliefs? I am very positive about Christianity check my other posts.

I am just against a man that uses God, lies and part of doctrine to enforce hatred and total BS.

I love how darrick and em speak as if they are above everybody else because they have the audacity to question peoples beliefs.

Neither of you have the nerve to put yourself out there for everyone to ridicule. You only have the nerve to bash what another person thinks. Quite ferociously too I might add. No intellictual banter back and forth, just "your stupid shut up" basically. You are both jokes.

I love how darrick and em speak as if they are above everybody else because they have the audacity to question peoples beliefs.

Neither of you have the nerve to put yourself out there for everyone to ridicule. You only have the nerve to bash what another person thinks. Quite ferociously too I might add. No intellictual banter back and forth, just "your stupid shut up" basically. You are both jokes.

-- Posted by mathman on Mon, Feb 18, 2008, at 6:22 PM

MY RESPONSE:

Who are we above? I guess you're not supposed to question anything, huh? Just go along and let life happen, let manipulative, vindictive leaders rule your lives and then add to and take scriptures out of the Bible... I'm sorry, but I don't think it's doing god a favor to not question the authenticity of who wrote what? And the key word, we "bash what people think", you are correct, especially when they spread what they "think" as FACT.

I think we put ourselves out here everyday.. So what kind of joke is that? We don't need blogs to speak our minds, I do that in person as well... Michael, however, different story.

_______

darrick 04

I like how when EM responds to something you like to chime in and give your opinion agreeing with everything he says. Sounds to me like you don't have a mind of your own. Why don't you make up something clever of what you believe instead of everytime EM says something you say AMEN!

-- Posted by christiangirl on Mon, Feb 18, 2008, at 6:31 PM

MY RESPONSE:

I like how I was on these blogs WAY before Evil Monkey discrediting Michael from his VERY FIRST BLOG, til his VERY LAST, if you simply searched the archives, then surely you would have thought before you posted. B/c obviously now, you show no resemblance of being clever.

Christianity is not a religion, it is a relationship.

-- Posted by michaelbell on Mon, Feb 18, 2008, at 6:47 PM

So, what's God's phone number & email address? I need to forward him some of your abominations...

LOL. Dang I just now read that God died [according to Michael].. Goodness Michael, you're really confused now.

I don't understand why Christianity isn't the largest faith based religion practiced in the areas Jesus preached and led people to him? Say, the Middle East? Asia? etc etc.. This ia an honest question... Why is that?

oh and one last thing

"Like Judaism and Islam, Christianity is classified as an Abrahamic religion"

Islam and Christianity are classified the same...shocking right?

and anyway, God said only 144,000 are going to heaven, I don't think Michael is on that list..HE ISN'T JEWISH!! So his threats and fear mongering don't bother me, they just give me a good laugh and wonder what exactly he does all day other than look for ways to turn people away from his RELIGION!!

"You are an angry person that tries to know everything, or at least sound that way"

Posted by christiangirl on Mon, Feb 18, 2008, at 6:58 PM

I think you have them confused with Michael...sorry. EM and Darrick have always stated that they believe in God but half of the bible is missing which is a fact. I have NEVER once read where either of them said they don't believe!! You can believe in God and not believe in a book. It's not that hard to grasp, but I needn't defend either of them, they will get to you soon enough.

Disturbia

I like how this was between me and darrick, and you start in with "they will get you soon enough" oooh! Like I said I have a mind of my own and I have God. He is always with me. This was not even your conversation.

These are public forums, it's EVERYONE'S conversation!!!!!!!

HAHA, I beat you too it Disturbia! I love you! LOL

Is that all you've got to say? ..... I'm through with this conversation.

-- Posted by christiangirl on Sat, Feb 16, 2008, at 8:24 PM

Please just say this again! ;)

Oh and this blog should have been titled "YET MORE INSANE RAMBLINGS I CAN'T BACK UP" not "THREATS THEY CAN'T BACK UP"

"Hey, the popular thing today is if you don't know make something up"

Posted by christiangirl on Mon, Feb 18, 2008, at 7:18 PM

Well that is the Christian way, well that and twisting scripture to make it sound the way you want it too or quoting one scripture while leaving out all the rest.

and:

"You two are made for each other."

Thank you :) But we already know this!!

You haven't yet, but give it some time, that is however, Michael's Speciality. Don't go stealing his thunder...

Christians don't need names with the word in it to prove it. I am a believer of GOD, not a book. Christians live solely through a flawed book that is irrelevant.

You have been told over and over again 80% is left out (need proof, research old blogs and see what all is left out).It has be written and rewritten throughout the years by man. And then you people preach from the old testament to vilify people and then say, oh we don't have to live by the old testament, it was washed away when Jesus died. You just can't make up your mind.

How do you know that it is NOT flawed?

I hate to spoil the fun, but I have to get my 2 daughters to bed. I will be back later though. I'm curious of what you believe.

You have been told over and over again 80% is left out (need proof, research old blogs and see what all is left out).It has be written and rewritten throughout the years by man. And then you people preach from the old testament to vilify people and then say, oh we don't have to live by the old testament, it was washed away when Jesus died. You just can't make up your mind.

How do you know that it is NOT flawed?

-- Posted by Disturbia on Mon, Feb 18, 2008, at 7:44 PM

Research these blogs for proof? If this is the only reading you do I see why you are disturbed. You have no opinion that is not those other two's.

That's clever darrick. How long did it take you to come up with that one. That's like someone giving you a baby book to know how to take care of a baby, and saying throw away bottles, diapers, etc. That sounds ignorant. You said your still in school right? Well let me know when you're an adult and we'll discuss this.

Look, you can believe what you want to believe. What you need to STOP doing, is what you vilify Christians for doing. That is ATTACKING those you dont believe the same as you! YOU darrick are the worst on here. You attack any and all believers who dare to say Jesus is Lord, and yet YOU say it is WE who attack others.? Right or wrong is not the arguement I am making, because all religon is all about faith. YOU need to PRACTICE what YOU PREACH! I am sure, by reading your other blogs, you live by the "live and let live" philosophy. So how will YOU practice?

All of you who label me as "faithless" or "godless" or w/e, really don't get it. I LOVE God, he is the amazing. I think Jesus existed as well. I do NOT however, tell myself that I need to believe some inherently flawed book. I honestly speak from the heart. My convictions are real, I think God is an amazing spirt, with amazing beauty [just look around you]...

He does, however want each and everyone of us to use our brains, open our minds, and reach further than ancient documents to further our faith. I don't believe ANY of us, truly live by exactly what the Bible says. Which, may make me a bad person, in some people's opinions, because I live in reality. I understand that NOBODY is perfect, not you not me, not a single soul.

I think God is ashamed that a nation founded on truth, and escaping from religion, has endoctrined and entertwined itself so deep into factions, that it has lost its true focus. We are to love our neighbors, clothe them, feed them, take care of them, visit them. That is a rosy picture but all to often not reality. I can't and won't speak for anyone other than myself. However, I find it necessary to say that I absolutely, 100% believe in God. I absolutely, 100% believe that someone, not necessarily Jesus was sent as a human reminder of God's grace. It is easy to come on these blogs telling people that Islam, homosexuality, yada yada yada is deplorable and unacceptable in God's eyes, when none of us are perfect, nobody's religion is perfect, and none of it will ever be.

I don't attack people for believing in Jesus, I respond to them when they attack other faiths who have no defendant available. It's easy to pick on minorities and spread your messages to people who are just like you, it's difficult though to correspond to someone who may have to actually think in order to converse.

mathman, seems like you've around a while, following my every move, some call it an obsession? I don't have a blog on here, and I can rightly defend what I have to say.

Christiangirl...you are definitely not alone. Some of us just choose not to argue a battle that cannot be won. Darrick was raised Christian and has been taught better than the rantings he spews here. I think he just likes a good argument. Choose your battles. I know that the Bible tells you to spread the good word, but you have done your part here. He knows better...and you are completely wasting your breath. Which is why I choose to read on quietly in the background. Just wanted you to know that there are others aside from mathman who share your point of view.

You have told Micheal to stop picking and choosing what he wants to believe in the bible and you're doing the same thing. You say you believe in God "the creator" but not Jesus? So you believe in the old testament and not the new? Jesus said "No man comes unto the father but by me". No man can be saved unless he believes in Jesus. He is the only way.

You ignored the question about pieces left out of the bible. Huge parts. I want to know where? I really want to read this.

Darrick was raised Christian and has been taught better than the rantings he spews here.

-- Posted by Rhebea96 on Mon, Feb 18, 2008, at 9:40 PM

I was raised to be ME. Don't give me a label, and don't pretend to know what I believe. It's usually a little easier to talk behind a name that nobody knows. Why is everyone else so ashamed?

_______________

darrick, I am not here to attack what you do or do not believe in. You, on the other hand make it your mission to attack anybody who does not believe the same as you. You cannot defend THAT.

you have no idea what God "thinks".

-- Posted by mathman on Mon, Feb 18, 2008, at 9:41 PM

I haven't attacked a single person. I have however responded. I don't know what god thinks, any more than you, christiangirl or michael... So what's your point.

_______________

You have told Micheal to stop picking and choosing what he wants to believe in the bible and you're doing the same thing.

-- Posted by christiangirl on Mon, Feb 18, 2008, at 9:41 PM

Difference in picking and choosing, and not really believing ANY of what man says....

I think he just likes a good argument. Choose your battles. Some of us just choose not to argue a battle that cannot be won.

-- Posted by Rhebea96 on Mon, Feb 18, 2008, at 9:40 PM

That's how this should have been worded :) You're right, it can't be won, by any of us. Goodnight!

Just as surely as God implants the life cell in the tiny seed that produces the mighty oak...as surely as He instills the heartbeat in the life of the tiny infant yet unborn...as surely as He puts motion into the planets, stars, and heavenly bodies--so He implants His divine life in the hearts of those who earnestly seek Him through Christ.

God will win in the end! along with His son Jesus. I will pray for you darrick that God will speak to you and you will believe in Jesus and His purpose for your life. I hope you have a Goodnight!

I think God is ashamed that a nation founded on truth, and escaping from religion, has endoctrined and entertwined itself so deep into factions, that it has lost its true focus. -- Posted by darrick_04 on Mon, Feb 18, 2008, at 9:31 PM

You do think you know what God thinks.

Thanks for all the compliments! Everyone sleep well... :)

Classic, darrick. Snide remarks as usual. We expect no less...

But you didn't answer the question. Do you believe in Jesus as Savior? Christiangirl stated the basic faith of christianity. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth,and the life. No one comes to the Father but through me". Do you believe this?

-- Posted by cfder on Mon, Feb 18, 2008, at 10:20 PM

Why would you want an answer, if all he gives you are snide remarks. Seems a bit redundant to me... But anyways, you weren't asking me, so what do I know?

-BREAK-

You do think you know what God thinks.

-- Posted by mathman on Mon, Feb 18, 2008, at 10:17 PM

I'm with jesuslovesevery1 on this one. I read it as, God is probably tired of all the denominations, etc. If christianity is so perfect then why are there so many different interpretations of it? 38,000 Christian denominations exist... That doesn't sound like a very strong foundation to me. But, my denomination is one of those 38,000 so who knows. Lol..

removed him? in the last line was supposed to read removed them, referring to the 14 books.

I'm so glad you are here. I was starting to feel like I was the only one with some sense. See how disturbia never answered my question about Jesus? But she did say she believed in God. Just avoided the other.

-- Posted by christiangirl on Mon, Feb 18, 2008, at 9:26 PM

*MY REPLY*

NO I do NOT believe that the Messiah has been here on Earth, I do NOT believe in Jesus...WHY? Because how can I justify believing in a man that GOD'S chose people, the Jews, don't believe in? They are the ones he loves the most and they say.."nope, the whole Jesus thing, a bunch of hooey" So I can't and won't discredit the ones that God has chosen as his people. 13.2 million people, including 41% of Israel God's ONLY country do not believe in Jesus, yet he supposedly walked the land there.

Hey Evil,

The bible says alot about God the father, God the son, and God the holy spirit. 3 forms of God. You'll find a lot of verses talk about God's spirit. God the son is Jesus. They are separate, but he's still of God. I was told something that made it clear to me one time. Think about rain. Rain comes in different forms (hail, sleet, snow, etc.),but it's still of water. I believe when we go to heaven Jesus will be seated on the right hand of our father. The bible tells this.

Do'nt force your beliefes on the ones that want to argue or don't believe in GOD! When Jesus comes back they will have to deal with where they go ,concentrate on being perfect. Some of you will say no one is perfect but GOD. T hat is'nt correct! the word perfect in the bible tells you to be perfect in christ. The new international version tells us that perfect means being mature in christ so in christ you can be perfect by being mature .Lets all try being perfect

Praise god!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My only true complaint is that you people believe that Christians are the only ones that have it right and are going to Heaven. That leaves awhole lot of Buddhist, Muslims, Islams, etc. out of the mix. You have no clue if the God they pray to is our God, you just like to feel superior. Christianity, I am afraid you are going to find out, is not the end all be all of Religion.

And even with Jesus, ChristianGirl, you aren't getting into heaven anyway...as stated IN THE BIBLE..ONLY 144,000 people are going to heaven and once again, you, nor Michael are one of them. Those spots are reserved for his chosen ones as I have stated over and over again.

And if you want to start talking about what all the bible says, we could go on for days. Because it says ALOT and contradicts itself at every twist and turn.

the 144,000 you talk of are of the Jewish race who will be used to convert the Jewish people to the Messiah.

Rev. 7v13 to 17 talks of the great multitude which will come out of the rapture.

The ones who do not believe till during the great tribulation and who are martyred for their faith will also be there. Rev.6 v9 to 11.

You sound like what the Jehovah's Witness teach which along with Mormonism are questionable branches of CHRISTIANITY!

Michael,

The 144,000 will RULE over the earth as KINGS and PRIESTS. Why would 144,000 rule over earth if everyone will be in heaven? That wouldn't make sense eh?

Please if you are going to read something from the Bible, please stop interrupting it with your feelings. NOT ONE of your verses state anything about heaven. If you are referring about the white robes, they were given those as a symbol of no sin.

The 144,000 are elders, in the passages that you presented, if you read them you would see, the elders ask about the men in the white robes. The men in white robes have never slept with a woman, I guess they are gay. They were killed as martyrs. That will worship God in the temple and if you read, it states the sun, Remember he mentions Sun, he mentions water, and a tent structure. Therefore, even his chosen are going to be ON EARTH.

You say you don't believe in the bible, but you keep saying that the bible says only 144,000 people are going to heaven. Why do you only believe that part of it?-- Posted by nooneimportant on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, at 4:16 PM

Exactly nooneimportant, seems to disagree with the bible, but keeps referring back to it.

the 144,000 you talk of are of the Jewish race who will be used to convert the Jewish people to the Messiah.

Rev. 7v13 to 17 talks of the great multitude which will come out of the rapture.

The ones who do not believe till during the great tribulation and who are martyred for their faith will also be there. Rev.6 v9 to 11.

I agree with this Micheal!

My only true complaint is that you people believe that Christians are the only ones that have it right and are going to Heaven. That leaves awhole lot of Buddhist, Muslims, Islams, etc. out of the mix. You have no clue if the God they pray to is our God, you just like to feel superior. Christianity, I am afraid you are going to find out, is not the end all be all of Religion.

-- Posted by Disturbia on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, at 3:38 PM

Yes these people will be out of the mix because they worship false gods.

Why are we here on this earth and what is our purpose if you believe what you've made up about 144,000? God gives us a choice to believe or not that Jesus is His son,and the way to salvation. The unsaved Jews that do not believe in Jesus are the 144,000 that he is going to spare because those are his chosen people. He's giving them another chance. Everyone that believes in Jesus will be with Him in heaven.

You sound like what the Jehovah's Witness teach which along with Mormonism are questionable branches of CHRISTIANITY!

MICHAEL,

MAke no mistake about this, I AM NOT A JEHOVAH'S WITNESS OR A MORMON..THEY ARE MORE OR LESS CULTS AND CHRISTIANITY IS FOLLOWING IT'S PATH WITH ALL YOU BRAIN WASHED "SHEEPLE" (YES I QUOTED EVIL MONKEY)

I DID not make up the 144,000. YOUR BIBLE DID!! You have it once again all twisted...

-- Posted by Disturbia on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, at 6:27 PM

You are the one bringing up the 144,000

You are the one referring back to the bible.

Seems like you all are having fun...

Christiangirl, since you're good at copying and pasting from the Bible [or an online] source. Copy and paste those scriptures presented to you last night. You know those other verses in Leviticus that make ABSOLUTLEY NO SENSE! I bet you just ignored those, b/c you would have found out that some parts of the Bible, literally make no sense. Now, I am a Christian, and I believe in Jesus...etc, but how can you honestly ignore the flaws of this book? I simply don't think ignorance is the word, b/c you have been shown over and over again how contradictory many scriptures seem.

Ok, my dog has now left this fight. Debate on...

16. Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary , by whom Jesus was born , who is called the Messiah .

17. So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations ; from David to the deportation to Babylon , fourteen generations ; and from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah , fourteen generations .

-- Posted by christiangirl on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, at 7:17 PM

Ok, my dog wanted more of this fight...Real quick, and then I'll be done!! JESUS WAS NOT DESCENDENT OF DAVID b/c IT WAS A "VIRGIN" BIRTH[remember], or wait.. should they run and change that scripture just a smidge?

According to Jewish sources, the Messiah will be born of human parents and possess normal physical attributes like other people. He will not be a demi-god, nor will he possess supernatural qualities.

The Messiah must be descended on his father's side from King David (see Genesis 49:10 and Isaiah 11:1). According to the Christian claim that Jesus was the product of a virgin birth, he had no father -- and thus could not have possibly fulfilled the messianic requirement of being descended on his father's side from King David!

Christiangirl

Since all you can do is copy and paste I figured I would do the same...here is a good read...AND PLEASE READ IT ALL..DON'T SKIP!!!

1. JESUS DID NOT FULFILL THE MESSIANIC PROPHECIES

What is the Messiah supposed to accomplish? The Bible says that he will:

A. Build the Third Temple (Ezekiel 37:26-28).

B. Gather all Jews back to the Land of Israel (Isaiah 43:5-6).

C. Usher in an era of world peace, and end all hatred, oppression, suffering and disease. As it says: "Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall man learn war anymore." (Isaiah 2:4)

D. Spread universal knowledge of the God of Israel, which will unite humanity as one. As it says: "God will be King over all the world -- on that day, God will be One and His Name will be One" (Zechariah 14:9).

If an individual fails to fulfill even one of these conditions, then he cannot be "The Messiah."

Because no one has ever fulfilled the Bible's description of this future King, Jews still await the coming of the Messiah. All past Messianic claimants, including Jesus of Nazareth, Bar Cochba and Shabbtai Tzvi have been rejected.

Christians counter that Jesus will fulfill these in the Second Coming, but Jewish sources show that the Messiah will fulfill the prophecies outright; in the Bible no concept of a second coming exists.

________________________

2) JESUS DID NOT EMBODY THE PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS OF MESSIAH

A. MESSIAH AS PROPHET

The Messiah will become the greatest prophet in history, second only to Moses. (Targum - Isaiah 11:2; Maimonides - Yad Teshuva 9:2)

Prophecy can only exist in Israel when the land is inhabited by a majority of world Jewry, a situation which has not existed since 300 BCE. During the time of Ezra, when the majority of Jews refused to move from Babylon to Israel, prophecy ended upon the death of the last prophets -- Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi.

Jesus was not a prophet; he appeared on the scene approximately 350 years after prophecy had ended.

B. DESCENDENT OF DAVID

According to Jewish sources, the Messiah will be born of human parents and possess normal physical attributes like other people. He will not be a demi-god,nor will he possess supernatural qualities.

The Messiah must be descended on his father's side from King David (see Genesis 49:10, Isaiah 11:1, Jeremiah 23:5, 33:17; Ezekiel 34:23-24). According to the Christian claim that Jesus was the product of a virgin birth, he had no father -- and thus could not have possibly fulfilled the messianic requirement of being descended on his father's side from King David.

C. TORAH OBSERVANCE

The Messiah will lead the Jewish people to full Torah observance. The Torah states that all mitzvot remain binding forever, and anyone coming to change the Torah is immediately identified as a false prophet. (Deut. 13:1-4)

Throughout the New Testament, Jesus contradicts the Torah and states that its commandments are no longer applicable. For example, John 9:14 records that Jesus made a paste in violation of Shabbat, which caused the Pharisees to say (verse 16), "He does not observe Shabbat!"

____________________

3) MISTRANSLATED VERSES "REFERRING" TO JESUS

Biblical verses can only be understood by studying the original Hebrew text -- which reveals many discrepancies in the Christian translation.

A. VIRGIN BIRTH

The Christian idea of a virgin birth is derived from the verse in Isaiah 7:14 describing an "alma" as giving birth. The word "alma" has always meant a young woman, but Christian theologians came centuries later and translated it as "virgin." This accords Jesus' birth with the first century pagan idea of mortals being impregnated by gods.

B. SUFFERING SERVANT

Christianity claims that Isaiah chapter 53 refers to Jesus, as the "suffering servant."

In actuality, Isaiah 53 directly follows the theme of chapter 52, describing the exile and redemption of the Jewish people. The prophecies are written in the singular form because the Jews ("Israel") are regarded as one unit. Throughout Jewish scripture, Israel is repeatedly called, in the singular, the "Servant of God" (see Isaiah 43:8). In fact, Isaiah states no less than 11 times in the chapters prior to 53 that the Servant of God is Israel. When read correctly, Isaiah 53 clearly [and ironically] refers to the Jewish people being "bruised, crushed and as sheep brought to slaughter" at the hands of the nations of the world. These descriptions are used throughout Jewish scripture to graphically describe the suffering of the Jewish people (see Psalm 44). Isaiah 53 concludes that when the Jewish people are redeemed, the nations will recognize and accept responsibility for the inordinate suffering and death of the Jews.

For further reading, go to: http://www.jewsforjudaism.org/web/faq/faq-ss.html

______________________

4) JEWISH BELIEF IS BASED SOLELY ON NATIONAL REVELATION

Throughout history, thousands of religions have been started by individuals, attempting to convince people that he or she is God's true prophet. But personal revelation is an extremely weak basis for a religion because one can never know if it is indeed true. Since others did not hear God speak to this person, they have to take his word for it. Even if the individual claiming personal revelation performs miracles, there is still no verification that he is a genuine prophet. Miracles do not prove anything. All they show -- assuming they are genuine -- is that he has certain powers. It has nothing to do with his claim of prophecy.

Judaism, unique among all of the world's major religions, does not rely on "claims of miracles" as the basis for its religion. In fact, the Bible says that God sometimes grants the power of "miracles" to charlatans, in order to test Jewish loyalty to the Torah (Deut. 13:4).

Of the thousands of religions in human history, only Judaism bases its belief on national revelation -- i.e. God speaking to the entire nation. IF GOD IS GOING TO START A RELIGION, IT MAKES SENSE HE'LL TELL EVERYONE, NOT JUST ONE PERSON!

Maimonides states (Foundations of Torah, ch. 8):

The Jews did not believe in Moses, our teacher, because of the miracles he performed. Whenever anyone's belief is based on seeing miracles, he has lingering doubts, because it is possible the miracles were performed through magic or sorcery. All of the miracles performed by Moses in the desert were because they were necessary, and not as proof of his prophecy.

What then was the basis of [Jewish] belief? The Revelation at Mount Sinai, which we saw with our own eyes and heard with our own ears, not dependent on the testimony of others... as it says, "Face to face, God spoke with you..." The Torah also states: "God did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us -- who are all here alive today." (Deut. 5:3)

Judaism is not miracles. It is the personal eyewitness experience of every man, woman and child, standing at Mount Sinai 3,300 years ago.

For further reading: "Did God Speak at Mount Sinai?"

WAITING FOR THE MESSIAH

The world is in desperate need of Messianic redemption. And to the extent we are aware of the problems of society, is the extent we will yearn for redemption. As the Talmud says, one of the first questions asked of a Jew on Judgment Day is: "Did you yearn for the arrival of the Messiah?"

How can we hasten the coming of the Messiah? The best way is to love all humanity generously, to keep the mitzvot of the Torah (as best we can), and to encourage others to do so as well.

Despite the gloom, the world does seem headed toward redemption. One apparent sign is that the Jewish people have returned to the Land of Israel and made it bloom again. Additionally, a major movement is afoot of young Jews returning to Torah tradition.

The Messiah can come any day, and it all depends on our actions. God is ready when we are. For as King David says: "Redemption will come today -- if you hearken to His voice."

FOOTNOTES----HENCE THE PROBLEM WITH YOUR GENEALOGICAL LINE YOU PRESENTED:

1.Maimonides devotes much of the "Guide for the Perplexed" to the fundamental idea that God is incorporeal, meaning that He assumes no physical form. God is Eternal, above time. He is Infinite, beyond space. He cannot be born, and cannot die. Saying that God assumes human form makes God small, diminishing both His unity and His divinity. As the Torah says: "God is not a mortal" (Numbers 23:19).

2. In response, it is claimed that Joseph adopted Jesus, and passed on his genealogy via adoption. There are two problems with this claim:

a) There is no Biblical basis for the idea of a father passing on his tribal line by adoption. A priest who adopts a son from another tribe cannot make him a priest by adoption;

b) Joseph could never pass on by adoption that which he doesn't have. Because Joseph descended from Jeconiah (Matthew 1:11) he fell under the curse of that king that none of his descendants could ever sit as king upon the throne of David. (Jeremiah 22:30; 36:30)

To answer this difficult problem, apologists claim that Jesus traces himself back to King David through his mother Mary, who allegedly descends from David, as shown in the third chapter of Luke. There are four basic problems with this claim:

a) There is no evidence that Mary descends from David. The third chapter of Luke traces Joseph's genealogy, not Mary's.

b) Even if Mary can trace herself back to David, that doesn't help Jesus, since tribal affiliation goes only through the father, not mother. Cf. Numbers 1:18; Ezra 2:59.

c) Even if family line could go through the mother, Mary was not from a legitimate Messianic family. According to the Bible, the Messiah must be a descendent of David through his son Solomon (II Samuel 7:14; I Chronicles 17:11-14, 22:9-10, 28:4-6). The third chapter of Luke is irrelevant to this discussion because it describes lineage of David's son Nathan, not Solomon. (Luke 3:31)

d) Luke 3:27 lists Shealtiel and Zerubbabel in his genealogy. These two also appear in Matthew 1:12 as descendants of the cursed Jeconiah. If Mary descends from them, it would also disqualify her from being a Messianic progenitor.

-- Posted by disturbia on Wed, Dec 31, 1969, at 6:00 PM

DISPUTE THAT!!

Well darrick, I still believe in Jesus, but the pure nonsense regarding his lineology is crazy!

How could he both born unto a virgin, yet have King David's genes... A little odd, one might say. It simply intrigues my curiousity more, though. Others simple disregard b/c it would take entirely too much of their brain capacity to actually revel through the truth.

Now, I am a Christian, and I believe in Jesus...etc,

-- Posted by nascarfanatic on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, at 7:32 PM

Why are you questioning who Jesus is if you believe in him? Who exactly do you believe he is?

btw-Joseph is Jesus' earthly father. If Joseph actually fathered Jesus then He would not have been truly of God , and that's what makes it so special. Mary was a virgin. Miracles!! only God can do.

Now, I am a Christian, and I believe in Jesus...etc,

-- Posted by nascarfanatic on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, at 7:32 PM

Why are you questioning who Jesus is if you believe in him? Who exactly do you believe he is?

btw-Joseph is Jesus' earthly father. If Joseph actually fathered Jesus then He would not have been truly of God , and that's what makes it so special. Mary was a virgin. Miracles!! only God can do.

-- Posted by christiangirl on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, at 8:04 PM

I believe in Jesus... God's or Joseph's son... You CAN NOT HAVE IT BOTH WAYS... "Earthly fathers" who never donated sperm aren't included in the geneology... B/c there are obviously NO GENES! But because I believe in Jesus, I seek the truth, meanwhile you simply accept everything the Bible says, even when it completely contradicts itself.

It is a little ironic that Christian's would condemn Greek Mythology as "magic, unrealistic, impossible"... Umm, Greek God's impregnated woman who were "virgin", no different than our God. Or is it? I need someone to make up their mind.

This is exactly what I am talking about. It embarasses me as a Christian to have people who come on here with names with the word "christian" in it, who seem so uneducated to the truth. Who says I can't belive in Jesus, yet still seek the truth? Who says I can't believe in Jesus and want the discrepancies cleared up. Who says I can't believe in Jesus and not care a thing what ancient scriptures have to say?

Jesus was a man [whether of god, man, whatever] who walked around doing good for the people. Being his brother's keeper. He never walked around with the Bible in his hand preaching to someone that this is how they should live, or they shouldn't do this. He simply lived his life, fulfilled his purpose, and ate, walked and lived among the sinful people. He was, by all means perfect. But christiangirl's complacent disconnect with reality is so ridiculous it amazes me.

What a great way to avoid everything that was brought to your attention... Don't ask for evidence when it is presented and you simply do nothing but provide a pathetic cop-out. I don't love you. At all!

If you only believe in the old testament then you should read Isaiah chapter 50. It speaks of Christ suffering before he even came into the world

Posted by christiangirl on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, at 8:39 PM

NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Isaiah

Chapter 50

1

1 Thus says the LORD: Where is the bill of divorce with which I dismissed your mother? Or to which of my creditors have I sold you? It was for your sins that you were sold, for your crimes that your mother was dismissed.

2

2 Why was no one there when I came? Why did no one answer when I called? Is my hand too short to ransom? Have I not the strength to deliver? Lo, with my rebuke I dry up the sea, I turn rivers into a desert; Their fish rot for lack of water, and die of thirst.

3

I clothe the heavens in mourning, and make sackcloth their vesture.

4

3 The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained tongue, That I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear;

5

4 And I have not rebelled, have not turned back.

6

5 I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; My face I did not shield from buffets and spitting.

7

The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame.

8

He is near who upholds my right; if anyone wishes to oppose me, let us appear together. Who disputes my right? Let him confront me.

9

See, the Lord GOD is my help; who will prove me wrong? Lo, they will all wear out like cloth, the moth will eat them up.

10

6 Who among you fears the LORD, heeds his servant's voice, And walks in darkness without any light, Trusting in the name of the LORD and relying on his God?

11

All of you kindle flames and carry about you fiery darts; Walk by the light of your own fire and by the flares you have burnt! This is your fate from my hand: you shall lie down in a place of pain.

Footnotes

1 [1] Responding to the people's complaint of utter abandonment by God, the prophet shows that their sins were responsible for their banishment. Since there was no bill of divorce, the bond between the Lord and his people still exists and he will ultimately save them.

2 [2] Israel's faith in God is weak; she does not answer his call, nor believe in his promises of deliverance.

3 [4-11] The third of the four "Servant-of-the-Lord" oracles; in Isaiah 50:4-9 the Servant speaks; in Isaiah 50:10-11 God reproves the people for not following the Servant.

4 [5] The Servant does not refuse the divine vocation.

5 [6] He willingly submits to insults and beatings. Plucked my beard: a grave insult.

6 [10-11] Instead of trusting in the Lord and his Servant, the people rely on their own devices, to their own destruction.

Study the concept of AGAPE, people!

(It even works for the secular set.)

Brothers and sisters in Christ, keep this in mind....

Matthew 7:6

"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.

They say money is the root of all evil? Is it really?

-- Posted by Evil Monkey on Wed, Feb 20, 2008, at 8:17 AM

-Nope, monkey's are =) It doesn't suprise me that most of the world has been saying that wrong for all these years though, after all it is just one letter off.

"I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." ~ Susan B. Anthony

"I feel, like all modern Americans, no consciousness of sin and simply do not believe in it. All I know is that if God loves me only half as much as my mother does, he will not send me to Hell. That is a final fact of my inner consciousness, and for no religion could I deny its truth." ~ Lin Yutang

"Religion easily--has the best bull story of all time. Think about it. Religion has convinced people that there's an invisible man...living in the sky. Who watches everything you do every minute of every day. And the invisible man has a list of ten specific things he doesn't want you to do. And if you do any of these things, he will send you to a special place, of burning and fire and smoke and torture and anguish for you to live forever, and suffer, and burn, and scream, until the end of time. But he loves you. He loves you. He loves you and he needs money." ~ George Carlin

BTW, George Carlin is too funny! =)

I really like the Susan B. Anthony quote! (I had never read that one before!) It's so very TRUE! I have a hard enough time trying to decide what I should "do" about little, simple, trivial things..........ain't NO WAY I [alone] could even TRY to decide what God wants for my life! And, when people do that......it usually does coincide with their own desires and wants.

LOVE the quotes!!

As Christians we all need to use caution on what we say and how we say it. I do believe Jesus is the Son of God, and was born of a virgin birth. I have also had lived long enough on this earth to realize I can use the Bible to prove or disprove any of the comments that have been made here on either side of this discussion. I have to live my life by faith (reminder - something I can't prove, but firmly believe in) that God exists, Jesus is his one and only Son, and the Holy Spirit is how I am directed in my life. I would not be active in "church stuff" had it not been for the Holy Spirit giving me gentle pushes, as my preference for doing would be sitting at home watching TV and reading a good book (and now playing on the internet). I have stated for years that God did not create robots, he created us with a free will, he created us with a thought process, but at the same time he wants us to have a relationship with him and he only wants the best for us. I do believe that the Bible as written is the inspired word of God and archeology such as the dead sea scolls can show that it has been unchanged over the last 2 thousand years. When Christianity was in its infancy a pharisee stated "For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God" This is from a Jew who believed in God, but not Jesus as the Messiah, a pretty smart man I think. Christianity is the only "religion" that man believes in that can cause this much controversy, not one other religion can, not even Islam. So we as Christians need to use caution when discussing our viewpoints and beliefs and know that in the end it is our relationship with God that counts and do you believe Jesus is your personal Savior.

Sharon

I'm sorry if I seemed so verbal. Everything I said was being attacked. Everything I've read, everything I believe in my heart that's true. If I was asked a question and would answer it there would be attacks from all directions. They were feeding off of each other, and I just couldn't get off and not stand for Jesus. I know all that matters is what he thinks, but I guess I was just thinking something I said would help somehow or help them realize Jesus is real. I may not know the exact words to use or how to handle things, but I do know I can't listen to someone rejecting Jesus and being proud of it. What would Jesus have me do? I prayed about it last night, and I even dreamed about it. It just bothers me that there are more people out there that are so negative toward the bible and Jesus than I thought. We are suppose to be concerned for lost people right? Forgive me if I've come across defensive. I just love the Lord! Thanks though for the comment.

Here is something nobody has mentioned... Why did Jesus descend into HELL first? I don't understand why anyone perfect would ever decend into Hell? Another thing, since I am not Catholic, can someone please explain to me this line in the "Apostle's Creed"

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy CATHOLIC church, the communion of saints...

As I said, I am not Catholic, nor have I ever been, so why do we recite a Creed that has obviously deviated from the original version. Because my congregation doesn't belong to the Holy Catholic Church, and we have no Saints. Hmm...

The one thing I wish I had more understanding of is Hebrew, Greek and Latin so that I could understand our translations of the Bible better. My most favorite Bible teachers/writers are those that have the ability to use the original writings of the Bible, and yet make it understandable for me. I can understand nascarfanatics concern with the Old Testament, but I feel that goes with much misuse of the Bible, we tend to pick and choose what we want to believe or say it was only relavent then and not now. Granted Jesus did not have the New Testament, but he did have the Old Testament or the Torah which is what he taught by. I have to go back and say I have to depend on faith that the Bible is the one book that has the most complete information about Jesus's life and teachings. Has anyone read or heard of the "Works of Josephus'? He was a Jewish historian in the 1st century and a very interesting read. I have not read all of his writing, but have used it as a resource from time to time. He wrote about the revolt of the Jews from the Romans, of which he was an eye witness. He is an accepted historian of this time. I would have to correlate this to the New Testament, the writers, especially of the Gospels and Acts, spent time with Jesus and wrote about it, so I can look at it from this historical aspect also. When I meet a new person and think I would like to becomes friends with them I spend time with time, talk with them to get to know them. For now, I have to depend on the Bible to get to know one of my best friends and need to spend much more time than I do getting to know him. I am glad we have this forum to discuss our views, which are quite divergent, but sometimes we can focus too much on the negative or what's wrong. I like to think anymore that if we focus on the good, we might learn more from each other, so keep the good discussion going.

Sharon22, thanks for your reply... I am glad you have fact to validate your opinions :) Look forward to more positive discussions with you!

Christiangirl, my last post was to you!

It helps... but still baffles me, that the Catholic church somehow represents all denominations... Why would they even mention a single denomination? Why not just ... "the holy church" ...

I have a little bit of an answer. The Methodist church excludes that line, while the Lutheran church includes it, but I am not sure why. It may have to do with the difference between the Armenian background of the Methodist and the more Calvinist background of the Lutherans, but that can lead us to a whole different discussion. The line is included to emphasize the fact that Jesus was truely dead, not just unconcious or unresponsive or drugged.

Pastor Mike? ROFL dude, if a survey stated that, then maybe they didn't want to be bothered or they were too embarrassed to be a christian?

BTW Jesus cannot change you from being gay, it has been proven time and time again. Being gay is in your genetic makeup, its like saying Jesus can cure down's syndrome.

If Church is so out of order, and your way is correct? I would rather stick a screwdriver in my eye.

If you are the light then it must be ultraviolet because we can't see it and we will seem to get retina burn from looking at it.

You don't come off as a bigot, you are one. You preach hate, fear and disregard for some of humankind.

If you have admitted that you cannot change someone and Jesus can, Then let him do his job and stop preaching it.

And you are not ordained so you can remove the Pastor tag, it looks gay.

Pastor Mike.

-- Posted by michaelbell on Thu, Feb 21, 2008, at 5:22 AM

WTH????? ROFLMAO!! That gave me the best laugh all day. If you are indeed a Pastor, could you please tell me where your church is so just in case it's near me I can move away from the "crazies" that would obviously make up your congragation...

PASTOR...HAHAHAHAHAHA...

And Evil Monkey..once again you are right on the mark, great comment!! AMEN!

If they ever did pass the law that made talking against gays whether in public or in the street against the law.

Posted by michaelbell on Thu, Feb 21, 2008, at 3:32 PM

SERIOUSLY, what is your deal with only mentinoning GAYS?? are they the only sinners you know. I have always heard that homophobia is just insecurity about being homosexual.

Do you think they are out to get you? I see so many other sinners on a daily basis, why is being gay, your favorite sin to harp on?

"FYI I am teaching a class of Young men from 9 to 14"

Oh lord, brainwashing them early I see, thank GOD my son won't ever hear your distorted views on jesus, god and love. I would rather him be an Atheist than a "christian" like you.

Sorry, I had a little time to look, in your 2012 blog, you stated in your 3 post down when commenting,

"If my scaring somebody gets them to Jesus then it is worth it."

Is this totally contrary to what you just stated in this last comment?

The thought of parents leaving their kids with you scares the living crap out of me.

BRAVO LAURA!! AMAZING COMMENT!!!

and..."I have always heard that homophobia is just insecurity about being homosexual"

Homosexual should have read HETEROsexual..lol..sorry, my fingers get ahead of me.

I never said I was immuned from sin.

We all have sin and we all can turn from it just the same as a homosexual can.

I don't try to scare people on purpose but if the thought of going to hell scares them {which it did me} then it is worth it I guess.

It is not a hate of homosexuals it is the act I hate.

I don't hate the ones who have had abortions I hate the act of abortion itself.

It is the sin I hate not the sinners.

We all sin till the day we die it is not until heaven that we gain perfection.

I am made perfect and sinless by the BLOOD OF JESUS!

I admitted I was a sinner and asked for forgiveness and was washed in the blood.

My ticket is bought and I only want to show people that they need Jesus or they are eternally doomed.

All this love and prosperity taught in the pulpits is fine, but there needs to be some talk of sin and hell and the blood that saves us from it.

We need more men of God like John Hagee and Rod Parsley and Perry Stone and T.D Jakes and on a local level my pastor Jay Pope who loves everybody , but he won't love them to HELL and I won't either.

Thank you,devan for the kind words.

Permit me a moment to be a bit less kind:

Does homophobia include describing something you find substandard as "gay"?

(I'm not too fond of the characterization "lame" either.)

End of rant...

We aren't required to ignore flaws or the consequences of inappropriate actions.

I think we are expected to see all people as being unique facets of God that can express Him clearly at times and at others be distorted by our human limitations.

Is life the absence of death,knowledge a lack of ignorance,light a dearth of darkness?

Neither is righteousness the mere absence of sin.

I find sin to be a "deficiency disease" that cripples the soul where God's spirit is in short supply as surely as the body is hampered when it lacks sufficient iron or potassium,Vitamin A,Vitamin C,all the other vitamins or oxygen.

It is the presence of love that drives it out.

If we concentrate on supplying the grace for spiritual health,we won't have to hand out cures symptom by symptom-nor will we have to question whether every difference is a sign of disease.

Giving love doesn't require any special license or documentation.

All that's required is having love to offer and the will to share it.

If a person taps into an unlimited supply of grace and bestows it freely,then that individual is as much an instrument of God as anyone with altar,vestments or titles.

Does the Shepherd concentrate on whether the ones guarding the pasture are little different from the flock (like llamas) or if they descend from enemy predators (like wolves)?

Or does he ask that they be loyal,diligent,obedient and keep safe and secure that which is His?

Some of us may be so skilled that we know how to distinguish the tares from the wheat in God's garden before the harvest.

I know I don't.

Until we do,let's offer light,water,food,shelter and breathing room to all that grow on His turf.

Who knows?

He might find value in the human equivalents of goldenrod,cannabis,thistles,kudzu and dandelions even when we can't.

Maybe I am not diffrent but I have acccepted Jesus as my Saviour.

Michael, sense you are a bible expert I assume you have read through the "7 deadly sins" on numerous occasions...

-- Posted by darrick_04 on Thu, Feb 21, 2008, at 6:20 PM

For the sake of future discussion, someone correct me if I am wrong, a list of "Seven Deadly Sins" is not found in the Bible. I believe they were developed by the church around 400 AD.

and I do preach on the streets to and at work .

-- Posted by michaelbell on Thu, Feb 21, 2008, at 6:31 PM

You preach in places where nearly EVERYONE believes just like you. You thought the same would happen when you signed up on these blogs as well. Go preach in places where this "sin" is rampant, where loving, caring people live normal lives and bother NOBODY. Much to your dismay, not everyone needs a book to think with. If everyone needs the Bible to live by, then god would have given us a book rather than a brain to think with! Problem is, the Bible was invented by man, and brains were not. So tell me, if god didn't want people to seek the truth and just accept everything as is, he wouldn't have wired some of us to actually be rational and think.

Many of the greatest technologies and everyday things you take for granted didn't come with instruction in the Bible. So, honestly everything you do is of the world, whether you realize it or not.

See Sharon, there's no getting through to these people. They attack no matter what you say. I wasn't even going to get back on here, but my curiosity got the best of me and I see they are still attacking Micheal for his belief and everyone is feeding off of each other again. The EM gets on here again and Disturbia starts saying everything he says again. Which Disturbia makes no sense half the time, trying to be so in your face with everything. It's pointless.

Micheal, these people are so worried about how you're saying things and talking about how you're sinning they don't realize they are sinning everytime by judging. All of us judge, even when we don't mean to and nobody is perfect. Why can't we just all get along? See ya! Have a wonderful night! and again I LOVE YOU ALL!!! HA!HA!

Micheal, these people are so worried about how you're saying things and talking about how you're sinning they don't realize they are sinning everytime by judging.

-- Posted by christiangirl on Thu, Feb 21, 2008, at 7:45 PM

Now, reword that as "Michael, YOU are so worried about how THEY are saying things and sinning that YOU don't realize YOU are sinning everytime by judging..."

Thus, this has been my message all along, but to the one who sees only himself as forgiven, and nobody else. How ridiculous. When Jesus got on that cross, he didn't do it alone, and he didn't die for JUST MICHAEL... So get over it.

OoOOOOOooooOoOooo...I vote for the "pick and choose" method!!! Did I get it right???

LMAO!!

AMEN DARRICK..or am I not to agree with you? GOD I am so confused /:(

Well the board passed the "dress code", so I am back, we left early.

Funny, I stated a few inconsistances and they just say, I am forgived because of the blood. I believe you need to ask for forgiveness. Not from just God, cause, hate to say this, but that is friggin easy! What a coward.

Very true that it is just that simple to ask God for forgiveness, but it's a lot harder to ask our fellow man/woman for forgiveness.

And what does that have to do with Israel?