Please Pray

[Mr_Ross]

I'm not going to go into too much detail, but I think that I may or may not take some downtime from CAA....

A lot of things I have seen here lately, including all of the political debates and people (who I will not name) who have been trying to cram their social values down other's throats, as well as some other non-political, but generally very negative posts I have seen made by others, I have grown disenheartened in the extreme.....

Not only that, but the Operation Rescue, Repent America and in particular Fred Phelps and his ilk, I have seen many times on TV and internet news lately. Quite frankly, and sadly, these organizations have taken away some of my faith in God's goodness, forgiveness and love. Also, certain bible verses I have found frequently have made me want to leave my faith behind for good. ._.;;

I still believe in God, and I always will. But I don't see the loving, kind father most see. I see something very, very frightening. Anyway, please pray......

[CephasWhite]

What you see is the devil attempting to use arrogance and hardship to get people to believe that God is a hateful God...even though He isn't.

I will definitely pray for the companies to realize who God really is and I will pray for you, buddy, for your faith to go on strong.

[Razgriz]

I will pray.

[bigsleepj]

Praying, mister Ross. It seems that these days the most common reason for a Christian to lose faith in God is because of the people who believe Christ don't act like Him. Ghandi said that he would have been a Christian if it wasn't for the Christians.

You shouldn't be put off by these arrogant self-righteous fools. I do believe they're intentions are good, but then again so was that of the Spanish Inquisition. Point is these people use God's name to sometimes justify things that the Bible nor God condones. It's hard not to but you shouldn't identify God with the people claiming to be His servants. There will always be false prophets.

[termyt]

Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Fools despise wisdom and instruction.

God is terrifying. We portray Him as a big cuddly Santa Claus, but nothing can be further from the truth. He does love us and He does want what's best for us, but He also utterly destroys those who oppose Him.

I’m not going to sweet talk you. If you find that difficult to take, then it is you that needs to change.

And to reiterate what bigsleepj wrote, do not let the actions of others dictate to you your faith. Believe in God and follow Him alone. He will deal with everything else.

[agasfas]

Not only that, but the Operation Rescue, Repent America and in particular Fred Phelps and his ilk, I have seen many times on TV and internet news lately

Are you talking about "godhates...com?"
Fred Phelps, this guy is a a hyprocrite. His guy shouldn't be telling people what to do, when he can't even do it himself. I'm not sure if I've mentioned this to you before, but I hardly ever listen to TV preachers or pastors. This guy is full of hate, something God isn't part of. Phelps preaches, "God is against this and that, and if you do it, you're going to hell." Look, we are all sinners, even Phelps. I took a look around his FAQ's section and it may seem like God is hateful from his verse sightings, but this is a tactic known as "picking and choosing." It's where people take one verse (sometimes part of a chapter), disregarding all the verses before and after, stating it's the truth at face value. People like to twisting the verses to suit their needs. But if you go back to the begingin of the chapter or a few verses and read past that "given verse" it always shows that God isn't full of hatred but rather people turn their backs to him. Many leaders who advocate hate do just that. God says in Revelations that people who twist, add or take-way from his Words (scripture) have no place in heaven. Don't buy into this misdirection. ALso, like what the past 2 said, people are hyprocrites. We all sin and sometimes people use the name of God to do ungodly things(things God disagrees w/). Follow your own heart, not someone elses.

I'll pray.

[Rogie]

Not to be too blunt, but you can't expect others to be perfect (and I know these people sound like they're hypocrites that you're talking about) so that your faith in God may be stronger. It's a one-on-one situation. That's why Christ died for our sins: so that we would be able to enter into a personal, loving relationship with God. Don't look at others, just look at God.

I'll pray for you, Mr. Ross.

[SilverFang]

I will pray

[Debitt]

*hugs* I'm praying for you, my friend.

[Mr_Ross]

I'm done.



I know some of you here love me, and care about me. To the rest of you, you may take your Operation Save America pictures of aborted fetuses, your Chick tracts and your God hates Fags brouchures.

I feel no need for Leviticus or Deuteronomy, take Proverbs 23: 13-14 (wow, I guess my dad beating me, knocking my teeth out and making me feel worthless was all God's will) and take Paul, Moses and all the rest of them. You can take them. If they work for you, great. To Sonic Rose and frwl, you guys won. You've made me feel "convicted", and hated of my evilness, especially my homosexuality and support of Democrats.

Sorry everyone, it's over. To Kokoro Daisuke, agasfas, Fireproof, Cephas and all of the rest who have been nice, thank you. I don't really see a reason to stay here, but I will do so if anyone really wishes me to. Thank you all, and goodnight.

PS: To the mods: Sorry if this offends anybody. I'm not trying to be rude, I don't hate anyone here. If you would like me to edit anything out, just please let me know about it. If you would like me to leave, please let me know that as well, but before you do let me get the emails and such of my friends. Thank you.

[Mr_Ross]

God is terrifying. We portray Him as a big cuddly Santa Claus, but nothing can be further from the truth. He does love us and He does want what's best for us, but He also utterly destroys those who oppose Him.

I’m not going to sweet talk you. If you find that difficult to take, then it is you that needs to change.

And to reiterate what bigsleepj wrote, do not let the actions of others dictate to you your faith. Believe in God and follow Him alone. He will deal with everything else.

Thanks. You have finally made me realize what God really is. Someone who wants to destroy me. Thanks, so much.

[agasfas]

God doesn't want to destroy you, He actually wants to the complete opposite. I usually don't pull out bible verses, but I thought this would really show to what extent that God does love you.

Psalm 103:8-18
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children's children-
18 with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.

God's love is endless. But what people fail to realize is that we also need to fear God at the same time. And it's not in a bully sense. Fear in the sense of His awesome power. He created life which means He has the power to take it away.

But we all sin, but God doesn't want us to perish in enternal fires. As long as we are sincerely sorry for what we have done and ask for forgiveness, God forgives. He doesn't care what wrongs you have done. Although you may see God as a "hater," or out to get ya, He isn't. When God expresses anger it's towards the people who show no remorse for what sins they have done or take joy in blasphemious behavior.

but He also utterly destroys those who oppose Him.

Thanks. You have finally made me realize what God really is. Someone who wants to destroy me. Thanks, so much.

Yes and no. example...
The Great flood. Society and its people lived in boashpemy and showed no remorse for their sins. But, God does save those who remain faithful to Him.

Without law there is no order and righteousness would be a rare commodity. But you need to realize that even though God is Just, He is also merciful. More merciful then we could ever imagine. That's true love.

Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Anyways, see you around man. If you think it's best that you leave, then you gotta do what you think is right. But I wish you nothing but the best, I really do.. My only advice is to not let the world get the best of you. Life is full of hurt, fear, anger etc and that's unavoidable. Though on the other hand, life is also full of joy and happiness, but it's up to us to allow it into our lives.

I'll continue to pray for you bud. Take care man.

[Rogie]

*sigh* I'm praying for you, Ross, as you already know, and that your anger will turn to peace soon. And farewell, if you feel that this is the right thing for you to do.

[Slater]

I will pray that God beams a light through your confusion and misconception of where we stand.

[CephasWhite]

You're a wonderful person, my friend. You were created for a reason. ^_^ Thanks for taking time to talk. You are a good person.

Your brother in Christ and God bless,
CephasVII

[Mr_Ross]

Thank you Cephas, you have made me feel MUCH better. Though I am not sure if I want to trust God yet, you have encouraged me. Thank you.

Btw, I know you're leaving soon.... may I have your email?

[Debitt]

^^ Glad to see you feeling better~ =3 Listen to Cephas, his words are good to remember when you're feeling down.

[CephasWhite]

whoa...thanks Kokoro ^_^

I sent you a PM, Ross. Just to let you know.