Today, points are shared on courtship and dating within church settings, smoking and tobacco use, and worship among minors and youth. Also, there is more on freedom of foul speech. A “Yahoo! Answers” fighter using the ID “Paul” (Level 1 with 24 points, a member since September 05, 2014) posted the following:
A weird situation at open air youth worship?
Last weekend me and my girlfriend attended an open air youth worship service. We stood towards the back and she lit a cigarette a little way into the service. She asked the two or three young people standing next to us if they minded her smoking and they were OK about it. They were probably 12-15 year olds maybe? - one good thing was they had excellent singing voices.
THE BATTLE AXE: Freedom of Foul Speech (09/10/2014)—(5.) In order to introduce change, cleansing, healing, hope and a new quality of life, Jesus Christ addressed many of the life experiences and struggles for mankind that generate and continue bitterness, despair, fear, pain, and wretchedness. Included are sexual appetite, divorce, duty, fornication, indebtedness, marriage, parenting, prostitution, and same sex relationships. Believers understand that their choices for their own verbal behavior, and what they say out of their mouths, should agree with and show others their willingness to acknowledge the presence of Christ in their lives. Being mature and having authority over himself, Jesus may have dealt with many who used cursing and swearing on a daily basis (e.g., the Scriptures report that Peter denied Jesus with foul language before he received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, who anointed him to preach that day). However, there is no indication that Jesus allowed the infirmity and weakness of other men to contaminate or corrupt his ministry to mankind, his prayers, or his usual day-to-day behavior and speech. In respect to Jesus, believers all follow the rule that ones speech is offered in sacrifice to GOD, and should be “seasoned with salt” (i.e., healing intent, humility, innocence, respect, purity). See again Leviticus 2: 13, Mark 9: 50, Matthew 5: 10-11, Matthew 18: 5-7, 1st Corinthians 10: 23 and Colossians 4: 5-6, KJV.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order. (1st Corinthians 14: 33-40, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: When Children Embrace Church? (08/18/2014); Condemned by the Church? (08/19/2014); Why the Gospel for Our Children (05/13/2014); Changing Times and Laws? (05/14/2014); Resisting Sin (12/21/2013); When People Covet (12/22/2013); Weed and Godly Wisdom (09/15/2013); The Limit to Believing? (09/16/2013); Issues for Children’s Church (04/06/2013); Outgrowing Childhood Prayers? (04/07/2013); A Spirit Church? (04/04/2013); My Brother’s Keeper (04/05/2013); Attending Church? (11/12/2012); A Holy Kiss? (11/13/2012)
“Paul”, here are a few points important to Christian believers that may help you fit in more correctly and not feel weird again when you next are with those who gather to worship Christ as redeemer and savior:
(1.) Dating is an aspect of courtship wherein two persons develop, and examine themselves and one another through a relationship that may result in marriage. They may share in various social settings that allow quiet exchange, laughter, expression of their goals, hopes and visions of the future, displaying their present commitments as well as promoting aspects of their deepest beliefs. Correctly understood, a date to share religious experiences, and introduce ones companions to their own faith community is also an invitation that they continue in Christ. Even where the dating or friendship eventually may be broken off, the relationship with Christ can be eternal.
(2.) Your friend’s use of tobacco was unfortunate, because smoking is a behavior that to many signifies boldness, defiance, lack of self-control and self-discipline, lack of sound knowledge regarding health, nastiness, pride, rebellion, and selfishness. (There is a danger from second-hand smoke: where you can not keep the smoke from your own lungs, you can not keep it from defiling and soiling others either.)
(3.) It is not wrong to attend church when you have questions that may only be answered there. Many attend services in the same spirit as Moses, who only turned aside for the burning bush from curiosity, not because he wanted a prayer or worship break. Only those who are sincerely seeking instruction and sacred knowledge will experience the spiritual benefit and growth provided by GOD through the Holy Spirit. They will have prepared themselves to display peculiar attitudes and behavior such as cooperation, courtesy, giving, humility, respect and self-denial.
As we observe another anniversary of an attack upon America by those pursuing a faith that exalts death and destruction for the unsuspecting, there is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) The situation you described was not simple. Even in a crowd, where one may be anonymous and unknown, mature and young adults will be held accountable, and are expected to set an example for minors and teens. Asking their permission is inappropriate, for often children are unaware of dangers involved with adult behavior. Bullied, immature, intimidated, and unprepared, children can not always effectively rebuke the behavior of those who should know better.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Showing posts with label smoking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label smoking. Show all posts
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Sunday, September 15, 2013
(09/15/2013) Weed and Godly Wisdom
The effect of alcohol and drugs upon religious belief and experience are topics, today. Also, there is more on the truth that there is only one GOD. A “Yahoo! Answers Australia” writer using the ID “Matt” (Level 1 with 82 points, a member since March 28, 2013) posted the following:
If I'm a Christian and smoke weed, will I go to Hell?
THE BATTLE AXE: (09/14/2013) Only One GOD— (4.) Using human processes for examining experience and information, mankind may describe and realize many ideas of “god.” However, any god so arrived at, and understood to exist is in the nature of a mental construct, a product of meanings and words directed to specific uses in discourse and formal language (we say, rhetoric). In addition to aspects of their substance at Creation, the otherwise invisible GOD worshiped by Christian believers, uses various divine operations to become known and visible through life experience of created beings and living creatures. Included are incarnation, healing, exorcism, judgment, rebirth, repentance, revelation, and sanctification. As GOD employs promise, prophecy, sacred events, divine process, and eternal purpose, created beings and living creatures realize awareness of divinity as active and present. The oneness of divine spirit may appear through many forms and operations that do not also display sameness. Examples are abundance, dearth, gentleness, forbearance, forgiveness, longsuffering, patience, and strength.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. (1st John 3: 18-24, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Law in Christian Belief? (09/03/2013); A Need to Know? (09/04/2013); A GOD of Love? (05/07/2013); About Preaching the Gospel (04/18/2013); When Jesus Comes Back? (04/19/2013); Attending Church? (11/12/2012); A Holy Kiss? (11/13/2012); Unwelcome Gifts? (09/17/2012)
Matt, here are a few points shared among many Christian believers who confess their personal truth of having enjoyed experiences with alcohol, hashish and marijuana:
(1.) It is not wise to do anything you cannot openly share with other believers; that you would be ashamed to do before your parents, your spouse, the leadership of your church congregation; or that you would not want Jesus to find you doing at the time of his Advent. Those who are addicted are damaged in their conscience, and in their self-will (we say, will power). While the anguish and problems addicts address appear to be physical, psychological and social in nature, often it is merely that the self-destructiveness of sin (i.e., defiance of divine law with denial of existence to Divine Person and all the Creation of GOD) is operating in their lives.
(2.) There are groups of believers who use alcohol and drugs as legitimate aspects of their worship. However, in such cases, believers must strictly observe many disciplines, acknowledge accountability to civil laws and ordinances, and continue in conduct and behavior displaying modesty, circumspection, respect and restraint. While alcohol and drugs cannot guarantee that a believer will have an experience of seeing GOD, or coming closer to the Holy, there is no reason to believe that alcohol and drugs have any power to stop the revelation of GOD, or to make it impossible for GOD to reveal himself to those of us upon the earth.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually understood. For example, (3.) GOD is a spirit. For created beings and living creatures to know GOD, their awareness must be directed to things that are completely spirit in their operation, purpose and substance. We say, mankind must be “born again;” and there must be a transformation of ones being whereby appetite (e.g., hunger, thirst, sexual craving), sense (e.g., hearing, seeing, smelling), mind (e.g., desire, fantasy, imagination, memory), and sin may no longer dominate self-will. Where alcohol and drugs interfere with ones consciousness of GOD (i.e., they forget GOD), and a person’s ability to deal with the subtle (barely visible) differences and sameness among profane and sacred things, we know, a person may be overwhelmed in spiritual confusion.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
If I'm a Christian and smoke weed, will I go to Hell?
THE BATTLE AXE: (09/14/2013) Only One GOD— (4.) Using human processes for examining experience and information, mankind may describe and realize many ideas of “god.” However, any god so arrived at, and understood to exist is in the nature of a mental construct, a product of meanings and words directed to specific uses in discourse and formal language (we say, rhetoric). In addition to aspects of their substance at Creation, the otherwise invisible GOD worshiped by Christian believers, uses various divine operations to become known and visible through life experience of created beings and living creatures. Included are incarnation, healing, exorcism, judgment, rebirth, repentance, revelation, and sanctification. As GOD employs promise, prophecy, sacred events, divine process, and eternal purpose, created beings and living creatures realize awareness of divinity as active and present. The oneness of divine spirit may appear through many forms and operations that do not also display sameness. Examples are abundance, dearth, gentleness, forbearance, forgiveness, longsuffering, patience, and strength.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. (1st John 3: 18-24, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Law in Christian Belief? (09/03/2013); A Need to Know? (09/04/2013); A GOD of Love? (05/07/2013); About Preaching the Gospel (04/18/2013); When Jesus Comes Back? (04/19/2013); Attending Church? (11/12/2012); A Holy Kiss? (11/13/2012); Unwelcome Gifts? (09/17/2012)
Matt, here are a few points shared among many Christian believers who confess their personal truth of having enjoyed experiences with alcohol, hashish and marijuana:
(1.) It is not wise to do anything you cannot openly share with other believers; that you would be ashamed to do before your parents, your spouse, the leadership of your church congregation; or that you would not want Jesus to find you doing at the time of his Advent. Those who are addicted are damaged in their conscience, and in their self-will (we say, will power). While the anguish and problems addicts address appear to be physical, psychological and social in nature, often it is merely that the self-destructiveness of sin (i.e., defiance of divine law with denial of existence to Divine Person and all the Creation of GOD) is operating in their lives.
(2.) There are groups of believers who use alcohol and drugs as legitimate aspects of their worship. However, in such cases, believers must strictly observe many disciplines, acknowledge accountability to civil laws and ordinances, and continue in conduct and behavior displaying modesty, circumspection, respect and restraint. While alcohol and drugs cannot guarantee that a believer will have an experience of seeing GOD, or coming closer to the Holy, there is no reason to believe that alcohol and drugs have any power to stop the revelation of GOD, or to make it impossible for GOD to reveal himself to those of us upon the earth.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually understood. For example, (3.) GOD is a spirit. For created beings and living creatures to know GOD, their awareness must be directed to things that are completely spirit in their operation, purpose and substance. We say, mankind must be “born again;” and there must be a transformation of ones being whereby appetite (e.g., hunger, thirst, sexual craving), sense (e.g., hearing, seeing, smelling), mind (e.g., desire, fantasy, imagination, memory), and sin may no longer dominate self-will. Where alcohol and drugs interfere with ones consciousness of GOD (i.e., they forget GOD), and a person’s ability to deal with the subtle (barely visible) differences and sameness among profane and sacred things, we know, a person may be overwhelmed in spiritual confusion.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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