I'm not bashing Christianity or religous beliefs in any way.
I'm just noticing that in the Christian Church (because I work
with several christians) it seems that they just do whatever
God's will is for them, they don't follow their own Paths, juse
whatever they think the Lord has mapped out for them.
More than once, I've noticed them saying: "If the Lord wants
me to have this or That, He'll make it clear to me"...or.. "The success
of our Company is in God's hands, there's nothing more we can do".
My Beliefs are, you get back, whatever you put into something. If you
want something, you go after it and get it.
It just seems like Christians keep themselves from following certain goals
or chasing certain dreams because, They leave it in God's Hands. And I
just don't understand that, nor do I agree with it. Case in point, I had a buddy
who was an awesome musician/songwriter. But he wouldn't pursue any
record companies or anything to try and get his music heard because, he felt,
if God wanted him to be Successful, God would put him in touch with the right people.
I just see it as somewhat keeping you on a leash or keeping you from going
that extra step....
I don't think Christianity hinders anyone's potential... people say "God's will" to lessen the impact of whatever outcome awaits them, especially if it's a longshot.
Others say "if it's meant to be, it's meant to be," which is practically the same thing.
__________________
I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness that I can show to my fellow creatures, let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.
It's PEOPLE not their GOD(s) who keep themselves back. God is just a convenient excuse/justification/feel-good-measure for some people.
It's twisted. Didn't someone say God Helps Those Who Help Themselves? Duh! If one looks toward God for strength they will find it within themselves. People who expect their God to just sit something down in front of them and require no effort from them are naive- IMO.
I was raised in the Church, a lot of my family are
christians. But I just realized one day it wasn;t for me, but
I respect those who follow that faith.
But yeah, My ol' friend...He was so talented and wrote songs
I could totally hear on the radio. But chose to stay within
the church and relase his music that way. He could have gone
secular and made terrrific statements with his music, but he never
went that extra step because he'd always tell me, "If God wanted
me to be on MTV or VH-1, he'd put me in touch with those people
and show me the way. I'm quite happy in the church serving him.
But all of his heroes were the Beatles or Zeppelin or the WHo and I knew
he'd love to play with his peers, but he just said the same old thing....
Same with some of my co-workers, they just seem to leave everything in God's
hands. What about venturing out on you own and following what your heart
says?
Originally posted by bicyclejunk
I was raised in the Church, a lot of my family are
christians. But I just realized one day it wasn;t for me, but
I respect those who follow that faith.
But yeah, My ol' friend...He was so talented and wrote songs
I could totally hear on the radio. But chose to stay within
the church and relase his music that way. He could have gone
secular and made terrrific statements with his music, but he never
went that extra step because he'd always tell me, "If God wanted
me to be on MTV or VH-1, he'd put me in touch with those people
and show me the way. I'm quite happy in the church serving him.
What's wrong with that?! Not everyone *wants* to be famous. If he is serving God through music and is happy doing it, I don't see any issue....
Quote:
But all of his heroes were the Beatles or Zeppelin or the WHo and I knew
he'd love to play with his peers, but he just said the same old thing....
Fame and fortune in this world means little when you're living to prepare yourself for an eternity in Heaven with God. People who don't believe or follow Christ will never understand.
If he was unhappy, he'd branch out.
Quote:
Same with some of my co-workers, they just seem to leave everything in God's
hands. What about venturing out on you own and following what your heart
says?
Who says they aren't following their heart? I think they are.....
Nothing stops anyone from striking out on a path and asking God to be with him on that path. It's kinda bogus to sit in your house, not lift a finger in aid of yourself, and expect God to deliver your life to you on a platter. God's not anybody's servant. He isn't there, like a genie, to fulfil your every wish. However, it seems, a lot of people have decided that that's exactly what they expect God to do for them.
I don't think it does, but simply gives the believer an opportunity to look at it from a different viewpoint. I can say "I want this this and this to happen" and make myself miserable or happy pursuing what I want. But I can also say "God's in charge, and I'm happy with whatever he puts in front of me, even if it means using my talents to serve him and not myself." Which I think is what your friend is saying here – yes, he's open to the idea of someday becoming famous, but he's leaving it in God's hands because he figures it'll happen according to the Big Guy's plans. In the meantime, he'll happily share his music the way he has been. And there's nothing wrong with that, as long as he is happy with his decision. What about venturing out on you own and following what your heart says? and If you want something you go after it and get it.
who are we to say this isn't what your friend truly wants? It bugs you more than it bugs him, it seems; you cannot force your friend to want something simply because you feel he is wasting a good opportunity. It's his call, plain and simple, and you need to respect that.
__________________ I think my favorite phrase at this moment is, "Shut your piehole!" It doesn't really refer to anything nasty, but it sure does sound rude.
Originally posted by bicyclejunk
It just seems like Christians keep themselves from following certain goals
or chasing certain dreams because, They leave it in God's Hands.
Last edited by alphamale; 16th June 2005 at 1:11 PM.
Originally posted by moimeme
Nothing stops anyone from striking out on a path and asking God to be with him on that path. It's kinda bogus to sit in your house, not lift a finger in aid of yourself, and expect God to deliver your life to you on a platter. God's not anybody's servant. He isn't there, like a genie, to fulfil your every wish. However, it seems, a lot of people have decided that that's exactly what they expect God to do for them.
I agree with this statement. God gave us a brain and he expects us to use what he gave us. If we were to be totally dependant on him we would still be in the garden of Eden. He wants us to improve our minds and make goals for ourselves. We can ask help in areas where we would like his input but we also have free will to do as we feel lead. People who think everything is God's will are just fooling themselves. Not all things that occur is God's will.
He gave us a giude ( Bible ) to follow his advice but we ultimately make our own choices and he wants it that way.
If he wanted us to be totally dependent on him he would not have gave us free will.
Originally posted by Marshbear
I agree with this statement. God gave us a brain and he expects us to use what he gave us. If we were to be totally dependant on him we would still be in the garden of Eden.
because of our "independence" the world has fallen into a corrupted sinful state.
The end of the bible speaks of things being restored to a state quite similar to that of eden.
Hell is described as a state absent from God, (outer darkness) And heaven is illiminated solely by God himself.
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He wants us to improve our minds and make goals for ourselves. We can ask help in areas where we would like his input but we also have free will to do as we feel lead.
to do as you feel LEAD is the key word . Lead by whom, or what? being lead around by something isn't nessesarily free will.
Quote:
People who think everything is God's will are just fooling themselves. Not all things that occur is God's will.
You mean like our being lead AWAY from him, kind of like your first sentence stated about us following the lead of satan in the garden of eden.
and of course not everything is his will, as he wishes that all might be saved. but unlike us, he knows that not all will be.
Jesus could have called down a legion of angels to protect him, at any time he wanted during his 1st coming. Yet he didn't , and he allowed the ruling romans to capture him, and as a result crucify him, so that Gods will would be fufilled, even in this fallen world. But if you read Revelations, (and the Prophets , not to mention the Gospels)
You will see that not everything will be permitted forever. As He will soon again judge the earth.
Quote:
He gave us a giude ( Bible ) to follow his advice but we ultimately make our own choices and he wants it that way.
Why do you suppose he offered a book of mere advice, if it were his actual will that we make our own choices?
the Bible is far far more than just advice.
Quote:
If he wanted us to be totally dependent on him he would not have gave us free will.
free will and dependency are seperate things,
I can try not to be dependent on food or oxygen, but we all know the results of completely severing the use of either of them.
God kept the israelites in the wilderness for 40 years following the exodus from egypt, and he made them totally dependent on him, as he was their only source of food and water. he dropped manna from heaven, but only gave them what they needed, when they tried to hoard it, and stockpile it to save for "a rainy day" he caused it to immediately rot before them. Doesn't quite sound like a God who wants man to be totally independent from him.
why worry about what the world deems success, when the world will be consumed in fire?
*snicker*
and in the meantime, continue to display really poor taste with the things it considers "cultural," "necessary" and "good."
again, I think it all boils down to respecting a "friend's" choice to lead the life he/she chooses: if that path happens to be God-oriented, who am I to tell him/her that it's not the path that's supposed to be taken?
and in the meantime, continue to display really poor taste with the things it considers "cultural," "necessary" and "good."
like liesure suits, mohawks, zipper jackets, and multiple piercings in all appendages?
Quote:
again, I think it all boils down to respecting a "friend's" choice to lead the life he/she chooses: if that path happens to be God-oriented, who am I to tell him/her that it's not the path that's supposed to be taken?
that the point as a friend you look out for your pals. Now I realize, that once I tell them, Thats really all I can do, until (or if) they decide to listen.
I had several Christians, try and give me advice, before, I started listening to any of it.
But I was just like many people on here slamming them after they tried to tell me what to do. But looking back alot of them gave good advice.
Not all of them, but then again their are tares in every field, and sometimes you have to wait till its harvest time, to find out which is wheat, and which is weed.
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