The Upper Room

12:01 AM

I try to live by his words, and his words can be interpreted many ways. I have tried to live in many forms of interpretations. Of course if I found the correct one I would not be sinning.

Here I am a sinner. Trying to figure out how not to sin.

Sometimes I think I do it right because God shows me great wonders.

Then it gets slammed in my face how I am wrong.

I may never learn to do as God wants from me. But I can still try.

And since many tests that I do are actually wrong on purpose to see the result.

If anything I can say God is merciful.

I know he knows I'm not perfect. I think he likes watching me try or something.

fredsbend

That's good. What about my other few questions? Since when have you been a Christian? What kind of church do you attend? Do you agree with it or have you just settled on it?

Only he is good.

I think I may have developed a multiple personality disorder trying so many versions of his teachings.

I was born a Catholic, and Mom is very devout. Went to Church 3-5 times a week since I was a kid, and the Church Channel was used as a weapon. I hated religion.

I became an agnostic, and fought against the people of God.

Then over a span of about 10 years or so, I did end up going to church a few times. Still basically clueless, with enough information to be dangerous.

I used to read "forbidden" texts to see if there was a way that I could destroy religion.

I hated how people would use single lines to get some kind of concept.

So one day I sat and tried to group single lines together to have the bible prove that Satan was God.

I wanted to show these religious freaks how their one liners where a worthless way of teaching.

Well guess what.

I wasn't able to do it.

One of the main reasons I disagreed, was because of Cain.

I thought it was weird that he would run off to the mountains with his Mom to get married.

Later in life I was working on programming an Artificial Life Development Program.

Kind of Like having sliders that would allow the being to be invisible or have scales or have fly eyes, what ever right?

The Genome project was rather established, and science was able to boot customized DNA into dead virus cells.

It was just a matter of processing the Custom DNA strand though a series of Acids to get the form into shape.

The program was to output the DNA Structure based off of the desired features.

Anyways while doing my research on DNA. I found evidence of "Biological Adam"

So I broke from my research to do a bit more research into the Cain topic.

Here they didn't really mention women so Cain could have had many sisters.

Anyway, I found lots more issues that I disagreed with.

But after looking and looking I kept finding answers that made sense.

Of my "Bible Career" Most of my knowledge was on Genesis and Revelations.

The End of the World freaks kept getting my curiosity, so I would have to look it up to see what they were talking about.

Then I took an honest read of the New Testament.

For some reason I was really offended by a lot of what Jesus wrote at the time.

I have no idea really what it was anymore, now I love what he wrote.

After a while I wanted to get married.

My Catholic Pride was kicking in, and I was Like when I get married that is it.

One time only.

So I wanted to make sure I was doing it right.

Anyways after I got Married, the married life stress came into my life.

So it became extremely important that I did his teachings right.

Because no way do I want to get a divorce.

I learned a listening skill from a time I worked at the distribution center.

It is being able to listen at 500%

So I found the Text to the Bible, and formatted it with the computer into an audio, then enhanced the sound to 500%.

Then Listened to some parts of the bible up to seriously 400 times.

My head would burn from the incredible amount of data I was putting into my head.

But the goal was to have the entire bible memorized so that when I decrypt it. I would know that it is all in alignment.

Years later here I am, still a sinner.

In a way I could say what a waste.

But I got a chance to meet you so. It is what it is.

fredsbend

12:32 AM

Thank you for candidly sharing. I appreciate that.

I'm having trouble seeing why you came back to the Church.

I understand that you became a "religion hater". Those are a dime a dozen.

I don't understand what brought you back.

Only he is good.

Before I got married I ended up telling the truth of my mind to many people.

And when I was confronted with it, I realized what I had said and did not want to believe that it came from me.

I had an "Experience" it felt like God's hands let go of me.

I freaked out.

I never knew he was there till he wasn't. Or at least it felt like he wasn't.

I fell on my knees in front of all the people there and started to beg for him.

Freaked many people out.

I wanted him back.

Disaster after disaster started happening to me.

After the computer shop got filled with mold while I was away on my honey moon.

We used the rest of the bill money to stay at motels, but ran out of cash.

We where homeless right from the beginning of our marriage pretty much.

I searched for work, but I needed to find her a place to sleep today(meaning that day).

She has scoliosis and she cannot sleep on the ground.

Anyways after crazy amounts of disasters.

I was seriously praying and begging for God. Like for real.

So he gave me a vision.

The next day I found a place that convinced the Pastor who married us to take us in to the church.

He was new to the area and the rectory was open.

Oh it was so cool! as soon as we got there I saw what I had seen in my vision!

Living full time at the church we attended there, and I was really deep into studying.

A little to deep for a new wife perhaps, but I was freaked out.

Because of the enormous amount of information that was coming into me head.

I started talking to everyone about Jesus.

The People got really annoyed with me and started to shun me.

I just couldn't help it, it was like word vomit. Jesus this and Jesus that.

They called me preacher man, and I lost respect from almost everyone that I knew because of my facebook postings.

We had up towards 5000 friends for the computer shop. So I wanted to take advantage of that for preaching Jesus.

My love for Jesus became so strong that I became hated by many.

But anyways... I don't like talking about my life. But Fred I really love you so there it is.

fredsbend

12:57 AM

Thanks again for sharing. Have you found proper employment and shelter today?

Only he is good.

Was I sounding boastful? Does this all need deleted? Employment and Shelter is taken care of at the moment.

fredsbend

@Onlyheisgood. If you don't mind I'd like to ask about the details of that experience. Is that okay with you?

@Onlyheisgood. No. I don't know why you'd be ashamed of sharing your story.

Only he is good.

Because I'd rather the glory to go to God.

fredsbend

I'm glad to hear that you are cared for now.

You life is your life, no matter who you hold responsible for its happenings.

Only he is good.

Imagine holding a little chicken with your hands wrapped around it, then pulling your hands away really fast. Except I was like the Chicken. and the Hands felt like God's.

Oh and time slowed down

and my body moved really slow

That was just my first huge experience.

I'm wanting to tell you about the second experience.

fredsbend

1:03 AM

I'd like to hear it.

Only he is good.

Ok, the night before I was reading the book of wisdom.

I was really getting into it because i was reading it out loud.

In the book there is a prayer that calls for the Holy Spirit.

I ended up reading to I think around 4 AM or so.

So I was in church the next morning. and the Praise Team was on stage, and the speaker was very passionate about Jesus.

I remember her saying "You need to be Jesus"

Then this feeling came over the room. and I could tell God was there.

I Immediately called out "He is Here!"

And my Catholic background instinctively I ended up kneeling.

When I stood up, I had this vision of this amazing dance.

Then I felt this pull, like he wanted me to do that dance.

I was like Nooooooooo.

As soon as that thought came into my head. One of the church ladies in the Isle to my right stood up and started to speak in tongues at me.

I knew it was at me because I look at her. Then I realized!

I just told God NO!

Then my heart felt guilty.

I couldn't stand it anymore.

So I went around my wife and as I stepped towards the front.

I fell down and started rolling all over the floor.

I lost my shoe, and I remember thinking oh no I lost my shoe.

I was doing some serious rolling.

I think I ended up almost halfway across the church and back. I even ended up rolling up the stairs.

Now I tell you the truth, I personally did no rolling from my own choice.

A group of people came to me and I remember standing and declaring extremely loud at the pastor that I loved him.

Then my body swooped over and gave the praise lady a hug.

I remember next I had three people holding me up, and someone saying there should be an interpretation.

I woman in the back of the room said something, but I did not get it all.

Then they asked me what I was thinking and I told them what I was thinking.

My mouth said, "The Words have been taken away look to the Septuagint"

I had a lot of people look at me weird after that.

Many of the people that Love me started doing computer searches to figure out what had happened.

For a while some thought I was possessed by a demon.

Yeah, there is a bunch of Christians that think behaviour like that is from the Devil.

I lucked out though, a few months later an evangelist came to the church, and others ended up rolling around as well.

They each had a story, and it was cool having someone to share with.

I really recommend reading the book of Wisdom out loud though. I know its a Catholic book. But if you do you will know what I mean.

I suggest reading it from the beginning to the end out loud.

I think it took me about four hours. Just in case you want to try it.

For the record I am NOT saying that reading the book of Wisdom out loud will make you roll on the floor.

I did like how much passion came from my mouth though.

fredsbend

1:33 AM

Interesting. What does "The Words have been taken away look to the Septuagint" mean?

Only he is good.

Also to label them as my first two experiences is kind of off. God has been doing things in my life from the beginning. These are the first two for me to think of while we have been talking.

The Book of Wisdom is found in the Septuagint but Not in the MT. So it is not found in the King James Version.

I think the reason they did not add it was because it did not have a Hebrew counter part.

So from what I know, it only had the Greek Version.

It's written by Solomon, so I feel it comes from God.

Or at least, the passion of Solomon.

It was nice having such a strong feeling from God, especially since I had that feeling that he let go.

Do you thing that it is better that I do not serve myself food and drink?

fredsbend

I don't understand the question, but I have to go for now.

Only he is good.

1:48 AM

kk

bruised reed

4:08 AM

@DoubleU christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/28249/…

Does Elisha speak?

0

Q: Can I remove the personal aspect from a pastoral advice-like question and make it less personal?

I recently noticed a question on Christianity.SE that talked about whether or not in the pre-Cana, the non-virgin was allowed to be married in the Catholic Church. I assumed that it was talking about the Roman Catholic Church, and I also removed the personal aspect from it. I liked the intent of ...

discussion

bruised reed

4:44 AM

@DoubleU see if you think this edit is ok: christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/28249/…

TRiG

11:41 AM

@Onlyheisgood. Is your church in a lagoon?

2

Only he is good.

11:58 AM

@fredsbend I do actually remember hearing what she said. I just didn't take it to heart because it was what I knew already.

@TRiG No

Only he is good.

12:38 PM

"Turn ye not to the object, nor make to yourselves molten objects: I am the LORD of objects." (Lev 19:4)

El'endia Starman

2:08 PM

@TRiG Lol.

Double U

3:43 PM

@TRiG I know you are an ex-Jehovah's Witness, but since you have experience with the culture in the denomination, you may be able to answer my latest question on disfellowshipping and shunning within that denomination. Sort of. However, I think a good answer of the question must be aware of the possible conflict between the East Asian filial piety and Christianity (JW-style).

One situation that may be of conflict may be that a man may be disfellowshipped by the Watchtower, and the family members must shun the man. Although shunning is considered controversial by non-East Asians, it may be outright immoral among East Asians due to filial piety.

Double U

4:01 PM

Hmmm... I wonder how that may have an effect on the identity formation of East Asians.

Double U

4:15 PM

@TRiG I once read an article online that talked about how a Taiwanese family discovered that their daughter became pregnant. The parents were both doctors and devout Christians, but unlike American Christians, they actually had no problems with abortion. In that case, abortion was considered okay, because the social consequences of having a baby out of wedlock were worse: namely, not being able to find a spouse. Likewise, could there be a division between East Asian JWs and Western JWs?

fredsbend

5:01 PM

@TRiG A little cynical, but I still lol'd.

Double U

5:17 PM

The moderator's, Caleb's, full name is Caleb Maclennan.

The surname sounds very Scottish.

Like waxeagle, Caleb may have Scottish ancestry, which may hint at how he became Presbyterian: that he was raised Presbyterian.

Nick

Greetings all, I have questions.

If I knock, shall someone answer?

Double U

Caleb also lives in İzmir, Türkiye.

Let me see if I can find a library in Izmir. Caleb did mention that his city does not have a library, let alone a subject librarian that knows beans about Christianity (or probably Presbyterianism).

wax eagle

@Nick what can we do you for?

Nick

@waxeagle I am deeply disturbed by certain aspects of religion. I'm very secular in my views, so hold no offence. A news story in my country has caught my eye for a second.

But before I talk about it, there is one thing I'd like to inquire with those present here.

Do you believe that politics and religion could ever be a good combination?

wax eagle

For me at least, I believe that you can have political leaders who hold to religious values and use them as guide in how to govern, but can also understand why those values are not appropriate for everyone and govern in a way that is fair.

Nick

5:26 PM

@waxeagle That is what I believe as well. But here's the newstory

ibnlive.in.com/news/…

I just saw this man in an interview and he holds the bible in a much higher position than the constitution of the country.

Double U

@Nick Martin Luther King, Jr. was a theologian and pastor.

wax eagle

@DoubleU he wasn't a politician though

Double U

@waxeagle But he is a representative of the American Civil Rights movement.

wax eagle

@Nick certainly if he's preaching during his working hours that's out of bounds. But I'm not sure he's out of line if he's preaching in his off hours.

(though I'd be curious what the standards for hindu law makers are on that subject)

Nick

@waxeagle No, but during his time as an officer of the civil service, he's creating the impression that he's a communalist.

wax eagle

5:31 PM

@Nick that last one isn't a term I'm familiar with

Nick

@waxeagle I understand. By current standards, India has pretty much tried to rub off the secular part of it's constitution but I assure you, hindustan may be ruled over by a hindu party but only because people wanted a change.

@waxeagle I meant he was causing the people in his district (the district for which he is responsible for) to get the impression that he favours christians above everyone else.

That's just not fair.

wax eagle

Indeed that would not be fair, you'd have to look at his record though to see whether it's actually what he's doing or simply an impression he's giving

Only he is good.

10:44 PM

@Nick Laws and rules are considered functionality. The reason God did not want us to determine functionality, is because once functionality is designed, error can occur. The emotional result from one determining functionality or determining error. Is what causes the death.

The Laws of Motion state that as you point out "errors" that you consider to be errors, and tell them to others. Others that consider what you do as error, will point it out to others. For this is the opposite and equal reaction.

If he would not want someone preaching to him at work, then he should not preach at work. Yet if he would want people to preach to him at work, then he should preach at work. This is the perfect application of the Law.

However,since others can see what you do and consider it as error. the effect that it has to them leads them to death. Since we want many to live. Sometimes we can place ourselves under anothers functionality to preserve them till they understand.

Yet the Lord is perfect and what you do to others will be done to you. And what he does to others will be done to him. And what I do to others will be done to me. Everyone is held under the Law of Motion. To be free one can forgive. For the opposite and equal reaction to forgiveness is forgiveness.

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