Hey family, I'm torn here...between two topics of study that I know will be a blessing:
Bible study exploring bible prophecy as the relate to current events...kind of a whose who of bible prophecy so we can explore together "the players" currently in the news that signal the return of Christ. This will be a detailed study of the book of Revelations with scriptural reference throughout bible.
or
A study helping christians to explain why we believe what we believe. This is a detailed study that explores God before America, before King James interpretation and which will examine ancient Jewish culture and OT hebrew literature. It will explore tenants of faith of other cultures for the SOLE purpose of sharing facts - not opinion, not fiction about ISLAM and JUDAISM so what we, as Christians can (as suggested by Paul) - be ready to give an account when asked WHY we believe what we believe.
Chatting it up in posts are just not my thing...nothing wrong with it...Just not my thing. I am a professor who values learning from others points of view as much as teaching Biblical perpectives.
If you have an interest in one or the other of the above topics please let me know which one and lets get going on it...I know it will blessing as we learn from one another and share our thoughts.
**PLEASE, PLEASE: Don't engage for the sake of argument or if you are not interested...don't derail the train for the rest of us. God is love family. Every topic is not for everybody and I respect that. In fact it may be that both of these topics may be a bit ambitous for this format even. I don't know, what do you think?
I'm sure either one will be interesting. I do think we should know why we believe what we believe and be able to back it up with scripture. We also need to know our advisary.
Bring it! Even if I don't post (which I probably will) I will enjoy the read.
I say go for the second - we're living in the end times and I think it's really important as a witnessing tool to be able to state our beliefs in a well thought out way.
If you don't post, the post will be incomplete! You are wise and indued with knowledge and I know it Sis!lol
**Besides and I mean this in ALL SINCERITY:
I know that many posts here are more "social chatter" than study and I am happy about that. But I honestly mean it when I say this over and over and over and (:glow::excited:)
"I DO NOT BRING UP TOPICS TO CAUSE FIGHTS OR FOR "OWNERSHIP" PURPOSES; I HAVE A CALLING ON MY LIFE THAT I SOMETIMES FALL MISERABLY SHORT (my life is not a mystery or without issues- trust! There are times when my temper will take me places I need not be or when I forget to let God defend me- alas! I am human and I confess to you all now: Catch me at the right moment and expect a very "not so nice" scud missile attack!lol. Other than that? Well...I'm pretty peachy!:ROFL:Hey just being honest 'cause I have no secrets - God is my ever present help and sometimes we all forget that - we are human! Pray for me!
Back to my point (another fault I confess being "long winded" :goofball::excited:)
I DO NOT BRING UP TOPICS TO BICKER OR FIGHT. I HAVE OPINIONS, I HAVE VIEWS, BUT MANY TIMES I BRING UP THOSE THINGS I FEEL WILL BE BENEFICIAL TO THE BODY OF CHRIST AT LARGE EVEN IF THEY ARE CONTROVERSIAL.
I KNOW EVERYONE WILL NOT AGREE AND SOME WILL EVEN BE OFFENDED BY COMMENTS MADE BY MYSELF AND OTHERS BUT THE POINT IS NOT TO "BE RIGHT" THE POINT IS TO LEARN FROM ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE AND GROW AS A FAMILY.
I RESPECT AND APPRECIATE VIEWS DIFFERENT FROM MY OWN - I LEARN THAT WAY. WE DON'T HAVE TO AGREE, WE DON'T HAVE TO BE UGLY, WE JUST HAVE TO GO INTO DISCUSSION TOPICS WITH OPEN MINDS AND HEARTS AND PRAY FIRST: "God what would you have me get/learn from others today" and we have to BE RESPECTFUL OF OTHERS VIEWS AND IF WE DISAGREE DO SO IN LOVE! WE ARE FAMILY - GOD'S FAMILY, WE ARE NOT ALL IN THE SAME PLACE GROWTH WISE OR SPIRITUALLY BUT GOD DOESN'T FAVOR OR KILL A PERSON WHO IS STILL CRAWLING RATHER THAN WALKING, OR WALKING RATHER THAN RUNNING OR FOR THAT MATTER LOST SOMEWHERE IN THE WOODS.
FAMILY ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS LOVE AND IF OFFENDED GET CLARIFICATION AND IF STILL OFFENDED GET MORE CLARIFICATION BECAUSE I JUST DON'T BELIEVE PEOPLE ARE SITTING BACK WAITING TO OFFEND ONE ANOTHER.
WE ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH AND IF THE SALT HAS LOST...WELL POINT IS...OUR WORLD IS A MESS AND IF CHRISTIANS CAN'T GET IT DONE WITHOUT ACTING LIKE THE WORLD THAN NOBODY CAN...
Sorry didn't mean to shout so long...ok, I did...:nicenurse:sore throat!lol Seriously, I worry that if we start some conversations I'll get "banned" again, or someone will act up and I wanted to ask ya'll if it would be worthwhile or too much for this forum...cause both topics go waaaay deep into the roots of christianity and will make us all consider why we believe what w believe. I think its good though because it will make people understand how and why they view others and themselves as they do.
Its up to ya'll and it will be ALL of our discussion if we choose to have it...I will lay a framework just for the sake of opening the topic but where it goes will be up to the group and in the end? I don't care who writes the conclusion cause I trust God to bring out good things for our walk with HIM. Amen?
I kind of agree with you because I'm not sure it makes sense to see where you're going if you don't know where you've been...does that make sense? I mean I think a lot of us are in the car but we don't know how we got there...If we can get a proper perspective - foundation as you say - then the journey ought to make a little sense. Plus, I know a lot of people look at things from an ego/ethnocentric point of view and well in the overall scheme of things you and me matter...America matters but this is a journey that quite frankly begins and ends with Gods chosen people: Israel.
True. We, as Gentiles, have been "grafted" in but in terms of Prophecy we need to be willing to take a step back from the limelight and change thinking that many have that "we are all important...that we are the world". Its not that we as individuals and as a nation do not have a role to play but quite frankly...Many have and live with the noton that the King James Version and the birth of America is the end all, be all of Gods plan for mankind...When you think about that...consider the magnanimous scope of creation, history, and mankind it gives a little better perspective.
Anyway, by precious brother, I agree with building a sturdy foundation first. I have some things I'm working on at the moment, but I am going to try to kick this off in the next few days.
What I hope we can do is do an accelerated historical run from the Garden to Gods chosen people, the tribes and consequent faiths that came out of ancient israel, trace the line of David to Christ to we Gentile folk and then move into the identities of modern day people and nations fulfilling prophecy.
It is an undertaking to be sure but such an array of talent and wisdom on this site I think we can get there.
