Comments for Awestruck Wonder http://steveamy.wordpress.com "How great are His signs, And how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And His dominion is from generation to generation." Daniel 4:3 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:03:04 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on Death . . . or?? by Cheryl http://steveamy.wordpress.com/2009/11/01/death-or/#comment-241 Cheryl Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:03:04 +0000 http://steveamy.wordpress.com/?p=827#comment-241 What a conversation! That's so awesome ... how great that she could comprehend the hope of eternity at such a young age. Very good arguments there, too, Ames. I completely agree - I'm all about living for something worth dying for. It's the only way to really live. What a conversation! That’s so awesome … how great that she could comprehend the hope of eternity at such a young age.

Very good arguments there, too, Ames. I completely agree – I’m all about living for something worth dying for. It’s the only way to really live.

]]> Comment on Death . . . or?? by steveamy http://steveamy.wordpress.com/2009/11/01/death-or/#comment-240 steveamy Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:54:01 +0000 http://steveamy.wordpress.com/?p=827#comment-240 And . . . I'm sorry my reply is so long - I got a little carried away. Hope you can get through it all sometime. And . . . I’m sorry my reply is so long – I got a little carried away. Hope you can get through it all sometime.

]]> Comment on Death . . . or?? by steveamy http://steveamy.wordpress.com/2009/11/01/death-or/#comment-239 steveamy Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:52:43 +0000 http://steveamy.wordpress.com/?p=827#comment-239 Oops, I just re-read my post and I DID say that they would go to heaven IF they believe in Jesus. :) Sorry. Oops, I just re-read my post and I DID say that they would go to heaven IF they believe in Jesus. :) Sorry.

]]> Comment on Death . . . or?? by steveamy http://steveamy.wordpress.com/2009/11/01/death-or/#comment-238 steveamy Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:50:01 +0000 http://steveamy.wordpress.com/?p=827#comment-238 I'm sorry, Marc, I haven't been on the internet for a while (life's been busy!) and so I didn't see your comment until now. Thank-you for your perspective, and for stating it so boldly and clearly. I hope you will allow me to disagree and give a fair argument as well. :) You are right about one thing - I did tell her that they would see one another again IF they believed in Jesus when they died. I think one of the reasons I forgot to write that down is because I think she really has embraced Christianity for her own - although she is still too young to realize the far-reaching implications of such a choice. (I did have a few questions about what you believe, though. Here are a few of them: 1) Why would the fact that they will see each other again IF they believe in Jesus when they die be a sticking point for you if you believe that there are many ways? Maybe if there are many ways they still will end up in the same place in the end . . . ?? I'm confused. Maybe you could help me out with that one. 2) If children need direction in leading a moral life, which morals do I teach her? Do I instill Muslim morals or Hindu morals or Taoist morals or Christian morals or just "obey the government and have fun for the rest" . . . ? There are so many different things I could teach her. Building on that, you're right - I could teach her basic rules of society and leave her for the rest, but the fact is that she will never be able to obey all the rules, no matter how little I teach her. Then what? What hope will she ever have in life, to try to function in life and to keep failing over and over? To be hurt by others who fail and to have no answers? What hope is there for a great future in that? 3) If there is no one truth, why are you even bothering to tell me that what I told her is "wrong"? Why do you even care? You are telling me that what you believe is a truth. Why are you applying a different standard to me?) Marc, there are so many more questions and things I want to say that come rushing to my head with all this, but here is the main point. We only live once. (Although there are religions that would contest this, so I'm not sure why you stated this as a truth.) Would you rather live your life for something worth dying for, or would you rather live your life not really caring about anything because "there is no one truth"? (Which you've also stated as a truth, by the way.) Here is the truth: I can try and try and try to live a moral life and do right, but I will fail. In fact, I do fail over and over and over every single day of my life. I can't tell you how much I wish I didn't fail, but I do. It causes me and other people so much pain. So what hope do I have? There IS a God. And He is perfect, and judges perfectly. One day I will probably die. What will happen? What hope will I have? I have done wrong, morally. This deserves death and worse. A failure I will be in life, and a failure I would be in death if it wasn't for one thing - The breathtaking answer. God came down to earth to live perfectly and to die in place of me! He's the only one who could ever be strong enough to bear my sin - to pay the penalty that sin deserves, to conquer death and give me life! All I have to do is accept His gift and live for HIM. This is why I love Him! I will get to see Him face-to-face and I will be with my Savior forever when I die! That is this little girl's comfort, more even than seeing her earthly father when they both die. This is my comfort as well - and more than that, my happiness. The fact is, Marc: Jesus said that He is the ONLY WAY. There is no other hope. So I guess you could just deny it and say He was lying. You could say that He was a lunatic. But there is one thing you can not say: That He is just one way of many. You just can't. And so, although I could get into serious trouble for this, I will continue to talk about my Savior to whoever will hear. This is not imposing my beliefs on anyone any more than you would say you have just imposed your beliefs on me. I will simply tell the truth and save souls from death. :) It would not be fair to anyone to do otherwise. I’m sorry, Marc, I haven’t been on the internet for a while (life’s been busy!) and so I didn’t see your comment until now.

Thank-you for your perspective, and for stating it so boldly and clearly. I hope you will allow me to disagree and give a fair argument as well. :)

You are right about one thing – I did tell her that they would see one another again IF they believed in Jesus when they died. I think one of the reasons I forgot to write that down is because I think she really has embraced Christianity for her own – although she is still too young to realize the far-reaching implications of such a choice.
(I did have a few questions about what you believe, though. Here are a few of them: 1) Why would the fact that they will see each other again IF they believe in Jesus when they die be a sticking point for you if you believe that there are many ways? Maybe if there are many ways they still will end up in the same place in the end . . . ?? I’m confused. Maybe you could help me out with that one.
2) If children need direction in leading a moral life, which morals do I teach her? Do I instill Muslim morals or Hindu morals or Taoist morals or Christian morals or just “obey the government and have fun for the rest” . . . ? There are so many different things I could teach her. Building on that, you’re right – I could teach her basic rules of society and leave her for the rest, but the fact is that she will never be able to obey all the rules, no matter how little I teach her. Then what? What hope will she ever have in life, to try to function in life and to keep failing over and over? To be hurt by others who fail and to have no answers? What hope is there for a great future in that?
3) If there is no one truth, why are you even bothering to tell me that what I told her is “wrong”? Why do you even care? You are telling me that what you believe is a truth. Why are you applying a different standard to me?)

Marc, there are so many more questions and things I want to say that come rushing to my head with all this, but here is the main point. We only live once. (Although there are religions that would contest this, so I’m not sure why you stated this as a truth.) Would you rather live your life for something worth dying for, or would you rather live your life not really caring about anything because “there is no one truth”? (Which you’ve also stated as a truth, by the way.)

Here is the truth: I can try and try and try to live a moral life and do right, but I will fail. In fact, I do fail over and over and over every single day of my life. I can’t tell you how much I wish I didn’t fail, but I do. It causes me and other people so much pain. So what hope do I have? There IS a God. And He is perfect, and judges perfectly. One day I will probably die. What will happen? What hope will I have? I have done wrong, morally. This deserves death and worse. A failure I will be in life, and a failure I would be in death if it wasn’t for one thing – The breathtaking answer. God came down to earth to live perfectly and to die in place of me! He’s the only one who could ever be strong enough to bear my sin – to pay the penalty that sin deserves, to conquer death and give me life! All I have to do is accept His gift and live for HIM. This is why I love Him! I will get to see Him face-to-face and I will be with my Savior forever when I die! That is this little girl’s comfort, more even than seeing her earthly father when they both die. This is my comfort as well – and more than that, my happiness.

The fact is, Marc: Jesus said that He is the ONLY WAY. There is no other hope. So I guess you could just deny it and say He was lying. You could say that He was a lunatic. But there is one thing you can not say: That He is just one way of many. You just can’t.

And so, although I could get into serious trouble for this, I will continue to talk about my Savior to whoever will hear. This is not imposing my beliefs on anyone any more than you would say you have just imposed your beliefs on me. I will simply tell the truth and save souls from death. :) It would not be fair to anyone to do otherwise.

]]> Comment on Death . . . or?? by Marc http://steveamy.wordpress.com/2009/11/01/death-or/#comment-237 Marc Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:00:59 +0000 http://steveamy.wordpress.com/?p=827#comment-237 I really don't understand why my "comment is awaiting moderation." It's a fair argument and an objective one at that. If you're going to post something like this, you're going to get people who disagree. Deal with it. I really don’t understand why my “comment is awaiting moderation.” It’s a fair argument and an objective one at that. If you’re going to post something like this, you’re going to get people who disagree. Deal with it.

]]> Comment on Death . . . or?? by Marc http://steveamy.wordpress.com/2009/11/01/death-or/#comment-236 Marc Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:54:57 +0000 http://steveamy.wordpress.com/?p=827#comment-236 I think speaking to children about death is good, but it should be done in a less biased context. Simply indicating to a child that she'll see her father again when she dies is not fair to her. How can you presume they’ll be Christian when they die?! You haven’t even told her (since you fail to meantion anything beyond a Christain point of view) about religion in general, or that the idea of death and what it means differs from region, culture, and religion. It’s just such a limited perspective on the world to offer a child. As an adult, I think they need more direction in leading a moral life, but not specifically a Christian direction. Give her the freedom to choose for herself rather than imposing your own views of religion on her; it’s simply unfair and wrong. You can argue about the benefits of your God all you want...but ultimately there is no one truth, nor one spritual belief in the world. No religion is superior to another, although some may think so, therefore tolerance and equality should be inlcuded in instructing a child on life and death. You only live once. Let this little girl grow up and make mistakes on her own, without Christain ideologies hanging over her shoulders. If she wants that, then wait till she chooses it before talking to her about a Christain afterlife. Marc I think speaking to children about death is good, but it should be done in a less biased context. Simply indicating to a child that she’ll see her father again when she dies is not fair to her. How can you presume they’ll be Christian when they die?! You haven’t even told her (since you fail to meantion anything beyond a Christain point of view) about religion in general, or that the idea of death and what it means differs from region, culture, and religion. It’s just such a limited perspective on the world to offer a child. As an adult, I think they need more direction in leading a moral life, but not specifically a Christian direction. Give her the freedom to choose for herself rather than imposing your own views of religion on her; it’s simply unfair and wrong.
You can argue about the benefits of your God all you want…but ultimately there is no one truth, nor one spritual belief in the world. No religion is superior to another, although some may think so, therefore tolerance and equality should be inlcuded in instructing a child on life and death.

You only live once. Let this little girl grow up and make mistakes on her own, without Christain ideologies hanging over her shoulders. If she wants that, then wait till she chooses it before talking to her about a Christain afterlife.

Marc

]]> Comment on Death . . . or?? by Ralph & Sharon http://steveamy.wordpress.com/2009/11/01/death-or/#comment-235 Ralph & Sharon Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:18:25 +0000 http://steveamy.wordpress.com/?p=827#comment-235 "The last enemy that will be destroyed is death... So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory.' THANKS BE TO GOD, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 15: 26, 54, 57 Thanks for that encouraging reminder! “The last enemy that will be destroyed is death… So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’ THANKS BE TO GOD, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Cor. 15: 26, 54, 57

Thanks for that encouraging reminder!

]]> Comment on Happy Anniversary Honey! by Carol-Lee http://steveamy.wordpress.com/2009/10/19/happy-anniversary-honey/#comment-232 Carol-Lee Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:43:04 +0000 http://steveamy.wordpress.com/?p=817#comment-232 Happy Anniversary!! May God continue to bless your marriage as he so obviously has in the past two years. Happy Anniversary!! May God continue to bless your marriage as he so obviously has in the past two years.

]]> Comment on Happy Anniversary Honey! by Cher http://steveamy.wordpress.com/2009/10/19/happy-anniversary-honey/#comment-231 Cher Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:54:34 +0000 http://steveamy.wordpress.com/?p=817#comment-231 Happy 2nd Anniversary, you two! What a busy/full 2 years you've had, eh? Lots of thither and yon living - but also full of God's grace as He prepares you for the future He has in store. You can rest in that! We're celebrating 15 years this December - and though at 2 years that may sound far away, I'm amazed at how fast the years have flown by! What a blessing a marriage founded on the Lord is. His grace, all the way :) - love and prayers from Rich and Cher - Happy 2nd Anniversary, you two! What a busy/full 2 years you’ve had, eh? Lots of thither and yon living – but also full of God’s grace as He prepares you for the future He has in store. You can rest in that! We’re celebrating 15 years this December – and though at 2 years that may sound far away, I’m amazed at how fast the years have flown by! What a blessing a marriage founded on the Lord is. His grace, all the way :) – love and prayers from Rich and Cher -

]]> Comment on Creation Museum –> “How Great is our God”! by Tom Hill http://steveamy.wordpress.com/2009/10/12/creation-museum-how-great-is-our-god/#comment-230 Tom Hill Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:47:56 +0000 http://steveamy.wordpress.com/?p=786#comment-230 Your fellowship was a blessing and an encouragement for our fledgling congregation. Tom Hill RE Trinity Presbyterian Church NKY Your fellowship was a blessing and an encouragement for our fledgling congregation.

Tom Hill RE
Trinity Presbyterian Church NKY

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