To say you believe in nothing takes more faith than saying you believe in something. God isreal. I know because I have a personal relationship with a living God, not a dead one. Heaven and Hell are real places. The earth is proof enough that God is real. It also takes alot more faith to say the the world and especially people came from some primordial soup and a big bang than from a Creator. The Bible says that at some point every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. Like the commercial says; You can pay (confess) me now or pay (confess) me later. The choice is yours.
Anyone here that would like a book that would hopefully help you see that God is real feel free to PM me with their address and I'll send you a book to read. Free. No collection or payment required, not even for the postage.
Some churches do require you to give. I believe they are in error. God does require you to give, but the church should not. The church should encourage you to do what God says in his word, but not force you to. If you love Him you will do His will, including tithing. Many churches and/or the people that are over them do misuse the money donated to them. This is unfortunate. It is the duty of the members, however, to hold them accountable for how they spend God's money. If the church continues to abuse the money after you have confronted them, then I would prayerfully consider going to another church where you feel comfortable knowing they are careful with not only the money, but how they conduct themselves in all matters.
Hypocrites. Their are some in every church I have been a part of. If you let them come between you and God then they are closer to God than you are! All kidding aside, you shoud develop role models for your life, including your walk with Christ, but keep the ultimate role model as Christ himself as he is blameless, spotless and holy.
Am I trying to save everyone on this site? No. Neither I nor anyone else can rescue you from the pit of Hell, only Jesus himself. It is, however, my obligation to tell you about Him. Their is no other way to heaven other than through Him.
As far as overzealous religious folks, well, even Jesus did not particularly like them,either. He called a group of Pharasees a "brood of vipers". Not too nice for the supposed religous elite of his day. He does indeed know your heart as mentioned earlier. The Pharasees had become so involed in following the law to the letter that they forgot a very important thing: people.
I agree with others that have posted here about having feet to your words or prayers. You cannot work your way into heaven, nor should you only pray for someone when you have the means to do something personally for them. Don't just pray for the victims of hurricane Katrina when you can either give money, food, etc, or even go down to the Gulf coast and help out in any way you can. Pray, for sure, but DO something as well. The same with your neighbor or fellow workmates.
This is posted to enlighten rather than enrage, although Jesus by nature will cause some to become angry. Sin and holiness are obviously opposites. While opposites sometimes attract, their will always also be friction.
Duke
PS If I receive red chicklets for this, thanks!!! I count it joy to suffer for the cause of Christ! Red or green, I can't loose! Whoo-hoo!
