ONGOING FASCINATION.... is how I encounter the various posts here.

Foxy (I realize she has retired for the time being) has so much in her post worthy of extended and serious discussion... her open heart is truly a valuable asset for the forum.

Key Words from her post:

"Treasures of the Gospel"

How wonderfully true this is "I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly"

"Legalistic Church"

"The truth shall make you free, and if the truth makes you free, you will be free indeed"

"Tale of Tired Truths." (good aliteration)

2"Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God.

"From Simplicity to a world of Fear and Guilt"

6Jesus replied, "And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.

"Don't think...just defend"

I wonder if anyone is seeing "Jesus" in all this ? notice how the Gospel he proclaimed and embodied contrasts with the traditional structures built by people.. Foxy's last statement describes absolute cult mentality. "Don't think.. defend..memorize" etc..

I guess it doesn't occur to some, but it is against those very things that I am focused.

CELIVIA "I'll believe If he turns water into a quality merlot"

Just yesterday, I was talking with my cousin (family_re-union) and Aunt(his mum) about a healing from deafness when he was around 6.
My uncle who considers himself a 'stud' even at age a million(it seems) always wanders off if the discussion turns to faith issues.
Aunty confirms all the teachers, doctors knew "R" was deaf in one ear. He went forward himself at a meeting for prayer and was healed.
Aunty believes. Uncle does not. The evidence is living with them daily.

Cel.. I maintain, if you don't "want" to believe, even if the Lord turns Maroodah dam into the finest wine, you won't :)

I JUST NOTICED IT......

The post of Philo about the young man healed and Celivia's post.(plus CJ's)

CELIVIA
a) "I won't believe unless God knocks on my door and changes my water bottle into Merlot"

b) BD to Celivia (after relating another healing) "if you don't 'want' to believe, even Jesus turning Maroodah dam into wine, you won't "

c) Celivia to Philo (earlier) "In no way does a 'miracle' prove the existence of a supernatural being."

Cel..I'd call that 'Game/Set/Match'.... you don't WANT to believe no matter what.

CJ then gives us the headline of the year "Did anyone think to record this miracle"?

aaah CJ.. even if they did... can you honestly say "I'll humble myself at the foot of Christ's cross, repent of my sin and unbelief, give my whole life for Christs service, abandon my career if need be and serve Him all my days, proclaiming His greatness and love"...

Please don't answer. It's just a question to your heart.

The surgeons and physicans who continually attended to this young man and his lifetime of disability will see him this week to make their acessment. Verifiable facts will not convince people blinded by scepticism. They are incapable of blessing others lives with encouragement because their spirit is dead because of unbelief.

Boazy: "I'll humble myself at the foot of Christ's cross, repent of my sin and unbelief, give my whole life for Christs service, abandon my career if need be and serve Him all my days, proclaiming His greatness and love"...

What sane person would do that?

Philo: "Verifiable facts will not convince people blinded by scepticism"

Rubbish. If you credulous clowns could produce verifiable evidence we rational types wouldn't be so sceptical about the spurious claims you make for your imaginary friend. Why can't you?

P.S. I note that nobody's put their hands up as having been 'converted' to Christianity by Boazy's interminable blathering in this forum.

Yes I do.
Our lives have meaning. Our universe came from some devine being. Mere chance of our earth and creation is a distant remote possibility.
A sense of help through prayers provides me with strong belief in a God. I too am saddened about how religion has been used to justfy wars of the past (& present). This does not preclude the existence of a God. it just shows how destructive some people can be.