The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom

[HbDane]

My beautiful wife, my best friend died suddenly and unexpectedly today from complications from surgery. She spent the last 6 months developing a non profit ministry where she would take her service dogs into dr offices to pray with people who were facing the same challenges she was. I am devastated by this loss and I’ll be honest I’m angry with God for taking away the love of my life, and I have questions about why he would do that. But I know she is in heaven with him, he created her and she belonged to him before she belonged to me, she’s no longer in pain, but man she left a huge hole in our lives that will never be filled. From her helping special needs kids to the archery ministry her and I had a church all she wanted to do was help other people and bring glory to Jesus. So it makes life seem really really unfair tonight.
I don’t have answers to those who don’t want to believe, there is an element of faith requirement. I understand doubts, why would a God of love allow 10 of the apostles to be martyred? Those guys were his first and most loyal followers, his friends, how did they deserve that death? We can only hope and pray that our reward will be in heaven. All we know is life on this earth, whereas our reason for living is to bring glory to him but we get so caught up in making a living and chasing dreams we rarely truly put him first. I think in the new heaven when sin doesn’t exist we will be blown away at what he has in store for us. And I can’t wait for the day I get to hug my beautiful angel again. I can’t imagine going through life without the hope of eternity.

That’s rough to hear brother. Prayers for you and your family

 

[dylanvb]

My beautiful wife, my best friend died suddenly and unexpectedly today from complications from surgery. She spent the last 6 months developing a non profit ministry where she would take her service dogs into dr offices to pray with people who were facing the same challenges she was. I am devastated by this loss and I’ll be honest I’m angry with God for taking away the love of my life, and I have questions about why he would do that. But I know she is in heaven with him, he created her and she belonged to him before she belonged to me, she’s no longer in pain, but man she left a huge hole in our lives that will never be filled. From her helping special needs kids to the archery ministry her and I had a church all she wanted to do was help other people and bring glory to Jesus. So it makes life seem really really unfair tonight.
I don’t have answers to those who don’t want to believe, there is an element of faith requirement. I understand doubts, why would a God of love allow 10 of the apostles to be martyred? Those guys were his first and most loyal followers, his friends, how did they deserve that death? We can only hope and pray that our reward will be in heaven. All we know is life on this earth, whereas our reason for living is to bring glory to him but we get so caught up in making a living and chasing dreams we rarely truly put him first. I think in the new heaven when sin doesn’t exist we will be blown away at what he has in store for us. And I can’t wait for the day I get to hug my beautiful angel again. I can’t imagine going through life without the hope of eternity.

Sorry for your loss man, we will be praying for you and your family during this tough time.

 

[ianpadron]

As an atheist, I like the part in Mark where Jesus identifies certain things that would identify his followers.

Mark 16-17&18 talk about believers drinking poison, being immune to serpents and some other wild stuff.

What I'd really like to focus on is the laying of hands. If this God character is really all he's cracked up to be, why do cancer wards exist? Why do pediatric cancer wards exist? Heck, why do we need hospitals and emergency rooms and a multi-billion dollar medical care industry?

Someone make it make sense

I think you should pray about it.

Less than 5 years ago I was just like you.

I saw no convincing evidence for Christianity being any different than the multitude of other religions, in fact, I made fun of those who believed. Anytime it got brought up, I'd dig my heels in, offering many of the same quips you have in this thread in opposition.

God of course had different plans for me....I was blessed to have some strong Christian brothers who were living their lives in a way that certainly set them apart, and was enough to spur some genuine respect and conversations.

Suddenly, the Lord began working in my own life in a way that no one could ever dispute, not even me. Too long to post on a forum but the "quiet knock on your door" so many Christians talk about became a SWAT team with a battering ram, and the Good Lord changed my life forever.

I know what the non-believers think reading a testimony like mine, which makes it all the better.

The stereotype of Christians being indoctrinated from their youth is seldom the truth though.

I'm well-educated in the sciences, was raised in a household that was overtly anti-church, and didn't touch a Bible until I was 26 years old...yet here I am, born again and eternally grateful that the Lord welcomes all those who seek Him.

For the fellas who want God so badly to not be real, I'd recommend asking Him to reveal himself, from a genuine place of humility, and see where that takes you.

To the OP, good on ya for sharing, there is no such thing as a bad place to share the good news.

 

[Farmer9770]

So powerful Ian thanks for sharing that.

 

[robby denning]

@Valsport,
Thanks for starting this thread! As a Christian myself, reading through this thread, I see some people that I wish could come to know the God that I know. To know Him personally. What He is, and what He isn’t.

As a sidebar, I want to tag @robby denning, and thank him again for the Christmas podcast that he put out this last Christmas. I really appreciated it.

 

[Plainsman79]

My beautiful wife, my best friend died suddenly and unexpectedly today from complications from surgery. She spent the last 6 months developing a non profit ministry where she would take her service dogs into dr offices to pray with people who were facing the same challenges she was. I am devastated by this loss and I’ll be honest I’m angry with God for taking away the love of my life, and I have questions about why he would do that. But I know she is in heaven with him, he created her and she belonged to him before she belonged to me, she’s no longer in pain, but man she left a huge hole in our lives that will never be filled. From her helping special needs kids to the archery ministry her and I had a church all she wanted to do was help other people and bring glory to Jesus. So it makes life seem really really unfair tonight.
I don’t have answers to those who don’t want to believe, there is an element of faith requirement. I understand doubts, why would a God of love allow 10 of the apostles to be martyred? Those guys were his first and most loyal followers, his friends, how did they deserve that death? We can only hope and pray that our reward will be in heaven. All we know is life on this earth, whereas our reason for living is to bring glory to him but we get so caught up in making a living and chasing dreams we rarely truly put him first. I think in the new heaven when sin doesn’t exist we will be blown away at what he has in store for us. And I can’t wait for the day I get to hug my beautiful angel again. I can’t imagine going through life without the hope of eternity.

So sorry to hear this brother. You, Her and all of the people that know and love her are in my prayers.

 

[wh0cansay]

My beautiful wife, my best friend died suddenly and unexpectedly today from complications from surgery. She spent the last 6 months developing a non profit ministry where she would take her service dogs into dr offices to pray with people who were facing the same challenges she was. I am devastated by this loss and I’ll be honest I’m angry with God for taking away the love of my life, and I have questions about why he would do that. But I know she is in heaven with him, he created her and she belonged to him before she belonged to me, she’s no longer in pain, but man she left a huge hole in our lives that will never be filled. From her helping special needs kids to the archery ministry her and I had a church all she wanted to do was help other people and bring glory to Jesus. So it makes life seem really really unfair tonight.
I don’t have answers to those who don’t want to believe, there is an element of faith requirement. I understand doubts, why would a God of love allow 10 of the apostles to be martyred? Those guys were his first and most loyal followers, his friends, how did they deserve that death? We can only hope and pray that our reward will be in heaven. All we know is life on this earth, whereas our reason for living is to bring glory to him but we get so caught up in making a living and chasing dreams we rarely truly put him first. I think in the new heaven when sin doesn’t exist we will be blown away at what he has in store for us. And I can’t wait for the day I get to hug my beautiful angel again. I can’t imagine going through life without the hope of eternity.

My condolences, I wish you lots of strength going forward.

 

[average]

Leviticus 19:33-34

33 “‘When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. 34 The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.

 

[dylanvb]

Leviticus 19:33-34

33 “‘When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. 34 The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.

"Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God." Romans 13:1 NKJV.

 

[PORK]

YOU ARE WELCOME TO START YOUR OWN THREAD.

I tried to and it was deleted. There wasn’t nothing wrong with the thread.

 

[Yoder]

A Case for Christ is a pretty good book on this subject. The author was an atheist at the time and his wife became a Christian. He was so angry about it he decided to prove it was all nonsense. He spent the next few years interviewing top Biblical scholars, historians and archeologists and wound up converting himself. Whether you believe or not, it's full of a lot of good information.

 

[go_deep]

A Case for Christ is a pretty good book on this subject. The author was an atheist at the time and his wife became a Christian. He was so angry about it he decided to prove it was all nonsense. He spent the next few years interviewing top Biblical scholars, historians and archeologists and wound up converting himself. Whether you believe or not, it's full of a lot of good information.

That's a great book.
Facts matter.
I don't believe in the Christian Faith because of the Bible, or my priest, I believe in it because the real world facts are so large and numerous it can't be denied.

You can look up several YouTube videos on this, but mathematicians have tried to explain the odds of all the old testament prophecies being fulfilled by Jesus.
If you covered the entire state of Texas 2' deep in quarters, took one quarter and marked it and dropped it somewhere in the state of Texas with all those other quarters, then blindfolded someone and set them on their way and told them to randomly pickup one quarter, that would be how likely it would be to fulfill all those prophecies.
It's impossible.

Then for 10 of the remain 11 to all be martyred and never deny that Jesus was who he said he was. They had to have seen what they wrote, and knew that the eternal punishment for denying Christ was greater than any torture man could lay down on them.
Charles Colson said, "I know Jesus is real, and Watergate proved that to me." "All the disciples were scattered and were murdered, but never changed their story even when tortured and murdered, some of the most powerful men in American couldn't keep their story straight for more than a few weeks about Watergate."

 

[Jpsmith1]

I think you should pray about it.

Less than 5 years ago I was just like you.

I saw no convincing evidence for Christianity being any different than the multitude of other religions, in fact, I made fun of those who believed. Anytime it got brought up, I'd dig my heels in, offering many of the same quips you have in this thread in opposition.

God of course had different plans for me....I was blessed to have some strong Christian brothers who were living their lives in a way that certainly set them apart, and was enough to spur some genuine respect and conversations.

Suddenly, the Lord began working in my own life in a way that no one could ever dispute, not even me. Too long to post on a forum but the "quiet knock on your door" so many Christians talk about became a SWAT team with a battering ram, and the Good Lord changed my life forever.

I know what the non-believers think reading a testimony like mine, which makes it all the better.

The stereotype of Christians being indoctrinated from their youth is seldom the truth though.

I'm well-educated in the sciences, was raised in a household that was overtly anti-church, and didn't touch a Bible until I was 26 years old...yet here I am, born again and eternally grateful that the Lord welcomes all those who seek Him.

For the fellas who want God so badly to not be real, I'd recommend asking Him to reveal himself, from a genuine place of humility, and see where that takes you.

To the OP, good on ya for sharing, there is no such thing as a bad place to share the good news.

*edited post. I do not wish to run afoul of the moderators rules on trolling and any contrary input seems it could be interpreted that way..

 

[Ridgerunner]

Good to see so many fellow brothers in Christ on this page. I can't imagine my life without my relationship with Jesus. Having seen him move and work in ways that are only supernatural is an amazing thing.

 

[Schmo]

Good to see so many fellow brothers in Christ on this page. I can't imagine my life without my relationship with Jesus. Having seen him move and work in ways that are only supernatural is an amazing thing.

Yes sir!

 

[Q child]

"Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God." Romans 13:1 NKJV.

What does this mean?
Is this saying that humans with authority were appointed to positions of authority by God?

 

[Beagle1]

I think you should pray about it.

Less than 5 years ago I was just like you.

I saw no convincing evidence for Christianity being any different than the multitude of other religions, in fact, I made fun of those who believed. Anytime it got brought up, I'd dig my heels in, offering many of the same quips you have in this thread in opposition.

God of course had different plans for me....I was blessed to have some strong Christian brothers who were living their lives in a way that certainly set them apart, and was enough to spur some genuine respect and conversations.

Suddenly, the Lord began working in my own life in a way that no one could ever dispute, not even me. Too long to post on a forum but the "quiet knock on your door" so many Christians talk about became a SWAT team with a battering ram, and the Good Lord changed my life forever.

I know what the non-believers think reading a testimony like mine, which makes it all the better.

The stereotype of Christians being indoctrinated from their youth is seldom the truth though.

I'm well-educated in the sciences, was raised in a household that was overtly anti-church, and didn't touch a Bible until I was 26 years old...yet here I am, born again and eternally grateful that the Lord welcomes all those who seek Him.

For the fellas who want God so badly to not be real, I'd recommend asking Him to reveal himself, from a genuine place of humility, and see where that takes you.

To the OP, good on ya for sharing, there is no such thing as a bad place to share the good news.

The flip side of this is there are also anecdotal stories that are the complete opposite of yours where fervent believers were transformed into nonbelievers and are very happy. Would their happiness be less fulfilling than yours.

 

[Beagle1]

My beautiful wife, my best friend died suddenly and unexpectedly today from complications from surgery. She spent the last 6 months developing a non profit ministry where she would take her service dogs into dr offices to pray with people who were facing the same challenges she was. I am devastated by this loss and I’ll be honest I’m angry with God for taking away the love of my life, and I have questions about why he would do that. But I know she is in heaven with him, he created her and she belonged to him before she belonged to me, she’s no longer in pain, but man she left a huge hole in our lives that will never be filled. From her helping special needs kids to the archery ministry her and I had a church all she wanted to do was help other people and bring glory to Jesus. So it makes life seem really really unfair tonight.
I don’t have answers to those who don’t want to believe, there is an element of faith requirement. I understand doubts, why would a God of love allow 10 of the apostles to be martyred? Those guys were his first and most loyal followers, his friends, how did they deserve that death? We can only hope and pray that our reward will be in heaven. All we know is life on this earth, whereas our reason for living is to bring glory to him but we get so caught up in making a living and chasing dreams we rarely truly put him first. I think in the new heaven when sin doesn’t exist we will be blown away at what he has in store for us. And I can’t wait for the day I get to hug my beautiful angel again. I can’t imagine going through life without the hope of eternity.

My condolences. I hope the many years of happiness you had with your wife help give you comfort.

 

[Beagle1]

A Case for Christ is a pretty good book on this subject. The author was an atheist at the time and his wife became a Christian. He was so angry about it he decided to prove it was all nonsense. He spent the next few years interviewing top Biblical scholars, historians and archeologists and wound up converting himself. Whether you believe or not, it's full of a lot of good information.

The Case for Christ as reviewed by biblical scholars who are also practicing Christians.

30. Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ

Podcast Episode · New Testament Review · 04/01/2020 · 30m

podcasts.apple.com

 

[Yoder]

The Case for Christ as reviewed by biblical scholars who are also practicing Christians.

30. Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ

Podcast Episode · New Testament Review · 04/01/2020 · 30m

podcasts.apple.com

The thing I think about the most is how the disciples reacted. Nobody is willing to suffer horrible torture and death for a lie. They knew the truth. This is different from all the other martyrs. People blow themselves up for Allah all the time. Do you think they would do that if they knew it was all a lie? They believe, they don't know.