United States
Member #13,684
April 11, 2005
77 Posts
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hey danisiri,
i just went back and read your awesome post after i posted mine. i appreciate the fact that you are not ashamed.
but what a small world it is. i knew greg laurie before he became a pastor at harvest. i used to go to calvary chapel of costa mesa when he was doing bible studies on monday and saturday nights there. pretty cool cat that guy is.
anyhoo, thanks.
flying "V"
Thanks visiondude.
Yeah, Greg is a blessed pastor and powerful evangelist. I have been going to Harvest for eight and half years now, but I have been listening to him on the radio since I was in elementry school. I am blessed to part of this church. I used to go to CC Costa Mesa before my family moved out here to Riverside, CA. I always think of Pastor Chuck as my spiritual grandpa! Just his laugh brings a smile to my face.
At Harvest we are going on our sixteenth year of crusades. The Lord has really blessed this ministry and I know He will continue to do so as long as we keep sticking to a Biblical presentation of the Gospel. Many people frown upon mass evangelism saying that it is simply an emotional reaction and not a truly spiritual change. But, that is why we have followup counselors to talk with each person and help bring them to the reality of their new found life in Christ and what it takes to run a good race. I have been doing counseling for the past two years and it is such a wonderful blessing for me and a great encouragment to see people still walking with the Lord since giving their life to God at the first Crusade.
I am proud to see you standing up for our Lord as well!
United States
Member #13,684
April 11, 2005
77 Posts
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How do you see your GOD? Does he look like a person or something else. And if there is GOD, then where did he come from? Just curios about people's perception of GOD. Do you think being alive is heavens and being dead is hell?
To answer your question, first we must clarify who we are talking about. I am speaking of the God of the Bible, also known as Yahweh or Jehovah, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The God who delivered the Israelites from Egypt. The God who sent His only Son Jesus to die for our sins and rise from the dead. The God who was, is, and forever shall be. I am not talking about Allah, Vishnu, or some other god.
Now, where did He come from? Well, He always existed. He refers to Himself as the "I AM". He exists outside our concept of time, and hence had no beginning and has no end. Unfortunately, we humans are limited by the temporal constraints of our physical bodies, so we have difficulty understanding how a being can just "be". We want to think of God as someone that has simply just been around for a very long time, but as I said, He exists outside of time. The best analogy I can think of is to think of time as a parade going down through some city streets. If we stand at a specific location on the parade route, the parade passes us over time. But, if we could get in a helicopter above the parade and go high enough, we could see both the beginning, the end, and every aspect of it. We could land and insert ourselves into any point in the parade. To overly simplify things, God is in the helicopter, God is outside of time.
As for what God looks like, I do not know. God is a triune being, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They are separate but equal parts of a single being. The triunity of God is like the mathematical equation 1 X 1 X 1 = 1. Another analogy is that of water. Water can be ice, liquid, or vapor. All are still the molecule H2O, but depending on the circumstances, water can be in different forms. But really, no one truly understands the triunity of God. Once again, we do not have the ability to wrap our minds around this concept, but it is a concept that is well supported in the Bible and hence I believe it on faith.
As for Heaven, Hell, and Earth, you are alive in all three places. The first part of our life is that which is lived in these physical bodies here on Earth. The second part is lived either in Heaven or in Hell. For those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior, repented of their sins, and received the free gift of salvation, these people will spend eternity in Heaven with God. Those who have rejected Jesus, well, they will spend eternity in Hell - where Jesus said that the fire is never quenched and the worm dies not. Everyone lives forever, its a matter of where your final address will be. God does not send anyone to Hell, the choice is ours. As one old preacher said, the gates of Hell are locked from the inside.
An analogy I like to use for eternity is that of computer software on a floppy disk. Lets say a floppy disk weighs one ounce when empty. If we take some data and totally fill up the disk to the maximum, the disk will still only weigh one ounce. The actual data weighs nothing. Since time is a physical property, it requires an object with mass to be able to affect the object. If software has no mass, then it cannot be affected by time. Human beings are the same way. We have our physical bodies and our souls. The physical bodies have mass and are affected by time (as any senior citizen can attest to), but our soul does not. At any moment in time, if our souls leave our bodies, the bodies still weigh the same amount. Therefore, the soul is not affected by time and hence is eternal. I have heard of some movie called 28 grams, or something, that says that our souls have mass, but that is simply Hollywood fiction.
Now, if we can accept that our soul will live forever, the question is then where will I live? And that is why Jesus came for us. Through one man, Adam, sin entered into the world and separated us from God. But, through one man, Jesus Christ, our sins have been redeemed and death has been defeated. If we repent of our sins, turn to Jesus, acknowledge that He is God, and accept Him as our Savior, He promises to cleanse us of our sins, reside in our hearts, and bless us with spending eternity with Him.
What totally amazes me is that the gift of salvation is totally free. We do not have to earn it by doing good works. Jesus came and paid a debt that He did not owe, because we had a debt (sin) that we could not pay. I think that is a pretty great deal and better than all the lottery winnings in the world!
So, Dream and anyone else reading this, the question is where do you plan to spend eternity?
My desire is that all people would turn to Jesus, but unfortunately, I know that may never happen. But, you are in control of your "destiny". You are in control as to where you will spend eternity. God has reached out His hand to us, we just need the courage to reach our hand out and grab His. We do not know how long we will live on Earth. Any of us could die today. No one is guaranteed tomorrow. That is why the choice is set before you now. Choose life, that you may live.
Georgia United States
Member #1,039
January 15, 2003
260 Posts
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Thanks to everyone for voting and for your comments. They are valued and appreciated.
I never meant for this poll to become a religious or non religious debate. Religion and Politics are two things I normally avoid discussing because both sides are normally adamant about their beliefs and convictions.
Ironically, I got 4 numbers again last night in GA fantasy 5. I played 4-23-26-27-35 and the winning numbers were 23-24-26-27-35. Had I only played 24 instead of 4, I would be $409,000.00 richer today. LOL
Luck? No way. For me it was fate, destiny, a blessing!!!!!
MD United States
Member #1,701
June 18, 2003
10,731 Posts
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God came as man (Jesus) to die on the cross and wash away the sins of Adam and Eve. Hence in doing so freed all mankind from the eternal damnation of hell. When he died and wash away the sins of Adam and Eve he said you believe in me though i were dead yet shall you live. On the third day he rose from the dead to sit at the right hand of the father. The holy trinity as it is known father, son, and holy ghost are one in the same. God is the eternal light that keeps the whole universe and everything in it in motion and balance. Without this force everything would be in chaos.
United States
Member #14
November 9, 2001
31,614 Posts
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Thanks to everyone for voting and for your comments. They are valued and appreciated.
I never meant for this poll to become a religious or non religious debate. Religion and Politics are two things I normally avoid discussing because both sides are normally adamant about their beliefs and convictions.
Ironically, I got 4 numbers again last night in GA fantasy 5. I played 4-23-26-27-35 and the winning numbers were 23-24-26-27-35. Had I only played 24 instead of 4, I would be $409,000.00 richer today. LOL
Luck? No way. For me it was fate, destiny, a blessing!!!!!
MD United States
Member #1,701
June 18, 2003
10,731 Posts
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lottery analyst it's not you fault religion got into this thread. it's keywords that one must avoid or it will bring out the spiritual advisors. keywords like God Jesus, fate and destiny will summon visiondude and other spiritual commentators in a heart beat. i know because i made a comment when i first joined about fate and a 21 page thread was initiated because of it. Various parts of the bible were discussed from beginning to end and caused some really heated arguments as to what was correct and not correct about gods roll and destiny. Don't let it bother you i'm used to it and try to avoid commenting but just don't get it that these spiritual advisors. Have any interest in the lottery because the creator wouldn't want them to be gambling in the first place and there job is to seek out non believers and minister to them.
United States
Member #1,759
June 29, 2003
1,156 Posts
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Well it's quite obvious they are a little confused because gambling is "Supposedly" a SIN from what many religious people seem too believe and quote from the Bible(But in reality It's not) my "Free Will" enables me too choose my own path in life whether it be gambling in the Lottery,selling Drugs or becoming a Doctor so when I WIN the Lottery it's because I took the time to develop a strategy for selecting my numbers and used my favorite software too wheel and filter those numbers."Luck"/"Fate"/"Destiny" too me is when you buy a quick-pick or play numbers that are from your birthday,anniversary,age from a dream or any method that does not Require you to analyse/study number trends and patterns."Desire" is when you decide too rely on your own skills/abilities to help you win a Jackpot and make the effort with hard work too do so,I've talked too many players that have won this way along with others who won by "Luck" so basically the choices are there all you have to do is pick the one that will work for you.
mid-Ohio United States
Member #9
March 24, 2001
20,272 Posts
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If I ever win a lottery jackpot it will mean my plan worked because I pick my numbers. I plan to win ever time I play but so far my plans haven't worked and I accept the fact that if it ever does, I'll be lucky.
RJOh
* you don't need to buy every combination, just the winning ones *
New Mexico United States
Member #12,305
March 10, 2005
2,984 Posts
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How do you see your GOD? Does he look like a person or something else. And if there is GOD, then where did he come from? Just curios about people's perception of GOD. Do you think being alive is heavens and being dead is hell?
New Mexico United States
Member #12,305
March 10, 2005
2,984 Posts
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lottery analyst it's not you fault religion got into this thread. it's keywords that one must avoid or it will bring out the spiritual advisors. keywords like God Jesus, fate and destiny will summon visiondude and other spiritual commentators in a heart beat. i know because i made a comment when i first joined about fate and a 21 page thread was initiated because of it. Various parts of the bible were discussed from beginning to end and caused some really heated arguments as to what was correct and not correct about gods roll and destiny. Don't let it bother you i'm used to it and try to avoid commenting but just don't get it that these spiritual advisors. Have any interest in the lottery because the creator wouldn't want them to be gambling in the first place and there job is to seek out non believers and minister to them.
It's a shame, but it's true. lottery analyst, I agree completely with this post. Push a buzzword button and the evangalists come out of the cracks on one side to fight the heathens coming out of the cracks on the other under the spotlight centered in the middle, like some rooster fight.
Evidently they love it.
But it's a mine field you have to tread carefully if you want to avoid it. Visiondude can find more ways to sneak his beliefs into a thread than there are ways to avoid him. Might just as well just get used to having to skip over a few posts when you see that pair of binocs.
Michigan United States
Member #15,459
May 15, 2005
131 Posts
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Destiny/fate, I believe are lifes are already planned out we are just following the path...in another way, u have choices and u have chances in your life in ur life if u dont choose to take chances then you will never know what ur missing out on...the choice u make could be good or bad, great or really bad, just hope for the great =P
United States
Member #4,877
May 30, 2004
5,289 Posts
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Luck, just luck.
TO ALL>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Posters on LP.................................not tryinnnnnn...........but, KISS posters...
it must be LUCK>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
QuickRicksssss are just as good as any program or software.....I can suggest. ( Sorry,.....I menttttttttt......Quick-Pick.........................thanks)
light on my feet United States
Member #356
May 20, 2002
2,744 Posts
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lottery analyst it's not you fault religion got into this thread. it's keywords that one must avoid or it will bring out the spiritual advisors. keywords like God Jesus, fate and destiny will summon visiondude and other spiritual commentators in a heart beat. i know because i made a comment when i first joined about fate and a 21 page thread was initiated because of it. Various parts of the bible were discussed from beginning to end and caused some really heated arguments as to what was correct and not correct about gods roll and destiny. Don't let it bother you i'm used to it and try to avoid commenting but just don't get it that these spiritual advisors. Have any interest in the lottery because the creator wouldn't want them to be gambling in the first place and there job is to seek out non believers and minister to them.
It's a shame, but it's true. lottery analyst, I agree completely with this post. Push a buzzword button and the evangalists come out of the cracks on one side to fight the heathens coming out of the cracks on the other under the spotlight centered in the middle, like some rooster fight.
Evidently they love it.
But it's a mine field you have to tread carefully if you want to avoid it. Visiondude can find more ways to sneak his beliefs into a thread than there are ways to avoid him. Might just as well just get used to having to skip over a few posts when you see that pair of binocs.
Jack
right place. right thread. and there is some of us that are not afraid to walk thru an open door when one does open.
destiny/fate includes the thought that God has something to do with the lottery, for which others in here either share that belief, or are searching out the possibilities that something more than luck/chance exist.
like you said jack, you can always skip over the various posts for which you disagree. or you can go back to the mystical forum where you talk about the same things, albeit the other side(s) to this coin. you consult "entities" for wisdom/answers ....do you not? so what if i am a lot more difinitive as to "whom" i consult.
you may be successful at getting someone else to be politically correct, but that ain't gonna happen with me. i am not worried about people agreeing with me, and my stance reflects that.
i say what i say because others believe the way that i do, even if you don't.
i have no pretense about hiding my "agenda". i have made it known from my first post. but it happens when the door is open. i don't kick down doors because if i did, i would start my own posts and chase people around all day long. God knows i could spend all day at this in here if i wanted to.
"God" was in here long before you got here, and will be long after you are gone (so he stays). as for me, i will be in here for as long as he plans to use me in here. you can either except that, or fight against it. i respect your right to make that choice...