It's not by preaching to people, but by showing them God's love in a practical way by how you live. As the old saying goes.... Iam my neighbours Bible, he reads me every day.
I think one must continue to work on their self ... trying to follow Jesus rules ... which is harder some days than others.... Thank God he is a forgiving God ... hopefully leading by living the way Jesus would want us too and not judging others ... will be a grand example.
It's not by preaching to people, but by showing them God's love in a practical way by how you live. As the old saying goes.... Iam my neighbours Bible, he reads me every day.
make sure the children hear all the Bible stories and they will sink in. then when they have their born again experience everything comes together with all the stories and it makes sense. this builds a much stronger bond.
No offense but personally I don't really believe we go to heaven or hell after we die. We have heaven and hell, good and evil, right here right now. A person's soul? We can certainly offer people a helping hand when needed... and lead by example. That is what kids mostly follow. And so many wonder why our kids are the way they are. Clear to me... especially seeing the way people get treated around SH.
I feel the best when I help others... so I volunteer and help when/where I can. I have felt that way since I was in my teens. But, that certainly doesn't mean I have not been selfish... because I truly have been.
If some being is going to judge me because I did or didn't help enough, or whether or not I lived a "good" life, or not... or is going to punish me because I didn't believe in the story that his "son" died for every human's sin... That is not a being I am interested in "serving". I'm not living my entire life waiting/wondering about the after life.
I understand what you meant. I just have serious questions about religion and the belief systems that have been handed down through the Bible. That book was written by human beings. Some one said it was the word of God and people have taken that is the end all be all truth.
What about Islam, or the Mormons, or the Latter Day Saints, etc. Some people believe that if they kill infidels they get to their heaven. Doesn't make it correct, or true. There was a time when people were forced or killed to believe in Christianity.
I have changed and done my best to simply become a better and more compassionate human being. I have things I like about myself and things I don't. The willingness to improve was not done to please/serve a power that I can not see.
It's to be empathetic and an open sound board to them allowing them to say how they feel and by being there physically to show support when they have the soul changing and saving questions.
In solitude you will realize that souls need no saving and your most precious possesion is an unrestrained mind, free of any ISMS.
I feel the best when I help others... so I volunteer and help when/where I can. I have felt that way since I was in my teens. But, that certainly doesn't mean I have not been selfish... because I truly have been.
If some being is going to judge me because I did or didn't help enough, or whether or not I lived a "good" life, or not... or is going to punish me because I didn't believe in the story that his "son" died for every human's sin... That is not a being I am interested in "serving". I'm not living my entire life waiting/wondering about the after life.
Maybe the forgiveness is about ourselves?
Poor planning? Spending your entire life in the hopes that you make it somewhere when you die? That sounds like poor planning to me.
Planning for something that no person can prove exists? I am happy you have your beliefs about what happens when we die. I don't believe the same.
It does not mean that I don't believe in powers beyond our comprehension.
I understand what you meant. I just have serious questions about religion and the belief systems that have been handed down through the Bible. That book was written by human beings. Some one said it was the word of God and people have taken that is the end all be all truth.
What about Islam, or the Mormons, or the Latter Day Saints, etc. Some people believe that if they kill infidels they get to their heaven. Doesn't make it correct, or true. There was a time when people were forced or killed to believe in Christianity.
I have changed and done my best to simply become a better and more compassionate human being. I have things I like about myself and things I don't. The willingness to improve was not done to please/serve a power that I can not see.
I too wish you the very best!