tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16875673.post1686967806794757731..comments2023-06-28T05:28:39.954-05:00Comments on Megaloi -- "Great Things": My hellish journey (long post)Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01007487096378869462noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16875673.post-69262000255954545952010-02-23T19:22:26.688-06:002010-02-23T19:22:26.688-06:00Michael it would very nice to speak with you seein...Michael it would very nice to speak with you seeing the years have passed. I think it was a sign that I found your blogs. I was looking for news coverage to print out for Julian's case to send to America's Most Wanted. I came across your blogs. I enjoyed reading them even though it was sad and brings back memories. Thank you for these blogs. They are very sincere and descriptive. Email us at kristymeekerfamily@yahoo.com. Thank you so much.kristyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17749385311948982720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16875673.post-53432997296330545092009-11-25T18:38:06.712-06:002009-11-25T18:38:06.712-06:00[url=http://sunkomutors.net/][img]http://sunkomuto...[url=http://sunkomutors.net/][img]http://sunkomutors.net/img-add/euro2.jpg[/img][/url]<br />[b]adobe photoshop cs4 mac serial, [url=http://sunkomutors.net/]filemaker pro 10 bible release date[/url]<br />[url=http://sunkomutors.net/][/url] Software products coreldraw graphics suite x4 with painter x<br />free autocad tutorials [url=http://sunkomutors.net/]office 2003 product key[/url] software canada review<br />[url=http://sunkomutors.net/]software price comparisons[/url] student purchase of adobe acrobat 9 pro<br />[url=http://sunkomutors.net/]download acdsee[/url] adobe photoshop cs3 for mac<br />software reseller in malaysia [url=http://sunkomutors.net/]shipped software[/b]Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16875673.post-3494358091507177872009-06-18T10:08:07.445-05:002009-06-18T10:08:07.445-05:00Redlefty,
Thanks for sharing your story! We are ...Redlefty,<br /><br />Thanks for sharing your story! We are on very similar paths. It's interesting to see God leading many people the same way....Rogerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08827814872245386380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16875673.post-26823662686547529612009-02-18T03:51:00.000-06:002009-02-18T03:51:00.000-06:00My first visit here after seeing your comments on ...My first visit here after seeing your comments on Jim Palmer's blog - I've just left my comment there.<BR/><BR/>I'm 73 and I've been on this journey outside the four walls for almost 40 years. I understand where Mum is coming from - she has a view of the Christian faith based on her own journey - and I have no problem with that.<BR/><BR/>I don't believe in the traditional teaching of hell - neither do I believe that we go to heaven when we die - the Lord's Prayer refers to God's will being done on earth! I know I'm seen as a heretic by some people. I've been married 48 years and while my wife agrees with some of my 'unconventional' views she would probably agree with Mum rather than me.<BR/><BR/>I've recently rewritten my blog - I'd appreciate any feedback.Old Petehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09905782212383969049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16875673.post-67637157433810298672008-01-29T12:38:00.000-06:002008-01-29T12:38:00.000-06:00Mamarose- You wouldn't believe how many times in m...Mamarose- You wouldn't believe how many times in my 62 years I've heard the very same comparisons made between our gift giving and God's gift giving. However, I see no comparisons that fit. When God gave you life, did you have the right or ability to refuse it? When He gave you parents, did you have the right or ability to refuse to accept them? I don't think the comparison you, and countless others, made can successfully apply to deityAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16875673.post-66609126466779912612008-01-24T17:47:00.000-06:002008-01-24T17:47:00.000-06:00Don: It may seem like I'm being too semantical, bu...Don: It may seem like I'm being too semantical, but I believe it's important to remember that there really is no such thing as the gift of unconditional love.<BR/> <BR/>Why? Because you can't give me a gift if I won't accept it. Because the key word is receiving. Love that is offered unconditionally is not necessarily accepted. Therefore, nothing is really free or unconditional. It is conditioned on our acceptance. <BR/> <BR/>If I refuse your gift, I obviously don't possess it. If you offer the gift and I say "I'll only accept it on my terms" and you don't agree with my terms, I've turned down your gift conditionally.<BR/> <BR/>A lot of our struggle with God comes from us wanting to accept his offer based on our conditions. We miss the point that when we do that we are in reality turning His gift down. We're free will. He won't force us to accept a gift, even if it is offered freely. Salvation is free. Accepting salvation on His terms is a free-will decision.If we turn away the free gift because of our conditions, we've obviously lost something we could have had. <BR/> <BR/>There a lots of people who never received a conscious opportunity to accept the free gift of salvation. These people may in fact be under that "law unto themselves" Paul talks about in Romans. In those cases maybe God offers them their "conscious" as their guide to their acceptance of Him. Tons of stuff in the Greek and Aramaic to show that God gave us this conscious, this "law written on our hearts". From Michael's DADMamaRosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06557240499407879646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16875673.post-82204474367757091392008-01-24T17:30:00.000-06:002008-01-24T17:30:00.000-06:00too sweet. I'll take red delicioustoo sweet. I'll take red deliciousJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00682007915158940095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16875673.post-43794632643334772912008-01-24T13:05:00.000-06:002008-01-24T13:05:00.000-06:00Thanks for your replies Don and JP.Hmmm, maybe not...Thanks for your replies Don and JP.<BR/><BR/>Hmmm, maybe not apples and oranges but different types of apples? Mine being Granny Smiths of course....Yaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00056820570876897634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16875673.post-25445452122794777242008-01-23T09:53:00.000-06:002008-01-23T09:53:00.000-06:00yael, Its tough for me to speak as a non-believer ...yael,<BR/><BR/> Its tough for me to speak as a non-believer but I think don hit the nail on the head.JPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00682007915158940095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16875673.post-53884846100540216472008-01-23T09:04:00.000-06:002008-01-23T09:04:00.000-06:00Not sure too many Christians would call me a Chris...Not sure too many Christians would call me a Christian anymore. I believe there are many ways to discover and learn about God, and ourselves along the way. The way I have chosen, for the time being, is through the teachings and life of a man named Jesus. He seems to me to be a rather fine example of what it is to truly be a man, a part of God as are all of us. To me, Universalism simply means there will be a place for everyone in God's creation in whatever He/She has in mind for humankind for now and forever. He/She is not a God of exclusion, but inclusion. God needs nor wants anything from us, but a willingness to explore what He/She is and the process what we truly are as a vital part of this universe.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16875673.post-33448050896043266872008-01-23T01:44:00.000-06:002008-01-23T01:44:00.000-06:00Redlefty,Thanks. Perhaps I will. As I said in my...Redlefty,<BR/>Thanks. Perhaps I will. As I said in my first post, it is always interesting to read about journeys.<BR/> <BR/>JP,<BR/>Obviously we are using the same terms in different ways. I'm well aware this is a Christian blog, I just wasn't aware it was the type of Christain blog where the gospel would be presented as being universal. I blog with Christians quite regularly and we mostly manage to be civil because they don't take that POV. If they hold to the gospel story at all, they only hold it as valid for Christians and leave the rest of us to follow the teachings of our own religions or not. <BR/> <BR/>My take on universalism is that the righteous of all the nations have a place in the world to come, that there are multiple paths to God, one path is right for one person, another for another person. There is no 'good news' other than that unique people are allowed to have unique relationships with the one God without someone else coming along to tell them they're wrong. So, perhaps now you can see why I would be startled that someone would give a crucifixion story, a story only valid for one particular group, and claim it to be anything having to do with universalism, even if the person doesn't believe the story. <BR/> <BR/>Here's your chance to educate me. I'm curious to hear your take since it seems to me we're talking apples and oranges.Yaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00056820570876897634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16875673.post-63100636415690343312008-01-22T21:54:00.000-06:002008-01-22T21:54:00.000-06:00Yael, With all due respect, you ARE on a christia...Yael,<BR/><BR/> With all due respect, you ARE on a christian blog and the post IS concerning universalism.<BR/><BR/>Remember yael, I am not a believer but was adding my 2 cents of what the "good news" should or how I interpret it to be from a christian standpoint.JPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00682007915158940095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16875673.post-66341638185407010152008-01-22T21:05:00.000-06:002008-01-22T21:05:00.000-06:00Yael and JP, you are both welcome here. You each ...Yael and JP, you are both welcome here. You each have something unique to add to the dialogue so I'd like to see you stick around.<BR/><BR/>My next post will be up shortly.Redleftyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04834798382800790723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16875673.post-50251011033657551712008-01-22T20:55:00.000-06:002008-01-22T20:55:00.000-06:00JP,Sure, universalism for one religion is such uni...JP,<BR/>Sure, universalism for one religion is such universalism. I'm a Jew. Jesus dying on the cross is NOT of any interest to anyone but Christians and certainly isn't good news for the rest of us. Many Jews died on crosses during the Roman era. Such a fuss to make about one....How many Jews have died since as a result of that fuss?<BR/><BR/>Appreciate your sarcasm. I thought this might be an interesting place to read, but it seems I was wrong. I guess I'll have to stick to the uneducated Jewish world....Enjoy.Yaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00056820570876897634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16875673.post-712024608164364802008-01-22T19:36:00.000-06:002008-01-22T19:36:00.000-06:00yael, thanks for your highly academic opinion my f...yael,<BR/><BR/> thanks for your highly academic opinion my friend. My post was directly related to universalismJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00682007915158940095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16875673.post-44860970670861454142008-01-22T16:12:00.000-06:002008-01-22T16:12:00.000-06:00"Whatever tradition we come from provides thick gl..."Whatever tradition we come from provides thick glasses as we read scripture."<BR/><BR/>Yep. That's one reason that, in the Protestant fold, we have eleventy-seven hundred denominations.<BR/><BR/>Great blog post, and great comments.Hal Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17350917997504370743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16875673.post-12713680208932302632008-01-22T16:05:00.000-06:002008-01-22T16:05:00.000-06:00I think your take "as a non-believer" is spot-on J...I think your take "as a non-believer" is spot-on JP. Becoming a father had a HUGE impact on my theology. What could my son or daughter ever do that would make their endless torture seem reasonable to me? Either God sucks as a Father, or I am reading scripture wrong.<BR/><BR/>I came to the conclusion I was reading scripture wrong. Whatever tradition we come from provides thick glasses as we read scripture. Mine colored my scripture reading with Hell, Fire, and Brimstone.<BR/><BR/>It was amazing to me that, once I considered the possibility that God really does love unconditionally, I saw scripture in an entirely new light.<BR/><BR/>I don't know that we can ever truly get away from reading scripture with "glasses", but I definitely feel like I found a better pair.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12494823779999456396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16875673.post-56362965879489453932008-01-22T15:49:00.000-06:002008-01-22T15:49:00.000-06:00The good news HAS to be that one Jesus came, he to...<I>The good news HAS to be that one Jesus came, he took the sins of the world and nailed it to the cross. Even the sin of unbelief. That is truely goood news.</I><BR/><BR/>In one world maybe. I thought this post was about a journey to universalism.Yaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00056820570876897634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16875673.post-15693495704211664922008-01-22T15:31:00.000-06:002008-01-22T15:31:00.000-06:00I would recommend this article to those who put "c...I would recommend this article to those who put "conditions" on God's "unconditional" love.<BR/>http://www.lrchouston.com/archive/unconditional-love.php<BR/> (Sorry. The best I could do was provide this for your cut & paste practice)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16875673.post-1698574352077248352008-01-22T15:22:00.000-06:002008-01-22T15:22:00.000-06:00Very interesting dialogue here. Don, there is not ...Very interesting dialogue here. Don, there is not reason for me to reiterate your splendid points. If we love our own children unconditionally, should you expect anything less from the creator? The good news HAS to be that one Jesus came, he took the sins of the world and nailed it to the cross. Even the sin of unbelief. That is truely goood news.<BR/><BR/>My take as a non-believer!JPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00682007915158940095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16875673.post-19142620953310937762008-01-22T02:03:00.000-06:002008-01-22T02:03:00.000-06:00THANK YOU, Don r--I never really FELT like we were...THANK YOU, Don r--I never really FELT like we were 'arguing'--just maybe 'exchanging' different points of view that weren't really THAT FAR apart--like you said--we are BOTH BELIEVERS!!!!!<BR/><BR/>I think it's very good to study 'other things'/religions, translations, histories and the Hebrew & Greek versions, too--but, since I believe that our ALL-POWERFUL GOD made sure we received, into our hands, TODAY, the WHOLE TRUTH--that we NEED for our SALVATION, I would 'TAKE' my/THE BIBLE & what IT SAYS 'over' anything else--that's just me.<BR/><BR/>And, I don't believe that all of us English-speaking folks today NEED to even know, much less study the Greek NT--ok, for sure, but, just NOT necessary.<BR/><BR/>The BIGGEST 'thing' I see out of this is: to MAKE SURE that Satan/his deceitful ways/teachings DO NOT TAKE AWAY OUR HOPE!!!!!!!!!<BR/><BR/>The reason LOVE is the MOST IMPORTANT is because we will STILL HAVE IT WHEN WE'RE IN HEAVEN--by then, our FAITH & HOPE will have been SEEN & FULFILLED--BUT, FOR NOW, OUR FAITH & HOPE is VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!!!!!! So much so, that NO ONE/thing should EVER TAKE IT AWAY from us!!!!!!!!!<BR/><BR/>Bet you agree with all of that, too. Sounds like you're a 'great guy' & I'm glad you read & comment on our Michael's blog!!!!!<BR/><BR/>If we were ALL just alike & thought ALIKE, it would be pretty boring, here, huh??!!!!! LOVE YA, Michael's Mom/MamaRoseMamaRosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06557240499407879646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16875673.post-82540506257811650142008-01-21T14:54:00.000-06:002008-01-21T14:54:00.000-06:00Mom- You know I think all our disagreements center...Mom- You know I think all our disagreements center around interpretation of the Bible. Guess that's why there are 30,000 + Christian denominations. My studies of early Christianity and the literal Greek translation of the NT have lead me in another direction. I find nothing usful in us arguing doctrine and interpretation of a few key verses. You are a believer in God as am I. That makes us part of the same whole. Some day we'll understand how it was and is. Till then, blessings to you and yours.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16875673.post-13649298987053194472008-01-21T02:15:00.000-06:002008-01-21T02:15:00.000-06:00Ok--Don r--This is the FIRST time I've ever done t...Ok--Don r--This is the FIRST time I've ever done this: Answer someone else's question on someone else's blog.<BR/><BR/>My first thought is: I can't 'place conditions on God's LOVE'--ONLY HE CREATED THE WORLD & 'MADE THE RULES'.<BR/><BR/>ONLY HE & Jesus & the HOLY SPIRIT have been 'around'/ALIVE ETERNALLY--the rest of us THEY MADE!!!!!<BR/><BR/>It was WAY BACK BEFORE THE WORLD WAS FORMED when Satan/THE DEVIL & 'his' angels (the other angels who REBELLED AGAINST GOD WITH him) that God 'instituted' Hell, Judgement Day, and Eternal Punishment--Matthew 25:41 & I Timothy 3:6.<BR/><BR/>Revelation 20:10 says: "And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day & night for ever and ever." I understand the Book of Revelation is a 'Vision' of John's, but this verse is pretty CLEAR to me!!!!!!!<BR/><BR/>It is TOTALLY OUR CHOICE/how we CHOOSE to live our lives that either puts our 'NAMES IN THE BOOK OF LIFE' or NOT--it HAS to be OUR CHOICE or our WORSHIP of God is NOT MEANINGFUL--THIS IS WHAT'S IMPORTANT, RIGHT HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!<BR/><BR/>Even if we CHOOSE not to PRAISE & HONOR & TO GIVE GLORY TO OUR CREATOR & GOD, 'the rocks will CRY OUT'--Lk. 19:40--quoting from Hab.<BR/>In other words, NATURE, in ITSELF 'SPEAKS' that there is ONE ALL-POWERFUL GOD, who we MUST OBEY if we want to be rewarded/go to Heaven.<BR/><BR/>And, also do you think God would have 'LET' Jesus DIE FOR ALL OUR SINS & go through EVERYTHING HE DID, by BEARING ALL THE SINS OF THE WORLD, WITHOUT HIM, if his sacrifice was not TOTALLY NECESSARY--I don't--therefore, Jesus DID save me & you from our sins, IF WE OBEY HIM, and we WILL BE SAVED from HELL & ETERNAL PUNISHMENT with Satan & the others.<BR/><BR/>AND, I believe God DOES love us ALL UNconditionally--BUT, that that doesn't mean he won't discipline us--like we do/should our OWN children--and/or punish us, if we do not follow HIM!!!!!<BR/><BR/>This all just came off the 'top of my head', I'm sure I'll think of something else to 'answer' you--so, give me a couple of days & I'll try to post something else. LOVE YOU, MICHAEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MomMamaRosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06557240499407879646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16875673.post-60853527046843303542008-01-20T23:27:00.000-06:002008-01-20T23:27:00.000-06:00Quite an interesting story. My own story took me ...Quite an interesting story. My own story took me from being the daughter of a fundie minister, from being a seminary student studying for ministry, to finding my place as a Jew. It was a long convoluted journey but I can't complain. I'm finally where I belong. Always enjoy reading other's stories of journeys so long as their stories don't include evangelizing me and mine! Yours doesn't so I'm curious to see where it leads.Yaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00056820570876897634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16875673.post-16361270863508486002008-01-20T17:15:00.000-06:002008-01-20T17:15:00.000-06:00Thanks for sharing your story. My story is simila...Thanks for sharing your story. My story is similar, and I think there are a lot of folks out there on similar journeys.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12494823779999456396noreply@blogger.com