Sometimes

[Woody]

While reading this - I was expecting you to say that you were going to wait for a non-tatted angel to arrive.

[LifeHiscost]

While reading this - I was expecting you to say that you were going to wait for a non-tatted angel to arrive.

Since I didn't see a behind your assesment, I thought you might be willing to use this Word to advantage.

Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].

1 Corinthians 13:7 AMP Bold emphasis mine LHC

God blesses!

[Woody]

[LifeHiscost]

Since I don't have anymore tats left and only two tits, this is the last you get until after the Sabbath.

God blesses!

[Twilight II]

Everyone is broken.

If I looked at the brokeness continually and did not look past that to the potential God has in store for them, I would not share the gospel with anyone...

[Stan]

Well put, thank you Twilight

[olger]

Everyone is broken.

If I looked at the brokeness continually and did not look past that to the potential God has in store for them, I would not share the gospel with anyone...

Reckon I like that..

[LifeHiscost]

Everyone is broken.

If I looked at the brokeness continually and did not look past that to the potential God has in store for them, I would not share the gospel with anyone...

I was just thinking, I wonder how many believe this advice when it comes to our relations with others.

" Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."2 Corinthians 12:8-10

NKJV

God blesses!

[Woody]

Everyone is broken.

If I looked at the brokeness continually and did not look past that to the potential God has in store for them, I would not share the gospel with anyone...

Excellent

[JoeMo]

Hi LifeHiscost,

Referring back to your response to my post way back on page 4, you were musing whether or not those who were Pharisaical were welcome in our church, since we openly embrace the lost. I inferred that you suspected they were not. If I gave that impression to anyone, my sincere apologies. All are welcome in our church; but not all are comfortable with our message and culture. We have been accused of compromising the gospel and breaking away from traditional Adventism. I won't comment on that, for fear of starting an off-topic and contentious debate. Everyone in our church is on the same path (salvation), but we are all at different points on that path. There are those members that are on the path of "pleasing God", filled with good intentions and good works. Sadly, some of them doubt their salvation, constantly worrying that they may not be "good enough" for heaven; or afraid that some event or action in their past or present life excludes them from heaven. Others are on the path of trusting God, fanatically embracing His grace and the blood of Jesus, convinced that nothing short of consciously asking God for a "divorce" could take away their salvation. Some are mixing pleasing and trusting God. Because I spent so much time as a legalist, I confess to mixing them sometimes, worrying that some past or present sin could somehow exclude me from the Kingdom. I'm trying (with God's grace) to stick with trusting God at His word - that "whosoever believeth should not perish, but have everlasting life".

"4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace" (Eph. 1:4-7)

I know some will say that I take these verses out of context - I pray I'm not doing that. But, if I'm interpreting it correctly, God wants us all in heaven; and He will do everything short of interfering with our free will to get us there - piercings, tattoos, and all (Conversely legalism, self-righteousness, and all).

Question - are you excited about the second coming of Christ, or does it scare the "hell" out of you? I submit that your answer to this question exposes your opinion of God as either a loving and forgiving Father or a brutal and relentless taskmaster. I'm excited about it; and I am assured of my salvation - piercing and all. I pray that we all may be excited about it even in our brokenness.

I wish I had (or took) more time to respond more quickly to people who address me in their posts. I learn more from you all than any other "church" I attend! God bless you!

[JoeMo]

Hi kailooa,

Welcome to Clubadventist! I really appreciate your feedback (of course I would - you agreed with me!). Please don't give up on any question or comment you may want to post. There are as many opinions in this forum as there are members; and there are as many people who will sometimes take issue with your opinions as there are members. What I love is the fact that this gives us a forum within our culture to openly express ourselves. I hope to see you frequently on one thread or another. God bless!

[Gail]

Everyone is broken.

If I looked at the brokeness continually and did not look past that to the potential God has in store for them, I would not share the gospel with anyone...

[LifeHiscost]

Hi LifeHiscost, I learn more from you all than any other "church" I attend! God bless you!

[Gail]

Thanking God for handling our boogers!! LOL I've never heard it put quite like that before!

[kailooa]

LOL @ booger in the nose. That's a good one.

JoeMo, thanks for the welcome! I am cautiously glad to be here. I am still searching for an Adventist community in which I can build relationships, and am unfortunately just this week coming out of a very nasty experience with Adventism locally. So I have tentative, fledgling hope that there may at least be some people I can talk to here from time to time. I feel very alone in my faith, as Adventists tend to think I'm living on the edge of hell and my secular friends think I am weird for being religious and for some of my Adventist lifestyle choices which stand out to them.

LifeHisCost, I absolutely welcome differences of opinion without rancor. Your thoughts about the money spent on jewelry vs. supporting your African friend are interesting. In a country as rich as the US, the way I see it, EVERY purchase we make comes at the cost of someone less fortunate. By the same measure you are attaching to jewelry, the extra dollar for a bag of organic broccoli should also go from my pocket to your African friend, or to millions like him. It is a conundrum that we each must deal with every day, and I imagine that most of us can only stay conscious of the problem for moments at a time or we would either hit the streets or pull out our own hair. And this global inequity feeds my politics--it's the main reason why I refer to myself as a "bleeding heart liberal." Haha. So I wonder, why do you attach special significance to the money spent on a piece of jewelry as opposed to a silk blouse, a newer car, an extra gallon of gas in the tank? If I had to guess, I'd say it was because of what Ellen G White said, rather than what the Bible says, but that is only a guess, and I would like to hear your thoughts.

Thanks to everyone for the discussion.

[LifeHiscost]

LOL @ booger in the nose. That's a good one.

JoeMo, thanks for the welcome! I am cautiously glad to be here. I am still searching for an Adventist community in which I can build relationships, and am unfortunately just this week coming out of a very nasty experience with Adventism locally. So I have tentative, fledgling hope that there may at least be some people I can talk to here from time to time. I feel very alone in my faith, as Adventists tend to think I'm living on the edge of hell and my secular friends think I am weird for being religious and for some of my Adventist lifestyle choices which stand out to them.

LifeHisCost, I absolutely welcome differences of opinion without rancor. Your thoughts about the money spent on jewelry vs. supporting your African friend are interesting. In a country as rich as the US, the way I see it, EVERY purchase we make comes at the cost of someone less fortunate. By the same measure you are attaching to jewelry, the extra dollar for a bag of organic broccoli should also go from my pocket to your African friend, or to millions like him. It is a conundrum that we each must deal with every day, and I imagine that most of us can only stay conscious of the problem for moments at a time or we would either hit the streets or pull out our own hair. And this global inequity feeds my politics--it's the main reason why I refer to myself as a "bleeding heart liberal." Haha. So I wonder, why do you attach special significance to the money spent on a piece of jewelry as opposed to a silk blouse, a newer car, an extra gallon of gas in the tank? If I had to guess, I'd say it was because of what Ellen G White said, rather than what the Bible says, but that is only a guess, and I would like to hear your thoughts.

Thanks to everyone for the discussion.

Because as a 24/7 caregiver I'm limited in time, I'm putting off my answer to your response till later. I need to ask the question, what do you feel about using Scripture as God's answers to the situations of life? I use them often when answering posts and it raises the ire of some who think I'm faulty in their' application.

A reason I find the Scripture far more valuable than opinions of any individual, is His flawless character in defining. Only my personal pride is wounded when others take exception. Probably much like most people, I like to think I understand Him when He talks to me. And I'm loath to think God is unable to make Himself understood.

"And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13 NKJV

I'm also of the opinion, this below is a stumbling block to many in their journey of faith.

"He said, “For sure, I tell you, unless you have a change of heart and become like a little child, you will not get into the holy nation of heaven. "

Matthew 18:3 NLV

And it doesn't make a lot of sense to me that no one really knows what the Word is saying or meaning for sure. If that were true, what would have been the purpose for man to have been given the commission to take the Word (good news)to all the world?

I have written thirty sayings for you,

filled with advice and knowledge.

In this way, you may know the truth

and take an accurate report to those who sent you."

Proverbs 22:20-22 NLT

God blesses!

[JoeMo]

Hi Kailooa,

Thanks for your transperency in talking about your nasty experience with Adventism. Although this thread specifically addresses piercings and tatoos, I have similar issues with Adventisms prohibitions on alcohol, caffiene, pork, shellfish, etc., ect., ect. - the list goes on and on. The book of Acts tells us about a debate in the early church of whether or not Gentiles should be held to the standards of the OT Mosaic Law. Acts 15:7-10 states:

"7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

Here, Peter admits that the Jews couldn't even live up to their own standards! Later on in the chapter, James concludes the issue with:

"19 “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. 21 For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.” (Acts 15:19-21)

I see nothing these concerning dietary restrictions (outside of food strangled or offered to idols), circumsicion, drinking, jewelry, piercings, etc.

To be balanced, I must also admit that Paul (more liberal than Peter) says in I Cor. 6:12:

"“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything."

Later on in I Cor.10:23 he says :

"I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive."

At the risk of sounding like I am taking things out of context, I don't believe that any of the prohibitions peculiar to Adventism condemn us to hell (although they might get us kicked out of the church), God gives us certain guidelines for our own well- being.

As a recovering legalist, I am working hard to accept all people (internal or external to Adventism) where they are. I also am very careful about how I apply EGW to my personal life. Alot of her stuff published by the church was specific counsel given to specific individuals. I think it is a leap of faith to expand those counsels to all church members.

Whatever your issues with Adventism, remember - "8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast." (Eph. 2: 8-9) I have come to believe that all man-made denominations exist to control people - not to set them free. Jesus' blood and grace (unmerited favor) get me to heaven - not the 27 (or is it now 28?) pillars.

You just "keep on keeping on", claiming the grace of Jesus and the indwelling of His Spirit - wherever you are in your spiritual walk. By persevering, you and I will both be changed into His image according to His timetable. Eternal life is a gift - not a reward. Rewards are given in exchange for works. True, we will be "rewarded according to our works; but I think rewards are the gravy, not the main course.

Blessings to you!

[Twilight II]

Hi Kailooa,

Thanks for your transperency in talking about your nasty experience with Adventism. Although this thread specifically addresses piercings and tatoos, I have similar issues with Adventisms prohibitions on alcohol, caffiene, pork, shellfish, etc., ect., ect. - the list goes on and on. The book of Acts tells us about a debate in the early church of whether or not Gentiles should be held to the standards of the OT Mosaic Law. Acts 15:7-10 states:

"7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

Here, Peter admits that the Jews couldn't even live up to their own standards! Later on in the chapter, James concludes the issue with:

"19 “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. 21 For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.” (Acts 15:19-21)

I see nothing these concerning dietary restrictions (outside of food strangled or offered to idols), circumsicion, drinking, jewelry, piercings, etc.

To be balanced, I must also admit that Paul (more liberal than Peter) says in I Cor. 6:12:

"“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything."

Later on in I Cor.10:23 he says :

"I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive."

At the risk of sounding like I am taking things out of context, I don't believe that any of the prohibitions peculiar to Adventism condemn us to hell (although they might get us kicked out of the church), God gives us certain guidelines for our own well- being.

As a recovering legalist, I am working hard to accept all people (internal or external to Adventism) where they are. I also am very careful about how I apply EGW to my personal life. Alot of her stuff published by the church was specific counsel given to specific individuals. I think it is a leap of faith to expand those counsels to all church members.

Whatever your issues with Adventism, remember - "8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast." (Eph. 2: 8-9) I have come to believe that all man-made denominations exist to control people - not to set them free. Jesus' blood and grace (unmerited favor) get me to heaven - not the 27 (or is it now 28?) pillars.

You just "keep on keeping on", claiming the grace of Jesus and the indwelling of His Spirit - wherever you are in your spiritual walk. By persevering, you and I will both be changed into His image according to His timetable. Eternal life is a gift - not a reward. Rewards are given in exchange for works. True, we will be "rewarded according to our works; but I think rewards are the gravy, not the main course.

Blessings to you!

Are you making the argument that only those things presented to the Gentile Christians at the Jerusalem council have any moral obligation over them?

That anything else not mentioned has been done away with?

[JoeMo]

Absolutely not. The entire law was given for a reason - to show us what sin is and how far we fall short of God's standards. However, the law does not save us - especially the Mosaic Law. I am saying that the prerequisite for salvation is no longer law-keeping - we are saved solely by the grace of Jesus Christ. He became sin for us, and took all the punishment that we deserve for our sins, so that we may share in His life. If we rely on our own ability to manage our sin problem, we can never be sure of salvation because "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." "No one is righteous - no; not even one".

I am also saying that some of the "rules" put on SDA's have no sound biblical basis. In this case I will use alcohol. I have no argument with temperance; and I agree that the Bible - both Old and New Testamants - condemns drunkeness. But I don't find anything that generally condemns all use of alcoholic beverages. In fact, sometimes it is quite acceptable. For instance at the wedding feast at Cana where Jesus turned water to wine:

"They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”

In my mind, "having too much to drink" = "drunk"; yet Jesus made more wine for them! I've heard Sam Bacciochi talk about the subtle difference between "wine" and "grape juice" as determined by the original language; but I don't see it.

I could put out several more passages that seem to condone the temperate use of alcohol; but this post is already getting too long.

How do you read II Cor. 3:7-11?

"7 Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses' face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? 9 For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory. 10 Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it. 11 For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory."

What? - Is Paul calling the "law carved in stone" (i.e., the "10 Commandments") the "ministry of death"? If we are relying on our consistently strict adherence to the 10 Commandments; I would personally have to say yes (at least for me); I can't do it! If I don't have a Savior, I am DOOMED! Does that make me weak? Yes - I admit it!

I would never throw out the Law; for it is by comparing my behavior the the Law that I know whether or not I am on the right path. One day, when we are changed from corruptible to immortal, I will keep the law perfectly; but for now, I will rely on the grace and mercy of Christ. That is the only way I can be sure of my salvation. I will please Him by trusting in His salvation and leading me into the good works He has prepared for me in advance. His grace is the prerequisite for my good deeds; my good deeds are not the prerequisite for His grace.

[Twilight II]

Absolutely not. The entire law was given for a reason - to show us what sin is and how far we fall short of God's standards. However, the law does not save us - especially the Mosaic Law. I am saying that the prerequisite for salvation is no longer law-keeping - we are saved solely by the grace of Jesus Christ. He became sin for us, and took all the punishment that we deserve for our sins, so that we may share in His life. If we rely on our own ability to manage our sin problem, we can never be sure of salvation because "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." "No one is righteous - no; not even one".

I am also saying that some of the "rules" put on SDA's have no sound biblical basis. In this case I will use alcohol. I have no argument with temperance; and I agree that the Bible - both Old and New Testamants - condemns drunkeness. But I don't find anything that generally condemns all use of alcoholic beverages. In fact, sometimes it is quite acceptable. For instance at the wedding feast at Cana where Jesus turned water to wine:

"They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”

In my mind, "having too much to drink" = "drunk"; yet Jesus made more wine for them! I've heard Sam Bacciochi talk about the subtle difference between "wine" and "grape juice" as determined by the original language; but I don't see it.

I could put out several more passages that seem to condone the temperate use of alcohol; but this post is already getting too long.

How do you read II Cor. 3:7-11?

"7 Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses' face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? 9 For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory. 10 Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it. 11 For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory."

What? - Is Paul calling the "law carved in stone" (i.e., the "10 Commandments") the "ministry of death"? If we are relying on our consistently strict adherence to the 10 Commandments; I would personally have to say yes (at least for me); I can't do it! If I don't have a Savior, I am DOOMED! Does that make me weak? Yes - I admit it!

I would never throw out the Law; for it is by comparing my behavior the the Law that I know whether or not I am on the right path. One day, when we are changed from corruptible to immortal, I will keep the law perfectly; but for now, I will rely on the grace and mercy of Christ. That is the only way I can be sure of my salvation. I will please Him by trusting in His salvation and leading me into the good works He has prepared for me in advance. His grace is the prerequisite for my good deeds; my good deeds are not the prerequisite for His grace.

Thank you for taking the time to share your understanding.

I just want to share this with you.

The Law means two different things to two different people.

The Law for the man who is bound by the sinful nature, who is still "the old man", condemns him and points him to Christ.

The Law for the new man, the born again man, is written on his heart and is part of his character.

So when we read Paul, we have to consider whether he is discussing the "old man" or the "new man".

There is only one way to enter into the Kingdom of God.

And that is a two stage approach.

1. Through the merits of Jesus.

2. Through being born again, having the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the "new man" within.

Basically, only those that are "born again" are going to heaven.

They are those that have Gods Law written in the hearts and minds.

That is the test we should all be concerned with.

The question we should be asking is:

"Am I born again...?"

Mark :-)

[JoeMo]

Hey Twilight II,

Thanks for your thoughtful response. I also appreciate your gentle attitude towards me. It makes me feel like you are looking at me through the eyes of Jesus rather than the eyes of religion.

I agree with your concept of the 2-stage way to heaven. If I ask myself, "Am I born again?", my heart tells me I am. If I ask myself "Do I have the Law of God written on my heart?" Again, I would answer "yes". If you ask me if I'm sinless; and therefore deserve heaven, I would have to answer "Definitely not; and this side of being changed, I don't think I ever will be". You see, I don't always listen to my heart - sometimes I listen to other parts of myself. I'm just being honest here. I've been a born-again Christian for over 35 years; but I have had some periods of backsliding in some pretty significant areas; but Jesus always gently woos me back. I have never been able to overcome sins of the mind (lust, jealousy, gossip, hateful feelings towards another, anger, etc.) I believe these "little sins" can keep me out of heaven just as much as the obvious "biggies", were it not for the grace of my Savior and His covering blood. I believe when the Father looks on me, He sees His Son's robe of rightrousness; not my filthy rags. By beholding His goodness, I have indeed been changed; but God is still working on me. Who knows - one day I may throw away my piercings, outgrow my mental lust; and overcome my anger issues; but it hasn't happened yet. Nonetheless, I trust in my Savior's atoning grace to qualify me for His Kingdom. His works make me "good enough" for heaven - not my own. If I had to rely on my own goodness, I would despair.

Thanks to your (and others) thoughtful posts, I am able to share the secrets of my soul on this forum. Thank you for giving me the courage and honesty to do so.

[Twilight II]

Hey Twilight II,

Thanks for your thoughtful response. I also appreciate your gentle attitude towards me. It makes me feel like you are looking at me through the eyes of Jesus rather than the eyes of religion.

I agree with your concept of the 2-stage way to heaven. If I ask myself, "Am I born again?", my heart tells me I am. If I ask myself "Do I have the Law of God written on my heart?" Again, I would answer "yes". If you ask me if I'm sinless; and therefore deserve heaven, I would have to answer "Definitely not; and this side of being changed, I don't think I ever will be". You see, I don't always listen to my heart - sometimes I listen to other parts of myself. I'm just being honest here. I've been a born-again Christian for over 35 years; but I have had some periods of backsliding in some pretty significant areas; but Jesus always gently woos me back. I have never been able to overcome sins of the mind (lust, jealousy, gossip, hateful feelings towards another, anger, etc.) I believe these "little sins" can keep me out of heaven just as much as the obvious "biggies", were it not for the grace of my Savior and His covering blood. I believe when the Father looks on me, He sees His Son's robe of rightrousness; not my filthy rags. By beholding His goodness, I have indeed been changed; but God is still working on me. Who knows - one day I may throw away my piercings, outgrow my mental lust; and overcome my anger issues; but it hasn't happened yet. Nonetheless, I trust in my Savior's atoning grace to qualify me for His Kingdom. His works make me "good enough" for heaven - not my own. If I had to rely on my own goodness, I would despair.

Thanks to your (and others) thoughtful posts, I am able to share the secrets of my soul on this forum. Thank you for giving me the courage and honesty to do so.

What you have shared is a common experience.

Most of us are pulled between the old man and the new man.

But we can choose to head towards Gods ideal and intention for us, the perfect new man.

When we place our will in this direction, God makes it a reality.

The first thing we have to learn though, is a continual turning inwards to the presence of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.

We have to learn to listen.

It is when we do not listen and depend on the Holy Spirits guidance, pulled away to operate in our own thoughts, that we will find the in/out inconsistent experience we are all familiar with.

Learning to be continually turned to God and listening to His leading is the very first lesson for the Born Again believer to learn.

I am fully convinced of this.

Just keep on turning to the personal presence of God within your heart Joe (correct me if I have your name wrong), until the habit forms.

That is our place of refuge, our high tower...

And out of that springs a natural growth of the new man, the man united with God in intent, desire and will...

[Gail]

Quote:

But we can choose to head towards Gods ideal and intention for us, the perfect new man.

When we place our will in this direction, God makes it a reality.

Marvin Moore calls it, putting ourselves on God's side. I like that! It can be done at any time and sometimes many times a day.

[LifeHiscost]

Quote:

But we can choose to head towards Gods ideal and intention for us, the perfect new man.

When we place our will in this direction, God makes it a reality.

Marvin Moore calls it, putting ourselves on God's side. I like that! It can be done at any time and sometimes many times a day.

Quote and follow-up comment. If we would see walking the walk as a goal and claim a couple of promises, we would have the peace that passes understanding.

"And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns."

Philippians 1:6 NLT

"May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think"Ephesians 3:19,20 NLT

God blesses!

[Woody]

Quote:

But we can choose to head towards Gods ideal and intention for us, the perfect new man.

When we place our will in this direction, God makes it a reality.

Marvin Moore calls it, putting ourselves on God's side. I like that! It can be done at any time and sometimes many times a day.

Right On Gail.