Comments on: On Catholocism and Liberalism… (and life)

By: flippedinsideout

flippedinsideout — Mon, 11 May 2009 13:03:37 +0000

1) There wasn’t any particular reason they were in that order, except maybe going from wise to wiser.
2) Jason’s opinion is there because it was really fresh in my mind and the way he said things really made me think. I thought it might help, because it was relative to the post. God’s opinion is obviously the only one that matters, but Jason’s helped me to clarify God’s opinion on some things. That’s all =)
Love you, kiddo!

By: totallysurrendered

totallysurrendered — Sun, 10 May 2009 00:35:25 +0000

thanks for all the input. I’m really grateful for all the advice. though I would like to know 1)why Jason’s opinion is in front of God’s opinion and 2)why Jason’s opinion is even there if God’s opinion is there. aren’t they practically the same thing?

You’ll all be happy to know that the forgiveness journey was already conquered before I even wrote this post….

By: flippedinsideout

flippedinsideout — Fri, 01 May 2009 13:41:05 +0000

*correction to previous posts*

Jason says forgiveness is a command, not a choice, but it is a decision. It isn’t a matter of choosing “to forgive or not to forgive” – Jesus has commanded us to forgive.
“Forgive and you will be forgiven.”

Command? Yes. Decision? Yes. Choice? No.

According to Pastor Jason. =)

By: flippedinsideout

flippedinsideout — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:15:51 +0000

Matt, I think you misunderstood. I agree with you that we are only able to love (and forgive) because Christ has loved (and forgiven) us – Pastor Jason would agree with that as well. It is a choice though; just because we have the ABILITY to love and forgive doesn’t mean we always WALK in those abilities. Yes, God has made it possible for us to forgive, but because He also gave us free will and emotions we have to consciously CHOOSE to do the right thing. You don’t teach a kid how to hit – you teach a kid how NOT to hit, because hitting is already in our nature. Just like unforgiveness is in our nature so we have to be taught how (and then choose) to forgive. =)

By: boyerling3

boyerling3 — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:49:05 +0000

God doesn’t promise Christians an easy life in this world, but he does promise a perfect one in the next. As Cassandra’s verses point out God has gone the furthest lengths beyond imagination into the depths of Hell to rescue us. I have to disagree with Jason’s comments though that forgiveness isn’t our decision but God’s. We only can love others because God first loved us and it is only because of God’s love that there is any love in humans at all. The devil is very good about manipulating mankind’s understanding of love into other things such as homosexuality and other social problems, but the Holy Spirit gives us faith to continue trusting in God’s power to love us perfectly regardless of Satan and the world’s attempts to deceive us. Christ is preparing mansions for us in heaven not on this Earth so we shouldn’t think that anything we do here will obtain greatness for ourselves or our country here. Hang in there Grace.

By: flippedinsideout

flippedinsideout — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:44:29 +0000

Oh honey. I know you won’t believe me, but I understand where you are at and what you are dealing with. I know you don’t want my opinion, so I won’t give it to you – I’ll give you the opinion of people much smarter than me: Pastor Jason and God.

Jason’s opinion:
There are a lot of things that have happened in my life the last year that you don’t know about – that very, very few people know anything about. Pastor Jason and I were talking shortly before Easter about God’s desire for us to walk in obedience and forgiveness. Jason told me that forgiveness is a decision, not a feeling. While I work through things and “try to forgive” people in my life I defend myself with the excuse that “forgiveness is a process”. Jason says “false – forgiveness is a choice.” You have to DECIDE to forgive this “friend” of yours. You also have to decide to forgive yourself for this thing in your past that has such a grip on you. It is allowing satan to feed you lies and in Christ you hvae the power to defeat those lies. The enemy can say no truth – there is no truth in him. Jason says even after you have decided to forgive someone you may still feel certain things when you see them – hurt, anger, disappointment, tension – but that those feelings don’t mean you haven’t forgiven that person. It is a choice, a conscience effort to release them – and yourself – from what happened. The walking it out, not the forgiveness, is the process. You have let this thing from your past completely rule your life. It is time to step up and chase the Hope Anna tells you about and John tries to help you find, it’s time to embrace the freedom Tim reminds you of, and walk in the abundant life that Jesus came to give you.

God’s opinon:
“I praise You because [Grace is] fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (psalm 139:14)
“Therefore, [because Grace] is in Christ, he is a new creation; THE OLD HAS GONE, THE NEW HAS COME!” (2 corinthians 5:17)
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (luke 6:37)
“Therefore [Grace], I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.” (acts 13:38)
“Even though [Grace] walks through the valley of the shaow of death [she] shall fear no evil for You are with [her], Your rod and Your staff, they comfort [her].” (psalm 23:4)
“For God so LOVED [Grace Menter] that He gave His ONE AND ONLY SON that [because she] believes in Him [she] will not perish but have everlasting life.” (john 3:16)
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (john 16:33)

I could go on. =) God loves you, Grace. He sees your heart. He knows your pain, your fear, your insecurity, your short-comings, your failures and your successes. He knows every little detail of your life – and He would STILL die for just you. I know you know all of this in your head, but let it seep into your soul. Accept the forgiveness God is offering to you and walk in that freedom. Forgiveness really is an amazing thing!

I’m here if you want to talk.
I love you, always. I really mean that.
<3
btw- I read the whole thing.