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nuskewlhippie
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Name: Adam
Location: Long Beach, California, United States
Gender: Male
Interests: I enjoy reading the Bible and other books, sleeping, tv/video games, physical competition, anything Star Wars, practicing screaming like I'm in a hardcore band, things like that. Music is a big part of my life as well
Expertise: Star Wars, and that's probably about it. And being competitive. I'm a twin, it comes naturally...
Occupation: Student
Message: message meEmail: email me
AIM:  nuskewlhippie
Member Since:
6/1/2004
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| "Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty; but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."
Isaiah 55:6-11 English Standard Version
God rewards the seekers with abundant forgiveness, grace, compassion, and love. We need these, and God alone can provide. Due to our sin nature, we have lost our intimacy with God. He is perfect, we are not. His ways are vastly superior to ours, as is evident by our constant failings. He gives us hope through his word, which he has sent to tell of his love for us and our chance for redemption.
Let me know what you think. | | |
| 'The LORD said to me, "Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another and is an adulteress. Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes."
So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and about a homer and a lethek of barley. Then I told her, "You are to live with me many days; you must not be a prostitute or be intimate with any man, and I will live with you."
For the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or idol. Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to his blessings in the last days.'
Hosea 3:1-5
This passage has really stuck out to me. There are several metaphors in Hosea's story that parallel our lives today. Hosea is acting out the character of God, by pursuing his unfaithful wife. We, the human race who are loved by God, are represented by Hosea's wife. We willingly pursue sin daily in our lives and focus our attention away from God. In a sense, we whore ourselves away to things like money and material goods, when God is truly all that we need. God loved us so much that he wanted us back, but there was a price to pay. While Hosea had to pay 15 shekels of silver and a homer and lethek of barley, God had to sacrifice his only son, Jesus. Since we are unable to be without sin (due to the fall of man in the garden of Eden), we cannot help but behave like prostitutes. While I can praise myself for getting an A in a class, I should be praising God for giving me the desire and focus to study and do my best. We give other things credit for the good in our lives, when ultimately we would be nowhere without God. In the middle of the passage, Hosea tells his wife to be with him and not be intimate with any other man. God has given us so much, and all he asks in return is that we be faithful to him. He's given us true freedom, grace, mercy, true peace, and most importantly of all, love. Why is it so hard to remain faithful to him?
At the end of the passage is a direct prophecy. I see it as either a foretelling of Christ's first visit to us or his second. If you know the old testament, then you know that Christ is often referred to as David or as someone from the line of David. Israel, the chosen people of God, have always seemed to have difficulty following God. They struggle, and they will return to him and David (Jesus Christ), their king, and will dwell in the LORD's blessings for the rest of their days (side note: LORD is capitalized because translated it means "Yahweh", which is the most sacred and revered name of God. It's complicated, let's talk more about it later).
God will return. He is there, always has been, and always will be. He loves you and me. And he sent his only son Jesus to die for us. That's a powerful thought | | |
| "But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection from the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive."
1st Corinthians 15:12-22
Isn't it true? If the dead cannot be resurrected, then Christ was not resurrected, making the faith of millions void. But if Christ didn't rise from the dead, how do you explain the hope and the joy and the love that is seen in this world? How do you explain the millions of people who by faith have accepted Jesus Christ to be their personal lord and savior? How can you explain the spreading of the Gospel under persecution? When you speak a truth that people don't want to hear, do they listen to you or find a way out? If the Bible isn't true, how do you explain the historical and archaeological evidence to support both the New and Old Testaments? How can Christ so accurately fulfill so many Old Testament prophecies?
Just some stuff to think about, stuff that's been on my mind for the past week or so
God bless | | |
| Yeah, Scottish fair on Sunday in Ventura. It was awesome, hanging out with people who have a good time fighting and drinking and wearing kilts. I don't drink or fight or have a kilt (yet), but it was a good time. Plus, I found my peeps in clan MacFarlane!!!! I have people who got my back when I get to Scotland some day. Hooray for me!!!!! Even if you aren't Scottish, you'd have a good time. Plus, they sell weapons from $8 to about $75, and we're talking about knives, daggers, scimitars, CLAYMORES, sgian dubhs (yes that's how it's spelled), even a mace and a couple of morning stars and a double bladed battle axe. Good music, especially with the bagpipes, and interesting food. I tried some haggis, and it's not something you eat in large quantities. Anyway, you should all check one out some time, it's worth the $12 admission.
Check out the bands Bad Haggis and the Wicked Tinklers. Gay names, but good music | | |
| Sucks to be me right now. While playing dodgeball on Friday, I broke my right index finger. Upon viewing the damage, I thought it was dislocated, so Tim and I tried to pop it back into place. Instead, we fractured the bone multiple times.
Could those of you who pray pray that my finger heals quickly and that I don't need surgery to repair the damage? I'll keep you all posted | | |
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