Faith Issues - Tasbeha.org Community https://tasbeha.org/community/categories/faith-issues/p18/feed.rss Mon, 22 Jun 2026 03:11:14 +0000 Faith Issues - Tasbeha.org Community en-CA Should I post this on my facebook? https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/14583/should-i-post-this-on-my-facebook Wed, 21 Aug 2013 08:01:00 +0000 mikeforjesus 14583@/community/discussions They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. " Proberbs 2:19 19 None who go to her return,
Nor do they regain the paths of life— And there are many other verses which I read before and ignored hoping better but it may not be possible God is the creator and perhaps knows without evil there can be no full good. Salvation may even be stretched to many after death but that does not mean all will definitely repent

I posted before that verses on God's love but it is not the true gospel because it could be misunderstood and is not subject to private interpretation
Should I mention also one should be orthodox if he wants to be ahead of both protestants and orthodox in his walk with God or something or even one must be orthodox?


]]> Song of Solomon - What's it about? https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/14742/song-of-solomon-what-s-it-about Tue, 03 Dec 2013 14:13:55 +0000 Zoxsasi 14742@/community/discussions What is this book about?
Is it about God and His People?
Or is it about a husband and wife?

Can it be about both?

What does the COC say about this?

If its about man and his wife, what are the symbolisms in there that refer to them?]]> How can the thief be with Christ in paradise today if Jesus said https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/14745/how-can-the-thief-be-with-christ-in-paradise-today-if-jesus-said Wed, 04 Dec 2013 05:28:12 +0000 mikeforjesus 14745@/community/discussions ]]> is it wrong to listen to protestant hymns or sermons https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/14760/is-it-wrong-to-listen-to-protestant-hymns-or-sermons Thu, 19 Dec 2013 15:17:12 +0000 Zoxsasi 14760@/community/discussions
Is it wrong to engage in such things? 

I go to a Coptic Church where the youth actually go off to a protestant church after the liturgy and attend their sermons. Then they come back to the Coptic Church and make us all sing protestant hymns with them.

Abouna says nothing, so I just get the feeling that this is OK. 


]]> sharing your faith https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/14869/sharing-your-faith Thu, 26 Dec 2013 17:08:37 +0000 mabsoota 14869@/community/discussions
i would like to ask people here if you have any examples or teaching that can help us to show God's love to those around us.
i have found it helpful to link up with other people (through internet or church meetings) and learn how they do things and what helps people.
my church has a Bible study after liturgy, which is a good way to discuss the Christian faith with inquirers or with those inside the church who have questions.
it is great to know that God loves the world and wants people to come to Him so He can forgive them and love them.
i pray that we will all take time to show our friends, colleagues and neighbours the love and mercy of God.

:) ]]> God does not pursue us https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/14740/god-does-not-pursue-us Mon, 02 Dec 2013 17:21:13 +0000 mikeforjesus 14740@/community/discussions He will not try to change our wrong views of scripture. Is this correct or not?
I have to give up my belief in universal salvation even as a hope as the church and most christians do not accept it and have condemned it. What do you think?
and if so How should I change my way of life when my father always wants me to work and I need other peoples help even unbelievers to help me when I am troubled. I choose an unbeliever as I don't discriminate and I think he is more diligent and talented as a gift from God to him
I won't be able to learn any skills as I need to collaborate.
Should I drop uni so I can witness to Christ when I spend so much of my parents money trying to get this degree
I don't know how I will survive on my own and noone would want to help me
But I want to believe in universal salvation and do good deeds to all people to be saved but I don't know if it is the devil fooling me. I don't want to go to hell

I just remembered this verse
Matthew 25:45-46
New King James Version (NKJV)
45 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

The saints will judge the world and agree with Gods judgement
We know God is love but that does not mean all must enter heaven or that some would not go to hell]]> Where does your faith come from? https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/14735/where-does-your-faith-come-from Thu, 28 Nov 2013 14:49:32 +0000 Zoxsasi 14735@/community/discussions
From where does this come from?

Many atheists say: "If something good happens, its God's Will. If someone bad happens, then this is due to Free Will". How do you answer them?

Thanks
]]> Why does God not bring teachings my way why do I have to ask questions? https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/14553/why-does-god-not-bring-teachings-my-way-why-do-i-have-to-ask-questions Sun, 28 Jul 2013 10:53:11 +0000 mikeforjesus 14553@/community/discussions I feel my weakness in asking questions makes others stumble because they might despise weakness so why do I even have to ask questions. If I have something troubling me why doesn't God give me an easy solution why do I have to come here or other church billboards?
they stumble because they think I am being selfish. And it does seem ridiculous that you are my servants to save me while you yourself may not be saved. So why do I even have to ask anyone?

same with why does God need us to be servants as christians why can't He do it Himself? doesn't He send out laborers for Himself?

I wanted to ask from my last post I learned that it seems we pray for the dead as they are not assured they are going to heaven they just have hope in it according to their good life. I thought paradise was in the presence of Jesus. Or is Hades and Paradise the same place?
If we take the parable literally of Abraham and Lazarus both the unjust and lazarus knew where they were.  Or is this parable talking of heaven and hell rather than hades and paradise?

And how come we say the old testament saints were never in paradise until Christ's death if God said He was not the God of the dead but the living and mentioned in the parable with lazarus both Abraham and lazarus being in paradise? Also God says even if Moses and Samuel were to stand before Me. I thought that might mean they do stand before Him but I guess He was referring to when they go to heaven or when they pray from hades.
Why would God not be able to transfer people from hades to paradise before the Cross?  what were they doing in hades was there no God there did they know each other there? were the wicked and the righteous in the same place of hades?

Those verses on praying for the dead might only be applicable to those who died in the old testament]]> Genesis 35:1 https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/14729/genesis-35-1 Sat, 23 Nov 2013 13:51:50 +0000 ebnyasoo3 14729@/community/discussions I need help understanding Genesis 35:1 " Then God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there; and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother.”

Why didn't God say "make an altar to Me". Do we believe that in this instance God the Father was asking Jacob to make an altar to God the Word?
]]> Apostolic Churches https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/14483/apostolic-churches Tue, 11 Jun 2013 13:55:52 +0000 Zoxsasi 14483@/community/discussions
Can someone tell me which apostle/disciple brought the faith to countries like Romania/Bulgaria?

I know St Andrew brought the faith to Greece, St Mark to Egypt, St Peter to Rome, St James - Palestine/Jerusalem..

What about the rest? Which countries did the other 70 Apostles go to?

Thanks]]> Church is too far away https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/14671/church-is-too-far-away Fri, 11 Oct 2013 15:55:01 +0000 rebecca.ann 14671@/community/discussions
Is it wrong in any way to attend EO Churches due to distance?

]]> Seriousness in the spiritual life... https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/14631/seriousness-in-the-spiritual-life Mon, 23 Sep 2013 19:43:52 +0000 joekeliny 14631@/community/discussions
Can anyone please help me find the speaker/author of this quote?

In Christ, Your brother ]]> Have you guys given up on this forum? I feel like joining some discussions at https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/14617/have-you-guys-given-up-on-this-forum-i-feel-like-joining-some-discussions-at Sun, 15 Sep 2013 04:51:39 +0000 mikeforjesus 14617@/community/discussions I may just please you guys but I don't feel comfortable not being able to have an influence on non orthodox christians
I know it does not deserve a post but I want to talk about the verse "Behold I stand at the door and Knock" and show how it applies to Christians rather than unbelievers more if not only. That is one of the posts I saw there
Do we not have the duty as christians to help anyone we see who is in need even if he is in another non orthodox christian forum?]]> People who mock God by their sins https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/14618/people-who-mock-god-by-their-sins Sun, 15 Sep 2013 12:51:48 +0000 mikeforjesus 14618@/community/discussions People who are not ashamed of their sins and they reject Jesus and true sorrow over sin I am happy they perish. So many days did God say to them to repent and they do not
The ones in danger are those who can embrace the truth or are christian already and sin anyway
"If we sin wilfully after we receive the knowledge of the truth there no longer remains a sacrifice for sin"
I by no means want to give the impression that sin is not serious by marrying someone who has no excuse
I hope I can escape these people as Samson escaped the philistines
I am talking about the abundance of sinners in hollywood movies or other sin cities. They try to make others sin therefore they are devils deserving to perish
"It is impossible for those who were once enlightened if they should fall away to renew the again to repentance"
I think such sinners will join satan in his fight against all the angels and so there will not be found a place in heaven for them any longer.
Those capable of remorse and truly seek salvation and do His will and love God and have an excuse might be saved and those truly devils having no excuse not to reject Jesus are devils and will be perish. To hate God without a cause is an unforgivable sin

those who practice such things are worthy of death not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them

they did not receive God's love

If I had known God was fair I would never have accepted or maybe even hoped for universal salvation

Why do they reject God by their sins? woe to those who call good evil and evil good. What more could have been done to My vineyard that I did not do to it?
Let grace be shown to the wicked and he will not learn righteousness

It could be the devil telling me to say this not because it is false but because when I make my decision on who to marry I will be severly scutinised and stumble other christians

they are devils seed but not all are very wicked. Those very wicked like satan will be damned perhaps but I wonder why they can not also just perish after heavier punishments since I doubt God would give the devil any ability to make them perish. If the devil is responsible he deserves to be damned


we should not be too compassionate towards those who sin willfully too many times as a response to rejection to God. I am talking about those who harden their hearts and hate Jesus. If someone is weak Christ is a compassionate high priest but God knows those who hate Him and do not take responsibility for their actions and care for the souls of others who are stumbling. But maybe some do not know they are hurting others then maybe God will forgive them. But those who know and do not care how they hurt other christians are guilty. They are condemned because they hate the righteous

Jude 1:22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction;[a] 23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10
New King James Version (NKJV)
9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals,[a] nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

Everyone must receive Jesus and follow Him according to their ability the things which are impossible with men are possible with God Jesus is the narrow gate he who enters by Him will be saved people need not forsake their family if they are willing to live with them nor to tell them they accepted Jesus they only need to be a good example and love others but sometimes there is nothing negative about leaving them

Really I can't really judge them I still don't know the truth
I hated them simply because I don't trust them and I thought they sin because they hate God
However they may do sins because they feel it is slack that people will be damned
I am judging those who know what they do
If not Father forgive them for they know not what they do
Those who sin because they pity others may be saved if they are worthy even if they do not receive Jesus but they will not be rewarded they will probably perish those who receive Jesus and do His will will be rewarded with all the saints
however all who do not receive Jesus out of love  may not be saved at all but they don't go to the devils hell
]]> Mammon vs God https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/14614/mammon-vs-god Fri, 13 Sep 2013 06:43:22 +0000 mikeforjesus 14614@/community/discussions

The desire to live for mammon can make one give up the faith as St Paul said
I thought that means because some people steal to get rich or do other sins
But it may mean denying the need in this life for Jesus to be saved even when asked if Jesus is the only way to heaven if anything bad happens to a Christian it means God did not mean him to get rich that way by denying need for jesus

I thought noone ever loses on earth when he follows Jesus
When Jesus told the rich man to sell everything he said it because he knew the rich man wanted to earn salvation by seeming to deserve it by his works and wanting people to glorify him and considering himself better

God wants to make us as blessed as Solomon when we seek the kingdom I thought
If the rich man followed Jesus and trusted in God instead of himself God would have given him a hundredfold on earth and eternal life
Recently I thought a hundredfold means money but it may not. I never knew before it could mean money

I avoided the narrow way as it was hard and I had no peace and I may not succeed but I want to go back to it
I wanted to close my Facebook but I don't think I have enough faith in God to lead me
and I may lose my friends forever or it is harsh

I did not know Jesus enough before that he wants me to give me his whole life or maybe I did but I wanted glory to myself in earth and not to God

Now I want to leave it all but I will not willingly leave my career before I finish university because my dad put a lot of money
Maybe I should have left my parents house and been independent and I would not suffer like this
I am worried my tutor will not help me anymore because he doesn't think I am putting effort but I am but God is making me sick either for eating unhealthy or not taking communion or whatever

I am making this post just to

We must avoid those who suppose Godliness is a means of gain
We must sow our seed but it is God who waters it as James said
Who also spoke of job who loved God more than riches but God chose him
We can not suppose that all Christians will be rich it is up to God He may choose that we be persecuted for His sake or choose to prosper us when we are old we prosper only in our season and as much as our soul prospers but perhaps we are not to desire to be rich as St. Paul says but be content with what we have
It's hard to be a son of a rich man and not desire to be rich and how will I feed my kids ?
I may not get married I do not know if I am seeking to follow God or tradition
which will harm me the shepherded or hireling preachers who speak in His name
I am just telling you not to expect me to be rich

I will suffer persecution by many of the worldly people of your church I should depend on God who gives me richly all things to enjoy with the talent He gives me so glory is to Him alone

That's what He means by not overburdening us His yoke being easy
Other teachers and fathers may not be seeking Gods will

Satans temptations are hard maybe and I may be overcome by the World

I am worried God wants to make me rich but I have to hear and obey Him continually at least if I did it my way I would have some riches and help my future family if I have one
instead of being an extremist and reading the bible too much but not doing it and seeking an easy life and playing around with religion and yelling in the streets and what not. But I may not desire to yell anymore as I won't be under too much stress anymore and I would be guided by the Holy Spirit if God would choose me to preach and reveal Himself in me. BTW I have not yelled often. I am not known as someone who does that but some people I do not know have seen me talk about Jesus in public

It might be satan telling me to stop working and to preach Jesus
or who makes things appear difficult

So does that mean some careers are not from God I don't think so necessarily but it will be harder if you refuse others help you won't make it
You restrict the skills you learn if you do not seek other talents
I am just wondering if God would want us to tell our tutors Jesus is the only way to the Father I know God probably does not want to hinder us from entering any field we want but wants us to seek help from a tutor but to trust He will not let them harm you but what if I am harmed what next ?

How can we be Christians in this world and prosper in anything we set our hand to do ?
So noone will persecute us if we are Christian and hold orthodox beliefs ? Is it a requirement to believe those beliefs and accept it with all ones heart first if we want to preach it and to not suffer ? And to be able to say who will and who will not be saved ?

I would ask a priest if I could randomly ask any priest and be sure he will give me the right answer and help me
For if not all priests are saved and wanting to do His will or not strong in the spirit how could he give me a deep answer and peace?]]> who exactly is the devil? https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/14600/who-exactly-is-the-devil Wed, 04 Sep 2013 06:53:55 +0000 ma268 14600@/community/discussions image

I was wondering if anyone had anymore resources explaining who is the devil in detail?]]> Hi Everyone https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/14596/hi-everyone Tue, 03 Sep 2013 00:01:15 +0000 14596@/community/discussions
Happy Thanksgiving！





____________________________________________
tiffany 1837|tiffany rings
]]> can have confession with any orthodox priest? https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/14586/can-have-confession-with-any-orthodox-priest Thu, 22 Aug 2013 17:19:48 +0000 mmgsxxxx 14586@/community/discussions We have 2 priests in my church but the one who I usually confess to is on annual leave at the moment and I really want to confess before the next time I have communion. I'm going to a European youth conference in 2 days in Italy, so could I could fess to one of the priests there? Also would they allow me to? And what should I say when asking? Thank you all:) ]]> What should I do to be saved if orthodox christianity is the only way? https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/14552/what-should-i-do-to-be-saved-if-orthodox-christianity-is-the-only-way Sat, 27 Jul 2013 00:24:34 +0000 mikeforjesus 14552@/community/discussions You make groups like coptic apologetics like all are welcome but I am not welcome. I have posted there they have welcomed me but many copts are probably not happy with me for ruining their lives.
What is the real reason you have against my doctrines. Is it because your wives and husbands are adulterers? or because of persecution of non christians am I to blame? maybe I am. Or is God to blame for not executing speedy justice? but we know justice does not help give people a chance for salvation. Perhaps God does not execute justice because my doctrines are wrong?
Why did God allow me to be tempted with a heresy that I can not recover from?

I am deleting this post as I am remembering someone from before namely binC saying do not dirty our clean water in a post

I have saved my post in my email but I will not dirty your waters

353 posts and no one could reply. I pray the LORD sends me help on this forum or some other place

maybe you are the one who should grow up and let me keep my post as even without me universalism is a doctrine preached by some atleast on websites you can not hide from it maybe it was preached here too but I guess noone took it seriously then. Do you want me to delete all my posts? I can do that. I warned you from long ago I wanted to delete my posts
I was asking you to help me combat it but no one replied I wanted permission to quote scripture to be interpreted properly
I was asking how can someone like me be saved

God gave people free will I am not to blame

let me make myself clear I do not teach all will surely be saved. That may not be possible do not think I have forgotten the verse below which is not where I derive my thoughts from that it does not look like all will be saved. Righteousness must be rewarded

22 But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it,[j] for the glory[k] of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. 24 And the nations of those who are saved[l] shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.[m] 25 Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). 26 And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it.[n] 27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes[o] an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

I also assumed that humans were not devils if they were then I guess they have no where to go but hell. To perish them just may not be possible if they are so. Yet all will glorify Him in hell. They will acknowledge His justice maybe they have some comforts in hell but mostly not


I myself could never desire the boastful to enter God's sight.
The wicked will be no more.
When they are destroyed He will leave them neither root nor branch
How can one be saved once he is thrown into the fire?
Do we want more sinners in heaven than saints? Do we trust them in our presence? it is not a matter of trust our God is more than able to subdue all things to Himself but could we be happy with such people in heaven with us?
Is our righteousness unprofitable? Do they tempt God and go free? Is it necessary to follow the LORD? is he not a fool who does not follow God? Is it not better for him that he to never have been not born? does he not go to an everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels?
Does not justice have to be served for all to glorify Him?

Do you want me to bring back my old post?

I will not tell the church to preach my salvation for all repentant and after death. How shall they preach unless they be sent? But if God is revealing Himself to the church its Pope, and its Clergy and through visions and miracles then it is the time to preach it.
To me I only see a hope for a moral world through that teaching because even if not true does God force hard doctrines on people when they are not ready? but God would never teach lie. But those who are supposed to be teachers of the truth are not sensitive nor effective witnesses to the truth giving people the feeling of no excuse yet St Paul says we trust we are well known in your consciences even the pharisees were convicted yet had the desire to fight with God and be above Him

2 Peter 1:20-21
New King James Version (NKJV)
20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,[a] 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
]]> Zechariah 14 was once confusing in the past and I still don't know https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/14585/zechariah-14-was-once-confusing-in-the-past-and-i-still-don-t-know Thu, 22 Aug 2013 11:02:13 +0000 mikeforjesus 14585@/community/discussions Christianity spread by the sword of the gospel and the sword of God's intervention on those who wilfully rejected Him but never by the sword of man. I am not having doubts about Jesus. Its just I thought there is not many resources for this passage I don't know why people don't take an interest
This passage or another passage (I think it is this one) also made me think maybe Jesus would make a second coming on earth but I know that is wrong Jesus said He will return in the sky and He said His kingdom is not of this world it is clear from Daniel that the Messiah's kingdom is not of this world
I thought the Antichrist will be a Jew from the tribe of Dan as the Jews will receive him is there any scripture which supports this?

Daniel 11:37
New King James Version (NKJV)
37 He shall regard neither the God[a] of his fathers nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all.

Does that imply he is to be a jew?

Zechariah 14
New King James Version (NKJV)
The Day of the Lord

14 Behold, the day of the Lord is coming,
And your spoil will be divided in your midst.
2 For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem;
The city shall be taken,
The houses rifled,
And the women ravished.
Half of the city shall go into captivity,
But the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
3 Then the Lord will go forth
And fight against those nations,
As He fights in the day of battle.
4 And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives,
Which faces Jerusalem on the east.
And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two,
From east to west,
Making a very large valley;
Half of the mountain shall move toward the north
And half of it toward the south.
5 Then you shall flee through My mountain valley,
For the mountain valley shall reach to Azal.
Yes, you shall flee
As you fled from the earthquake
In the days of Uzziah king of Judah.
Thus the Lord my God will come,
And all the saints with You.[a]
6 It shall come to pass in that day
That there will be no light;
The lights will diminish.
7 It shall be one day
Which is known to the Lord—
Neither day nor night.
But at evening time it shall happen
That it will be light.
8 And in that day it shall be
That living waters shall flow from Jerusalem,
Half of them toward the eastern sea
And half of them toward the western sea;
In both summer and winter it shall occur.
9 And the Lord shall be King over all the earth.
In that day it shall be—
“The Lord is one,”
And His name one.
10 All the land shall be turned into a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem. Jerusalem[c] shall be raised up and inhabited in her place from Benjamin’s Gate to the place of the First Gate and the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the king’s winepresses.

11 The people shall dwell in it;
And no longer shall there be utter destruction,
But Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.
12 And this shall be the plague with which the Lord will strike all the people who fought against Jerusalem:

Their flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet,
Their eyes shall dissolve in their sockets,
And their tongues shall dissolve in their mouths.
13 It shall come to pass in that day
That a great panic from the Lord will be among them.
Everyone will seize the hand of his neighbor,
And raise his hand against his neighbor’s hand;
14 Judah also will fight at Jerusalem.
And the wealth of all the surrounding nations
Shall be gathered together:
Gold, silver, and apparel in great abundance.
15 Such also shall be the plague
On the horse and the mule,
On the camel and the donkey,
And on all the cattle that will be in those camps.
So shall this plague be.
The Nations Worship the King

16 And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. 17 And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, on them there will be no rain. 18 If the family of Egypt will not come up and enter in, they shall have no rain; they shall receive the plague with which the Lord strikes the nations who do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. 19 This shall be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.

20 In that day “HOLINESS TO THE LORD” shall be engraved on the bells of the horses. The pots in the Lord’s house shall be like the bowls before the altar. 21 Yes, every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be holiness to the Lord of hosts.[d] Everyone who sacrifices shall come and take them and cook in them. In that day there shall no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the Lord of hosts.]]> I need quick help with fasting?! https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/14571/i-need-quick-help-with-fasting Wed, 07 Aug 2013 14:15:19 +0000 Saint Mary 151 14571@/community/discussions I hope people don't frown upon this but I am having some troubles fasting. I really don't like fasting and when I tell my parents they become very angry and tell me that I need to fast. I really don't understand fasting, I know that it is for self control but, when ever I fast I always end up breaking it. I have been trying to fast for a very long time and like I said before I always end up breaking it. Please help I really dislike fasting and want a solution I don't want to be looked down upon by my family n'or do I want to fast, I can't fast.  :(  ]]> What does Mary mean? https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/14528/what-does-mary-mean Tue, 09 Jul 2013 07:39:37 +0000 Zoxsasi 14528@/community/discussions
Can someone tell me what Mary means?
Like Mary Mina's Church? Or Mary Girguis?

In which language is it?

Thanks
]]> Is sin separation from God? https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/14515/is-sin-separation-from-god Sat, 29 Jun 2013 02:29:36 +0000 andrew8345 14515@/community/discussions
A part of me thinks "no". We are all sinners and we all sin...but I wouldn't say that we are all therefore separated from God.

This question arises from this passage:
It was said concerning Abba Agathon that some monks came to find him having heard tell of his great discernment. Wanting to see if he would lose his temper they said to him 'Aren't you that Agathon who is said to be a fornicator and a proud man?' 'Yes, it is very true,' he answered. They resumed, 'Aren't you that Agathon who is always talking nonsense?' 'I am." Again they said 'Aren't you Agathon the heretic?' But at that he replied 'I am not a heretic.' So they asked him, 'Tell us why you accepted everything we cast you, but repudiated this last insult.' He replied 'The first accusations I take to myself for that is good for my soul. But heresy is separation from God. Now I have no wish to be separated from God.' At this saying they were astonished at his discernment and returned, edified.
This seems to imply that sinning or begin a sinner doesn't cause separation from God, but it is heresy that does...

Any thoughts or resources on the topic are greatly appreciated.

]]> Last Supper https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/14510/last-supper Tue, 25 Jun 2013 15:21:18 +0000 baempi 14510@/community/discussions
Secondly, If he did (or did not) why does it really matter? It doesnt affect the validity of our communion one way or another.

These questions are mostly for RamezM and Biboboy to answer.

Thanks Guys.]]> Parable of the Mina https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/14449/parable-of-the-mina Wed, 29 May 2013 06:51:04 +0000 mikeforjesus 14449@/community/discussions
image

Is no activity better than some even if that activity is a little doubtful about its negative effects imagined that can happen? not that the song is much doubtful to me? is it doubtful to any of you? Please prove the best path to take. Trusting in God not requiring any action when it seems something is beyond you or the other? both views being held by pope shenouda and also some preachers if I may so
I fear both that many people perhaps are not supposed to be teachers because they either harm themselves or others and I also fear many people are not doing their job of working in God's field there should be many on both sides
do we pray for laborers and that is enough? but here in the parable of the mina we have the called one condemned and it seems God called many if not us all?

The person who hid his mina in the ground? did he take no risk?
He said that God reaps where He has not sown

LYRICS:

Here I am, Lord, and I'm drowning
In your sea of forgetfulness
The chains of yesterday surround me
I yearn for peace and rest
I don't want to end up where You found me
And it echoes in my mind,
Keeps me awake tonight.

I know You've cast my sin as far as
The east is from the west
And I stand before You now
As though I've never sinned
But today I feel like I'm just one mistake away
From You leaving me this way.

Jesus, can You show me just how
Far the east is from the west
'Cause I can't bear to see the man I've been
Come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
'Cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other.

I start the day, the war begins,
Endless reminding of my sin
Time and time again Your truth is drowned out by
The storm I'm in
Today I feel like I'm just one mistake away
From You leaving me this way.

Jesus, can You show me just how
Far the east is from the west
Because I can't bare to see the man I've been
Come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
'Cause You know just how far the east is from the west
One scarred hand to the other.

I know You've washed me white,
Turned my darkness into light
I need Your peace to get me through,
To get me through this night
I can't live by what I feel,
But by the truth Your word reveals
I'm not holding on to You,
But You're holding on to me
You're holding on to me.

Jesus, You know just how far the east is from the west
I don't have to see the man I've been
Come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
'Cause You know just how far the east is from the west
One scarred hand to the other
(Just how far the east is from the west)
(Just how far)

One scarred hand to the other
(Just how far the east is from the west)
(Just how far)
From one scarred hand to the other.


I would prefer a different song was in my heart but this is the one now

it is a bit like in the midst of the raging sea song but two songs are better than one and are a little different
]]> How to avoid sin https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/14419/how-to-avoid-sin Sat, 11 May 2013 08:09:59 +0000 mikeforjesus 14419@/community/discussions yes they are lawful but they are not helpful.... YET they ARE necessary!

I was tempted today but withdrew since I knew I would be more hopeless. But probably I will fall again soon if not today tommorow

If you say I have to read for atleast 1 hour and then I can have a break and I will be guaranteed dominion over sin then atleast I will know it is my fault if I do not obey. Make the temptation to read the bible hard for 1 hour and I am ready to fight the fight but afterwards I must be given permission to have free time for my own things like things for my own pleasure that is not sin a permission that does not allow me to be tempted when I am having fun or straight after

I see no slack given to me by Christ
Or must we make it more than 1 hour? and when the 1 hour is finished I want to not have to think about the bible anymore but it is impossible I have to to benefit from it. When I go to work I can not stop some excessive thoughts
I do not want to suffer without being appreciated and be thought of us as boring or dull or even as hateful
I have work to do!

Please I have never seen how balance is possible.

I am 100% sure without the word there can be no dominion over sin unless we can't read or something I don't know about. Perhaps there are seasons which God leads people to where they don't have to read but pray

"By the word of Your lips I have kept away from the path of the destroyer"
"He who is born of God does not sin for God's seed remains in him"

I have needs like being able to socialise and not make people feel like they are in hell with me
I have to know the streets on the road (=stress)
people like those who work without being troubled about anything

Also I don't want the word of man but that of God. I have a life to live don't I?
Is God's way perfect if He wants to steal my life?

All preaching should be based on proving the ability to live a fruitful balanced christian life

Anyway I am taking this serious now. I really will try not to stay in bondage anymore but will Crucify my flesh with its passions and desires and be without spot as a blameless child shining as a light to this perverted word]]> Mind-Body Dualism and Orthodoxy https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/14469/mind-body-dualism-and-orthodoxy Wed, 05 Jun 2013 20:44:01 +0000 ReturnOrthodoxy 14469@/community/discussions
I was wondering what the orthodox view on mind (soul) body dualism is. The believe that there is an immaterial substance to humans outside the physical constructs of the body. Where does modern science stand on this? Consider for example a person and his clone. Would the two be different people, or the same people?

Ray]]> Question regarding Hebrews 6 https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/14467/question-regarding-hebrews-6 Wed, 05 Jun 2013 15:45:33 +0000 sodr2 14467@/community/discussions because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute. Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. (Hebrews 6:13-18)

Doesn't this go against what Jesus said about taking oaths?  :D ]]> What I just leave my marriage and be a monk? https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/13639/what-i-just-leave-my-marriage-and-be-a-monk Sat, 18 Aug 2012 04:23:07 +0000 binC 13639@/community/discussions
  I always wanted to be a monk and now I am married. I have children. I want to be a monk now. I don't think that leaving a marriage would be a sin as big as I would commit if I continue to live here. I just don't like everything in this world. It is like trying to be dry while you are in a sea.
  I want your spiritual advice. Your comment and other real stories related.

Thank you in name of God.

]]> Preparation for Holy Communion https://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/14402/preparation-for-holy-communion Sun, 28 Apr 2013 00:52:18 +0000 apcevioc 14402@/community/discussions
I was curious to know what, if any, is the general standard for preparing to receive Holy Communion at any Divine Liturgy within the Coptic Orthodox Church (or any Non-Chalcedonian Church for that matter).

I am speaking here of personal prayer at home as a preparation for Holy Communion.

I know practices vary within the various EO Churches.  And really, it all depends on what you and your spiritual father/FOC have decided upon.

For example, within my own jurisdiction, the OCA, it is recommended that one pray the Canon of Preparation for Holy Communion.  Depending on which prayer book you use, this would include some psalms, the 9 ode canon of preparation, followed by 10 prayers by various saints.  One prayer book, for instance the one by HTM in Boston, includes the canon within the service of compline, so you would pray that in addition to the canon and 10 prayers.

In ROCOR, an EO jurisdiction, for example, it is demanded that you pray the Supplicatory Canons to the Savior and Mother of God; the Canon to the Guardian Angel; one akathist either to Christ or the Theotokos; and then Canon of Preparation as mentioned above.  You must also confess your sins before receiving Communion.  I know, that's a lot!

Greek parishes in America tend to do the first one I listed, I think. 

I know this is personal information, but what is the Coptic practice to prepare for Holy Communion, generally or specifically speaking?  I don't expect you to give me all the juicy details of your prayer life, but a glancing look would be cool.

Also, do most COC priests require confession before receiving Communion?  I know that's big in some EO jurisdictions.

Any other EO folk can chime in if I left something out. 

In Christ,
arsenios]]>