Faith Issues - Tasbeha.org Community

Why did Christ say "my God My God, Why have You Forsaken Me?"

Zoxsasi — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 20:21:46 +0000

Hi,

Christ said these words on the cross: "My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me".

I know that the CoC tells us that Christ was reciting the Psalms of David (this one being Psalm 22). i.e. that He was telling them witnessing all this, that He was fulfilling the prophesies.

But why did Christ have this feeling of being "forsaken" ? Did the Father, at any time, leave His Son?

Was there any disunity between them?

I know the Protestants believe that when Christ was on the cross, the Father, at that moment, turned His Head (so to speak) as His Son was carrying the sins of the world at that time.
But, I don't think that is correct, as we say in our Church that God, the Father smelt the "good" aroma of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.

Thanks

Voting in the Orthodox Christian Thought?

kefleyohannes — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 16:22:47 +0000

I'll start in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit

Hi Guys

I have never taken an interest in politics though now i am old enough to vote, I have been taking notice of politics and i have considered backing a particular party though my mind raises a few issues......

On the one hand should we as Christians stay out of the politics of our country, such as who should be president or prime minister and view it as beyond our responsibilitys?

considering that we should not take an active interest in affecting the leadership of the world, as they may be seen as tools in the hand of the god of the world, and we do not put our trust in men and the policies of men, believing God has a purpose which will unfold as we sit back.

or

Should we aim to take careful consideration of who we feel will try their best to change the country we live in for the better?

as God has given us minds to weigh up situations and hearts to consider what we can do to actively affect situation, and if we truly believe a particular political party will perform better than another should we seek to increase our knowledge of politics in the aim of making a more informed decision in our society

I thank all who read this post and wait prayerfully for your responses

Glory to the Lord Jesus Our God Forever

The Holy Communion and Protestantism

Zoxsasi — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 06:01:30 +0000

Hi,

I'm sure that all of you have been in a situation where some evangelical/protestant christian has insisted that we are saved by Grace, and not by works, and the Holy Communion is a "work", and that we are worshipping "idols" , because it is just bread and wine.

They see this as blasphemy.

Now, I really want to look deeper in this sacrament, for several reasons:

a) Our Church REALLY focuses on the Eucharist.
b) The entire liturgy revolves around the Eucharist.
Where other churches have just simple "prayer", we are worshipping the Body and Blood of Christ.

So there must be something we get out of it that they do not.

1) What do we get out of it? That is the question!
2) What are the dangers of not having the Holy COmmunion?
3) Theologically speaking, why is the Holy Communion important?
--> In terms of the OT/NT, and in terms of salvation - why is it essential to have the Holy Communion?
4) Christ said "do this in rememberance of Me".

--> now, protestants do "this" in Rememberance of our Lord.. but what do they gain by just doing it in rememberance of Him? WHat is the point of that?
--> How can we explain that what He meant was to actually take bread, and wine and sanctify it to become His Body and Blood? How do we explain? WHere is the proof?
--> Where is the proof scripturally, and where is the proof historically (or from the OT).

Out of all the Church sacraments, this is the most interesting as it insists on the need for a Church and the importance of sacraments in that Church. For example: the evangelicals argue that we do not need to be baptised to be saved - as we are saved from Grace.
We do not need priests (priesthood), as we are all "priests".
We do not need to confess to a priest, because we confess to God.
We do not need confirmation, as we are confirmed by Grace, by our faith.

--> but there is NO response for the Eucharist! They simply dismiss the Eucharist as heresy.

I would like to find out ways in answering them; not just for me, but for anyone else here who is Coptic whose faith could be impacted by these people.

All I know is the following:
* CHrist said "DO THIS" in remembrance of Me. He didn't say "THINK IT" in remembrance of Me.
Therefore, "Doing it: i.e. taking bread and wine" and consecrating to be HIS Body and Blood is what Christ asked them to do (and to do it in Remembrance of Him).

But one point I do not understand is this:
----------------------------------------

The Church began on the day of Pentecost when Christ breathed in the faces of His Apostles and told them to "Receive unto you the Holy Spirit".
So, during the last supper (Maunday Thursday), they were not yet able to perform communion, although Christ had given them a mandate (on that same day) to actually perform this sacrament.

In the meantime, I will try and do some background reading and post in this thread. I think its a useful topic to discuss, and will be beneficial for everyone.

THanks

Holy 50

Tzegemariam — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 22:07:09 +0000

SELAM EVERYONE
HAPPY EASTER

I was wondering if you all have any tips on how we should live theses Holy days?
If you have read or heard any sermons about the Holy 50 that really gave a great explanation,
PLEASE POST THEM!!!

I know were only in the beginning of the Holy 50 but before we know it, it will be over so please help me

May God Bless

I completely lost faith

[Deleted User] — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 20:09:52 +0000

The user and all related content has been deleted.

God bless!

Sevant of Jesus Christ — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 23:10:50 +0000

Okay, I was looking for records of Christ's existence a while back, and I will be honest I couldn't find anything. If anyone knows of a trusted site or anything that proves his existence can you please send it to me? God bless everyone and please pray for me.

Judas

Vany2010 — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 16:58:53 +0000

Hey Guys
Just wanted to ask something Quick...
I Just wondered about the Remeberance of Judas(yahosa) Betraying when it starts and when it ends and what kind of we can say like Can we Speak the Words"Hello,Hi,Salam...e.t.c"
or cant we?
In My Church our Father just said today(Tuesday Evening)till Eid(Easter) we cant Shake hands...
So whats now the truth?
Thanks for Answering...
I Wish you all a Wooonderful Blessed Holy Week and hope you are all well:)
Please pray for my weakness
Sorry for any Grammar and Spelling Errors:)
Vanessa

GIRLS' ANSWERS REQUESTED!!

yousiegtennis — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 23:58:49 +0000

How can I love the Lord...

f753789 — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 03:51:18 +0000

The first commandment is "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength" Bottom line: consecrate ourselves entirely for God, and to achieve that there must be an open relationship with him. <-- How can that be achieved? What is a description of an ideal relationship with God?

How can I love the Lord with all my heart?
How can I love the Lord with all my soul?
How can I love the Lord with all my mind?
How can I love the Lord with all my strength?

This can basically be summarized in one word: Faith. How can one increase their faith so much so that I can love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength?
I want to show my love to God more through my actions and a sincere relationship.

Please keep my weakness in your prayers
-sister in Christ

Contemplations on the Resurrection

joeg — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 05:14:30 +0000

Chapter 9 of "Contemplations on the Resurrection" written by H.H. Pope Shenouda III, found here: http://tasbeha.org/content/hh_books/Ressurec/index.html

CHAPTER NINE
Contemplations On The Resurrection
The first thing we observe is the modesty of the Lord when He
allowed His crucifixion and the insults of the Jews against Him
to occur publicly before all the people. At the same time He
made His glorified resurrection in private and a secret not seen
by anyone.
He did not rise in glory before all men in order that He might be
compensated for the insults and the reproach caused to Him
during the crucifixion but He rose in secret.
He chose the dawn to be the time of His resurrection because at
that time all human were sleeping.
He chose the dawn in order that no one might see Him during
His glorious resurrection.
He was far from the dazzling views of His resurrection as it
happened on His birthday.
Then, He appeared to Mary Magdalene, to the other Mary, to
Peter, to the women, to the two of Emmaus, to the Eleven, to
Saul from Tarsus and to some of the brothers .... to the
favourites, to His own but not to those who formerly gloated on
Him.
In spite of all that, the resurrection which took place in
secret troubled the Jews and caused to them terror beyond
measure. They made great efforts to oppose it or at least to
prevent people from believing in it .... but in vain.
106
When they found that they had failed in preventing the
occurrence of the resurrection by setting the guards, the big
stone and the seals, they wished to prevent it from being
conveyed to men in another way, by telling lies, with
bribery and by rumours.
When their trials failed and they could not prevent the news of
the resurrection by their false means and when the news spread
all over the world through the preaching of the disciples they
resorted to another stratagem.
They tried to prevent preaching the resurrection by
arresting the disciples, flogging them, putting them in jails
and making complaints to the governors against them.
All the human plans done to prevent men from believing in the
resurrection failed.
It was true when the Bible said " No weapon formed against
you shall prosper. " (Is 54:17)
What was the secret of this great resurrection? Its secret
was that for the first time and also for the last time a person
could rise from death by himself. He was raised by no one.
Indeed, this occurrence terrified them.
The Lord Jesus Christ has fulfilled what He said about Himself.
"No one can take it from Him." " I have power to lay it down,
and I have power to take it again." (John 10:18)
The powerful Nazarene has triumphed over them. That
Nazarene whom death could not conquer.
That Nazarene who trod death down and rose at the time
He had fixed and according to His former prophecies. No
one could oppose His resurrection. But why didn't Christ
107
appear to them after the resurrection? Wasn't it suitable to
convince them to believe in Him!?
He did not appear to them because they were unworthy of
Him... Even if He had appeared to them, they would not have
believed in him.
This point reminds us of what Abraham, the Father of Fathers
had said to the rich man who was contemporary with poor
Lazarus "If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither
will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead"(Luke
16:31)
Moreover, the Lord Jesus Christ made many other miracles
before them and they did not believe in Him.
When He healed the born blind they said to the man "We know
that this Man is a sinner." (John 9:24)
During the crucifixion, darkness came over all the land; the
earth shook and the rocks split; the curtain of the temple was
torn into two from top to bottom and some of the holy people
who had died were raised to life and in spite of all these
occurrences they did not believe in Him.
He did not appear to them because they were not only
unworthy of Him but also because they had no faith. Then,
why did He not appear to other men?
The Lord Jesus Christ left a field for faith about which Paul, the
apostle, said " ... faith is the substance of things hoped for, the
evidence of things not seen. " (Heb 11:1)
If the resurrection had been something visible it would have
been added to the circle of viewing and not to that of faith
because faith means: "to be certain of what we do not see."
108
It was enough that when He appeared to the rulers, all men
believed in Him through them.
As for faith, all men could not bear this matter, so, when
Christ appeared in His resurrection, He did not appear in
His glory, even to His own, because they could not bear it.
With the two of Emmaus, who did not know Him at first, He
spoke to them gradually.
With Mary Magdalene, He hid His personality that she thought
Him to be the gardener; then He revealed Himself bit by bit.
As for Saul, from Tarsus; when Jesus appeared to him in some
of His glory, his eyes were blinded by the radiant light of
Christ's face, then He healed him.
Also, when Jesus appeared in some of His glory to Saint John,
the beloved one, he fell to Christ's feet as if he were dead. The
Lord raised him and told him not to be afraid.
Indeed, who can bear seeing Christ in His glory? But as for
His modesty, it was enough for Him to make Himself
nothing.
He will appear to them with His glory in the second coming
and then they will say to the mountains, "Cover us!" and to
the hills, "Fall on us!" and all nations on earth will mourn.
With the spirit and power of the resurrection Christianity
began its glorious history.
The disciples went forward into a new epoch of power. " And
with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection
of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. " (Acts
4:33)
109
All the attempts they had done to smash Christ, He Himself
smashed by His resurrection.
Even the devil himself was completely destroyed by this
resurrection.
The Christ who conquered death and who said " ... I have
overcome the world. ... " (John 16:33) is able to do everything.
He can always lead us in His victorious procession.
This triumphant, the rising from the dead, can lead a group of
the triumphant ones and give them from His grace and from His
power.
Thus, the defenceless Christianity could face Judaism and other
ancient religion. It, also, could stand firm before pagan
philosophies, Roman authorities, conspiracies, judgments and
persecutions.
Christianity remained persisting and moved forward under the
power of Christ, the rising from the dead, till it changed the
Roman nation to a Christian one.
Paganism disappeared from the world and the whole land
became for God and His Christ.
Also, the resurrection of the body was a sign of rising from
sin.
About this matter, the apostle said "And you He made alive,
who were dead in trespasses and sins. ", "and raised us up
together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in
Christ Jesus, " (Eph 2:1,6)
May we all live under the power of the resurrection. This
resurrection which changed the disciples and made the empty
tomb a sign of perpetual triumph.
110
This resurrection which was the beginning of the power in the
life of the first church.
111
Some Of The Occurrences Of The Resurrection
The Lord Jesus Christ, glory be to Him, did not stop work for
the benefit of humanity even when His body was in the tomb.
He has done work between the crucifixion and the
resurrection.
God, by His resurrection, sanctified the human nature which is
liable to death and made it liable to the resurrection.
Before the resurrection, God, also, worked for our sake
even when His body was on the tomb.
By means of death His spirit was separated from His body
but His divinity never separated from His soul or His body.
His spirit, united with His divine nature, could do a
wonderful rescuing action for the sake of those who are
sleeping on hope.
With His death He paid the price of sin and bought us by His
blood. So, after He redeemed humanity, it was His right to
carry the sleeping from Hades to Paradise and it was so.
With His spirit, united with divinity, He went down to Hades to
say the good news to the sleeping there on hope. " ... He also
first descended into the lower parts of the earth? When He
ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to
men." (Eph 4:8).
112
He opened the gate of paradise and carried to Him the
righteous who were waiting in Hades. With them, He also
let in the right robber to paradise.
Indeed, how trustful He was when He said to Saint John, the
visionary, "And I have the keys of Hades and of Death." (Rev
1:18) (Phil 4:3)
Indeed, blessed are those whose names are written in the
book of life because death has no authority on them.
They may stay there for a time, as Jonah remained in the belly
of the huge fish (whale) then He rescued him safely without any
harm.
Thus, God brought out those who were in Hades and by His
authority He let them into Paradise.
This great deed was done by god in secret. Heaven praised
God. The sayings of the prophets were accomplished and
in secret, also, the Lord rose from the dead.
His spirit, united with His divinity, came and united with the
body which was united with divinity, then, He was raised by the
power of His divinity and went out of the tomb with its seals.
113
The Women Carrying Spices And Perfumes
It was something strange that the women took spices and
perfumes and went to the tomb while these perfumes do not
agree with believing in the resurrection.
But the Lord took interest in their love and treated the
defect found in their faith.
Did they carry the perfumes for the body which was in the
tomb? Hadn't they the faith that Christ had risen and left the
tomb?
Thus, the good tidings of the angel revealed the same meaning
when he said to the two Marys "I know that you seek Jesus who
was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. "
(Matt 28:5,6)
The same words of reproach were said to the women, who
were carrying the perfumes and the spices, but with clearer style
"Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here,
but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still
in Galilee, saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the
hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise
again.' And they remembered His words." (Luke 24:5-8)
Yes, He, formerly, said that He would rise from the dead. He
did not only say those words to the women but many a time, he
said them to His disciples also.
114
If the Lord informed the disciples of His resurrection and
they did not believe Him, how much the more would those
women be?
115
The Disciples' Doubts
The resurrection of Christ was an occurrence never happened
before as He rose by Himself without any help from others and
His strange words, never said by anyone before, were verified.
" I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it
from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it
down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have
received from My Father." (John 10:17-18).
Who dared say such words except Christ? So, His resurrection
distracted the minds. It was above intelligence especially after
the events of the cross and the pains and the insults directed to
Him. And after the potency and authority with which the Jews
treated Him.
Thus, it was not easy for the disciples to believe in the
resurrection while they were afraid and hiding in the attic.
On the cross, He said "It is finished" which meant that the
redemption was completed and the price of sin was paid.
But, there was another work for Him to complete. It was a
work special for patronage.
Before Him, there were righteous persons who were troubled
and in need of soothing.
What would He do to strengthen their weakness and to banish
their doubts and fears?
116
He did not wish to blame these persons kindly for their
weakness or for their doubts or for their ingratitude but He
came to soothe them.
As He formerly said that He had not come to judge the people
but to save them; how much the more His own who were in the
world, He now showed them the full extent of His love. (John
13)
Saint John said about this love "We love Him because He first
loved us." (1 John 4:19).
He did the same thing with Thomas who doubted in His
resurrection and insisted on putting his finger in the places of
the wounds. He did not blame him kindly for his doubts but
tackled the matter with him.
Jesus responded to Thomas and let him put his finger to be sure
of the places of the wounds.
The same thing happened with Peter, with Mary Magdalene and
with the two from Emmaus.
The Lord wished to strengthen the faith of those persons
who would carry faith all over the world and it was so.
Thus, the matter was not limited by His resurrection, but there
happened many appearances afterwards.
He stayed with the disciples for forty days during which " ...
after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by
them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to
the kingdom of God. to whom He also presented Himself
alive" (Acts 1:3)
117

Why silence is commanded about healing

f753789 — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 01:08:23 +0000

Why did Christ always command the people that he healed to not speak of the miracle and not spread it to others? Was it not through the miracles that He expected us to believe in Him? He said,
"If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.”- John 10:37-38

The people that were healed always disobeyed Him.. therefore it went against His will. So was there something that God was intending for but through the disobedience of man(through free will) it did not happen?.. I am a bit confused. I thought miracles are performed for the glory of God, so I don't understand why He commands it to be a secret.

Then, in the man born blind: "1 Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. 2 And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him."- John 9:1-3
- He was born blind so Gods glory can be shown.. which brings me to another question (that is off topic): Why does God allow suffering to somebody for the sole reason of bringing Him glory?

Please keep me in your prayers
-sister in Christ

Wars

mikeforjesus — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 10:04:39 +0000

Whatever

Praying with Understanding: Corinthians?

Zoxsasi — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 22:12:30 +0000

In 1 Corinthians, 14:14, it says:

For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.

What does that mean?

a) What is meant by praying in tongues?

Is it praying in a language you do not understand?
Is it praying in a language that someone must understand , but not you?
Is it praying in a tongue/language that no one understands except God?

b) Is it right to be considered prayer that your spirit prays, but not your mind?

What do the church fathers tell us about praying with understanding (with your mind)?
Are you meant to concentrate and know the words you are saying?

Thanks for anyone who can help with this.

The History/Traditions of Agios Otheos

Zoxsasi — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 17:24:29 +0000

Hi,

It came to my attention that it was Joseph of Aramathea, the noble jew who asked to bury the Body of Christ, that the hymn Agios Otheos was developed.

The tradition/story goes like this (and please correct me if I'm wrong):

When Joseph took the Body of Christ, He asked himself: "How can the Son of God die?!" - He was perplexed as to how the One who Gave Life to others could die Himself?

When he held the Body of Christ in his hands to take Him away, the eyes of our Lord opened, to which He screamed, saying: "Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us!!".

Now, this is a story that I've heard; and I'd like more information on this.

If we look at the hymn of Golgotha:

The righteous Joseph and Nicodemus came took away the Body of Christ, wrapped it in linen cloths with spices, and put it in a sepulcher and praised Him saying, “Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, who was crucified for us, have mercy on us.”

So, we definately KNOW that this hymn came from him. Sure, we changed it, and perhaps added a few things, but it was from THAT moment that the source of this hymn were spoken.

Please, if you have any references on this absolutely remarkable and beautiful story, could you post it? I just heard it from someone, and really would love to have more details.

Thanks

Pride leads to other sins

egyboy — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 02:15:57 +0000

so i have noticed that pride leads a person into other sins.. for example, if you stopped committing a certain sin, and u feel like "wow I got this under control.. it's not hard..." then u find yourself in a deeper hole than u were in before, and you have returned to that sin. the biggest problem here is that after your pride has caused you to sin again, you don't regret the sin!
any advice on how to avoid this situation, and how to be humble. because I think if a person is truly humble they will never dare to sin in the sight of God.

please pray for me and my weakness

For God's Glory

jfarag92 — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 21:19:43 +0000

I know that everything we do we are supposed to do for God's glory, such as
-trying hard in school because he has put that situation before us
-acting in a way that would draw people to the Christian faith
-being humble
-etc etc

but how should we pray for success or use success for his glory, specifically for things that are a competition
i feel selfish asking God to accompany me or send a saint to help me to win and do well in whatever competition i am in.
-for example- i say a quick prayer before my basketball games, and usually through out the game. but sometimes it seems selfish when i am praying for something to make my team win
-or on an issue i will face real soon- i am in a speech competition-model un- and of course i want to win something and do well, but how can i turn that success or dominance(God willing) into something that glorifies God without doing it selfishly

The dangers of non apostolic churches

Zoxsasi — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 14:41:37 +0000

Has anyone here read the book : Comparative Theology?

It discusses the differences between us and evangelical/protestant christians. After reading it, I was quite impressed with its content. Its a great book. His Holiness really understands the underlying issues that these people have problems with concerning our faith. However, after a long period meditating upon its content, I cannot help but come to the conclusion that if what is in this book is true, then protestants are not saved.

They cannot be saved as they do not have sacraments. They do not believe in the requirements of baptism as a pre-requisite for salvation.

This is no laughing or light matter.

I do believe, although we are divided from the RC, the EO and the WO Churches, I do believe that they are saved, simply because they are apostolic and are churches that uphold the sacraments.

What worries me is that they are evangelising their nonsense that baptism is NOT necessary for salvation so much that many RC's are ending up as protestants. I think we really need to evangelise strongly the requirements for baptism for salvation.

This is very serious. If the Coptic CHurch has suffered persecution, then the worst thing is protestantism. This is by far the greatest threat to our Church.

Is numerology a sin? I want references that the Church fathers saying this.

binC — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 09:47:19 +0000

May God be with you all!

What Should Preachers Wear?

Melchoir — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 06:34:19 +0000

Hi Guys! Happy Easter to all!

I think many of the well known Protestant preachers seem to be more concerned about their external qualities, about their personalities – how they dress, move and sound than about demonstrating their submissiveness to the superior being. For instance, if we look around Evangelical congregations, we would see a preacher wearing a formal style of dress – like a business man. Frankly speaking, I tend to disqualify people wearing ties as preachers. I believe, the words of our Lord "give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God." could apply to what a Preacher wears.

What do you guys think?

Bless you!

SO GOD PLANS OUR FUTURE BUT....

i.love.st.demyana. — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 22:32:18 +0000

Im sure that you guys all know that God alreay planned out our lives before he even created us. He knows what we are doing in every second of the day and he knows what is going to happen in our future.

My question now is, Why does God give us the choice to plan our lives? Does he know that we are going to pick the wrong choice since he planned out our future, or does he still let us in a way shape our future?

St Peter's Problem - Any contemplations??

Zoxsasi — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 15:50:36 +0000

Hi,

Any one want to share your contemplations on St.Peter as to why denied Christ 3 times?
Right after Christ told him "You WILL deny me"

Anyone want to say anything about that?

Passion Week Contemplations - Tuesday

Zoxsasi — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 17:49:08 +0000

Hi,

Today was the Bible reading of the 3 servants and their talents.

You all know the story - the servant who had 1 talent, hid his talent and did nothing with it.

What are your talents? What are the talents God is talking about?
How should we use them?

There were a lot of Bible passages today, feel free to mention the sections you want. I'm just curious about this.

Thanks

The human soul

[Deleted User] — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 13:10:18 +0000

The user and all related content has been deleted.

Passion Week Contemplations

Zoxsasi — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 19:30:34 +0000

Hi,

What did everyone here make out of today's Passion Week's readings? In particular Hosea:

12 Sow for yourselves righteousness,
reap the fruit of unfailing love,
and break up your unplowed ground;
for it is time to seek the LORD,
until he comes
and showers righteousness on you.

13 But you have planted wickedness,
you have reaped evil,
you have eaten the fruit of deception.
Because you have depended on your own strength
and on your many warriors,

How would you sow for yourself righteousness? How would you go about doing that?

Hitting Children

Zoxsasi — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 14:23:46 +0000

Should children be hit? If so, how? Where? and When? In what circumstances?
What ages?

The Bible says to raise your kid with an iron stick - what does that entail, and what should you do?

Accepting praise

Tzegemariam — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 15:24:20 +0000

Greetings in the name of Our Lord
Happy Hosanna/Palm Sunday!!!

I had a question regarding the acceptance of praise...

If you do something good for God and someone praises and awards you for it, what do you do???

Someone told me that it is good to receive/accept the praise given for allowing good to come out of there mouth...

Should we be happy and accept it or deny it? Please help me everyone

I remember reading something about a younger monk going to a older monk to learn
and the older monk told him to praise the dead and curse them and they didn't say anything and thats how we should be.

May God bless you on this day of His triumphal entrance to Jerusalem and help you to answer this questions. Amen

God is Good

Ioannes — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 23:20:41 +0000

Sometimes during the day I just stop and realize how good our God really is. I see how He is glorified through His creation. I see everything He does for us, and continues to do despite our pitiful selves. When I find myself losing patience, I realize the patience He has with me, how much He has put up with and still blesses me and my family. When I get angry, I see how he has lovingly deals with my ignorance. When I feel as if I have nothing, I gaze up at the Icon of His crucifixion, and see the greatest gift ever given, I see this emulated in the Eucharist and how we become one with Him together, united as one church.

I personally have spat in the face of God, rejected God, blasphemed God, and yet He is good. He could have taken all away and let me die pitifully as I deserve. He could have kept me from my lovely wife, He had a chance to take my son at birth, and yet He did not. I deserve nothing and owe a debt I cannot pay. Yet, He paid it for us all. Lent is wonderful and God is good, I hope everyone is having a wonderful lenten experience in Christ, may the prayers of all the saints be with you!

Artificial Intelligence

kokiie — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 11:36:07 +0000

It's been hypothesised by many scientists that one day we will have the technology to rebuild a human brain, and once we do, theoretically, it should come to life! This means that we would have created a being, an independant consciousness. ( The scientific relevance of this is that these machines will be able to do research and answer questions that our limitations dont allow us to answer, so basically, they're expected to evolve and become smarter than humans).

Now I know this can't be true. A machine, no matter how human-like, can never be alive.
I am however having trouble putting this into words. Can anyone illustrate for me why these machines can never live and evolve independently ?

+ God Bless

hmm

mikeforjesus — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 09:50:45 +0000

1 Corinthians 5 (New King James Version)

1 Corinthians 5

Immorality Defiles the Church

1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father’s wife! 2 And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you. 3 For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed. 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
6 Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

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mikeforjesus — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:44:42 +0000

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