tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1525724897783215069.post7629361261257867723..comments2023-07-02T09:25:23.716-04:00Comments on A Wilderness Life: What Makes A Christian? Part 1Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184833095262275noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1525724897783215069.post-56215731988049604762005-10-06T19:21:36.146-04:002005-10-06T19:21:36.146-04:00Laura-Are you sure girl #2 wasn't Doug Davis? ...Laura-<br><br>Are you sure girl #2 wasn't Doug Davis? Hmmmm.... I'm just kidding. Not that I'm a girl....crap, you know what I mean... High school certainly was a different place for you and me. I can admit now that I was part of the group flocking to the front weeping at every single revivial, and of course, church camp. <br><br>I do feel like I was sincere in the decisions I was making at those revivals and at church camp. However, I used things like camp and revivals as a crutch. People who call Christianity a crutch are clearly mistaken. It's the events, in my opinion, that can serve as a crutch. It's almost as if I intentionally made mistakes throughout the year so I'd have something to cry about at camp. "It's OK that I'm drinking a case of beer tonight--I'm going to camp this summer!!!!"<br><br>I can already see the posts by all the MAD campers ripping me apart, but I have a feeling you all know what I'm talking about. I can easily admit that I still have a hard time living like a Christian. I still go to God only when there's something going wrong or when I need something. I'm beginning to understand that prayer is a necessity, and finally, at the age of 23 (almost 24, ugh), I'm just now learning how to pray. <br><br>I'm not quite sure what the point of this long rambling is. I guess that it's never too late to learn to be a Christian. I hope I encouraged at least someone. <br><br>Enjoying the blog. Sorry I never respond. Until now, that is....<br><br>DougDoug Davisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1525724897783215069.post-37876585751939561002005-10-06T21:32:15.536-04:002005-10-06T21:32:15.536-04:00I'm glad you posted this. It has been a big p...I'm glad you posted this. It has been a big part of my life recently in evangelism, as I have been encountering so many people who don't want to turn from their sinful lifestyles. They say things like "well I'm just backslidden right now, I know I need to get right with God but I just don't want to quit ___"(fill in the blank sinning). <br><br>They believe it's okay to continue their lifestyle because of "grace". They basically want the eternal security AND the life of sin, but the thing is, if the Holy Spirit indwells them, they will be moved to turn from that lifestyle. Now, I know that we all sin on a daily basis, (1john 1:8) but it's a repetitive, LIFE of continuous sin for which the person is unrepentant that evidences a lack of salvation (1jn3:6). It's all about the lifestyle - just like your tree reference; a person must take into consideration what kind of TREE they are, by examining their fruit.<br><br>Yeah, I realize it's a lot more complicated than can be explained in a paragraph, but it's a very relevant issue in our increasingly permissive society, and something I've spent a lot of time reading ancient Koine greek in order to better understand. I appreciate that you posted this.Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15882273208090941565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1525724897783215069.post-62378314009805129702005-10-06T22:49:21.533-04:002005-10-06T22:49:21.533-04:00Doug, my friend and brother, thanks for opening yo...Doug, my friend and brother, thanks for opening your heart. Very insightful assessment about the EVENTS being the crutch, not the real truth of a relationship with Jesus. VERY insightful. How easily we sustitute occasional meetings, concerts, revivals, etc. for a long steady obedience in a heavenward direction. Psalm 37:23-25a (KJV) says, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he stumbles, he will not be utterly cast down." STEPS, not big huge leaps. Why is it that we long for the large, the dramatic and the momentous in our Christianity, rather than the simple, the small and the minute opportunites to obey and be blessed?<br>The "secret" of living FOR Jesus is living WITH Jesus. He Who lives in us still delights to do the will of His heavenly Father, and if we would just submit to His delight within us, it would make us little by little more filled with joy.<br><br>Jonathan, check out the current post on my blog -- Laura has it linked -- that talks about justification and sanctification being two sides of the same grace.Laura's Dadnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1525724897783215069.post-72220861010344066302005-10-07T08:48:50.580-04:002005-10-07T08:48:50.580-04:00Thanks, oh ye few but faithful commenters! Stick ...Thanks, oh ye few but faithful commenters! <br><br>Stick around for part two, hopefully forthcoming this weekend.<br><br>And Doug, my life was the same, just without the alcohol... less obvious backsliding is still sin! I recognize that I spent a lot of time in High School with a rebellious heart -- rebellious against my parents and rebellious against God. I mean, God has commanded me in His word to make my relationship with Him the priority, and whenever I don't, that's sin! <br><br>Speaking of which, I need to go read my Bible now.<br><br>And I think I'm going to do a poll asking folks why real Christians who have the Holy Spirit to empower them still sin, and still love their sin! (Pointing fingers at myself!)Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184833095262275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1525724897783215069.post-40122215590311900702005-10-07T17:54:53.066-04:002005-10-07T17:54:53.066-04:00Ummm . . . Colossians 1:27 + Philippians 2:12-...Ummm . . .<br><br> Colossians 1:27<br> + Philippians 2:12-13<br> + John 4:34<br> = You are able to do the will of the Father because of Christ dwelling in you.Laura's Dadnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1525724897783215069.post-21353050198733301602005-10-07T18:49:48.373-04:002005-10-07T18:49:48.373-04:00Hey, all... check out this amazing post about sin ...Hey, all... check out this amazing post about sin on Jonathan Christman's blog:<br>http://epangelia.blogspot.com/2005/10/35-reasons-not-to-sin_04.htmlLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184833095262275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1525724897783215069.post-35499801505761934602005-10-07T19:31:07.183-04:002005-10-07T19:31:07.183-04:00hey all, check out this amazing post about victori...hey all, check out this amazing post about victoria's secret on my blog (10/07/05) on 12strings.blogspot.com !!<br><br>The above looks like a dirty ad, doesn't it? Thanks for the comment Laura, if Howard Stern called me... oh boy I'd give him a piece of my mind... on second thought why waste time pontificating to an anti-intellectual? I think you did the right thing by hanging up.<br><br>I wish it weren't wrong to feel so blithesome about the existence of a hell for certain people. I KNOW, I KNOW, it's wrong.Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15882273208090941565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1525724897783215069.post-2321879059460691672005-10-07T23:40:52.264-04:002005-10-07T23:40:52.264-04:00Theres a club in my school called Fellowship of Ch...Theres a club in my school called Fellowship of Christian Athletes... I went to a meeting once, and was incredibly dissaapointed with there lack of zeal. Atleast for God.. in that sense. Its easy, in highschool to use church camps and revivals as a crutch.. I guess just because its so easy to sit in your own scum (sin) than to overcome the worldly "desires" and set out for what we were meant to do, and be. Anyways, back to the club... I feel lacking in the area of fellowship. (and this club did not satisfy it at all) Ive sorta allowed myself to become complacent in the past few weeks.... it disgusts me. Its so easy (as one of the few Followers of Christ in my school) to shut myself in my own little world and just hope to be godly. Thats why I decided to start a club for those who are willing to be on fire for God, and show it... (bearing fruit) Kids these days get a taste of our "christianity" and realize that it isnt any different than what they do. They think "why bother... they arent any different" But what they dont know, is they are being shown bad examples of what christianity is. <br><br>Pray for me... things are becoming hard, and I need prayer... <br><br>I dont even know if that whole last post made any sense... I was just pouring out my heart.Allisonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1525724897783215069.post-24654528151161334312005-10-07T23:40:52.263-04:002005-10-07T23:40:52.263-04:00It ticks me off that people like Howard Stern not ...It ticks me off that people like Howard Stern not only exist, but have influence over people's opinions and thoughts! To think that there are people in the world who watch him on E! every night and listen to his radio show every day, laughing and winking at his foulness and perversity...<br><br>Just one more evidence that we live in a fallen world.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184833095262275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1525724897783215069.post-17628882323453955842005-10-07T23:45:17.266-04:002005-10-07T23:45:17.266-04:00in a way.... it kinda makes me want to puke.... th...in a way.... it kinda makes me want to puke.... the way the world is. I just have to suck it up, and realize that it is not my home, and I will not conform... but most of all that Im here for a reason... to be a History Maker.. a speaker of truth to all mankind.Allisonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1525724897783215069.post-42791948575648773572005-10-09T00:35:20.460-04:002005-10-09T00:35:20.460-04:00I'd like to hear from LaurasDad.Which reminds ...I'd like to hear from LaurasDad.<br><br>Which reminds me, I cant find a link to your blog, Mr.Dad.Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15882273208090941565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1525724897783215069.post-10631274187273325142005-10-09T00:46:40.483-04:002005-10-09T00:46:40.483-04:00Jonathan,Laura calls it "My Dad's Weekly ...Jonathan,<br>Laura calls it "My Dad's Weekly Article: Check It Out!"<br><br>Here it is:<br>http://onceaweekforgod.blogspot.com/Laura's Dadnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1525724897783215069.post-18579861433762299352005-10-09T14:23:12.680-04:002005-10-09T14:23:12.680-04:00Allison, girl, I want to encourage you (and anybod...Allison, girl, I want to encourage you (and anybody else dealing with the same frustrations...), as you're trying to surround yourself with like-minded Christians, not to shut yourself off from the lost. Your purpose on this Earth is to bring credit to God, and make His reputation famous! It's pretty tough to do that if you're not loving the lost and bringing the Gospel to them. <br><br>And those folks who call themselves Christians but don't live like it, or the folks who just show up to events like FCA for the sake of hanging out -- why don't YOU become the reason God put them there, and let THEM be the reason God put you there? If you believe God is in charge, you have to believe that nothing is an accident. I'm a firm believer that God teaches you lessons that may have a personal application, but ultimately their purpose is to strengthen your ministry -- your OUTREACH!<br><br>Get that solid group of Christians around you, and be tough on each other. Set up accountability with them. Pray hard together for the lost and for each other's holiness. And then go, all of you, to FCA or whatever other event you choose and represent Christ. Become the leaders! Love the lost enough to step outside a simple desire to grow, and into a desire to see people saved.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184833095262275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1525724897783215069.post-14426915466570109152005-10-09T15:43:16.370-04:002005-10-09T15:43:16.370-04:00WOOHOO LAURA! YOU GO GIRL! COULDN'T HAVE SAI...WOOHOO LAURA! YOU GO GIRL! COULDN'T HAVE SAID IT BETTER MYSELF!!!<br><br><br>YAYAYAYAYAY LAURA!Laura's Dadnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1525724897783215069.post-61317959961949185102005-10-09T18:57:40.983-04:002005-10-09T18:57:40.983-04:00I dont really know what to say... except to pray f...I dont really know what to say... except to pray for me. I mean... Im pretty outgoing for the most part.... it just isnt easy these days for me to .... i dunno... reach out. I think I realized that I should probably stick around with the FCA thing and make a difference in it.... but Ive had some bad experiences with some of the kids in it.... im not going to go into it. It doesnt matter... my point is.... I find it so easy to back into a corner when things get tough. I know its wrong. God wants me to change. Whats it gonna take for me to change? I mean, what can I be doing to break this habit? Any advice?Allisonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1525724897783215069.post-72729709251587632152005-10-09T19:55:47.010-04:002005-10-09T19:55:47.010-04:00Allison, let's continue this via email, OK? P...Allison, let's continue this via email, OK? <br><br>Praying for you this evening.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184833095262275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1525724897783215069.post-25548041055498600422005-10-09T20:35:54.203-04:002005-10-09T20:35:54.203-04:00Allison, deleting your previous comment to keep my...Allison, deleting your previous comment to keep my email off the site. :)Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184833095262275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1525724897783215069.post-14208581644018553212005-10-09T20:39:32.286-04:002005-10-09T20:39:32.286-04:00ok... thats fine.ok... thats fine.Allisonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1525724897783215069.post-12596580451660949982005-10-09T21:04:05.416-04:002005-10-09T21:04:05.416-04:00so youre going to email me right?so youre going to email me right?Allisonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1525724897783215069.post-65313262755387150832005-10-09T21:05:34.860-04:002005-10-09T21:05:34.860-04:00i'm writing it right now... it's really lo...i'm writing it right now... it's really long, sorry ;)Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184833095262275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1525724897783215069.post-60145741934118870202005-10-09T21:12:41.343-04:002005-10-09T21:12:41.343-04:00ahh.. ic... the longer the better... lolahh.. ic... the longer the better... lolAllisonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1525724897783215069.post-38288406290601428312005-10-09T22:21:03.273-04:002005-10-09T22:21:03.273-04:00Laura, I emailed you back.. just to let you know.Laura, I emailed you back.. just to let you know.Allisonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1525724897783215069.post-84845423084467739392005-10-11T22:39:17.456-04:002005-10-11T22:39:17.456-04:00EVERYTHINGS ALL GOOD! So, whens the next post, Lau...EVERYTHINGS ALL GOOD! So, whens the next post, Laura? Im excite to see what you have to say.Allisonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1525724897783215069.post-11507014976842525412005-10-12T12:47:47.536-04:002005-10-12T12:47:47.536-04:00ugh, sorry guys. I'll get to that post soon. ...ugh, sorry guys. I'll get to that post soon. I'm sick right now, and am just starting a round of antibiotics that I hope will allow me to finish up this endeavor sooner or later.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184833095262275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1525724897783215069.post-87471000508257752792005-10-12T23:06:35.096-04:002005-10-12T23:06:35.096-04:00Well, I hope you feel better! Its not fun being si...Well, I hope you feel better! Its not fun being sick. Praying for you.Allisonnoreply@blogger.com