Santa Clause .... so you guys and gals promote the "lie"

Actually Melissa, Fletch said his kid joined a gang after hearing the news. So, there's one.

 

My head hurts... there's so much I'd like to say, but it would most likely double the size of this thread and take me the next three days.

First off, to both sides of the debate. It's been my experience that viewpoints ase rarely shifted (or voices even heard) by those who stand face to face in opposition. Rather they are changed from those you walk side by side with. You cannot come to terms from your bunker. For us Christians, take a look around. If you are only walking along side other Christians.... I feel you're simply not doing it right.

Also, if you are truly offended by the commercialized Giant that Christmas has become, take a step back and be grateful for your "persecution". It pales in comparison those of the past. Is it annoying? Sure. But I'm not being fed to lions, beheaded, or burned.

Now many of you know my faith, as I have shared in the past. I didn't get there because I simply read something and believed (though, I feel that there's nothing wrong with that). I came to faith through the repeated touch and presence of Jesus. Whether it was through prayer, song, scripture, or a walk in the woods, being in the presence of God changed me and made me believe.

Now, this was (is) not a one and done process. At least not for me. In this journey to follow Christ I quite often find myself way of path. That's were often the bible comes in handy. It opens my heart to see where I'm off, so I change direction (definition of repentance).

Even as of late, I have been further from God than I should, and I'm now finding myself reengaging. In turn, He's changing me and making me better.

I'm a hunter. I had a certain journey as a hunter. I have certain beliefs and "ethics" to what I do. They are vastly different than those of a bushman hunting in Africa. Yet, we are both hunters and share a spiritual bond that cannot be denied. Same can be said for religious beliefs (or spiritual beliefs if you'd rather) throughout the world and time.

... and I've strayed. I'll step out of my bunker now and back into the fray.

 

Fitz, there is a reason I have a lot of respect for you. It didn't happen by coincidence.

 

Matt ... first of all let me tell you that according to the Bible, we DO exist in a physical form at the first resurrection (those that have put their faith in Christ's righteousness alone).

Secondly, the life after death deal...it is all about faith ... just like God, atheism, etc... only God will show Himself to ALL that seek Him

 

Well said Fitz... I have never won a single friend by attacking, belittling, alienating or otherwise behaving in an unfriendly manner. I have on the other hand blown it many times and probably caused harm, though I do hope I have grown out of that habit some. I do have a great sense that much of what we "do"as church people is unnecessarily offensive to the very people we claim to "love." Now I am certainly not ashamed of the gospel of Christ because it is the power unto salvation but I do believe we must be authentic in our faith and not just try to turn it off and on depending on the crowd we are entertaining.

I too have a great passion for the outdoors and find it to be a wonderful connection with people of like faith, those with a searching faith or those with no faith at all. I just hope that I can be the man I would like people to see... that is Christ dwelling in me. It can be a challenging journey... it can be a lonely journey... it can be a humbling journey... but it is a wonderful journey on those rare occasions when I get it right... no matter how short lived those moments may be.

When it is all said and done... I am going to be judged by one standard... how much I loved God, which will be clearly evidenced by how much I loved my neighbor as (instead of) myself.

 

Good stuff there Fitz.

 

Except for the hating
of religious people, I love this post. I am sure you meant that you hate their mindset .... as do I ...

This is true

nor have I ....

Um.. ...we know that.....

Great post, Mike! Amen!

 

Sorry PT, MM did not explain myself properly, I beg for forgiveness.. I do not hate people, but like PT said, it is their mindset and the effect they have on people that think they are what Christ represents. Sorry for my poor use of words.

It saddens me greatly to know that even most christians don't really know who Christ truly is and think some kind of systematic religion (Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, AG, etc) is what being a christian is all about.

 

Preach!

 

Good post Fitz...sounds alot like my story. Its said, God appears when the person is ready. I had heard the gospel quite a bit in my life but never "heard" it until I was ready for it. That was in my early 20's.

The one thing I see alot, and especially from folks brought up with Catholic background...they tend to confuse "Religion" with "Christianity". Religion is man-made, Christianity is a relationship with Christ. And the Catholic religion has probably the most rituals and rules of any. I was brought up Catholic, albeit not really practicing growing up....more just a church we went to time to time. My wife grew up in a die-hard Catholic family. School, church, the whole deal. She finally saw the light, but some of her family are still so blinded by rules and rituals of that religion, they don't even understand what "Christianity" actually is.

I see some of you who grew up die-hard Catholics don't really believe now. I can fully understand how that can happen, I've seen it personally from folks in the same situation. They pound religion into you, not relationship. (nothing against the Catholic's...I know plenty that are believers also)

Another thing I have trouble understanding is how people can have a kid, and still not be a believer. I feel like it takes much more faith to believe that we just happened to emerge out of goo, than the fact that we are miracles created by God. If having a kid and witnessing the miracle of life doesn't get you questioning, I'm not sure what will.

 

Wait, are you saying god had sex with my wife? That son-of-a...

Where is he? We need to have a little chat.

 

wait hes not real???? damn ha

 

There is no more proof that God exists (stories in a book are not proof) than there is for Santa.

Maybe Santa IS God?

 

No matter what your point of view is, you will "convert" more "acquaintances" to your beliefs, by your actions, and how you live your life, than by any thing you have to say.

 

I think it is all of it, as far as someone being used by God... but know this......no one will will die without Christ except by their own choice ..... no man can stop God's hand on an individuals heart ... except that individual ....

 

Did you just put a spell on me ?

 

Wait a min.
Santa gives free stuff
Obama gives free stuff
Obama = Santa
Santa = God

So it ain't so

 

It aint so.

 

Maybe the anti-christ... :D LOL

 

I am going to become a christian so I can ride dinosaurs in heaven.