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To: IslandJeff
The Apostles themselves had moments of reflection, no?

I don't know anywhere in scripture that the Apostles (or any believer for that matter) doubted the existence of God. So, to answer your question, "no" is correct.

140 posted on 08/25/2007 4:05:33 AM PDT by HarleyD
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To: HarleyD

Acts 2:37-47


141 posted on 08/25/2007 4:16:16 AM PDT by IslandJeff (Joel 2 = 2007)
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To: HarleyD
I don't know anywhere in scripture that the Apostles (or any believer for that matter) doubted the existence of God. So, to answer your question, "no" is correct.

Peter comes to mind. Actually he denied Christ three times. Christ even warned him it was going to happen. But I want to remind you of something. If we could all walk in the walk and stay in the Word 24/7 then the death of Christ for our sins before and after salvation would not have been required.

Who are we to measure someone else's pain and judge their tolerances to it? Do you not understand that even the feeling in mans heart of abandonment by GOD was conquered for us on the cross. Christ felt it. That was the only thing he did not know because all his existence before being born up till his death he knew and dwelled in the presence of his father. "My GOD My GOD what has Thou forsaken me?" was a very real cry of absolute anguish and fear from our LORD. That is the greatest question ever asked and one of the most difficult. GOD could not look upon his own son. Not because of what wrongs he had done {as he was without sin} but because of what mankind had done.

I do not believe in Peaches and Cream theology where once you except Christ everything goes just great in life and you jump for joy and have a song in your heart at all times. But I do believe that nothing after that fact can ever separate us eternally from GOD. We still face all fears and all emotions but Christ is their and the Spirit intercedes for us even in our groans of anguish or emptiness of our heart. We can not overcome it alone and because of that Christ did it for us.

I've been through enough in my life especially at one point in less than a year time frame I had some very big questions to ask. Actually spiritually and emotionally I went numb for over a week. I felt nothing about nothing or nobody. It wasn't a place I wanted to be or remain but lifes events took me there. The sudden unexpected death of my wife when she was 23, the healing process to follow, and the unexpected finding of a new love only to watch before my very eyes her slipping away from me nearing death. I was screaming NO! driving behind a cop racing to the hospital while she was describing what she was seeing to me. She was that close to death and the other side and she was feeling the peace and seeing the light. But she made it back to me.

1985 22 years ago this Labor Day she has been in a wheelchair an incomplete quadriplegic since that time. When that happened that was when I went numb. I'm not Roman Catholic I'm Baptist. But had it not been for a few Sisters of Mercy by that I mean Nuns at that point I may have well lost my sanity. But I would not have lost my salvation.

I've been in and out of The Valleys since that time. At times feeling a close relationship with Christ at one point so close having a Divine revelation or the very Masters voice himself comfort me. That event BTW was right before I went numb. It was in a Laying on of Hands for her in ICU by two preachers. When it happened we all four my girlfriend and the two preachers plus myself felt the presence of the Spirit. I was overcame with a calming voice which said It's going to be OK. No telling me what to do mind you but it was going to be OK. She at first could move nothing. Her arms were drawn to her chest. The doctors said they would stay there. Then she got use of them and over a period of weeks her hands. She will never walk again on this earth though.

Now I'm going to give you some insight. When I went numb I was scared. I left the hospital and her not knowing If/When I'd ever be back. I drove about 15 miles and went back to the hospital but not to her room. I wandered the halls. A little old Nun saw me and asked me to step into her office. She looked at me and asked what's wrong. I explained how I felt and she told me something that made perfect sense. The mind must have rest as well as the body. I had been there all times I was not at work with my girlfriend. She said you must seek time alone for yourself. That was very scripturally sound advice found in the Bible that I overlooked. I healed rather quick and asked the woman in my life for her hand in marriage. A few week later in the hospital Chapel with a Baptist preacher officiating and the Nuns and even a Priest there as well we were married.

The rest of the times since then have been good and bad. Valleys and mountain tops. Times when I could not feel the presence of GOD, times when I knew beyond any doubt he was there.

Mother Theresa saw a lot more than ever have in her life. She lived in conditions and did a task I do not think any on this thread could endure doing for the length of time she did. The Time article put her views in context and let her explain them and I can understand them. I see no Blasphemy but rather a human being. To think she was not saved is wrong. "For they who given even a drink of water in My Name shall by no means loose their reward."

I'm thankful I was never asked to do what she did nor put to the test she was. GOD knows her heart and I don't think that unless she walked in his presence that she could have done it no matter what her Christian Sect. Some writings by man can give good insight. The writing called FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND to me means quite a bit and I think holds many truths.

I've seen and heard quite a bit from brethern who have good intentions but cause doubt themselves. One was a Charasmatic who told my wife that it was because of her lack of faith she remained in a wheelchair. That is not in the scriptures. It was a dangerous church doctorine and a burden that even the Apostile Paul had to bear and addressed quite well. They forget that though. If faith alone could heal a person I think Joni Erickson Tada would be dancing. They tried it on her also.

I see Christians trying to tear down the ministry of others over their petty differences in theology. It was done to Mother Theresa, it's been done to Billy Graham, it's been done to the current and last Pope, and it will continue till Christ returns. It serves the Church no good service and by the church I mean all believers.

172 posted on 08/25/2007 2:38:16 PM PDT by cva66snipe (Proud Partisan Constitution Supporting Conservative to which I make no apologies for nor back down)
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