| Author | Message | ||
| Chyna |
it's easy in this world, especially american society where unbelief, not believing in anything is thought to be better than believing in something, to feel like it is impossible for people to come to know Christ. they just seem so enmired in the world, and the love the worldly pleasure and see Christianity as narrow minded, oppressors of the poor, brain washed, bible thumping, joyless existence. of course, that is all a lie. everyone that is Christian knows the best thing we have in life is God's love. but recently it has been striking me. maybe somehow i am growing more attuned to it, but it is God Pursuing People that I see and hear about everywhere! so I'm going to start listing and may this be a blessing to everyone, and I want everyone on this forum to make an effort to observe and note and post where and how you see God pursuing people in His love. these are stories of me and others: 1. the plastic jesus. one chinese speaker came to my fellowship and said that he grew up in a nonChristian home, but one day at the fair he won a plastic Jesus. he was only a boy of around 10 or so, but he would hide the figure and then sometimes he would just have an urge to take it out and look at it. 2. my cousins in Thailand. in a country that is 95% Buddhist and that particular religion is so ingrained into the culture, it feels rather helpless to even begin to share the gospel with them. yet, i discovered that a. my cousin has a Christian friend b. my aunt has a good Christian friend c. my two cousins go to a private Christian school so they learn about the Bible there 3. in novels, all the time, when the protagonist is in the deepest anguish, he or she will cry out to God whom they claimed they did not believe in before, or who were formerly estranged from God. 4. the "Left Behind" series. I haven't read one yet, but apparently they are a SMASH hit! and it's not just Christians, it's everyone, mesmerized by the prospect of end times. 5. The Matrix. I just saw this kick a** film, and it was awesome. even more awesome was the flat out parallel to Christianity. it's a boffo hit, i know friends that are obsessed with this movie. and it's all about Jesus Christ coming to save the world. if you haven't seen it, and don't mind some violence and its sci-fi nature, see it. it is truly a testimony that even in contemporary times, God is reaching out to people. the protagonist is Neo. or "the one" that Morpheus has been proclaiming about i.e. John the Baptist! another character is called Trinity. another character acts as the Judas. the ship's name is NEBUCHADNEZZAR. the evil world is a place controlled by machines where humans are trapped in a world they cannot see. what they feel with their senses is their reality, but it is a false reality. that's just like the spiritual darkness that the world is in today. totally deceived and blind to all the spiritual warfare that is going on. anyway, i think it has a cult following already (to the tune of star wars etc.) and there will be two more movies following. 6. last night i was playing a yahoo scrabble game. i was totally obsessed, staying up way past my normal bedtime. this one other woman and I kept ending up in the same games, and eventually we started chatting and she asked me if I was a Christian. I said, yes, and i asked her if she was, and she said yes. but it turned out she and her husband had stopped going to church, and I just knew that God had planned this so I could encourage her and promise to pray for her, and even receive encouragement back. 7. at school i have totally atheist friends that would rather believe in zen than christianity (zen is more hip), but every once in awhile, astounding the day light out of me is that they'll quote me scripture. blinking in shock I ask them "how do you know that?" then they tell me that on their high school assembly stadium up at the front, the verse would be written there. 8. simply the people that God puts in my life, since Christianity is my identity, I can hardly not mention or speak from the direct influence of being in Christ. most often is: "why won't you date nonChristians" and "why won't you have sex before marriage" these two questions seem particularly urgent from my friends to me. even when talking about applying to medical school i simply tell them what keeps me going which is "trusting God about where He will put me, whether in med school or not." welp, that is all i have off the top of my head. i'm looking forward to you and yours :) Chyna | ||
| Denisegilmore |
Dear Chyna, Thank you so much for starting this thread. The stories you have shared are an abundant blessing to read. I hope to read more of these and I'll bet everyone that reads this can relate as truly I believe that there are no such thing as coinsidences. God is in control and that is comforting indeed. I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed your newfound Church service. I hope that it will continue to bless you as I'm sure you will bless those that meet you and walk with you. It sounds like this Church was massive! I've never heard of a pastor asking people to stand up and say 'I believe' before, so this was inspiring and what a joy it must have been to witness this! This was in Orange county? Interesting. Keep sharing as, for me, it is a blessing and an encouragement. Thank you! God Bless you Chyna, Denise | ||
| Chyna |
yup, it was in Irvine, Denise. aha, another God pursuing people thing: Veggietales. Its popularity among both young and old touch upon biblical principals :). h'come no one else is helping out here? Chyna | ||
| Denisegilmore |
Good Evening Chyna, Good to see you again. To address your question of why nobody else seems to be helping in this thread. Perhaps, they are shy, timid, don't see, or fearful that people will think them fanatics. Or perhaps they would rather just read and be blessed. Afterall, it is a blessing to read these things. When you mention veggie-tales, are you referring to vegetarian food? If so, I'm not so inclined to be drawn towards it or the trendiness of vegetarian meals. Vegetarian meals, to me, are not required nor are they all that good as promoted, for ones health. At least not in my health. I am an epileptic. Medical Science has recently come out with facts of how people like me need meat even moreso than people without epilepsy. I believe this as I did try the vegan diet for almost a year and my seizures increased and my strength decreased. I am back to my carnivorous self and am doing much better. However, I do think that most would benefit by eating more vegetables along with whatever meat they eat. As far as Bible principles, we are given all things for food. Not just veggies. Now, to argue over what to eat is not in my line of importance but if someone tries to impose upon me, their dietary laws, then I defend my right to eat what God Himself gave to me for food. Which includes meat. Why this vegetarian diet is spreading is due to the vitamins and fiber in vegetables, however I do not believe it would be a big hit if it were void of ALL meats. Infact, many who claim to be vegetarian, will from time to time, be seen, by yours truly, eating a hamburger from Carl's Jr.. I praise God for all foods that He has given us and also praise Him for the brains He gives us to use. I believe that everyone should know what their bodies need and would be wise to live accordingly. Now, on to other matters..infact, more important matters. God seeks His sheep and to that I must attest to His Mighty Hand working everyday around me. I am currently seeing an uprising in people's desire to know about this God. Absolutely, without a doubt, people are becoming more and more open to discussion and I find that they usually start that discussion! It's an amazing thing to experience and everytime, I am shocked but overjoyed. God is Grand and He is Powerful! Chyna, we serve a Wonderful God, with Everlasting Love for ALL. He is calling His own out and I'm certain of this when I see what I see. Please share more experiences from your end of the scope and please do elaborate more as to your take on the 'veggietales'. Tell me more so I have a clearer understanding of where you are headed with that. Is it that you are seeing people brought together, serving our Lord, because of common diets? I'd be interested to hear what it is that you are seeing. God Bless you Chyna, Denise | ||
| Maryann |
Hi Denise, While you and my kids are practicing scooter stunts, they will be tickled to tell you all about veggie tales! I thought it was an SDA promo the first time I heard about them. Bob is a tomato Larry is a cucumber Junior is an asparagus Laura ia a carrot, etc. These "things with faces" act out Bible stories like the Jericho story and David and Goliath and so on, all on video for kids and "old" kids!;-) Maryann | ||
| Denisegilmore |
Oh dear, and I thought that Chyna was going to talk about diet. Course maybe she is. But as to these cartoons or whatever they are, I had no knowledge of them. Chyna, I'm sorry about the misunderstanding, if indeed there is one. I have just been informed as to the veggie tales characters. I didn't know about them. But if you are seeing that common diets are bringing people together to worship our Lord, please let me know about this. As this would make a wonderful tool! :) I could begin dialgue with a mouth full of pleasantries regarding diet. Yes? GOD BLESS YOU BOTH, Denise | ||
| Chyna |
i'm sorry denise. maryann is correct! veggietales are a delightful top of the line computer graphics "cartoons" for lack of a better word that address subjects from Lying to Loving your Neighbor to retelling the story of Joshua and the Big Wall to Esther. although, that brings up my VEGAN friend from college who happened upon studies of Vegetarians and tried to claim that Jesus was vegetarian, hoping that would convince me to be vegetarian. which, of course I thought was really silly. "hello, miracle of five loaves and two fishes!" anyway :) don't worry Denise :) love, Chyna | ||
| Denisegilmore |
Boy, I am really behind the times aren't I. That's about par for course for me though. Thank you for understanding Chyna. And we all know that Jesus Christ was NOT a vegetarian. He ate butter and curds, fish and lamb that I know of. :) God Bless you, Denise | ||
| Max |
JESUS EATS BROILED FISH IN HIS GLORIFIED BODY! ^^[Jesus] asked [the disciples], "Do you have anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and HE took it and ATE IT in their presence."^^ --NIV Luke 24:41-43 | ||
| Denisegilmore |
Max, It's funny that you should mention this because in the last Bible study I had over a week ago, with the offshoot sda pastor and the elderly, I pointed out Scripture out of Ezekiel too that eludes to fish in the Kingdom. I did this because he was trying to promote the vegetarian diet in this study and why we must prepare now to be vegetarian. I pointed out that not only did Jesus eat fish in his glorified body but that also in Ezekiel 47:7-12. Amazingly, he conceded that we will not be just eating fruits and vegetables in the Kingdom. It started out with a description of the Holy City or New Jerusalem and went on to speak of the River that runs through it and the two trees with healing in their leaves. But it was all leading up to vegetarian diet and I came right out and said, 'if you are trying to promote a vegetarian diet, I will dispute, with proof, on this topic'. He still went ahead with his course, so I insisted that we read those Scriptures to show that Jesus ate fish but that also how Ezekiel is taken up in vision and is shown a Holy City with a River running through it and with fish in the river and with fishermen! The pastor was shocked but I'm sure he is studying up on this. God Bless you, Denise | ||
| Denisegilmore |
Hello Max, In Isaiah 7:14-15, He (Jesus) eats curds and honey. :)NIV. In the King James it says butter and honey. Also He was Jewish so therefore it is only logical that He ate the passover lamb too. Ezekiel 47:7-12: "When I arrived there, I saw a great number of trees on each side of the river. He said to me, 'This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, where it enters the Sea. When it empties into the Sea, the water there becomes fresh. Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live. Fishermen will stand along the shore; from En Gedi to En Eglaim there will be places for spreading nets. The fish will be of many kinds-like the fish of the Great Sea. but the swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt. Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. THEIR LEAVES WILL NOT WITHER NOR WILL THEIR FRUIT FAIL. EVERY MONTH THEY WILL BEAR, BECAUSE THE WATER FROM THE SANCTUARY FLOWS TO THEM. THEIR FRUIT WILL SERVE FOR FOOD AND THEIR LEAVES FOR HEALING." God Bless, Denise | ||
| Chyna |
another instance i found was my friend tanya was talking about how she went to the Bach concert (it was a piece about Christmas) the conductor was jewish and he was saying that he was conducting probably the greatest tribute to Christianity whereas in other places in the world people are fighting over religion etc. but classical music! many people exposed to it, whether they are christian or not. | ||
| Denisegilmore |
Chyna, I've seen 'death' bring people together as well. This last memorial that I attended had a variety of people. Some Islamic, some Mormon, others SDA, still others agnostic or athiest. After the memorial though, I found many people approach me and in conversation they would say something about God. This always started a great discussion about our Lord Jesus, as I would, of course, say 'our Lord and God Jesus', throughout the conversation. Now, I have more friends! Seems that the conversation was stimulating for some of these folks, enough so, that they come to my apartment and have invited me to theirs too. Amazing how our Lord puts us together for a wonderful conversation regarding our Lord Jesus. Now, keeping up with all these invites is another matter. But I will not talk of it for now. Moreover, I wanted to mention that even in death, our Lord will bring us together with His amazing Grace. The Lord is my Rock, God Bless you, Denise |
