Lindaland
  Divine Diversities
  The Bible--The Shepherd and the Sheep and Obedience (Page 1)

Post New Topic  Post A Reply
profile | register | preferences | faq

UBBFriend: Email This Page to Someone!
This topic is 2 pages long:   1  2 
next newest topic | next oldest topic
Author Topic:   The Bible--The Shepherd and the Sheep and Obedience
Ami Anne
Moderator

Posts: 35676
From: Pluto/house next to NickiG
Registered: Sep 2010

posted August 25, 2012 07:38 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Ami Anne     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I am struggling with anxiety. I have never taken any psych drugs, although I do not judge those who do. However, I was asking God about this anxiety/generalized fear.

I got the sense that He was showing me some of the following things.

The Bible has the metaphor of men as sheep and Jesus as the Great Shepherd. So much of the Bible is a giving up of your ego and trying to replace it with the way God sees things i.e not egocentric.
Much of the Bible needs to be taken on pure faith that God is actually there and will do what He says.


There are many life directions that the Bible says for man to take. Many are the last thing you want to do.

"Man's ways seem right to man, but the end of them is death( which refers to any bad outcome, not just literal death)

I have never been let down when I followed what God has put forth in the Bible--ever, ever, ever.

I have only been blessed. The word blessed means happy.

------------------
Passion, Lust, Desire. Check out my journal


http://www.mychristianpsychic.com/

IP: Logged

Padre35
Knowflake

Posts: 379
From: charlotte, NC, US
Registered: Jul 2012

posted August 25, 2012 08:31 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Padre35     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Well, with the showing of the law to be merely a means to increase sin, the balance has shifted from:

"Must"

to

"Want to"

That is functional Grace.

The Word is filled with practical, functional advice, that is very effective and works quite well.

Still, at the end of it all, what "we" do can never nullify the work of the Cross. Which is very liberating but also does require responsibility.

IP: Logged

Ami Anne
Moderator

Posts: 35676
From: Pluto/house next to NickiG
Registered: Sep 2010

posted August 25, 2012 09:01 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Ami Anne     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Yes, we have grace and are forgiven BUT to have an abundant life, we need to follow God's directions such do not seek vengeance on a person. That is just one small example of thousands.

------------------
Passion, Lust, Desire. Check out my journal


http://www.mychristianpsychic.com/

IP: Logged

Padre35
Knowflake

Posts: 379
From: charlotte, NC, US
Registered: Jul 2012

posted August 25, 2012 09:21 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Padre35     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote

Or go into debt, or to work 6 days a week, or to maintain good relations with ones neighbors etc.

All of which are wonderful, and parallels can be found in other religions or even philosophies, however the Cross and Resurrection does make Faith diverge from that in a dramatic way.

If one considers what the Incarnation was meant to accomplish the magnitude of that is simply breath taking in it's scope.

IP: Logged

Ami Anne
Moderator

Posts: 35676
From: Pluto/house next to NickiG
Registered: Sep 2010

posted August 25, 2012 09:23 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Ami Anne     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
What do you mean?

------------------
Passion, Lust, Desire. Check out my journal


http://www.mychristianpsychic.com/

IP: Logged

Padre35
Knowflake

Posts: 379
From: charlotte, NC, US
Registered: Jul 2012

posted August 25, 2012 09:32 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Padre35     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote

God in the flesh, fully man and God, means Christ can relate to "us", our anxieties, our foibles, our failings.

IP: Logged

RegardesPlatero
Moderator

Posts: 3755
From: Storybrooke, Mr. Gold's Shop
Registered: Sep 2011

posted August 25, 2012 10:56 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for RegardesPlatero     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Padre35:

God in the flesh, fully man and God, means Christ can relate to "us", our anxieties, our foibles, our failings.

Something that I've always wondered, though: how can Jesus fully relate to us, and us to him, if Jesus never sinned or screwed up or did something stupid? That's a HUGE part of the human experience. I've thought about that a lot.

IP: Logged

Ami Anne
Moderator

Posts: 35676
From: Pluto/house next to NickiG
Registered: Sep 2010

posted August 25, 2012 11:35 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Ami Anne     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by RegardesPlatero:
Something that I've always wondered, though: how can Jesus fully relate to us, and us to him, if Jesus never sinned or screwed up or did something stupid? That's a HUGE part of the human experience. I've thought about that a lot.

GREAT question RP
Jesus was both man and God. He was alone in this, for all time. The Bible says He understands all of our sorrows, our temptations and our weaknesses.

HOW? No man can ever know what it will be like to be God, so the human mind will never be able to wrap itself around this answer in a 2 plus 2 way.

Some things about God cannot be truly known by man's limited mind. This would be one.


------------------
Passion, Lust, Desire. Check out my journal


http://www.mychristianpsychic.com/

IP: Logged

juniperb
Moderator

Posts: 4588
From: Blue Star Kachina
Registered: Apr 2009

posted August 25, 2012 11:39 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for juniperb     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
RP, my belief . Jesus was born by the Holy Spirit but was born human with human foiables. So he knew human faults and is able to identify with us.

A brief view :


Born by the Holy Spirit Matt. 1:18
Holy Spirit descended on Jesus at His baptism. Luke 3:22
Led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted ( stating he has human behaviors) Luke 4:1
Returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit Luke 4:14
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon ME . . ." Luke 4:18
He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit. Luke 10:21
Ministry performed in the power of the Spirit Acts 2:22

------------------
We dance around the ring and suppose, but the secret sits in the middle and Knows
Robert Frost

IP: Logged

Ami Anne
Moderator

Posts: 35676
From: Pluto/house next to NickiG
Registered: Sep 2010

posted August 25, 2012 11:42 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Ami Anne     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The Bible says we see through a glass darkly, while we are on the earth. Hence, some things can be known, but others must be accepted on faith. God prizes faith above all else. "Without faith, is it impossible to please God", the Bible says.

God could come down and show us everything, but then we would need no faith. Our faith is our gift to Him.

------------------
Passion, Lust, Desire. Check out my journal


http://www.mychristianpsychic.com/

IP: Logged

RegardesPlatero
Moderator

Posts: 3755
From: Storybrooke, Mr. Gold's Shop
Registered: Sep 2011

posted August 25, 2012 11:58 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for RegardesPlatero     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
personally, the whole Jesus-never-making-mistakes thing makes it hard for me to really relate to him, even though he was human

not that it makes it hard for me to like him, or to worship, just that I can't honestly relate

IP: Logged

juniperb
Moderator

Posts: 4588
From: Blue Star Kachina
Registered: Apr 2009

posted August 25, 2012 12:00 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for juniperb     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
RP, Some Gnostic Gospels mention details of Jesus' infancy and childhood not found in the canonical Gospels. They indicate he did make mistakes .If you are interested in them, I could point the way to some.

------------------
We dance around the ring and suppose, but the secret sits in the middle and Knows
Robert Frost

IP: Logged

Ami Anne
Moderator

Posts: 35676
From: Pluto/house next to NickiG
Registered: Sep 2010

posted August 25, 2012 12:01 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Ami Anne     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
He HAD to make no mistakes as he was the sinless lamb who substituted for us. He was the only being who never sinned, so he could serve as the one to take on our sins. Again, one has to use faith to accept the Divine exchange, as one cannot see it. However, that is why Jesus had to have no sin.

------------------
Passion, Lust, Desire. Check out my journal


http://www.mychristianpsychic.com/

IP: Logged

RegardesPlatero
Moderator

Posts: 3755
From: Storybrooke, Mr. Gold's Shop
Registered: Sep 2011

posted August 25, 2012 04:29 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for RegardesPlatero     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by juniperb:
RP, Some Gnostic Gospels mention details of Jesus' infancy and childhood not found in the canonical Gospels. They indicate he did make mistakes .If you are interested in them, I could point the way to some.


I've read the Infancy Gospel of Thomas (frankly, I found it hilarious). To my understanding, it was meant to demonstrate Jesus' power, but wasn't included because people thought it would be taken the wrong way. It's been a few years; I read it in a comparative religious studies class and that's what I was told by my professor, who was pretty reliable.

I'm curious to see the others, though.

Basically, I treat those books as 'non-canon', but still find those kinds of texts helpful for making me look at God in new ways.

IP: Logged

RegardesPlatero
Moderator

Posts: 3755
From: Storybrooke, Mr. Gold's Shop
Registered: Sep 2011

posted August 25, 2012 04:48 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for RegardesPlatero     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Ami Anne:
He HAD to make no mistakes as he was the sinless lamb who substituted for us. He was the only being who never sinned, so he could serve as the one to take on our sins. Again, one has to use faith to accept the Divine exchange, as one cannot see it. However, that is why Jesus had to have no sin.


even if that's true, it still makes it hard for me to relate, especially given how defective I am and how much I muck things up


IP: Logged

juniperb
Moderator

Posts: 4588
From: Blue Star Kachina
Registered: Apr 2009

posted August 25, 2012 04:49 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for juniperb     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Yes, they would be non-canon. But then again, the Nicean fellows didn`t tamper with them either. I would say it all depends on in what one is seeking .


The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ, Levi H. Dowling.


Not a Nag Hammadi Text but a good one (imo)

There are 18 years of Jesus' life missing in the Bible (ages 12–30). The Aquarian Gospel documents these 18 years as a time when Jesus travels to the centers of wisdom in India, Tibet & Western India, Persia, Assyria, Greece, and Egypt. In each of these capital cities, he is educated, tested, and teaches the religious leaders. Jesus inevitably proves that he is 'God's chosen one' (the Christ) in these locales and brings back this multi-cultural wisdom and confidence to Galilee & Judea.
Jesus puts on the role of The Christ, but is not automatically Christ by nature. By making himself, through desire, effort, ability and prayer, a fit vessel, Jesus enabled The Christ to dwell within him. Christ is therefore used as a term for the seemingly perfect human being that Jesus exemplified, a human being that has been "Christened" (anointed) and therefore made holy.
Jesus came to earth to show the way back to God via his lifestyle and teachings. He is the example we must model our own lives after, if we seek salvation.
Reincarnation exists and karma ("You reap what you sow") is the explanation for various injustices. Reincarnation allows people to settle debts they have incurred in past lives.
Humanity has forgotten God and is currently working its way back to fully remembering God.
Time is separated into ages. These ages last approximately 2,000 years. We are now nearing the start of the Aquarian Age (December 21, 2012).
All souls will eventually mature and evolve towards the perfect, like Jesus the Christ.
No soul is ever abandoned by God.
(source wiki)

------------------
We dance around the ring and suppose, but the secret sits in the middle and Knows
Robert Frost

IP: Logged

juniperb
Moderator

Posts: 4588
From: Blue Star Kachina
Registered: Apr 2009

posted August 25, 2012 04:55 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for juniperb     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
RP, another can be found in the Lost Books of the Bible: The First Gospel of the Infancy of Jesus the Christ.

------------------
We dance around the ring and suppose, but the secret sits in the middle and Knows
Robert Frost

IP: Logged

Ami Anne
Moderator

Posts: 35676
From: Pluto/house next to NickiG
Registered: Sep 2010

posted August 25, 2012 07:38 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Ami Anne     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by RegardesPlatero:
even if that's true, it still makes it hard for me to relate, especially given how defective I am and how much I muck things up



He comes for the humble, not the proud

------------------
Passion, Lust, Desire. Check out my journal


http://www.mychristianpsychic.com/

IP: Logged

T
Knowflake

Posts: 7085
From:
Registered: Apr 2009

posted August 25, 2012 07:45 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for T     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
He comes for everyone and everything that was ever Created.

IP: Logged

juniperb
Moderator

Posts: 4588
From: Blue Star Kachina
Registered: Apr 2009

posted August 25, 2012 08:59 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for juniperb     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by T:
He comes for everyone and everything that was ever Created.

Indeed T. It is us who must recognise and accept him

------------------
We dance around the ring and suppose, but the secret sits in the middle and Knows
Robert Frost

IP: Logged

Padre35
Knowflake

Posts: 379
From: charlotte, NC, US
Registered: Jul 2012

posted August 26, 2012 11:55 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Padre35     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by juniperb:
Yes, they would be non-canon. But then again, the Nicean fellows didn`t tamper with them either. I would say it all depends on in what one is seeking .


The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ, Levi H. Dowling.


Not a Nag Hammadi Text but a good one (imo)

There are 18 years of Jesus' life missing in the Bible (ages 12–30). The Aquarian Gospel documents these 18 years as a time when Jesus travels to the centers of wisdom in India, Tibet & Western India, Persia, Assyria, Greece, and Egypt. In each of these capital cities, he is educated, tested, and teaches the religious leaders. Jesus inevitably proves that he is 'God's chosen one' (the Christ) in these locales and brings back this multi-cultural wisdom and confidence to Galilee & Judea.
Jesus puts on the role of The Christ, but is not automatically Christ by nature. By making himself, through desire, effort, ability and prayer, a fit vessel, Jesus enabled The Christ to dwell within him. Christ is therefore used as a term for the seemingly perfect human being that Jesus exemplified, a human being that has been "Christened" (anointed) and therefore made holy.
Jesus came to earth to show the way back to God via his lifestyle and teachings. He is the example we must model our own lives after, if we seek salvation.
Reincarnation exists and karma ("You reap what you sow") is the explanation for various injustices. Reincarnation allows people to settle debts they have incurred in past lives.
Humanity has forgotten God and is currently working its way back to fully remembering God.
Time is separated into ages. These ages last approximately 2,000 years. We are now nearing the start of the Aquarian Age (December 21, 2012).
All souls will eventually mature and evolve towards the perfect, like Jesus the Christ.
No soul is ever abandoned by God.
(source wiki)


One of the reasons why those yrs are not covered is this:

A Rabbi could not teach until they were..30..even though Jesus chatted with the Temple knuckleheads as a youth, he was not vested enough to teach until he was of age in the Israeli society of the day.

IP: Logged

Padre35
Knowflake

Posts: 379
From: charlotte, NC, US
Registered: Jul 2012

posted August 26, 2012 11:58 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Padre35     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by RegardesPlatero:
Something that I've always wondered, though: how can Jesus fully relate to us, and us to him, if Jesus never sinned or screwed up or did something stupid? That's a HUGE part of the human experience. I've thought about that a lot.

B/c he understands the "why" we would choose to do those things, which what makes Christ so cool, he knows this stuff so it is no surprise to Him, so he is then not disappointed in us..he expects it to happen.

Life gives us feedback, Christ offers us a path that works, "we" choose what does not work, Christ does not then jettison us, "we" can always pull back onto his path and choose life so to speak.

IP: Logged

Ami Anne
Moderator

Posts: 35676
From: Pluto/house next to NickiG
Registered: Sep 2010

posted August 26, 2012 12:03 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Ami Anne     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Padre35:
B/c he understands the "why" we would choose to do those things, which what makes Christ so cool, he knows this stuff so it is no surprise to Him, so he is then not disappointed in us..he expects it to happen.

Life gives us feedback, Christ offers us a path that works, "we" choose what does not work, Christ does not then jettison us, "we" can always pull back onto his path and choose life so to speak.


------------------
Passion, Lust, Desire. Check out my journal


http://www.mychristianpsychic.com/

IP: Logged

Ami Anne
Moderator

Posts: 35676
From: Pluto/house next to NickiG
Registered: Sep 2010

posted August 26, 2012 12:10 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Ami Anne     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Padre
Do you believe in extra biblical works? I believe the only divinely inspired book is the Bible, as you probably know.

What do you believe about Divine Inspiration( if you do)

------------------
Passion, Lust, Desire. Check out my journal


http://www.mychristianpsychic.com/

IP: Logged

Padre35
Knowflake

Posts: 379
From: charlotte, NC, US
Registered: Jul 2012

posted August 26, 2012 12:38 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Padre35     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Ami Anne:
Padre
Do you believe in extra biblical works? I believe the only divinely inspired book is the Bible, as you probably know.

What do you believe about Divine Inspiration( if you do)


Well AA, some works have a "feel" to them, you can sense what is probably divinely inspired and what is pablum.

The Gnostic Gospels for example, seem like pablum, Esdras I and II are solid and imo, Divinely inspired.

IP: Logged


This topic is 2 pages long:   1  2 

All times are Eastern Standard Time

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Administrative Options: Close Topic | Archive/Move | Delete Topic
Post New Topic  Post A Reply
Hop to:

Contact Us | Linda-Goodman.com

Copyright © 2012

Powered by Infopop www.infopop.com © 2000
Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.46a