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indianabob:
Joe and Craig & all others,
Thank you for the thoughtful input.
We need to keep the free will vs. choice topic fresh in our minds.
So many people in Christendom are deceived into thinking that the unchurched, the agnostics and even the professed atheist have chosen to ignore or reject God and Christ. Then they think that they, being sincerely concerned for these folks, should pray for their eyes to be opened and for them, the unchurched, to be called into their one true denomination be it Baptist, Presbyterian or Church of God.
I truly believe it would be helpful to develop a short presentation of these ideas, that would stimulate interest and perhaps lead to deeper study, even if it was mostly based upon accurate definitions of terms.
So, thank you again for the helpful comments and references. I think we have a little more work to do for the benefit of even those of us who agree and yet retain some confusion in our own minds.
Regards, Bob
hdjohn:
Hi,
I just wanted to say how impressed I am with all of your opinions on topics here on this forum especially ya'lls concern for the new guy, or gal and how they think!!!!!
THANKS,
Samson:
Hey Brother Musicman,
Firstly, this is an interesting thread, their are some good comments posted, I especially liked Craig's first post, that showed great insight, the INNER VOICE and the closer you get to God and desire to do what's right and please him, the more difficult it becomes to make choices.
Also, living with the consequences of our choices, thereafter, but we always have the opportunity to learn from them and be disiplined.
As Craig stated, we might have an opinion about what someone should or shouldn't do and that's all it would be, our opinion. It's your choice to make, no passing of Judgement will originate with me. I never had a circumstance like yours.
I would like to share two Scriptures that came to my mind while viewing this thread and that's all their meant to be, a sharing.
Romans. 14:23, " But if he doubts, he is already condemned if he eats, because he does not eat out of faith. Indeed, everything that is not out of faith is sin. "
2 Corinthians. 1:12, " For the thing we boast of is this, to which our conscience bears witness, that with holiness and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but with God's grace, we have conducted ourselves in the world, but more especially towards you."
Just mentioned those Scriptures to you as a sharing, nothing else, but my wife and I especially thought Craig's first post was excellent and right on target.
Your brother, Samson.
keth30:
This is just my opinion, and since your asking, I'll go ahead and give it.
To me it's not the same as an electrician going in to work at a synagogue that doesn't share the same belief systems. The music that you are playing actually has a message to it, and if you strongly disagree with the message, even perceive it to be a blasphemous lie, yet you deliver the message and take money, how is it different from the preacher who delivers his sermon and gets paid from his flock? At least the preacher believes what he is teaching....... It just feels like dirty money.
I'm not judging you. I personally have wrestled with this same issue as I am a singer and my husband is a record producer for his own small label. (It's his hobby, not our income) My husband, who does not have the same belief system as me, has been at me for years to cut a gospel album. I refuse because I know that his purpose is to make money, and I cannot bring myself to sell any sort of message that I feel God has given me. It just feels like I would be selling God.
Ultimately it is between you and God.
I hope this didn't sound too harsh, as I'm truly not judging you. I'm still a smoker... :)
In love,
Keth30
psalmsinger:
From your post Joe, quoting Ray : When one makes a choice, one selects what one prefers
Strange that the very week that I posted my first reply to this subject, I was offered a paying position as choir director.....LOL Normally, I would have adamantly refuse at the first, but I was asked to pray about it and so I did. This time I ask God what was the purpose of the offer and what was His will in the matter. I had no desire to do this, but I really wanted to fulfill God's will in the matter and not my own. I spent some time talking to God about many situations I've been through to sort through His will. What were "they " thinking of, knowing my beliefs were not one with theirs? I could not imagine going through all that hogwash again. I could not return to my "vomit". That was a good reflection time. I remembered this statement from Ray, brought forth by Joe and Arcturus........ and politely turned it down. I still love music, feeling that I only have to practice/play/teach for the "Chief Musician" . Thanks everyone, maybe the Lord will allow us to jam sometime:)
Rest in the Lord,
Barbara
--- Quote from: Arcturus on March 25, 2008, 01:53:40 PM ---From your post Joe, quoting Ray : When one makes a choice, one selects what one prefers
This is so revealing as to show us what we prefer. WHAT WE PREFER, points to our spiritual condition. This is why we work out our salvation in fear and trembling because God willing, He shows to us our spiritual condition. When God does this, the consequence should be, fear and trembling knowing God is the potter and we are the clay. Only by His Grace we are made into vessles that house the Spirit of His Son.
Peace to you
Arcturus :)
--- End quote ---
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