Sunday, January 30, 2005
Masks vs. Faces
I feel so...weird. I never thought I would feel this way in my walk with Jesus. Was it James who told me that to be a Christian was to be out of your comfort zone all the time? That if you were comfortable then something was wrong? Sounds like something he would say...I'm not quite to the uncomfortable level yet...but it's climbing, I think.
I'm definately to the point where "sunday school answers" won't...don't satisfy me. Like everything before now seemed candy coated...and don't ask me why I'm just now coming to this realization. And we all know there's certain things the church won't talk about- for whatever reason- that I want to hear a Christian view on! So many people that I come in contact with won't tell teens what they think or their view because it's not allowed or something like that- and it's mostly Teachers that have that problem, and I know it's for the good of the schools or whatever, but that doesn't make me NOT want to hear their opinion on things that matter.
So to come to church and have them shut me out on things I truly want to learn about angers me. And I want to hear the true answers. Yes, I know I'm not supposed to have sex before marriage, but what steps should/can I take so that won't happen? Suicide is wrong yes, but what makes it wrong? Yes, we're supposed to share our feelings with other Christians, but why should I burden them with my problems and how will that help me? Jesus tells us He will give us abundant life, but How can we live our lives abundantly following Him?
None of these are yes/no questions! And yes, sometimes I may revert to my young years and want an easy answer that's quick, but that's not what I NEED. I guess I'm getting a tad bit fed up with sugar answers and sweet comments. Jesus wasn't like that, so why should the church? Jesus gave the truth- and didn't care about what the price was for it...shouldn't the church be the same?
I'm definately to the point where "sunday school answers" won't...don't satisfy me. Like everything before now seemed candy coated...and don't ask me why I'm just now coming to this realization. And we all know there's certain things the church won't talk about- for whatever reason- that I want to hear a Christian view on! So many people that I come in contact with won't tell teens what they think or their view because it's not allowed or something like that- and it's mostly Teachers that have that problem, and I know it's for the good of the schools or whatever, but that doesn't make me NOT want to hear their opinion on things that matter.
So to come to church and have them shut me out on things I truly want to learn about angers me. And I want to hear the true answers. Yes, I know I'm not supposed to have sex before marriage, but what steps should/can I take so that won't happen? Suicide is wrong yes, but what makes it wrong? Yes, we're supposed to share our feelings with other Christians, but why should I burden them with my problems and how will that help me? Jesus tells us He will give us abundant life, but How can we live our lives abundantly following Him?
None of these are yes/no questions! And yes, sometimes I may revert to my young years and want an easy answer that's quick, but that's not what I NEED. I guess I'm getting a tad bit fed up with sugar answers and sweet comments. Jesus wasn't like that, so why should the church? Jesus gave the truth- and didn't care about what the price was for it...shouldn't the church be the same?
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What makes suicide wrong?
Well, your question seems theoretical and not personal, so here's some possible answers, starting with the theological:
We are commanded: Thou shalt not kill (that means you can't kill yourself);
Only God can create life; since we cannot create life we are not free to destroy it (including our own. However--you'll like this since it's not a simple answer--there are circumstances under which killing another is permitted);
Life is a gift from God, therefore, to end your own life represents a rebellion against God;
Suicide is an unforgivable sin because once the suicide is dead, repentence and return to God are impossible
That's about all the theological reasons I can come up with, but there are many non-theological reasons as well:
Death causes grief to people who love you and who you love. (See my blog's Sunday post to get a glimpse at grief, and that was an accidental death.) Suicides cause survivors particular pain because they feel responsible or, at the very least, feel they should have realized how troubled the suicide was and tried to help.
Life can surprise you. A life that seems overwhelmed by problems can, in fact, change for the better--but not if you're dead. I always like the quote, I don't know who said it: Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Or, as Jimmy Buffet says, some of it's tragic and some of it's magic. If you check out during the tragic, you're gonna miss the magic.
Suicidal feelings are often the result of a medical problem: depression. This is a treatable medical problem.
If you or someone you know are thinking about suicide there is a great page with great advice at http://www.metanoia.org/suicide/
Well, your question seems theoretical and not personal, so here's some possible answers, starting with the theological:
We are commanded: Thou shalt not kill (that means you can't kill yourself);
Only God can create life; since we cannot create life we are not free to destroy it (including our own. However--you'll like this since it's not a simple answer--there are circumstances under which killing another is permitted);
Life is a gift from God, therefore, to end your own life represents a rebellion against God;
Suicide is an unforgivable sin because once the suicide is dead, repentence and return to God are impossible
That's about all the theological reasons I can come up with, but there are many non-theological reasons as well:
Death causes grief to people who love you and who you love. (See my blog's Sunday post to get a glimpse at grief, and that was an accidental death.) Suicides cause survivors particular pain because they feel responsible or, at the very least, feel they should have realized how troubled the suicide was and tried to help.
Life can surprise you. A life that seems overwhelmed by problems can, in fact, change for the better--but not if you're dead. I always like the quote, I don't know who said it: Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Or, as Jimmy Buffet says, some of it's tragic and some of it's magic. If you check out during the tragic, you're gonna miss the magic.
Suicidal feelings are often the result of a medical problem: depression. This is a treatable medical problem.
If you or someone you know are thinking about suicide there is a great page with great advice at http://www.metanoia.org/suicide/
Ok for those of you who don't know T-heresa she was talking about the discussion we had with our youth pastor.
It's an unknown because it would be like you're about to crash in your car and die you cuss and don't have time to ask for forgiveness. Where do you go? Heaven or Hell? Since all sins are equal in the eyes of God what happens? That's what was meant by unknowns.
For me the only conclusion I have come up with is that if you are a person with a mental issue and you know longer really know what's going on is a whole different thing from openly refusing God's law when you're right in the head. That's sort of like a final denial of God.
It's an unknown because it would be like you're about to crash in your car and die you cuss and don't have time to ask for forgiveness. Where do you go? Heaven or Hell? Since all sins are equal in the eyes of God what happens? That's what was meant by unknowns.
For me the only conclusion I have come up with is that if you are a person with a mental issue and you know longer really know what's going on is a whole different thing from openly refusing God's law when you're right in the head. That's sort of like a final denial of God.
# posted by 
: 9:41 PM
: 9:41 PM
Hey, I want to talk about the sex thing. God topic T! Here's what I would suggest to you to help yourself not have sex before marriage. BIG ONE. Never be alone with a guy you love or even like a lot in a setting where you can't be walked in on at any minute. No "home alone" That's all it takes. Too simple?...well I heard the lady on the radio saying that you should draw a definite line in the sand in your mind of what is okay and what isn't. BE SPECIFIC. Yes to holding hands (obviously) yes to kissing while standing up. No to kissing while lying down. Yes to touching above the neck. No to touching the area between the chest and breasts. Yes to touching ... take it from there. AND this lady recommended saving some things for the engagment period. Like, I can;t remember what, but we can all imagine (wait don't think about it too much about that, that's trouble too!) Let's face it, sex is a strong drive, we gotta have a plan!
AllieB
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AllieB
# posted by : 7:50 PM
: 7:50 PM << Home
