Re: Re: God’s Neat, Let’s Eat?
| Posted On: 06/23/07 03:35:29 PM |
Age 51, TX |
What in the world is this guy even talking about??? Does not seem to relate to this article.
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Re: God’s Neat, Let’s Eat?
| Posted On: 06/21/07 10:30:58 PM |
Age 51, GA |
What's the problem Brannon lack of courage, or simply can't stand postings that hit too close to the truth? Do you really stand for the truth, or is it just a facade? I rarely post on your site anymore, because of this tendency towards cowardly censorship. You can dish it out, but you can't take it. Why is that Brannon? Be glad to debate you any time, if you have the courage... Surely, you know we have not been given the spirit of fear.
PTLJ!
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Re: God’s Neat, Let’s Eat?
| Posted On: 06/20/07 12:10:58 PM |
Age 52, MN |
Alfred Eidersheim in his classic work: The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah spoke about the blessing. The Jews had a standard blessing which Jesus likely used. As best as I can recall it went something like this: Blessed are You Yahweh, King of the Universe, who causes the earth to bring forth its fruit (i.e. food). Assuming that is correct it makes the blessing directed at God rather than our food, or health, conversation or digestion. A significant difference.
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Re: God’s Neat, Let’s Eat?
| Posted On: 06/20/07 08:09:00 AM |
Age 67, MN |
Your article reminds me of a book I read years ago entitled something like, "How Much Prayer Does a Hamburger Need?"
I agree with your deduction. Years ago my husband and I started the practice of lifting our filled plates of food slightly off the table with heads bowed offering it as a sacrifice to our Lord with thanksgiving. It eliminates the repetitious meaningless words and replaces them with a jester of honor and a thankful heart.
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Re: Re: God’s Neat, Let’s Eat?
| Posted On: 06/19/07 11:15:11 PM |
Age 51, TX |
While I certainly agree with Ray Baumann's comments, that our prayers, especially at mealtime often become just a quickly recited and meaningless string of words from memory, I must disagree with the first poster. True enough that the words "Under God" was not added until the 50's, but we must draw the line somewhere and since it is documented that our nation was founded upon Godly principles and by God fearing men and women, I believe it is worth the fight to keep God in the pledge. Otherwise, why not examine a few other words in our pledge? For instance...one nation? Are we really, when a public school in California is shown with the flag of Mexico flying above the upside down U.S. flag? Indivisible? There is probably more divisiveness in this nation today than during the times of the Civil War. With Liberty and Justice for All? More and more of our liberties are being taken away or are under attack daily, especially those of Christians in this nation. And one doesn't need to look far to see that if you have enough money, justice can be bought. True unity, true liberty and true justice all come from and through God and His Son Jesus Christ. While the Word of God does not hinge upon the traditions of man, God does want His people to love, honor, revere and submit to Him and His authority. We should remain one nation Under God and our pledge should reflect that.
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Re: God’s Neat, Let’s Eat?
| Posted On: 06/19/07 03:47:20 PM |
Age 37, GA |
I've had similar epiphanies regarding such things as ending prayers with 'In Jesus' name. Amen.'
It's just a habit. And do we really think if we utter the magic phrase that God is bound to honor our request? I guess some do, but ultimately 'In Jesus' name' really means to do something for Jesus, to be in his will, doing his will, and does not mean binding God to do our will because we uttered a magic phrase.
There's nothing we routinely do as part of our church service that is anything more than tradition. Why, we could have the sermon, then the singing!
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Re: God’s Neat, Let’s Eat?
| Posted On: 06/19/07 12:33:17 PM |
Age 56, MN |
FIrst off I very much appreciate Rays thinking.
I do wish tho PEOPLE would stop saying this error, we are born with sin.
NO man is born with sin in them.
We are born ((( INTO ))) a world of sin.
MEN need to read the word better to see, the word says SIN entered ( the WORLD ) never did it say it entered men.
YET people say we are born with sin.
NO we are not, we become sinners, no one is born one.
the rest of the food thing i agree with. DONT say a prayer again and again without first thinking what your saying.
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Re: God’s Neat, Let’s Eat?
| Posted On: 06/19/07 10:42:43 AM |
Age 68, AL |
Whether at McDonald's or Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, God is not examining the syntax of our prayer of "thanks", "grace", "blessing" or whatever you choose to call it. He is simply pleased that we are willing to humble ourselves and acknowledge Him before we partake of the meal.
Equally important, the act and expression of "saying grace" at home and/or publicly is a means of testimony to our family members and to anyone who happens to observe us, that we boldly proclaim our faith in a living, loving personal God.
Having said that, I personally think a short, unpretentious utterance with heads bowed, is very appropriate ... perhaps even more appropriate than a commitment to produce an original prayer that is exactly appropriate for each and every occasion. I'm not so sure God is impressed with that performance, either.
bfm
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Re: God’s Neat, Let’s Eat?
| Posted On: 06/19/07 08:50:55 AM |
Age 47, TX |
Absolutely neat to see God's people struggle with honoring Him with words from a sincere heart!
While our family never really think of "blessing the food", we often find ourselves giving thanks for all kinds of things other than but also including the food before us. Being together in prayer at that time, we feel very free to ask for blessings in many areas and give thanks for all areas. Like the author , we can get a sense of needing refreshing from time to time to keep it real.
As we open our hearts before Him, it is becoming much easier for that flood of thanks to find it's way into the prayer. We are truely thankful for all He is doing in our lives.
Years ago, I took a Sunday school class of 2nd graders to McDonalds. As we sat down, I said " Let's pray ". One of the kids replied " Are we going to pray here?" My answer was " Are you thankful here?. Then yes, we are going to pray here." For some of us the habit of traditional prayer even has a location which is only at home or on holidays or if the family all eats together or at the table.
As we are told, it is good to examine ourselves and allow the Lord to do so on a regular basis. How else can we be discipled to His image?
Blessings,
Shirley Skidmore
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Re: God’s Neat, Let’s Eat?
| Posted On: 06/19/07 08:50:15 AM |
Age 47, TX |
Absolutely neat to see God's people struggle with honoring Him with words from a sincere heart!
While our family never really think of "blessing the food", we often find ourselves giving thanks for all kinds of things other than but also including the food before us. Being together in prayer at that time, we feel very free to ask for blessings in many areas and give thanks for all areas. Like the author , we can get a sense of needing refreshing from time to time to keep it real.
As we open our hearts before Him, it is becoming much easier for that flood of thanks to find it's way into the prayer. We are truely thankful for all He is doing in our lives.
Years ago, I took a Sunday school class of 2nd graders to McDonalds. As we sat down, I said " Let's pray ". One of the kids replied " Are we going to pray here?" My answer was " Are you thankful here?. Then yes, we are going to pray here." For some of us the habit of traditional prayer even has a location which is only at home or on holidays or if the family all eats together or at the table.
As we are told, it is good to examine ourselves and allow the Lord to do so on a regular basis. How else can we be discipled to His image?
Blessings,
Shirley Skidmore
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Re: God’s Neat, Let’s Eat?
| Posted On: 06/19/07 05:55:30 AM |
Age 44, PA |
Jesus said, when you pray, pray in secreat, but as allways traditions overide biblical commands. We are to be thankfull in "all" things but go into your closet and pray. I hate it when I see christians saying grace and then leave a small tip for the waitress. If you teach your unthankfull, unregenerate children to recite a tradition prayer, attent church then they are OK, everyone is just fooling everyone!
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Re: God’s Neat, Let’s Eat?
| Posted On: 06/15/07 06:04:30 PM |
Age 47, CA |
As the so called "Godless Left seeks to tear down our "Christian Traditions" It is a good opportunity for us to ask "Is this Scriptural or jusr a human tradition? We try to defend every tradition reguardless of weather it is commanded by Scripture or just a human invented tradition. Another example is our vigorus attempt to defend the words "Under God" in the pledge. Not only were those words inserted into the pledge back in the 50's but the pledge its self was instituted during the reconstruction era following the civil war.
Like so many other human traditions, it is not worth expending any time, money, or energy to defend. The Gospel does not stand or fall over any human invented tradition.
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