Hi Ray,
Humans are an interesting species. Truth or facts or evidence are not required we believe because we want to believe. Because of what we believe so strongly others think we are wacky. Ask a Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or even a Methodist. Christians are known more for what they are against than what they are for.
The bible tells us we will find that for which we are searching. And if we do not love truth God will see to it we are condemned (I will provide the support for this statement if you like).
Some folks believe Jonah was swallowed by a whale while evidence proves whales cannot swallow an object of any size. Of course we cannot discount that Jonah was a dwarf or the size of Jimimy Cricket or even Tinkerbell. The word translated whale means large fish but that does not detour the whale believers who continue to believe a translator's slant over facts.
You and many others I have asked say you pray because the Bible says pray. James says we have to "ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts…must not suppose they will receive anything from the Lord." I cannot pray for sick people or anything physical without doubting because my observation and experience tell me the only way seriously ill people get off the prayer list is for them to die and as Jesus said "His kingdom is not of this world." James also said we pray and do not receive because we ask wrongly. I am now aware anyone considers the reason those folks die is due to us asking wrongly for the wrong purpose etc. When I ask for examples of God healing I am given "there was this old woman a couple of years ago….."
Most of us cannot apply what we intellectually understand. Read Romans 13:1-6. Paul was talking about Caesar and history shows how Caesar treated Christians apparently under the guidance of God. Let's say God was talking to those who founded the United State now read it again. My guess is you support the Revolutionary war, as do I, and we are both rejecting Paul's instructions to the Romans. Now let's say Paul was talking to the Syrians today:
Romans 13:1-6
Let every soul be subject to BASHAR ALASAD. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists BASHAR ALASAD resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For BASHAR ALASAD is not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of BASHAR ALASAD? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For BASHAR ALASAD is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for BASHAR ALASAD is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing. Now substitute Barack Obama.
We believe what we want to believe.
So you will not be afraid of a deluge of emails I am going to send you ONE more email with excerpts from emails I have sent to Al asking questions, which he has to date not answered. He believes what he wants to believe as do we all.
Thanks, John Jenkins
Gatlinburg, TN
Richard E. Simmons III
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