[blindzebra]

Rachel.
i love this stuff too! that is why i like coming here.
and also i have the pleasure of meeting some wonderful people
who are seeking, just like you are. Just like i am.

Welcome. to me, if "belonging to Jesus" means "being religious", with crosses all over the house, little pictures of Jesus, a bumper sitcker on my car, then i do not "belong to Jesus". I see the hypocrisy and uselessness of all that too.
Jesus is not in the crosses or the little statues or in a picture.
We don't even know what he looked like. in fact, Isaiah 53 indicates he was most likely not very physically attractive. What IS attractive about him is his WAY and Manner. How he spoke and those whom he loved
--the sinners. the ones cast out by society...like your friend. He is deeply compassionate.
You will not fall in love with his appearance...we have not seen him, and no picture is accurate.
But what you will fall in love with is his heart. and his message.
But Jesus is Real. And The Father who sent him forth is Real.

And the bible is real too....but the message men preach is greatly distorted.

Have you read the gospels? there are 4. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John.
i love them. They tell of Jesus, and the focus is upon him and upon his words that are written for us to teach us about the Father.

I encourage you to read them for yourself. God's Word is powerful.
and beautiful. the Son of God is beautiful to the heart of an innocent lamb. to his sheep. the sheep are precious, and he laid down his life for the sheep.
For he is the True Shepherd of the Sheep.
and his sheep will hear his voice,
and they will follow Him. where ever he goes, they will follow. For He is the shepherd.

and he KNOWS his sheep. and he finds even every lost one.
He searches for them until he finds them
and these he brings home to himself.

But look out for wolves in sheeps covering.
we are not to follow other sheep...!!
we are to follow the Shepherd of the sheep.
Each one, the Shepherd calls, by name.
Jesus is the fine shepherd.
and all the things he did,
he did to show us the Father.
for the Father sent that one forth,
that we might have life through him.

Rachel. so glad you are here.
May the Fine Shepherd, shepherd you, and lead you to him.
Listen for his voice. do not listen to the voice of a stranger.
but look to where it is written.
and listen to Jesus.
Jesus still speaks.

with love, and may the Father of tender mercy, bless you.
blindzebra

Jesus calls "little children". in fact if we are not like little children,
we will by no means enter into the kingdom of God.
and "out of the mouths of babes, he will bring forth praise."

May that One bless you.

welcome to the forum!

[wernotalone]

Ephesians 4

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5. One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

God Bless you and welcome!

[youngRachel]

Yes, that is Shakira in my icon.

Thanks for your long heart-filled replies. I realized I may now be agnostic. But, If I'm gonna find Jesus I'm gonna find him on my own time. I'm not gonna force myself on anything. It'll just happen. You know, like fate. When and if I'm supposed to find him, I will. I'm not gonna read the bible or start going to church. I'm not gonna confess my sins, because I have done nothing.(at least I don't think) That is from being raised with morals and values.

What is exactly supposed to happen? Is Jesus coming from somewhere? I hear about some rock he's gonna come out of? I don't understand. What's he gonna do and where's he gonna take all the people? What about the people who don't believe, like me. Are they not going or will they get a special place in heaven? What if I declare myself a believer at the moment I actually see Jesus, just from seeing him and realizing it's real.

My views won't change on being Pro-choice and gay marriage. The thing that has always aggrivated me about christians is they try to change a person from being homosexual. A person cannot choose their sexual orientation. You are either born that way or brought upon that decision in your life and experiences. It's how your brain is wired.
I don't like the Jehovah and Mormom people coming to my door and asking to pray for me.

[AppyGroove]

If not for soul searching... at least read the Bible as an ancient manuscript...

a version?
From time to time, I pick up Eugene Peterson's interpretation:

THE MESSAGE

Its not a hard read... Its in 20th century conversation language. And what's neat about the version, is the interpretator Peterson does not want THE MESSAGE in pews.

You can pick up one at any Christian book store, walmart, etc.

cheers....

[kim48]

APPYGROOVE
I LIKE THAT I THINK I WILL GO CHECK IT OUT.
Eugene Peterson's interpretation
KIM