i've seen God intervene in many ways, and sometimes not intervene when i don't understand. God does not force Himself on mankind, He could, but He does not.He did give some basic laws for the Jews(not the pile of things they have accumulated, lol) He knew men would break them, because we are sinful by nature. there are consecquences of sin, and even if you're forgiven, that doesn't mean you won't suffer the "natural" consequences of sin. the laws that people make for themselves, which include some form of many of His laws(at least in the us) are to be upheld by people. God could do it, but He does give us free will, about more than just accepting Him. i wouldn't call allowing Himself to come to earth as the Son, to suffer the consequences of our sin, so that we could have redemption, as standing back and watching.
Have you ever told a child that you were going to punish them if they did something.(like grounded from tv for a week, etc.) and then, when they did just that, you backed off of the punishment, maybe making it easier, or "forgetting" to enforce it.(like: but mom, I HAVE to watch American Idol!)
if we got what we deserve for our actions, there wouldn't have been anyone left a long time ago. and God did send the flood. and He is going to send fire some day to destroy this earth, after the millenium. ok, i know you can't hear the tone in typing , so know that i am not upset or wanting to force something on you. but i would love for everyone to be able to have the personal relationship that i have with the LORD, that is what He wants--a relationship/love from us that is not forced, but given freely. "nuff said"
cathy

If the man in the pulpit is a true servent of God, he is not telling you what to do with your life. he is telling everyone what the Word of God (God's own direction)
says about each life. God is to lead your life, if you have surrendered. the minister is simply someone to explain God's Word, and draw your attention to it.
there some that are in some kind of power thing, but that is not from God.
cathy

Hey Cathy, strong stuff girl. Have you ever considered becoming a minister, lol.
But there is a line from "Romans" 5, which says "Vengence is mine, I shall re-payeth said the lord". I've always liked that even more after the scum that shot that little girl in Bosnia 13 years ago. But the last chapter in the bible is good. The Book of Revelations. I some times read that.
But I love a lot of friends that are Jewish, Muslim, Sikh and Catholic and they are great mates and we always wind each other up about our religeons. Which is fun. If you take it serious you could end up in the Nut House.
Take Care Cathy, You always shoot from the hip, good on yer girl.
Scott

scott i am not trying to be harsh. i have friends that are other religions, and just non-christians. my job is to love them, to show them the love of Christ, and be available to pray for them, or with them, and show them how to get a personal relationship with Him IF they ask. we are not to mistreat anyone, reguardless of religion, race, even sexual pref.(not condone, love the person, God will take care of the rest) you would like my husband, he teaches a lot of prophecy classes in Rev. and Daniel. yeah, he's a preacher (that's country for minister) and yeah i'm hardheaded sometimes, but it's out of love, really!
cathy

Thanks Cathy.
Being Scottish I like people for who they are and not what they are. All this religious bigotry really shames me, especially here in the West of Scotland and Northern Ireland where I did several tours of duty.
Over here the first thing some people ask you is, what soccer team do you support, Rangers or Celtic. Let me explain: The supporters of Rangers are Prodestant and the supporters of Celtic are Catholic. And when both teams meet they scream religous bile at each other. Don't get me wrong, the majority of the supporters are ok. But it is the few bigots that make the trouble. Some prodestants are members of the Orange Lodge, and they are very anti-catholic. It is the same in Northern Ireland, when the marching season starts in June, the trouble starts and it is left to the police and soldiers to try and keep the peace. Its a hard job, I've done it.
I do a lot of praying at home especially at night. When I put the light out, I just lie there in the darkness and pray. When I left the Army I thought about being a Minister in the Church of Scotland, I felt I had some kind of calling. Does that sound weird to you. But now that I have Combat Stress and PTSD there is no way that I would be suitable for it.
Thanks for listening to me Cathy, you're a good mate and you say it like it is.
Cheers
Scott:music:

Jock,

I appoligize for jumping in this so late. To be honest I guess I was really avoiding it. Being overseas really did change my views on alot of things, including religion. I remember our chaplin would give sunday service every sunday without a miss. I never "attended" but was always an earshot away. I think to me that was a time for me to reflect on my sorroundings and prefered to be alone. Its hard to think that there is good in the world when you see so much going on around you. Its tough, especially since I think you have to believe in something in order to make it through mentaly. You want to believe that there is an ultimate good you are working towards after all,.. here is my issue, I didnt and dont see the good after the bad. This really makes you question your beliefs.

Thanks DD, your advice is much appreciated buddy.
Cheers
Jock

I know this is a 'hard to accept' fact, but here goes. The reason things such as murder, violence and all of the sin that goes with it is allowed to continue, is simple. When the Archetect of the universe created man it was with one concept in Mind. Companionship. Our Lord wishes to have willing servants, not mindless slaves. He can make all of those He wants.
To have willing servants, those beings, (us) must have freedom of choice. To acheive this end, evil had to come into existance. Good must have its alturnitive, or its contrast. For all of this to run its race, for the most part He does not interfere. It is beyond imagining the tears Jesus has shed for the atrosities commited in His Name. WE, WE are resposible as humanity, for the horror that goes on down here, not God. We have been given the choice to choose good or evil. What you see as God given trauma is accualy the results of decisions being made by us.
You see, God has given us more than one wonderful gift, the least of which is not, the freedom to be resposible for our own actions. By giving us such freedom, we are made more like Him.
Personally I thank Him most for Jesus. A way for me to see Him as one of us. Keep your eye on the ball. It's not about how many times you go to church a week, it's about having a personal relationship with Jesus. All you have to do is call His Name. He will hear and will see you through. For me this is not faith but knowledge.


Wayne

Hi Wayne.
Thanks for your messge, its a bit heavy going but I take on your point of view. But like the title of my thread, can a soldier be a christian at the same time, as basically we are trained to commit legalised murder, Anthony and DD know what I'm talking about.
Cheers Wayne
Scott

ya, scott, many wars/battles in the Bible. same situation, sometimes even told to fight by God. you can be both, i have a friend with ptsd from viet nam, and he is a solid Christian. you just have to get past blaming yourself, and then blaming God. Blame sin.