As a prisoner for the Lord

I like how Einstein summed it up...

A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.

And no...socialism doesnt count as being compassionate.

originally posted by: Deetermined

Ephesians 4 was a letter that Paul wrote to the Ephesians while he was literally sitting in a Roman prison.

It never ceases to amaze how a favorite pastime of web forums is twisting scripture into pretzels, a lot of weirdness divorced from all common sense that would not be confusing, if somebody was reading a history book. The Bible is mainly very literal, only metaphorical where clearly so in the context or application of an illustrative phrase. Here, you have a thread OP and page that's, as if, mainly people on drugs, you the only person to mention the obvious, a conclusion it seems nobody else can come to here: Paul refers to himself as a prisoner because, what do you know, he was in prison when he wrote his, what are even known as, "prison letters" to scholars.

During his second missionary journey, late 49 AD, Paul spends an unspecified time in a Philippian jail cell with fellow evangelist Silas. Paul is arrested in 58 AD by Roman troops who save him from being killed in a temple riot. He is taken to Caesarea where he spends a little more than two years in prison. In 60 AD Paul, as prisoner, is taken to Rome. When his case is heard he is acquitted in the Spring of 63 AD. Paul is back in a Roman prison in the city of Rome in 67 AD. Paul stays in jail until he is put to death by the Romans around May or June 68 AD. During his ministry the Apostle Paul spends roughly 6 years as a prisoner or in prison.

But, of course, this being the web, proclaiming one's self a prisoner can't possibly mean one is a prisoner. Perish the thought! ATS, where, if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it must be a frog.

As to prison being metaphorical? Paul didn't consider himself wholly free, in Christ, no matter where he was: Paul considered himself a prisoner, spiritually? Uh huh. Sure. John 8:36, Romans 3:2, 1 Corinthians 7:22, 1 Corinthians 9:1, Galatians 5:1.

Many of you are prisoners, though, of your sin and error, can understand how the unrepentant would call themselves prisoners. You're just a miserable prisoner of the devil, without Christ, with twisted minds and posting incoherent nonsense.

a reply to: Tempter

"We are the ones we have been waiting for" - June Jordan(?)

"Know thyself" - Unknown

"To thine own self be true" - Shakespeare

"Learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all" - Michael Masser

These are not just shallow philosophical ramblings. Learn what these quotes mean and you will be a better person for it. Stop searching outside yourself, and look within. Stop giving your autonomy to others and be sovereign. I am not saying it will be easy. It will be a journey that will last the rest of your life.

You can't change from the outside in. You must change from the inside out.

a reply to: Tempter



WWJT? What Would Jesus Type?


He NEVER said "Pray to Me and ALL will be well..."

ALL Religions™ are 'different' It is these differences that make them the 'same' so remove what is the 'same' and the TRUTH will be revealed.

When I type TRUTH I mean something that will NEVER change. The definition of TRUTH..
You're typing about about "WHICH VERSION"??

I mean look: King James Version II, 3rd-re-write; 4th re-vision

a reply to: JimNasium


King James Version II 3rd-re-write; 4th re-vision. It has been REVISED.. Not to mention it was interpreted by TheQuorum™ and they obviously had "Mother Issues" so they removed 'Lilith'...


Wouldn't it have SOLD more copies if Gilgamesh stayed Gilgamesh?

My Father does art in Heaven...

Religion™ is a TRAP

originally posted by: pointessa

How do you overcome your past mistakes? There is nothing to do about them except live in the present moment without judgement as best we can, making the best decisions we can as they present themselves in the moment we are in. After all my years of searching, this is what I discovered.

Exactly..
Maybe that is what is meant by 'A prisoner of the Lord'............being trapped in the present.
There is nothing that can be done about what has passed..............and there is nothing that can be done in what has not as yet happened.

a reply to: Itisnowagain

it isnt called floor.it is ground.

originally posted by: Damla
a reply to: Itisnowagain

it isnt called floor.it is ground.

Floor, ground..................it will catch you if you fall.

originally posted by: JimNasium
a reply to: JimNasium


King James Version II 3rd-re-write; 4th re-vision. It has been REVISED.. Not to mention it was interpreted by TheQuorum™ and they obviously had "Mother Issues" so they removed 'Lilith'...


Wouldn't it have SOLD more copies if Gilgamesh stayed Gilgamesh?

My Father does art in Heaven...

Religion™ is a TRAP

Am I understanding this correctly
Religion is a trap but you are preaching Lilith at people

Seriously, you know how stupid you sound saying religion is a trap and being all preachy at Christians about what we believe

Wierdo or whatever?

a reply to: Scrutinizing

Pretty good call that one

You can search and research and educate yourself all day long. The real feeling and meaning come from the inside. Not anything I can explain. Like others I was raised in a Catholic home, taken to church, gone to Sunday school and all of the other rituals that go along with being raised Catholic. I did start to wonder and search at one point but didn't bother. In my heart and in my head I know the truth. I feel it deep inside of me. Always have. Look inside yourself, find it in yourself and settle your mind.

originally posted by: Raggedyman

Seriously, you know how stupid you sound saying religion is a trap and being all preachy at Christians about what we believe

Wierdo or whatever?

Isn't it simply incredible? They come out of the woodwork, commenting on things they cannot possibly understand, 1 Corinthians 2:14, no eyes that see, no ears that hear, hence, obviously, no possible scholarship, on top of that announce they don't believe, in the first place, then proceed to dish out their exegesis on the light, from the darkness of their tombs? Talk about a dog that just don't hunt!

It's like somebody once said, they're like butchers, trying to lecture to brain surgeons, but that doesn't ever seem to get in the way, does it?

originally posted by: Raggedyman
a reply to: Scrutinizing

Pretty good call that one

Thank you. It was a strain and rather tenuous a stand, felt a certain trepidation I may be believing those lying eyes.

Copied from ATS™ years ago- Author is unknown so if You know who authored it please let me know..

To Those who NEED to DEFEND their religion™. TheCreator is FREE!


Worship equals War Ship.
It is disguised as "worship" but it is truly War Ship. Yes, get that initial giggle out and continue reading My words, as 'worshipping' is the biggest reason for wars.
Those men who build languages for MASSES to think in, are very versed in metaphysical natures.
When You pray to something that You do not know is truly there, You join the 'War Ship'. You worship something You don't know of and cannot see. You divide Yourself from Yourself and everyone around You.
Well in this language We call this "Blind Faith" Now when You have many factions worshipping, just different names that are man made, now there is 'division', the opposite of being WHOLE.
Now You've entered the 'War Ship' You clash with those who pray to the SAME CONCEPT under different names (Gods have no identity, just bogus names Man made up) This is inferior mentality.
Even though they are all human, all came from the SAME SOURCE, all are 5-based beings (think pentagram geometry)
One becomes concrete in what they worship, they judge and demonize those not praying to the same NAME.
Now You have war/division.
ISIS is defending it's concepts because the ONLY power those who join the War Ship have is physical chaos to those who oppose. Internally their people are weak and are not worthy to ascend to their internal potentials.
STOP worshipping and start accepting ALL, no matter the name they worship and if Your 'TRUTH' needs to be pushed then how TRUE is it really?
Truth needs no book, no doctrine, no dogma, no heirarchy. Truth stands on it's own, the rest is just pushing to compete with Truth and that is falsehood.

"STOP worshipping and start accepting ALL, no matter the name they worship and if Your 'TRUTH' needs to be pushed then how TRUE is it really?"

I made a post to the wrong window here, but thought I'd like to use the space to reply to this. What other faith has reconciliation with God, the blood of Christ that atones for sin, and the gift of eternal life, from God that came to mankind in Jesus Christ, working too many miracles to document that proved His power, that not even His enemies disputed, mind you, and rose from the dead, to prove His truth and power over life, itself? All other religious "prophets" are still in their graves, did not leave an empty tomb and many reliable witnesses to that resurrection. I would always choose the faith that's not of a corpse. The Christian faith is not just some set of philosophies, rather the living God-man of eternity past and His truth. And if you can only come to the Father by the Lord Jesus, where else are you going to go? Peter asked that all important question:

John 6:65-68 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

To a Christian, there is no other faith on the planet that has the answers to the issues so proven, redemption and eternal life through Christ. So, you can't expect Christians to say anything goes. Also, all religions cannot be true, period, as they conflict as to their doctrines. Your premise everything should be accepted, therefore, makes absolutely no sense: you can't believe contradictory doctrines. As to the Christian, Christ is the only way, or there is, truly, nothing at all. This is not open to debate, if one is a true Christian, nor will it ever be.

2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

Perhaps impatience is your enemy. You want things yesterday, not willing to wait till tomorrow, for any rewards. So why struggle for goals. Slow down, say to yourself, come what may, and just be. Breath in the beauty of existence. Breath out the egotistical desires that handcuff your every move.

The truth is ....We already know the fruit. Rampant pedophilia and scandals at top level, hidden behind confession seal. It's exposed for everyone to see for themselves.

originally posted by: Damla
a reply to: djz3ro

are you trying to escape from me by being smart?

No, just writing what I think, ha ha, sorry

a reply to: djz3ro

tell me what you think always, when you are unemployed and no bf, life can get really lonely.

a reply to: Scrutinizing


WWJC? Who Would Jesus Choose? He says He only has room for One..

You), clad in Your Sunday's finest clutching the King James Version II; 3rd re-vision; 4th re-write...

Shulit) a 12 y.o. boy who can recite The Holy Quran™ forwards and backwards...

Or

Phil) Knows to be nice to others, treats EVERY living thing w/the utmost of respect...

Who does He choose?

What Church™ Would Jesus Attend?