Golactico

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 | NIV If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 | NIV Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. Acts 3:19 | NIV Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Proverbs 28:13 | NIV Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. Matthew 3:8 | NIV For the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him. 2 Chronicles 30:9b | NIV The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 | NIV But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. Matthew 9:13 | NIV From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 4:17 | NIV Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8 | NIV Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Revelation 3:19 | NIV Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. Joel 2:13 | NIV I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. Luke 15:7 | NIV For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live! Ezekiel 18:32 | NIV In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. Acts 17:30 | NIV “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:15 | NIV I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Luke 5:32 | NIV ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty. Zechariah 1:3b | NIV Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38 | NIV In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Luke 15:10 | NIV I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Luke 13:3 | NIV Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings. Proverbs 1:23 | NIV

The Bible is clear that salvation is only possible through the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 4: 10-12). It also says that those who don’t believe will be condemned (John 3:18). It's not a great book, but if you have decided to live your life by it, probably best to be familiar with its content - or are those verses not included in the ones that Christians like to cherry pick?

This is the first time I've ever got involved in one of these ' You're soooo wrong and I'm soooo right' forum dust ups - quite good fun isn't it? Perhaps next time though, I'll choose a more challenging argument than reason and science based evidence Vs medieval myths and legends. Anyway, the point of the exercise was to test the Christian view on the Sam Harris question (since I lack the interlect to come up with my own!). Perhaps surprisingly, I got an unequivocal answer on that. Full marks to all for honesty.

First para: Words fail me. Second para: No. How could I possibly believe this? If you read between the lines of my posts, you'll hopefully deduce that I'm an atheist. I don't believe that God created anything because I don't believe that God exists.

If a question ain't broke, why fix it? Look up the word 'literally'. I did faithfully convey the sense of Harris' question but I certainly didn't 'literally quote word for word'. Those with an eye for detail will have noted the opening sentence in my first post on this thread, making it abundantly clear that the question was not my own work. For reference: 'I'd like to ask a question, first posed by someone much brighter than me'

If the accusation is that all my knowledge and beliefs originated somewhere else, then yes. Absolutely. Guilty as charged. Multiplication wasn't my idea either, but it kind of makes sense.

Really? Take out my anger on 9m little tiny babies? No, I wouldn't. Being all powerful and able to do anything, and just simple not being an evil bastard, I'd take a far more targeted approach for displaying my disappointment. If I were a vengeful God (shouldn't he/she be above that very human frailty?), I'd target those awful humans who caused all the suffering in the world. Obvious really. Credit where it's due to the brilliant Sam Harris for the question (included in clip below). I recommend his books and other YouTube clips to anyone with an open mind and isn't afraid of having their beliefs challenged in an intelligent, logical way.

So, God is having a hissy fit over the ungrateful human race and is taking out his annoyance on 9m innocent babies a year (and millions of others who suffer undeservedly). The answer is b).

I'm not sure that this really addresses the question MF. Those 9m babies aren't exercising any 'free will', they just desperately need some devine intervention to alleviate their extreme suffering, caused by their misfortune of being born in a particular place. Any just and loving God would deal with this grotesque injustice. I'm curious why God advocates on this thread who have previously been very active, seem to have suddenly gone quiet. The answer to the question posed has to be one of the two options given and either one surely cannot fail to make any believer with any kind of enquiring mind question their faith?

I'd like to ask a question, first posed by someone much brighter than me. For the purposes of this question we are to assume that there is an all seeing, all powerful God who looks favourably on those who worship him. I'm happy to be corrected if these assumptions are not consistent with people who believe in God. Statistics show that approx 9million babies die in the world each year. Most of these innocent, little babies die horrible deaths due to disease, malnutrition etc. The parents of many of these poor children are believers who desperately pray for God to use his power to intervene and help their children. These prayers go unanswered. Question is, does God not intervene in any of these 9million cases because a) he can't (suggesting non-existance, or at the very least, not being all he's cracked up to be) or b) he can, but chooses not to (suggesting he's a bit of an evil sod and is too busy dealing with prayers from people wanting his help to pass their driving test)

All 3 Saints subs were Irish. First time ever we've fielded 3 Irish players I'd imagine.

Just finished watching the excellent Salisbury Poisonings drama. Personally, with their national radio output, Solent's Saints coverage, iplayer and the News/Sport websites, I get fantastic value from the BBC for three quid a week.

BT Mobile use the EE network (naturally, since they own it) GiffGaff use O2

Just thought this might be of interest to anyone struggling with BT Mobile. I've been with BT Mobile for years, but in the last few months, the 4G signal has been virtually non-existent in both Eastleigh (home) or Southampton (work). I ordered a new SIM from BT, but no difference. I then ordered a Giffgaff SIM and on putting it in my phone today, I have 4G blazing on my phone wherever I am.

Enjoyed this tonight. A few nice shots of 70s Southampton. I'm a bit disproportionately thrilled that Chandlers Ford got a mention on a TV show about Punk too.

I'm no Tory by any stretch, but ousting Johnson with a no confidence vote and a Ken Clarke led temporary Government is the best idea I've heard throughout this mess for a long while.

http://hmcoastguard.blogspot.com/2019/08/infllatables-at-sea-statement-from-mca.html?m=1

Trump in Eastleigh. Let's Make The Swan Centre Great Again.

Puddings & Monkeys - good post. Pretty much sums up my views.

It's awful that this has happened to such a historic and important piece of architecture, but I wish all the millions pledged could instead go to some humanitarian good causes and leave the moneybags Catholic Church to dip into their pockets.

I think you may have taken me a bit too literally. If my actual 'sleeping' dreams came true, my footballer self would be proudly pulling the Moldovan national team shirt over his chimpanzee head and scoring the winner in the Solar System cup final. I do accept though that any such decision forced on a 16 year old would be entirely non-legally enforcable.

There may be a very small amount of players who are genuinely conflicted, but I reckon most footballers at 16 will know whether they have been dreaming of scoring the winner for England in the world cup final, or for someone else. So often it clearly becomes a commercial decision, that's what annoys me.

All this playing for one country then opting for another really bugs me. Young players with dual qualification should have to choose who they wish to represent at international level when they sign their first professional contract and be bound by that decision.

Code still not working. What an absolute joke. As an ex-season ticket holder, I suspect that I'm exactly who this offer is aimed at - entice me back at a bargain price to remind me of what I'm missing. However, this farce has just left me feeling more disengaged than ever. I find it funny more than anything to be honest.

Just tried to take advantage of this deal. It says that the code has been successfully applied, but the basket still shows full price. I will need to input my card details and press 'confirm' while the price is still showing £38. Maybe the discount will then be applied - but maybe it won't. I'm not taking the risk, so will happily stick with watching the game on the telly. Great offer Saints. Cheers.