Losing My Religion

[CAPTAINZING2000]

These are some frightening times. My close friends and I often talk about being towards the end of days.

Is it the natural disaster one right after the other? Is it the lone gunman here in the U.S. that opens up gunfire on innocent students and co workers? What's the answer here? Do we all need to be carrying when, we go to work, send our kids to school.

Why God, Why did these students have to die?

How can I or anyone try to tell people to have faith when, there seems to be so much to be afraid of?

I try to look back and think, was there as many bad things going on around the world when, I was drinking? Or, was I always too stoned to pay attention?

Back in the late 70's I had a favorite song

I'M NOT GONNA LET IT BOTHER ME TONIGHT
Atlanta Rhythm Section

I picked up the paper this morning
And read all the daily blues
The world is one big tragedy
I wonder what I can do

About all the pain and injustice
About all of the sorrow
We're living in a danger zone
The world could end tomorrow

But I'm not gonna let it bother me tonight
I'm not gonna let it bother me tonight
Tomorrow I might go as far as suicide
But I won't let it bother me tonight

Life on the street is a jungle
A struggle to keep up the pace
I just can't beat that old dog eat dog
The rats keep winnin' the rat race

But I'm not gonna let it bother me tonight
I'm not gonna let it bother me tonight
The world is in an uproar and I see no end in sight
But I won't let it bother me tonight

I'm not gonna let it bother me tonight
Tomorrow I might go as far as suicide
But I won't let it bother me tonight

Lord, Lord, Lord
We got nothing but trouble
I've done all I can do today
So bartender pour me a double, right now

But I['m not gonna let it bother me tonight
I'm not gonna let it bother me tonight
The world is in an uproar and I see no end in sight
But I won't let it bother me tonight

I'm not gonna let it bother me tonight
No I'm not gonna let it bother me tonight
Tomorrow I might go as far as suicide
But I will not let it bother me tonight


Sometimes the best we can do is to pray, not drink today and hold on tight to our loved ones.

Sorry for venting

[cookconfay]

I agree.....and ARS was one of my fav bands back then...saw them a couple of times too....

There is so much that is outta control in the world today. All I figure I can keep doing is praying, staying clean & sober and hanging on.

[CAPTAINZING2000]

Saw them in a river boat casino a few years back.

Second shooting rampage that's happened close to me in the past few weeks.

These are some troubled times!

[cookconfay]

Very much so.......but with God all things are possible!

[best]

Originally Posted by CAPTAINZING2000

These are some troubled times!

No more or no less then other times in history.

I did a 10 week study on the book of Revalation. After all that I learned, I came away with a simple understanding.

The end times will have pain and sorrow like never seen before.
It is a warning of what is to come. It can start tomorrow or it may not start for another 1000 years.
Out of my studies... I learned that it is important to share the Good News so that people won't need go through what is to come.

No one knows the day but the Father in Heaven.

We all just need be ready for when that day comes.

[TDinATL]

Hey Captain,

A person once related God and Jesus to me with a great story, I'll try to shorten it.

A gentelman was getting his haircut and watching the news. He asked the barber how, with all the pain and suffering in the world, there could be a God? The barber was quiet for a few moments then asked the man to walk outside with him. He scanned the people on the street and noticed one man with a long scraggly beard and long, unkempt hair. He pointed him out to the man and said. "See that man with the long hair and beard?" "Yes", the man replied. "Well, he is in desperate need of a shave and a haircut, but just because he's let himself go does that mean barbers don't exist" You see, just because someone does not come to the barber, does not mean the barber isn't there.

I lived in Pearl, MS when the school shootings happened there. I had 2 cousins that went to Peal HS and many family members that knew Luke Woodham, the shooter. He chose not to go to the barber and, as the devil has it planned, it not only affected his life but many of those around him.

God is with us, He is the Alpha and the Omega.

It also works the other way around. When we are dedicated to God and we share that with others people can be positively affected. I had an unbelievable encounter just the other day (posted that story in the spirituality thread) and I've shared that with a few people who were amazed and encouraged by it.

God reached out to me but in doing so he touched several people. That's our purpose on this Earth!

Stay strong, don't lose faith! God never fails.

[expenguin]

I try not to worry about what goes on in this world each day..... It is better to work on your own life than worry about what someone else is doing to destroy things for us all....

God is there for us and doesn't want us to put all our energy on worry....

One day at a time is what we are to look at especially with recovery.....

Keep the faith you all and know that God will take care of you no matter what......... Prepare yourself by doing your program and reading your bible daily...... This is all you need to worry about....

Keep your heart at peace with just these two things......

Love you all and sending Hugs your way...........

Little Penguin

[StayinAlive]

I know how you feel Captain, there is very little that sooths the soul in society, media, entertainment etc today. Human kind is burdened with incredible amounts of negative influence and people everywhere are feeling the pressure. The evidence of pain is obvious on this site alone. Its easy to think " ok.......any time now God" The Question many people ask is why does God permit suffering. Answers like just trust in God and you have to have faith are true yet not at all satisfying. Thankfully the answers are in the Bible. I don't really feel confidant in passing on my beliefs right now even though i know it is my responsibility as a Christian. I think others can explain it better.

google key words- why does God
permit suffering- and compare a few hits, look for ones that use lots of scriptures and compare with your translation of the Bible. Go with the one who's answers satisfies the soul and makes the most sense

I hope this helps

[cmc]

From day one, sin has entered our world and is running it's destructive course. God is in charge and I think he grieves over each and every loss and tragedy- but He also chooses to take those situations and use them for good- many times in ways that may not be seen or known in this world. I am continually amazed at how many ways God can redeem us and the world He created.

Many of the terrible, tragic and insufferable events recorded in the bible set into motion events designed to attain a higher or greater purpose and to display God's glory. God uses the pain and sorrows that everybody experiences anyway....for something better that is unreachable by any other way and holds eternal benefits. I once read a book about this called Don't Waste Your Sorrows by Paul E. Billheimer. (author of Destined For The Throne)

I've heard more than a few biblical scholars say that we already are in the end times but that it's coming on a gradual pace and therefore many have become accustomed to what is happening. I don't know...but alot is happening all around the globe that isn't good.

Chuck Swindoll gave a lesson today on Moody Radio that correlates with the topic of suffering from tragedy. He handles the subject very carefully and with great compassion and respect for those who suffer-especially what is considered needless suffering. I was encouraged by listening and am going to listen to it again.
Insight for Living (Chuck Swindoll) - Today's Broadcast

[CAPTAINZING2000]

I'm not as shell shocked as I was the other day.

Fraid, this is a preview of things to come though.

Matthew 25:1-13