What’s Missing? (Full Version)

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Walker311 -> What’s Missing? (5/2/2008 5:39:29 PM)

This is an unusual paragraph.
I’m curious how quickly you can find out what is so
unusual about it. It looks so plain you
would think nothing was wrong with it. In
fact, nothing is wrong with it! It is unusual
though. Study it, and think about it, but
you still may not find anything odd. But if
you work at it a bit, you might find out.
Try to do so without any coaching!
____________________________________

I saw this paragraph today and once I learned the answer, I thought it was so obvious. I'm sure some of you will know almost instantly or you may have seen this before. Just say [sm=gradsmile.gif] "I know the answer" without revealing it until a little later. I immediately related this to my spiritual makeup.

These are open-ended questions and subject to various opinions.

What is missing from the lives of many Christians today?

What would you say is an important part that is missing, even though it seems there is absolutely nothing wrong with you personally or in general with the Christian community?



mvic -> RE: What’s Missing? (5/2/2008 5:45:38 PM)

Hi,

I'm not sure what replies you're expecting here ... but here goes:

I feel that Christ is missing from the lives of many Christians these days. There seems to be too many "Sunday Christians": i.e. attend church then forget about Him for another week. Or "Tag Christians": i.e. Christians in name only but do not really believe in anything too deeply.

Just a thought ... sorry if I'm judging others unfairly.



Prairiehiker -> RE: What’s Missing? (5/2/2008 5:53:11 PM)

It's missing a certain letterl .........ooops. Can't say that...



Little_1 -> RE: What’s Missing? (5/2/2008 6:02:23 PM)

Sorry Walker - you've got me stumped this time [sm=hammerhead.gif] but also Intrigued! Apart from reply #2 - I haven't a clue.



Walker311 -> RE: What’s Missing? (5/2/2008 6:07:08 PM)

Thanks PHiker for fixing you post.

Little1, I think it is pretty cool!

quote:

I feel that Christ is missing from the lives of many Christians these days.


MVIC,

I see your point! It's obvious that we all take for granted that Christians should be... well, like Jesus but many seem to have missed the Holy Ghost memo.



HisCovenant -> RE: What’s Missing? (5/2/2008 6:17:04 PM)

I think I figured it out... although there are two things that are puzzling, not just one. However, I wouldn't say that either one was necessary. they could both be used, but nothing wrong with not using them. I've never seen this before, so it may turn out that what I think is odd is not what you are referring to.

The main thing I see missing from Christians today is a lack of knowledge and understanding about God which leads to an impaired relationship with God. I can't tell you how many times I see Christians arguing over issues that are black and white in the Bible because they don't go along with "common sense" or with what is politically correct. And, it's not just everyone else... I am continually learning to throw out my thoughts and meditate on Gods way. I am continuallly having to change my behavior to line up with what I learn of God. I am continually growing in relationship to God when I get to know Him.

So, I think what's missing that doesn't appear odd is lack of knowledge of God. I think it doesn't appear odd because we're used to accepting the traditions of man and because we don't realize we don't know it and because we take scripture warning against knowledge out of context.



Little_1 -> RE: What’s Missing? (5/2/2008 6:34:17 PM)

We should let the Holy Spirit help us interpret God's Word. Also, sometimes God's Word is so obvious, e.g. "thou shalt not steal" that it doesn't need any interpretation because it's teaching is plain and simple. Other times, we need to ask the Holy Spirit to help us interpret it. Still other times, Christians tend to try to read things into God's Word which are not there!

However, no matter what - when God's Word is rightly intepreted - we need to ACT on it or what a waste of time!



ladyichigo -> RE: What’s Missing? (5/2/2008 6:36:07 PM)

The Bible is missing. I see a lot of Christians holding to man-made doctrine and teachings as Biblical truths, yet if you actually read the Bible, there's nothing in there that teaches anything like that. Take for example the teaching regarding trials and tests that "God does not give you more than what you can bear." Where in the Bible does it actually say that?

The thing is, people have come to accept the words of a preacher/pastor/minister or whoever is delivering the message as biblical truth instead of really reading the Word, and testing their word against it. A lot of times, the verses the speaker is teaching on are written on an insert in the bulletin or projected onto a screen so those who "do not" have a Bible with them can "read" that verse. I think that's how a lot of scripture is taken out of context. They make their message sound so good, and "biblical". It just dawned on me that not many speakers even ask the congregation to "open your Bible to whatever book, chapter verse" any more in reference to whatever they are speaking about.



deliveredarling -> RE: What’s Missing? (5/2/2008 6:41:25 PM)

The paragraph is empty, very similar to the church and Christians today. Round and round in circles we go with a bunch of words and no meat...... Somehow I don't think that is the correct answer, yet t is what popped out at me...

When do we get to see the answer? Bated breath here[:D]

Edited to add: False doctrine-it seems as though nothing is wrong or missing, it sounds good yet does not fill the soul. Deceitful ans misleading.



Little_1 -> RE: What’s Missing? (5/2/2008 6:43:49 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: ladyichigo

The Bible is missing. I see a lot of Christians holding to man-made doctrine and teachings as Biblical truths, yet if you actually read the Bible, there's nothing in there that teaches anything like that. Take for example the teaching regarding trials and tests that "God does not give you more than what you can bear." Where in the Bible does it actually say that? ......


1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

The exact words may not be the same but this is the verse most people are referring to when they say God does not give you more than you can bear.



Walker311 -> RE: What’s Missing? (5/2/2008 6:46:31 PM)

I'm thinking that many Christians not only lack God knowledge, spiritual guidance, and biblical understanding, they also lack the ability to communicate effectively with God. We must have conversations with God. Conversations are a two way street. Many Christians tell Him what they want but may not know how to listen.



deliveredarling -> RE: What’s Missing? (5/2/2008 6:51:38 PM)

The paragraph looks like a hand pointing a finger? OOOOOOHHHHHHH , I'm going to reverse the saying so that it won't sound so bad. The solution to the problem in the church begins with us!

Anywhere close or am I simply over analyzing????? This is driving me nuts. I can sit here and come up with umpteen million different answers to this puzzle.



Walker311 -> RE: What’s Missing? (5/2/2008 6:59:56 PM)

ok! The paragraph in the OP is missing the letter E which is the most used letter in the alphabet.



Little_1 -> RE: What’s Missing? (5/2/2008 7:00:39 PM)

Right - I'm off to bed now.

If my evening quiet time is interupted by thoughts of this puzzle - I'm going to blame you Walker.

If I don't sleep - I'm blaming you for that too!!! [:D]

G'night all.



Little_1 -> RE: What’s Missing? (5/2/2008 7:03:40 PM)

Okay - I had to log back in and say veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery good. Or should I have said that was actually very eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeasy!

G'night. [:D]



ladyichigo -> RE: What’s Missing? (5/2/2008 7:04:00 PM)

ahhh...I see now [sm=hammerhead.gif]

Little1 : Bed already??? LOL, oh I forgot the time difference. It's only 1:07 PM here in Hawaii.[sm=icon_smile_blush.gif]



deliveredarling -> RE: What’s Missing? (5/2/2008 7:05:03 PM)

Walker, I was definately looking for something deeply profound from this..... now I'm just a chuckling[:D][:D][:D][:D]



SonInMe1 -> RE: What’s Missing? (5/2/2008 7:05:45 PM)

Another thread on the dreaded less than perfect christian.....doesn't this get tiresome after a while?

All

OTHER

christians are this and that.

I may not know what is missing from the church but I sure know what is...present.

Who cares about your doctrine...or mine. If the rules of your doctrine make up your walk with Christ then you have a lot in common with the pharesee.

Its not a lack of knowledge. First, if you go to a bible believing church and it is preached and if you read the bible there is no excuse over a lack of knowledge.

Lack of knowledge arguements are just another way to say your interpretation of the bible is the correct one and everyone else...who must be too stupid to understand your version...are ignorant.

Maybe, they just don't agree. Paul and Peter didn't always agree but they still served the same Lord...and effectively.

Secondly, if you are Holy Spirit indwellt, you have no ignorance. An immature christian may not know all the bells and whistles of your church doctrine but they have GOD in them. It will all work out in the end, IF that is true.



Walker311 -> RE: What’s Missing? (5/2/2008 8:13:40 PM)

quote:

Another thread on the dreaded less than perfect christian.....doesn't this get tiresome after a while?


I just think of you and they pop into my head. Gimee a 20 and I won't force you to post in them anymore.



Walker311 -> RE: What’s Missing? (5/4/2008 3:33:24 PM)

I think what is obviously missing from my Christian experience is being more bold in extending Christ to others. I don't want my witness to always be subtle, I want it to make folks uncomfortable, to make them think about eternity. A silent witness can be a great one but there are circumstances that I have seen other Christians say the right thing at the right time and I would ask myself why I could not be more like that.

In reference to the OP. I don't want to be like that paragraph. I don't want people reading me, thinking there is something missing but not able to put their finger on it. I want them to immediately see Jesus in me instead of the world saying that I am just like them.



deliveredarling -> RE: What’s Missing? (5/4/2008 3:37:01 PM)

Very profound statement.



HisCovenant -> RE: What’s Missing? (5/4/2008 3:49:25 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: SonInMe1
Its not a lack of knowledge. First, if you go to a bible believing church and it is preached and if you read the bible there is no excuse over a lack of knowledge.

Lack of knowledge arguements are just another way to say your interpretation of the bible is the correct one and everyone else...who must be too stupid to understand your version...are ignorant.


Many churches preach and teach the Bible out of context and never disciple the congregation to read contextually, causing many lies within the church. So, there are loads of Christians who hear preaching and read their Bibles and miss what the Holy Spirit wrote in favor of the teachings of man.

I can't tell you how many times I have pointed out a black and white statement to a Christian and they come back with, "well, I think it means... because I just can't believe God would ask us to do something so hard." They ignore the clear message inspired by the Holy Spirit in favor of their own thoughts, acting as if they are speaking out Christ's message.

Knowledge of God and what He says & our interpretations are two totally different things.



SonInMe1 -> RE: What’s Missing? (5/4/2008 6:51:34 PM)

quote:

Many churches preach and teach the Bible out of context and never disciple the congregation to read contextually,


I would presume the Holy Spirit would be uncomfortable in this arena?

quote:

I just think of you and they pop into my head. Gimee a 20 and I won't force you to post in them anymore.


I would like to think the Hoily Spirit guides me to post against such errors in doctrine. However, it is possible its just my perverse sence of entertainment.



HisCovenant -> RE: What’s Missing? (5/5/2008 9:09:03 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: SonInMe1

quote:

Many churches preach and teach the Bible out of context and never disciple the congregation to read contextually,


I would presume the Holy Spirit would be uncomfortable in this arena?


Of course, but many are so used to ignoring Him that the church doesn't even notice and fights against those who want to please the Holy Spirit.



SonInMe1 -> RE: What’s Missing? (5/5/2008 9:48:29 AM)

quote:

Of course, but many are so used to ignoring Him that the church doesn't even notice and fights against those who want to please the Holy Spirit.


Or maybe...the Holy Spirit isn't present.

There was a belief in my old church that the Holy Spirit had to "have permission" to work in your life. That the HS had to be invited into the church. I am not sure this is totally accurate but certainly if it is true then these churches don't seem to be in an inviting mood.



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