Has Scott lost his mind?

[Tourmeister]

Howdy,

:tab I realize that some people may wonder why I would put a forum section on the website where people can make prayer requests. I realize that there are many people out there that cannot fathom how anyone could believe in something so silly as God or Jesus, especially in our day and age of brilliant technology and science. Nonetheless, there are a great number of us that believe God to be real, that he does listen, that we should pray for one another, and support one another. To that end, I have decided to place this forum here where people can let us know if there is anyone in their life that may need such prayer.

:tab Let me be very blunt for a moment. This forum is NOT the place to start debates about whether God is real, God vs. Science, or Christianity vs. any other religion, etc,... I will not hesitate to delete every single post that treads along those lines. If you are a Buddhist, Muslim, Athiest, whatever, you should feel free to post here about someone that you think the rest of us should be keeping in our daily thoughts and prayers. I expect people to treat posting here as something to be done seriously and with respect. Therefore, consider this fair warning. ;-)

Adios,

[Anonymous]

Good on yer, Scott! Thank you for this thread.
There are probably more of us believers out here than most of us realize.
John Horn
Lewisville

[Anonymous]

May the God of our salvation bless you and yours....and thank
you for taking a stand.....as my pastor said one day..."I read the
end of the book and we win. God bless...
Terry

[gotdurt]

Amen.

Prayer request: Pray for those that are reading this forum....

[HiSPL]

Its your website, Bud.... You get to decide what happens and what doesn't.

Besides, praying is the same in all religions. This forum is not called "Christian prayer requests only".

Peace for you and this community.

[Texason]

May the God of our salvation bless you and yours....and thank
you for taking a stand.....as my pastor said one day..."I read the
end of the book and we win. God bless...
Terry

Awesome! Except you ruined the ending for the rest of us! :lol:

[djohnso]

Thanks! It seems that living for Christ is an increasingly unpopular stance, even in the Bible belt.

[Greeves TFS]

Now days it is so easy to discard your walk with the Lord. To keep it to yourself. I have been a Christian for over 40 years but strayed more years than I'd like to admit. Lately though, I have made the stance that "My house will Serve the Lord".

I'd like to pray for our leaders of this country, my family, teachers, my neighbors, and all my friends I have met here.

[bholland]

I am a Deacon at Hallsville FBC, and a motorcycle rider and dragracer, and I think we should pray for each other every time we get on our motorcycles.
God gave us free will, to believe or not to believe, but we are still brothers and sisters when we ride and should respect each other no matter what we believe.

[klrno2]

Impressive. I'm fairly new to this site and still exploring. What a pleasant surprise to find this forum.

Thanks Scott.

[SRADkneedragger]

I think some of you have seen my pic from another thread here and know what I do for a living. Recap5'10' 200lbs Long hair, tattoos, mustasche goatee, Repoman/Bounty Hunter. When I eat at home or in public, I always say grace OUT LOUD. Politically correct? Worried about the rights/feeling/interests of non christians? I don't think so! And whats furthermore ANYONE who has a problem with me and mine praying in public is gonna have ALOT more problems than having to listen to ME pray(They had BETTER start to pray themselves) I think tht we have tried so hard to be "PC" that we have managed to take away Christians religous freedom. Remember you got a hotline to the man ANYTIME you need it,,,,, you just have to bend down a little ways and duck your head.

[mary111]

I pray daily; I don't think I could've made it otherwise (especially the last few years). Because of faith, if you notice my profile, "Life is Sweet". Thanks for the encouragement. ;-) Impressive. I'm fairly new to this site and still exploring. What a pleasant surprise to find this forum.

Thanks Scott.

[sharkey]

Interesting post considering that I just read a story today in Startlegram about about an increase in lawsuits protesting the celebrating of Christmas.
Obviously this is a cycle forum so I will not push my right leaning conservative Christian beliefs on anyone here (unless you start it) ;-) .

All I can say is that our society is getting to be a scary place and a lot of that has to do with people's "religious" belief or lack there of...
Sometimes I falter but I would hope that my cycle riding (like everything else should be) is done for the glory of God.

Peace out and keep the prayer requests going.

[pons]

God bless this forum, God bless America, God bless our freedom of religion:welcome: How's that???

[klrno2]

Hey, um Scott, where do you get your smiley icons?

Just asking, 'cause I'm thinking we need a prayer smiley...aye?

Sandy

[db]

Hey, um Scott, where do you get your smiley icons?

Just asking, 'cause I'm thinking we need a prayer smiley...aye?

Sandy
:pray: Already in the smilies group........ :mrgreen:

[klrno2]

egggscellent...guess I must have missed it.

Thanks!

Sandy

[db]

Glad to help. :thumb:

[leekellerking]

Now days it is so easy to discard your walk with the Lord. To keep it to yourself. I have been a Christian for over 40 years but strayed more years than I'd like to admit. Lately though, I have made the stance that "My house will Serve the Lord".

I'd like to pray for our leaders of this country, my family, teachers, my neighbors, and all my friends I have met here.


We all stray -- all men are sinners and all fall short of the Glory of God. Some of us just admit it, ask forgiveness, and know that we are ransomed by the sacrifice of the Lamb.

Grace -- you can't earn it, you can't buy it, and you don't deserve it, but the Lord gives it to you any way.

Lee
Saved, not perfect.


BTW Scott, what was the question???

[Teeds]

We all stray -- all men are sinners and all fall short of the Glory of God. Some of us just admit it, ask forgiveness, and know that we are ransomed by the sacrifice of the Lamb.

Grace -- you can't earn it, you can't buy it, and you don't deserve it, but the Lord gives it to you any way.

Lee
Saved, not perfect.


BTW Scott, what was the question???

I agree, what was the question?? I am Christian, but am more than willing to accept a member of any religion that comes in peace into my life and home.

I too have struggled over the years. Serenity did not return to my life until I allowed the Lord to again be an active part of my daily life. I am blessed beyond measure and grow more serene with every passing day.

Thanks for the thread Scott :clap:

[telcobilly]

I'm happy to make a profession of my faith and it a double bonus to be among motorcyclists and Christians on this site. Keep up the work and may this site continue to flourish!

I have this link on my site: http://bellsouthpwp.net/r/k/rkretsch/important.htm#culture

[rgatling]

Tourmeister, kudos for making this public.

Part of my start up routine is prayer. I never get on the bike until I've asked God to make me visible to those on the street, make them visible to me and bring me back to my family safe and on schedule. Like the AMEX card, I don't leave home without it.

[Curtis]

I haven't been a member of this Forum very long but realized there was a positive attitude towards a belief in a higher Power. So, I joined this group.
Although I am a member of several other bike and Off Road Forums I must say this group of my local riders is a lot more comfortable to talk to. More positive attitudes here that encourage rather than belittle.

I have been a believer for many years. Thank God my parents taught me when I was young. Like many, I stepped out of bounds a few times, but have always come back to the center.

Thank you Scott for making this avenue available to us. It means a lot to me.

BTY, My Son is a Minister and my Daughter is a writer for a weekly womens online devotional magazine. They are that way because their Mother and I raised them that way. Carrying on the Tradition.

I won't carry my scriptures on my forehead, but I do have a small cross on my helmet. I feel it keeps me accountable for my actions.

God Bless you all, and safe and happy Biking.

Curtis

[mark4jon]

Great Job Scott. I'm glad I found this forum.

We all need prayer in our lives.

JT

[pkiser]

Scott,

I cannot fathom how anyone could NOT believe in God or Jesus, especially in our day and age of brilliant technology and science.

pk

[britishsteele71]

Thank you Scott. In this day and age where they are tryint to take GOD out of everything includig our money that many people, Christian or not, value as important, it is nice to see someone trying to put GOD back where he belongs.

My husband says that there is no such thing as an athiest in a fox hole. Too many people think about talking about GOD, but not many of us actually pass the word along (including myself)

Thank you for this and your strength and beleif. It helps keep the rest of us grounded.

Also, it has set an example for my daughter to show her that you can still ride a bike, be part of a group and praise and worship GOD!

All we need to do is plant the seed, GOD will take care of the rest!

[Gixxer Geezer]

Great job Scott,,,,, and lets all think about.. Prayer should be the first response, not the last resort...

all ride safe,:clap: :rider:

Jim

[hond330]

i am not a very religious person but im impressed by people that believe and are not afraid to say so. and im impressed by an attitude of civility and good manners that is prevalent here. we can have lots of fun and listen to funny things on here without being rude or vindictive. i like that..

[Tourmeister]

Hond330, you can't win people's hearts by making enemies of them ;-) Christians are supposed to be patient and long suffering. The problem is we don't always match up to that standard simply because we are human, and like everyone else we have our failings. It took me a long time to understand that a person can believe in a perfect standard, point people to that standard, and yet fail to meet the standard. Their failure does not invalidate the standard, it just highlights the difficulty of striving for it ;-) I learned to look past the messengers to the message itself.

[Larry_77084]

Personally, I do not believe in a higher being. However, if you do I have no problem with it and have no problem with it being included as a section of interest in a forum that is for a large group of people of all races, nationalities and religions.

I think that a forum, such as this, is like a party of friends with varied conversations some I want to be a part of some I do not. I'll shy away from the ones that don't interest me, oil threads being top of that list. You'll get no negative comments from me regarding the prayer section.

[Gixxer Geezer]

Wouldn't you rather believe in a Heaven and there's not!... Than to not believe in Heaven and there is... too late then

[Larry_77084]

Wouldn't you rather believe in a Heaven and there's not!... Than to not believe in Heaven and there is... too late then

If that was aimed at me, no. I live my life the same as any real Christian would, but I do it because it's the right thing to do, not under the threat of going to ****. Should there be a judgement day and they judge I think I would be OK. If it turns out I'm wrong, Oh well, but that's my choice. I don't need a lecture!

[Gixxer Geezer]

No.. it wasn't aimed at you or anyone eles... just merely making a statement as to how I feel. just like your stating all your feelings.. and no I don't lecture anyone... especially people who I know arent going to learn anything from my experience or wisdom that comes with age anyway... just my 2 cents worth..

[beverly200rider]

Scott,

I cannot fathom how anyone could NOT believe in God or Jesus, especially in our day and age of brilliant technology and science.

pk

I think Einstein said it best:

"Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind."

[britishsteele71]

I think Einstein said it best:

"Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind."

When it really comes down to it, you really cannot prove anything 100%. People love, but you can't actually prove what love it! People have faith, but you can't actually prove 100% what faith is.

In the end, you either beleive or you don't. It is a personal choice and because mankind has free will, we all have a choice to make in this matter. However, my response to anyone who doesn't beleive is just try it. Say a prayer something like "Ok, here it goes, I am going to give this prayer thing a try. I ask for you to enter my heart and fill me with your love and grace. I ask you to forgive me for the things I have done wrong and the things I will still do wrong since I am not perfect. You died for me, a perfect stranger and you love me despite of what I beleive or don't beleive." After you are done, If it doesn't work then walk away. No one should force anyone to beleive anything. But just like food, you should just take a bite.

To be a believer, you don't have to go to a certain church or pray a certain way. You don't have to change everything about you. You just have to have faith.

I am not addresing this to anyone in particular, just putting my opinion in. Some of you will agree with me and some of you won't. That is what makes this country great, we have the option. All of us are created equal and no one is better than anyone else. When the time comes, we will all be countable for our actions. Personally, I am a beleiver and my husband isn't. Makes for great conversation. I don't love him any less. He doesn't love me any less. I respect his decesion (although it is difficult to have enough strength for both of us) and he respects mine. He supports me and our daughter going to church and doesn't ridicule us about it. I don't force it on him. I have planted the seed and the rest is up to GOD.

Anyway, I like the idea for prayer requests, prayer has never hurt anyone!

[Tourmeister]

I live my life the same as any real Christian would, but I do it because it's the right thing to do, not under the threat of going to ****. Should there be a judgement day and they judge I think I would be OK. If it turns out I'm wrong, Oh well, but that's my choice. I don't need a lecture!

:tab Larry, this is not an argument to convince you that you are wrong and need to believe. It is just a general response to your comment, which is a common sentiment in non believers. I would not presume to lecture an unbeliever because I was once an unbeliever as well, and nothing turned me off faster than some self righteous believer trying to cram his/her view of God down my throat :roll:

:tab I don't do the right thing because of a fear of eternal condemnation either ;-) I did not choose to believe because of a fear of eternal condemnation. After all, for the fear of condemnation to matter, you first have to believe there is a Judge to condemn. For me though, the issue of "doing the right thing" or following some list of rules is not even a consideration. It is about a personal relationship. If that relationship is right, everything else just sort of flows from it naturally. I personally do not believe you can argue anyone into believing. I could tell you all about my relationship, but you'd never really understand it until you experienced it for yourself. This is why God cannot be forced on people. If both parties to a relationship are not willing, then there can be no intimacy, only coercion.

:tab Pain and suffering is obviously a major issue in this world. It would seem there are very few, if any, people in this world that will be exempt from pain and suffering. This is a big part of why we have this prayer request section. However, there is that unavoidable question of how could a good and loving God allow such pain and suffering? Some people argue that it is God allowing for the free will of mankind to work itself out in this world. Some would argue that if there is a God that is all knowing, there can be no free will since He already knows everything you will decide before you have even decided it.

:tab This is something I wrote in a recent discussion I was having with someone else on a different forum regarding free will and the presence of pain and suffering in the world as proof that a good and loving God does not exist.

If there is no God, then there is nothing but absolute determinism. All effects are the results of previous causes, ad infinitum. Once again, there can be no free will. Quite the pickle...

If there is no God, then pain, suffering, and evil are illusions. Without a basis for moral law, how can anything be classified as right, wrong, good, or evil? How can one argue that the pain and suffering of someone is undeserved or unjust? Such an argument presupposes an eternal, external and independent basis for morality. Using the presence of pain, suffering and evil as an argument against God is illogical because such things could not truly exist without God. That pretty much every human alive believes there are things like evil, pain, suffering and injustice would seem to argue in favor of God and the existence of free will. If there were no free will, there would be no way to rebel against God to create all the evil, pain, suffering and injustices.

If in fact there is a God as the Bible sets forth, then a perfect Judge, in possession of the Truth regarding all aspects of all injustices, and with the power to make fully informed decisions regarding the dispensing of justice awaits us all. For a believer, pain and suffering is just a temporary thing to be endured in light of the knowledge that all things will be set right in the end. It does not mean a believer goes looking for it, but it does mean that a believer can see past it.

Pain and suffering seen in the secular sense is unjust because there can never be satisfaction for wrongs once committed. Once we die, that is the end. Unless of course one believes in Karma and reincarnation, which begs the question of who is it that keeps track of our Karma, that determines what is or is not good/bad Karma, that makes the decision about who or what we come back as in the next life, or when we have finally reached the point where we can get off the merry go round?

Truth cannot abide falsehood. Just as a universe of total darkness cannot keep the smallest light from shining, all the falsehood in the world is powerless against a simple Truth. If our lives are built upon falsehood, then we have reason to fear the Truth if we prefer the falsehood. Yet if we desire to live according to Truth, then there is nothing to fear. It is a question of which way we are going, away from the Truth or towards it? If God is Truth, he does not create fear in people just for jollies. He does it by His very nature as being the essence of Truth. The wise person learns to search for and recognize Truth because a life built on falsehood will shatter on the anvil of Truth. This pain and suffering can be far worse than physical pain and sufferings we might experience.

:tab The last paragraph in particular gets to your point of the threat of condemnation. Condemnation is not hung over unbelievers as a threat by some arbitrary and capricious despot. It is based on the inherent nature of God as the foundation of Truth in the ultimate objective sense. If a person choses not to accept God as Truth, then God has no choice but to separate them from Himself, for as I mentioned in the quote, Truth cannot abide falsehood. Holiness cannot abide unholiness. If people are unwilling to accept God as Truth, He will not force Himself on them and will honor their choice. Whether such condemnation will entail a literal torment of fire and brimstone is up for speculation. However, I can't see how any physical torment could ever be as bad as the torment of knowing the real Truth and then being apart from it :shrug:

:tab I can totally respect anyone that is a non-believer. It was a long hard road for me to come to the point where I believed. I never experienced any kind of shazam conversion on the spot. I was quite militantly athiestic and over the years came to believe, being dragged kicking and screaming every step of the way. I challenged everything at every point. Eventually, I reached a point where I could no longer deny what I perceived to be the Truth and I willingly changed my orientation. The faith is strong some days and weak on others. BritishSteele has a point. She says to just pray a prayer. Ironically, even doing that means that you have to allow for the possibility that there might be someone there to answer. All I can say to any unbeliever is seek for yourself. I sincerely believe that if people genuinely look for answers, they are there. No one can do that for you. So I am always willing to answer any questions that I can which are put to me regarding my beliefs and the reasons for them, but I don't feel compelled to force them on others.

:tab Getting back to the pain and suffering. Maybe it is true that God is allowing the results of our combined free wills to work themselves out in this world. Perhaps that is a way for him to show us what the fruits of our own efforts can achieve :shrug: For many people, it is the very presence of pain and suffering that brings them to the point in their lives where they a forced to concede that they really don't have all the answers and they really are not in control. This can be the point where they are finally willing to accept the possibility that there might be a God, one that has reached out to us, and to begin their own journey of personal discovery. For others, it is the final point of despair and they may end their lives. I don't go looking for pain and suffering, but I don't run from it either. I see it as an inevitable part of life and when I pray, surely I pray for relief from it, but more importantly, for the grace to deal with it. It will only be for a season.

[Larry_77084]

Comments like this, and no I don't lecture anyone... especially people who I know aren't going to learn anything from my experience or wisdom that comes with age anyway... are condescending and insulting.

The way I look at it, if religion gets you throught the day or over the tough spots good, there is nothing wrong with it. Just leave me out of it.

[Teeds]

Very good post Scott. Thank you very much for sharing your experience and thoughts.

I have been all over the map with my religiousity over the course of my life. I continue to try and lead a good life, being a positive influence on people around me.

I have a curious answer to questions about my "faith". My answer is to point out that I "know" God exists, it is not a matter of faith for me. I don't have the slightest idea about whether or not Heaven and **** exist, and really don't care at this point. Perhaps pondering that issue will be more important as I approach closer to the "final exam". In any case, for now I am happy trying to always be a good and positive force on earth. Somedays my success is better than other, but I continue to try.

I ask often for strength and guidance and feel a peace that only comes with prayer.

[thestudent]

Comments like this, are condescending and insulting.

+1

[Tourmeister]

Happy Birthday Jonathan ;-)

[thestudent]

Thank you! I truly got a smile from that!

jds

[h2000fb]

A message to inspire. Our family are devote believers in God and God does work miracles. My son (25 now) developed Ulcerative Colitus when he was 19. This is a disease that attacks your intestinal linings causing ulcers and eating thru your intestinal walls. Some less severe cases can be treated by meds. He went through all of them. His last med was Rumacaid? Spelling it wrong, but it "sounds" that way. He took double doses every 60 days at $10,000 per. The last treatment not only did not work, but put him in the hospital. We have prayed (as well as sister churches in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas) for a miracle. Doctors were saying the only action at this time is to remove the intestines. Guys, he is only 25!!! Anyway, the disease lead him to become stronger and stronger in his relationship with God. The same week the last treatment put him in the hospital, God led him to a new diet. After two weeks of diet and lots of prayer from lots of people - he is now totally OFF meds and his symptons almost gone. While he will probably never be rid of it, it is as close to normal as he can remember AND with NO MEDS!! Guys, this is unheard of. Our prayers changed from CURE to HELP HIM CONTROL HIS SYMPTOMS and whalla!!! God does help those who ask correctly? Perhaps this was His way to get our family closer to Him? Think so... Now we can't forget to be continually gratefull for this blessing.
Tom

[Tourmeister]

Tom welcome to the site! :wave:

Great story.

[KenH]

Wow, so much to share, most will have to wait. Science proves exactly what faith proves: absolutely nothing. Science and faith both provide evidence that leads us to believe what we believe. One must study both to reach a balanced and rational conciliation, which for me is really not that complicated: Science empowers human understanding of the existence in which we live; science merely attempts to explain how God did it.

Our prayers changed from CURE to HELP HIM CONTROL HIS SYMPTOMS and whalla!!! God does help those who ask correctly?

I think the change in the wording of a prayer can have an effect. Effectiveness of methods of prayer, and prayer effectiveness of different faiths, have been the subjects of many double-blind studies. Google "scientific study of prayer" and seek the good science from the psuedo-science. God won't mind--He loves to be questioned. That is why good scientific studies provide evidence for the following beliefs:

To make a very long story as short and simple as possible, the most effective prayer expresses the sentiment "for the highest good of all concerned." Many, many experiments have been done that seem to support this type prayer. The Lord's Prayer carries the same sentiment with the words "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." This is but one of the hundreds of biblical statements that good science supports.

Also, there is no difference in effectiveness of prayer by different faiths. Catholic and Protestant prayers are of equal effectiveness, as are the prayers of Sunni and Shiite Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Agnostics, Universalists, Shintoans, Jews, etc.

These two beliefs lead me to the conclusion that ethnocentrism is a sin.

[BMWbabe]

Tourmeister, kudos for making this public.

Part of my start up routine is prayer. I never get on the bike until I've asked God to make me visible to those on the street, make them visible to me and bring me back to my family safe and on schedule. Like the AMEX card, I don't leave home without it.

amen

[Doug]

Quite refreshing and encouraging to find this forum.
Thank you Scott. I paticularly appreciate your comments about each peron's relationship with God. I am greatful God loved us first, enough to give so much of Himself including his only son, Jesus, to redeem us from our sins and the judgement we deserve.
Matthew 5:14-15 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205:14-15;&version=50;)

[Johnny Monsoon]

Wow! Just... wow! You know, I've been smitten with TX since I went down for my first interview. I was prepared not to like it; I wasn't terribly impressed while driving through TX (Amarillo) from the southeast to NM twice (well, the steak was fantastic at the Big Texan...).

Anyway, I've been excited to get down there to such great people and become one of you (if I'm allowed to, that is). There's certainly something special about Texas and the folks who live there.

I found this site just a few days ago, and was impressed with it (and happy to see some familiar 'faces'). Today, finally being able to fully search and post, etc. I have really become attached to this site. I think you all are just great people. This thread is just more proof of it. Religion aside, the fact that you all would come together to look after each other on such a personal level is remarkable.

I'm very happy to have landed here. Thanks very much for having me.

[Manfred]

To answer the question that is the subject of this thread: "YES! Scott has lost his mind and now has the mind of Christ." (1 Cor 2:16) Praise the Lord of all creation!

[Tourmeister]

Welcome to Texas Johnny. I am glad you have found a place where you feel like you can belong. I hope you can make a few Pie Runs or bike nights to meet the folks in person. It is really great when you get to know the people and put faces with screen names.

[Grover]

God bless this forum, God bless America, God bless our freedom of religion:welcome: How's that???


And dont forget... God bless Johnny Cash, and Joseph Smith Jr.

and freedom in general, not just of religion.

[h2000fb]

Just something I heard the other day....

"The Church is not a country club for saints, but a hospital for sinners." Well put I thought.

Update on my son from the earlier post in the thread. He is still off meds, not varying from his diet, and is still doing well. The colitis is still present and rears its ugly head if he varies from the very strict all natural diet he is on, but we are all very grateful and give thanks daily!

[Michelle]

Removed.

[2wheels4u2]

Scott,
Thank you so much for taking a stand for God. With out God none of us could have or enjoy all he has bless us with. Again I thank you for you post and love this web site. May God bless us all.

Terry

[Tourmeister]

Welcome to the site Terry :wave:

[TerriBaker]

Thank you Scott. God has blessed each and every day of my life. I have some new great prayers to say prior to riding now - thanks to this forum. I forwarded some to my son - and his response was "well part of my prayer is that I hope my little bike can make it out of a sticky situation."...I really pray for him on his clunker bike....He's saving for a new one. This forum is a blessing to me!

God bless you all!
Terri in Dallas

[TexTom]

Scott good job on the site and adding this forum is a great idea. It doesn't really answer the question," Has Scott lost his mind?".
I asked that same question of myself once. All my friends formed a search party to look for it. They haven't returned yet.
TexTom

[txron]

Scott,

Thank you for this forum and for the site overall.

I am a Baptist minister and was thankfull when a friend directed me to this site.

It is a blessing to me to see a forum where people who enjoy bikes can get together and share their experiences.

Bro. Ron