| Finding Acceptance... [message #6043] |
Fri, 14 August 2009 23:02  |
 james
Messages: 2137
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL |
Senior Member |
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Tomorrow marks the 40th anniversary of Woodstock and last night I rewatched the documentary/movie. It stirred a lot of memories, causing me to think about what it was that drew me to that lifestyle and culture. The music was captivating,( as well as the drugs )and it was a time when the younger generation was tired of the hypocrisy of this nation and our parents. The war was unpopular, and many young people(now called baby boomers)were looking for acceptance. I know I was, I had been involved with sports throughout school, but that had ended and I missed the acceptance that athletics brought. The hippie/flowerchild, 'all we need is love' counterculture offered a feeling of belonging to something bigger than ourselves.( especially if you had a spirit of rebellion dwelling within, as I did ) There was a bond there for a short period of time filling the need for acceptance; but eventually that gave way to a feeling of unfullfillment.
So the search continued until the day I asked Jesus to forgive me and grant me repentance; He took me, a sinner headed straight for hell, and unconditionally accepted me, just as I was and gave me LIFE and a new heart. He took a hard headed, hard hearted, lost soul and opened unto me the knowledge of His love and not only the knowledge of it, but by transforming me into a child of God, displayed that love to me. I couldn't change myself or offer anything to Him in order to receive of that wonderful grace and mercy and love...He freely gave it to me, accepted me and washed me white as snow...He even removed my sins as far as the east is from the west, and He remembers them no more.
Thank you Jesus, may all those seeking acceptance through the fleshly ways of man, find true acceptance in you, LORD.
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”
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| Re: Finding Acceptance... [message #6047 is a reply to message #6045] |
Sun, 16 August 2009 16:30  |
james
Messages: 2137
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL |
Senior Member |
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Funny experience...
Yesterday I saw a guy, about my age, that I know casually, at the pool; I greeted him and asked how he was. He replied by giving me the 'peace' sign and saying,'groovey, man'. So I asked him if he was experiencing flashbacks or just celebrating the 40th anniversary of Woodstock. We had a good laugh; he had watched the same presentation the night before on TV as I had. We talked a bit about life then and now, in respect to music, our society, and how naive we were.
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”
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| Re: Finding Acceptance... [message #6048 is a reply to message #6047] |
Sun, 16 August 2009 18:13 |
sparkles
Messages: 246
Registered: March 2008 |
Senior Member |
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Interesting topic James: Finding Acceptance.
Personally I was never into the Woodstock scene, but rather
found my area to be sports. I think almost everyone has an area they are comfortable with being accepted, ie cheerleading, sports, foreign language clubs in High School, Dance, the bar scene, the homosexual scene, and just about any other thing you can think about. But even in all these there is always the chance you will be rejected. Not a good enough cheerleader, someone will replace you. In sports there will always be someone better, or you get too old to play the game. At the bar scene you may be accepted until someone else comes along and you are pushed to the side. Same in all areas of your life you want to be accepted. Even in the church this happens. You might have a disagreement with some one and they will drop your friendship like a hot potato. Not talking about heresy here, just a disagreement between so called brothers and sisters. Much easier to just run away than work things out. The scary thing is you might find out you were partly to blame.
Not so with Jesus. He will accept the repentant person no matter the sin. God is not impressed with our talents and he isn't impressed by those who think they are something. What the Lord wants is a person who comes to Him sorry for their sins and willing to change into what Gods want. God looks on the heart. We may be able to fool others for a while, but we sure cannot fool the Lord.
John 6:37"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."
Ephesians 1:6-7 "To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherin he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;"
Thank God that He has accepted us and allowed us to receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior. To be able to come boldly before the throne of grace and obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need: Hebrews 4:16
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