Josh McDowell Testimony Part 1

[@Brad-gk9jd]

His book, "More than a Carpenter" made a great impact on my life after coming to Christ.

[@thejette61]

My parents didn't come looking for me either. They are good folk. My Dad figured I'd come home eventually. I took it as a sign that they really didn't care. I was not special to them. I hated that about them. And I felt very much alone. I never knew this about you. Never heard your testamony. Powerfull. Makes me feel better knowing I wasn't the only one. I wish no one felt that way. Then God took my hand.

[@IKillGoliath]

A Godly man! a good testimony of the love of God to change anger into love Despair into hope The bondage of Unforgiveness into Freedom of Heart and mind.

[@fiteni35]

Thank you Josh for sharing your story with us. It makes it so clear that God starts his guidance a long time before we ever realize its happening - but the Father goes on leading us to his Son Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord.

[@IKillGoliath]

Sounds real to me!

[@ytrimble]

Incredibly candid testimony of personal pain, God is glorified.

[@hexusziggurat]

which does not dimish the testimony of somebody coming forward and voicing their own experience.

[@hexusziggurat]

Bravo! All too often I see young people just ride headlong into the escapades of today thinking they are at the cutting edge of all things awesome that are happening. This constant excuse of using intellect as a reason for the blatent disregard to restraint. It proves how untempered they are by not using the wisdom of those that came before us.

[@hexusziggurat]

I'd like to point out "The best we have is Scientific emperical proof." "best" is very very relative to situational subject. "Best" is relative to the individual alone & on a larger scale "best" is determined by the masses which is not neccesarily good for the individual or the situation. "Best" is clearly a personal interpretation because what works one day may not work the next. (I could explain more on this to clarify but the key being "best"=relative). Both camps use "empiracal proof".

[@hexusziggurat]

no man is an island, which you'll probably understand more clearly with a bit of seasoning from time and experience. Keep telling yourself, others are "fundamentally weak" if that makes you feel better about getting up in the morning or somehow gives you the qualifications to think of yourself as "he without a comfort story".

[@MrPs103]

@NotAnotherGeneration i agree. thank you for clarifying your point to me. God bless you.

[@Potomacstud]

Bless you Uncle Josh !

[@Driftwood2211]

A great testimony of truth.

[@hexusziggurat]

Well the group of people that I come from (theistic community) we value science as well. We're not talking about percentages, and how can you quantify how somebody values something? i never said "relative about emperical proof", i said the word "best" is relative to the individual" excepted by when a mass votes on something but still does not supercede what is neccessarily "best" for the individual and the placement of circumstances of whats happeing to the individual at the given time.

[@miriamyanez9692]

🙏✨✝️

[@edavisdavis]

My father was a drinker,he raised his voice out of anger because he thought he was right ,never touched me though I liked him drunk, he gave us junkfood when he was sober he would belt me,because I deserved it,awful teacher,myself stopped for 5 yrs ,had my fear share of parties never belted anyone,got the invitation by a pastor to serve hard time in a church,blameless to this day peace

[@tigoldbitties1]

why doesnt he talk more real to people he speaks in a naritive that is odd

[@hexusziggurat]

you are right in your statement. But your assesment of saying the "best" we got is "empirical proof" was being stacked against a religious belief-system....and neither are comparitive. neither one reigns supreme over the other because they are apples to oranges which I tried pointing out earlier. When comparing the two as in "what is best for humanity" they are certainly "relative", which is another point I was also trying to make.

[@edvardzv5660]

Reading the books of the New Testament, we probably asked ourselves more than once: *"Why 2000 years we do not see those miracles that accompanied the Сhurch of Christ in the I century, as described in the New Testament?"* Why do the so-called preachers of Christ have to prove that Jesus really existed and atheists boldly deny the historicity or divine origin of Christ? Maybe because the Сhurch of Christ has not existed for 2000 years? The Сhurch does not exist in the form in which it is presented in the books of the New Testament, but there are Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant and other christian sects claiming to be the place of the Church, but they not have the only thing that distinguishes the divine from the human and is characteristic of just the Сhurch of Christ -the reinforcement of the word with signs, that is, miracles (Mark 16:15-20). Therefore, some researchers doubt the historicity of Christ, and some of them are not opposed to declaring him a an ordinary philosopher, teacher. But even if Jesus were an ordinary philosopher, his disciples would be ordinary followers of Jesus. And they would not dare to write about the miracles that not only Jesus, but also his disciples, could perform. In this world, the great fertility of atheism can be explained by the fact that there is no main opponent of critics of the Bible - the Church. If there were the Church in our time as described by the authors of the New Testament books, where miracles are performed, the sick are healed, where prophesied, and the dead are raised, no one would doubt the historicity of Christ. Then there would be the same controversy throughout the world as in the first century - Jesus the Son of God or the false prophet who seduces the world by miracles. As a result, we can say that the emergence and development of christian sects and atheism was the result of the fact that over the 2000 years the Сhurch of Christ did not exist. Find *"The Mystery about the Church of Christ"* video on KZbin, which shows the real causes of Christian sects and atheism. The video reveals a prophecy about the disappearance and reappearance of the Church of Christ before the end of the world. Watching this video will bring joy to all who sincerely seek God and will interest those who are not too lazy to think freely. Click on my name to watch the video (The video is in Russian, but English subtitles are included).

[@hexusziggurat]

The point....you believe that you are comepletely correct without regress, & that clearly defines you at this time. I don't believe we are here by chance, but I am open to conversation. Conversation is'nt about trying to one-up each other, its about being open to ideas that others present regardless if those ideas make an impact on our personal/world views or not. "We exist by chance, nothing more. Any other beliefs, are personal beliefs" ...looks to me like you are trying to say Universal Truth

[@kittycatcarley]

My dad is an alcoholic and I can attest to that.

[@MrPs103]

@PhoenixCrusar yeah. he testifies that his grammar has never been good, and that he's struggled with it for a long time, but still his stuff makes sense.

[@hexusziggurat]

best healthcare in what regards...they may have the "best" in the eyes of masses & in fact excell in a great number of areas but they will not have the "best" in all regards. Some country somewhere would be more specialized in one area or in the same fields with a better actiove role on a specified number of individual cases that are non-confroming to the majority...so that one group would actually be the "best" or perhaps even how it delivered to the patient on a humanitarian level.

[@hexusziggurat]

;) take good care of yourself FM.

[@hexusziggurat]

Evolution i do believe in (though your version may differ than mine). The Big Bang Theory is just that...its really just a moot point to argue over something thats "theory". Age of the earth is just fine...its old & keeps on getting older...wheres the problem? I gave the definition cause you keep pointing a finger at me & talk about red herrings though. I continue to try & redirect your thoughtwaves to a more simplistic form so you can understand where our conflict is developing. take care.

[@MrPs103]

@t0mwidd if you don't have an alcoholic parent, you can only assume the shame the children of such live with. you truly don't know for a certainty the shame that is felt. being someone that had an alcoholic, abusive, and drug addicted grandfather, it's truly a shame that i have a difficult time explaining.

[@hexusziggurat]

Red Herring = a deflection in the conversation. Understanding = a modification in the subject matter to a more simplistic topic to create a bridge by which both persons can communicate. See if we cannot even communicate on a subject matter that we can both understand...it is best we talk about the subject in more simplistic terms until we reach a point where we can both nod our heads and say "yea that makes sense". Its only turned on you because you continue to throw barbs...

[@hexusziggurat]

If I sound stupid then you really haven't figured it out yet. The way you so easily name call a perfect stranger who challenges your testimony which has no basis shows that don't like words of advice/wisdom. "No man is an island" is a profound statement...& one not created by me, though if you don't understand the words you will always struggle & never understand your misery. Pedestal? what pedestal? Who mentioned anything about pedistal perching.

[@nonedooing]

@bravo51408 Hey may be illiterate, but what he says makes a lot of sense when you get around some of his grammar since it really isn't that hard to understand.

[@MrPs103]

@NotAnotherGeneration don't you agree that virginity is an oddity today? not that it's wrong, but that it's entirely uncommon

[@hexusziggurat]

WHO ranks France as #1 in a wide-spread net effect of its overall healthcare system. Though its lazer eye surgery is not the best in the world, they don't have the best nuero surgeons in the world, do they deliver the best individual humanitarian needs for cancer treament no, these things are all ranked higher in other countries. Though an overall sweeping net of healthcare they are top indeed. If you want lazer eye surgery are you going to go to France...or Canada? (not counting logictics)

[@hexusziggurat]

Well the belief isn't that God just made "us" (the so-called christians) He made all of us...everyone...regardless of differences in belief or our idea of what He is. We're not the only ones who are special...you are too regardless of what you believe! Atheist go with "the truth". One thing can be for certain..not a single person "knows" the truth, thats why theists have faith and non theists are steadfast to tangible/retestable/already-proven facts & neither are "wrong" in these motivations.

[@hexusziggurat]

"Some" people is the key word. "some" means a section of the whole, that is not a generaliziation. Atheism is not science...that is a generalization (I might add that is also pedastal perching right there, to believe that simply because one has faith they are lesser somehow because the atheistic sector somehow has their foundations in "science" therefor elevating their status...there are just as many in the theistic world that place value in science and utilize it to its fullest capacity.

[@hexusziggurat]

you're not really catching the point, even if my "analogy" is somewhat lacking. The analogy is not needed for actual "facts" but to bring to light an honest truth. All the science in the world won't conduct a true moral fiber that is above mankind's personal viewpoint. Science is everything in the tools we use, you don't really have to point that out. you can believe science reigns supreme its just a tool, but thats akin to saying your drill-o-matic is better than love. I'll take love anyday.

[@hexusziggurat]

as quoted by you "the best we have is scientific empirical proof"....thats currently the best for you...and thats all you can claim about that statement...at this given time. I'll use your arguement you used earlier...I surely don't "know you"...but surely you don't "know me" either and surely you don't know whats best for me.

[@hexusziggurat]

And you "know" they are lying how?

[@Puckford]

just cause you don't like it otherwise, doesnt mean a crackpot fantasy is true.

[@Water4Jeremiah]

73 years of a life spreading lies, what an accursed life.

[@anticoberturaapostol]

Water4Jeremiah Hahaha. Right!

[@oscarcat1231]

It’s your choice. You have chosen not to believe so what’s the issue. Walk away.

[@icansmellyourfear111]

O_O so sad

[@hexusziggurat]

I didn't say you are miserable because you don't believe in a divine being. My intention of your misery stemmed from the notion that you did not understand "no man is an island" (& you don't have to read any religious ideas into that at all). All people sin...regardless of their inclination to believe in a divine being or not. Its "sometimes" the desire for people to want to gravitate towards atheism so they can explore life's debaucheries & maintain a clear conscience.

[@hexusziggurat]

hehe.....see you keep taking what i say and then recreate it to fit what you believe you hear. I did not redirect the conversation....I was trying to redirect YOU so you could understand me. Read what is said, not what you need to continue making false points & baseless remarks about me. p/tyvm kbai

[@kittycatcarley]

@bravo51408 LOL!

[@hexusziggurat]

The "other" provides lots, which you have not begun to understand & it doesn't just leave people to rely on faith alone...thats pure assumption again trying to group all theists' religions as without value & only relying on faith.

[@hexusziggurat]

still more barbs. If those are the mental gymnastics you do for exercise....give me God anyday!

[@hexusziggurat]

science is not greater than religion. they are comepletely non comparable. Its as if you are saying a car is better than a fruit tree....but not to the man that is starving, but yes to the man that needs to get to his own wedding...thats how they are relative if you compare them to each other....one can't be "better than the other" when they are not even in the same field to compare.

[@hexusziggurat]

Theres no Red Herring there, it goes towards the point which you are still not understanding. Love and morality are chemical reactions in the brain??? hmmm ....more like ...thats just what mankinds test-o-meters pick up and record, so thats how they have to explain it. Interesting barbs you continue to throw at me as well...i don't miss a single one. "a common sense concept" .....hmm somehow i have lost all my common sense and yours seems to be the most common.

[@hexusziggurat]

hehe FM, yer a card. What needs to be admitted? and yet more barbs.....