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Online! | | Bush: Pope's funeral strengthened faith | | [img]https://www.sermonindex.net/images/forum/2004/may/featured_news.gif[/img]
CRAWFORD, Texas -- President Bush said yesterday that attending Pope John Paul II's emotional funeral strengthened his belief in Christianity, a living God, and in how religious faith is a lifelong journey, not a respite.
''I knew the ceremony today would be majestic but I didn't realize how moved I would be by the service itself," said Bush, a Protestant who attends a Methodist church.
''Today's ceremony, I bet you, for millions of people, was a reaffirmation . . . and a way to make sure doubts don't seep into your soul."
The president, discussing his faith in greater detail than usual, said: ''There is no doubt in my mind there is living God. And no doubt in my mind that Lord, Christ, was sent by the Almighty. No doubt in my mind about that."
In an interview with reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Texas from Rome, Bush called the funeral ceremony one of the ''highlights of my presidency" and differed sharply with former President Bill Clinton's view that John Paul II left behind a ''mixed legacy."
''John Paul II will have a clear legacy of peace, compassion, and a strong legacy of setting a clear moral tone," Bush said, later asking reporters to amend his remarks to insert ''excellent" to describe the legacy.
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SI Moderator - Greg Gordon
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|  2005/4/10 12:37 | Profile | DezCall
Member
Joined: 2004/7/9
Posts: 315
The Netherlands
| | Re: Bush: Pope's funeral strengthened faith | | Quote:
'I knew the ceremony today would be majestic but I didn't realize how moved I would be by the service itself,"
The devil sure knows how to set up some great shows and religious meetings...
Today a wonderful Christian said to me. "There are two words that describe almost the same, but differ completely. The one is life-giving, the other is killing the real Church. These words are "flexible" and "compromise". We are called to be flexible. We are called to love and rebuke, to encourage and warn. But we aren't called to compromise."
I think we need to face reality. Millions of people went to see a pope in a coffin. Millions of people sent up prayers for the sanctification of the pope, not knowing that it is the Lord who sanctifies (Hebr 2:11). The pope had his chance and I think he blew it, otherwise he wouldn't have let the crowd praise him. He would have pointed out to Jesus. He wouldn't have tried to settle peace in the Middle-East and Russia, but he would have tried to win souls for Christ. And he definately wouldn't have arranged a meeting where ambassadors of all kind of faith joined together in unity. Christ came to bring unity, but unity in truth. Not unity at all costs. You can't unite light and darkness.
It drives me to tears that many "christians" are blind to this. They see that man and are talking about all the "good things" he has done. They're deeply moved (emotionally) by this man and his faith. Well, I'm deeply moved also...but by the huge deception under many people, like president Bush. If he indeed has been strengthened in his faith, I think he has another faith than I have...
The only thing I see is millions of people, praying to and for a dead man. A man they see as their mediator. Others are just looking for an icon. A person with charisma.
"Do not trust in princes, in mortal man, in whom there is no salvation. His spirit departs, he returns to the earth; In that very day his thoughts perish.
How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
Whose hope is in the LORD his God,
Who made heaven and earth,
The sea and all that is in them;
Who keeps faith forever;
Who executes justice for the oppressed;
Who gives food to the hungry
The LORD sets the prisoners free.
The LORD opens the eyes of the blind;
The LORD raises up those who are bowed down;
The LORD loves the righteous" (Psalm 146:3-8)
This man is being praised, but Jesus was crucified.
The anti-Christ won't be an "against"-Christ. He will be a "look-a-like"-Christ.
"I have come in My Father's name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, you will receive him." (John 5:43)
This attention to "Christianity" shouldn't bring us joy, but sorrow. The name of Jesus is being proclaimed, yes...but not the real Jesus. And we can tolerate all this and think that at least something of the Gospel is being preached, but men...do we realize what this means. Half a Gospel is a curse. Half a Gospel is exactly what the anti-Christ will proclaim. He will proclaim human rights, neighbourlove and even love for God...but he will not proclaim that Jesus is the only way to God. The only way to salvation! And this I will proclaim, until my dying breath! Rather proclaiming the truth, telling the people where they stand and sharing with them the saving Gospel of Jesus and being spit upon now, than compromising the truth, being loved and cherished by many now, but being spit upon at the gates of Heaven, while they will be saying: "Why didn't you tell me?! Why didn't you tell me of this place and this reality and that my works weren't good enough?!"
My 2 cents...
Paul
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Paul
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| | 2005/4/10 13:44 | Profile | ravin
Member
Joined: 2004/5/6
Posts: 309
Washington st. u.S. A.
| | Re: Bush: Pope's funeral strengthened faith | | " Bush said, later asking reporters to amend his remarks to insert ''excellent" to describe the legacy."
I just read this. It came to me it's like the Lord coming out of the desert and saying. that devil sure can put on a show.
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| | 2005/6/15 13:31 | Profile | Nellie
Member
Joined: 2004/4/5
Posts: 952
| | Re: Amen | | Keep telling it like it is.
We won't be liked and loved when we live for Christ.
Anything that is contrary to the Word of God
should not be proclaimed in any shape or form.
God Bless you.
Nellie :-) |
| | 2005/6/15 13:41 | Profile |
| | Paulie DezCall | | that post was annointed brother, what a Word that the Lord wrung from you, written in truth and love...there was no rancor there.
My prayer is that God continue to use you to deliver His Word.
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| | 2005/6/15 14:59 | | ravin
Member
Joined: 2004/5/6
Posts: 309
Washington st. u.S. A.
| | Re: | | Paul said: "This man is being praised, but Jesus was crucified."
well said and word worthy; Psalm 118:8 "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.' |
| | 2005/6/15 16:43 | Profile |
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