I just wanted to ask... how to you cope with all the depression and sadness of having a child with cancer?
Hope in God. Trust in eternity, knowing that nothing in this life compares to the next. Knowing that the WORST (the worst?) thing that can happen to Abby is that she goes on early to be with Jesus, and we see her in a little while. We would miss her terribly, but be happy that she was enjoying heaven.
Marie asked:
You seem like such loving, fun, positive, giving, just plain awesome people!! Do you really, seriously, truly in your heart believe that those that dont believe in Jesus are going to hell? I mean really...my dear kind Muslim friends Kaoki and Nadia are going to hell? My friend Ana who is the sweetest person but just doesnt believe in God? Will a child molesting priest really get in instead of them? I dont understand.
Go back and read what I’ve written this topic. My premise is that we have NO TRUTH when we say ALL “truth” (religious ideas) is equal. We believe a “truth” and we have the courage to publicly proclaim it. Your arguments are anecdotal, out of context and straw man in nature. They have nothing to do with TRUTH, but only your gut feelings and personal experience.
Muslims believe ONLY they are righteous and “saved”. If you are not Muslim, any HONEST Muslim is going to tell you that you are an infidel, worthy of only being converted by force, or killed. Of course many Muslims do what many Christians do… they ignore the plain and clear teaching of their faith for the sake of popularity or political correctness… or they do it in honest ignorance. Christianity teaches it is the SOLE way to salvation. Islam teaches the same. To deny either, is simply to not believe either, and insult whichever you claim to believe.
You ask ME what about MY opinion of someone ELSE’s eternal destination. MY opinion doesn’t mean a thing about YOUR eternity, or your Muslim friend, or the pedophile. Your asking the wrong question to the wrong person. I simply believe what the God of the Bible clearly proclaims. I choose to believe that because I genuinely believe it to be the TRUTH as delivered by our CREATOR. So if you don’t like what HE has said, you need to take that up with Him.
Will a child molesting Priest get into heaven because they call themselves “Christian”? Do I really have to answer that? But just in case:
- Mt 7:21-23: "Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (NKJV)
Mandy asked:
What does a *normal* day look like in your home?
Fun, noise, laughter, standing in the corner, an occasional spanking, kissing, hugging, blogging, eating, playing, school, work, stress sometimes… almost NEVER any boredom or sitting around wondering what to do.
indianamom asked:
Random question, but do you think that marriage still applies in heaven? I always heard that things are as they last were. But if you are married and your spouse dies, then you move on to be with someone else - married or not - when you do, do you go back to being with your wife? Or what for your new partner to come and be with you? Or does marriage, etc no longer apply? Just wondering what your theory is.
- Mt 22:30: For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven. (NKJV)
But our relationships and memories stay intact. We don’t “forget” who we were, or our family or friends. Watch my presentation on heaven: http://www.seriousheaven.com/
Sue asked:
Brent, I was wondering your take on the impact that the current deployment schedule/length is having on families? We have 3 young kids, my husband (proudly a soldier) got back 6 months ago from 15 months in Iraq. We are gearing up for a Dec. deployment to Afghanistan now. We do the normal things, lots of letters, pictures, webcam chats, videos, sending packages. Can you give any creative suggestions for both kids and spouses as far as staying close and weathering the deployment?
Let me think more on this one… I was deployed for over a year myself in Desert Storm. Let me think on this for a week. Ask me again this Friday and remind me.
Kristie asked:
Okay, this is a fun question that is not intended to hurt anyones feelings. Brent: WILL YOU EVER GROW UP?
Do you WANT me to grow up?
Brent Riggs asked:
I heard you were kind of a bonehead... is that true?
Oh yeah… it’s definitely true.
More…
Michelle will answer the adoption related questions. I’ve got the energy for a few more questions tonight if you have any. Email them to me: brent@brentriggs.com
~ Brent
4 comments:
I believe the Bible, too. I understand why people have questions about salvation, but Jesus IS the only way. I have acquaintances that are Muslim. I taught their son. I respected their right to their beliefs and they respected mine, but I did NOT compromise my TRUTH. We asked questions out of curiosity, but were never rude or disrespectful to one another. I hope I planted a seed. It breaks my heart to know that unless they accept Christ, they will not go to Heaven, but that IS the TRUTH. They also have three beautiful little boys that I do not want to go to Hell. Their family is still on my heart and I lift them up whenever they cross my mind. I also stay in touch with them through e-mails.
I will NEVER deny what I know to be the truth. Jesus died for us. The VERY least we can do is stand up for Him. What good is watered-down faith?! None!
what did you look like as a kid/teenager?
wow- this belief is Christianity and salvation is just puzzling to me. I dont personally know anyone who believes in this way. Innocent little children and good people go to hell because they werent believers of the right type? My goodness. One benefit of the internet is its way of making the world a lot smaller because these different beliefs and ways of living are pretty fascinating to me. Such beliefs do clearly help a family cope with a child's serious illness and potential loss of life. I would think, however, the "worst case scenario" would relate to Abby's experience- the pain, anguish, and terror a child experiences facing loss and separation through death. THAT is the worst case scenario in my opinion.
Nope, wasn't asking the wrong question to the wrong person, just wanted to know YOUR opinion on the matter. I could ask 1000 people and get 1000 differing opinions, I was just curious where you, Brent Riggs, stood on the matter. You invited us to ask, so I asked.
My arguments are "straw man?" What arguments???? I asked you what you believed would happen to my friends...where is the argument? Why are you attacking a loyal reader of your site for asking a question that in no way insulted or argued? In fact I believe I complimented you in my post about how loving and awesome I think you are.
Just as a side note, my Muslim friends who grew up in Afganistan were actually taught in school about all religions, and to respect each faith and their beliefs and traditions. There was no talk of infidels, that is something the extremists believe. My Muslim friends were taught to uphold and respect Jesus 100% and often asked me about the meaning of Easter and other Christian celebrations.
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