My Daughter & The "What If"

[Digging4Truth]

Coming home from church yesterday my daughter (who will be a senior next year) was telling me about something that happened at school. She said that there are some people at school who don't call themselves athiests but they definitely don't believe in God.

One of them approached her one day and asked her what she would do if she reached the end of her life and found out that there was not God... no heaven... no hell.

Of course we have discussed this before and she was well ready to answer the question. She told them that if she reached the end and found there was no God... no heaven... no hell... then this life I have lived was still the best life. Alcohol won't destroy my family. My life won't be ended too soon by drugs, cigarettes etc. I will have saved myself many heartaches and pains. I still win.

She then retorted. What will you do if you reach the end and find out that there is a God... a heaven... a hell?

There was momentary silence... and (pardon my speech as I recall their exact answer)... That would suck.

LOL... Good girl. I thought she did well.

[Hoovie]

Ditto! I think she did well too.

[John Atkinson]

Coming home from church yesterday my daughter (who will be a senior next year) was telling me about something that happened at school. She said that there are some people at school who don't call themselves athiests but they definitely don't believe in God.

One of them approached her one day and asked her what she would do if she reached the end of her life and found out that there was not God... no heaven... no hell.

Of course we have discussed this before and she was well ready to answer the question. She told them that if she reached the end and found there was no God... no heaven... no hell... then this life I have lived was still the best life. Alcohol won't destroy my family. My life won't be ended too soon by drugs, cigarettes etc. I will have saved myself many heartaches and pains. I still win.

She then retorted. What will you do if you reach the end and find out that there is a God... a heaven... a hell?

There was momentary silence... and (pardon my speech as I recall their exact answer)... That would suck.

LOL... Good girl. I thought she did well.

My daughter will also be a senior next year and has faced similar conversations. Isn't it great having kids who stand the line?

Mostly though she gets the line "How come you never wear pants?" :thumbsup

[Sinatra]

She did VERY well!!

[crakjak]

I hope their testimonies consist of more than, not wearing pants and other outward appearances.

Just a curious question: "Would anyone have noticed if those things were not evident"?

[John Atkinson]

I hope their testimonies consist of more than, not wearing pants and other outward appearances.

Just a curious question: "Would anyone have noticed if those things were not evident"?

Of course it does. Just because someone still keeps standards does'nt naturally make them a pharisee. I know I am the oddball on here who still does that after 22 years, but I ain't changing.

The way my daughter was raised, she doesn't view the whole dress, uncut hair, no make up, and etc as some rules she has to keep in order to stay saved, but part of her dedication to God, part of her life. I don't "make" her do that and neither does her pastor.

I fail to understand the attitude of people here towards people who keep standards, we are all not prudish old hypocrites trying to enforce our views on anyone. It seems on here like the minute someone posts that they are conservative in attire, that folks automatically assume that they are clothes and no substance since we haven't been "liberated".

I don't judge the folks on here who dropped standards, and I hope they don't judge me and mine because we choose to keep them.

[crakjak]

Of course it does. Just because someone still keeps standards does'nt naturally make them a pharisee. I know I am the oddball on here who still does that after 22 years, but I ain't changing.

The way my daughter was raised, she doesn't view the whole dress, uncut hair, no make up, and etc as some rules she has to keep in order to stay saved, but part of her dedication to God, part of her life. I don't "make" her do that and neither does her pastor.

I fail to understand the attitude of people here towards people who keep standards, we are all not prudish old hypocrites trying to enforce our views on anyone. It seems on here like the minute someone posts that they are conservative in attire, that folks automatically assume that they are clothes and no substance since we haven't been "liberated".

I don't judge the folks on here who dropped standards, and I hope they don't judge me and mine because we choose to keep them.

John,

You read a great deal in to my inquiry that simply is not there, it was not an accusation, it was a question.

I totally agree, I have a large family of which many still hold to the "standards", I don't feel that they are any of the things that you suggested, I love them and respect them.

However, if they had the same love and attitude toward people that they now have, without the outward appearances many more folks would feel much more at ease in joining them. Many of the put offs that folks have in coming to God is created my the church itself. In that regard you might compare it to the Pharisees, because they created obstacles to folks coming to God.

If we can change and adapt the current trends in cars, housing, technology, etc, why can't we change to more current trends of dress and style. I am not suggesting immodesty so don't go there.

BTW: I commend both daugthers on making their parents proud, having children to grow up and honor God is a great thing. My daughter recieved the principle's award at her graduation, her character and Christlikeness shined thru, even when she was wearing pants. I know it sounds like a gloat, but it is not. lol

[Pressing-On]

Of course it does. Just because someone still keeps standards does'nt naturally make them a pharisee. I know I am the oddball on here who still does that after 22 years, but I ain't changing.

The way my daughter was raised, she doesn't view the whole dress, uncut hair, no make up, and etc as some rules she has to keep in order to stay saved, but part of her dedication to God, part of her life. I don't "make" her do that and neither does her pastor.

I fail to understand the attitude of people here towards people who keep standards, we are all not prudish old hypocrites trying to enforce our views on anyone. It seems on here like the minute someone posts that they are conservative in attire, that folks automatically assume that they are clothes and no substance since we haven't been "liberated".

I don't judge the folks on here who dropped standards, and I hope they don't judge me and mine because we choose to keep them.

Well said, John! :thumbsup :thumbsup

[Pressing-On]

LOL... Good girl. I thought she did well.

Very well! :thumbsup

[John Atkinson]

John,

You read a great deal in to my inquiry that simply is not there, it was not an accusation, it was a question.

I totally agree, I have a large family of which many still hold to the "standards", I don't feel that they are any of the things that you suggested, I love them and respect them.

However, if they had the same love and attitude toward people that they now have, without the outward appearances many more folks would feel much more at ease in joining them. Many of the put offs that folks have in coming to God is created my the church itself. In that regard you might compare it to the Pharisees, because they created obstacles to folks coming to God.

If we can change and adapt the current trends in cars, housing, technology, etc, why can't we change to more current trends of dress and style. I am not suggesting immodesty so don't go there.

BTW: I commend both daugthers on making their parents proud, having children to grow up and honor God is a great thing. My daughter recieved the principle's award at her graduation, her character and Christlikeness shined thru, even when she was wearing pants. I know it sounds like a gloat, but it is not. lol

Whoops. My bad. Sincere apologies for misunderstanding....I have seen the attitude I posted about on here though.

As a church, my church doesn't have the big list of dos and dont's. We preach principles and allow people to develop convictions as they grow in Christ, so at any given time you might see in our services a woman in pants or a guy in shorts and a tshirt. And they can feel comfortable there and loved. No dirty looks from the "holy" crowd. So even though I am conservative in my standards I don't bind that on anyone.

The inner standard of holiness and the manifestation of the fruit of the spirit is to me the most important thing. The outward is impacted and modesty is one of the results. But it is the fruit that makes people want what we have.

It is good that our children mentioned on this thread have that, and the ability to give good answers when asked about the way.

[tbpew]

D4T,
Glory to God for the "point" one of your arrows was able to deliver into the hearts of those who heard her witness.

May God multiply the peace she lives and moves in.

[Pressing-On]

Whoops. My bad. Sincere apologies for misunderstanding....I have seen the attitude I posted about on here though.

As a church, my church doesn't have the big list of dos and dont's. We preach principles and allow people to develop convictions as they grow in Christ, so at any given time you might see in our services a woman in pants or a guy in shorts and a tshirt. And they can feel comfortable there and loved. No dirty looks from the "holy" crowd. So even though I am conservative in my standards I don't bind that on anyone.

The inner standard of holiness and the manifestation of the fruit of the spirit is to me the most important thing. The outward is impacted and modesty is one of the results.

I agree with your post. I am agreeing with what you said earlier about your daughter.

The way my daughter was raised, she doesn't view the whole dress, uncut hair, no make up, and etc as some rules she has to keep in order to stay saved, but part of her dedication to God, part of her life. I don't "make" her do that and neither does her pastor.

This, IMO, is a major issue that is being overlooked as you said you have seen the attitude - against said dress standard - being posted here. This is true.

Crajak makes a good point as well, when he said:

If we can change and adapt the current trends in cars, housing, technology, etc, why can't we change to more current trends of dress and style. I am not suggesting immodesty so don't go there.

That is a valid point. BUT, we need to be aware and consider the fact that some people still desire the convictions your daughter has regardless of the current dress and current trend.

Our son is not in the organization and does not preach standards, as we term it, over the pulpit and still has women being convicted of wearing pants.

I believe we need to be very careful with how we present our views. If we are preaching that we want to allow God to do the changing in every heart, then we need to consider they may not make the changes that we think - throwing away a more conservative standard of dress. It's just that real.

[John Atkinson]

Our son is not in the organization and does not preach standards, as we term it, over the pulpit and still has women being convicted of wearing pants.

I believe we need to be very careful with how we present our views. If we are preaching that we want to allow God to do the changing in every heart, then we need to consider they may not make the changes that we think - throwing away a more conservative standard of dress. It's just that real.

This is what I see and how we operate as a church here in Norwich. I have seen that result as well.

[rgcraig]

DT4 your daughter did an excellent job with her answer.

There does seem to be a big wave of agnostic believers - - so sad.

[Pressing-On]

This is what I see and how we operate as a church here in Norwich. I have seen that result as well.
That is the reason I get a little defensive at times. The mantra seems to be that it is not Biblical - at all - but God is still convicting people in this way.

Sorry to take a tangent here, Digging! Yes, again, your daughter is awesome!!! :thumbsup

[John Atkinson]

Yes D4T, didn't mean to hijack your thread, just sort of happened....I agree that your daughter gave the best of all possible answers!

[Digging4Truth]

DT4 your daughter did an excellent job with her answer.

There does seem to be a big wave of agnostic believers - - so sad.

Yes ma'am... there does seem to be. But sometimes I think the reasons revolve around the answers that we give to their questions sometimes.

We are sold out... as Christians. And we give answers that are good enough for us. But when we take some time to put some real thought into the question we could come up with an answer more suited to the audience if we really tried.

I am thankful that my family and I have very open, honest and in depth discussions such as these on a regular basis. It is good practice to put the proper thought processes in place to give an answer equal to their challenge.

When we give our cookie cutter Christian answers... which... as I said... are good enough for us... they just roll their eyes because they seem nonsensical to them.

A little bit of thought... A little bit of honesty... A little big of caring... and we can at least put a seed of thought into their minds.

My daughters retort was a bit stinging but not hateful and was an equal tit for tat for what they had offered her.

She went no further at the moment but they now have something to think about.

I just can't say enough about how pleased I am at how she handled the question and, most of all, at how pleased I am that she sees the life she lives in the manner she does.

God is certainly good.

[D. Wright]

It shows that you have TAUGHT her well!!!!

Also, that SHE HAS A relationship with Jesus!

[rgcraig]

Yes ma'am... there does seem to be. But sometimes I think the reasons revolve around the answers that we give to their questions sometimes.

We are sold out... as Christians. And we give answers that are good enough for us. But when we take some time to put some real thought into the question we could come up with an answer more suited to the audience if we really tried.

I am thankful that my family and I have very open, honest and in depth discussions such as these on a regular basis. It is good practice to put the proper thought processes in place to give an answer equal to their challenge.

When we give our cookie cutter Christian answers... which... as I said... are good enough for us... they just roll their eyes because they seem nonsensical to them.

A little bit of thought... A little bit of honesty... A little big of caring... and we can at least put a seed of thought into their minds.

My daughters retort was a bit stinging but not hateful and was an equal tit for tat for what they had offered her.

She went no further at the moment but they now have something to think about.

I just can't say enough about how pleased I am at how she handled the question and, most of all, at how pleased I am that she sees the life she lives in the manner she does.

God is certainly good.
DT4 - I know you are proud of her and the answer that she gave.

It's obvious that she has paid attention and it's personal with her - not just what her daddy's told her!

[Digging4Truth]

There was something else we discussed on the way home too.... I amy start another thread on it later if I have time.

But... I must admit I don't understand the scripture that states that if we had hope in this life only we would, of all men, be most miserable.

As the old PCD? song said... this is the life... it's where I want to be.

If there were no heaven ahead... this is STILL the best life.

My daughters take on it was this... maybe it is talking about this life... as in living our lives looking after the cares of this world.

Good thought. I don't know.

But... as good as living God's way is... that scripture has always puzzled me.

[Pressing-On]

There was something else we discussed on the way home too.... I amy start another thread on it later if I have time.

But... I must admit I don't understand the scripture that states that if we had hope in this life only we would, of all men, be most miserable.

As the old PCD? song said... this is the life... it's where I want to be.

If there were no heaven ahead... this is STILL the best life.

My daughters take on it was this... maybe it is talking about this life... as in living our lives looking after the cares of this world.

Good thought. I don't know.

But... as good as living God's way is... that scripture has always puzzled me.

That is exactly what it is talking about. We have to know that we have hope. It goes right along with Hebrews 13:13-15, IMO.

(13) Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

(14) For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

That's why we can:

(15) By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.