CMNightRider

Over the ages, scoffers have called the Bible a myth, but archeological records have proved its historicity. Others have denounced its teachings as outdated and useless, but its positive impact on the moral and legal systems of cultures around the world is undeniable. Scientists, psychologists and politicians continue to attack the Bible, but its truth has never been disproven and its light has never been snuffed out. It continues to change lives and cultures just as it did 2,000 years ago. God supernaturally protects the Bible, proving that it is indeed His Word, just as it claims to be. Jesus said, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away" (Mark 13:31). When all the evidence is before us, there is no doubt that the Bible is truly the Word of God.

The fulfilled prophecies in the Bible also indicate that it is God's Word. Hundreds of prophecies about future kingdoms and nations, and most importantly, the Messiah, were spoken forth and then fulfilled, sometimes hundreds of years later. This is all recorded within the Bible itself. Unlike many modern prophecies, the prophecies in Scripture are very detailed and are fulfilled exactly. There is no way this happened by chance. The only answer is that the Bible is of divine origin.

"I honestly feel sorry for everybody who chooses to mock God because there will be severe penalties for that person and God will make that person eat those words. All over the web you see people writing blasphemous things about Christ and when the time comes they’re going to wish they had a time machine."

Whatever reason people reject Jesus Christ, their rejection has disastrous eternal consequences. “There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” than the name of Jesus (Acts 4:12), and those who reject Him, for whatever reason, face an eternity in the “outer darkness” of hell where there will be “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 25:30).
 

It's mind boggling how many people who have posted on this subject, reject God and the fact Jesus Christ died for our sins.  

 (John 3:16???? “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

Why would anyone reject such a wonderful offer? Why would anyone want to keep heading for eternal destruction? 

People reject Christ because they love their sin and they hate having it exposed by God’s light.

Romans 10:9-10:10 ⁹ That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

¹⁰ For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

It's as simple as that.  Many of you posters are going to spend eternity wishing you had read the Bible.  

35 minutes ago, mauGR1 said:

It seems more logical to me to think that he didn't die on the cross, although i believe that everything is possible, just saying...

Modern archeology verifies that four biographies of Christ were written within the lifetime of people who saw, heard and followed Jesus. These gospel accounts contained specific facts and descriptions confirmed by those who were eyewitnesses of Jesus.

The late William F. Albright, a world-famous archaeologist with Johns Hopkins University, said there is no reason to believe that any of the Gospel were written later than A.D. 70. The early writing of the Gospels by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, is why they gained such circulation and impact.

Jesus was not a liar, or mentally disabled, or manufactured apart from historical reality. The only other alternative is that Jesus was being consciously truthful when he said he was God.

Is Jesus God?

All four of the gospel writers give accounts of Jesus physically being alive again. On one occasion when Jesus joined the disciples, Thomas was not there. When they told Thomas about it, he simply wouldn't believe it. He flatly stated, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."

One week later, Jesus came to them again with Thomas now present. Jesus said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas replied, "My Lord and my God!"

Jesus told him "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

This is reason 789 of why to avoid vacationing in Thailand. ????

The Bible was written over a span of 1500 years, by 40 writers. Unlike other religious writings, the Bible reads as a factual news account of real events, places, people, and dialogue. Historians and archaeologists have repeatedly confirmed its authenticity.

Using the writers' own writing styles and personalities, God shows us who he is and what it's like to know him.

There is one central message consistently carried by all 40 writers of the Bible: God, who created us all, desires a relationship with us. He calls us to know him and trust him.

The Bible not only inspires us, it explains life and God to us. It does not answer all the questions we might have, but enough of them. It shows us how to live with purpose and compassion. How to relate to others. It encourages us to rely on God for strength, direction, and enjoy his love for us. The Bible also tells us how we can have eternal life.

Romans 1:18 “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.”  

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork”(Psalm 19:1) and God’s “eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse” (Rom 1:20).

The reason that the torture and death of the first followers of Jesus is so significant, is because they were tortured for saying that they had witnessed the risen Christ.

Common sense should tell you there is no one willing to be tortured to death over a lie.  Don't think for one moment we are not going to be judged for what we do in secret.

5 minutes ago, mauGR1 said:

Even the most eminent scientists recognize the role of religion in creating a fairly homogeneous society, yet no one can deny that horrible crimes and abuses have been committed in the name of some god or religion, or ideologies like communism and fascism.

Perhaps even capitalism can be considered an ideology.

I think we should take the positive sides of ideologies, and never become fanatics.

 

A question for you, how can you imagine humankind without ideals and ideologies ?

Perhaps we would be just another species of mammals, fighting other species for food and territory.

 

PS

Congratulations, apparently this thread have broken some record.

(And thanks to the mods for tolerating a few off topic posts)

What amazes me, is how many non-believers there are who actually don't believe in God, the Bible, and the fact Jesus Christ died for our sins.  I personally, would not want to be a non-believer on Judgement Day.  If for no other reason, the fact the Bible contains almost 30 percent Prophecy, would be reason to believe the Bible is God's word.

When we read about world events, it becomes crystal clear we are living in the "End Times" as written in the final book of the Bible, the book of Revelation.  

Mathew 7:13 Enter through the narrow gate.  For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

Generally speaking, any westerner who would report a fellow westerner for overstaying his visa is a low rent rodent.  I'm not interested in receiving any comments from people who would report others for such a trivial matter, so please send your comments to other like minded rodents ????

On 2/7/2020 at 6:23 AM, VincentRJ said:

Well done! You've answered your own question that you raised in post #5986. ????

 

 

 

 

Everyone gets a basic salary by virtue of being a citizen, or a Universal Basic Investment entitlement, whatever you want to call it.
 

Where would the money come from to pay every citizen a basic salary or Universal Basic Investment entitlement?

3 minutes ago, Sunmaster said:

This system called Spiral Dynamics:
Spiral dynamics is a psychological model that highlights stages of development specifically around values. This hierarchy of value structures consists of eight levels that individuals express in their psychological life. These eight stages are developmental in that we grow through these stages.

 

This system is not related to religious entities and isn't  biased towards any one side, but is an attempt to map out the development of values throughout the history of mankind. Each one of us can find the stage that most resonates with our belief system. Instead of saying "I'm red", it would be more correct to say that an individual gravitates more towards on stage than another. 
Every stage is necessary in the development of the next stage, so there's not a "good" or "bad" stage, but there are "healthy" and "unhealthy" developments at each stage. 
Each stage transcends and includes the previous one.

For example: At the amber stage, one values rules and discipline, the believe in a personal God is widespread and this idea of God will reflect the stage in which to which this person gravitates to: a God that sets clear rules, unshakable laws and dire punishments for those who transgress those rules and laws. We have one such example here in this thread.

The unhealthy version of amber, would be rigid conformity to a set dogma, that in extreme cases can degenerate in violence (suicide bombings).

 

Atheists and materialists will find themselves more at home at the orange level, where rationality, individualism and science play a central role and are most valued. 
The unhealthy version of amber can be seen in the unchecked exploitation of nature in the name of progress. 
There are several posters here on the orange level.

 

The first postmodern stage is green. 
This is the most recent stage...one that values the environment, equality between races, religions and social standings. At this level one sees himself as a citizen of the world and becomes socially engaged beyond the borders of his country.
The unhealthy version here is obnoxious social warriors, political correctness gone wild and refusal of any hierarchies (no opinion is better than any other).
Many posters here at green also.

The upcoming stage in social development is teal. Hopefully that will solve some of the problems created by the unhealthy developments of previous stages.

 

 

It's also interesting to look at entire countries through the lens of spiral dynamics. The US for example appear pretty much divided between amber and orange with a rising green. More progressive countries like Norway and Sweden seem to be more green. Italy, Spain and France are mostly orange and green.

If you'd like to learn more about this theory, I recommend Don Beck's "Spiral Dynamics" and Ken Wilber's "A Theory of Everything".

 

 

It's also interesting to note that spirituality emerges and is interpreted at every level, maybe takes a backseat at orange. ????

The problem is that orange looks at spirituality interpreted by say amber (pre-modern, personal vengeful God, exclusive) and teal (inclusive, post-modern); but sees no difference. 

When you take your last breath and kneel before Jesus, I wouldn't mention "Spiral Dynamics "as a reason you didn't believe the Bible, failed to accept God as your creator or the fact Jesus Christ died for your sins.  

The good news is you have until you take your last breath to make the most important decision in your life to accept Jesus as your savior and repent of your sins.

12 hours ago, Curt1591 said:

We visited Chang Wattana yesterday. We were in and out in just over 2 hours, including getting my bank confirmation letter at the onsite Bangkok Bank. Piece of cake!

Unlike Chang Wattana, reporting to CM Immigration is no piece of cake.  I believe it could be better described as some sort of torture. ????   

If the Bible gives evidence of being the word of God and it is reliable when it speaks historically, prophetically, etc.; than it is also likely to be trustworthy when it speaks theologically and gives the simple plan of salvation as follows…

• • • • You are a sinner. (Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”)
      • The penalty for sin is eternal death, separation from God. (Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”)
      • Christ died as a substitute, paying your penalty (Romans 5:8 “But God showed His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.”)
      • If you repent and call upon Jesus to save you, He promises you eternal life as a free gift. (Romans 10:13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”)

The Bible is very clear in making an exclusive claim on the path to God. “He that believes on the Son has everlasting life; but he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him”. (John 3:36) “Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). 

"The Bible is scientifically accurate. One must always be cautious against using circular reasoning such that scientific theories are enlightened by the scripture and then those theories are used to show that the scriptures are reliable. But quite aside from the evidence for controversial theories like special creation, or the co-existence of men and dinosaurs; there are a number of rather startling statements in the Bible which appear to be far more advanced than the scientific knowledge at the time of writing. Moreover, there has never been an irreconcilable discrepancy between scientific facts or laws and the scriptures.

• Jeremiah 33:22 claims that the stars of the heaven are innumerable. Hippocrates, before the invention of the telescope charted and numbered 1,022 stars. Kepler later recounted and revised the number. Today scientists agree with Jeremiah. There are billions just in our galaxy! It is interesting that the Bible makes the number of stars roughly equivalent to the number of grains of sand on the seashore (Genesis 22:17; Hebrews 11:12). Carl Sagan also compared these two, leaning towards the number of stars being greater. Amazingly, the latest estimates of the gross number of sand grains are comparable to the modern estimated number of stars in the universe!
• Judges 5:20 mentions “the stars in their courses.” While it was once believed that the stars were fixed, today we know that they too move in a predictable way.
• Job 38:19 is accurate in the way it characterizes light. Note that darkness is in a place but light is in a way. It travels a path.
• Job 38:24 indicates the light of the sun (by heating) makes the wind.
• In Genesis 1:1 and Hebrews 1:10-12 the Bible is unequivocal that the universe had a beginning. When the Bible was written many people believed the universe was eternal. Starting with the studies of Albert Einstein in the early 1900’s and continuing still today, science has confirmed the biblical view that the universe had a beginning.
• Moreover, the universe is expanding (Job 9:8; Isaiah 42:5; Jeremiah 51:15; Zechariah 12:1). Repeatedly God declares that He stretches out the heavens. During the early 20th century, most scientists (including Einstein) believed the universe was static. Others believed it oscillated and would eventually collapsed due to gravity. Then in 1929, astronomer Edwin Hubble showed that distant galaxies were receding from the earth. This discovery revolutionized the field of astronomy. Einstein admitted his mistake, and today most astronomers agree with what the Creator told us millennia ago – the universe is expanding!
• Job 36:27 asks how the rain drops stay small (discrete even in a strong wind)? One of the key reasons is found in Psalm 135:5-7 and again in Jeremiah 51:16. Because of the electrical charges in the clouds, the rain drops repel each other as they fall. This is why electrical static during a rain or snow storm can be so disruptive of electronic transmissions.
• Ezekiel 5:5, 38:12 claims that Jerusalem is the center of the earth. ICR commissioned a computer analysis of the earth’s land-masses and discovered that the geographic center is in Palestine, near the holy city.
• Psalm 103:12 The Psalmist seeks to describe how far away God has removed the sins of those who have been forgiven. Interestingly, one can go west or east forever, unlike north and south.
• Hebrews 1:11-12 describes the wearing down of the creation in language that nicely mirrors the second law of thermodynamics and II Peter 3:12 describes the heavens one day passing away in a fire that causes the elements to melt in fervent heat (a pretty accurate description of nuclear meltdown).
• Ecclesiastes 1:4-6 describes the whirling motion of the winds and the movement of storm fronts long before the advent of modern meteorology. Unlike other ancient wisdom narratives, like The Book of Enoch 33:3-4, that claim the wind comes from a heavenly portal, this Biblical passage explains that the winds circle back to their starting point.
• Many ancient cultures believed that there was one heaven, like a hard dome over the Earth. The stars were planted in it like overhead lights and the clouds moved along the face of it. This whole heavenly sphere would then rotate around the Earth. But Genesis 1:1 states that God created the heavens (plural) and Deuteronomy 10:14 talks about multiple heavens: “Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the Lord‘s…” The Bible accurately separates the first heaven (our atmosphere where the birds fly and the clouds form) from the second heaven where the cosmic bodies are: “Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host” (Nehemiah 8:6). Moreover, II Corinthians 12:2-4 mentions a third heaven as being “paradise,” the dwelling place of God.
• Ecclesiastes 1:7 says, “All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there they return again.” Such a correct view of the hydrologic cycle eluded ancient civilizations up until a few centuries ago. Only in recent times have scholars appreciated the remarkable significance of the clear, scientifically-accurate description of water found in the Bible’s section of wisdom literature. For example, Job 36:27-28 states, “He draws up the drops of water, which distil as rain to the streams; the clouds pour down their moisture and abundant showers fall on mankind” (Job 36:27-29).
• Job 37:16 also gives significant meteorological information, including the balancing of the vapors in the clouds. Job 36:27 adds that the quantity of the rain is proportional to the amount of vapor aloft.
• Job 26:7 The ancients Greeks believed that the world was held up by Atlas. Other civilizations held similar ideas. The Bible made an unusual claim: God did not hang the world on anything."

Throughout time, skeptics have regarded the Bible as mythological, but archeology has confirmed it as historical. Opponents have attacked its teaching as primitive and outdated, but its moral and legal concepts and teachings have had a positive influence on societies and cultures throughout the world. It continues to be attacked by pseudo-science, psychology, and political movements, yet it remains just as true and relevant today as it was when it was first written.

It is a book that has transformed countless lives and cultures throughout the last 2000 years. No matter how its opponents try to attack, destroy, or discredit it, the Bible remains; its veracity and impact on lives is unmistakable. The accuracy which has been preserved despite every attempt to corrupt, attack, or destroy it is clear testimony to the fact that the Bible is truly God’s Word and is supernaturally protected by Him. It should not surprise us that, no matter how the Bible is attacked, it always comes out unchanged and unscathed.

After all, Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Mark 13:31). After looking at the evidence, one can say without a doubt that, yes, the Bible is truly God’s Word.

15 hours ago, Trujillo said:

So I just did my one-year extension. There is one big problem happening currently. Let me explain: 

 

Those who come early get numbered, orange paper tickets that say you need to come back at 8:30am sharp. 

So I arrived at just before 7am. I got number 54. The man who had number 1 told me he arrived at 5:30am. 

I saw another person later who had a number in the low 80s. 

So as it came close to 8:30am, one of the immigration officials came to the front and told people not to stand in line until exactly 8:30am, and that people with numbered orange cards would be lined up first. As new people arrived (without cards), there was a general sense of confusion about who could get in line and who had to wait. Add in the various people who could not speak English and the whole thing was a slow train wreck. 

So the officer started herding those with numbers to line up in about 4 lines at the front desk to check everyone's documents. Anyone without an "early arrival" ticket was not allowed in line until about the number 30, at which point the officer wandered off. After that, people without tickets (who had just arrived) starting crowding the lines. More problematic was that the people checking documents didn't care if a person had a number card or not. So the people who had come early, after number 30, thereabouts, were not allowed to take advantage of having come early, and those who had just sauntered in were served immediately and got a "real number."

It was totally unfair and chaotic. 

 

Why give out "early tickets" if you don't follow the order? 

I experienced the same thing.  I tried to show up during normal business hours and after standing in a line that extended out into the parking lot, I just gave up.  I then showed up at 0600 hours and experienced the same confusion over the early arrival ticket holders and those who cut in front of them when the immigration staff member walked away.

The ring leader of this circus should be replaced with an immigration officer with leadership skills.  Unfortunately, immigration like other Thai government organisations are corrupt to the bone.  It is common to buy your promotions which further hamper these organizations from being run professionally.    

1 hour ago, CM Dad said:

I have never paid an agent.  I have always done all of my visa paperwork preparation myself.  I have lived in CM for more than thirty years.  For most of those years, I had a Non- B work visa, and I worked and paid taxes.  When I retired, I changed to a Non-O visa based on marriage.  It was an easy process and I continued to do all of the paperwork myself.  However, I had an issue in 2018 that I had never encountered.  Up until that time I had always used the income method since my income from abroad was more than the required amount.  I had been using the certification letter from the US Consulate in CM for which I honestly stated my income. As that route was beginning to be phased out, I asked Immigration what I could do to show proof of income and was told that my US bank statements showing all transactions would suffice because 100% of the withdrawals from my US account each month were made using my debit/credit card at ATMs here in CM - usually through the same bank and branch.  After printing out a full year's worth of detailed account activity, I was refused because my US account is in both my name and one of my sister's names.  All deposits to the account were listed as being for me and were made via direct deposit from the US government and all withdrawals made by me here.  After being grilled about why there was another name on my US account and explaining that it was because I had not been to the US for 14 years and I had set up the account with my sister so that she could handle my banking needs in my absence, such as getting new debit/credit cards issued and sent, I was asked "If she is your sister, why is her family name not the same as yours?"   I simply stated that she was married and used her husbands' name.  I then asked the IO, a man, if he had a wife and if she used his family name.  That question was met with silence.  In short, I was refused and told only 400,000 transferred from abroad would be accepted.  I was given a 60-day stamp to do that.  I had the transfer done and upon presenting proof of its completion, I was told that the IO did not believe it was my money because it came from an account with my sister's name on it.  I was told to verify where the money in my bank account came from.  I realized that it was pointless to even try and continue, so with that, I went to Laos, my first time out of Thailand in more than 14 years, and got a Non-O multiple-entry visa based on marriage and having a Thai family.  I do not blame the IO or Thai Immigration for what occurred in 2018.  I chalk it up to the frustration that those working at immigration were under at the time.  I am now going to extend that Non-O visa I got in January of last year, which is stamped to end in a month.  I plan to use an agent to handle everything.  The 8,000 baht fee to the agent will be far less than what I have spent in the past year going to Laos, then crossing the border for a one minute visit to Myanmar three times to get new 90-day stamps.  The fee will also be more than worth NOT having hassles or long waits at immigration.  I have been assured by immigration that there would now be no problem getting an extension because the money has remained in my account here for more than a year and they do not care where it came from, just that it is there.  Even with that assurance, I plan to use an agent for everything from now on.  Before any of you ask why I stay, let me simply say that I CHOSE to live in Thailand, a place that I am very fond of and prefer to live with my Thai family, whom I love very much.  If the payment of a few thousand baht per year make this easier, then I will simply pay it.  Life is too short, and I am now far too old, to deal with all of the new hoops one must now jump through when assistance is available - let the agent do the jumping.  I'm sorry about the length of this post, but the constant complaints from those who seem to want to live here, yet continually moan and complain about things they cannot change, have become quite tiring.  My only regret is that I now will have to begin again with a new home visit even though I have lived in the same place for more than twenty years.  I will smile and make sure I have cookies and something to drink on hand.

I posted basically the same thing about my recent experience at CM Immigration but in less detail than you did.  I was surprised at some of the lame comments I received stating, I was making this up about how difficult immigration has made this process and was being less than truthful when describing the line just to get into the building being out into the parking lot as you experienced.  A few of these imbeciles even suggested I leave Thailand, lol.  Actually, I am ahead of them on that thought.

The CM Immigration building is obviously woefully inadequate to handle the amount of people who are summoned there daily.  It appears like immigration is either doing all they can to discourage us from living in Thailand or forcing us to use a visa agent.  I believe it is both.  Thank you so much for posting your recent CM immigration experience. 

14 hours ago, EricTh said:

Like what I said, it was first implemented in the 1970s for Vietnamese refugees. 

 

Then immigration re-enacted and modified it for all foreigners in 2005. The purpose is to track all foreigners.

Please give your last sentence a little thought.  I think the only country in the world who tracks all foreigners in their country is North Korea.  It seems like something is wrong with this picture.  Maybe the fact immigration is doing all they can to discourage westerners from living here is a blessing.  ????