We are in agreement. I was not intending to defend these songs that encourage an incorrect way of praying.

I was trying to show that there is a difference between praising Jesus for what He has done for us and praying to ask Him, bypassing what He wants us to do, which is to ask the Father, through Him.

Sorry for the confusion.

Ah yes. Sorry for my part as well.

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--Laura

O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
Jeremiah 10:23 (NKJV)

I agree Steve.

I definitely agree with singing praises to Jesus, and we do it almost every time we are together. Our song leader likes to lead a lot of songs about heaven, sometimes more than praises to God and Jesus.

The more I have studied this, the more I see there are clear defined lines and consistancy regarding "asking" vs "praising, thanking" etc.

One thing that I cannot figure out and that is why some pray to God in His own name. "in your name, amen". What is this about? Where did this come from? All I can think of is the verses about there is no other name higher etc and God made a promise by His own name since there is none higher. It seems like a total dismissal of what Jesus commanded. I think many do it because they hear others do it. Ministers MUST teach about these things and not ignore them. This is about approaching the Holy One. If it were not important, Jesus would not have taught how to pray and there would not have been such continunity in the scriptures in the pattern of prayer we see from the inspired apostles.

According to the scripture, how does one talk to Jesus after his ascension to Heaven?

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--Laura

O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
Jeremiah 10:23 (NKJV)

Well, that is how God speaks/communicates to us. That is rather one-way...

OK. I *knew* there was something about you... I guess as long as he doesn't answer. Then I'd truly worry.

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--Laura

O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
Jeremiah 10:23 (NKJV)

As we communicate with God, we do so through Christ, and the Godhead communicates to us through the Word today. We praise Christ but pray to the Father, and let the Spirit guide us.

...and I always talk to and answer myself...don't want to be rude, you know!

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Romans 16:16 1 Thess. 5:17 1 Thess. 5:22 1 Tim. 6:12 2 Tim 2:15

lol... careful... a conversation is generally two-way.

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In Christ,
brother Sonnie

I know what Robert means. I miss some of my relatives too. I dream about them and can still all but hear my great grandad Dadaw teaching me how to play dominos. I know so much how he thinks and talks, I can almost hear him give advice. It is neat how God gives us memory. Memory helps us retain wisdom, remember what lessons we learned and helps us remember from which God brought us from. There is nothing mystical or spiritual here, just one more tool God gives us to help us in life.

I miss Rob! he used to call me, he used to email me, he used to send me sermons.... But now that he is at a mega church he has no time for me anymore. Sure it hurts... wait..... give me a second to compose myself............ I just..... wait........ I'm sorry I can't go on this is just to painful..........

Greatly Bereaved,
Don

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Don Gelles,
Preacher, Church of Christ in Hyde Park
Austin, Texas
www.hydeparkcoc.org