Now that you guys have set me straight regarding Election (thanks for helping me test my own beliefs to ensure they are sound, I knew I could count on you guys!) - I still have a few questions:

We know GOd elects and predestines and determines out fate -I agree!!!

But everything still has to play out - right!?!?!

THis is the concern when talking election with the non-Reformed. THey don't get that part. I think L. Bottner does a good job clarifying that.

So if we pray for the conversion of another - our prayers may be heard...but...the fact that those prayers were heard by God and the fact that we prayed for somebody's soul was also part of GOd's decree. Like if somebody is sick with cancer they could either seek treatment with the possiblity they will recover or forget treatment because death is a strong possibility regardless - but this way death will be assurred.

This goes back to election and why it is so difficult to convert non-Reformed in at least a theological sense - becasue they can't get past election and when election is used as one of the starting points it seems to throw them for a loop (they say if it is all determined what is the point??? - they don't undestand that election is the only way any will be saved and that everything still has to play out in this life and that our hope is that we may counted as one of the elect).

I think election is only really undestood by the spiritually mature?!?!?!

The mercy of God is necessary not only when a person repents, but even to lead him to repent, Augustine