Leaderboard

I don't know, Trav - I've learned a ton from you. Your Bible stories are wonderful!!! They have been better than most traditional teachings I have heard or read. As for women not being as direct . . . while that does fit most women, it doesn't fit all (case in point - me!). I am puzzled by this statement, though: "I don't want to be persuaded or influenced in the things as important as my salvation and walk with God, unless, of course, the persuasion is coming from the Spirit within as I hear scripture interpreted and defined." I do not understand why you would direct this in explaining your non-preference for women pastors/teachers. I wouldn't want to be taught by a man who isn't persuaded by the Spirit either. I know we all have our preferences, and that's fine. I am just concerned by the broad brush category, though. I would be uncomfortable with a female as the head pastor, but women preaching or teaching can be informative, motivational, encouraging, etc. It depends on the woman, too. At the church I mentioned before, on occasion the wife of the Senior pastor will give the sermon. Many in the congregation consider this a treat, actually. The Senior pastor is an excellent teacher and really knows how to dig deep into the Scriptures, but he's on the dry side as far as public speaking goes. His wife speaks more on applying Scripture to everyday living, she is quite insightful herself, and she's quite vibrant as a public speaker. Just some things to consider. Neb, I highlighted in general because certainly I don't apply my comments to all women. There are many women who are well established and mature in the word (you for example) who would be wonderful at what ever role in the church. And I guess I wasnt' very clear - I think women can be good teachers, but I don't like sitting under a woman pastor. When I talked about influence, I mean that women seem to use their influence to persuade. At least, I perceive it that way. And yes, I want both genders to be speaking from the direction and guidance of the Holy Spirit - absolutely. I simply mean that I want -in myself - to be fully persuaded for that reason and not because of the influence of emotions only. That's all I meant. And thank you for the compliments on my bible stories. It blesses me if you've been blessed.

That was bad! That Joe...he's funny. Josh, forgive us for having fun in your thread. This topic has come up so many times in the past and it often goes out flaming...but sorry we havent' treated this seriously up to now. Please continue and don't mind the rif-raf.

Simple really. If women are running the church, where are the men? I am very comfortable with women preaching (who am I to go against the Holy Spirit if he has put a word on anyone's heart?). I have heard wonderful teachings from women, because they are from the Spirit, and He put wings to the words. South teaches me something every day, because she is more knowledgeable than I in the scriptures. This is my fault, not hers! She spends more time reading and listening to teachings than I do. My only excuse is time and work pressure, but that also is not entirely correct. when I get home I flop in front of the TV. I should be reading. Any one of us can make the time. But scripturally, men should be running the church (as in management thereof). Of course women have a huge part to play, and no church can operate with just men - we can't multi task as well as women). Women run churches because of lazy men.....

Going by 1 Tim 3, not as overseers. Deacons perhaps (Pheobe), but I am of the camp that does not support female pastors. God made male and female and while we are all one in Christ, we are not all one in roles.

They serve the man whiskey and take care of his animals. 19 After she had given him a drink, she said, “I’ll draw water for your camels too, until they have had enough to drink.”

You seem to believe it's wrong for a Christian to expose sin. That, because we all have sinned, we have no right to judge an evil. You would be wrong. The Bible COMMANDS us to do it. "Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that others may take warning." (1 Timothy 5:20) "Have nothing to do with fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them." (Ephesians 5:11) "The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's (unbelievers) judgment." (1 Corinthians 2:15) Yes it does. Look up the "Mexico City Policy." Our tax dollars are funding abortions overseas. Yes. But it was by choice and not compulsion. Socialists try to use that angle as well. But socialism is taking money from the rich against their will simply because they are more successful than someone else. And that's called "theft." Yes. But being rich is not a sin. The Bible says the root of all evil is the love of money - not money itself. What Jesus was talking about was that there are many wealthy people who love their money more than they love God. Putting the love of money before the love of God is the sin - and even poor people with little money are guilty of that as well. Read the whole story. The Pharisees were adding to God's laws by making up their own and putting them on the same level as God's word. Such as not allowing spitting into the dirt on the Sabbath because that created mud, and that was "working" on the Sabbath. That and judging others for sins they themselves were currently engaged in. Perhaps. But he still would be right - abortion is baby killing. Never - for any reason. Read the Old Testament sometime. It wasn't man who commanded stoning for certain sins - it was GOD. And one of the reasons was for the killing of an unborn baby - either on purpose or by accident. ( Read Exodus 21:22-23). That's how serious God considers the killing of an unborn child. God always considers a baby in the womb to be a PERSON. Read Jeremiah 1:5, Isaiah 49:1, Psalm 139:13. In Job 3:16, babies that die in the womb (stillborn) are called "children" and "infants" that "never saw the light of day." In Numbers 12:12, if a baby dies before it is born (as in abortion) the woman who conceived is still called a "mother." (If it's not a "person" then you are not a "mother") In Luke 1:36 the life in Elizabeth's womb is called a "son." In Luke 1:41 and verse 44, the life in Elizabeth's womb is called a "child" and a "baby." The Bible does not support your positions.

It sounds to me like your dream is telling you you have a great church, where many care about you, and are willing to help you carry your burden, and help you feel 'settled in.' On the other hand, I must ask: Does your church allow you to offer praise and worship to God? Can you 'lift holy hands to the Lord'? Can you express your praise? If you can, I would not necessarily start looking for another church. If the church is too starchy to allow that, then by all means, find a place where you are free to praise God.

We all have to go through pain and suffering, because we live in a world that has sin. God, however, brings us peace and joy by comforting us (Psalm 23, Is 57:18-21; Ps 94:19). He comforts us by being one with us in our pain and suffering. He does this by becoming one of us and freely accepting the worst form of suffering. He gives us hope by overcoming suffering and death through his resurrection. Furthermore, He gives suffering redemptive value by selflessly accepting suffering in order to free us from sin (Peter 2:24, 25). His Spirit (which we can rekindle in our heart by remembering His sacrifice) enables us to accept suffering in a quiet and humble manner. Our humility then opens our heart to accept God

No, there is only one Israel. There never was a "spiritual Israel." Yes it is. No it isn't. Romans 11:16-26 (KJV) 16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. 17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; 18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. 24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree? 25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: Paul never uses the phrases "physical Israel" and "spiritual Israel". So why do you? It is "Israel" and only "Israel." You are inserting an adjective into the Scriptures that was not written. Please explain where you got this one from? How can Israel and Messiah have the same name/title?

Thanks for the advise guys it really helps, since my family knows nothing about computers lol. So with out your advise i'd be out in the cold of where to look. P.S. Very glad worthy is here Thanks again, Q.o.

lol your nephew sounds like my mom ... she told me that when I was young even said that everday He made a new masterpeice just for His children Qo