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This is worth reading: ~~~~~~~~~~ Alveda King: Grieved Over Strife Surrounding Zimmerman Verdict 3:50PM EDT 7/14/2013 ALVEDA KING I believe the verdict in the George Zimmerman/Trayvon Martin case further exposes a grievous and deep vein of disharmony and racial tension in our nation that can only be healed when people realize that every human being should be treated with dignity and respect. A trial like this causes public debate, and people have forgotten what is right anymore. Now Trayvon’s tragic death is obscured and Mr. Zimmerman is a public spectacle. The lines of what is right and what is legal/lawful have also been blurred, and this trial exposes that. We saw the same scenarios in the O J. trial and the Casey Anthony cases. There was reasonable doubt, no matter how minute the reasonable doubt proves to be. Even more recently, abortionists are butchering women in so-called “legal” yet underregulated facilities where, in many cases, no arrests are being made—with Kermit Gosnell’s case being a recent exception. In Chicago, where random killings are at an all-time high, a black woman, Tonya Reaves, was recently slaughtered and bled to death for five hours in a Planned Parenthood abortion mill, yet no arrests have been made. Now, in the wake of Trayvon’s senseless death and Mr. Zimmerman’s acquittal, many people are angry at the tragic loss of life and what some perceive to be a shun on the black race. For the record, Acts 17:26 teaches that there is one blood and one human race, not multiple races, so racism is based on a lie. Others seem to feel a victory because certain constitutional rights were favorably argued and the question of reasonable doubt prevailed in this case. Yet it is important to also note that Zimmerman’s life is ruined too and that the court of public opinion is not completely on his side. So in a way, the blind scales of justice seem to have favored Mr. Zimmerman, while Trayvon’s voice is silenced and his dream died with him. The Bible says mercy triumphs over justice: “For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:13, NKJV). And Micah 6:8 says that we should add love and humility to justice: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbl with your God” (NIV). Love and humility are missing on both sides of this struggle! Read the rest here

I was just answering the question. Personally I like myself. I didn't use too but for the most part I do now. A few years ago when I was working at an office store, I was being made fun of by some co-workers for the way I dressed, the color of my hair, ect ect. I told them that I know deep down inside they all wish they were me. They didn't like that very much. They didn't have the guts to be their own person and not follow the sheep. But yeah, that was basically my childhood and that is one of the reason why some people could be unhappy with the way they were made.

I will be blunt. It is no fun being laughed at for having a deformity. Or pick on because your not some teenage beauty queen. Or told your stupid because your not good at math problems. And You get pick last for basket ball in gym class even though you can play better then anyone else. To make matters worst. Not every one has a parent who tells them they are special. I have to go now as I am having flash backs from my childhood.

I disagree. I firmly believe we are waiting on the 6th seal. The 5th seal are the martyrs of the church age, and people are being added to that group daily. But at the pretrib rapture, the church age will END, and that group will be complete. The rapture will be the trigger for the 6th seal. Note that John saw the church in heaven right after this, in chapter 7. Lamad

How many 17 year old boys broke one of your employee's noses and smashed their head repeatedly into concrete, though?

What is your evidence for believing "he viewed himself more highly than he should have"? And in God's eyes, what is your responsibility in this case? OK, I didn't see the court cases, did you? Was it presented that there was no evidence to support this claim? (That is, was it investigated? Was it mentioned?) What do you mean by "wanted to part in it?" (Typo?) I base my view of him on his previous actions and on the fact the he was a self appointed neighborhood watchman and did not go with the will of the HOA. He clearly felt he had the capacity to handle situations such as following a person. We now know how he handled that situation I don't see that I have any responsibility in God's view other than to try and support the whole truth, not just one side or the other. The part about the police telling him to carry a gun was from an interview with Hannity on Fox. As far as I know it never came out in court. Yes, it was a typo, should have been "he wanted NO part of an organized citizens patrol program".

Then I would advise that you not use the word Jesus and deceive in the same sentence? There is only one deceiver and it is not Jesus.

Yes, George Zimmerman is guilty because he chose to take matters into his own hands and initiated the whole sequence of events that led to Trayvon Martin's death. If George Zimmerman would have followed police instruction, Trayvon Martin would be alive today. Suffice it to say that taking a human life is killing, regardless if the person got off on a technicality due to a corrupt system of laws. I neither trust nor listen to any mainstream media and I don't allow anyone to feed me lies.

Amen!! The first chapter of Ephesians tells us who we are IN CHRIST. The key is the in Christ. This is who we all are who are born again. God is transforming us into His likeness. The rest, even the physical impairments, will disappear in their importance as we look at peoples hearts, as God sees them. As God transforms us, we not only see people through rose colored glasses, or in this case blood colored glasses, we see people as being lost and miserable or else being "in the process of reflecting Christ." Yes, their faults are dim but present; yet it is their strengths that we notice and how they are beginning to look like their Dad. It always saddens me when people THINK they see Christians as God sees them but in reality they see only the faults, real or imagined. It means that they see God as a harsh and judgemental God, as the man who buried his talents who called God a hard Man. God is a hard taskmaster to His enemies but full of grace and compassion for sinners, and for those who will call upon Him and be faithful to Him. Matt 25:24-28 Maturity in Christ causes us to not care very much about what people think. We care most about what God thinks. Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 2 Cor. 4:16-18 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For things which are seen are temporary, but the things that are not seen are eternal. Why do people want to change themselves? The world wants to fit us into its mold. It tells us via the media that we must look like this, dress like this, use these cosmetics, be young and look young, act young , smell like this perfume, drive this car, have this many children, and most of all, be "politically correct". It is brainwashing, and I am rebelling against the world's system. By the way, guys, there is nothing wrong with wanting to be healthy. But men are much more impressed by "definition" of muscles than most women are. I have always considered the competition body builders as appearing uh, deformed--especially when they can't fit into normal clothing but have to have it tailored. Not that it matters how they look. God looks at the heart--right? P.s. Notice how Steven can say in a dozen words what I ramble on about forever.

I would not use such a passage because of the confusion in the language as to what Christ said can be taken differently. I would not take this as a deception simply because he said he was not going to the feast, which he did not. He had things to do there yet (more important than to entertain his brothers' dubious fancies) and his time was not to go then. These feast days are prophetic of things to come, and perhaps there was something a tad wrong with his brothers' timing. Plus, due to the political nature of his presence did not want to be seen publicly. But then he decided to go later. I think an equivalent conversation today would be if your friends asked, "Are you going to the concert with us?" "No, you go, I'm not coming." To which later on may decide to come alone, the former is truthful and not deception. At least it's not deception to me, but some people see things so black and white this is why such arguments over communication take place, and I would not be surprised if friendships ended over such ways of communicating!

“Legalism says God will love us if we change. The gospel says God will change us because He loves us.” - Tullian Tchividjian "Trying to work for God without worshipping God results in joyless legalism. Work minus worship magnifies your will power not God's worth. If you try to do things for God without delighting in God you bring dishonor upon God. Serving God without savoring God is lifeless and unreal." - John Piper "Outward acts of piety which do not flow from the new and God-given affections of the heart, which delight to depend on God and seek his glory are only legalism and have no value in honoring God." - John Piper

and had he just continued on to Target Martin would still be alive and his life would not be ruined. Yet, a man who is observant, and vigilant about the safety of his community is a good man to have around. but a vigilante is not a good thing to have around. One can be observant, vigilant and care about safety without killing someone. He was not a vigilante. He was observing, and was attacked for it by a violent kid. while I agree with the verdict based on the actual evidence available, I refuse to view Zimmerman as either a hero or a victim. He is a self-important wannabe that put himself in a dangerous situation that he was not capable of handling in a correct fashion and the result was a dead human being.

George Zimmerman's version of the incident is all hearsay and is not gospel. I refuse to believe the words of a killer who has no respect for the sanctity of human life.

It's in thousands of web sites, and has thousands of answers, and it is one of the most common questions used to try and sow division. Go look at the word "yet", and look at it's definition and which versions it appears in. I am sure, after having introduced the topic, you know what I am talking about. Like this... You go up to the feast. I am not (yet - deleted from some scripture)) going up to this feast. This might help you.... Texts which do not contain "yet": Codex Sinaiticus, a 4th century uncial Codex Bezae Cantabrigiensis, a 4/5th century uncial K, a 9th century uncial Pi, a 9th century uncial 1241, a 12th century miniscule most of the existing Old Latin mss. the Latin Vulgate mss. set The Cureitonian and Sinaitic Syriac sets, both from the 4th century The majority of the northern Coptic (Bohairic) mss., dating from the 4th century Texts which contain "yet": p66, an uncial papyrus dated to around 200 AD p75, a 3rd century uncial papyrus Codex Vaticanus, a 4th century uncial L, an 8th century uncial T, a 5th century uncial W, a 5th century uncial, known as the "Freer Gospels" due to its mixed textual witness, witnesses for the Alexandrian set in John X, a 10th century uncial Delta, a 9th century uncial Theta, a 9th century uncial Psi, an 8/9th century uncial 0180, a 6th century uncial f1 and f13, two families of miniscules containing a total of 16 mss. with similar readings, dating from the 11th-14th centuries 28, an 11th century miniscule 700, an 11th century miniscule 892, a 9th century miniscule 1010, a 12th century miniscule The Byzantine majority set The majority of Greek lectionaries The Peshitta Syriac mss. set, dated between the 3rd-5th centuries The Harclean Syriac mss. set, from the 7th century One northern Coptic (Bohairic) ms. from the 4th century The southern Coptic (Sahidic) mss. set, from the 3rd century

The journey is not into self but quite the opposite! It is loosing self by growing into The Who of our Lord -thus forming us to be like Christ we will lovingly focus upon our neighbor (no matter familiar or stranger) with equal concern as self! Love, Steven

I guess the next question would be "is it a sin to feel bad about yourself?" To which I would answer not really. It is more like a human thing. Everyone has had times in their life when they feel less of a person. The problem happens when these feelings don't go away. And still I do not believe that is a sin. More like a short coming that needs to be work on. We all have our demons to fight.

Walk - why are you convinced that you know more and better than the 6 women jurors who heard all the presented evidence? In the court of law, a conviction cannot be made when there is reasonable doubt. In this case, there was a lot of reasonable doubt presented to the charges made. Note that Zimmerman was charged with 2nd degree murder with a leniency towards manslaughter. But the prosecution could not provide rock solid evidence that this was a case of 2nd degree murder. They couldn't even provide what was needed to remove all reasonable doubt that this was manslaughter. Zimmerman was not put on trial for acting out of line, or getting out of his car. There is no corruption of law here in the system here. The corruption of law is a man being judged outside of court by the general public on the grounds of lies and slants presented by the news media (previous posts in this thread have shown you these things).

No you cant stop now.

If Islam is the enemy, then all Christians should start loving and praying for them as Jesus Christ instructed: Matthew 5:43 You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

I agree with the President's statement but......the federal government, nor the President, should never have weighed in on what was a state issue, subject to Florida law. What does this verdict have to do with gun control? The President has shown once again that he is out of touch with America and the rule of law. Who mentioned gun control? The President did! Once again he used a tragedy to further a Political course of action and for his own gain. Kinda like, "If I had a son, he would look like Trayvon," or, "The police acted stupidly." Eric Holder should be fired and the President impeached for the offenses they've committed both prior to and right after this verdict. The Justice department was down in Sanford spending millions of dollars stoking the fires of racism and supporting race baiting poverty pimps like Al Sharpton prior to Zimmerman's arrest, which should never have happened.

Also when a person rejects God or starts believing in laws/notions that are against God's law (abortion, homosexuality etc) even if they claim atheism there still is some seed of doubt/guilt/anger. A person can never see themselves in a good light if they are constantly fueling with themselves morally specially if they have pushed away God's love.

The mentally ill, people who have shot someone before, criminals and people like my friend's husband.....a psycho meth-addict. Even extreme cowards shouldn't have a gun, IMO. But I realize it's impossible to regulate most of that and I'm not even sure I want any more regulation of guns because I AM a gun owner. Like I said, I don't have the answers. But gun ownership should be soley a STATE issue and the feds need to stay out of it. The only reasoning I'm really willing to accept here are those who have been convicted of violent crimes. The fact remains that there's an amendment to the constitution protecting the right, which in and of itself disallows states from overregulation, i.e. it shouldn't be a states' issue insofar as that they should be able to regulate them how they see fit, even if that means banning them entirely. That's why the amendment is there. I'm sorry but I really don't get what you mean.

Firstly, I'd ask why Jesus said: Luk 22:36 Then He said to them, "But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. Luk 22:37 For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: 'AND HE WAS NUMBERED WITH THE TRANSGRESSORS.' For the things concerning Me have an end." Luk 22:38 So they said, "Lord, look, here are two swords." And He said to them, "It is enough." Secondly, I'd say, you're absolutely wrong about an apostle not lifting a hand against aggressors: Joh 18:10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. Joh 18:11 So Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?" Also notable here is that Jesus didn't say that peter shouldn't have defended him, just that He was going to drink the cup which His Father had given Him (i.e. he was going to be crucified).

So we O children of God know money is not the root of all evil, but the love of money is. Let us therefore be content with the things we have that are purchased with the money we have earned in a righteous way: for some are given to earn more money than others: but the richness of the Spirit is richer than money, which is the Spirit of the Holy Ghost, which is freely given to all who worship God in spirit and in truth. And let the people say, Amen. www.aboutthelambsbookoflife.net

I agree with the President's statement but......the federal government, nor the President, should never have weighed in on what was a state issue, subject to Florida law. What does this verdict have to do with gun control? The President has shown once again that he is out of touch with America and the rule of law. Who mentioned gun control? He's probably referencing what the president said after the verdict: "We should ask ourselves if we're doing all we can to stem the tide of gun violence that claims too many lives across this country on a daily basis. We should ask ourselves, as individuals and as a society, how we can prevent future tragedies like this. As citizens, that's a job for all of us. That's the way to honor Trayvon Martin."

So speaks a person who's never been the victim of racial prejudice. Believe it or not, racial prejudice is alive and kicking in Florida and many other parts of this country. I pray to Almighty God that his Kingdom arrive as soon as possible to stop all the racial inequalities and prejudices that exist and are practiced in this world, including by some who call themselves Christians but do not follow Christ in any way.

Armchair Generals and Armchair Jurors.... Neither fights the battle nor are privy to the information afforded to the real thing....but both will sure pick apart the results afterward...Ugghhh. The Jury has spoken...that's the way it works.

I will be blunt. It is no fun being laughed at for having a deformity. Or pick on because your not some teenage beauty queen. Or told your stupid because your not good at math problems. And You get pick last for basket ball in gym class even though you can play better then anyone else. To make matters worst. Not every one has a parent who tells them they are special. I have to go now as I am having flash backs from my childhood. Yes,life can be very cruel.Just ask my son that.He is disabled.People and life have been very cruel to him including his own earthly father.I often see him on his knees in prayer by the side of his bed.This life is short.We have a heavenly Father who loves us very much.Maybe our earthly parent or parents did not.I do think that God allows the things we have to suffer with on this earth for a reason.God does not make mistakes.The Bible does say that some who are first in this world will be last in Heaven and visa versa Luke 13:30.I think God is preparing you for what He has planned for you in our Heavenly home that He is preparing for you right now.Don't look at this world for confirmation.Look at God.He loves us unconditionally.

The tragedy is that a 17 year old died -- and another man was assumed guilty by a media who sentenced him before a fair trial by their own lies, deception, and outright fraud. In the end -- NOBODY WON!

Zimmerman was jumped and beaten by the kid. How, exactly, does that translate into provoking a confrontation? If Zimmerman had been black, and the kid killed was white or Hispanic, the case never would have gone to trial and he probably wouldn't have been charged at all. So your concept of "justice" and my concept of justice are not the same. You are advocating that an innocent man be held responsible and punished for something that he didn't do. Would that work for you, if the shoe were on your foot? I would say that getting out of your car and following Martin could be construed as provoking a confrontation.

Amen.

Amazing, LadyKay; thanks for sharing that.

Jesus did not solely die on the cross.....He died for you.Every drop of His blood was shed for you.Every step,every humiliation,every strike,every whip,every mocking,every piercing nail......YOU WERE ALWAYS ON HIS MIND.

I use to work at a local discount store in my small hometown. There was a lady who had gone blind. She would come into the store with her white cane and a few other women who would help her. She had not always been blind but it was something that happen to her over time. One day she came in with her helpers. When they came up to my check out line, the helper lady that was with her forgot something and had to go back to get it. The blind lady (i cant not remember her name) stay at my check out line . It was a slow day and no one else was in line. I got to talking to this lady and she said to me that she was so very grateful that she has people who can help her. She said that there are some people who have no help at all and she is just so grateful to have help. I have never forgotten that. Here is lady who went blind and instead of hating the world and feeling sorry for herself, she tells me how grateful she is to have help. I learned something that day.

Hello! Hope you have some time for this lol...Sorry it is so long. I was a member of a church for a year. It was my first church family. I thought I was "saved' as a teenager, and they quickly (but nicely) led me to think that I was not saved until I became baptized. I did not have any clue about what kind of church it was... I only started going because the manager at my job was really cool, I enjoyed his family, and I was at a very dark place in my life. The preacher had a very unique way of delivering the message, and I decided I would go every week with them. I began meeting with the preacher on a weekly basis to have bible studies. He had all kinds of studies... "The Word of God", "The Sin Study," Making Jesus Lord," "Timeline Study"... each one dedicated to finding out exactly where you are on your walk. He would switch around the studies based on where he thought each individual was. And along the way, you would have to have certain "convictions." Like, after the Sin Study, you would feel the need (over time... and each person's time line is different) to call someone in the church and confess all your deep dark secrets. They believe that the bible says the Lord's Supper must be taken every week, and if you weren't in fellowship/ taking the Lord's Supper on a weekly basis, you were in danger of falling away (actually losing your salvation for good.). What happened with me is I did the studies. I did not feel "convicted" to do anything besides not sin, which I did out of fear. I always felt like I never asked the questions the preacher wanted me to ask during our studies. I began to wonder (4 months in) if I should be baptized, because I was supposed to feel convicted. There was one Sunday when he preached on forgiveness. The only sermon that I can remember that actually focused hard core on Jesus. I remember completely breaking down and releasing walls, thanking God for what He has done for me. I got baptized after attending the church for 5 months. Only after did they consider me a sister in Christ. After I was "finally" a Christian, I was very bold in speaking to people about God and Jesus... but it was a haughty kind of bold, like I knew a secret that other people didn't, and they needed to get right. Went on like that for another 6 months... Then I met my husband. He challenged me to study the Word in its entirety, and not just what I had been taught. I knew I would marry him almost instantly after meeting him, but I could not reconcile the fact that he had not been baptized!! LOL Thankfully he stuck with me while I really got to know who my Lord is. The best moment of this walk for me has been the realization that I am saved by GRACE, because Jesus Christ died, shed His blood, and rose from the grave, so I could have a true relationship with my Creator. I am in awe of Him more each day because of this. So I guess I "recovered" by studying scripture with an open heart, praying for understanding, and reading in context, instead of picking out verses individually. What I realize now that I didn't realize then is that the Holy Spirit convicts people to see the Truth, that is Jesus. Anyone that tries to map out a person's salvation in the way that was done to me, is not following the guide of the Holy Spirit. Legalism to me is just another burden that separates us from having true freedom and peace in our Messiah. Since leaving that church, my good friends no longer speak to me. They were very sad that I no longer agreed with them, but told me, "At least you are covered, since you got baptized." My husband got baptized 7 days AFTER our wedding. Because of that, they did not come to either event. Now I just pray for them, and hope that one day the Spirit will show them that they do not have to earn their salvation, from God or man. Joh 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. Joh 10:28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. Joh 10:29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand.

Islam is as much the enemy of the faith as Judaim, Buddhism, etc. There is no immediate threat to America. That is all hype meant to divert from what is really going on.