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John 14 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

this will be my last post discussing this thread with you. but i do hope you will consider what i have to say. a news article, an op-ed, nor even a lawsuit that has yet to be dismissed is proof of any wrongdoing on his part. in america, you are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. he has explained his position. and unless there is something in that article that i'm missing, the whole lawsuit is based on his voicing an opinion in support of a bill in another country, the same bill that he also feels is actually too harsh, but is better than no law at all. furthermore, the lawsuit is being brought on by a gay rights advocacy group, which frankly, destroys any credibility of their claim in my opinion, and SHOULD at least bring their credibility into question by ANY God-fearing, God-loving Christian. so really, i could ask (but i won't, because i really don't want to hear the answer lest i be tempted to continue to engage you in dialogue) why you are so quick to appear to take the side of gay rights advocates who seek to condemn and silence anyone who stands up for biblical truth. i could also ask, but won't bother, why you seem to want to silence free speech in a country you don't even reside in. now, if that lawsuit is about anything OTHER than his opinion on the ugandan bill, then you are outside the scope of this discussion and should start a whole new thread. if anyone else has something they'd like to discuss, i might jump back in. but i've grown weary of this merry go round with you and thomas, and i'm ready for a break.

I've been wondering about somethings. What if there was a situation where you are trying to do the work of the Lord. But things keep going haywire in your life to the point to where it interrupts the work you were trying to do for the Lord. Could it be possible that evil forces are behind this and are trying to keep you from doing God's work?

~ Celebrate And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:7-14 Celebrate Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53 Dance To The LORD Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. Psalms 150 Celebrate He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Matthew 28:6

Note To Church Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. Matthew 13:24-30 ~ No If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 John 1:8-10 More For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 Sin Of sin, because they believe not on me; John 16:9 Praise The Name Of Jesus Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Psalms 103:1

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Old people say stuff like that when they don't like something new. Like music or what not. I myself just think it is silly. "Old people" hu?So what it so wrong with "old people?" Okay, Okay, I didn't think anyone was going to take it all so seriously. I was some what joking when I said that old people call things they don't like demonic. Now I say somewhat joking because I have personally heard older people say things about the music and what not. And while some music, movies and what not my be in poor taste, it does not mean that they are demonic. I think that maybe the case here. This looks more stupid to me then demonic. But really, I didn't know I was going to offend anyone. You all need to just lighten up a bit.

What I said was that old people tend to call music, movies, dances, anything else they don't like demonic. I never said you did. You know I don't have time for this anymore.

I didn't say that. You are twisting my words. What I did say is true. Older people do indeed look at stuff they don't like, like music and video games and say that it is demonic and of the devil. I was raised by my grandmother who told me stuff like that all the time about books that I would read and music I listen to. So I know that what it is I say is true.

Yes, with me it's almost routine. When we are working for the Lord in any of the ways we do, 9 times out of 10 the attack will come. It's what satan does..... I always strengthen myself by saying that at least I must be doing something right!

That's one of the more grevious errors in their teaching, IMO. I once saw a WoF'er make the mistake of telling someone if you die of cancer its because you didn't have the so-called "faith" to be healed. The person he told had lost his wife to a particularly slow painful death from cancer, and he decked the guy. It cost him a couple of loose teeth -- and frankly, I think he deserved it for the off handed way he said what he did. He showed no compassion for the family of someone who died. He was lucky he got out of there without meeting Jesus himself . . . Telling someone something like that is just evil, in my opinion.

Thomas every word in Genesis is important but the order of Creation isn't given to be scientifically dissected imo. Let's for instance look at the making of the Sun and Moon in Genesis 1:14. Is it possible this was simply the exposure of them through atmospheric clearing so they would "rule over the day and the over night" ( as mentioned to D-9 in post #44). Also we may be able to think in Gen 1:11 when God made the Earth bring forth vegetation that it could begin with basic algae and progress to seed bearing plants over a long period etc. The Creation of Man is represented distinctly differently than the rest as you say. When you read the Genesis account do you concern yourself with the order of Creation or that God Created everything ? There are endless plausible thoughts on this... but this one thing is true-> God gave this to Moses to write it down as God's Own truth... when we fiddle with it as to drag it down into the laws we ourselves are under... have we not changed The God Who 'IS' above His creation to another kind in subjection to the very created thing? Rom 1:20-23 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man — and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. NKJV Love, Steven

A couple of dozen demonstrators attending a rally on the Mall once billed as the Million Muslim March were vastly outnumbered Wednesday by onlookers who heckled them and a counterprotest consisting of motorcycle riders honoring Sept. 11 victims. View the full article

Really feel lost in my life. Been Christian 44 years. Married 34 years--6 children. He led a double life-sexual addictive behavior with sadistic sexual fantasies and pathogical thoughts toward me eventually began to abuse me--in all areas, many would call it minor--"he never sent you to the hospital", but to me it was devasting and huge. Finally asked for a separation--still offering love and forgiveness, believing he would want to go into counseling immediately. Instead he lied to others about what happened, they have believed him, even all our 5 adult children (4 are Christians) have and do enable his dysfunctional and manipulative behavior (even though they know the truth of their father's past)- "he's my dad" --while semi-abandoning me, yet telling me to move on. Six years later and after multiple refusals on his part to go to healthy counseling (while telling others he wants the marriage), he lives happy, and my heart is broken. I never wanted a divorce, only counseling for healing and his chains to be loosed. He says he is a Christian, but lives in total denial of our life together and his activities, abuses, and lies. He is doing great! I am completely lost in my soul--not salvation wise--just so broken. I've lost everything-my husband, my marriage, my family, most of my kids--only my 14 yr old gets it as he has abandoned her too and treated her poorly emotionally, etc.--rest of kids let him manipulate them. Where is God??? I had prayed for years and years for him and now through six years of separation while he goes on happy with most of kids, and the 15 yr old and I are alone. NO ONE will hold him accountable or help him get help. Why won't God be there for me? I've cried out to Him SO SO much, and my estranged husband is great, and I am in despair.

Friday the 13th occurs 1 to 3 times per year.It is associated with a phobia or a fear.Some people are so affected by it that they avoid all activity on that day.It is also a superstition.People feel that Friday the 13th is an unlucky number and Friday is an unlucky day. Superstitions have no place in the minds and hearts of Christians.No day or date is to be feared by those who belong to God through Jesus Christ.God is in control.Believing in superstitions can provide an opening for satan to enter your life 1Peter 5:8

Christian or not, it was a good sight to see. The last few years I've been losing faith in this country and it's people. Those bikers restored a little bit of that faith. Perhaps it's not as bad as I perceived.

Too right...there are several other options he could have used to address the issue....being a copycat is not the way to go.

Interesting. Makes one wonder how much of an upset is caused by all the over processed foods, artificial ingredients, and other junk that's in the food we eat today. Then there's the genetically modified stuff that on one has ever eaten before. Who knows what that'll do.

My mom always said "Two wrongs don't make a right".

Maybe he got the message with cards or something? OK, I'm being low grade sarcastic, but it's a shocking statement and I wonder what kind of scene he created within Vatican City... I can't believe everyone just accepted this unbiblical and dangerous comment Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved...not according to this Pope If you really want to make your head spin, try this Myself and several others had a useless but very revealing dialogue with staunch Catholics on another site, and if you think 'wag the dog' applies only to politicians, you don't know what it really means until you have scripture explained to you from a viewpoint that is like a top spinning out of control and basically can mean anything they want it to mean in order to offer the reason(s) for the myriad and unbiblical (from a Protestant's POV) doctrines presented.

I agree. Also, it would seem that once you deem the cause of something to be "God" and not "I don't know yet. Let's find out!", you stop looking to explain the universe. For example: if we know that A caused B, and B caused C, we understand C, and we claim God caused A, the furthest back we could really look at understanding would be B. So, if someone said "why does C work the way it does?", we could study B and attempt to understand it. We could study A to learn why B works the way it does, but as soon as someone asks about A, the answer would be "I don't know. God did it." The final icing on the cake would be this- of all the beliefs and opinions The Bible alone carries with it's writ the only make sense to all we see; For what we see was formed by it... if we all must live by faith why not chose the one that makes sense? I mean really... the next in line believes we came from rocks or aliens or whatever they have dreamed up... Love, Steven

You ever meet someone molested as a kid? They do not approve of it and are usually quite traumatized.

It's hard to answer. People are very different. Some people think you have a dress a certain way in church. Some people think that only certain kind of music can be play in church. I have even heard of a church where they thought is was strange to shout "Amen". (not at my church we like shouting) So you see, I can't really answer the question. Hi LadyKay I don't think it's about people being 'different'..I think it is more along the lines of the Bible being the Word of God and EACH person uses THAT as their guideline Peeling off your clothes and wiggling in a provocative manner is not what is meant by 'dancing before the Lord'..I've danced in church, clapped my hands in church, shouted to the Lord in church, sang, played musical instruments, percussion instruments, raised my hands/arms, whatever scripture allows for....sexuality is not something we display in church and I'm not an old lady who disapproves of what I myself don't do...my style is my style and everyone still has their personality, BUT doing something UNTO the Lord is not the same as doing something BEFORE the Lord (He sees everything) in his face whether or not He likes it...and what He likes and does not like is pretty evident from scripture. So, my question was really "what are you, as a believer, using as your criteria for making decisions? It becomes clear after a while, that not everyone actually consults the Bible... it seems that popular opinion is often the guide...as can be seen from the videos and some of the comments in the blogs where they appear As Fez pointed out already, David wore a linen ephod...which is really dressing down...but it was appropriate for the culture and time David lived in. As of this date, or year, 2013, it is still inappropriate to behave in certain ways in church...but a person might start asking themself, as they see the deteriorating values displayed, how much longer before anything goes. What price to be popular? What price to act like the world in order to get people into your church and why should they be anything other than what you offer to get them in the doors in the first place That, is how I view things. Thanks

Something that I think we need to keep in mind when looking at books such as Jude and Enoch, is that the writers of the Epistles many times use a well known reference in order to make their point. For example, Jude quotes the Book of Enoch (which was not part of the Jewish canon of scripture), but nevertheless was widely known...even as the apocrypha was widely known yet not accepted as inspired. Paul in his Epistles quotes several stoic (Greek) philosophers in his letters to the churches in order to drive home or illustrate a concept or point. Now this doesn't mean that either the Book of Enoch or Stoic philosophers were as a whole inspired...but as the saying goes: "Even a blind hog will root out a truffle now and then." That is to say, that when Jude (as led by the Holy Spirit) references certain passages in Enoch...doesn't mean that the whole book was inspired...just that certain portions were correct. Another good illustration would be the use of logos in John 1 to describe the deity of Christ. The synonymous and universally accepted meaning of logos as the mind/reason/substance of God was assigned that meaning by a Stoic philosopher named Heraclitus around 500 BC. Doesn't mean that Heraclitus was inspired...simply that John in his gospel uses an already accepted Greek concept to show that Christ is God to a people who had no messianic expectation, no Old Testament scripture, etc. So then I think that we tread on dangerous ground when we wish to assert that a whole book is inspired based on just a couple of examples JMO

And too many said it would never happen. Guess what happened. The naysayers were wrong. It happened.

Quite a few folks have said that after the gays and gay marriage were okay'ed (aka rammed down society's throat) the pedophiles were going to come out of the woodwork sooner or later. Now that has started it would seem. Fasten your seat belt 'cause the ride's gunna get more interesting from here . . .

I don't do dance. Can't sing, can't dance. But I still manage to worship! It's in the heart, not the hips..........

~ Simple Truth In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Genesis 1:1 So Simple Even In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:1-3 A Fifth Grader Can Get It Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. Psalms 119:160 ~ Foundational Question For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Mark 8:36-37 Got Jesus? The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. John 3:35-36

~ The Truth Is Flipped Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding? Isaiah 29:16 For It Was God Who Created Man And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Genesis 2:7 And It Was God Who Took Jericho Down, Down To The Ground And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city. And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent. And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it. But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the LORD: they shall come into the treasury of the LORD. So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city. Joshua 6:16-20 And It Will Be God Who Will Raise Up All Men For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. John 5:26-27 From The Dust Of The Earth Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. John 5:28-29 And To Save All For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 Who Will I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:16-17 Believe Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. John 6:47 You See? ~ Believe But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 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. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:8-10 And Be Blessed Beloved The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them. Numbers 6:24-27 Love, Joe

I looked at the first article and saw that this occurred in the States. The right of free speech is a very important fundamental right. To take that right away is to gag a person or a group of people because what they said is not popular. Take away the right to verbally express and opinion, and then the majority can call for the arrest of the minority because the majority doesn't like to hear the differing opinion and wants to make the less popular belief illegal to express. So, in the U.S., a person should be able to say, homosexuality, the sexual act, should be illegal. It was once, and is still on the books in some states but not inforced. To allow neo-nazis to demonstrate in a Jewish neighborhood is also legal, because that is free speech. To allow Christians to share the gospel on a public street is also free speech. To allow conservatives to carry posters expressing their dislike of abortion is free speech, and to allow liberals to display a fish with feet and Darwins name in it, is also free speech. And to allow the Chanukah Menorrah to be displayed is also free speech. Not all opinions expressed are liked by every person, but once we start to limit speech, it is the majority who will tell the minority what is acceptable to say. Christians will not longer be allowed to share the gospel. Jewish people will no longer be able to display the Chanukah Menorrah. Those who oppose Gay marriage will be silenced. Those who oppose abortion will be silenced. Free speech is very special, and to preserve our own rights to express what we believe, we do need to protect everyones free speech, even if what they say is disgusting to us.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/08/23/pennsylvania-woman-turns-up-alive-after-her-own-funeral/?test=latestnews A Philadelphia woman has turned up alive nearly two weeks after her family held a funeral and burial. KYW-TV reports that 50-year-old Sharolyn Jackson showed up at a mental health facility last Friday. A body found July 20 on a Philadelphia street had been identified as Jackson. A spokesman for the Philadelphia Health Department says Jackson's son and a social worker who knows her viewed pictures of the body and identified it as being hers. Services for Jackson were held Aug. 3. The now-buried body will be exhumed in hopes of correctly identifying the remains.

He he looks like she pulled off what the rest of us dream about-showing up late to your own funeral.