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one of my favorite christian radio DJs had Kirk Cameron on his show a little while back, and wally challenged him to a snowman building contest. Here are the results, priceless!

What is going on lately? Why is there so much discord/division? Why are there so many personal attacks, insults and downright disrespect toward each other? I have been asking these questions to myself as I read the reports and check threads of interest. I wanted to blame it on the intensity of the election, but the election has passed and this still continues. I have only my imagination to measure how the results have affected people’s lives. I do know one thing. God is preparing this world for the return of His Son. When I look to Scripture for a description of how the world will be, it is much uglier than what I see today. Yet what I do see is an escalation to what He tells us will happen. I am concerned that if we, because of just one election, become so quick to judge and cause pain, what will we be like when it continues to get worst? I have to shake my head due to the images this question brings to me. I do not like what my imagination shows. We are His children, whether or not we agree with who should run the country, what we should pay for taxes, who does what to themselves, and how disturbing the future looks as we remember our past. We are not these things, though they have an effect on us if we allow it. We need to continue to seek God and follow His directions. We need to keep our focus on Him and what He has called us to do. So, how does all this relate to my questions? I am convinced that we in ministry cannot continue to allow things to get too far down the wrong road before we step in. At one time, members used to work things out after a few posts, but that is not what I have been seeing in the past months. So, I ask everyone to do the following: If you know you are butting heads with another member, be the first to offer an olive branch and be the peacemaker. If you notice that you are getting heated by another’s response, walk away from the thread until you know you have His peace back in your life over the issue. If you feel strongly about an issue between you and another member, offer to debate it in the Soap Box forum so the two of you can focus on each other’s response and not all the other posts of those who want to be involved. Check your attitudes as you post, ensuring that what you are posting is exactly what you want to post. Watch your words. Using passive aggressive statements are just as cutting and demeaning as an outright insult. Ensure that you are discussing the issue, not the person. If you have a personal statement to another member, take it private and remain respectful. Take the time to ensure that what you think someone is saying is what they are saying, not reading into another’s post. Ask questions for clarification when a statement is unclear instead of assuming you know what someone is saying is advisable. Back up your words with supporting Scripture. If you don’t, one could easily see a post as “cause I said so”, which goes absolutely nowhere. If you witness a wayward post or thread, please report it. We cannot be everywhere at once and there are far too many threads to read through to catch everything. I would rather have to filter through many reports then to have anyone think we are playing favorites by allowing a member to blast another member, or that a topic is allowed when it should not be. Always seek the guidance from the Holy Spirit as to how to reply to a post. Last, but far from the least, post as if you are posting to Jesus, because He is with you and everyone else. We are trying our best to turn Worthy into a place where heavy discussions and debates are without any insults and attacks. If you are not already familiar with our Terms of Service or Statement of Faith, please do familiarize yourself with them both. By taking time to become aware of what you are posting is a start. We will not accomplish this overnight, but by taking one-step at a time, we will all feel safer about who we are and what we believe. I know that when I have a wall up, which is the result of negative posting, I am not going to accept any correction I may need that is brought to me through the one who is insulting me while offering me truth. The other side of the coin is that if we find people continuing to attack and insult, we will be restricting them from posting for a few days so they can consider their actions. In the past, all we had was Mod Review or a ban. By placing someone on MR, we had to spend a lot of time reading continued insults and attacks, sometimes at us for taking action. This has taken too much time from the forums, so we are trying to step back from this and allow people time to think things over. I have personally had to take a few days off from the site and seek the Lord for a refreshing on the Fruit of the Spirit in my life and to ensure that the words I use come from Him and not my flesh. I suggest others consider doing the same before things come to a point where we have to move you in that direction. I encourage all of use to learn to step back from our posts before we hit the “Post” button and read what we are about to submit as if we are reading it for the first time with no preconceived idea of what was written. This will help to ensure that what we are about to submit is what we really what to say. Nobody can read anyone’s mind, so clarity of thought is essential for correct understanding. Here are a few closing verses to keep in mind when posting. Colossians 4:5-6 (NKJV) Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. John 13:34-35 (NKJV) A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. Galatians 5:16-26 (NKJV) Walking in the Spirit I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Ephesians 6:10-20 The Whole Armor of God Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Hi Retrobyter, Isn't there a period between verse 26 and verse 27 in the Hebrew text? Then, isn't it the case that the subject of the verbs in verse 27 need not be the same third person singular subject in verse 26? I think that would be true in English. Furthermore, the actions of the subject in verse 27 seems inappropriate for the anointed one in verse 26 if the latter is referring to Jesus. For example, the ending of sacrifices elsewhere in Daniel (8:11, 11:31) is always done by an evil person. I doubt Daniel, who had no access to the New Testament, would have understood the ending of sacrifices as a righteous act.

We have a tradition of taking time for ourselves and looking over light displays around town and partaking of things like Christmas miniature golf. Stuff for us as a family to do.

Praying~!

You are absolutely right. Mathematically it just makes sense. If you assume that 100% of the protesters are supportive, then you add in those who don't protest for a variety of reasons but are glad it's happening, and thirdly add in those who are in quiet agreement, you will have a larger pool than what is publicly recognized.

I was speaking to your point about their popularity. You were claiming that they probably enjoy more support than we think. My responses was that they probably don't given their activities are keeping Americans from doing their jobs and taking care their families. These people you mistakenly call protesters are nothing more than troublemakers. Yeah, they will probably keep going. And the longer they keep droning on and on about a non-issue, the more and more they get in everyone's way, the more and more unpopular they are going to get. Frankly, it is going to get really old and the average American is just going to turn them off. The problem with your argument is that most of the protesters don't run over police officers. And if that were my argument, you would have a point. Yes, and how is blocking the road so that people can't get to work or pick their children, helping their cause or winning the hearts of the average American? How is keeping black people from getting work, helping black people??? My point is that they are no longer "protesting." They are a public nuisance. Their "issue" is a non-issue. In neither the Brown or Garner case, was excessive force used. Neither case was racially motivated violence on the part of the police. In both cases, Brown and Garner resisted arrest. Brown, a felon, assaulted a police officer and tried to over power Wilson and Wilson fired His weapon in self-defense. That's not excessive force. Garner died because of an asthma attack, not because of excessive force. The choke hold that was used against him would not have killed another person who was not suffering from asthma and the assortment of other health issues that Garner was suffering from. I don't agree with the officer using the choke hold, but the choke hold was not deadly force. The justice system didn't fail. Just because you don't like the outcome doesn't mean the system failed. It means that the evidence shows that the police did not use excessive force and their actions were not racially motivated. You don't like the verdict but that is not a indicator of any failure of our justice system. The system did exactly what it is supposed to do. You seem okay with the courts when they rule in favor of issues you support. You are quick to lecture us about having to respect the decisions of the courts. But I can see that when the courts don't rule the way you want to, you suddenly act like it's failure on their part just because you don't agree with the outcome. You are operating from a double standard that only respects the court's decision when it is a decision you like. The reason you don't see counter-protesters is because the average American has to go to work and hold down a job. They have bills to pay. They have to take their kids to school. Unlike your so-called "protesters," they are hardworking Americans who don't have time to engage in some neurotic obsession over two incidents that do not reflect the overall relationship that police have with the minorities in this country. These Americans have families to raise and don't have time to go out stand in the street and keep other hardworking Americans from getting to work and earning a living. Just because you don't see counter protesters doesn't mean your "protesters" are popular. They are clearly in the minority and they don't speak for most people in the country. They don't even speak for most African Americans. Plenty of the protesters have jobs as well. They may be students. Let's look up what protest means in the dictionary. "an expression or declaration of objection, disapproval, or dissent, often in opposition to something a person is powerless to prevent or avoid:" A protester is simply someone who does that. That is what the protesters are doing. They are expressing dissent. Nothing there says anything about how they are supposed to do it. They may hold up those two cases, but it's far from being about that. They are protesting, for example, that the municipality of Ferguson gets 25% of all it's income from tickets, in a poor area. When people are too poor and get ticket after ticket, they are issued warrants for their arrest. When they are arrested, that affects their ability to get a job in an already tough job market. I can't think of a city in Canada that does that. You clearly don't know much about why they are protesting if you think it's just about a neurotic obsession over two cases. What proof do you have that they are in the minority?

maybe we should start one here on worthy? or start one somewhere else even... i kinda like the idea of starting one here. who do we need to ask about that? maybe right next to the home school support board. heck, i don't even know anymore who is and who isn't part of staff. i'll go post the suggestion somewhere. tomorrow. or monday. i have company here tonight!

I was speaking to your point about their popularity. You were claiming that they probably enjoy more support than we think. My responses was that they probably don't given their activities are keeping Americans from doing their jobs and taking care their families. These people you mistakenly call protesters are nothing more than troublemakers. Yeah, they will probably keep going. And the longer they keep droning on and on about a non-issue, the more and more they get in everyone's way, the more and more unpopular they are going to get. Frankly, it is going to get really old and the average American is just going to turn them off. The problem with your argument is that most of the protesters don't run over police officers. They are not violent in that they are not assaulting anybody. Most of the time they may block roadways, sure, at which point they will sit down in a line, link arms, and get blasted by pepper spray. But the issue they are talking about isn't going away, because every time the police use what the protesters refer to as excessive force, or when the justice system fails, it is simply more motivation for therm to protest. When I see counter-protesters in larger crowds than the protesters I'll believe that they are widely unpopular.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the protesters may have more popular support in America than may be thought. The protesters are pretty big and all, but it's not necassarily the thousands of people that go out and protest, it's the dozens, if not hundreds that watch and agree but aren't the type to protest.

We have a staff function but we don't allow alcohol. Personally I don't really like attending because 99% of the people at work are not the people I would normally socialize with. I have to attend because we shut down a bit early and it is still in work time. As soon as 5 pm arrives I am usually the first to leave.

We are meant to avoid the ways of the World and unfortunately Christmas parties usually involve drunkenness, flirtation, debauchery and so on.... If you really feel the need to go, then go to be polite, but don't stop long and don't get involved. Just 'show your face' so to speak. Either that or don't go at all. We're all adults and we're all individuals. We should all know our own limits and our own weaknesses to temptations. Don't cross the line.

YES!!! There are alot of support groups (especially for mothers and children and fathers and children) but the support groups I have found for children caring for their parents are far and few between that have any worth. A lot of them are so negative that it just adds to stress. Besides, a God inspired group is really what im looking for.

Praying as well, LadyC!

Very humbling! I wonder how many professing adults would do the same?

Christmas Staff Parties Are Great~! 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 2:13-14 Others, Not So Much And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Genesis 6:5

A Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. Hebrews 3:12 Harry Tick Of sin, because they believe not on me; John 16:9 As I Read 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 It Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. John 6:47 Denys Salvation By Faith Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? John 11:25-26 In Jesus Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12 Alone For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13 ~ Beloved, Do You See Any Harry Ticks On This Thread? Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 2 Corinthians 13:5 ~ Be Blessed Beloved Of The KING 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, Your Brother Joe

While Fox News is not ... http://youtu.be/bQzz1V1VQSs

There are many ways that God speaks to us today. Firstly, He speaks to us through His word, the Bible. II Timothy 3: 16 says: All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; Second, He speaks to us through the revelation of His Son, Jesus Christ. Hebrews 1: 1-2 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. Jesus was sent by God to make a way for us to be reconciled to God and reading the gospels is a good way to begin learn about God's love for His creation Third, the Bible tells us that nature itself tells of the nature of God. Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. Fourth, we learn about God from other believers. In I Corinthians we learn about the gifts that God makes available through His Holy Spirit to believers. This does not mean that every person who teaches or preaches has been called by God to do so however. Just as we read about false teachers in the New Testament, we have those today as well as false prophets and so on. That is why we begin with the Bible so that we can identify that which is false as God does not deviate from His written word Fifth, we learn through the Holy Spirit Who indwells believers. Unfortuneatly, some believers reject the operating of the Holy Spirit apart from what they understand with their minds. This does not mean they are not saved, but some go so far as to mock the gifts God gives through His Spirit and some go the other way and try to use the Holy Spirit and give credence to things that are false. Again, that is why it is so important to know and study the Bible. And of course prayer is another way we can get to know God better. Alot more could be said, but you can see that there are many ways that we can know God and He does speak to us today in our hearts through His Spirit, through other believers, in prayer and in order to have discernment, through His word. If something does not check out according to the Bible, that is, if it sounds way out there or promises an experience or revelation apart from what God has already said, then it is best to avoid it.