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I think we will all be speaking Hebrew. After all that is the language God chose to speak to the patriarchs and matriarchs of old. It is the language He chose to hide His glorious treasures in. It is the lishon hakodesh! OR....it could be French since it takes an eternity to get right.

For a long time I knew nothing about the feasts even though my genealogy has Hebrew roots some where our family became protestans. When my son went away to college he started practicing Judaism with a group of Messianic believers in his dorm. So if I wanted my Son to come home for dinner and holidays, I had to learn to be a Jewish Mom and I did. The first year I prepared everything and we participated in the feasts. I wept and wept and wept everything we did was a testimony of what Jesus did, has done, will do.

I think the best thing to is offer a big hug and just cry along with both of them... Look them in the eye with tears streaming down you cheek and tell them that you are at a total loss for words..... they will understand and love you for it.

Does it matter if someone hates us for preaching to them? Should we keep silent about the gospel? Paul preached to the unsaved athenians, on the street. If its good enough for paul, if its good enough for the Lord (since it isnt spoken against in the bible) then its good enough for me.

I love to study the life of those who had done great exploit for God. what was it that made Paul the man he was ? Paul‘s personal life is one unparalleled dedication and undistracted focus to pursue after Jesus in such a radical way. The whole of the man, his whole life and being is absorbed in this ONE thing: that I May know Him (Philippians 3:8, 14). Christ Himself is the supreme quest, the life vision, the object of Paul’s desire. Paul has but one vision, one dream, one goal, one ambition: I suffer the loss of all things that I may win Christ That I may know Him: the power of His resurrection, the fellowship of His sufferings That I may attain I follow after I press towards the Mark There is no aspect of God’s grace that so powerfully transform the heart that when God reveals God to the human Spirit. Paul was a strategic vessel in God’s plan for the spreading of the gospel to the gentiles. But Satan tried to hinder him but Paul was unstoppable. His secret! This is what made Paul unstoppable, this is what made Paul the man he was: his life vision was the pursuit of the intimate knowledge of the resurrected Christ in his glory It has been said that the world has yet to see what God can do with a man whom He can fully possessed. Paul was such a man and the world has witnessed it effect.

2 and if the sign or wonder spoken of takes place, and the prophet says, “Let us follow other gods”(gods you have not known) “and let us worship them,” 3 you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 13:2-3 Here is the 411 on the identity of the high altitude light formations that are occurring. They are not alien craft but constellations of Allied Aerospace 29N iSTAR. This is important to Christianity because this is being using to replace our concept of God. I had the pleasure of witnessing one of these go through a one hour routine of maneuvers one early Monday morning around 3 AM. I was camping out and pier fishing in the Galveston Bay when I saw an amazing acrobatic display of a single craft hovering about 8000 feet. It imitated a helicopter, high altitude plane and low altitude plane depending on nearby passing aircraft. It imitated a balloon, falling leaf, wrote something out in cursive. and did a fall with the angled geometry of steps. These can fly in strict tight formations and give the illusion of a large craft using their lights as an illusion. I had good binoculars and steadying it on the roof of my car I was able to make out its features. They are the bright star you see in the sky. Look closer and you will see slight altitude adjustments. I spent around 30 hours doing research on all the varying UAV platforms, This is the only vehicle that matches what I saw on that and subsequent nights.

I see people debate this sometimes. Here, other forums, in churches...... Here's my take for what it is worth - probably only two cents. So the question is, is repentance something that must be done before or after salvation. In other words, does repentance save? Yes and no. [Sorry] No, not if your definition of repentance is a work to accomplish prior to God saving you. For example, if you are convicted of the sin of drug abuse - you do not have to get rid of all the drugs or go to rehab and get clean before God will save you. God will save you just like you are. The getting rid of the drug life and possible rehab is evidence that God has saved you. These works come after salvation as the Holy Spirit leads you in .....well, holiness. Yes, if your definition of repentance is undergoing God's transformation and becoming a new creature in Christ. This would include your conviction of your sin and the desire to turn from sin and to Christ as God is drawing your to him and saving you. After salvation, you will act on those convictions/desires and turn from the sin of your past. Think of it like this. Can eggs, corn meal, buttermilk, baking powder, sugar [if you like sweet cornbread], salt, butter, and a little flour turn itself into cornbread and be served as such? Yes and no. [Again, sorry] No, the ingredients have absolutely no power to mix themselves and turn themselves into anything. Yes, when exposed to heat in the oven, the ingredients are radically transformed by the conduction and convection of the heat. The ingredients are no longer what they were. Once the cornbread is taken from the oven - you can't separate the ingredients anymore. That nasty baking soda is no more and the sour buttermilk cannot be tasted anymore. Repentance as a work does not save. God saves alone and without our help. Repentance as the miracle of God changing our hearts does save. And our actions after salvation will be proof of that change. Sin will be a reproach not only to God, but to us and we will flee from it.

My goodness. I thought that would slow down once I cut back from posting in the political forums.

The only one that wins in the court is the court. Justice is with God. My dad moved out of a house in decent condition years ago. The landlady came and found tons of "damage". She got in contact with a lawyer, who was both a friend of hers and very crooked, and filed a lawsuit against my dad. Except, being a crooked lawyer, he never sent my dad any papers and so he never knew about it. Lo and behold, if you're not present in court, it's taken as guilt and so he was stuck with a debt. He ended up having to pay her around... I think he said somewhere from $1300 to $1700 before he was able to prove in court that there was no damages. Then he had court fees on top of that. It's almost funny how people go out of their way to be petty, but it's really not funny.

This is the result of separation of church and state. The intent of the Constitution was to prevent the government from interfering with Christian worship, not to force equal access to Satanists.

GRACE made Paul to be the man he became. See what God can do with a lump of clay?!

Not really into humping groups of people together for judgement. Jesus said about people proclaiming his name, leave them alone, where his name is proclaimed he will save.

God gives us a new heart as a free initial gift. But the mind is something that we need to go to God with so He can help us to renew. So then OUR responsibility is our own mind. We have a crucial part to play in the process of the salvation of our souls. The problems arise when we try mixing the grace of God with an unrenewed mind. We are only half-baked then. We need further purging, training, molding. We need to go to the cross of Christ to become dead to this world so we can live wholly for the Lord. But we are the ones that must decide this. God won't force us to become a living sacrifice. We must desire this and seek the Lord.

I think I will hear the voice of my Shepherd, recognize it and follow Him, and He will know me too. Seems to me each of us will be as unique for all eternity to come as each are unique in the flesh. God will know every single part of me, then as now, and also of every living thing for that matter.

@Rebecca Pickles When I read this, the following scripture came to mind. “To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it” (Revelation 2:17).

Your comments seem possible, especially mentioning sound being of void of any imperfection. The bible passages seem somewhat supportive, although don't directly mention sounds. Thanks for the perspective.

My mom received her much needed hearing aids from a charity. I took her in the taxi to get them and see how to work them. Afterwards we ate at the McDonald's next to the audiologist. So this week was a blessing of God supplying these hearing aids. She finally was able to hear the TV after many years of just reading captions.

I don't know I guess I will have to wait to get there to find out.

Maybe we will go back to whatever they spoke before the Tower of Babel.

Like above. Hold her hand allow silence. Cry together. Share her pain

Repentance is something that is done both at salvation, and throughout the rest of your life if you are in Christ. It is not one or the other, but both.

So what happens if I report this thread? Lol jk. Thanks for all your hard work George, as always you and your ministry are in my prayers!

As a mature Christian strong in faith I often do opposition research. It is beneficial to relate to others in terms they understand. I gain their respect and trust by understanding their beliefs. The Gospel of Jesus Christ seems to have better impact on others when we are invited to their house as a friend, instead of carelessly tossing statements over the fence like a disgruntled neighbor.

Love the words and the melody is nice, too. From an ancient Irish poem which was later put into verses by Eleanor Hull for the hymn. Be Thou My Vision 1 Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; naught be all else to me, save that thou art - thou my best thought by day or by night, waking or sleeping, thy presence my light. 2 Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word; I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord; thou my great Father, I thy true son; thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one. 3 Be thou my battle shield, sword for my fight; be thou my dignity, thou my delight, thou my soul's shelter, thou my high tow'r: raise thou me heav'n-ward, O Pow'r of my pow'r. 4 Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise, thou mine inheritance, now and always: thou and thou only, first in my heart, High King of heaven, my treasure thou art. 5 High King of heaven, my victory won, may I reach heaven's joys, O bright heav'n's Sun! Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

Hello my brothers and sisters in the Lord, Most people don't realize the radical experiment we are doing here! I want you to imagine yourself -- hundreds of years ago -- when all the different denominations were starting! While everyone was insisting their beliefs were the "only" correct way to worship God -- they were creating more and more splits and divisions! What we are trying to do at Worthy Boards is unheard of when you think about it! We are trying to unify the body -- while at the same time protect those fundamental truths that we can all agree with -- the need for salvation through Jesus -- the source of truth for living the Christian life found within the Bible. Read our Statement of faith! This experiment hasn't happened before when you really consider it! Of course, there's the ecumenical movement -- unity for the sake of doctrinal compromises! I'm sorry, but the fundamental doctrines of the faith can't be compromised. So often though when you have so many different denominations, you have many different avenues of thought that have never been explored by other denominations. Just because a teaching is "different" than one you are used to hearing, doesn't necessarily mean it's wrong -- it may be just different! But differences of opinion is actually a good thing whether you realize it or not! For God didn't create us to be the SAME body part -- but created us all different so that we could join together to form the body of Christ to complement each other! Oftentimes I learn by realizing other avenues of thinking presented by various believers. By allowing various avenues of thoughts we expand our horizons and allow the Spirit of God to realign our thoughts with the mind of Christ and continue our growth in the maturity of the Lord. So before you run out and cry "heretic" or "false teacher", be sure to carefully listen, and observe what someone is saying. I honestly believe that things "heard through the grapevine" have a way of being twisted -- but if you go to the source then you can carefully examine the fruit -- test the fruit -- and then make a judgment -- often times you may find that the red grape you were expecting to find was just a white grape -- it was just a different color, but when you examined the fruit -- you find out its still good fruit! We need to recognize that every word spoken, we will be judged for. And everyone that is hindered from hearing the gospel because someone feels the need to scream - heretic, false prophet, or demeaning someone in some fashion -- let's just say I wouldn't want to be that person sitting before the Lord at the Bema Seat! This is a problem that I do have and I want to voice my concerns now and I hope you carefully heed these words. When someone comes into the boards, who is not necessarily a Christian -- the first thing you should do is NOT castigate them. The first thing you should do before you even post -- what would Jesus do? Did Jesus say -- get away from me you prostitute? or get away from me you heathen? or say give me the first stone because I am without sin? Jesus didn't go closing doors, He went forth OPENING the DOOR so ALL could enter in! This was the Lord's prayer to the Father before He was crucified! That we may all be ONE! My wife and I don't agree on everything -- but when we disagree -- we agree to disagree! Sometimes it's best to say -- I agree to disagree! Love breaks down walls of division and covers a multitude of sins! So may the Love of God be abundant in your hearts so that the world can be radically changed through you! May the love of God be shown in all of your posts! Your brother in Christ with much agape love, George

I did a quick query of the word "kingdom" in the NASB and found 119 occurrences in the Gospels. I am most interested in what Jesus had to say about the kingdom of God or of Heaven. "Kingdom of God" appears 51 times and "Kingdom of Heaven" appears 31 times (all in Matthew and most of all in chapter 13). I would like to know what others may have concluded about it. I am not very good at understanding subtleties so I have a hard time with parables and metaphors and such.

I know someone who just lost her twin babies born at 20 weeks. We thought the second one might pull through (she'd been in the incubator, fighting.) But in the end, Abigail didn't make it. It comes from the Hebrew name אֲבִיגַיִל / אֲבִיגָיִל Avigail, meaning "my father's joy" (alternatively "my father is exultation", or "my father is joy"). I wrote this poem for her tonight. Footprints On My Heart You left your footprints on my heart Although we never met You were a tiny treasure Who I never shall forget I saw a photo of you once Your little parts well formed I couldn't help but love you And it left me strangely warmed Your mouth was like a rosebud Though it barely got to grow Too soon you came, so soon you left We wept to see you go But Heaven is a wondrous place For precious ones like you To bloom where God has planted In the Home He's brought you to.

Mother theresa for all the good she did also said the people did not need to know Jesus. I have never seen a street preacher say hateful things. I have seen them preach the gospel.

This week for me Annette was tiring for lack of sleep. Glad friday is here. I hurt my shoulder and got four stitches lol. The worse is I went to the ER. Now I have a 2500 dollar deduction to pay off this bill. But I learn no matter what God is in control and has me. My company's insurance pays the bill in full then takes 100 dollars out of each weekly paycheck. I think it's better then no insurance. But it hurts to bear that. God is with us in our weakness.

I wouldn’t give my problems to a monkey on a rock. Lol....j/k. Life is great! Death will be even better!

I have pics from Phipps, the Aviary, and the Mon incline, PNC Park wanna see?

"Christian yoga"

Ha, that would be the least possible deterrent to keep me from being used of God for His purposes. I was raised RCC for thirty years. Sunday was a "holy day of obligation" : ) I often skip Sunday service just to say to myself, "it's Not an obligation" It is a desire/need. I believe I'm way past church tradition, for tradition sake. When something works though, I don't fix it. Brushing your teeth every day is a good habit. Healthy teeth. Reading/studying scripture daily is also a good habit. I believe our church tradition, of weekly 'habits', is spiritually healthy. Worship, bible study, shepherds message to the flock, fellowship(eating), are only the backbone of our activity. There is so much more, staying informed of those in need, and who of us is available, prayer and praise time, etc. The structure is what you make it, like you Marilyn, and your hubby. Your style works for you. Praise God giving your part in the body. I do not pretend most traditional churches are filled with the spirit. But many are. And they can be a lifeline. After salvation, I've only known one church, and here almost forty years. God has never gave me the OK to leave. And my wife is too involved/happy to considering leaving. And you know, if moms happy, everybody is happy. I remember Dr. James Dobson 'Focus on the Family' saying that if your church hasn't programs/activities for the kids/youth, find one that does. Move your address if you have to, it's that important. We home schooled our children, and they are now doing same. The church provided some social setting for our children. They are now believers all. Involved. Thank you Marilyn for your testimony. Doing what you do with CFS must be tough, but then women are tough (one raised me and six more siblings : ) I think it cool how you found your calling, taking your illness and then God to use you for His purpose, to help others. God's ways/our ways. I have always been independent, sometimes a loner. I would fit into a small group setting, with other like minded. But where God led my wife and myself, our church, works. So I encourage others to find the one, and work at it, improve it, bless and be blessed. There are solid churches out there. Do your homework. Why not, here on Worthy Marilyn, don't those like yourself, start a regular discussion group, pros and cons of small family fellowship church, assembly. Those who are doing it, those who are considering it. Give testimony by those who are involved in this style of church. What all would need to be considered, to start one, etc. Anybody interested??

good 'ol Balaam Num 22:23 Now the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand, and the donkey turned aside out of the way and went into the field. So Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back onto the road.

Hi Sower, I know what you mean as in mini-church organisation. However the small `group` does work. This is how we do it over here in Oz. Hubby and I helped in different groups across the valley here, (over the years, as I was a teacher and moved to different towns) Apostolic, Pentecostal, Anglican,..... & learnt a lot from the good folk there. Hubby was elder or along side the minister, & I taught ladies & music leader. Eventually about 15 years ago the Lord called us to just `mentoring,` others. I have CFS,(Chronic fatigue Syndrome) & thus have only so much energy. So I decided to just focus on mentoring some ladies. Now these came to me from different towns around and over the years I have taught them the `Eternal Purposes` of God, which is what I have been taught in the Apostolic Church I was brought up in. The ladies received the truth and then started mentoring others. Hubby is more the practical one and has various ones that he helps practically and with God`s words of wisdom. I wanted to bring the different ones together for a `formal` meeting but it never came about. And I can see that God desired these people to reach out into their community and not get locked into `a group.` Each of the people have tried to work within the system of the organisation, but of course you are limited as to what you can do. Operating one to one, has produced much fruit over the years, with growth in people and their working with the Lord to mentor others. This does not happen so much in an organisation as people tend to leave it to the leaders or program. However people need someone in their daily lives, where they are struggling and where they need that word of wisdom for them to reach out. I realise that this is not what everyone is called to, but would encourage others to not rely on man`s system, (even though going to a meeting) but learn to rely on the Holy Spirit. eg, If the Lord is asking you to visit someone in need on a Sunday morning, do you say, "Oh no, I need to go to the meeting," or do you go and visit. Habit can be good or it can drown out the voice of God. Where is our focus - `...holding fast to the Head, from whom all the Body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligament, grows with the increase that is from God.` (Col. 2: 19) The Apostle Paul was referring to those who were `not holding fast to the Head,` and I just emphasised the `holding fast to the head,` otherwise you can get driven by an organisation to their agenda. Marilyn.

Father we lift up George and his precious wife to You with true gratefulness for all You have called and empowered him to do and to be. We are the beneficiaries of all the work that has been put in here, and the sheer grit it has taken to preserve and nurture it. We ask that You shield them in the shadow of Your wings and fulfill the longing for true revival, for oneness among Your people and we ask You to grant him tremendous wisdom in all He seeks to do for Your Name. We ask You to lighten their load and give them rest. Please motivate those around them to pray and cover and cherish them and all they have sacrificed for and fought for and motivate them, and us to pull along side and share their burdens. I have a deep appreciation for the many years this place has stood in preparation for such a time as this. Help us to remember to pray for them and recognize the gifts that they are. We ask that You would surround them with Your protection as they seek to minister to those who currently hate You and them. We long to see all Israel restored to Your intentions and purpose for that great nation. We long to see them return to You and complete the Body. I ask You to inspire George with words of power to finish that book with. Lord You know exactly what words are left to be written and exactly how to arrange them. I ask that You make time for George to simply sit with You and let it be a time of true joy in Your presence as Your Words simply flow through him onto the pages....we need to understand the FULL good news of the Kingdom and the restoration of ALL things. Please bless Your people with the understanding You have given George and help him finish that work speedily. I ask You to give him favor with publishers and distributors and all who will be involved in publishing and distributing his work on Your behalf. Let Your Kingdom come, Your will be done in this earth as surely and completely as it is in Heaven. Please soften our hearts toward one another let George's visits here become a delight and no longer a trial. Help us to lighten his load of administration and let his time be free to minister to us out of the treasures You have sown into him. I ask You to surround him with Godly advisors possessed of Wisdom Himself. Amen

Good evening my family in Christ. I've just read this. Its lovely. He Lives in You By Adrian Rogers “Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’” – Galatians 4:6 “Heavenly Father, fill our hearts with your spirit. Let us face the day with the knowledge that you are with us always. Amen.” When I first got saved, I learned about Jesus in the Bible, and that was wonderful to me. And then as I began to live the Christian life, I would see what Jesus would do in the lives of other people, and I saw Jesus in history and Jesus in action, and that was wonderful. And then as I studied more, I began to learn about Jesus in heaven, ruling and reigning from His throne, and that was wonderful. But I’ve learned a great truth, and that is that Jesus is in the Bible, and Jesus is in history, and Jesus is in heaven, but—here’s the great truth—Christ lives in me. He has possessed me. I am His purchased possession, and therefore, I am under new management. If you have made Jesus your Lord and Savior, He lives within you. You can rejoice today with the apostle Paul who said, “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/bible-study-minute/he-lives-in-you-bible-study-minute-june-19-2018.html?utm_source=Your Bible Minute&utm_campaign=Bible Study Minute - BibleStudyTools.com&utm_medium=email&utm_content=2848066&bcid=5da31583941ac0436f866785e89f41c2&recip=547950175

I don't know the week is not over yet. I might review it on Saturday night

I am always so grateful for the ups when there have been downs. Thanks for sharing.

There is a reason that they target celebrities. They want their millions in donations. They get them suckered in by telling them that they are "special" and will rise up the ladder quickly and be given revelations that others are not given. Only a select few will reach the "top".

And not to be outdone... There is now the "Church of Artificial Intelligence". I say that's a good way to make a religion and image of a beast... Turned over to a debased mind and lust of their own hearts and itchy ears comes to mind.

To piggyback on missmuffet... John Travolta, Tom Cruise and Leah Remini's program on A&E come to mind. It doesn't take much digging to determine the 'Church of Scientology' is a dangerous cult. Check out it's founder, L. Ron Hubbard, his history and belief's and his dianetics technology. It's to be avoided by Christians. People can say a lot of things, but that doesn't make them experts or right. To find ones self in truth, it seems logical to examine yourself and ask; who am I really; where did I come from and why; why am I here; where am I going and why? The Bible is 100% inerrant and infallible and 100% truth; it answers all of life's questions we need to know.

Paul seemed like a dedicated and focused person to begin with. He applied that to persecuting Christians before his conversion because he mistakenly believed it was the right thing to do. He's really a solid example of God's forgiveness and how even a person who once scorned Christianity can be used greatly by God.

@Melinda12 Just a P.S. I find no problem with hymns whilst in the shower or the tub. By the way, the audio in some shower stalls have great reverb! lol

I think this "prosperity preaching" is more than I thought it was. I thought it was just preachings that encouraged people , I didn't know it meant lying or robbing poor people of their tithes and offerings, in promise of wealth. I just thought it was seeing A in pain and letting them know "greater is he who is with you than the one in the world" and giving hope to the hopeless. Thank you all for sharing your opinion and view on the topic.

George, if I may. When I came to this forum, I got a very fast witness from Him that this place has only begun to fulfill all He intends to do through it. I know it's been a trial to manage and monitor at times, but I am fully confident His plans are for this place to shine brighter and brighter as the world around us continues to descend into deeper and deeper darkness. I pray for you and for this place to become all He has called both to be. I think we all have appointed "specialties" in Him, plans of good works He established and appointed for each of us from before the world was even made. I personally have a heart for some who come from backgrounds so foreign to most Christian's experience, most local churches are afraid of them and reject them. I believe He showed me He desires this place to be a place those can come and actually receive the love and support they cannot usually find in local churches. When I saw, and even got caught up in the argumentative, divisive tones so common I almost despaired of believing He would make this a safe place for people who have been broken in unimaginable ways for most of us...and almost left myself. He kept me here. The witness on my heart was to pray and fight to see Him cause this place to become what He wants it to be. It certainly made me take a hard look at myself and get a few things right with Him. Which of course He knew I needed too i guess I have noted that we have numerous people signing up, and never posting more than a few times....while the number of posters on in the past 24hrs never seems to grow. I suspect many have taken a look, seen the hatred and vitriol and just left again. The part of the harvest field my heart lies in consists of some of the most abused people this earth has ever known. They cannot reveal what they have experienced in the environment we have seen extant here. They are a people He is calling out of some of the darkest places satan has managed to construct to date. They NEED His people to come along side them and give good counsel, walk with them, enter into their suffering and support them while He completes their walk into the liberty He has appointed for them. They have been abused enough, and more harsh judgementalism is just more abuse heaped upon a lifetime of abuse. He will not bring them here while that remains such a prominent characteristic of our conversation with one another. Yet, I am seeing those (He points them out to me) now posting in greater numbers..... Please be encouraged, you are prayed for, and this place WILL become all He has laid on your heart to see it manifest for the sake of His Name and advancement of His Kingdom. Sorry if that was long winded...but I honestly do believe this is an important step and He will bless it.

Honestly if people seriously looked at what God hates maybe they wouldn't seek cause division. Pro 6:16 There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: Pro 6:17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, Pro 6:18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, Pro 6:19 a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. Just so you know what God truly hates.

I hesitate to even post that, because I have been guilty of responding very unkindly and in verbally abusive ways on this board myself. My hands are not entirely clean. But I repented and just posted less until i could get my own house in order. It's sad to see, but evidently God views harsh words between brothers very seriously if He is saying the remedy is exclusion from the fellowship of the saints and all the comfort and protection that is supposed to provide for us. IMO a bit of a harder stance against all the bitter, angry, divisive rhetoric here will do the forum a lot of good, and it appears to be essential to establishing divine order and peace in His Body. Thanks for the effort you put into keeping this place on an even keel.

Here is a poem I wrote this morning about a bird that is considered a pest. Call me silly, but I guess I sometimes have a soft spot for the underdog... Or in this case, 'under-bird.' lol (I figure God created each animal for a purpose.) And of course, birds are just so pretty In this poem I make a comparison between these sometimes disliked birds and we who can sing "Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me." The Starling (a poem by turtletwo) Simple starling - called a menace There is beauty in your form Your Creator looks down on you Gives you life and keeps you warm Makes me think of how God loves us How we're cherished in His eyes He who made us takes the foolish And through us, confounds the wise "But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty" (1 Corinthians 1:27)

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible Bless them that curse you;.... In common discourse, or anathematize you in their synagogues: and pray for them which despitefully use you: so Christ himself did; See Gill on Matthew 5:44. Matthew Henry Commentary 6:27-36 These are hard lessons to flesh and blood. But if we are thoroughly grounded in the faith of Christ's love, this will make his commands easy to us. Every one that comes to him for washing in his blood, and knows the greatness of the mercy and the love there is in him, can say, in truth and sincerity, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? Let us then aim to be merciful, even according to the mercy of our heavenly Father to us. Luke 6:28 Commentaries -------------------------------- Romans 12:14 Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse. 1 Peter 3:9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. ------------------------------- Luke 6:35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. -------------------------------- Study Bible Love Your Enemies 27But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone takes your cloak, do not withhold your tunic as well.… Berean Study Bible · Download