Bryanfromiowa

As someone who suffers from depression. I say that its a physical illness for sure , and i may offend someone with this but i find it ridiculous for someone to tell me that I'm demon possessed. History is filled with instances where a disease that is not understood is attributed to demonic possession, witchcraft or other super natural causes and this is no different. Having said that i would agree that the enemy can use mental illness against us. In my own case for instance depression led to alcoholism/ drunkenness and me living in a very sinful nature for several years.

I agree completely you stated it much better than i did tho thank you

I answered prima scriptura because to me this would include sermons christian books god inspired but not scripture. I've not read the book you're speaking of so i won't comment on it but in general yes god can and does speak to us all the time outside of scripture.

i recently read this book on the subject its called "The coffehouse Gospel: Sharing Your Faith In Everyday Conversation" awesome book http://books.google.com/books?id=2a9dCVW3F...esnum=4#PPR1,M1

I like this answer and this one I would add that i keep in mind that when i do share my faith with someone i don't know all that well usually at best i will help them take only one or two steps in their faith journey. Sometimes my job is only to plant the seed. I truly believe simply loving people, and building relationships is more important than giving sidewalk sermons.

i read your post twice and I'm at a loss to figure out what truth you believe has been hidden or distorted by mainstream christianity

If you google how to witness to JW's i'm sure you'll find tons of info. Basically they reject the diety of christ and instead say that he as the archangel michael. Its easy to poke holes in this and likely why the less zealous among them don't like to talk to christians.

There's nothing wrong with this in general but as a pastors wife you need to consider that getting a piercing could impact your husband and his ministry.

So many people even pastors take one verse and read by itself it means something completely different. This is one of those cases. When I bakcup a bit and put it into contrext it takes on a different meaning. I think its saying, how we treat other people is how we will be treated.

As a recovered alcoholic and a prodigal christian I thought i'd throw in my 2 cents here. I have always and still believe that the bible prohibts drunkeness and alcoholism but that some drinking is ok for some people. So first i had to recognize that i had a problem, that i was living in that sinful nature that the bible talks about, then I accepted that i knew i was not living in gods will, even then i didn't quit right away the reason well its the physical and emotional hold that alcohol can have on an addict . Once i was ready and stopped drinking god helped me break those bonds

Great reminder thank you

Hi one light I'll try to form a more thorough response later (its too nice today to be on the pc)

Many years i was given a simple cheap fake silver cross and a card with this poem, i eventually lost that first one but i still occasionally carry a cross in my pocket I carry a cross in my pocket A simple reminder to me Of the fact that I am a Christian No matter where I may be. This little cross is not magic, Nor is it a good luck charm It isn't meant to protect me From every physical harm. It's not for identification For all the world to see It's simply an understanding Between my Savior and me. When I put my hand in my pocket To bring out a coin or a key The cross is there to remind me Of the price He paid for me. It reminds me, too, to be thankful For my blessings day by day And to strive to serve Him better In all that I do and say. It's also a daily reminder Of the peace and comfort I share With all who know my Master And give themselves to His care. So, I carry a cross in my pocket Reminding no one but me That Jesus Christ is the Lord of my life If only I'll let Him be.

i'd say it speaks to the nature of god i can't completely buy into this but it is easier to believe than the earth being 6000 years old

Matthew 7 Judging Others 1 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in someone else's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from the other person's eye.

psalm 46 1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. 5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. 6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. 7 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah 8 Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire. 10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." 11 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Rob Bell "Velvet Elvis" not for everyone but i loved it

I heard about this on tv earlier nothing maicious really here just a legal stalling tactic with conglomerate banks and loans sold multiple times it can take weeks or even months for them to produce the original paper work

just my opinion here but I'm sure most heere can think of churches where babtism/ salvation /confimation/ profession of faith / full church membership (you get the idea) happens as a matter of ritual and not a matter of choice. I think this is probably the most common instance where someone could think they are saved and not be.

mods since this the secon similar thread you've effectively stopped i thought i'd ask if some started a thread titled "millionare televangelist who preach the prsoperity gospel" the discussion would be very similar just no names used would that be permissabel. just curious

Mr dollar is under investigation in the senate along with several other televangelist who are noted for lavish lifetyles , interstiungly enough he claimes innocence he refused to cooperate http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/nation...t-finances.html

Interesting debate , I did skip several pages so this may have been covered but this from col chapter 2 would seem to apply here this in particular i think speaks as to whether we are bound to the law

My pastor made a statement in a sermon recently that made alot of sense to me "sexual sin has the greates potential to destroy the work of god in you"

i like this answer you put it in a way i hadn't quite thought through

I recently hear some christians bashing, condeming whatever term you like some mainstream secualr books. namely Harry Potter and the Twilight series. Now I haven't read the twilight series but I've heard other christians (my own daughter included) defend the book as being primarily about self control. My first question is then why should we as christians condem the book just because it contains a nonbiblical fairytail creature of darkness. Second the Harry Potter series which i know is even more controversial due to the witchcraft. But its a book about good vs evil, its about love and friendship, on a deeper level there it deals with the duality of man the evil inside us. There are even some judeau (sp) christiqan symbology in the series. Couple that with the fact that its not a satanic view of witchcraft or even a wiccan/ nature worship view of witchcraft, Its more like the wizard of ozz than either of those. I ask why should i condem this book. For those of you who will say that the forces of darkness use these things to forge a foothold in our mind and that is reason enough to ignore any good content. I say fine you may be right, but if thats your answer. Let me ask you about music do you listen to david Crowder, Licoln Brewster, Michael w smith, Stephen Curtis chapman. If so i can itroduce you to some people who will swear that you are under demonic influence because that music has electric guitar ,drums and sounds like rock and roll. I guess my point to all this is where do you draw the line. how do you know something is eveil and not simply something you personally find distasteful. Blessings