ravindran

I think there is something very important to understand here. Suffering is different from suffering for the Lord. Paul suffered for the Lord. And that's how he drew strength and found it to be pleasure. Having this understanding is important. Because Lord does not want us to be in suffering all the time. At the same time, He expects us to be contempt with everything we have. More importantly, doing the right thing for Lord irrespective of whether it would bring suffering or not.

For me mostly it has been through Bible and sermons. And at times I do hear the inner voice which tells me do something. I can very clearly differentiate that from my own thoughts.

While the article is written with good intent and I do agree with the core message, I do not agree with the title. Theology is study of God. Every one is a theologian. We all need to study God through Word of God to improve our relationship with God. If we say something is more important or equally important to knowing God, I have a problem with that. I do agree people should not hold on to doctrines and traditions above the commandment - love your neighbor as you love yourselves. I would argue the other way around. There is no point of showing good works (help poor and be kind and do every kind of charitable work) without knowing God. Our actions are to bring glory to God. While it is wrong to say we would hold on to traditions than showing love to other, it is equally wrong to say showing love to others is enough and not worry about theology and doctrines. One is not important over other. How each other complements in our lives is the important thing

I see no harm in that. But the interesting question would, what should foreigners or non-citizens do in such cases? For example, I am from India. I am not us citizen. My kids are born in US. I have no problem them pledging allegiance to US in Church or anywhere. They are US citizens. How about me? I have never been in that situation before anyways.

I love this command in Deuteronomy 11:18 Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. It is very much applicable for us even today. The problem is, we detach God from our day to day life. Work is a very good example. We feel work is something of this world and does not have anything to do with our spiritual lives. And we spend 8 hours at work. Let's say we sleep 8 hours. We have now taken God out of 2/3rd of the day. The command was given by God just to avoid this. Word of God should be everywhere and should be part of everything in our lives. That's why people like putting Bible verses in office, kitchen, bedroom and so on. We should never be detached from God. We should allow God to be in every part of our life. Then automatically our life would start revolving around God.

After I joined here, the website became very sweet. Because I bring so much sweetness with me

So true. I can't think of one Biblical hero who did not face challenges.

Yes, a pretty solid comparison. While the post modern views are completely dangerous, even a mix would be dangerous. There are so many people who get a few things right and go absolutely wrong on few. It would still be dangerous since they would be pulled to the wrong side easily.

But does that include everything created until 6th day or everything created on 6th day?

I have never looked into this before. Doing some search comes up with so many conclusions and interpretations on this. Quite interesting I think. I don't know if we would have a clear answer since Bible does not give a clear answer. It would all be speculation. It would make a very good discussion. I would keep a close eye on this thread to learn myself

Will pray about the whole situation

Surprised the thread is going this long! The question was answered right in the first reply itself

Abraham and Moses were called as friend by God. We also see them called as servants every where else. Without cross, that is the best relationship one could have with God. Through Jesus, we are now called sons and daughters. We are bought at a price. We are heirs. We are called His children. We are no longer just friends. We are His family. I don't see a connection with this and Judas being called friend. God called him friend, but Judas did not do things a friend would do - betrayal.

I have not used those expensive gadgets. I have tried Google Goggles though (the cheap $5 ones).

21F here. In the morning, it felt like walking into a freezer.

This is taking Artificial Intelligence to the boundary of where one would start questioning whether this is right. Artificial Intelligence at it's best is still "artificial". These are man made logic. Programs with numerous conditions. Based on the condition satisfied, the program would generate an output predetermined. These devices are not making their own choices. They are not making any moral choices. They are simply giving an output already programmed. By taking this AI to these extreme levels of replacing real people, it poses problems. We are making our life artificial by elevating AI to level of real life. May be I am just old school! But these leads to dangerous roads. How far this is from having relationship with AI machines? Then sex with machines? Where do we draw line?

I did not see the full video. The core message of santa being not real is true. But I don't know how he delivered it and what he said about Christams. But arrest on what count?

I had a better idea for Christmas carolling this time. Some people wanted to have santa as an "attraction" for unbelievers. I proposed to have someone dress up as Santa and share the true gospel. And tell how Christmas is all about Jesus and not Santa. The whole idea of Santa quickly dropped away While what he said might be truth, it cannot be pushy.

If translations are not to be used, then KJV should also not be used. Everyone should read Bible in Greek and Hebrew only. That is the original language. People forget KJV itself is a "transalation". Why is it different from other translations? And what should people do who don't speak English? The verse you have quoted would be actually present tense. That is why many translations save "being saved" sōzomenois σῳζομένοις being saved, Part of Speech: VerbTense: PresentMood: ParticipleVoice: Middle or Passive

Recently I led Bible study at Church on book of Jonah. Saw something which I had never seen before. At the end of book, we see this verse 11 And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?” Lord is extending His compassion to cattle (animals). All through the book, we see different creatures involved in God's redemption of Nineveh and Jonah. Whale, worm, plant. It is important to remember animals are also God's creation and they are part of God's plan and purpose. At the same time, Bible makes it clear man has dominion over all animals. Balance is the most important thing. It is wrong to over protect animals and say they have all rights humans have. Bible does not say that. At the same time it is wrong to under-protect and treat them extremely bad. Because they are also God's creation.

I don't think responsibility of government changes. It is government's responsibility to provide a safe environment. It would include social gatherings, church or any place. Same time, we can't expect cops to be there everywhere! Just like how we can't have cops inside our house all the time.

And I completely agree! And that is where individuals need to apply their discretion and decide whether they want to hold a gun or not.

Let Jesus be that Father. And seek for any other man to fill that shoes. You would end up with disappointment. While spiritual mentors are good, but even their advice and council should be tested against Word of God

That's a very good point. The songs are just motivational or spiritual songs if they are not centered around Jesus Christ. Today we see many songs being self centered. Worship should be God centered. I am very picky when it comes to songs. I don't mind too much music or guitar. But music should not be too much that we don't even understand words! there are some good singers out there. I like Chris Tomlin. I find his songs always God centered and not too much music also.

Again, I am failing to understand the differentiation here. Why government is responsible for protecting people only outside Church? If they are responsible for protecting people, should not matter whether people are insider or outside Church! The only point I am getting to is, it does not matter whether we are talking about inside or outside Church. The question remains the same. Do people need guns. And it does not matter whether the person is Christian or not.