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I think the egocentric male pride that believes the sin of sexism speaks for God is going to be incredibly surprised when it has to answer to God come the judgment. I heard a pastor , Joyce Meyer, say, worry is a sin. Because worrying about something means the Christian doesn't trust God. I'm not really fond of Meyer for a number of reasons but going from that, if worry is a sin then sexism sure is too. When God had women in his company in a time when women wouldn't have served with men as they did in Jesus' number, Jesus in my view was delivering a visual message to everyone who watched. A woman that was to be killed by the law of Moses and at the hands of men ready to stone her was saved by Jesus . He challenged those men to let the first among them without sin cast that first stone. That same woman was the first person to discover the empty tomb after Jesus three day rest after he'd been crucified on the cross so as to take the sins of the world on himself. What a weird thing to then sin and say women are less than men and can't possibly be part of God's plan as anything other than subservient. When women were delivering the good news after Jesus left to be with the father, I think I'd not say God couldn't possibly call women to ministry . Because that would make me think I know more than God. And that's just dumb.

Especially those of us who like chess?

Christians! Who knew.

Oh, I think his word gives us the answer as to why God should let us into heaven. I think for far too long Christians have taught a self-deprecating demeaning ideology all their own and born of ego that thinks it can say it isn't worthy of God's love, while then saying God loves them despite the fact they first believed they weren't lovable. What nonsense. God loved the world so much that he came into the very form of the sinner flesh as Jesus, a pure unblemished person, so he could fulfill a mission of death and sacrifice for our sake. That was the whole purpose in God creating himself as Immanuel, God with us. When God so loved this world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in his son won't perish as fallen sinners. But will instead be saved, redeemed, reborn, and therefore have ever lasting life, what is it but an insult to God to say, oh hey, really, I don't deserve that! I don't deserve Heaven! Nonsense! God thought we deserved Heaven! That's why he sent his son to show us the way there. Why should God let me into Heaven? Because he said he knew me before I was born, before he created my home planet, that's why he called me to follow him by finding his only son Jesus. And an all knowing God knowing that also said he wrote my name in his book of life that's in Heaven because he knew I'd hearken unto his call to his son. I'm not going to demonstrate disrespect for all that by saying, I don't deserve Heaven. God thought I did. God thought I deserved to be saved so much that he sent his son to die for me. And I'm going to demean that by saying I really don't deserve what God planned for me? Sorry God, you overestimate my value. Not likely.

That list explains a lot that's going on and is being reported as happening in the U.S. Especially our schools where Christian kids are threatened if they think to pray openly or mention God in their graduation speech. While a Muslim kid during graduation can honor his whatever number prayer during the five prayers a day schedule openly and on a football field on school property without any warnings prior to refrain. It is what is called soft persecution. And it's starting in America against Christians while authority figures defer to Muslims. Interesting times indeed my friend. Interesting times. No one cares until it's too late. Like anything else that's hugely impacting. Then when it does hit the people who could care less before are looking around asking, wait, what's this mean?

Yes, he does. He's always talking. The trick is to be still and listen. That's why I think sometimes it might seem like the bible doesn't make sense to you. Because see if this follows. There are those who read the bible like they would any other book. Then there are people who know the spirit within and behind the words in the bible. There are those who read the word. And those who know The Word. I think maybe if you stop trying to make the words on the page make sense as you would a regular book, you might see the spirit that moves within the Word. I think the bible is a map that uses all sorts of tales, and imagery in order to take us away from the serious material subjective reality we're so keen on. And it tends to lead us instead to the objective reality that exists if we just let go of expectation and listen to The Word. Rather than try and figure out the words. God existed before the bible. And God spoke to people before the printing press or writing was invented. We forget that. We like to be told how in all things. When God seems to me to be a spirit that will let us live how if we trust him. Does that makes sense?

I got ya. I have a friend who goes to a bible study that a hopeful new preacher started in his home. He started his church there too hoping to get a congregation large enough to get a church going somewhere else. He's been at this for years mind you. But he never gets more than four or five people in either one, bible study or the church, at one time. And three of those people are his own family members. So one newbie, or one long suffering one and a newbie. But he's never had anywhere near a ten member group not including his family. The reason is, his wife is just like that one you talked about. The flipped her switch type. She goes from zero peaceful to 100 raving screaming accusatory gyrating , waving her hands in the air, screaming gibberish. And it happens when she's in bible study! You know, studying the bible? Where people read the scriptures, discuss what they mean to them, what they're trying to say in the message of the word of God? Anyone who is in disagreement with this woman sets her off. She starts doing all that stuff I told you about claiming they got the devil in 'em. Needless to say people don't stick around for a next time. I think there are people that go by what is called Pascal's wager. That is when someone converts to Christianity because they're padding their bases. They figure if there is to be a Hell when it opens up at God's appointed time, they don't want to go there if it really is real. So they claim to accept Jesus and become Christian to avoid the place. And the logic behind the wager is, if it's real they're safe and in Heaven. If the whole religion thing was fake, they didn't lose anything by living their life as if it was real because when they're dead and that's it, then they'll not know that anyway. That's the kind of Christian I've met at times. The one's you've met and described. They put their faith on like a hat on Sunday. Then when they're provoked or something upsets their attitude of being right about a thing they go off and show how wicked they really are. All church like when it suits. But cross them, have a different opinion, and boy do they flip. I think maybe what you're encountering are people who can't relate to what you really have alive inside you as the genuine holy spirit. Maybe because they don't have it. Why would someone get that upset at a fellow Christian if you all were equals in the love of Christ ya know?

AMEN! I pray for America every day and I'll join with people I know as we pray for America on May 4th. Blessings to you Joshuas for posting this. Do you think it is weird that Christians here don't pay the Christian section a lot of attention ?

I'm going to read that page you have there when I have time. I put it in my favorites column at the top so I don't forget. That's really surprising that Evangelicals are going to Orthodox churches. I've been to a few of the evangelical churches in my area and I didn't cotton to those at all. It felt really odd to be among people that put their religion on the shelf when they got home from church on Sunday. But pulled it down and used it like a baseball bat when they wanted to judge people they thought deserved it from their self-named Christian perspective. I hung out in those churches and with the people there for almost a year trying to get in the swing of things. Never happened. But the knot in my stomach made me finally decide to listen to God and get out and stop trying to figure a way to make their way make sense with his word. When I left my stomach felt better the longer I stayed gone. Maybe that's what the folks in that article know too and that's why they're migrating out. Anyway Joshuas thanks for that post. I'll get back to you when I get it all finished. I like to take my time reading long articles because I want to get the feel for where it makes sense and jives with my understanding. Even when it doesn't it could lead me to better understanding. That's why I take 'er easy. Talk to you another time.

Yep, in areas that are typically western in flavor, the U.S., parts of Europe, where Muslims have immigrated to, or where refugees have been given sanctuary but stay rather than return home when they can, Sharia is very openly practiced in those type communities we're use to seeing in America that are populated in majority by other cultures peoples. Little Italy, China Town, and places like that. The culture of those people is dominant and it's not a bad thing. But in little area's where sharia inclined Muslims live it sure is. Because while there are people who don't know a whole lot about how sharia works saying we should be compassionate and tolerant of that when Muslims become a huge community in an area of the U.S. or Europe, what those naive people don't realize is, sharia doesn't reciprocate . Sharia isn't compassionate even toward babies in Islam. It isn't tolerant either. The big mistake I think is really going to bite America in the future is that communities in different states around the country allow sharia to be practiced. The excuse is religious freedom. But that's not what sharia is. Sharia is a law, and Islam is a governing authority just like any other governing power in any country on earth. That's why it really isn't allowed here if people in power had the courage to say so. But that they don't I think is going to cost America quite a bit in future.

Hey there Noodlie, I like your name. And your top hat snaker is grand too. I never heard of that site churchpop before now. Thank you for posting this. What an amazing group defiance. Did you know that in Muslim ruled countries Christians are the foremost persecuted community? That's talked about on the link in that first post link you shared here. Christians are being persecuted in Muslim countries because Muslims consider them inferior. Weird huh? Considering Christianity predates Islam and a lot of what is in Christianity is copied into Islam. But Muslim attacks on Christians in Muslim countries gets in the way of the western media's intention to make an image for Islam that isn't true. That they're a faith of peace. And also, the media portrays all the Muslim aggression against Christians, Israel, American's, in Muslim countries making it appear Muslims are the victims because the media want to put forward the false notion that it is all about revenge for the awful assault of American Imperialism. The media makes it look like American's,Jews, and Christians, are the aggressors. And the "poor under siege" Muslims in the middle east are just trying to fight back best they can. That's why they call it propaganda. All that and more is in your first page information portal at chuchpop. A great video. What You Need to Know About the World’s Most Persecuted Minority https://churchpop.com/2014/11/11/worlds-most-persecuted-minority/

I can see your point. Maybe it isn't all about you. Maybe God was showing you that those loved one's that turned on you need Jesus. Because if they had him the way you did they wouldn't have acted that way in response to your exampling the same demeanor Jesus did.

Seems like you have more going on than anonymous strangers in a community can hope to understand. I'll say that the part in the bible that tells me, God is not a man that he should lie, reassures me that if I don't see God working it is my blindness. Not God's inaction. Maybe you're all about having God work according to your expectations. Maybe it was you in another discussion here but if not I'll reiterate what I said to them when they sounded the same. Confirmation bias sinks a lot of worthy ships sailing on the sea of hopeful expectation in witnessing the mystery that is God. Confirmation bias in this case means, we set up this paradigm where we test God to prove he's there. Then we set the parameters of proofs that God has to fit into so we'll accept God's proven himself. That's going to always make us feel disappointment because God is not only a man that he cannot lie, but he is also vastly eternal and incomprehensible in sum total to what limited human consciousness is able to grasp. That's why he works in ways we can understand. He can't spell it out for us any clearer than working in a way that lets us know he's there and available. I found the minute I set a box for God to enter into and show up and show he's real, he blew my mind beyond that and showed me more. When I was seeking after God I had an idea of what it meant for him to show me I'd found him. But what I was thinking I needed as proof was arrived at using my limited human imagination. God breathed everything that exists and that which we've not yet discovered , into existence. Maybe relax and let God take his time and show you he's there. Some people don't look up to God until they're flat on their back. I had a friend like that. Boy was he obstinate. Then even though he sincerely wanted to know if God was real one day he just let it all go and lived his life. He figured if God was there he'd prove it beyond just all of nature as proof God is the power behind it. Sure enough, my buddy got into an accident and one that investigators said should have killed him for sure. Accident re-constructionists couldn't figure what transpired that let him not only live but live without a mark on him. But my buddy knew and he kept it all to himself knowing they'd never buy it. Right when he knew everything was going south and he'd lost control of the car he screamed out loud , I LET GO AND LET YOU GOD! I'd gotten him a tee shirt that had that printed on the front for his birthday that was three weeks before. He said when he screamed that out he felt peace. He never lost consciousness. He just knew he was going to be OK. Firefighters had to cut him out of the car. When they did he crawled out of the car, hadn't been buckled up, and walked to his mom who was called to the scene because the car was in her name. Don't want it to go that way for you but I thought I'd share that sometimes when you stop looking for your ideal of proof God shows up with his own unmistakable kind.

I know.

I don't see it that way. There can be many a people who are thinking along the same lines and this information helps them along.

Hey Walter, I take it it is Walter of the Walter and Deborah posting this since that's a guys face in your picture? I like your posts that share different scriptures. I'm wondering since those are all in the bible what you mean to say to us beyond those? Lots of scripture posts but not a lot of dialog beyond that on your part. Or that of Deborah's either. So, what's up?

Hey, this is kinda old but I think it is really appropriate now. Especially when it might serve as a reminder for some of the temperatures that are rising up around here in different areas of the community as people seem to be at each others throats . Arguing who really is a Christian and who isn't. At least that is how it reads to me. I'm going to post this and hope it bumps up to peoples attention as a reminder of where they're suppose to be in the will of God and Christ. Thanks a lot Solomon's. I like your name by the way. Really unique.

And God bless you as well. I understand you want to leave our talk. That's cool. I don't think this is off topic so I'll keep on because notsolostsoul is concerned with the conflict they feel inside reading the words in the bible. Dear notsolostsoul, To continue. Have you read John 1:1? "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Then go to Revelation 19:13. That is still talking about Jesus who was God with us. That's why when God's servant angel came to Mary to tell her God had chosen her to bear God's seed Immanuel, because she was special among all women, the angel also told Mary to name that son she was going to have through God's work, Immanuel. Which means, God with us. Jesus was God walking as one of us among us. Back to Revelation 19:13. It speaks of the rider on the white horse. "And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God." Take the Apostle Paul for instance. He wasn't taught of Jesus Christ through reading a new testament. He was taught directly by the spirit of Jesus Christ. Everyone the Apostles of Jesus reached with God's good news were taught by words of the Apostles as recalled of their time with Jesus. And also remember as was inspired to understand through the power of God's holy spirit. Remember Pentecost? Evidence of God's holy spirit descended on all present and filled them with knowledge of God and his word. Because he is The Word. Maybe the reason none of what you're reading in the version of the bible you have now makes sense is because God wants you to come to know him spiritually as The Word inside you. Where he's always been. God's grace saves. And no one comes to God just reading the bible. They're called by God to come to him first. And then they may hunger to find a bible to learn more. But the first thing that inspires those who find themselves seeking after God is the Spirit of God calling each one to him personally. Even King David lamented as to how he found his path in listening to God directly through meditation upon The Word. Psalms 119:99-103 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers for your testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the ancients because I keep your precepts. 101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep your word [heard from within]. 102 I have not departed from your judgments for you have taught me. 103 How sweet are your words to my taste! yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

It was written after Jesus said it.

However when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. .. and he will show you things to come. John 16:13-14 But the Comforter, who is the Holy Spirit and whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things. John 14:26

Hey, you know, nobody can really tell you why you're hit with so much turmoil. Things happen. Maybe these things are happening to you so that you who are maybe one of those type people who need proof to support having a reason to hold faith, is now given that chance to use faith to get through. Rather than intellect, emotion, and all the other things we typically reach for when things happen. After all, we can't actually see someone called God. Even though everything there is is of God because he put it there. Maybe God is detailing your particular walk in faith to your particular predisposition to need proof God is real. And maybe the way God is helping you come to that is to put a whole lot of junk into your life so that you rely on him and the guidance his word affords to get through it. Rather than taking it on in the typical human way without faith. Maybe he's letting you arrive at a point where you practice what you hear preached. And that maybe starts with praying when in the middle of all that junk going on.

I found this too. It wasn't just a random hit it was on a military installation where Assad keeps more chemical weapons I think. BEIRUT — Syrian state media blamed Israel on Thursday for an early morning missile attack on a military installation near Damascus International Airport that shook the capital with the force of the blasts. Israeli Minister of Intelligence Yisrael Katz would not comment directly on the incident but said any similar strike would be in line with established policy to interrupt the transfer of weapons to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah from Iran and Syria. “It absolutely matches our declared policy, a policy that we also implement,” Katz told Israel’s Army Radio. {NATIONAL POST =Syria: Behind the thunderous blast that rattled the capital Damascus and took out a military facility — Israel } All three faiths have their own eschatology that pertains to their beliefs. The Jews, Christians, and the Muslims. I wonder if being those are all written out as prophecy in all three traditional faith practices if it is out there to think certain political leaders with religious interjection are hoping to hurry up their respective religion and nations end-times prophecies? Just to be the first to set the whole thing in motion and get it over with? In Iran when the former President there, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, said in those times that he felt it his duty to usher in the advent of their 12th Imam. He was doing everything he could to make that happen while empowered to do so up until he left office in 2013. Whadda ya think?

I have a basement. It comes in handy in the case of heavy storms or tornado's. Moving on, I don't get how two people would be having a discussion about career when upstairs on the top floors are criminals two cops would normally be handling as professionals in law enforcement. Rather than hiding in a basement having a chat.

But , The Word, was God. Which was before the writings in scripture came to be. Faith is generated from God, not what is written of God. God's grace is bestowed by God himself, not because we read of God and his grace. What of the whole of that chapter 10 in John? What is to be gleaned from that in its entirety? The message beyond what was written that the Jews charging blasphemy against Jesus sought to stone him in defense of what they believed in scripture. When the man that was God himself was The Word become flesh and of much higher authority than the legend and the scrolls of the prophets. And yet in defense of those scrolls a group of Jewish men sought to kill the source that inspired the written word to come into being. Sound familiar in today's context? John 10 and that part of the passage is here. 31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” 33 The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.” 34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’? 35 If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken—36 do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? 37 If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; 38 but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” 39 Again they sought to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands. 40 He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing at first, and there he remained. 41 And many came to him. And they said, “John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.” 42 And many believed in him there.

Hi there, Cool. I for one don't think there is anything wrong with having respect for Mary. She was chosen above all women by God to bring Jesus into our world after all. I don't plan on worshiping Mary as I do Jesus and God but I do think that she's not to be ignored as the vessel by which our chance at a better life and eternity was praised by God first. Thank you for the link. I didn't want your work to go unappreciated with no replies here. Love ya, Lemur