BibleStudent100

Hi Michael. Could you explain again what your argument is? Are you speaking about assembling together? I am reminded of Hebrews 10:24,25: "Do not forsake the gathering of themselves together, as some had the custom." Let that not become our custom, for young and old alike benefit greatly from regular presence at Christian meetings. Or perhaps I misread your thoughts.

Very well stated OrangeCat. I have a dear Christian friend who blames everything on the demons. For example, her car transmission went out and she blamed the Devil. I would say that it was more like "metal fatigue," as internal combustion engines do not last forever. But yes, poor decisions and human imperfection driven decision making produce temptations and problems. Also, previously poor decisions (e.g. giving in to substance abuse, poor diet decisions, etc.) made in our early years can come back and create problems and temptations that plague us for decades. Still, the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one and no one is immune from its effects.

Hilarious Nebula! Yes, the topics on this thread and "threading" their way around to a LOT of different thread topics. We are talking about diverse topics in this thread that belongs to a large, lumpy sweater! The next four years will be interesting on this forum! I appreciate all the voices here!

We all know about the many verses that talk about "forgiving others," but the "others" refers to us as well! In other words, it can be easier to forgive "others," but we have to be able to forgive "ourselves" as well!

This is an easy fix: Don't speak anything, good or bad, about your brethren unless you have specific permission from the person in question to share this information. Let the other person reveal what he or she is doing/planning, etc. Additionally, if the brethren is committing some wrongdoing, then who are you to judge? Either way, speak way less of what others do and focus on your spirituality!

Lord knows this is what happens with way too much frequency!

Wow, I greatly enjoyed reading all of these entries and the testimonials of you dear friends. Some of you have indeed overcome great opposition, from Satan's world and from within. Thank God for your salvation and your escape from wicked bondage.

Two little grand twins is the main reason and to be closer to our son as we age. Most teachers I know, head for Tennessee or Texas for the cheaper taxes and more moderate weather. Living in New England is not cheap, but the area has grown on us, but yes, it is like a different country!

I'm retiring from the school district as a teacher in Southern California and am moving to VT. I would like to fully retire, but the numbers don't work out at this time, so I will have to at least work part-time out there. But at least I can leave the cultural chaos out here!

Right on Luigi! So many think digital is so more energy efficient and earth friendly than paper/plastic, BUT then we read about the massive energy draw requirements of AI and crypto currency and so much for reducing carbon emissions. In another posting thread, information was shared about the doubling of knowledge from AI; well, that increase in human "knowledge" comes with a price: more damage to global climate warming gasses. So much for technology pulling us out of this earth damaging trajectory!

Lovely narrative Dennis; thank you for this summary. Beautifully written and it read like an engaging novel.

Good morning Figure of Eighty: All of the contributions so far have been spot on and there is little to add, but my favorite scripture: (1 Corinthians 15:58) Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always having plenty to do in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in connection with the Lord. Try focusing more on helping others by spreading the gospel message and by engaging more in your church and you will find these feelings of despondency falling by the wayside! God Bless!

Well stated brother!

Good morning, I appreciate this turn of phrase my brother and I will use it in my own ministry, if I may borrow it. Regarding your bigger point, as I understand it, seems to be summarized in this phrase: "Anyway,I see a lot of distractions in the world and many right here on WCF." My view is that almost all of the good folks here in WCF are "saved," as they define it, and they come here to share their faith with others. So this forum is not so much as a venue to help others embrace the Lord (i.e. to be converted) but rather a "town plaza" in which we share our best spiritual thoughts with like-minded fellow Christians. I actually participate monthly in door to door activities in my proselytizing work and in that way I attempt to show that "there really isn't much time to waste," as we march inexorably to the End of the this wicked system.

Indeed, his philandering with the news reporter and the bear story in Central Park, along with putting the whale carcass on the roof of the family car. Odd character, he is...Best wishes to him on his venture as he is taking on powerful entities and Trump has only four years to get all that done.

I heard an iteration of this when I was a child at church: If you are a fence sitter, then really you are with Satan because God does not build fences to block us from walking with him, but Satan does. And since you can only build a fence on your own property, Satan is the one who builds the fence and so the fence is on HIS property. Thus, fence sitting does not work for placing oneself in a state of stasis or indecision. Thanks for jogging an old memory BA 490!

I hear you AdHoc; I don't get the Christian obsessions with celebrating Christmas.

So true Vine! I concur that Thanksgiving, although historically flawed, is the least "offensive" of the holidays as it has little, if anything, to do with the Bible. Easter and Christmas, although touting to be Bible based, drip with legacy custom appendages that originate with pagan celebrations.

So true Walla. Commerce will always continue as people will find ways to buy what they crave, whether it be legal or not. And as far as these sanctions against Iran, North Korea and Russia, they find ways around them, like bartering as you mention.

I have never lived in oak tree country. A) Do you know have a LOT of firewood? B) Do oak trees sprout and grow fast? C) Is there a way to cook/eat acorns?

Yes, it definitely is this.

Every year at this time this topic comes up. I don't see any reason why Christians would make light of or celebrate the occult at Halloween. I don't get it...

Neighbor, could you explain what you mean here? tx

Hi Lady, I have given this matter deep thought over the years and yes, I am NOT an organ donor, BUT I would accept an organ if I desperately needed it. This makes me totally inconsistent (and worse) and I grapple with this self-contradiction and am even self-condemnatory. Christian reasoning and old-fashion logic are stressed to the limit regarding my irrationality on this issue. Perhaps there are others with similar "issues."

I had never heard of this preacher and I went to youtube to watch a little of his ministry. He seems like a very kind and loving pastor.