Prevenient Grace Receiver

The KJV is obsolete. It had it's day in the sun. There are now much better word for word type translations. There are two reasons for this, the FROM and the TO. The translation TO modern American cannot be surpassed compared to the olde English of half a millenia ago. It is not merely the words but the sentence structures. We simply do not talk that way today. One of the most common mistakes KJV advocates claim is modern translations translate from KJV. Untrue. Modern translations go back to the oldest known manuscripts, which are even older than in King James times. See Dead Sea Scrolls. We understand the language we are translating FROM much, much better than in the days of King James and our access to older manuscripts is more contemperaneous than what they had to rely on. The KJV has many errors, most famously 1 John 5:8. I generally prefer thought translations rather than word translations for readability. I find the importance misplaced because the Bible is a highly figurative book. So, translating word for word the many archaic idioms are lost in 'literal' translations. An example of readability came from my Japanese friends and knowledge of Spanish. Whereas, we say 'big house' the Spanish say 'house big' (La Casa Grande). The Japanese language reverses the object and subjects of sentences. Whereas, we might say, 'this is my book' they say, 'book is mine.' Hebrew and Greek are likewise. So, a totally literal word for word translation would be highly unreadable as it is not consistent with modern American.

When we do it, it is called fraud. They are committing legal fraud.

I never came across anyone who associated Africa with Christendom. Are you asserting that Christianity is growing faster than Islam in Africa? The article in the OP did not limit the fertility rate analysis to the West.

True but besides the point. A YouTuber by the handle Wife On Purpose points out that you cannot sustain a (Christian) society with other women’s wombs. Christiandom has embraced suicidal birth rates.

I believe it is. The rate will relate to the population size.

I’m a Trump supporter. Campaigned in 3 States and went to his inauguration.

Pot meet kettle as far as not following the rules. This is a Saul Alinsky tactic; accuse your opponent of what you are doing. The truth does not matter to Leftists. All that matters is power.

Doubtful. The whole reason TPTB want war is to profit from weapon sales. Selling to both sides is a time honored tradition among war mongers.

Ukraine. US. Not the same. The friend of my enemy is my enemy. The Art of War The questions we should ask ourselves are: Why does Pelosi think it is important for Ukraine to defend its borders but not important for the US to defend its borders? Why does the Speaker of the House travel to the Ukrainian border conflict but NOT travel to the US border conflict, where drug smuggling and human trafficking, COVID and violent criminals invade our country with impunity? Where are the speeches that proclaim if securing the Southern border save one American life, it is worth it? Why did the Federal government give $1,600 to Americans suffering from COVID but $40B to Ukraine? Why is America interjecting itself into the Ukraine-Russia war?

For some historical perspective, India is the location of the greatest holocaust in human history. The Biggest Holocaust in World History (hinduwebsite.com)

I saw this headline and think it is probably a good thing. I recall Tony Blair under going such scrutiny. He was a man I respected and I thought the process was rather humiliating and discouraging to anyone contemplating public service. There are different forms of government and Britain's Parlimentary system has advantages over our winner take all approach. However, the 'no confidence' vote seems too frivolous. We have an impeachment process to react to criminal behavior. Otherwise, I think its prudent to wait until the next election and let the person in office do the best he can.

I have already prayed for the man. Thanks. It's the 2nd time I've gone to a bar in years. Both times to the same bar. My BIL lost his wife of 23 years recently and suddenly. He has already said it has meant a lot to him that his sister and I have gone there to be with him. I need to pray more for him and your post has encouraged me to do that! Thanks again.

Blame or credit? I read recently that between Ukraine and Russia, they export 40% of the worlds wheat. A direct consequence of sanctions against Russia is world wide food shortages. I realize the 1st casualty of war is the truth and both sides use propaganda to advance their agenda's. However, one sad advancement of the 20th century is the notion of 'limited' warfare and a general outrage at targeting civilians. So, for most of us all these wars amounted to entertainment on the nightly TV. We can never allow ourselves to be so civilized we abdicate superior use of military might to the barbarian. In times past, civilians were the primary target and are now again. Real war is not one military group taking it to another. Real war is one military group taking it to the innocent and the defenseless. See Sherman's March to the Sea.

I found this on another site ... Steve Ciocollanti is explicit that this is NOT the making of Gog-Magog. In this brilliant video, an analysis begins at about the 16 minute mark that details how everything the media is saying is untrue. Russia has been provoked for years. The Ukranian regime was setup by the US in 2014. Russia is winning, big time - in Ukraine, routing the neo-nazi's and economically against the corrupt West. Putin is methodical, playing 3 moves ahead in chess, master of judo while Biden plays pin the tail on the donkey blindfolded. Steve Ciocollanti delves into the demonic forces, encouraging us to fight when it is not time to fight. https://youtu.be/MOMgSCdVU8Q

Great point! I was surprised in the moment that I did not feeling his leading. I thought it was I who was dull to the movings of the Spirit. Glad you suggest I did as he willed.

From this article, https://m.theepochtimes.com/demographers-warn-of-impending-population-collapse_4512821.html In 2020, the U.S. fertility rate was 1.6, the lowest rate in America’s history and a sharp decline from 3.7 in 1960. Europe’s average fertility rate is 1.5. Among other top-10 countries, the Lancet Study reports that Japan’s fertility rate is currently 1.3. In order to sustain a population rate, the fertility rate must be 2.1. Two to replace the parents and 0.1 to compensate for the 5% of children who die before having children or are otherwise unable to reproduce. Japan’s population is now ¼ of the WWII generation. This is what Pat Buchanan’s book The Death of the West was all about. One of the most insightful websites in the world is https://www.usdebtclock.org/. It captures the singular political issue of my life, becoming aware of its danger in high school when it was a paltry $4T when I believed a “peace dividend” for defeating the Evil Empire was on the horizon. A nice round number when Bill Clinton left office was the federal budget was $2T. Now, it’s >3x that! Are you making 3x what you were in 2000? The pernicious lie of us ‘growing out of the debt’ is exposed. The right-hand column shows politicians approach to their financial mismanagement is to inflate the currency, i.e., monetizing the debt. The unfairest tax for the poor! An economy of $23T with a debt of $31T means America is insolvent, already economic slaves. It is not just debt ($31T) but unfunded liabilities ($170T) that tell the story, not just in America but most of the world. Rising Liabilities + Decreasing Population = Societal Collapse. TPTB attempt to distract us with woke-ism, the modern-day bread and circus. No matter how you slice it, we are in need of Jesus!

Saturday night my wife and I went to dinner and a comedy show with 3 of her friends from middle school 40 years ago. Everyone was feeling good and did not want to night to end. So, we decided to go to a local bar, where my brother-in-law (BIL) happens to frequent. He’s told me numerous times everyone there is laid back and just wants to have a good time listening to karaoke, etc. When we got to the bar it was busy. The only table fit 4. I was the 5th man out. So, I sat at the bar next to my BIL. Next to him was a ~70 yo gentlemen wearing a bright neon lime tee shirt. Behind him was a tall, 6’3” 70 yo with a distinctive long, white beard, who had a look on his face that he was looking to catch someone looking at him the wrong way. Let’s call him Billy Goat. But I remembered the words of my BIL. When the lime tee shirt guy got up to go to the restroom, Billy Goat sat down. When my BIL got up to go to the restroom, Billy Goat was tapping the back of BIL’s chair and sizing me up. Here was a lost opportunity. I had the awareness to look his way and nod – but not look him in the eye. And when the neon guy returned, he told Billy Goat he was sitting in his chair. Billy Goat partially knocked off neon guy’s ball cap. What I saw out of the corner of my eye was them both facing each other, and 3 men came between them out of nowhere. Billy Goat shoved neon guy, who went flying 6 feet back into the wall and crumbled to the floor. Instinctively, I got off my chair and stood, ready for action. A woman and a short man tended to neon guy on the floor. Billy Goat was sizing up the 3 men around him as they ushered him out of the premises. Unsure where my priorities were, I heard BIL say, “sit down Prevenient Grace Receiver.” Billy Goat is in a dark place in his life. I felt his malevolence immediately. When he was sitting, taping BIL’s chair, sizing me up, I believe I should have engaged him in a friendly way. That was the opportunity to spread the Good News. I feel I failed to make peace, failed to befriend a man deeply in pain, failed to boldly proclaim the light that I reflect. How should I proceed?

Agreed. Part of the beauty and simplicity of Christ is breaking down barriers. It is the enemy who asserts we are not good enough, trained enough, etc. One Pastor said God does not call the qualified. He qualifies the called.

If I could add an 11th Commandment to witnessing, online or otherwise, is to meet people where they are. It's a bit subtle, like The Art of the Deal. There is a persuasion theory that says it takes a person who disagrees with a valid policy or public policy solution to hear it 20 times before they embrace it. You never know where you are on that spectrum of 20 exposures. Are they ready for meat or only the smallest amount of milk. Our job is always to plant seeds and let the Holy Spirit take it from there.

My daughter's hubby escaped barely from JW. Horrible. He's a shell of a man.