sheya joie

Definitely check with your friend, since he will know what the expectations are in his own congregation. I'm thinking that generally women are expected to wear a scarf or some such covering over their hair?

Any church that operates in the gifts of the Spirit would do well to follow Paul's instructions on their proper use, found in 1 Cor chapters 12-14. I am thinking in particular of this: 1Cor 14:29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. 30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. 31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. Notice the end of verse 29: and let the other judge. Also notice the start of that same verse: two or three. The whole service is not to be taken over by prophesies. 1 John 4 is good to keep in mind as well: 1John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. False prophets are an ancient problem which we are warned to be wary of, and there are many tares growing among the wheat. Hope this is a help.

? The children of Israel certainly knew which day was the Sabbath; it was the day on which no manna fell. And they, in great numbers, have faithfully keep that day ever since. So we do know which day of the week God considered the Sabbath.

I remember reading (maybe 20 years ago) a book on this very subject, in which the author (whose name I do not recall) claimed that observing Sunday as the Sabbath was in fact the 'mark of the beast' and warning Christians not to keep Sunday but to keep Saturday instead. So there are people out there who claim and believe this. Me? I believe that if you (we, any of us) sincerely want to know what the Lord wants of us, if we seek Him with all our heart, the Holy Spirit will lead us in the way we should go - in His timing. And be sure to test the spirits, that they be of the Lord.

Here in Texas you don't list a party when you register to vote. If you want to vote in a primary, you show up at the polling place for Democrat or Republican (the other parties don't generally have more than one candidate, so don't need a vote to choose a single candidate) - the polling places for the different parties will usually be at different locations - and you present your voter's registration card. There is a line on the card saying something like 'Voted in the ________ Primary,' and the poll worker stamps your card with either the word Democrat or Republican on the blank line, depending on which primary you vote in. This is done to insure that people don't vote in both primaries.

You could ask your question in a spoiler box. It will look like this (highlight to read): 'Spoiler' is in the 'Insert Special Item' drop-down menu on the replying screen. Hope that's a help!

Yod posted the verses I was going to mention, which are found in Matt 18, verses 15-17. I'm glad the man was removed from leadership positions in the church. As you know from the Lord's Prayer, we need to forgive others; in fact, this prayer links our obtaining forgiveness from the Father to our forgiving of those who trespass against us - very important. May the Lord work out all things according to His perfect will.

Isn't that where the phrase 'three dog night' comes from? You had the same idea I did, neb - except for me, it would be cats.

What, to occupy that super-tall building there?

Abraham was 99 and his son Ishmael was 13. Isaac was born the following year and was circumcised on the eighth day. My late husband decided we should not circumcise our sons. I believe he based his decision mostly on this passage: Gal 5:2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

You could do like that guy in the band Owl City (in fact, I think he is the entire band). He had insomnia, so he started making music in the basement when he couldn't sleep. Now he has a record out... A bit more serious - I have a Sudoku game on my cell phone and play it to help me fall asleep. Of course then I have the problem that I need to be aware enough as I drop off to close the phone so I don't have a dead battery in the morning...

Consider: John 5:2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. 5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? 7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. 8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath. Verses 2 and 3 tell us that there were five porches at this place, filled with a great multitude of sick people. How many did Jesus heal? Consider again: Acts 3:1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; 3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. 4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. 5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. 6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. 7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. This took place at the temple in Jerusalem shortly after the LORD was crucified and raised again from the dead. Verse 2 tells us the man was brought there daily so he could beg for alms as people entered the temple. Do you suppose Jesus had passed by this man when He was going to the temple? And yet He did not heal him. Why? The time hadn't yet come. Consider again: Luke 4:16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. 17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. 22 And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son? 23 And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country. 24 And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country. 25 But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; 26 But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. 27 And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian. Notice the final verse there: many lepers, but only one cleansed. The LORD does heal, but according to His own will and timetable. Finally, this: James 5:13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. 14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. Ask the LORD for His wisdom on what to pray for, so you can pray in His will. Hope that helps.

Thanks for explaining further and clearing up my confusion. While I do agree that there needs to be forgiveness, I also see that it will be very hard for his family members to come to that point; they probably still feel betrayed. Praying for all involved.

I'm confused. These two statements seem to be contradictory. If he severed all ties, how is he still being friendly towards her? This, I think, is the reason his family doesn't believe he has repented. (Based on the information given.)

Psa 66:10 For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. 11 Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins. 12 Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place. Who did these things? Who tried us as silver is tried - that is, in the furnace? Who brought us into a net? Who laid affliction on us? Who caused men to ride over our heads? Who caused us to go through fire and water? Who? Verse 10 tells us: God did it. He did all these things to His own - and verse 12 tells us why - to bring us out into a wealthy place. Because He, our Shepherd, knew that was the only path by which we could come to the place He wants us to be. So when I hear someone say, 'God doesn't want you poor, or sick, or whatever,' I think, 'Oh, are you wiser than God?'

The Lord does not speak in dreams??? Who then spoke to both Josephs and to Daniel through dreams? Who spoke to Paul through a dream to come over to Macedonia? Acts 16:9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. 10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. And why did Joel say this: Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. which Peter then quoted on the day of Pentecost? Acts 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: I was also going to address the passage you originally quoted, Rufus, but in reviewing the thread to find the passage, I found that I already addressed it in post 17. This is what I said: And the passage you quoted was this: Deut 13:1 If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, 2 And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; 3 Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. 5 And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee. 6 If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers; 7 Namely, of the gods of the people which are round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth; 8 Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him: 9 But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people. 10 And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. Note again that in verse 2, the dreamer says, 'Let us go after other gods.' That's what the warning is about - using a dream to entice someone away from the Lord. That was not what Nebula's dream was doing.

Was Joseph a divinator? No. In fact, if you'll recall, his boasting about his dream to his brothers was what got him sold off. The Bible tells us that God forbad divination of which dream interpretation is a small part. The prophet Samuel called it a sin. There are several accounts, most notably in 1 & 2 Kings, about the rulers who attempted to bring Israel back to God by force. Once of the first things they did was to kill without mercy the mediums and wizards who practiced divination. Just because something has been reported in the Bible to have happened does not make it okay for Christians to do the same. Sometimes a narrative is simply straight reporting. Dancing around the edges of dream interpretation is playing with fire. Daniel also interpreted dreams; was he an evil person? The other Joseph was warned by a dream to take Mary and little Jesus and flee away to Egypt, and so he did. He had also been told in a dream to not be afraid to take Mary as his wife; he obeyed that dream also. Was it evil for him to do so? It is not the dreams nor the interpreting of dreams that is necessarily evil - it is the spirit by which they are interpreted. Nebula is seeking the Lord and Godly counsel in understanding the dream she had. This is proper and not to be called sinful.

And apparently Jefferson prophesied correctly that it would only last that way for about 200 years. Nebula, could you share that quote from Jefferson? I can't find it.

Seems to me that the anonymous sperm donor should have more rights to the child than the non-mom.

Actually, Kwanzaa is not a traditional African celebration. It was invented in the 1980's in the USA.

Act 16:1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: Act 16:2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. Act 16:3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek. Apparently this was to avoid problems over Timothy's mixed heritage. He was half Jewish, half Gentile. Full Gentiles, though, Paul said did not need to be circumcised. Caleb wasn't an Israelite??? Where do you get that? The Bible says Num 13:6 Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh. Sorry, freaking out a bit because I have a son named Caleb and researched the name pretty thoroughly before we named him. Hope this doesn't cause a hijack of the real topic of this thread.

Paul says plainly that the answer is No. 1Co 7:18 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. 20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. Gal 2:3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: Gal 5:2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Gal 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

'Eye for eye' has to do with punishments; it was not a command to hate anyone. Let's look at the text: Exo 21:22 If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. 23 And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, 24 Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe. Lev 24:19 And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbour; as he hath done, so shall it be done to him; 20 Breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth: as he hath caused a blemish in a man, so shall it be done to him again. Deu 19:16 If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong; 17 Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days; 18 And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother; 19 Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you. 20 And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you. 21 And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. Each of these cases has to do with setting the proper punishment for acts of violence (or, in the final case, an attempted act). It sets the upper limit on what the punishment should be. That is, if someone knocks out another's tooth or eye, the punishment cannot be greater than to have his own tooth or eye knocked out; no capital punishment for a maiming. Now to what Jesus said: Mat 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Jesus is setting an even stricter limit: forgiveness. The Law had set a limit on punishment, but apparently instead of being viewed as a limit - this much and no more - it was being used as a requirement - the one who knocked out a tooth must have his tooth knocked out! Jesus was saying, no, they had missed the spirit of the Law; it was never intended to sanction revenge but to limit it - and now He was setting a better limit of forgiveness.

I don't observe easter and christmas either. Not sure, though, if Acts 20:7 shows the disciples choosing Sunday to worship in preference to worship on Saturday. Acts 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. Knowing that the day began at nightfall, this meeting would have taken place on Sat night. Paul then would have been planning to leave 'on the morrow,' that would have been Sun morning - so he obviously wasn't considering Sunday to have replaced Saturday, else he would not be planning to start a trip on Sun morning. (No travelling on the Sabbath, so if he considered Sunday to be the Sabbath, he would not be travelling on it.) I like Rom 14 about days and foods, don't you? While I do find the LORD Jesus saying this: Mat 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. where the Law itself says 'hate your enemy' I don't find. Could you tell me where that is, please?

I was surprised enough by these two statements to reply to them. While the Law in Lev is the first listing given of the unclean animals by name, which animals were clean and which unclean was known long before Moses and the giving of the Law. How do we know this? Because way back in Gen 7:2, the LORD told Noah, 'Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female.' How could Noah possibly obey the LORD in this if he didn't know which animals were clean and which unclean?