bethshemaiah

You are right Smalcald and I appreciate your open mindedness... I much prefer church to a nightclub and if it is okay to dance in them, shouldn't it be okay to dance in church? Lets' Party and dance for God!!! He loves it..... Bethany

I agree that for some, organ music and simple hymns are just the way that they love to worship God. However, for a teen to "get into" that style of worship on a consistent basis... sorry but it isn't happening for most of them. And although I am in the over 40's crowd it isn't happening for me either. It is not entertainment that I go to church for... but the fact that it is entertaining is not so bad either. Our praise and worship team is anointed and they are very talented... who does that talent come from? Does the modern style of worship music help me to worship more? Yes, it does. It is just a fact. The Gospel is preached in our church and we are after the lost and broken. Regarding the lighting special effects, we save that for the youth services and there are a few strobe lights occasionally.. in all the years of our youth ministry (13) there has only been one kid who reacted in a negative way to them and far more have been "hurt" playing basketball before the service... should we remove that from church??? The lost teens on the street are drawn into the services by the music and their friends, and something to do on Sunday afternoon... that gets them in the door. Then they are drawn into relationship by the message of Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit. Blessings, Bethany

AMEN.

Then maybe it's time to walk.

Good start. however I believe that you may need to work on sentence structure, for example: Ever since I first saw Star Wars at the Seaview Movie Theater in 1977, I have sensed GOD calling me to serve HIM in the communications field. Whether it as an actor, writer, or director, I believe that God is calling me to spread the Message of the Gospel to people everywhere. Continuing my education will give me the tools that I need to make this happen. My goals are to be involved in the production of films that highlight the values the Gospels teach. I believe that the Media is a very powerful tool that can be used to promote the message of Jesus Christ and I want to play a part in transforming the lives of people using the gift that God has given me. I would also love to act in these productions. anyway... I shouldn't have rewritten your whole essay but I have a thing about writing and love doing it. Just don't let Marnie see it.. she will tear my version to shreds too. In Christ, Bethany Thanks Bethany. I do have some structure issues. Hey Marnie, you here somewhere? maybe you should PM her....

Good start. however I believe that you may need to work on sentence structure, for example: Ever since I first saw Star Wars at the Seaview Movie Theater in 1977, I have sensed GOD calling me to serve HIM in the communications field. Whether it as an actor, writer, or director, I believe that God is calling me to spread the Message of the Gospel to people everywhere. Continuing my education will give me the tools that I need to make this happen. My goals are to be involved in the production of films that highlight the values the Gospels teach. I believe that the Media is a very powerful tool that can be used to promote the message of Jesus Christ and I want to play a part in transforming the lives of people using the gift that God has given me. I would also love to act in these productions. anyway... I shouldn't have rewritten your whole essay but I have a thing about writing and love doing it. Just don't let Marnie see it.. she will tear my version to shreds too. In Christ, Bethany

Inj, this is very sad news, and I know how saddened you must feel. I do want to share this with you.... I have been studying depression and have experienced it myself and this may comfort you somewhat. There is, in the cycle of depression the desire of the person afflicted to isolate themselves. To put a wall up and not let anyone in on their "feelings" lest they be negated or even uncovered. It is dangerous tool that Satan uses that leads a person further into the depression cycle, from disappointment to discontentment, from discontent to discouragement, from discouragement to despair... all alone and unknown. They will give signals but they are sometimes easy to miss. That is why when a loved one withdraws it is dangerous and a warning sign. It seems that in light of this and your relationship to him as a tutor it would have been extremely hard for you to know what his troubles were, and why "no one saw it coming". Take heart in that.... yet I am sure it doesn't lessen the pain of knowing that this has happened to him. Praying for the peace of Jesus Christ that surpasses understanding for you and his grieving family, Bethany

I think you need to remember that Solomon wrote that in a state of senility and probably depression. That verse is not making a doctrinal statement. agreed Shiloh... the context of that passage is clearly not a statement that we should not celebrate someone's birth.... children are a gift from God and worth celebrating about. But to go overboard with it is like anything else. Personally, I don't like being that much "in the limelight" and consider these celebrations embarrassing as an adult. For children, it is great and very fun.... except for the balloons they made me sit on and pop at this one birthday party.... I did not like that at all. I didn't like clowns either they were scary.... Bethany

I'm trying to show a forest, and everyone is nit-picking the trees. God wants us to be happy - joyful, content, whatever term picks your fancy . . . The trouble is we want God to change our circumstances to bring us to this state, condition, whatever . . . But He was us to change our attitude - outlook, perspective, focus, whatever concept fits your theology - for said above state to happen, to be, however you want to word it. Better? I think that I am seeing a lush green tropical rain forest..... . No, truly Nebula I do understand that our attitude is the focus in this. And for the most part I do see that it is my attitude that needs to be lined up with His purpose.... I think that I have the right general attitude toward the circumstances that are surrounding me. I know that I am to see that God is increasing my faith in the circumstances that I am dealing with..... and I do have joy in that, I guess therefore I have a degree of happiness.... ouch, yes happiness. God Bless, Bethany Thanks for the efforts....

Maybe this is it?

Okay Nebula, how about this.....? I would have a bad attitude if it wasn't for the joy of the Lord........ Yes, I agree that it is an attitude that we must have.... one that embraces that happiness or joy is not about us but about what Jesus can accomplish in our lives...... I still don't feel "happy" though.... at the moment I still trust Him and hold onto the fact that He is my provider and will accomplish His purpose in me..... that is my joy. Sorry just cannot let it go....... Bethany

Yes, that is true. God cares more that we are obedient than happy. So, being an obedient child of God will bring us happiness. If we are obedient we will perhaps not find happiness for sometimes obedience leads us to places that we "might" not want to go. Perhaps the better word for what the obedient children of God will receive is: JOY perhaps there is a difference between joy and happiness. As thinking and feeling human beings there are times the we may not feel happy about things that are going on around us... yet we can still have the joy of the Lord, He is our strength. JOY: To rejoice, dance and praise God in the face of our enemies, and in our victories... joy has to do with giving the praise and glory to God. HAPPINESS: self satisfaction, an inner feeling of contentment. Just a thought..... I am going through a season right now... things are not going exactly the way I would like so I am not "happy", but I am able to see that God is in the midst of this time and working His purpose in my life and that gives me Joy. Peace, Bethany

Shalom Bethany, You can eat organic turkey pepperoni. Pig (pork) is a nasty animal and not fit for human consumption. You are right, and I do eat a lot of turkey products such as turkey bacon, sausage etc..... but if someone puts a pizza, lets say from Pizza Hut with all that Sausage and Pepperoni on it.... well I am done for, (unless I am fasting). Generally, I do opt for the healthier and less nasty stuff though. Bethany

Kosher simply means that it is Rabbinically approved. Any health benefits over and above regular food is minimal. Jews still eat cake, pie, cookies, candy, and so forth. Kosher food is simply that which is fit or proper for Jewish consumption. One is assured by the hescher stamp of approval, that it was made in accordance to Jewish law. But would it be cleaner or not? What I mean was to prepare something Kosher do you not need some of your cooking tools heated to some huge degree, I know in cheese processing (we have a kosher cheese plant close which is a bizarre story in itself), but they have a cleaner plant then they used to by orders of magnitude for it to be certified kosher cheese. That's what I was getting at. Not necessarily the modern "kosher", but the Levitical way to eat. Well from the standpoint of toxins and poisions, yes. Pigs, for example have only one stomach. A pig cannot process the toxins from a dead rat out of his system. Cows on the other hand, even though they are herbivorous can process through their cud chewing and the their much more sophisticated digestive tract any toxins they might accidentally ingest, such as any animal waste residue on the grass they eat or so forth. The same applies to things like shrimp, lobster, and other shell fish. They are the oceans scavengers/garbage collectors. They eat the dead bodies and waste products of other sea life. Any toxins they ingest may very well be in their meat when they make it to your plate. Also since God commanded blood not to be eaten, a person would not ingest any blood borne pathogens in the animal's blood. That is defintely a plus where eating a "Levitical" diet is concerned. And of course, ALL fruits, vegitables, beans and nuts are allowed by God. Yet none of this is a prohibition against eating chocolate, soda, or other heavily laden sugar products. So if you ONLY stick with beef, veal, chicken, turkey, other game fowl, the prescribed fish, fruits, vegitables and nuts, you would certainly be healthier. I am sorry, I thought you were asking about the difference between a regular chicken and a "kosher" chicken. I misunderstood your question, earlier. That actually makes a lot of sense. In other words, if one were to eat Kosher and avoid excessive sweets, it would be healthier. I think I may start trying to eat more Kosher (whilst avoiding sweets) just to see what happens. Avoiding sugar and sweets is never a bad thing... if you want to get the sugar out of your system trying eliminating all white bread and starch that converts to sugar also... like white potatoes and white rice.... eat sweet potatoes and brown rice instead..... for our culture who battles with diabetes, hypoglycemia and all of that blood sugar stuff it is not a bad idea. I eat Kosher whenever possible.... in packaged foods like hot dogs, lunch meat, etc. if I eat these things, well................ (I eat pizza with pepperoni too, yummy), so much for all kosher, Bethany

It is common for the "church" to remove someone from positions of ministry when they fall into sin... one might say that this is due to them being "in sin', but as I read Gardendove's statement... and thought about it... there is another reason to do this... and that is so that this fallen preacher can get the ministry and restoration that he needs. To repent and be forgiven is one thing, but to be able to mend the broken places that caused the sin in the first place, and believe me they are there with this type of action on his part.... is also very important and he need to focus on healing and not ministering for a season.... if he is genuinely repentant then this will be something that he would desire to have happen, strip away the pride and admit that he, a sinner fell and needs grace and mercy of Jesus, and the love of God's people in order to be restored. Selah.....

Thanks Beth. Do you think there is any place at all for this kind of 'advertising' - if not for yourself, then others? I actually do think that there are things that the churches do that draws people in, cliche's on church signs are not very effective in my estimation but the proof of that would be in the "How did you hear about us" question on a visitor card. Our church has a huge billboard sign and if a person is looking for a church then that would be effective. I was stating that the lost are not drawn in by these signs, and that is who in the end we are after. We don't want other church's members, we want the un-churched and lost. So what works is that which ministers to the needs of people. For example, we have on many occasions, "opened our church doors" to the community and offered the building that God has given us to meet the needs that are out there. We have a 144,000 square foot building complete with loading docks and open convertible spaces. Ours is the biggest building in the county, the Sanctuary, Administrative office, school and the "Family Fun Center" take up part of it, we also have a youth hall, but there is also unused or convertible spaces. When WalMart came to town and needed a space to do their hiring from, we offered the building free of charge to them. After the hurricane we opened a Shelter that housed over 100 families and when the Red Cross came in, they said we needed to show them how to open a shelter (that gave God the glory), and it helped alot of families some who are still living in our area. We stand ready with loaded trailers to open a shelter within 24 hours now, and this ministers to the hurting and needy. We offer "huge" alternatives to Halloween and invite the entire community, three thousand or better always attend and all of it is free. We don't preach to these folks, but we show them a good time and love on them. We advertise in the local paper for parents with troubled teens to bring them to our youth services, and we provide a "lock-down" type environment with police chaparones and lots for the kids to do and we minister to them, with many of the now young adults who have been where they are to help. All of this is "advertising" our church and the power of the love of Jesus. Our name is definitely out there, we have been in our new building that seats 1200 and are at 85% capacity in under two years and adding a second service prior to a build-out that will add another 1000 seats. We began in a store-front old hardware store in 1993 with under twenty people. What works the best though is God using his people to touch the hearts of someone who needs to be saved, like me.... bound in a religious system (or completely un-churched), deceived and thinking that I was not in need of salvation, a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?????? what was that, somehow in all my church days I had missed that part, I was hurting, lost and wondering why all my "God if you get me out of this mess" prayers weren't working? If they were not able to get the salvation message in me, they got me to a place where I could get it. Being led to a Bible believing, Spirit-filled church, and today I live in victory. SO DID I ANSWER THE QUESTION, OR DID I GO OFF ON A TANGENT? ... and all before my second cup of coffee...... God Bless, Bethany

well those are some interesting signs.... and creative... but I still wouldn't have come in, what got me in was the Holy Spirit convicting me that I wasn't "going to church" and my son's friend's mom inviting me to her church right about then. They got me in, Jesus got me saved, yet I had gone to church all my life. Slightly off topic, sorry........ Bethany

I enjoy driving past the churches and reading their verses on their church signs.... but as a non-believer they did nothing for me except to condemn me, they really bugged me..... I can assure you that reading these "messages" did not make my want to run in and find out what was going on inside, in fact they made me feel bad and like an outsider. Course, I was.... an outsider. I hope that no one considers these a good witnessing tool... they aren't, at least in my opinion.

Leonard, you are simply talking about something you have no clue about. I have the disorder. I do not use it as an excuse, I, with the Lords help, deal with it and overcome. It is a very real condition. For instance if I eat red food dyes, My brain gets so scattered I honestly am a different person. I work hard to control my diet, that takes care of 95% of the symptoms, the rest; I struggle hard with. I have never used it as an excuse to fail. However, you are simply babbling on about a subject you are clueless on. Have you seen brain activity scans of ADHD sufferers? I guess they are made up also. Not all who get diagnosed with ADD have it, but for us that do; it is very real. It really hurts me that even you are this cold and callous to the suffering of some of your fellow Christians. What you suggest is about like telling a Cancer sufferer, its all in your head, get over it. Quit using it as an excuse. Have you ever tried thinking before you type? I feel compelled to weigh in here in defense of these "mental disorders" and how many seem so willing to jump on the bandwagon that folks with Depression and things like ADHD are slothful and undisciplined, depression being a matter of the heart, etc. Well, that is just wonderful that you all are experts on labeling the hurting and needy with these issues (If you cannot tell it angers me at the lack of mercy that some appear to have). I have much experience with the ADHD disorder that was first diagnosed in my oldest son when he was age three. Oh, so he was slothful and undisciplined? Wish you could have been there to see this little boy and his behavior, he needed help, and so did I. It was thought at that time that he might even have Autism. Would anyone like to weigh in on that one???????, was my three year old undisciplined? I did put him on medication and this wasn't until years later when he simply could not function in school and no other interventions worked. Adderall didn't solve his troubles it just made him able to function in the public school system. Later, I removed him from public school and took him off all meds. He was older and did not want these narcotics in his system, yet his trouble remains and he struggles in school. I suffered from depression personally at a very difficult time in my marriage and life and this disorder is no respecter of persons and to state that it is a heart problem is ridiculous, and it even angers me to think this... if you have never been clinically depressed you would not understand that toughing it out and getting your heart right would make it go away. I was healed in time through the power of a relationship with Jesus Christ, but there was no way that I could have "fixed" myself. My son is able to play video games for long periods of time.... do to the nature of these forms of stimulation, TV also.... they hit the brain differently than chores, homework, or daily tasks do... it is NOT an indicator that one isn't ADHD. HR is right.... to vary tasks and do several things simultaneously does help an adult, but for a child it is difficult. My heart goes out to the parents of these children also.... you have no idea what this is like until you have been there. Bethany (asking God to give me compassion too for the misinformed) Beth, we could tell that our youngest son was "wired differently" pretty much from the time he was born. As you said, was that lack of discipline? He couldn't abide sounds going on out of his range of sight. He couldn't even eat if there was noise behind him; sometimes he would become frustrated if there was sound and activity around him and would cry and fuss unconsolably. I often had to take him into a quiet room alone for him to be able to eat and sleep. He is 10 now. After about half a year on stratera, which did not help his concentration, I took him off meds and brought him home from school to homeschool. The lack of distractions has made a wonderful difference in him being able to complete his studies each day. He is amazingly bright - not just my totally unbiased opinion but the standardized tests his former school gave him showed he was at Junior High level on certain subjects (this when he was in 1st and 2nd grade). People who haven't been in our shoes just really don't get it, do they? I know I didn't before my son came along. Oh how well I remember those days, the nights I would walk the house for eight hours or more with him crying and fussing as you said. Sometimes I wonder how I got through it? My son used to have to sit on a large gymnastics ball in school and have tape around his desk area so that he could get up and move without getting out of his space and disrupt the entire class. He had every measure of intervention available through the school system, took Adderall and Zoloft too. Things like potty training and things were very delayed due to his inability to stay "on task" I guess.... as you are probably all realizing, this is far more than lack of discipline, my son didn't want to "be different" he simply could not help himself. You are right on the intelligence factor, my son was testing on college level in the fifth grade in some subjects and at a minimum of sophomore in HS in the remainder. Yet, his school grades continue to not be indicative of his ability due to his lack of organization. I trust God to use him mightily, he is incredibly compassionate and works extremely well with the disabled and elderly, there was a clear difference in him compared with other children also.... that is the good news, God did wire him differently. Thanks for sharing Sheya. Bethany

Amen Sierra, well said. If there was someone who was "an expert", I would expect that they would also have the ability to have discussions without being rude or make harmful comments. Since, we are so clearly not experts how is it that we are rude and hurtful as well, by what grounds? It is frankly shameful that there appears to be no level of discernment and conscience when people add to the threads that are here. I always reread what I have written knowing that human beings with real feelings are reading them. Jesus very much cared for how He treated people. How is it that we are so comfortable not giving a rip, in the name of a Christian debate?????

I absolutely get where you are coming from Hupo.... the way that I read scripture may be different but there is no "legalism" in it. I do not commit to read any amount daily.... my goal is not to read it in a year. My goal is to understand what I am reading and meditate on it till it gets in, also I do not read scripture in order, for example an entire book at a time. I do remember the day when I would try to read a certain amount of scripture each day and by the third to fifth day I had scraped the entire thing in frustration. Part of the reason was it was just words on a page then. I do know that I understand and receive the passages that I read far better now than then, I wasn't even saved then. That said, here is how I read.... I read a passage(s) based on a teaching that I have heard recently either at church or at a website called OnePlace.com, I listen to James McDonald alot. PM me if you are interested in the link. Or I read a passage based on something that the Holy Spirit has reminded me of or led me to. Also, as I read, I mark and write in my bible the things that jump out at me.... I put dates in there, notes and impressions that I have while reading. What is happening here is I am having an "interactive" experience while reading the passages. I do not time it, or commit to reading any amount, five years later you wouldn't believe how much of the Bible I have read, retained and have knowledge of. I know cause I have written, dated and highlighted or put notes in it. When I was new to the Lord, I bought colored pens that didn't bleed through the pages and changed colors alot, sounds silly I know, but my Bible is pretty colorful now and really reminds me of how much time I have been in the Word. I am one of these "easily distracted" people and needed this interaction to keep my focus. Maybe you can use some of this for yourself and your reading time. Bethany

there is no sin that cannot be covered by the blood of Jesus Christ except one, and that one removes the individual from the blood covering of Jesus Christ. Romans 7 gives the clear example of our carnal verses spiritual man and the war that goes on. Think of David and the mess that he got himself in... with Bathsheba and her husband, and even David a man after God's own heart was unrepentant and blind to the sin that he committed so that God had to send Nathan to show Him his sin. Even in all the sins stacked up on David, God still pursued him. Was David "qualified"? Measuring the "sins" of man makes it about them and frankly none of us would be able to stand and profess Jesus Christ and His word, we are carnal and sinners. This is about Jesus Christ and His power, and He can use this fallen and sinful man. You don't know if he repented, but God does. I trust that God would shut the door if he didn't want him to preach and will use this to come after this man's heart. Don't judge, just pray. It is tough to be sure, since you know...... I would suggest you minister to your sister and examine your heart also, what can God speak to you in this about forgiveness? Peace, Bethany

Leonard, you are simply talking about something you have no clue about. I have the disorder. I do not use it as an excuse, I, with the Lords help, deal with it and overcome. It is a very real condition. For instance if I eat red food dyes, My brain gets so scattered I honestly am a different person. I work hard to control my diet, that takes care of 95% of the symptoms, the rest; I struggle hard with. I have never used it as an excuse to fail. However, you are simply babbling on about a subject you are clueless on. Have you seen brain activity scans of ADHD sufferers? I guess they are made up also. Not all who get diagnosed with ADD have it, but for us that do; it is very real. It really hurts me that even you are this cold and callous to the suffering of some of your fellow Christians. What you suggest is about like telling a Cancer sufferer, its all in your head, get over it. Quit using it as an excuse. Have you ever tried thinking before you type? I feel compelled to weigh in here in defense of these "mental disorders" and how many seem so willing to jump on the bandwagon that folks with Depression and things like ADHD are slothful and undisciplined, depression being a matter of the heart, etc. Well, that is just wonderful that you all are experts on labeling the hurting and needy with these issues (If you cannot tell it angers me at the lack of mercy that some appear to have). I have much experience with the ADHD disorder that was first diagnosed in my oldest son when he was age three. Oh, so he was slothful and undisciplined? Wish you could have been there to see this little boy and his behavior, he needed help, and so did I. It was thought at that time that he might even have Autism. Would anyone like to weigh in on that one???????, was my three year old undisciplined? I did put him on medication and this wasn't until years later when he simply could not function in school and no other interventions worked. Adderall didn't solve his troubles it just made him able to function in the public school system. Later, I removed him from public school and took him off all meds. He was older and did not want these narcotics in his system, yet his trouble remains and he struggles in school. I suffered from depression personally at a very difficult time in my marriage and life and this disorder is no respecter of persons and to state that it is a heart problem is ridiculous, and it even angers me to think this... if you have never been clinically depressed you would not understand that toughing it out and getting your heart right would make it go away. I was healed in time through the power of a relationship with Jesus Christ, but there was no way that I could have "fixed" myself. My son is able to play video games for long periods of time.... do to the nature of these forms of stimulation, TV also.... they hit the brain differently than chores, homework, or daily tasks do... it is NOT an indicator that one isn't ADHD. HR is right.... to vary tasks and do several things simultaneously does help an adult, but for a child it is difficult. My heart goes out to the parents of these children also.... you have no idea what this is like until you have been there. Bethany (asking God to give me compassion too for the misinformed)