Natt

One thing I have noticed this year is that outside shops there is signs counting down to New Year. Not Christmas like most years, but New Year?

How would that work with blended families or single parents?

I agree with Bib here

We are not in a place to judge someone's heart but to me it is about our attitude towards money. No You are being a good steward.

I love this time of year. It is a wonderful time for witnessing. Sadly the world have put an emphasis on the commercial Christmas with credit card blow outs etc... But we should have Jesus as our emphasis. Churches have great opportunities for out-reach. Largely the emphasis is on Santa Claus, but isn't that because people don't believe in Jesus. People tend to listen to Christians more at this time. There will always be those who refuse to listen or believe. Look at Saul(later Paul). But through Christ anything is possible. We can pray on who to invite to any Special Services etc... Most parents (even athiests) don't usually mind letting their children to come along with their friends. What if all Christians prayed for revival. What results do you think we will see?

Shad give whatever is in your heart to give. If that is 10% every pay check give it then. If it an annual amount give that. 2 Corinthians 9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver If you feel that in your heart that you should tithe then tithe. Tithing is a Mosaic Law. The Pharisees Jesus was talking to were Jews and were under the Mosaic Law. Gentiles are not under that law. Interestingly, in all the letters that were written to the Gentiles, not one discussed tithing. Generousity was encouraged, but God wants our hearts not our money. Churches though need our generousity to enable its work. To some a tithe is not that generous and for others a real sacrifice.

Forgiveness and reconciliation are two different things You can forgive without reconciliation, But reconciliation only comes after forgiveness. My personal opinion is that it all depends on what you needed forgiveness for. We have all done things wrong and need to seek forgiveness . If the person you are seeking forgiveness from grants forgiveness, but not reconciliation it can be many reasons. It may be she needs healing. She may have been hurt like this in the past and is wary. Maybe she feels more comfortable at present with how things are Don't be too hard on her. Reconciliation is a process. My advice to you is to remember her by showing her your love on special events, Birthday cards etc... but most importantly Pray for her.

It is a sad world.

I don't intend to return to them. I miss the friends I made there. I am going to try to reach out to them. I am concerned spiritually though.

US boys, aged 8 and 9, charged with rape Three boys, ages eight and nine, are in custody in the United States, charged with kidnapping and raping an 11-year-old girl near a suburban Georgia apartment complex. The alleged attack happened on Thursday and the girl's mother reported it to authorities on Sunday, police in the city of Acworth said. "The victim said they were playing outdoors and the girl was forced into a wooded area where she was sexually assaulted, where one of the boys raped her," Acworth police Captain Wayne Dennard said http://www.theage.com.au/news/World/US-boy...5321728713.html

You've got my curiosity up now about these 3 points in your post. Can you explain these? I will pray, too. The Book of Mormon carry a familiar spirit and the bible says have nothing to do with them. The Mormon missionaries are polite, well turned out young men. Many also don't know they are being deceptive. For more info You Tube have some good videos (Lying for the Lord) Emotion-Mormons first make people feel good. They are good at this. http://www.lds4u.com/Discussions/commitment.htm Thanks for the prayers

Hi OneLight I was in the church. I left when I discovered that their version of the history of the church (regarding polygamy) was not the truth. I didn't believe the bible as being translated properly then (as most Mormons) so doctrine differences was not such a problem as it is now. I do understand their beliefs. Jesus also said Love your Enemy. I will be very careful and be in prayer over this. Another concern is the 'familiar spirit' aspect. I don't know if it would be right to invite them in because of this. The more I think about it the more I see I need prayer.

Thanks for all your replies and links Great advice Keilan I've decided to treat them like any other friends and when they talk about their faith I'll then share mine. I now see it as an opportunity.

really? I dont know its working for me? Works 4 me 2

Hi I don

Biblical Evidence against smacking: It is illegal in NZ Do you anti-smackers really believe it is child abuse? Take a two year old who has a liking for plugs. Then he grabs a dinner knife to examine it by sticking it in the plughole. I smacked him before he did it. It wasn't even hard but he learnt not to do it pretty quickly. But that is child abuse? Right? Try reasoning with a two year old. What about the Amish? I've heard they are for smacking and are also very non-violent.

I use KJV too. It is when they reject all other versions and when like to put other versions down is what I don't like.

A church my grandparents go to have convinced them that all the other churches are wrong in thier doctrine. They also use this verse excessively. I would still classify them as Christians though Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Could some churches be classified as both Cults and Christian?

That is exactly how I feel Sister! There is a real difference between when God is working and when man is exercising his emotions. Whenever I use the term "God in a box", I am usually referring to statements people make concerning how God can not do this or that. For example, there was a thread a while back about salvation for those who never heard of God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. Some say that they are going to hell because they never asked for salvation. I took a position that God judges the heart of man and to say that these who never heard were dammed because of never hearing, was like putting God in a box. God is greater then any of us can ever understand, so I use that expression in cases like this. It would be correct to say that it is not in the Bible, word for word, but it does say that God will judge the hearts of men. Is this something like what you were describing? Your Brother In Christ, OneLight

Hi Damo1 I totally agree with you about the King James Version. I like to use various versions when I do some bible study. I think they are entitled to their opinion though, even if they don't listen to anyone else's. I also agree with you that the Holy Spirit shouldn't be ignored. But I think Jesus should be glorified above all else. The Holy Spirit is a gift. I'm still very much in the learning part. I have been deceived before.If I had then used the bible as a yardstick and not my own feelings I would not have got into a particular movement which I suppose why I feel testing if something is from God by the bible is important. God Bless

One Light, from what you have described it sounds like if it was the Holy Spirit. It is just basing what you experience on feelings as whether it was from God or not sounds wrong. However all those experiences can be found scripturally and I would be in agreement with you. It is when people add to the word and then claim it was God with no scriptural evidence, then they defend it by saying "Do not put God in the box" is what I struggle with. 2 Timothy 3 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: