stacey c

Ok Kross I'll bite I'm nowhere near a Bible scholar but I'll try to post my view point coherently. Yes, I believe God chose us, but He chose us all John 3:i6 "for God so loved the WORLD that He gave His only begotten Son that WHOSEVER believeth on Him should not perish but have everlasting life." 17 " Jesus came not to condemn the world, but that the WORLD thru Him might be saved." 11Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing ANY should perish, but that ALL should come unto repentence." Romans 10:4 "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." 9 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." 10 "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." 11 "For the scripture saith, Whosever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed." 12" For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek; For the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him." 13 "For whosever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Acts 2:21 "And it shall come to pass, that whosever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Merry Christmas to you too, Stacey! Nice scripture, thank you and GOD for it. I do not think that the arm of GOD is shortened at all. I need to be delivered from where my being 'trained up' has put me. When will GOD, if HE ever will, begin? Mikado, you have already been delivered! God promises us in His Word "You are a new creation in Christ, old things have passed away, behold ALL things become new." You start standing on that promise In Revelation it tells us " They overcame him by the Blood of the Lamb, and the word of their testimony." You are more than a conquerer, start claiming your victory in the name of Jesus.

mikado, brother as soon as I was finished reading your post the Holy Sprit lead me to scripture Psalm 91:14 "Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he hath known my name." 15 "He shall call upon me, and I will answer him,I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him, and honor him." 16 "With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation." Brother think not that the arm of the Lord is shortened, He will reach down into the secret places and darkest reaches of your life and deliver you, and restore all that the locust has eaten! I will keep you lifted up in prayer. Have a very merry christmas Luv your sister in Christ Stacey c

poorinspirit, I must ask what is the agenda here? First a polite way of coming against the charasmatic denomination the one on the catholics. I would have to say that all christians, regardless of their affiliation, become disallusioned at one point of their walk or another. For some it may last only a moment for another quite a bit longer. No denomination is perfect and all have error in their teaching somewhere, as long as man is trying to decipher or teach the Word there will be some error as we are all human and miss the mark in one area or another. The Word tells us to fight the good fight of faith... meaning we must always contend to hold fast to the saving arms of Jesus Christ because the enemy goes around as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. We can uphold, edify, exhort and reach out to the hurting without bashing other denominations. I may not agree with every other denomination out there, doesn't mean I believe them herectical or false prophets. And I can still hold up and edify my brothers and sisters with only the Word of God without coming against a particular denomination.

I have done it both ways. Not run a country mind you LOL. But for many years I was a stay at home mother, wife, and homemaker. Then tragicaly one night my husband was killed in a accident, leaving me with six children to raise on my own. And because of financial burdens I had to go to work full time. My skills in the job market were very limited so I had to use my years as a homemaker to my advantage. For the first four years I cleaned homes, ( what a grueling back breaking, job). Then another five years as a pre-school teacher. All those years of working forty to fifty hour weeks, then going home and taking care of my family, plus teaching Sunday school every week, was a very hard time in my life. But through God and the strength of the Holy Ghost was I able to continue on day after day. And I did learn somethings about my self. I could be bold, strong, and learn leadership skills I never had before when my husband was alive, he was all that and more. So I know from expierience it is possible to do both, but my children did suffer to a certain degree because mommy wasn't there to help with homework, I missed out on alot of school functions, and the like. Any women who feels she is called for the staggering call of running for president should really way out the pros and cons and seek God diligently for guidance because that would be one tough road to travel.

Even the discussion of who was to blame in the Garden and whose sin was greater is a singn of our depravity. The fall basically introduced futility and strife into creation. the man would now be at odds with his work environment and be subject to futility in it. The woman would be at odds with her husband and subject to futility in an eternal quest for domination. The curse is very enlightening; He said to the woman: I will intensify your labor pains; you will bear children in anguish. Your desire will be for your husband, yet he will dominate you. Genesis 3:16 HCSB The hebrew word for "desire" is used in Genesis 4:7 where God described in as having a desire for Cain. It speaks of a desire to control. So sin introduced a situation where the woman would seek to control men and they would respond with domination. Amen EricH. I always heard it referred to as the Jezebel spirit. Jezebel used her wiles and deceit to control her husband and he was weak enought to let her. The Bible states God's ways are not our ways..... everything in our human nature is contrary to the nature of God. Natural mind tells us that women will not be controlled and men want to be mothered. It goes against the order that God has placed in His Word.

Stacey, You raise a really good point. The goal of approaching a brother or sister about sinful behavior should never be to shame them or spread gossip. The goal should be to help them begin to walk with God again. That is why Matthew begins with a one-to-one private conversation between 2 brothers or sisters. Taking before the entire church should always be a very last resort, and done with much humility and sadness. the goal is still to restore the one who has fallen to fellowship. Thank you EricH. That's my point, where does so much arrogance and pride come in that the church thinks it can throw people out of church or embarrass them? It may not happen often but obviously it happens. I never even had heard of such things until I joined here, and references have been brought up in past threads, I am all for Godly counseling to help a loved one find their way again, and then letting the Holy Spirit do His work on convicting and changing their hearts, and as scripture states if they will not recieve you kick the dust off your feet and move on. But I don't think all the judging or embarrassing in the world can do the work that the Holy Spirit can do.

Sorry, but you need to get this straight. There is no such thing as the Gift of Discernment it is the "Gift of Discerning of Spirits". This gift is not something that is given permanently to an individual it is meted out according to the need of the time at the will of the Holy Spirit. Nevertheless if we are open the Spirit He may use us several times in this same Gift. The only Gifts that are permanent and reside in you are the Gifts in Romans 12. These are creational Gifts from the Father and have been given to all including non Christians. As the Father is no respector of persons and will not give one an advantage over another. Merry Christmas. Okay so a difference of terminology about discernment. But please show me where the gifts of !Cor. 12 are not permanent. Also where the gifts of Romans are for believers and non_believers alike. In both chapters it is talking about the "Body" and God's placement in the Church, In 1Corinthins 12:7 "But the manifestationof the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal." Def. of profit "To the benefit or advantage of an individual" Websters Sorry don't have my Strongs concordence for a more accurate Biblical translation.

Romans !:29 "Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, murder, debate, deciet,malignity, whisperers," v.30 "Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents," v.31 " Without understanding, covenant_breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful," v.32 "Who knowing the judgement of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." Too many christians stop there but the message continues in the next chapter.. Chapter 2 :1 "Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest; for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things." v.2 "But we are sure, that the judgement of God is according to truth against them which commit such things," v.3 "And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgement of God?" One sin is not greater than another in the eyes of God. We all have sin of one kind or another.

I always thought that too Colleen, how do we know it wasn't Adam that added to the order from God and not Eve?

This topic was brought up in another thread, and I wanted clarification on the churches stance on this partcular subject. I am a firm believer in the fact that we all fall short, even as christians, and that there is always sin in our lives, none of us will be perfected until we meet Jesus. We cannot even comprehend true perfection in our human, fallable, minds, so none of us can even dare to state we walk in perfection at any part of our christain walks. Christ is our righteouness, it has nothing to do with anything we can accomplish with all our dos and don'ts. I beleive in trying to live holy lives but we fall short in so many ares. Just when we think we have the first 10 areas cleaned up, another dirty "self" pops up some where. So heres my question regarding the church in generals idea that they have the right to point fingers at saints with sin in their lives. From what I understand the churches stance comes from Matthew 18:15-17 "Moreover if thy brother shall tresspass against thee, go and tell him alone; if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained your brother." "But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more,that in the mouth of two or three witnesses, every word maybe established," "And if he shall neglectto hear them,tell it unto the church; let be as an heathen man and a publican." Where anywhere in these scriptures does it state that the church has the right to be on the hunt to point out anyones sins? If a person has sin in their life, that doesn't hurt anyone but themselves, beyond private christain counseling to restore that one to the faith, where does the church have the right to air the dirty laundry to the whole church? Like I posted in the other thread, we all have sin, and no sin is greater than another. How can I point at anothers sin, when in the very act of doing that I am walking in self_righteousness and pride. But we have many scriptures about pride self-righteouness. The Word states that God flees the prideful but draws nigh the humble...and Jesus Himself said "He without sin cast the first stone" Just curious were the church gets it's stance from.

What a wonderful story. Thank you for sharing it. Merry Christmas Dave

AN OLD FRIEND HAS PASSED! OR IS PASSING! My parents told me about Mr. Common Sense early in my life and told me I would do well to call on him when making decisions. It seems he was always around in my early years but less and less as time passed. Today I read his obituary. Obituary - Common Sense Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, life isn't always fair, and maybe it was my fault. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children, are in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition. Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer aspirin, sun lotion or a sticky plaster to a student; but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion. Common Sense lost the will to live as churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar can sue you for assault. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement. Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers; I Know my Rights, Someone Else is to Blame, and I'm a Victim. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.

Your right RM, as christians we make the choice to turn from sin, and Jesus becomes our rightousness, but we are human and we still sin and fall short, that's why we need to ask for forgiveness. My point is, is that when I decide to point out anothers sins and faults I become self-righteous (Oh I wouldn't do that), prideful (look at me, theres no sin in my life, so I can poke at the mote in your eye) and judgemental. This is just as sinful as any other sin. The Bible says, "God flees the prideful, but draws near the humble.." This says to me that God finds pride so disgusting He even runs from those who operate in this spirit.

I mean this in all love, but one of the best lessons I learned years ago from the Holy Spirit was when to give up on ongoing debating. When feelings are starting to be hurt and God is recieving no glory it's time to throw in the white flag of truce. Aperson can only state his position so many times, then we should allow the Holy Sprit to do His work. He does such a better job than us anyways. Be blessed stacey

I think the point the mother was making concerning going public was that this church was a place where she and her children grew to love and trust their "family". You should be able to feel safe with your church family, and her kids would be hurt by their crusifing of her mother. And as far as the right to judge people, how "righteous" do you have to be to be able to pull the mote out of your brothers eye. Sin is sin is sin, wether it be adultary, lying, stealing, pride ect... I think it was Mema that posted the scripture "He with out sin cast the first stone"

I'm not sure if I agree that Moses didn't know about his roots until much later. Moses's sister was watching this whole event unfold down by the river and after Pharaoh's daughter realised the baby was Hebrew, Moses sister asked the king's daughter if she wanted a Hebrew woman to nurse (breast feed) the child for her. 'Wet nurses' were common in Africa and still are, if for some reason the Mum cannot breastfeed herself. (in this case Pharaohs daughter.) So Moses sister got their Mother to be the "wet nurse". I think Moses was around 5(?) when he went to live permanently with Pharaohs daughter as her son... As far as breast feeding is concerned..this is an intimate bonding session between Mother and child and I have no doubt in my mind that in these sessions as well as during the course of living with Moses until he was 5, the Mum would have told Moses about his Hebrew roots. I think Moses was well aware he was Hebrew whilst living as Pharaoh's daughters son when he was young boy. If I was Moses's birth Mum, I would have done the same thing. Actually Hisgirl, I would have to disagree with your statement about his birth mum telling him who he really was. Mind you nothing really biblical to back it up. But I think his mother would want to protect him at all cost. Five year olds like to talk. I think if Moses was told that he would ask hid Egyptian mother. Just my opinion.

This is disgusting!!! It's a prime example of the church abusing there power. I was in a similar situation when I lived in Florida. I knew I was living in sin and the Holy Spirit convicted me of it, and I repented and changed the situation. But my boyfriend did go to the church although he was talked about behind our backs, judged, and called all kinds of vile names. No one in leadership came to us in love or couseling, or concern for our spiritual well being. I was just given ultimatems about leaving him or else.... The final straw was when the pastor went on a public forum/blog and told my personal business to the general public, then he also critisized my work ethic. I left the church without looking back. The whole joke of this was, that the people who were condemning me had sssoooo mjuch of their own dirty laundry they could of kept an army of Dry Cleaners in business for 10 years. I cannot stand hyprocrites!!!!

Brother, I don't see any hostility and judgement. It's brotherly love and concern. If thats what your feeling may I suggest that you sincerly seek the Holy Spirit, because you maybe feeling the conviction of the Holy Spirit. I know I am as I read through these posts. You are well loved Man.

No, we are not talking about a building. We are talking about a body of believers that come together for a common cause and call themselves a church. The building is not important at all. I have met in a theater, an elementary school, a "church" building and outside sitting on hay bales in the desert. The fact that you equate the building with the church to me means you miss the meaning of what a church is. And nobody said you were bad, just that you were not being used to your fullest What I see here is brothers and sisters in Christ who love you dearly and want to see you flourishing in all that the Lord has for you. I have gone both ways. I was in a body for many many years, and it's different than being alone studying the Word, then when you are in a group of belivers. It's like your spirit surges within you, and as you feed off others annointing it builds your inner spirit and it's the same for them. It builds your faith. And also when the Lord is able to use you, how ever you are led it boost your faith all the more. I have not had a "home" body for a couple of years, although I visit churches, and when I leave the service my spirit is hopping, my faith is renewed, and I'm ready to fight another day.

Amen Jacqueline, God speaks to me in dreams all the time also. Maybe God didn't get the memo, maybe someone should IM Him.

I gave you a thumbs up also The articles were really good. And I love your sense of humor. Great Job!!!

I had no one there to hold me up and encourage me. I had to put my faith in God and believe that He would deliver on His promises. And He did. Because of all things I went through, all the bad that was eventually turned to good, I know He exists. And because I have first hand knowledge of His existance, it has strengthened my faith. I'm glad there was no one around to prop me up. No one around to give me soothing words of comfort. It made me put my faith where it should be.......in God. I've said before, if you want to go to church, go to church. It's not for me to tell one what to do. Man I can tell your not the norm....and praise God you put your faith fully in Him to carry you through. And I'm not saying pat sinners (all of us) on the head and tell them it's all right. The absolute truth of the Word needs to be taught in our churches, and if the ones who struggle can handle the conviction of the Holy Sprit and remain, let them remain. We are not to get our acts together than go to God. We go to God and He helps us get our acts together. And I respect your descision not to go to church, I have been the target of too many hyprocritical, backstabbing christians in the local assembly to judge your choice. God bless you brother. stacey

Amen and Amen......Kross. I was trying to find the words to say the same exact thing. Church should be for the sick and hurting. I too have known wonderful, loving christians who have struggled and fought their sexuality. Instead of throwing these people to the wolves, we as christians should be holding them up and encouraging them in their walk until they get victory over their strongholds. What if as new believers we weren't encouraged on and thrown out of the local assembly because we werent christian enough, where would we be now? Too many christians forget, but for the grace of God go I.

Pretty flat potato.. Yeah, I guess you would have to roll it up inside the paper and eat it like burrito. A potato paper burrito... think it'll catch on? Yum.. I know I'm droolin. Hey - you could tare it up and have potato chips. oh oh oh make mine hot and spicy bar-b-q please.... I knew there was a reason I liked you MeMa...... Great taste in chips!!!! LOL