Big Steve

I'm interested to hear thoughts on this as well. I debate this subject regularily with a woman I work with. She is a very strong Christian, but she has a very hard time with this subject. She believes that homosexuals are born that way also, but that God wants them to be happy during their time on earth and if that's what they are, then He must be ok with that. I've told her no way, just read the scriptures. You can't pick and choose out of the bible what to abide by and what to overlook. She acknowledges that, but like I said she has a hard time with this. And no, she is not homosexual. She is getting married next spring.

I am voting for Bush, but I've been wondering if it really matters. I'm beginning to wonder if Kerry might win regardless, if these are the endtimes, and we will start seeing scripture and prophecy come to pass. As stated, he would be one for putting our military under U.N. control, and everything may start happening. I too, think we are in the endtimes, and it's just a matter of time anyway, but I do wonder if Kerry is one of the cogs that need to be in place for it to begin, with his world views on things.

Thanks for the anwer as to why. Once the new software is in I hope we can again post images and pictures.

Where has everyone's avatars gone? And why can't I put any pictures up now? I tried to in the t--shirt thread and I couldn't. That's also when it dawned on me that the avatars are gone. Anyone know?

I know this has been mentioned before, but I think by us all having different "looks' we can reach out to that many more types of people. I can approach certain people with the Word, and these people might laugh off or ignore someone else. And vice-versa. I think it is a blessing we are all different. How would we learn anything if we were all the same??

I've wondered the same thing. Seems kind of hypocritical to me.

Hey Panther welcome to Worthy! I should come visit your church sometime. I have some tattoos and an earring, go about 250lbs, and when dieting and carb-deprived, I get a little ornery. I'd like to see if your pastor calls me a girly-man. :oww: He must like Arnold, he's copying his phrase!

Living here in Wisconsin we have areas with high concentrations of Amish. They make beautiful furniture and crafts, and are hard workers. HOWEVER, I have discovered something about them that seriously makes me wonder how they can claim to want to follow Christ at all. Now I'm NOT saying this applies to everyone who is Amish, I don't want to offend anyone. But I wouldn't have believed this had I not seen it with my own eyes. The Amish around here apparently have a problem with in-breeding. They ran an ad in one of the small town newspapers, looking for young men to come and have sex with their wives to help alleviate the problem and get some different DNA into the gene pool. They were willing to pay $500 cash to the men who did this. A friend of mine I worked with told me about this, and I said no way, I absolutely do not believe it. Well, he brought in the paper with the ad in it. I read it myself, and I was floored to say the least. My freind had a buddy who apparently needed the money and answered the ad. I won't detail everything, but it was conducted totally like a breeding operation you would see on a farm. Woman was covered with a sheet, her husband and other men stayed in the room, no personal contact, just business. Like I said, I wouldn't have believed this for a minute if I hadn't seen the ad myself. Then some other people said they had seen it before, and it was fairly common for them to do this every so often. The other thing that just recently happened is there were two brothers (amish) that were arrested for sexually assaulting a small girl. The amish elders were upset that the men were arrested, as they said they handle this type of thing among themselves. Which makes me wonder, as more came out about it, how often this type of thing occurs with-in their community. Like I said, this obviously does NOT apply to all amish, and I don't want to offend anyone here. But the fact that these things are occurring and coming to light, makes me wonder about what else they let happen, seeing as they live in such seclusion.

I get alot of compliments on one of the colognes I wear. It's called Preferred Stock. You can get it at any Wal-mart or similar store. It's not expensive and it smell good.

Bro I know how you feel when you say alot of discussions are over your head. They're over mine too! I'm new in Christ and I have tons to learn. I read some of the threads, and there is no way I could provide any knowledge towards what's being talked about. So I just read them and try and learn something. And if I have a question about something I see, I just jump right in and ask. So I figure, what better way to learn? (besides right from the Bible) And there are things you will be able to contribute as well, you'll see. Something will come up that you do know about or have experience with. You have alot of life experiences, and sometimes that's more helpful than anything. I'm glad you decided to stay!

STEVE: Diminutive of Stephen or Steven, "crown; garland." Diminutive variant Stevie, also exists. JOEL: Biblical name meaning Jehovah is the Lord." You are truly blessed by your parents. God gave your parents good name for you. Cool! Thanks for looking that up for me. :hug:

Well mine is pretty self-explanitory, huh? Although I don't know the actual meaning of Steve. Full name is Steven, middle name Joel.

This has all been in regards to worship, but what about dancing with your spouse other than in worship? What if you are out somewhere together and there are bands or music playing and you want to dance together? My wife and I like country music, and we go to concerts whenever one is in the area and it's in our budget. There is also a country bar that we ocassionally (meaning once a month at the most) like to go to, have some beers, and sometimes dance. (yes, I can actually get my big self moving, sometimes even to the beat! :oww: ) So is this wrong? I am curious as to your opinions, although I really don't believe there could be any harm in going out once in awhile and dancing together. God Bless! Steve

I was wondering the same thing. It's like she didn't acknowledge anything anyone told her here. If this is true, this guy is sick. Do you really think you're the first, or only one he's tried to do this with? I'd like to have a nice chat with this guy about his problems.

Welcome! Cool name

No scroll here..

So what do you think about women wearing less when it's warm/hot out, and what about beachwear? For example, in the summer my wife usually likes to wear string-tank tops and shorts. And she wears a bikini to the beach. For that matter, most of the warmer months I'm outside wearing only shorts or swimtrunks. Is that wrong? Obviously there IS alot of inappropriateness that goes on now-days, like the examples artsylady gave, but in the proper surroundings is it still wrong? Steve

I would tend to agree with what you said. I was re-assured the ones I have are ok to have, and I think as long as it's nothing satanic or evil, and you are not convicted against it as you have said, then it should be fine. I was recently thinking of getting another one in the middle of my upper back. If I could find a cool celtic cross I think I'd like to get one there. And I also agree that you could use it to witness as well.

Yes I know what you mean. What version do you have? I have found the New King James Version very easy to read. It was recommended to me by someone here. Sometimes I still have to re-read things to "get it", but the language is easier than some versions. As far as the series, I read all the way through Glorious Appearing, so maybe I miscounted, as I think that one ended the series.

Thanks Debbie! I didn't think so but started getting a little confused there. (which for me isn't hard to do)

Welcome Oakleaf! First let me say, it is kind of a controversial subject as far as when exactly the Rapture will take place, just so you know you might hear different schools of thought on it, and why some people don't like the series. People believe in either Pre-trib, (like Left Behind), mid-trib, or post-trib. Having said that, yes, I read the entire series of 12 books. I loved them. It is really what awakened me and helped me finally come to Christ. And it did give me a better understanding of Revelations as well. By taking scripture and putting it into a believable story format like they did, I felt the same as you, you could really see these things happening like they described, or similar to it. And it scared me too. It prompted me to want to learn all I could about Jesus. What He is about, and what is to come. I would say keep reading them if you enjoy them and feel you are getting something from it. More importantly, you should also start reading the Bible. It is awesome and you can learn so much from it! I know exactly how you are feeling and the questions you are having right now. I was in the same boat as you not much more than a month or two ago. Scared, confused, and wondering. After I finished the series, in my quest for learning, I believe I was led to this board by the Holy Spirit, even though I didn't know it at the time. The people here are wonderful and very helpful with the questions I was having. And still do, there's lots to learn. They were crucial in helping me finally see what was being offered to me all along by Jesus, His love and salvation. I know what you mean by saying you believe in God but have little faith. I never had any doubts God created us and world, but my faith lacked in the area of there being a Heaven and an afterlife. For some reason I just couldn't fathom it, because I couldn't see it, touch it, y'know? But it IS there, waiting for us, and it will be better than you could ever imagine. Jesus is calling out to you just as He did to me. I didn't recognize it at the time neither, but believe it! He doesn't want any of us to be lost! And it is not hard. Just admit to Jesus that you are a sinner, and you need His forgiveness, and be truly repentant. Acknowledge Jesus died for you on the cross for your sins and that God raised Him from the dead. Ask him to come into your heart and your life, and give yourself to Him as your Lord and Savior. If you do this, and mean it, you will be saved. It was an unbelievable experience the moment it came upon me to do this that I will never forget. Almost "supernatural" for lack of a better term. There are lots of people here who will help you and know much more than me, as I am still learning. I just felt moved to share this with you, as I was exactly where you are now, and my journey started from reading those same books you are reading right now. God Bless! Steve

Ok I have a question on that. Say a believer died today. Do they not then go to Heaven to be with Jesus? We do not have to wait for the rapture before we go to be with Jesus, do we? And thanks for the responses! God Bless!

The other night I read through the book of Revelations. I've got a couple of questions about the following: Rev 20: 4And I saw thrones and they sat on them, and judgement was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshipped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their right hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. This verse obviously shows that there are believers alive during the reign of antichrist, that don't take his mark and that die. Now I don't care (in this post anyway) who these beleivers are (in terms of when the rapture is and who is left behind), my question is if the saints who die at the hands of satan during the tribulation are the ones who rule with Christ, where is everyone else? If you die before the tribulation, are you a part of the army that comes in with Christ on His white horse? And who is the "rest of the dead" who do not live again for 1000 years? Not any of us, right? Thanks for any help with this! Steve

Welcome Vik! I am a new Christian too, and I just wanted to say the people here are wonderful. They have been so helpful to me. Whenever you have a question just ask, someone wil always help you out. Glad you're here! Steve

It sounds like your son and brother hit the nail on the head. Exactly!