AnnaMoodley

nice advice:)

Hi Firstly, in todays world, there are very few songs that can be regarded as "clean". Most have sexual connotations or encourage violent attitudes. And from those that are not, the meaning of the song is usually still not good because we believe in Christianity and not humanism, we belive in living by the spirit of God not by the spirit of the age...neither are we to live controlled by feelings. We are set apart, our worldview is different from that of the unsaved. So i'm just curious to know what kind of seular music there is that a believer could enjoy (besides some instrumentals). there are probably very few that i would rate as safe. Secondly, we must not ignore the fact that there is a spiritual war happening...I think that secular music is one of Satan's big tools because young people are so into it. Rock, Rap, Rave, R&B are all really not for a child of God. Once there was a rave songplaying in our campus cafeteria and my friend who goes clubbing and enjoys rave told me that we can't understand rave but when you're high (ie on drugs) in a club then you can understand it..that alone says something. I have some information on the involvement of some of the famous R&B artists and there involvement in cults. If anyone wants this, you can let me know. With rock, when you play the song backwards there are sometimes messages and apparently our minds are capable of taking in these messages even when the song is played forward so we don't realise. So in my opinion secular music is not good. But if you're not sure, pray about it, ask the Lord what he thinks and to lead you by the Holy Spirit. The fact that you asked whether it is bad means that you are willing to give it up if it is...you're searching for more truth to live closer to God... so that's good :-) I'm happy for you

Uhm do Calvins Believe in predestination?

What are we doing to point others to Christ? Are we living testimonies? Or do we try to be accept and thus compromise as much as possible? I went back to campus this week and so many times I found myself compromising. why? Well because of sinful nature which i had to deal with n also i guess I wanted to be accepted. But I repented because I realised that i was sinning. As Christians, we can expect that people will think we're mad if we live our lives according to God's standards...Let that not be a stumbling block to us. Let's shine for Christ even if it means being an outcast. Let us lift high His royal banner. Let us be lights in this dark and empty world. I realised that trying to fit in often means losing our testimony. Rather, if we hold true to God's standards, maybe some day when our friends are in search of truth they will be drawn to that something different in our lives (ie. the presence of the Holy God). If we try to compromise, they will never see the difference when one is a child of the Most High. So may He give us all the strength to stand firm in Him, our rock, our salvation, the Holy and Perfect One. On Christ the solid rock i stand, all other ground is sinking sand.

Hey Praise The Creator. I've often marvelled at beauty in the universe that he created. The sky is my favourite...whether it's decorated with bright, merrily-twinkling starts or the waking sun it looks amazing. Sometimes it's clear n bright blue, sometimes it has splashes of pink, orange, yellow, blue. The only time i don't love the appearance of the sky is when it's overcast. Mountainous regions also look stunning.

Well if he isn't using the Bible then he is a humanist not a Christian. We need Christ's message not man's message. All the good without Christ is not worth much.

Wow..I am so happy that there are others who feel this way...our church believes similarly...many people in our congregation don't even have a television. We do have one but are careful of what we watch. But i also agree with Believer who said that we can become desensitized-that happened to me a few times. It is so difficult to find clean programmes, movies, etc.

Yes...this is also what I believe...A relative of mine has a very close walk with the Lord yet someone was envious of him becase he always did exceptionally well in school and studies. This envious person did witchcraft against him so that he wouldn't do so well. and it affected him for about 7 months...even though he is a Christian and is close to the Lord. All the medical specialists he went to could find no diagnoses for his many ailments. Eventually after much prayer, there was a break through ....one day while a pastor was praying for his mother, the spirit manifested and said why it was present in her son's body and then left saying that it is sorry and that it is going to the desert now. So i guess even if you're saved, it can affect you if God allows it for whatever reason He has or if there are things in your life that give satan a foothold.

Hey everyone I would like to know if you'll believe that witchcraft can affect a believer.

Hey I think every believer wonders about that at same stage in his/her life. We can never know the answer here on earth...our minds are just inexplicably small...to me that just shows how small and limited our knowledge is as humans...stuff like that just perplexes us...we just cant get our minds around it...but the fact remainds that we are here and we see proof of God in our lives so we know and believe that He is there...maybe when we go to Heaven our minds will be opened.

yip that's a great one n it's very good for new believers

Hi Dear Brother Although it is true that life is short, etc, I think that it is important to pray and seek God's guidance before things like these if you take it seriously. Also, as you are young, be careful not to let temptation get the better of you when with her...stand true in Christ. All the best, God Bless

With animals, i think it's the motive that matters. Maliciously harming an animal is evil. No scripture says it from what i know, but it comes from a rebellious, violent nature which is of the devil. However, God told us to kill an eat. That to me means if we kill/harm an animal for a good reason then we are not sinning. For example, if we shoot a wild animal that is coming to attack us, I'm sure God won't regard that as sin. Someone working in the poultry industry and has to kill chicken everday is not sinning. If we kill a mouse that's causing a problem, i'm sure that's not wrong. It's the heart with which we do it...are we doing it for fun (like seemed to be the case from the incident with the cat on Sky News) or is our reaction "agh shame, i wish i didn't have to do that". I personally find it so sad to see animals harmed for no particular reason. Even a mouse in a mouse-trap is a sad sight...it's poor, innocent, tiny little face but i understand that sometimes it has to be done.

you guys...this is so sad why did it have to go back into the house?

hi. I'm kinda wondering what sermons are bothering you...not to be invasive but maybe we can help you make a better decision if we know. from what i know about SDA's, they are particular about some earthly things such as what you should eat. That makes Christianity more religious than holy. religious obligations such as what to eat bring more of a burden than freedom in my opinion. I hope God really speaks to you and gives you chrystal clear guidance. take care beloved.

Hi I think there is absolutely nothing wrong with marrying someone of a different race. If the cultural backgrounds are very different then there might be some challenges but i think that with God's strength and the love you'll have for each other, it will be more of a joy than a burden to overcome them. It will be nice to learn about each others cultures and will make the relationship more interesting. The only thing to consider when getting married is if it's God's will. May your marriage be blessed.

Was this guy a fully-fledged member of the congregation or was he just at the service?

No, tigger, that is NOT true. Muslims are only 0.5% of the population and, God willing, their numbers will remain that low (or decrease) in the years to come. They are too few to make a voting bloc in this country. Here is a breakdown of the U.S. by religion. Islam is not a real religion but, for some reason, they are included anyway. See here: http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_prac2.htm Hey glory what do you mean by Islam not being a real religion?

so true...besides there are some nice programmes on tv, but the majority are ungodly...sinful things are made to seem acceptable and humanism is often predominant. What especially niggles me is the fact that more often than not, end justifies the means is depicted as the mindset of heros.

I absolutely love hymns played with piano...classical and beautiful. I am an average musician so when i'm trying out a hymn i usually just play it with a few chord but it still sounds beautiful with the piano. Guess i'm a bit conservative but i like it when hymns are sung in church in the traditional way...it just sounds so sweet and simple and worshipful and beautiful lol. My favourite is Be Still...i almost get goose-pimples. Makes me feel like holding my hand to my heart like you do for a national anthem.

It says "in the beginning God [created/i] the Heaven and earth." it doesn't say God re-created the Earth. The earth is made of water and land and that is why it didn't have to say "let there be water" or "let the be land"...i think they came into existence when God created the earth...God can think anything into existence because He is the Creator.

I agree. There are so many denominations yet we all believe in the same God and read the same Bible. Besides that, where i come from, there are so many different churches in the same area. sometimes there are churches right next door to each other. Often pastors are numbers-hungry. So often people break away from their church and form their own church. I understand that we are all different and thus have different preferences but i just think that unfortunately churches are often more like organisations in todays society rather than the house of God. I guess that's a bit off the topic though.

just keep rejecting the thoughts when they come and pray and ask God to help you. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

I hope it goes well. May God be with you and may He guide you as to exactly what to say so that Fred will see the truth.

You mean you have seen Brown in interviews state that his books are based on fact? No i meant i agree that i don't understand how Christians could regard the DaVinci Code as good entertainment. Can i just ask if you'll think that Jesus would have enjoyed reading the book/watching the movie? With all due respect, and not wishing to bash...I don't understand your thinking. Do you really think Jesus would enjoy watching the news? pass time on the internet? get married? Yet, these are things we christians do on a normal basis. This WWJD mentallity is limited to a "love" factor. The love factor encompasses our beliefs and our walk in life. It does not base what we should watch or what we should deem entertaining. Yes, I agree, there are some shows and books that bother me...so I choose not to read them or watch them...period. But things like the "Davinci Code", I as a christian, can see what it is...MAKE BELIEVE. I have not met one person yet who believed in Christ to accept the Davinci Code as a biblical truth. As far as the OP goes though, it was based on some person bashing Dan Brown...I'm not standing up for Brown saying he should be defended or that I am some hardcore Dan Brown fan, but to say his books are apalling because he doesn't do enough research is just wrong. He did pleanty of research that he didn't even have too!! It's a fiction book, it doesn't require it...yet he through in SOME truths to make it more entertaining. It's like the book "The Shack". Great book!!!! Yet we see God as a heavy black woman, a lumberjack looking fella, and an asian woman. It's fiction, but great points are made...it would be like us judging this book because it goes against scripture in the fact that God doesn't have form in many aspects...it was made for entertainment and for a point to be made. If anyone hasn't read this book...I HIGHLY suggest it. First book that ever brought tears to my eyes. to be honest...i would watch the news with Jesus right next to me; i would invite Jesus to my wedding; and i would surf the net with Jesus....but i wouldn't ask Jesus to watch the daVinci Code with me. I'd have to say "now now Jesus just stay away from me for a while- i'm watching a movie that has a lot of blasphemy, taints your name, and may cause babies in the faith to lose their way."! His life on earth was to die on the cross...the greatest event in history....making a mockery out of it is just wrong! I didn't say Dan Brown didn't research his books...i said i don't know how Christians could regard it as good entertainment... whether fiiction or not, i don't appreciate blasphemy.