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152 comments:
What?? Post has been up for 10 minutes and I'm first?
Just checked...it was only up six minutes.
You would think we are all on them at this point:
Americans live on food stamps
Should I start feeling sorry for myself ahead of time? Or should I wait until I hit the bread line?
Lisa
jen;
It is certain that the "secret" and the law of attraction thinking are straight from the pit of hell. I understand that the secret was channeled by an entity calling it self Jesus.
lisa;
I think that the new age will be a big part of the strong delusion. From Paul's letter to the Thessalonians 2 Th 2:1-12, the strong delusion comes at the time the man of lawlessness is revealed. But if there are no true Christians on the earth at that time, I think this will open the way for this delusion. Any input?
God Bless!
"I think that the new age will be a big part of the strong delusion."
I agree. In fact I think it will be a major part of it. And if the church wasn't around, this would certainly expedite the delusion.
There's nothing new here. Oprah is just doing a great marketing rehash of some very old beliefs. The lie was started in the Garden of Eden.
Oprah And Tolle Fuel New Age Revival
Very well put, Nate.
gt:
Matthew 24:24 indicates that there will be believers around during that time. "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect." The man of lawlessness is revealed when the abomination of desolation occurs, correct? Then great persecution breaks out against the elect according to Matthew 24:21-22. Mt. 24:24 falls after the AofD. Whether you believe these are Jewish believers only or not, the elect are definitely believers. There will be a strong delusion but I believe the elect will be protected from it. They are warned however not to come out of hiding by those who would tell them that Jesus is in the wilderness or in the inner rooms. If they are drawn out I think it could mean death.
Hey All,
It's a beautiful day here in the Pacific NW. I got my camera out and took some photos of spring time around our place. You can view them by clicking on slideshow after clicking here.
Nate, no disrespect perceived. =)
Kathy
Pretrib views the elect as people who come to Christ after the rapture, correct?
Kathy
not going to engage in debate with you but my understanding of how the word elect is used actually refers to those who are believers before the rapture.
to all I heard the most fascinating lecture today on the use of nanotechnology and possible biomedical applications. the one that sent small cold chills down my spine to a certain extent was the retinal chip. they now have a smart machine that can be placed in someone's eye to replace the retina(which is a medical application that would help Grany btw) but one had to wonder looking at the picture ( a very tiny chip being held up to an eye) just what else something else could be used for.
Nate (and others)
this is from Kinderquilt-
I'm printing it out and taking it with me. I'll do my best to find out the truth about whether Joel prints as anonymous or not...I know this has been an ongoing question since I've been posting. Please assure Nate that I will
try to ask the question of Joel if I get the chance. Love to all the
faithful.
After I sent the previous response to you, I thought about what the comment was saying. I don't know Joel personally, but I have listened to him many times as he has spoken at various churches and radio programs. I have also
read all of his books more than once. With that said, I personally do not believe that those comments would come from our host. That just does not sound like his MO, if you know what I mean. However, people aren't always like their public persona, and it could be him. I tend to go with the "anoy-me-mouse" theory: it's just somebody trying to sound like Joel to get a rise out of the rest of us. Anyway, I will try to find out. Please pass
this message on to Nate
Another interesting article from Moriel Ministries.
Final Preparations to Receive the New Age Christ
Mr Hyde - I very much like the post selection, simple, but it speaks to me.
Trying to play catch up, haven't been at the cave in a couple of days.
Lisa, thanks for the link you left me, I think yesterday. Going to check it out now.
Glad to see everyone, especially Grumpy & GT.
Hey Jib, how come Kinderquilt doesn't come/comment here?
I sure hope we don't start looking like these people on the link!
Cave Dwellers
Lisa
This link didn't work the last time.
Americans to Live on Food Stamps
kathy(overcomer);
Actually the term "elect" is used in the OT, before the church. I just read a study about the term (which I can't find now) that says it depends on the context ect of the verse as to the meaning (people group) of "elect".
mac;
Thanks for that post about new age christ. He really ties the whole thing together as to all the non biblical teachings and how they are working to bring in "strong delusion"!
Geez, this is bad enough and it doesn't even mention the bee problem!
Blessings,
Jen
Please understand I am not trying to start a debate! We are just discussing...Those in the church were chosen from before the foundation of the world.
My God shall supply ALL my need, according to His riches in glory, by Christ Jesus.
Jesus is our source - for EVERYTHING, not the bank account(s), not the supermarkets, not the farmers, not the government, certainly not the UN...
Jesus said we are not to worry..., specifically about food and clothing (and for those of us who live in colder climates, housing...)
25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
26 “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
27 “Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 28“So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;
29 “and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30 “Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
32 “For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
34 “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. [Matthew 6:15-34, NKJV]
Time is getting short, are you looking up, for your redemption draws nigh. Maranatha!!
John
Lisa, I just took a look in the mirror. My hair is all matted, and sticking out in all directions, my pupils are dilated like saucers and my skin is a pale pasty color! My clothes smell musty.
Shall we add some skylights?
John - WELL SAID! Amen
Anne - NO - then we all will be able to see how funky we're all looking! lol
Hi John,
I was wondering how you were doing and almost put out a "hello, anyone there?" for you :-)
As an adult with the responsibilities of caring for a family, I am learning more and more how literally true those verses from Matthew are.
I'm reminded of how my family experienced God's providence when I was younger in a way that can only be considered a miracle.
As I've mentioned many times, I grew up on a farm, but for a good part of those years, the acreage surrounding our house/barn was being coal-mined. My dad bought the property when he was working for a mining company with the intent to first have it mined and then farm it later. We have some amazing pictures of our house sitting yards away from 60+ feet drop-offs. My mother was a saint for finding a way to raise us safely and put up with all the mess that went with living on top of a dirt mound.
Anyway, once the coal was all mined out, the land was reclaimed and we went about being "farmers" for another decade. At one point, my dad left his job with the coal company to start up his own business. Long story short, some very unfortunate circumstances came about and the only way out of them was to declare bankruptcy. It was my dad's absolute last option, but if he didn't go that route, the bank would have seized the property/house/savings accounts, etc. We did lose all our savings, including my college funds (just months before I started college, but that's another story of Providence in itself.) My dad settled with his creditors on a repayment schedule that allowed us to keep the house and would space out the loan payments over 20 years. This was in addition to the mortgage, but he felt it was a blessing since it allowed us to stay housed.
We went through some really tough years (and I'm sure I don't even know the half of it) but about 4 years later, my dad's old boss came to him and asked if he would consider allowing the property to be mined again in some spots where they felt there were deeper veins to explore. We weren't farming by then (I was ready to finish college and my brother was going to the Air Force, so there was no one to help out). Dad agreed since it would provide a little income to help with the financial burden they were under.
The company did the field testing to determine the best locations to start and the machinery moved in to start scraping away the topsoil.
You can't imagine everyone's surprise when they found coal in places that had already been mined/reclaimed. The surveyors were really confused and kept going over their charts from the previous mining but couldn't explain the fact that coal was where it wasn't supposed to be.
In the end, the money earned from the mining was enough for my dad to repay his loans IN FULL (not at the settlement rate) and buy a new house with cash. I know that he felt very strongly about making good on his word to the banks, etc. and God allowed him to do that instantly, rather than over a period of many years. It has served as a clear reminder in our family that God does indeed provide for our needs and then keeps pouring til the cup flows over. Whenever I wonder how such and such will get paid (right now it's affording preschool for 3 kids in the fall), I remember that event when God kept His promise to us in a way that we would never have imagined.
Blessings,
Jen
Overcomer,
In the OT the term "the elect" refers to the Jews.
In the NT you have to look at the context. Specifically, you have to see who is talking, and who they are addressing or speaking about.
I know I have said this before, but the majority of the Gospel narratives are, technically, part of the OT, since Jesus, when he came in the flesh, came as an OT prophet to fulfill the Law and the Prophets.
The New covenant only came into effect when Jesus died on the Cross and rose again from the dead. Until that point, the OT was still in effect, and, therefore, any reference to "the elect" BEFORE Jesus' resurrection refers to the Jews.
After that, in the Book of Acts - through to 3 John, the reference is usually to the Church (e.g. Colossians 3:12) - but even then you have to look at the context, because sometimes it refers to the remnant of the Jews who are saved out of the Great Tribulation (e.g. 2 Timothy 2:10).
In the Gospels, when Jesus speaks of the elect in the Olivet discourse, He, because at that point He is still an OT prophet, is referring to the remnant of Jews who are caught up in the Great Tribulation.
Note also that the admonition to pray that their flight not be in winter or on the Sabbath (note that expression only applies to Jews) is conditional, and Jesus is saying that they should pray that the AC not be allowed to set up the "abomination of desolation" in the winter months or on a sabbath.
This is another reason why, in this particular instance, the reference is to the Jews, NOT the Church.
However, I know you do not subscribe to this viewpoint.
John
a plethora of reasons
1-she has been quite busy this year with a couple of different jobs
2-there were a few who didn't think she really was kinderquilt (they still don't I might add) and it made her sad and made her feel unwelcome at Joel's.
we did give her the address here and I do think she posted once but I think in general she feels that she isn't really being lead to post or blog much anymore. very similar to Marge (not the unwelcome part but the being led in a different direction)
Overcomer,
I know there is a scripture that mentions "chosen before the foundation of the world."
And there has been debate on exactly what that means.
I tend to think of it in terms of God's nature. Since He exists in a space "outside of time" he knows everything, past,present & future.
Therefore He already knew who would love His Righteousness and would accept His invitation for salvation. In that sense I can see how people are "chosen before the foundation of the world".
Since he wants everyone saved and Hell was origionally only meant for Satan and his band-I don't think he would pick and choose who he wants to keep in his company from the beginning of Genesis to the end of Revelation.
So two main attributes of God which don't seem to jive with me in the thinking we are "chosen" by Him are "Love" and "Humility."
If I look at myself as a Christain and say- wow,God chose Me to be saved but that guy over there-well he just was not chosen.
That could easily lead to a sense of self-rightenouss & self importance.
I would probably also not tend to be too evangelical since
I would make an asumption (most likely a wrong asumption)that I'm not going to speak to this or that person about the hope of salvation since they don't look or seem too chosen to me.
Jesus gave us the new commandment to "Love one another just as Christ first loved us." I'm beginning to understand how much God loves all of his creation and to ultimately be one with Him we have to be one with one another. Of course with sin in the way we are not able to love that completely but I think that is where he will eventually take us. He dwells in us all. If your in this mind set-then you are able to "love" your enemy.
Then there is that Humility aspect of his nature we find hard to grasp.I don't understand the significance of it yet as much as the Love aspect. I know that we don't want to be mini-gods or exalt ourselves but I have this feeling there is so much more to humility than I'm comprehending right now. It's extreemly important to our Creator so that's an area I definately need to grow in wisdom.
Lisa
jen;
Thats a great story and testament to the provision and blessings of God, thanks for sharing! I know that when I was growing up my parents always met their financial obligations thru the grace of God too! My dad worked in construction and was frequently between jobs, but God always provided. And He still provides to this day even though it isn't always in my timing, LOL.
God Bless!
Well said, John.
actually you all might be interested in exploring the concept of middle knowledge-
"If Aristotle had not been a student of Plato, then would Aristotle have chosen to start his school at Lyceum? If you believe God knows the answer to this question, you probably believe God has middle knowledge. Middle knowledge is a form of knowledge first attributed to God by the sixteenth century Jesuit theologian Luis de Molina. It is best characterized as God’s prevolitional knowledge of all true counterfactuals of creaturely freedom. This knowledge is seen by its proponents as the key to understanding the compatibility of divine providence and creaturely (libertarian) freedom."
this website explains the concept much better than I
Middle Knowledge
PS That was for post @ 7:59.
A bit of local Melbourne news. The wind's been blowing with a vengeance here. I hope my trees don't come down.
Winds cause transport chaos with people advised to stay indoors
Middle Knowledge
Jib, you're going to give mac a massive headache providing a link like that. He's going to actually try to read and understand it.
Calvinism, Arminianism, free will, quantum mechanics...flux capacitors, space time continuum...I can see his eyes galzing over!
The Church of Oprah
Mr Hyde, Thanks for the new post, and the glass of water.
John, thank you, thank you, thank you!
Nate, I agree, if I saw one of my friends drowning, I wouldn't stand idly by and do nothing.
lori
Job 5:19-24
"He shall deliver you in six troubles; yea, in seven there shall no evil touch you.
In famine he shall deliver you from death; and in war from the power of the sword.
You shall be protected from the scourge of the tongue; and you shall not be afraid of destruction when it comes.
At plunder and famine you shall laugh; and you shall not fear the wild beasts.
For you shall be in league with the stones of the field; and the wild beasts shall surrender to you.
You shall know that your tabernacle shall be in peace; and you shall return to your habitation, and shall not sin."
Joel has a new post regarding speakers at the Epicenter conference.
I guess the bigger question is what would you do if one of your enemies was drowning?
We were just given this example at Church last week.
I think the time period was around the Middle Ages. A professing Christian was thrown into prison for his faith. He prayed to be free and one night circumstances had it that he was able to escape by climbing down the tower. The head guard saw his escape and followed him.
The Christian ran across the ice covered mote and made it to freedom. The guard followed and fell through the ice. He was crying out for help so the Christain went back and pulled the guard to safety.
The head guard then shackled the Christian and had him burned at the stake for trying to escape.
So then, when it comes to Christ. Ask yourself do you Phileo(brotherly love) him or Agape (divinely love) him.
I think that Christian who was killed most likely had agape love for Christ.
The example here in John 21:15-17
of Jesus quesitoning Peter is a great lesson. He only admitted to having brotherly love for Christ at the time.
I think that he eventually matured in faith and that later changed. But at the time Christ was ok with all he could get from Peter.Christ has so much patience with us. But most importantly he requires us to keep reaching for the lost,strengthening one another, and striving to mature in faith.
Lisa
I'm off to Southern Cal for a few days.
Pray for my efforts to reach some of my lost "friends."
I'm taking one of them & her daughter to church on Sunday w/us.
I've asked before but she hadn't said yes until now.
I've been witnessing to her w/the stress upon we're in the "last days."
That particular point in my life also brought me back similar to Nate.
(So you may not hear to much from me but I'll try to check in.)
Now her husband's mother has just found out she has cancer. So I'll try to help them w/those "Why" thoughts as well.
Lisa
My difficulty is in trying to reach those I love who are into the new age stuff without driving them away. I bite my tongue and wait for the Holy Spirit to lead me, and try to just love them without judging them, but serving them withour compromising my beliefs. I am trying to draw them to me, not drag them to me.
One of my loved ones recently said to me "I'm beginning to think there really is a hell and that I'm going there." This opened up a wonderful opportunity for me to speak openly and truthfully to her.
I pray for more openings like that in my relationships.
I didn't really mean "trying to draw them to me". I meant draw them to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Lisa - Be safe & am praying for your witnessing success.
mac;
Thanks for the Oprah link. I can only say that my heart aches for her and those who are buying into this dung! I have prayed and will continue to pray for her and her followers, she has such potential to lead many in the right direction if she would only return to the Lord Jesus Christ!! At the same time it boils my blood to see this dung or "new spirituality" being passed off as truth!!
God Bless!!
Nate;
I too was brought back by a wake up call from God concerning eschatology. It seems as if He is saying the time is so short now. When we look around now it is not just one or two items of eschatology that are advancing but all the end time scriptures are "coming alive" at this time. This new age dung being in the forefront is just one more (a HUGE one in my opinion) sign.
God Bless!
Lisa:
I've always liked the way John MacArthur looks at the sovereignty of God in salvation. He gives this picture: Upon entering the gates of heaven there is a sign above which reads, "Whosoever will may come." Then when you get inside the gates of heaven and look back the sign up above reads, "Chosen in Him from before the foundation of the world." (It's based on Eph. 1:4.) My finite mind is unable to wrap around how those two truths come together in Scripture but in God's mind it makes sense. The word in the Greek for "chosen" means to select. I just thank the Lord that He selected me. This never negates our responsibility however to share the gospel with everyone.
Blessings...Kathy
Hello all;
anyone see this:
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/Flash.aspx/144324
It is an article about dividing Jerusalem and Israel is to withdraw to 1948 borders. The deal is supposed to go thru within 6 months.
God Bless!
Hey - Where's Mac?
Did you survive the storm?
Hi Alesia; I’ve just logged on. Yep, I survived the catastrophe (Praise God!) although the streets around Northcote and Melbourne are littered with tree debris. My two trees stayed put and so did the roof. I had spent hours cleaning up outside the other day and looks like I’ll have to do it again.
Mac,
Glad to hear you're ok. Praise God indeed!
I was starting to worry.
mac,
I am glad to hear that you are alright. It was really windy here yesterday and the snow is really starting to melt in Northern Ontario. As a result, the Thames river that runs through London where I live has overflowed its banks. This is not uncommon, but it over flowed it banks more than I can remember ever happening before.
When I drove into work at the University today, the parking lot I wanted to park in was closed because it was flooded. There were 70 cars trapped in the parking lot. The trapped cars belong mostly to students who live in the residence beside that parking lot and they had been parked there overnight. The water was over the floor boards of most of them this morning. They had to bring in a flatbed truck to haul most of them out of there. I am glad I live near the top of a hill!
Nate,
You have posted some great comments over the last couple of days! I am just getting caught up on the comments people have made. You miss a couple of days and it is hard work catching up!
Mac,
Good posts on the New Age stuff! Oprah is very scary!
Gt,
You said, “I think that the new age will be a big part of the strong delusion. From Paul's letter to the Thessalonians 2 Th 2:1-12, the strong delusion comes at the time the man of lawlessness is revealed. But if there are no true Christians on the earth at that time, I think this will open the way for this delusion. Any input?”
I agree with Nate, Mac and others who have commented on the New Age movement being a part of the strong delusion. Nate also mentioned evolution being a part of it.
I would like to add a third part to this scenario; after all, they say bad things happen in threes. Environmentalism and more specifically Global Warming (Climate Change) talk, is becoming absolutely insane! You cannot turn on the T.V., browse the Internet, or read a paper without being assaulted with this politically motivated propaganda!
I have ranted about this on the blog before, but things have been kicked up several more notches just this week. I was in the video store on Monday and I saw a trailer for a movie coming out called “The 11th hour.” There was Leonardo DiCaprio on the screen talking about how we need to save the planet. It was very dramatic with all the scenes of destruction presumably caused by man made global warming.
Here is a riveting trailer:
The 11th Hour Trailer
If that wasn’t bad enough, I heard yesterday that Al Sharpton and Pat Robertson shot a commercial for all Gore this week on Global Warming.
Gore, Robertson and Sharpton hit the beach for commercial
I ran across this posted on a website commenting on this commercial. I could not agree more with the comments by a guy named Job who posted the original comment and another guy named Kyle who commented on it. I have included what they said below:
Al Sharpton And Pat Robertson To Appear Together In Global Warming Ad For Al Gore
Al Sharpton and Pat Robertson To Appear Together in Global Warming Ad For Al Gore
People, if I TRIED to make up things pertaining to the current wicked state of the world - with people calling themselves Christians contributing to a heavy part of it - I would not be able to come up with anything like this. The nugget describing the various people (including Nancy Pelosi and Newt Gingrich) in this $300 million dollar ad campaign that they honestly claim is “being largely funded with profits from the movie An Inconvenient Truth” (which only made $15 million in the U.S. … even “Fahrenheit 9/11″, the highest grossing documentary ever barely made $100 million in the US!).
Republicans and Democrats, liberals and conservatives, religious right and religious left all sitting in a tree … the article below proves that all of these people, who are heavily involved with the Council on Foreign Relations and other similar organizations, are on the same side. Now we know that John McCain, who has been promoting this agenda for some time now in return for his shot at going from being a back bench senator to someone that people have actually heard of, has joined up with these people. And we also know Barack Obama’s connections to them, and those of his wife. Hillary Clinton? Married to Bill, so enough said!
Kyle Says:
Job,
I’m going to expand upon your Global Warming post. AS we know this Global Warming fraud is truly a way to garner and solidify control over the populace. This we know is true. Now as for expanding upon it, did you see the Fed today is going to seize more power over the banks up to and including nationalizing ailing banks? Also, did you notice that the Fed is going to have greater regulatory control over ALL aspects of business?
OK, so your saying how does this all tie in. Well, we are moving ever closer towards a prison planet (Thank You Alex Jones). The govt. is setting up this straw man called Global Warming all the while usurping our rights by gaining more and more control over our financial system. As you very well know he who controls the money controls the populace.
Back to the Global Warming sham, you rightly showed that the group of people behind this are all CFR members. Also, we see the well balanced false gospel promoters Al Sharpton on the left and Pat Robertson on the right coming together. Talk about covering your base. LOL!
Another point regarding Global Warming. The advocates of Global Warming are atheist. Hold on, let me explain. On one end of the spectrum we have the book of Genesis. This is the foundation of God’s Creation. Evolutionist deny the Divine Creator by claiming that God had nothing to do with it and everything was created by chance. On the other end we have the Book of Revelation which is the inevitable End Times scenario that will unfold.
The End comes on God’s terms and God’s time. He and He alone knows the day and the hour. The Global Warming theorist deny the very force by which the end will take place. Again, like the evolutionist they claim that it is not God who is in charge. They believe that MAN can stop the world’s destruction or continuation. They believe that MAN on his current state is going to destroy the world. They also believe it is only MAN that can save it by preventing global warming. Two heads of the same beast. Evolutionist and Global Warming Theorist.
Kyle
End Quote
Can we recycle Al Gore?
God Bless,
Harold
Glad everyone is doing ok.
Wow, the link about syria boosting its forces is definitely something to keep our eyes on.
If damascus winds up getting destroyed, then we are really getting close.
It really all is just incredible.
I wonder if this is just more saber rattling, or are we about to see the next big war in the ME (shades of Isaiah 17??)
Exclusive: Barak calls off German trip next week as Damascus raises war alarm
John
I just thank the Lord that He selected me. This never negates our responsibility however to share the gospel with everyone.
I know you didn't mean to imply it, Kathy, but it almost seems like you believe that God didn't select everyone.
John 12:46 "I have come into the world as the light, so that whoeever believes in me may not remain in the darkness"
Romans 10:13 "For whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord, shall be saved"
Romans 2:11 "For there is no respect of persons with God"
The scripture that you referred to was Paul writing to the Christians at Ephesus. Yes, it did mention about being chosen and selected, but continue those verses down to 12 where it says, "That we should become the first to trust in Christ, to his honor and his glory..."
These persons were selected to be among the "first" Christians.
He wishes to have fellowship with every single person... But, He gave us the choice. He knew when he took the beating, the pain and humiliation on the cross, that not everyone would choose.
Maybe the sign on the gate won't the chosen, but perhaps it will read "Enter those who chose Him."
Please keep praying for Geoff, the following note is from Beth. satan is trying to discourage them.
We went to the oncologist today and he started talking to us about Chemo.
The problem is that he is talking about Chemo that has been the most used for years! Duh! I said to him that I thought we were told that regular chemo doesn't really touch Geoff's kind of cancer. He said well that's true---another duh!!
So why would Geoff want to try it? Anyway, he also told him that his cancer markers had gone up into the 80's. So I asked him to show us the exact number and he said they had it up front in the office. so I told the girls what he said and could they show it to me. Meanwhile I saw Geoff's spirit sinking fast, so I sent
him to the car. The girls questioned the doctor and he said he was sure he saw it.
He looked and couldn't find it. The girls told him and me that the results hadn't come back from the lab in Georgia yet. They even gave me a copy of the other
blood work and at the bottom it stated CEA (cancer markers)
PENDING!
That means they didn't have the results yet. Meanwhile, he really shook us up. So our request of you all is to pray that those markers have come down significantly.
Thanks so much,
Beth
It's time to fire a doctor!
I think this was written for us cave dwellers...
This week's promise: God cares for the persecuted
Do you have a support group?
A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two men can stand back-to-back and conquer. Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT
A faithful friend is a strong defense; and he that hath found him hath found a treasure.
Louisa May Alcott
The strength of the huddle
When I asked Mike what he missed most about pro football, I was surprised by his answer. He said it was getting into the huddle. You felt safe there, he said. It was where you could get direction, support, and correction. It was where you could regroup for the next phase of the battle, knowing 10 other guys were there to help you win.
Mike said the huddle was a real refuge during away-games in hostile stadiums, when, besides the team, they were fighting a negative environment. It was a place where they could return to for encouragement to keep going.
Every man needs a safe place to get what he needs to enter into life's conflict. If a man's going to survive—no, win—the battles of life, he must have a huddle of good men around him to cheer him on and bandage his wounds. He needs men who will celebrate with him in the good times and do whatever it takes to bring help and healing in the bad times.
Rodney L. Cooper in Shoulder to Shoulder
The writer of Ecclesiastes paints a depressing picture of a man who strives to gain the whole world alone, then asks himself, "Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?" The writer concludes, "It is all so meaningless and depressing" (Ecclesiastes 4:8). How much better it is to go through life with a strong network of support. When you share your trials and triumphs with others, you soon realize that you're not alone. And somehow, when we stand together, life's challenges don't seem so daunting anymore.
Alesia,
Your last comments were beautiful and so very appropriate. Thank you for sharing and for what you mean to those of us here.
Have a very blessed day, everyone! (Mary)
Hey, Grany, Shalom! I just saw the national weather picture -- looks like you need to hunker down and keep a radio, flashlight, batteries, and bible close at hand. I'll keep you in my prayers.
<><
I'm probably going to regret this-
1-a second opinion is always appropriate
2-did Geoff specifically ask what chemo drugs the doctor was thinking of? there are first line drugs and for lack of a better word second line drugs. there are drugs that the feds won't approve as first line drugs that might be appropriate in this case.
3-I forget. did Goeff have surgery this last time or were they intending to do any? do you know whether they sent fresh tissue or have the ability to send fresh tissue for something called an Onchotech assay? (the onchotech is better than genzyme but that's a personal opinion) at least 1 gram of fresh tissue has to be sent for the assay. they grow the fresh tissue into many cells and try different chemo drugs with it providing the doctors with a list of drugs which should kill the cancer. it is very similar to what is done with infections and antibiotics except that it is done with cancer cells and cancer drugs.
I won't give specifics other than this. you'll have to look up the rest on your own.
while you're at it you could google or whatever oxaloplatin and avastatin
Hyde
has Mac waded through the info on middle knowledge yet?
if any of the rest of you have a chance it is very interesting and middle knowledge is something that has been used in the past to find a balance between the doctrine of predestination and free will.
you can google "folfox" while you're at it
got this from Kinderquilt and thought it was worth passing on
CELL PHONE vs. BIBLE
I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?
What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we flipped through it several times a day?
What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
What if we gave it to our kids as gifts?
What if we used it when we traveled?
What if we used it in case of emergency?
This is something to make you go....hmm...where IS my Bible?
Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.
And no dropped calls!
Nate, you said:
"Anyway, you know what eventually brought me back to the Lord?? Eschatology! Go figure! Seriously realizing and being led by the Holy Spirit to understand that His return was imminent, turned me around in 1 day!"
I had a very similar experience. When I started posting at Joel's, I wasn't a new Christian....I was a newly renewed Christian. I had been floundering around all throughout my youth and adult life as a born again believer who was of little use to Christ.
After a series of bad choices and spiraling bad behavior....Christ said to me (not audibly), "You have a choice now. This can be rock bottom, or you can go further." So, right there I said, that's it. I'm on the way up now.
And through the interest I already had in the eschatology, Christ has led me back to Him. He gave me a stronger will to serve Him and a heart for the lost that I don't think I ever had before. I'm able to serve Him now, even though I still fail and fall far too often.
I always said, someday I'll try to get closer to God. Someday I'll want to serve Him better. A few years ago, Christ said to me that someday is now. And I'm grateful that He did. I couldn't have done it on my own. I know because I tried.
God is good!
Harold,
I agree strongly that global warming will play a large role paving the way for a global govt. It works hand in hand with the new age, higher consciousness mindset that prevades our society.
Nate,
I also think that the delusion can't fully take hold with "patriots" and true Christians standing in the way. The catastrophe of losing millions of citizens from this earth in a moment will pull everyone together. It will almost be necessary to do so as the economies and societies collapse around the world.
Sprinkle in a little Gog and Magog, famine, poverty, pestilence, half a degree higher temperature.....WE HAVE TO COME TOGETHER! The fate of the world depends on it!
I couldn't have imagined the world falling apart like this 10 years ago even. We are the few who can even see it now.
Peace! Peace! There is no peace.
But there will be.....YEAH!
Greetings. Normally I'd start off with "Shalom!", but I don't think so today. Something's happening.
Yesterday Nate posted a link to an article in the Jerusalem Post about Syria boosting forces near the border. The article talked about the preparations Damascus appeared to be making for some kind of military action. Here is the article today. As you can see, it's little more than a place holder, there to assure the world that big bad Israel was not going to pick on poor, helpless Syria. You can still find the original article here.
The original Debka article cited by Boatman (Exclusive: Barak calls off German trip next week as Damascus raises war alarm) is still there and as far as I can tell it's unchanged. To me this means that the Israeli Security Council is scared. Scared enough that they asked JPost to pull the original article and put this place holder in there instead so that afterwards no one could accuse Israel of having set things up ahead of time.
This has all happened since the Arab Summit held in Damascus this last weekend. Most members sent unimportant staffers, and a number of Arab countries did not send anyone at all. This was seen as a slap to Syria as many believe Syria is holding up the appointment of a new president for Lebanon. There is also widespread distrust of Syria for it's closeness with Iran, a non-Arab nation. It's possible that Syria is planning something that will make Lebanon immaterial and which will ensure Syrian primacy in the Arab world. I don't see any military action by Syria for another month, though. Wars take time to plan, otherwise you don't have a war, you have a slaughter. (Usually on both sides, but mostly yours.) They're going to have to coordinate actions with Hezbullah in Lebanon, possibly by approving the other side's choice for president (but not too quickly, or people will be suspicious.) They'll also have to work with Hamas in Gaza -- keep up the rocket attacks, but use the older rockets so Israel won't be expecting it when the first rocket strikes Tel Aviv. Fatah in the PA will be kept out of the loop, otherwise they'll want to steal the glory from Hamas. Also, it may be April in the Mediterranian, but up in the mountains of Syria, it's still winter. With all of this I don't expect anything until May.
Additionally, remember last week when I wrote about Cyprus, how a failure to find some kind of unity between Greece and Turkey on that issue would keep Turkey from becoming a member of the EU? Check out this report: Cyprus opens divided street in 'historic' move.
<><
This is interesting, and gives the lie to the Palestinian "right of return" requests, not to mention their demand for compensation...
The Palestinian Refugee Issue: Rhetoric vs. Reality
John
Shalom, all! Here's something I really hope passes: Bipartisan US House resolution 185 would declare Jewish, Palestinian 1948 refugees equal
It took me a minute to figure out what they meant. It's recognizing that since 1948, Jews have been expelled from Arab lands faster than the Arabs have been leaving Israel, yet ALL prior UN resolutions referred only to Arab refugees. This resolution is saying, if you're going to talk about Arab refugees, you have to also talk about Jewish refugees.
<><
will the real Obama please stand up?
Not a Muslim?
Obama's Mein Kampf full of racism and hatred toward white folks
harold;
Good post, I agree!
Evolution is the backbone of the "delusion" I believe. If you have no creator God then you have nothing to answer for or no one to answer to. All this other stuff, new age and global warming ect comes out of evolutionary thinking.
New age has certainly adopted evolutionary thinking in a big way, and of course global climate change is tied in with control of the world monitary system.
It is facinating to see it all come together, and all at one time.
Surely we are nearing the end of this age!! It is also a bit scary to see the libs and conservative Christians both buying into it.
alesia;
Thanks for the "cave dwellers" post,very appropriate.
dave;
Good post on being brought back to the Lord! Sounds similar to my experience, wandering away into "stuff" that drew me away.
God Bless!
Funny, the mainstream news just isn't saying much about the whole Iranian situation, at least that I can tell.
I have a bunch of news icon things fro different sources thru google on my desktop...and nothing about it at all.
Great post, Alesia! Thank you.
Jib, no, not yet. This is something that needs to be taken in slowly (at least for me). I remember reading my fisrt Einstein thought experiment about light speed - OYE!
No, I didn't pose for the photo.
Chimps and humans—are we really the same kind?
In the Company of Heroes
Where is everyone?
Lori - Am praying for Geoff, how horrible to have that happen with the Dr's. error.
Mary - Touching, thank you!
Grany - You alright out there?
Jib - Boy would I love to spend the day picking your medical brain!
Mac, Nate & John - thanks for the articles.
Lori, Shalom! RE: the problems with Geoff, he needs to find a new doctor. Period. If this doctor is winging it -- talking about treatments that have already been dismissed, obviously discussing treatments when he hasn't reviewed the patient's file -- he is someone to stay away from.
<><
Alesia
no picking allowed :-) too risky for me I'm afraid. quite sad when you think about it.
Jim (and lori)
maybe, maybe not. chemo docs are an odd bunch. in general as a group they are very much the glass is half full and getting fuller all the time. could be that the doc got a verbal report of the level from the lab (critical lab call) and the lab hasn't been transmitted to the doc in written form as of yet. could also be he got it confused with someone else too.
as far as the whole chemo thing-some chemo docs will try and do anything to help their patients. try new combos or drugs not usually used to see if they work-especially when they are feeling helpless to help someone they very much want to help. having said that, I think Geoff and his wife could certainly seek a second opinion (but not to be a downer here they probably aren't going to get far), they could also call the doc they just saw and explain their feelings and concerns about their last visit. they should also write down what they want to talk about before they call and be specific. if the doc insists on a face to face-they need to make sure extra time is scheduled for the visit instead of the usual 15 minutes alloted. and take their questions.
Hi everyone! We got weather! Big, bad scary weather but it shall not come near my dwelling place. Also, my daughter is driving back home from her Texas to home in northern Arkansas. Right smack dab in the nastiest portion of the storm. She left Houston at 9 a.m. today and God provided a trough for her to keep her safe. I have been navigating her through the breaks in the storm systems and so far, so good.
GOD IS GOOD ALL OF THE TIME AND THERE IS NONE LIKE HIM!
Hallelujah!
Grany
my (step) mother is a new ager. she is friendly with a variety of people, including Christians who own a Christian bookstore and seems ok with that.
She is also friendly with an "interfaith" minister who embraces all religions (somehow) and thinks that's a good thing.
She also visits mediums on a fairly regular basis to speak with the dead (obviously the occult).
She seems to be into this "anything goes" form of spirituality.
When I have spoken with her about these things (in the past, I haven't said much about it lately), particularly the mediums, she says she feels it's silly for me to base so much on a dusty old ancient book that is outdated.
But when she hears that people are praying for others, she thinks it's "nice".
I guess these folks all need some extra prayers!
<><
After I posted I spotted Grany's.
Grany, we are glad that all is well! Sounds intense!
We will be praying for your daughters safe return.
<><
Sorry, sometimes I cannot help myself.
Something familiar about these three individuals
Thank you Lord for taking care of our Wilma Grany & her family!
Mac - you silly... funny!
HI Everyone!
No I am not a stranger though it has been a while! I have been busy and haven't been able to read many post or internet material. When I sat down to read this blog, I kinda felt like I had come home for a minute. Anyway, I was wondering if any of you had read the book, "The Shack" by William Young and what your opinion was.
I order a few books recommended by some of the good folks here. Berner, Heron and stuff like that. Now to make time to read them.
Hugs and love to all!
In His Love and Looking up!
Debbie
P.S.
What happened at Joels? No more comments? Same as before? :(
Jib, I'm reading bits at a time (trying to multi task here). I also came across this article on Molinism.
Question: "What is Molinism and is it Biblical?"
...It is not on this level that Calvinists and Molinists disagree. Where they disagree most is in the doctrines of total depravity and limited atonement. Their theological differences are in keeping with the standard Calvinist / Arminian disagreements. Philosophically speaking, Calvinists charge Molinists with an untenable view of God. For Calvinists usually hold to the classical doctrine of divine simplicity which maintains that God is atemporal and immutable. However, contemporary defenders of Molinism deny this classical doctrine.
I do believe that God is atemporal and immutable but I do not believe in limited atonement.
Hi, Debbie, I'm glad you stopped in. We were talking about things like The Shack yesterday, or at least one link lead to another until I was reading about it! Here's a good one:
Deceived by a counterfeit "Jesus"
About Joel's, we don't really know what happened at the end. It was starting to heat up with T posing as "Aenea" or something like that, along with someone who called himself glen4Jesus and the usual mice causing trouble. But we don't know what the final straw was, at least I don't.
Drop by more often!
Anyone else noticing the increase in frequency of earthquakes in Iran? Could be my imagination, but I don't think so.
hi Jen- thankyou for the info on ESL. I am meeting with 2 ladies and 1 family now. Its slow going, but we're having fun!
Jim- Hows the job search going. Keeping you and all the others in my prayers.
question for you: I've been reviewing the dates you provided awhile ago. Do you have any more info on the Jan25'42 -Auchwitz approved for mass killings-? Was an order given? If there was, was it given on the 25th, a Sunday, or could it have been given on the 26th? I've tried to do my own research but haven't had any luck. you're the pro!!
also- has anyone read the article about the Sabbath years, how they were the basis for Daniels 69 weeks fulfillment, and how the 70th week will also be based on a Sabbath year? 2008 is a Sabbath year. The conclusion is that the 70th week will begin the year after a Sabbath year and end with a Sabbath year.
Jamie
Howdy!
Need prayer for Hashimoto's... minor thyroid issue.
For publication or books and/or employment.
UPDATE ON LYLA
Dear Family and Friends:
Lyla called last night. She is sore from the bone marrow biopsy and will know the results in a week.
The good news though is that 2 of the tests done on Monday have come back negative.....PRAISE THE LORD!
We all thank you our friends and prayer warriors for your faithfulness; you are the best!! Plese don't stop. Thanks so much.
Thanks for all your comments on Geoff, I've forwarded them to their family...
I just spotted this on Olive Tree Ministries website www.olivetreeviews.org
Girding for war with Israel?
THE WASHINGTON TIMES EDITORIAL
April 4, 2008
Recent events serve as a reminder of how menacing behavior from Iran and Syria keeps the Middle East on a hair trigger. On Tuesday, Israel learned that Hezbollah was rapidly rebuilding its military capabilities and preparing for renewed conflict with Israel. The next morning, a London-based Arab newspaper reported that Syria was concentrating troops and tanks along its border with Lebanon and had massed troops in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley in preparation for an Israeli attack. Syrian officials denied the report and suggested that Israel and the United States were conspiring to divert attention from their own problems. The question remains shrouded in mystery.
On Wednesday, the Israeli government's security cabinet ordered that gas masks be distributed to the public. Two days from now, the Israel Police, the Defense Ministry, the Israel Defense Force and civilian emergency services will stage the largest emergency exercise in that nation's history — an event that will include simulated military attacks, some with nonconventional missiles. Although officials say that the emergency drill is not a response to any specific intelligence about a coming attack, it's not difficult to see why the government is worried. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad refuses to halt his efforts to acquire nuclear weapons and routinely calls for Israel's destruction. Iran and Syria have amassed tens of thousands of long- and medium-range ballistic missiles which can reach Israel. Both regimes support Hezbollah, which blames Israel for killing Imad Mugniyeh, its former security boss, and is vowing revenge.
Iran has sent mortars to Hamas-controlled Gaza that are much more deadly than the relatively crude Qassam rockets that terrorists are using to shell Israel. These mortars reportedly travel so fast that the early warning system deployed by Israel cannot stop them. Israeli defense officials also maintain that Egypt's reopening of the Rafah border crossing on Tuesday allowed terrorists to return to Gaza after travelling abroad for training (probably in Iran or Syria). Meanwhile, Iran has deployed high-technology equipment on Syrian territory to listen to Israeli military communications.
As bleak as all of the above really is, it does not mean that war is imminent. This sort of behavior has been occurring for decades and usually stops well short of all-out war — but not always, because tensions are high and people miscalculate with tragic results. In the spring of 1967, for example, the Six-Day War was proceeded by months of provocative (and false) Soviet warnings to Egypt about a planned Israeli attack on Syria. Two years ago, Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah calculated that he could attack and kidnap Israeli troops from Israeli soil without a large-scale Israeli response. He was wrong, and the result was a 34-day-long war with Israel. With their provocative behavior on so many fronts, Tehran and Damascus are playing with fire.
Mac, Curse you!
I've just spent the last hour and a half reading up on "Molinism", "Calvinism", and "Arminianism"! The tulip is now my least favorite flower, and I still need to get dressed! You had to have known that as soon as I read that first line of that link (Molinism is generally attributed to the 16th century Jesuit, Luis de Molina.) I had to find out if this was some heretic Jesuit or not. After reading a bunch of articles on the subject and trying to let my cats know that, yes, I still love them but I don't want them walking on the keyboard right now, I finally have an idea about what the debate is all about. To quote one article I read:
The debate is centered on the well-known formula TULIP. Each letter of this acronym stands for a different doctrine held by classical Calvinists [There are some Calvinists, known as Amyraldians or "four-point Calvinists," who hold all of TULIP except for " L "] but rejected by Arminians. The doctrines are:
Total depravity,
Unconditional election,
Limited atonement,
Irresistible grace, and
Perseverance of the saints.
Still, after reading about some of the debates between the Calvinists and Armininians, I rather like what the Catholic Church has had to say about the subject. The big debate there was between the Molinists (emphasizing free will) and the Thomists (emphasizing the role of grace) with neither side ignoring grace or free will. Quoting from that same article, Since the controversy over grace in the late 1500s and early 1600s, Thomists and Molinists have been forbidden to accuse each other of heresy(!). In 1748 the Church declared Thomism, Molinism, and a third view known as Augustinianism to be acceptable Catholic teachings.
And no, I'm not going to go into "Augustinianism". I'm going to get some pants on and get some work done!
(grumble, grumble...)
<><
There are so many areas of debate, discussion, etc., etc.
The way I have been taught is that very little of salvation, sanctification, etc., etc., depends on us.
It's something like 99.9% Him and .1% us...to put it simply.
Lightshine, Shalom!
The job hunt is still progressing. I've joined a job club sponsored by a local community college and learned how resumes have changed in the last ten years or so. For one, I don't have to list all the jobs I've ever had since college, just the ones in the last 10 years or so. For another, I learned that on both the East and West coasts, "video resumes" are becoming the hot new thing. Apparently it's a video clip between 45 seconds and two minutes that gives you a chance to sell yourself. Don't think it will be something coming to the Midwest any time soon (thank G_D!) but it's something to be aware of. It's still too soon for any nibbles, but I'm keeping up the prayers, and I know G_D will lead me where He knows is best.
One thing I'm praying about now: the local CC has a nationally-recognized program for training Sign Language Interpreters. Since my Bachelors was in Speech Pathology/Audiology, I'm asking G_D if this is something He wants me to pursue.
As for Jan. 25 '42 and Auschwitz, I'll see what I can find out. I lost a lot of my notes because I kept putting off making copies of all my notes from work, but I'll do what I can.
<><
Hey Jim,
Don't mean to give you a hard time - I completely know you're playing around & meant no harm...
But, can you please retrack the "Curse you, Mac" comment?
Unless of course you're cursing him with sunshine, happiness, love, pretty things, etc. In which case that wouldn't really be a curse, now would it?
~I'll slowly back into my dark corner of the cave now & wait for my fangs & claws to retract~
I've been defanged, declawed and spayed.... what's my excuse?
Lori
really wish you hadn't forwarded my first post to Geoff and family. that really was just for your information only and if you chose to share your findings it then comes from you not me. it could constitute a legal relationship for me and put me at risk. while I'm not saying that Geoff would see legal redress for advice the extended family might and frequently does.
Mac and jim
I first became aware of middle knowledge within the last year or so. i haven't read all of it but I do think that God knows all the outcomes of each choice we make and how impacts the rest of our lives and His purpose for us.
As far as God being immutable-I think His essential Being is but as far as His actions-not so sure about that. Classic case Abraham, Lot and Sodom.
Anyway I thought it was worth throwing out there. One of the things I did find interesting was one debate on if God is all pwerful why didn't He create a world in which all people exercising their free will would accept Christ and none would be lost? Interesting concept needless to say. I think Molinism holds that such is not possible and still have the choice actually be free will but that God created a universe and system in which the maximal number of people possible would exercise their free choice and choose Christ.
Jib, I'm sorry, I will see if it has been routed yet... It goes through a relative...
lori
Alesia, Shalom.
Ohh, all right... [digs toe into dirt] Mac, may you be cursed with sunshine and happiness, OK?
<><
Afternoon all,
Not much going on so I was wandering around the newsites and came across this article about the interpretation of Jewish law regarding if/when a woman can hold a Torah scroll. I found it interesting on 2 fronts: 1, just learning about a topic that I had not considered before and 2, realizing how difficult it would be to adhere faithfully and fully (how many different sources, interpretations are mentioned in just this 1 law!) to the Orthodox Jewish lifestyle. One of the wonders about Jesus' coming to us is that we now have freedom in so many more areas of life in the here-and-now, not to mention, of course, the gift of eternal life in the hereafter.
Blessings,
Jen
Parashat Tazira: Blood sisters
Hi Nate,
My second-cousin lives in Binghamton. I'll forward the link to her mom.
I had read about this group, but didn't remember where they were located. Very shady, no?
Blessings,
Jen
I didn't read the blog for a day and the next thing I know, you guys are discussing Calvinism etc.! What is this blog coming to? :-)
After reading "What is Reformed Theology" by R.C. Sproul a few weeks ago, I have come to the conclusion that I am a 5 point Calvinist.
So...the TULIP is my favorite flower! Sorry Jim. :-)
That being said, Sproul comments in his book that he has come to see that this acrostic (TULIP), while helpful, does as much to obscure the points as it does to clarify them. Sproul prefers to speak of Radical Corruption, Sovereign Choice, Purposeful Atonement, Effective Calling and Preservation of the Saints.
God Bless,
Harold
and buttercups?
Nate,
You've got to be kidding me? I'll alert family in the area..
lori
Personally, I lean more towards Calvinism beliefs around salvation, as well...
for what that's worth!
This was a gradual switch for me.
After "seeing" things this way for the first time, it was hard not to "see" it written throughout the Bible...
How He chooses us, opens our eyes, ears and hearts, hardens some people at certain times, but not others, the elect, Jacob I loved but Esau I hated, etc.
Jib, the message had the name removed before sending. They have no name associated with the note
Just popped in for a few moments before I head off to the gym. It's still dark here and I'm enjoying a nice cuppa.
Jim, a really good book that I think succesfully rebuts TULIP is Dave Hunt's "What Love Is This". But be forewarned that it's not the kind of book you can just read through. Well, maybe you can, I couldn't. Dave ended up having to self publish because of the Calvinist backlash. I give it the Amazon 5 out 5 stars.
Am praying, Nate.
Nate, I sent notes to family in Endicott. I asked them what the churches response has been to this news. I'm interested in seeing their reaction.
You know those Italians...they get riled up.
"I'm going to get some pants on and get some work done!"
Mr Carroll, are you not aware of the dress code for the cave?
being that our host is from a British empire... I'd say it's probably Kilts!
"I'm going to get some pants on and get some work done!"
Mr Carroll, are you not aware of the dress code for the cave?
You're going to make me look like a lunatic at work with anymore of those kind of comments.
I just laughed so hard, someone from another room came in to check on me!
Thanks Jim!
Mac, baggy bloomers and a muscle shirt?
Of course, a proper hat will round out the picture.
Grany
I am also sure that the confessed Calvinist leanings will change how God really is. But it does shed light on a lot of things.
Grany
My daughter just sent me this video.
Oprah Denies Christ - just 2 mins long
I really avoid all things Oprah, didn't know she was so blantant with her beliefs. Thought she was a little more subtle.
Donna,
I noticed you and I think alike on many things. If we are totally dead in our trespasses and sins, and since dead people can't do anything, salvation is solely and completely a work of God. I hold to the position that you cannot lose your salvation. You may set yourself up for a real good pruning from the Master Gardener and those sometimes can hurt really bad, or even like what happened to some in Corinth, early death, but when God the Father draws us to Himself, He is drawing a person dead in their trespasses and sins. Dead people cannot respond to anything. It takes a miracle to give spiritual life and we know Who is in the business of miracles. Once He gives us to the Son, the Son loses nothing that the Father gives Him.
Shalom! Mr. Hyde wrote:
Mr Carroll, are you not aware of the dress code for the cave?
So, when the house rules talk about "formal robes", you mean more than just something in plaid? How about plaid with a paisley necktie?
<><
hi kathy...its fun and interesting to hear about the similarities and differences we all have.
Obviously though, I am a pre-tribber and that is one big difference...
but eschatological beliefs are not supposed to divide us.
so many of us agree in certain areas, but not in others.
We should celebrate the things we do agree on.
Thank God we all do seem to agree, believe and accept that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior.
<><
Grany, I am not sure what you mean by this and was hoping you could expand on this a bit:
"I am also sure that the confessed Calvinist leanings will change how God really is."
It sounds as if you are saying that calvinistic beliefs can change God?
Check out this diagram and think about its interpretation:
Belief or Unbelief
This is my understanding of God's grace - it is free and its all God! It there was any 'Mary' in it, it wouldn't have met God's standard.
To follow the diagram, read from the left top and down, then back to the top and down to 'faith in Jesus' - then follow the arrow inside the solid circle. The solid circle represents ETERNAL life. Obedience brings real fellowship that can only be broken by personal sin (hence, a broken-line circle). Confession restores that fellowship and returns the believer to a walk of close fellowship.
I'd like some feedback on this if anyone is interested. You may provide feedback here or on my blog if you had rather.
Blessings! (Mary)
Mary,
I can't see any inaccuracies in the chart. I think it's a good one.
I agree with your statement below 100%.
"This is my understanding of God's grace - it is free and its all God! It there was any 'Mary' in it, it wouldn't have met God's standard."
There is one thing I would add. It is free to us but cost the Son a price we probably will never fully comprehend.
I can't wait to fall at His feet and thank Him in person!
Kathy
Mary, I agree with everything Kathy said! :)
<><
Nate,
I was going to suggest writing him, but now that I see his name, I'm not sure. I'm thinking prayer is the best way to handle this. I'm hoping for rain.
Tarik Abdelazim, Executive Assistant to the Mayor of Binghamton, NY
772-7001, tabdelazim@cityofbinghamton.com
See Donna, there is a lot we do agree upon! ;) I do enjoy logical, gracious, biblical discussion. That is the true spirit where truth can be found.
is it possible to be part calvinist nad part armenian? my problems with the tulip are the limited atonement part and the predestination part. suspect that is why I rather was intrigued by the molinist line of thought-it seems to strike a better balance between the two.
Lori
so long as no identifying info should be ok.
Nate
this kind of thing about the parade is exactly the kind of stuff Glenn Beck is interested in. you should try sending it to him by way of his website.
to all
been in acapulco for a meeting-yea, it's tough and guess what I saw at the beach shack library as a loaner book to read---
"the Ezekiel Option" by Joel Rosenberg. He's everywhere!!!!!
actually it has been unbearably humid for us-rather like the midwest or houston in august. yuk. really limited the amount of outside stuff to do and the ocean had this very interesting brown scum on top-needless to say we didn't stick our feet in the ocean. whine whine. but as much as somethings on this earth don't or can't live up to our expectations, Christ will always exceed our expectations now and always.
Here's a comparative chart on Arminianism and Calvinism. I'm going to study this and then will give you my thoughts jib.
I'd never heard of Molinism until today. Here's a link to Molinism for anyone who is interested. Of course the student in me will compare all of the points each view makes with Scripture. It may take awhile!
Molinism sounds like a disease one might have in one's molars.
Nate, Shalom! The problem with many "Catholic" hospitals now is that they're no longer Catholic. By that I mean that in the '70s and '80s many hospitals that had been run by different religious orders became too expensive to maintain and were bought by corporations. The name may have stayed the same (i.e., "St. Luke's Hospital") and the religious order might manage the hospital, but the hospital itself is owned by a for-profit corporation. As such, they're going to tone down any religiosity so as not to offend people who aren't Catholic (i.e., they're listening to the marketing people).
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Shalom, all! Well, having brought up "Augustinianism" this morning, I have a choice of either explaining Augustinianism or doing the dishes. So here's an explanation of Augustinianism that I found in Theopedia, a theology version of Wikipedia.
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Augustinianism holds that, after the Fall, mankind is unable to not sin. In other words, due to the corruption of human nature in the Fall, one's will is not free, but rather a slave to sin. As such, every person is born sinful and justly under the condemnation of God. In order for a person to be delivered from this dreadful state (i.e. saved), God must intervene. This view of the natural state of humanity is often referred to as the doctrine of total depravity.
Grace also plays a significant role in Augustinianism. The grace of God is free, necessary, and comes before any righteous act of the sinner. Grace is usually also said to be irresistible and effectual in the sense that all who are given such grace will surely come to faith in Christ.
Furthermore, Augustinianism has a distinct view of predestination. Grace is given to those whom God has predestined before the earth began, and is not based on the foreknowledge of God. The predestination in a fully Augustinian system is without any merit in the sinner themselves.
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Later on in the article, it says that John Calvin incorporated Augustine's teachings on predestination, sovereign grace, and the depravity of man into his theology. "Thus, Calvinism and Augustinianism are sometimes used synonymously." So, I don't know, does that make Augustinianism Calvin-lite?
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Mr. Hyde, Shalom! You wrote:
Molinism sounds like a disease one might have in one's molars.
My first thought was that is was a political movement organized by small furry creatures living underground, you know, like Investment Bankers.
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Good one! Methinks you could be onto something there, Jim.
I think I'm a t-u-i-p Calvinist, that is, a four point Calvinist, based on what Scripture says. I don't see limited atonement as Scriptural based on 1 Jn 2:2: "And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world."
I agree with this statement from gotquestions.org (Their position is t-u-i-p, or 4 point Calvinism):
"Romans 3:10-18 strongly argues for total depravity. Conditional election underemphasizes God’s sovereignty (Romans 8:28-30). Resistible grace underestimates the power and determination of God. Conditional election makes salvation a work rather than a gift of grace (Ephesians 2:8-10). Although there are problems with both systems, Calvinism is far more biblically-based than Arminianism. However, both systems fail to adequately explain the relationship between God’s sovereignty and mankind’s free will – due to the fact that it is impossible for a finite human mind to discern a concept only God can fully understand."
This finite mind is looking forward to being in the presence of the Infinite!
"Through tears of wild laughter, audience members watch as Dawkins – apparently grasping the dizzying nature of his own circular argument – turns three shades of red and becomes purply tight-lipped."
Darwin's Kool-Aid drinkers
The Westminster
Confession of Faith
An Analysis
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Texan and Lightshine, Shalom! You both asked me about dates (the calendar kind).
Texan, there is about a three-week period where the 60th year of the formation of Israel and the 40th year of the Unification of Jerusalem overlap. That's from 10 May (although it's celebrated this year on 8 May due to Sabbath) until 2 June.
Lightshine, you asked about Jan. 25 1942. The simple answer is that this is in the middle of wartime, and weekends don't matter. Also, were we talking about Jan 25 when the decision is made to transport Jews there, or Feb 15, when the first Jews were killed?
For those of you coming in late, this has to do with the 70 years of Zechariah 1:7ff. (Zechariah 1:12 -- Then the angel of the Lord spoke out and said, "O LORD of hosts, how long will you be without mercy for Jerusalem and the cities of Judah that have felt your anger these seventy years?") If that is an event not covered by the 70 weeks of Daniel (which I suspect), then there are two possible events that would account for the time "without mercy for Jerusalem."
The first is Kristalnacht, the pogrom that is considered to be the beginning of the Holocaust. This happened on the night of 9 Nov 1938, which is 15 Cheshvan 5699 in the Hebrew calendar. 70 years after that is 15 Cheshvan 5769, which is on 13 Nov 2008.
The second date has to do with gassing Jews at Auschwitz. Here the most significant date is 15 Feb 1942, when the first transport of Jews arrives in the morning and all are killed and cremated by the end of the day. (The gas chambers had been tested with Russian prisoners earlier, but this was the first time Jews had been killed there.) The significance of this date is that 15 Feb 1942 is 28 Sh'vat 5702. The prophesy of Zechariah 1:7-21 occurred on 24 Sh'vat. If you assume a four-day period between the time the order is given to assemble the Jews and the time they arrive at the camp (order is given, notices are posted for the Jews to assemble for deportation, etc.), then this might work. 70 years after this date is 21 Feb 2012.
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