Luk 6:21 How blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be satisfied! How blessed are you who are crying now, for you will laugh!
Luk 6:23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for your reward in heaven is great! For that's the way their ancestors used to treat the prophets.
Luk 6:24 "But how terrible it will be for you who are rich, for you have had your comfort!
Luk 6:25 How terrible it will be for you who are full now, for you will be hungry! How terrible it will be for you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and cry!
Luk 6:26 How terrible it will be for you when everyone says nice things about you, for that's the way their ancestors used to treat the false prophets!"
Luk 6:27 "But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you.
Luk 6:28 Bless those who curse you, and pray for those who insult you.
Luk 6:29 If someone strikes you on the cheek, offer him the other one as well, and if someone takes your coat, don't keep back your shirt, either.
Luk 6:30 Keep on giving to everyone who asks you for something, and if anyone takes what is yours, do not insist on getting it back.
Luk 6:31 Whatever you want people to do for you, do the same for them.
Luk 6:32 "If you love those who love you, what thanks do you deserve? Why, even sinners love those who love them.
Luk 6:33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what thanks do you deserve? Even sinners do that.
Luk 6:35 Rather, love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, for he is kind to ungrateful and evil people.
155 comments:
Ah, good selection Mr. Hyde, thank you!
Health Ministry warns hospitals of possible quake in northern Israel
Great scripture choice! As ususal.
Our pastor asked the congregation yesterday how many people would raise their hands if he asked them if they were sinners.
(He said DO NOT raise your hand just think about it.)
He mentioned that over 80% would actually raise their hands to that question.(I think I would have not given the question much thought)
Then he made the point that "Sinners" are the lost people in the world who remain in darkness. We Christians on the otherhand are Saints who sin but are reconciled as righteous and clean through the Blood of the Lamb.
If you have a mental perception that your still a "sinner" then the motivation is lost to expect the Holy Spirit to work within you to clean up all your weak spots. Therefore you remain on the "sinner treadmill" mentality.
If you view yourself as a Saint who sins and is forgiven and washed clean then your self-perception is completely different.
You have hope and optimism that the Holy Spirit will continue to clean out the closet so to speak
& live a righteous life.That you are literally "changed" into a new creation.
No longer a sinner but a Saint and a friend of God.
Spreading Islam in the Academy
Here is Walids new Utube Video. (A 15yr old kid made it who also wrote a book "In Satan's footsteps.") Found it on Joel R's site.
God's war on Terror
Something else to note is that I've noticed that other Christians have had dreams/visions of young people & others called in the end times-gaining Biblcal knowledge & truths much faster than were able to in previous generations.
Hi Guys,
Just a quick note to see how you all are and say I will catch up one day! Been busy sorting out my family, business and my self.
Thanks for praying for Adi, so far the cancer is in remission but her next battery of tests are scheduled for the 18th July, so hold her up in prayer. The Lord is doing some amazing work on her and it is awesome just watching her spirit come alive again. We are going away for 2 weeks to a tropical island, so will be even more behind.
Love to you all and keep on keeping on!
Yours in Christ
jeri
Another sign of the coming Apocalypse:
Microsoft to stop selling Windows XP on Monday
Microsoft Corp. is scheduled to stop selling its Windows XP operating system to retailers and major computer makers Monday, despite protests from a slice of PC users who don't want to be forced into using XP's successor, Vista. ... Last week, Microsoft said it would provide full technical support for six-year-old Windows XP through 2009, and limited support through 2014. (meaning support will stop in 2015.)
The "Mark of the Beast" on the forehead or the right hand? That's going to be the indentation caused by banging your forehead against the keyboard or by hitting your keyboard with your fist.
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Jeri, in fact I've been thinking about you lately. Glad you popped in. I'm still praying for you and Adi and the whole family.
Jim, I have Vista on my Laptop and I don't have a problem with it. I prefer the XP on the desktop to be honest - but that's because I'm one of those people who are resistant to change. Don't fix what ain't broken.
Tomorrow is the 1st of Av.
Here's an interesting peice of information that Mark Biltz is helping to create awareness of,for those of you who have not had the chance to check some of his findings out:
On the first of Av for 3 years in a row, 2008, 2009 and 2010, there will be total solar eclipses.
* Aug. 1, 2008 (1st of Av)(5768)
* July 22, 2009 (1st of Av) (5769)
* July 11, 2010 (1st of Av) (5770)
Donna,
Wait a minute Tomorrow? We have not even hit July 4th yet.
Whoa,Nellie!
More FYI:
"Remember that there is a solar eclipse this year just before the first of Av and Jewish tradition considers a solar eclipse a sign of judgment for the nations. Av is called the dark time in Hebrew tradition. It was on the ninth of Av that the temple was destroyed, BOTH TIMES! The Jews mourn during this time from the first of Av until the ninth of Av. For us, this year it falls on the second of August. This means that the 10th of August is the Jewish ninth of Av. Want to know something interesting? There is another lunar eclipse this year. It falls on the 16th of August or the 15th of Av."
Jeofurry
* Av is a month of mourning for the Jews
* The 17th of Tammuz to the 9th of Av is a 21-day period of mourning for the Jewish people (more info below)
* The next seven year cycle begins on Rosh Hashanah on Sept. 30, 2008, and ends on Rosh Hashanah on Sept. 13-14, 2015
* The sabbatical year in the seven-year cycle begins on Rosh Hashanah on Sept. 25, 2014, and ends on Rosh Hashanah on September 13-14, 2015 — the day of a partial solar eclipse
Oops, sorry about that!!!!
LOL
One of the OL members put this together.
Do you know what ANWR is?
ANWR = Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Now. A comparison
so much to catch up on
Jeri
good to hear from you and glad Adi is doing well.
interesting posts all.
alesia
hope you are feeling better.
Lisa
wow more food for thought. I like that. It goes with something our pastor said yesterday. God calls us friend those who are saved, noting that friendship requires work on the part of both friends to maintain any type of relationship. He then asked if any of us had ever been involved in a friendship in which the other person didn't appear to be interested-not enough time, interest etc. There should have been a blinding light bulb over my head at that point. I have been involved in such a friendship. I would stay up late to call this person in a different timezone, make some plans around being able to call on weekends etc. I put a great deal of time and effort into trying to maintain this friendship and the other person just wasn't interested. I finally wrote a letter explaining my frustration. Keep in mind this was during my residency and his residency. I was routinely working around 90 hours or better a week and he was likely working maybe around 60 hours a week. He then made a half hearted effort. I persisted in this futile attempt to maintain this relationship even after I found he had decided to be homosexual (he at one point said he was a Christian and he did seem to be) but I ended the effort on my part after he didn't call and congratulate me on getting engaged. He had a gorgeous singing voice and I wanted him to sing at our wedding but he couldn't be bothered to acknowledge my engagement. I was so hurt and crushed. All I have to say is that I am so glad God has not given up on me like I gave up on my friend and it has put things into context for me and I resolve to do better in my walk with God.
otherwise, our pastor had his infant daughter baptised. Interesting to see pure calvinism explained and put into practice. The Presbys don't believe that baptism saves but begins a life long process of being saved by God. They still believe one has to make a personal decision to be saved but baptism as an infant is appropriate because since one is elected and predestined to be a believer then the "believe and be baptised" (what most Baptists teach and what I believe) really isn't that applicable.
how is it that I had to read this about John McCain in the Jerusalem post of all places?
McCain the Private Man
Thanks for pointing that article out, Jib.
Jeri, it is great to hear from you. We are so glad your wife in managing well. Your trip sounds wonderful!!!
jib, the article on John McCain is very much appreciated. Wow, pretty impressive stuff!
You all will be in my thoughts and prayers today.
Remember to pray for all of the leaders of the world and for peace in Jerusalem.
<><
Jeri - so glad to hear from you, you & Adi have been on my mind lately. Woo-hoo for the remission - that's awesome!!!!
Yes, good article about McCain, Jib. Thanks for posting.
Feeling a smidgen better, thanks.
Jim C - very funny about Microsoft!
Have a God filled day everyone.
Mac - Have a good sleep!
Mac - Thanks for posting that on ANWR. WOW, a real eye opener.
I'm definitely going to pass that along.
Also little-known is the story of McCain's youngest child. As a result of a 1991 Cindy McCain visit to Mother Teresa's orphanage in Bangladesh, the McCains adopted an infant daughter dying from a host of health issues. The orphanage could not provide the medical care needed to save the little girl's life, so the McCains, already the parents of six children, brought the child home to America, and paid for desperately needed surgeries and years of rehabilitation. That child is their teenage daughter Bridget. In fact, there was a second infant girl brought back from the orphanage that the McCains saved. She ended up being adopted by one of McCain's aides, Wes Gullett, and his wife. "We were called at midnight by Cindy," Gullett has stated, and "five days later we met our new daughter Nicki at the LA airport."
the above is a quote from the JP article that Jib posted.
contrast that to BHO signing a bill (when he was an Ill. state senator) that denied medical care to babies born alive after an unsuccessful abortion. Bill Bennet finally brought this fact out on CNN. The Democratic Stratigist responded that everyone knew BHO veiws on abortion. To bad people don't know his views on live babies.
Jamie
Mac
that is an interesting article on the ANWR. I think I'll pass that on along with my McCain article.
uh, does this article strike anyone else as being rather creepy?
Canadians Prefer BHO over THEIR leaders
Happy Canada Day!
Ooooo Caaaa-na-daaaaa, your home and na-tive laaaaaand ...
(Not mine, actually, but I see a lot of similarities between Iowa and Canada. Like politeness, eh?)
<><
I've been doing some more indepth study on the 7 Churches in Revelation-as many of them pertain to us RIGHT NOW. And if we are as close to the Tribulation as many of us think-Then take heed and see if you,your church, or someone you know may be described here.
I listened to this Revelation Bible study by Pastor Mike Spaulding, from Calvary Chapel of Lima,Ohio.
REVELATION BIBLE STUDY-AUDIO
He had some historical background infomation re:the 7 Churches that was new to me which added to my understanding even though I've been over them quite a few times.
(I skipped to Rev 2-3 but will eventually listen to the entire study.)
So Lisa, you view the seven churches in Revelation as representative of the different types of churches that existed when the Revelation was written as well as the types of churches that exist today, as I do?
By the way, are you still interested in that study on eternal security?
did any of you see this last year?
Noah's Ark Replica
Second Site for Ark Replica
Kathy,
Yes & Yes.
The Promises to the 7 Churches.
Seven being the number of spiritual perfection. This being a division of seven into four & three.
I've studied how the 1st 3 Churches don't apply to today(only to the past) but the last 4 (applied to the past & today).
But today I got further w/it reading that "Numbers in Scripture" book.
Each letter contains " He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."
The 1st three letters say that exhortation and follow it by the promise.
The last 4 letters state the promise first then follow it with the exhortation.
Then I went onto the number 8. Which represents super abundance. It is also the 1st in a new series as well as being the 8th.(such as notes on the piano. CDEFGAB+C)
666 number is the Anti-Christ
6-the number of man & imperfection.
888 is the number of Jesus name.
Some interesting things.
Jib,
That's great! I didn't know anything about that ark.
I bought some kids "Noah's Ark" books from "Answers in Genesis" and they have dinosaurs in the Ark.
They explained how 2-of a "kind" would have fit-& they probably took the smaller ones.
The "clean" beasts were taken into the ark by Sevens and the unclean by Twos. The number two where man is concerned denotes difference & division.(generally of enmity)
This one is funny-Did you know the only animal God compared man to was an ass? (several times by the way)
Third Temple preparations begin with priestly garb
(sorry, no time to blue link)
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1214726180915&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
"The Temple is not a message [just for] the Jewish people. It reunites the world all around one central prayer house. All the prophets say that at the End Times all the nations will be coming to Jerusalem and take part of building [the Temple],"
Lisa,
Last night I was reading about the churches in Revelation. When I got to the following passage, I wondered if it applied to the church in America at large.
To the Church in Laodicea
"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
Rev. 3:14-22
It reminded me of what Andrew Strom said in his video titled "Outspoken!!" which is at Andrew Strom’s web site, Revivalschool.com
Jim G.
Lisa,
What do you understand that the churches are supposed to overcome?
Was that a yes that you would like to pursue the eternal security study?
I highly recommend Dr Frucht's work on the 7 churches of Revelation. you can read a summary of it Fruit from the Frucht and look down the list. all blue highlighted lessons you can read part of for free-full lesson costs but seem to recall it was minimal. I think Kathy that you would enjoy it.
Quite a bit on what is on there can be read in his book Footsteps of the Messiah. A weighty tome but worth the read
Lisa
I have heard it said that the whole Bible numbers thing borders on numerology so be careful.
Kathy and Lisa,
Is the eternal security study suggestion in response to what Lisa wrote June 25 @ 5:38 when she suggested:
...We could do teams on a topic or indivually.1st state the topic & debate. Then start @ the Book of Genesis, and one by one go through the Bible and find the passages or stories which support our view. If at anytime during the process our view changes-then we could discuss that....
I don't want to be presumptive but I'd be interested in such a study. As you both have seen, I have my bias but am definitely willing to let the Lord shine His light on errors in my understanding of His Word. Of course, I'm also willing to let Him solidify any truth that He has already led me to (big grin).
Seriously, I don't want to embrace any false doctrine or misunderstanding of His Holy Word and I don't think any of us want to.
I'd like to dig in further and see what the whole of Scripture has to say about this. I wonder though how do we keep from letting our predispostions color how we interpret various passages. Do you know what I mean?
One thing I have seen us all do is use both Biblical parables and our own analogies to support our positions. Two believers can often read the same parable and interpret it differently. I guess Biblical parables are less dangerous than our own analogies invented to support our current understandings.
Jim G.
I was discussing this with Alesia earlier. Some info on the origins of Buddhism.
The Origin of Buddhism
Yes Jim G, that is the study I was referring to. I won't be able to commit full days to a study but I would like to participate. I think the important thing is that we can't let our feelings interpret Scripture. We must let Scripture interpret Scripture. When we truly want to understand God we can reach a consensus because the Word is our decision maker. Are there Scriptures that we run from? Are there any passages that must be swept under the carpet? If there are we better get out the Word and figure out what the sum of Truth is on that topic. Once there is clarity, then we can stand firm.
I don't know how true this is. But very interesting if it is!
Mr. Obama is 50% Caucasian, that from his mother. What those who want Mr. Obama to write history by becoming “America’s first African-American president” ignore is that his father was ethnically Arabic, with only 1 relative ethnically African Negro…....
From the previous article. More on Obama’s heritage:
Here is the truth about Mr. Obama’s name, and his father’s ancestors:
True Negro tribal members of western Kenya where his father was born have Christian names, not Arabic. His father’s decision to name him with an Arabic name is a matter of his father establishing his ethnic identity in Africa - it is done deliberately to separate him from the African tribes. He may live among them, but he is not one of them. His father’s message is that he is Arabic, not Negro.
Many will find these truths unsettling. I’m often asked, “But I thought his father was Kenyan. How could Mr. Obama not be African-American, how could his ethnic composition be so Arabic?”
The definitive clue to that answer is to look at his name, his father’s name, and the names of all his ancestors on his father’s side. They are all Arabic.
Researching his roots reveal that on his father’s side, he is descended from Arab slave traders. They operated under an extended grant from Queen Victoria, who gave them the right to continue the slave trade in exchange for helping the British defeat the Madhi Army in southern Sudan and the Upper Nile region. Funny how circular is history; now the British again face the Madhi Army, albeit this time Shiite, not Sunni, as in nineteenth century Sudan.
More on Obamas vote on the 'Born alive infant protection act'
Take just a minute to learn one plain fact from this video about Obama:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxQiIzS49D8&NR=1
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxQiIzS49D8&NR=1>
Observe the Obama spin machine on CNN: Barack Obama's opposition to
Born
Alive Act - 6/30/08 (Jill Stanek)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPZCXcTwZPY
Hi everyone. As you have noticed, I have not been here for awhile. Things got really crazy with work and other issues. I come here to lurk from time to time and can't seem to stay long enough to find out the topic of discussion. I come here knowing that there are many here that lift up others on a regular basis in prayer, and you would not understand the depth of my gratidude for that. And thus, my prayer request. I just don't know what has happened just recently! I am so devistated by so many things all of a sudden. I feel I need help to discern what is going on. Demonic, or a blessing in disguise? I first off just want to say what a great blessing you all are and the mercy you all have shown to me through your prayers as sometimes I try so hard to muster up enough energy just to type out a prayer request. The thing is, that on Monday when I came home, my wife told me about how my oldest daughter, Deanna,the one who you've all prayed for before has contacted my youngest daughter on her my space. Deanna had dropped all contact with me because of a loving letter i sent to her last year in April in which I shared the Gospel with her and has rejected me and God. She even has threatened me with a restaining order and told me to never, ever contact her again. I recently have felt a deep need to finish a last and final good-bye letter to her, and finalize my words to her, with a crack left open in the door for her to come back. But I wonder about even leaving a crack open. Anyway I am completly devistated becasue of her going behind my back to try and re-establish a relationship with her half sister???? She never had a relationship with her in the firt place! I don't understand this. My youngest daughter has issues big time and I don't want any negative influences put upon her. Her mom and I are working to help our youngest daughter to get back on track after being in a residencial treatment center over the last 10 months and recently is now living back under our home. This other daughter of mine has never lived under my roof and I loved her as my own but she has rejected that and God. I will try to reason with my youngest and help her see the truth with the older one. Wow you guys, this is so much drama, I do not want to go on and on with this. This has really hurt me again and not sure how to handle this. On top of all of this, my wife has told me also that my son has a "bar code" tatoo on his back that he just got recently. I am so very devistated about this as I have raised my son in a Christian environment and can only think that he wants to defy me and God. Also, my wife has also explained to me that my younger daughter got a tatoo also and she is under age! The guy who did it messed it up big time because he was on drugs! I can not believe my ears. There are other issues going on with my son who refuses to abide by our rules, is 18 and has been in a little trouble with the law, and been caught with drugs by me a couple of times. I feel ashamed as a dad who really cares about my family but everything seems to be falling apart. I do not like listing all of the drama I am going through here, but feel that it is not God's will for me to keep this all bottled up in side and try to pray through it all by my self. What to do about my son......I am trying to get my wife to see that we need to really start pushing him out of the nest, even if it means that he will be homeless???? Don't know, I honestly do not know. One more thing is that my wife was praying last night and felt a dark presense somewhere in the area. This is bad news. I honestly need help from those here who can pray for discernment, wisdom and guidance as to what to do and the steps we need to take. I appreciate you all.
-Jeff
Morning, Jeff :-)
I will update my prayer list with your newest needs immediately. I don't think any of us mind you sharing your family issues here as we are really a committed prayer warrior group, so don't even let those worries spend a moment in your mind.
If you would like to chat further, I'd be happy to share my own family's story that involved my brother's rebellion and how he came back full circle (at one point my parents did drop him off at a homeless shelter 3 hours away from home and then refused to come pick up him for 9 months...he finally came home after some REALLY scary "adventures" and that was the beginning of his way back.) If you feel led, drop by my "walk this way" blog and I'll be happy to share more. In any case, know that you're being lifted up before the Lord by many!
Blessings to you and yours,
Jen
Censoring the Bible? It Could Happen in CO
"Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins, and save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy."
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Kathy,
That was an affirmative on the eternal security study.
Is the way I suggested it good or is there a better idea?
Earth Mover Rampage in Jerusalem
Kathy,
Since in most cases I interpret the Bible literally-the Churches are suppose to overcome what is listed to overcome in each case.
Such as the Dead Church-In Sardis they have a "Name" for themselves and they think because of that they are doing well. But in reality they are spiritually dead-& how is that judged? Because in the manner of "works" they don't have much to show for it. So He warns them to be watchful and strenghen what is remaining for even what they have left is ready to die.
(In my mind I think of Sunday pew warmer.They go to a well known Church group on Sunday & socialize but that's about it.They have lost the "Fire" and "Passion" for the Lord. They are the walking dead.)
So if they remain asleep to their spiritual condition-He will come as a thief,and because they are not "watching" and "prepared" for his coming-they will be caught off guard.
(Sorry Kathy-this refers to the "catching up" of believers @ some point before the 2nd coming)
But-a "few" people in this Church have not bought into the deadness and are worthy to go with Christ.
For the rest who "overcome" this deadness-will become sanctified &
He will NOT blot out their name from the Book of Life; but will confess their name before His Father and His angels. (So there is still Hope!)
(They will have a chance to "overcome" during the Tribulation-as they are tried,tested, and refined)
So basically most of the "Dead Church" if they were to die before they shaped up would go to hell.
But-Most in this group are blind to their spiritual condition and think that they're saved and doing just fine.
Jim G.
I absolutely think the Laodiceans represent much of the Church in America.
On Alesia's blog she has this Lukewarm and Loving it! Utube clip posted which really hits home on this topic.
It really is sickening. And I have to admit I have been right smack dab in the middle of this situation. Being married to an Attorney-we had some very flush years.
Before I came back to the Lord-We "fox hunted" every Sunday. I remembered wanting to go back and find a Church-but thought to myself-How am I going to do that w/my husband and his Sunday ritual?
Sure I could have not gone-but I feared his reaction more than my love of the Lord.
So what did the Lord do? He took it all away. Slowly but surely we went from 8 horses down to zero. (Except for my kid's miniture pony-Higgins)
Praise the Lord he broke the bank!!
He even relocated my husband!(for a season)
(I was actually really happy about it even though I loved the horses because finally I could go to Church w/o hearing an ear full. And then guess who also came? Yes-the hubby!)
So even though I was not in a "Church" at the time. Spiritually I was there. He applies verse 19) "As many as I love,I rebuke and chasten."
And it worked!!! Praise the Almighty!
So I really have a deep fear of being wrapped up & too comfortable in materialism. It's really easy to get sucked back into. Everything around us & the Media draws you back. It's one of Satan's best tools of deception in America. Keep them distracted and comfortable.(They have need of nothing-not even you God.)
So if the economy, stock market, all go to pot- it will actually turn out for the better for many
Lukewarm people. It may be just the thing to wake them up and seek His face. There is nothing more important our eternal future in Christ.
Jeff, Shalom! And to the rest of the people reading this blog, Shalom as well!
Know that I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
I am curious: what is the content of Deanna's contact with your youngest daughter? Is it "trying to reach out to estranged family," or is it an attempt to turn your youngest daughter away from you? Keep in mind that if your youngest daughter is under 18, then you have a legal right to regulate who she contacts and how that contact is done. This is especially true given her recent stay in a residential treatment center. Regardless of Deanna's threat of a restraining order if you should try to contact her, you should use her contact with her youngest daughter as a reason to write that final good-bye letter to Deanna, requesting that she not contact your youngest daughter unless that contact is through you. If Deanna then does get a restraining order against you, YOU WILL NEED TO GET A RESTRAINING ORDER AGAINST HER, PROHIBITING CONTACT WITH YOUR YOUNGEST DAUGHTER, AND YOU WOULD NEED TO DO IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I cannot emphasize that enough. A restraining order isn't just a legal inconvenience, it is an action that carries the full weight of the court behind it (i.e., you can be imprisoned if you violate it.) Deanna needs to know that you will take whatever legal means necessary to protect your family. If she violates the restraining order, don't try to "reason with her," you will need to contact the court and let THEM take care of it.
As for you and your wife feeling "a dark presence", you are MOST DEFNITELY not alone. Over at the Catholic Answers Forum, I've noticed a sharp uptick in recent weeks in the number of people who talk about being engaged in spiritual warfare, with more and more people experiencing everything from "dark presences" like you described to having to having visions of "grey faceless people" or visions of demons attacking them. (In fact, when I went over there just now to get details on the "faceless people", the very first posting that struck me was from someone in Sweden who returned to Catholicism after years of atheism because he started having dreams of a grinning demon and sensing a demon standing by his bed.) You may be interested in reading these daily bible meditations: TALKING ABOUT DEMONS AND HOW TO FIGHT THEM, NO NEED TO UNDULY FEAR THE WILES OF SATAN, and SATAN EXISTS BUT IS CONQUERED.
I would recommend getting a crucifix (not just a cross, but one with a corpus, or body, of Christ on it) to hang in the area(s) where you sense the presence. Demons hate the crucifix more than just the cross because while the cross reminds us of how Jesus conquered the grave, the crucifix reminds the demons of how His perfect sacrifice defeated them for all eternity. Catholics have other weapons in this spiritual warfare. Email me at jim.carroll2@gmail.com if you're interested in knowing more.
<><
Jib,
I'll read that-Thanks!
"I have heard it said that the whole Bible numbers thing borders on numerology so be careful."
I agree I would have been hesitant about it a couple years ago along w/astrology. But-I came to realize that originally the signs in the stars and Biblical astrology was actually designed for our instruction before Satan got a hold of it and perverted it.
The same with the Divine design of numbers in the Bible. It all points to his omniscience, awesome intelligence and that the Bible has been directly given to us by God Himself. It leaves you with zero doubt. Numbers in the Bible are used to stress spiritual significance & symbolic connotations so it aids in understanding scripture.
So after looking into it I don't see the negativity. Since I've never gotten into any sort of Numerology before-nor been superstitious what-so-ever-I don't see any connection in the Biblical reference to a demonic influence.
(And to tell you the truth-it is so "above" my mental capabilities I grasp very little of it anyway.I just "get" the very basics.)
Of course-Satan takes what has been designed for our instruction & would be beneficial-perverts it-scares us-so we will not touch it.
Prime example would be "Praying in Tongues."
Hubby overheard me praying in tongues about a month ago. He came out of the bathroom and said "What was that you were doing? Speaking in tongues?"
I said: "Yep!" Then he said "Well, I never want to do that!" and I said "Well, you don't ever have to if you don't want to."
So I guess what I'm saying is that some concepts of the supernatural design or ability are out of our "comfort zone." And all of the above mentioned were also out of my comfort zone @ one point in time so I completely understand.
My daughter on the other hand is so cute. Every time she sees or hears someone get hurt-she immediately runs to me and asks “Would you tongue pray for so & so?" As if it's more effective than "regular" praying-but she's just so sensitive and compassionate. I had to tell her not to run around and tell everyone in the world that I pray in tongues.
It's not that I'm ashamed of it in any way but rather it could be a stumbling block for witnessing to others if they are guarded about it.
Lisa, Shalom! I loved your posting of 8:52 AM! You might want to read Mark Mallett's two latest blog entries, Finding Joy, and Losing Fear. (I especially like the painting he uses for illustrating "Losing Fear". With my oldest daughter now living with me, the painting brought back a host of memories.) To quote from "Finding Joy":
THE ROOT OF OUR SADNESS
When Jesus told the rich man that he should go and sell everything, he went away sad. We may feel the same way; we see that our lifestyles are going to change, perhaps drastically in the coming years. Herein may lie the root of our sadness: the thought of having to lose our comforts and let go of our little "kingdom." ... God, in fact, wants to bless us. He wants us to enjoy His creation and provide for all our needs. Simplicity and poverty of spirit do not mean destitution or squalor. Perhaps we need to reboot our hearts today. To again "seek first the kingdom of heaven" rather than the kingdom of earth. Mow the lawn. Landscape the yard. Paint the house. Keep things in good order.
But be willing to let it all go.
And to quote from "Losing Fear":
... meeting Him in the tabernacle of your heart through prayer — you are able to rest in His Presence in a most tangible way. This does not mean that human fear ceases immediately, just as Jesus prayed three times His prayer of abandonment in the Garden before the angel was sent to Him. Sometimes, if not most times, you have to persevere, the way a miner digs through layers of dirt and clay and stone until he finally reaches a rich vein of gold. And above all, cease to wrestle with things beyond your strength, and abandon yourself to God’s hidden plan presented to you in the form of a Cross.
<><
Lisa and Jim G and to anyone else interested in joining in…I think a good place to start is from where does faith originate? And then move into examining the call to Abraham, and then Moses, Jonah, Mary, the disciples, and then Paul. In each of these cases the people were not asked to follow but commanded. They weren’t given an option. (I think we’ll see that this is actually a study on the sovereignty of God.) And then we can examine the passages that we understand are pertinent to this study.
We need to remember as Donna has said in the past, it’s all about God. Romans 11:36 – “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever.”
My prayer is that God will be glorified in this study and that we will gain a deeper understanding of Who He is and what He has done for us.
Crunch time really begins for me starting on Saturday and right now I have my granddaughter staying with me. I will likely be checking in just once or twice a day so this could take awhile, but I’m game.
I’ll check back in this evening…
Kathy
1st off joel has a new post.
second-interesting commentary on BHO and dad being more arab than african. I still think he is the best candidate for AC going at this time.
three interesting articles all on Iran and Israel with the russian comments of course being the most interesting-could we be seeing the start up of a series of events that would lead to God and Magog being fullfilled?
Iran not worried
Israel says no attack in 2008
Russians say military attack on Iran "catastrophic"
how scary is this-people are such sheep. is it any wonder that the AC will have such as easy time of it to get people to bear his mark?
The New Husseins
Jib,
Please-what could possibly be next?
I guess instead of a neon colored spiked Mohawk running down the center of your bald head-these young kids are going to rebel w/this "Obama" name taking.
What a sad state of our culture.
Just think for a minute. If things were to continue as they are now for another 50-100 years-would there be any Christians left? Would our society,media,and educational system completely erase any constructive & logical thought process?
Kathy,
Ok that's a good one. I think we may find out it can originate from different sources.
I'm only bringing this up immediately because I just read Alesia's story today on her blog about the Gentile woman begging Jesus to heal her child who was bothered by evil spirits and how He was "testing" her faith.
It seems as if her faith derived from "hearing" the word of God.
Jim C.
Thanks for the links. I also struggle w/joy as well.
All of us here on this blog are swimming in the "current" of the vast ocean of Biblical prophesy and world events. We are well aware and awake while most of our Christian brethren (and unbelievers for that matter) are asleep & not even the bit interested.
It's not a personal fear based lack of joy but rather like he said-you see the "freight train coming" & the general apathetic state of the the population.Is it compassion? I'm not sure but it grieves me.
But as you look in the Bible & the lamenting of the watchman in those times-you find it's really no different for us. They also felt the same way for their people.
So as he suggested-I look @ the beauty of nature, family, blessings & give thanks for those things.
And then this quote:
"What Jesus means here is a spirit of detachment. It is not a question so much of our possessions, but where our true love and devotion lies."
That is exactly it. I'm detached but attached to an attacher.(husband) As the Holy Spirit works within him my hope is that things will change. But- I also realize I can do nothing without Christ.
Left to my own devises I'll slip back into "Interior Designer" mode.
I had spent far too much time on house & kids while husband is focused on money for kid's education, retirement & horses.
God was not even in the back seat. It was more like the roof rack.
And when I look in the world at many Christians what do I see? I see me-before the detachment.
And in no way was the detachment my own doing. It was God saying "Ok Lisa, time's getting short & I'm not waiting around for you any longer." I have other plans.
The horses keeping you back? Ok gone. Your husband's giving you flack ?- Ok, he's going to live out of state for awhile & you can run everything.(that lasted about 2years) Your so obsessed with that house? I'll spare it from burning down like you asked Me but your going to leave it & every non-essential item will be boxed up because you won't even have room to put it!
Guess what? CURED. That did it.
I am detached. But now we are moving back to CA this November & back to that house.
Do I trust my own strength not to fall back into distraction? No. But I know if I abide in Him, He'll abide in me and & I won't loose my focus.
Hi jim.carroll
Thanks for your prayers and everyone else's. I am scratching my head as to why Deanna contacted my younger daughter. She somehow ended up saying to her that she was pregnant and not to say anything to me because she was not ready for me to know. Of course I knew all along but have not let her know that I know, because of how wide open these young people place themselves on myspace as they are a wide open book if you don't have it blocked. One look and you can tell how lost these people are. At least I know how to pray for her I guess. As for the restraining order, the same thoughts have already gone through my mind. Colorado law is much different and a person has to be in physical danger or their very life be in danger to get a restaining order. I already talked with an attorney on this today. What do you think about me trying to reason with my younger one who is 17 and help her to see it my way and perhaps let her write a sujestive letter stating that "your dad loves you very much and if you don't want a relationship with him, then I am sorry, I can't have a relationship with you," so please leave me alone?
The demonic thing is odd, I do have to say. A cross of some kind is a good idea, but feel that we as Christians only have to say a few words and those demons go scrambling off. I don't want to take this lightly though, and diminish what little power Satan has over us, but feel that we may only have to "plead the blood of Jesus and demand they leave in His name. Thanks again for your encouraging words. Jec- for now on Jeff
Oh dear! The comments have exploded today!
I've been so busy (and sick) I've gotten behind.
Jamie (lightshine) - thanks for those links. It's good to shine the light (pun intended) on Obama's stance on abortion. Sue at Praise & Coffee posted about that as well. Very disturbing, indeed.
Lisa - Thanks for the plugs for my blog!!! Am happy that you're finding it useful. Don't you just love Pastor Chan? He's awesome. I just finished reading his "Crazy Love" book. HIGHLY recommend it.
Jeff - Good to see you again. Will pray for your situation. Give some thought to Deanna talking to your other daughter. This may be the door cracking open, don't slam it shut. I would monitor, by talking to your youngest daughter about Deanna. But pray, pray before making any rash decisions IMO. Your two daughters talking may open the door for you, with her. Be patient.
Mac, love. - Thanks for the link on buddhism. Very interesting, I'm thinking of converting!
MWUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
(I didn't even read it yet!)
Kathy and Lisa,
Amen to everything Kathy wrote July 1, 2008 @10:46 PM regarding Scripture!
All we ultimately need is Scripture and the Holy Spirit. Of course, God has always used people who know and love the Lord to preserve (He didn't allow the original manuscripts to be preserved) and translate the Holy Scriptures from the original languages for those of us who don't know Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic.
I'm going to start working on the question "from where does faith originate?" as you suggested. I wonder though if imbedded another question that we need to consider alongside this.
What is faith? Is it something that can exist aside from works? Is it the capacity, the action(s), or both the capacity and the action(s)?
It seems like this is where we got hung up last time. You see faith as something that comes from and is totally activated by God's sovereign hand in our lives. There simply is no human agency involved. To be fair, you do believe that human agency comes into play once we are made alive in Christ and the role of that agency is not to earn a ticket to heaven but to do things in gratitude and response to the grace of God we have experienced. Is that a fair characterization of your position?
Anyway, I think we need to search the Scriptures to see what they say about faith.
Jim G.
YOu all sure have been busy!
I'm just able to glance at everything and just want to say to Jeff that you and your family will be in our prayers.
OH God we ask that You get and keep Jeff's family close to you. We ask that you soften their hearts and minds and guide them to you.
We ask that You soften all of our family and friends hearts and minds and bring them all to an understanding of You and Your Son and what He has already accomplished on the cross for us.
We hold ourselves up to You to use in any way that You want. We ask this all in Jesus name, Amen.
Jim C - Thanks for posting the links to: Mark Mallett's two latest blog entries, Finding Joy, and Losing Fear.
I've forwarded them to my daughter, hopefully, they will help her.
Alesia,
I also linked your blog to two of my lost friends. Your blog is really great! (Unlike my sparce page)
Last night I was listening to Chan's Lukewarm lecture.One time Hubby came and shut the office doors as it was disturbing his TV show. As he was going to bed he said "What was That you were listening to?" I said-a pastor giving a talk- He said "What is with all that screaming? I said-he wasn't screaming. He said "Yes he was-why would you have to lecture someone that way?" Then my reply "Because there are some people with thick heads that are hard of hearing! That's the only thing that works." (hint, hint- but I don't think he got it!)
(And really-the volume may have been loud but I don't remember any screaming.)
What's with this beheading? I'm from So.Cal and not far from the Mexican border. But-beheadings? I don't think that was reported in the past in relation to Mexican violence.Now we have Islamic terrorists & Mexican terrorists in on it.
Mexican drug war "alarming
MEXICO CITY – Virtually every day now there are disturbing headlines here about the assassination of yet another Mexican official, gangland-style shootouts in broad daylight, the gruesome discoveries of kidnapped and tortured murder victims – many of them beheaded – and police chiefs quitting their jobs and fleeing the country in terror.
several interesting articles about BHO
Poster Boy for self aggrandizement the most interesting part of this article follows
"On the issue of faith: To some Christians, Obama's ascension is something just this side of the book of Revelation; the lack of public scrutiny and apparent mass hypnosis in the face of a figure who – to the unfettered believer – is unremarkable at best remains difficult to interpret in too many other ways."
BHO compared with Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Google targeting bloggers who criticize BHO? makes me wonder what else they might censor
For those interested in the Sovereignty Study, hope you don’t mind me calling it that Jim G and Lisa, here are some verses regarding faith’s origination:
Romans 12:3: “For through the grace given to me I say to every man among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.”
Ephesians 2:8: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.”
Ephesians 6:23: “Peace be to the brethren, and love with , faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 1:29: “For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him,but also to suffer for His sake.”
Acts 11:21: ”And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.”
Hebrews 12:2: “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith…”
1 Corinthians 12:7,9: “For to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good…to another faith by the same Spirit…”
Based on these verses, faith does not originate from man, or different sources, but from God.
How can faith, the ability to believe the gospel message and submit to it, originate from one who is spiritually dead? (Eph. 2:1) It must be activated by God. Once it is activated by God, faith then allows us to act in obedience, this is our role.
The primary purpose of the gospel was not to save men but to bring glory to God. Romans 11:36: “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.”
Eph. 2:8,9 tells us faith is a gift from God, not of works, so no one can boast. If faith, the ability to believe the gospel message and submit to it, comes from ourselves, it gives us something to boast about and robs God the glory due Him.
Romans 3:10 says there is none good which also means we have nothing good in us. Can faith come from us if we have nothing good in us?
Romans 5:1 says that we are declared righteous by faith. To take credit for our belief takes away what rightfully originated from God and makes it a work on our part. Righteousness is not an earned wage but is credited to our account because of God’s gift.
Our salvation is completely His work, that way He gets all the glory! “Jesus, the author and perfecter or finisher of faith…” “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.”
We are to respond in grateful obedience…and my heart does quite a bit of leaping for joy as well!
Watch This Through An interview with Louis Farrakhan.Obama's former Church gave this man a prestigious award.
Notice two things. We have a comment about Jimmy Carter not releasing the UFO files and at the end-How the "Annointed One" either the Mahdi or Christ will come back to rid Satan from the world. He stresses that Satan is the one controlling the governments and the presidents-until possibly Obama-as he is not yet tainted by politics.
Please look @ THIS LINK and check out what he says about Jews-There are tabs w/his quotes on various topics.
"At 73 years of age,Minister Farrakhan still maintains a grueling work schedule. He has been welcomed in a countless number of churches, sharing pulpits with Christian ministers from a variety of denominations, which has demonstrated the power of the unity of those who believe in the One God. He has addressed diverse organizations, been received in many Muslim countries as a leading Muslim thinker and teacher, and been welcomed throughout Africa, the Caribbean and Asia as a champion in the struggle for freedom, justice and equality."
White folks you owe us the whole country
(If Obama is the Anti-Christ then this guy is the False Prophet.)
Lisa, Shalom!
I think the reason for beheading becoming a favored form of execution is two-fold:
1) It's a sure and fairly clean way of death. History is filled with examples of people surviving executions when they shouldn't have. There's at least one famous case (in Texas, I believe) where the person survived a hanging AND being shot while hung by a lynch mob, who didn't stick around to make sure the job was complete.
Believe it or not, you need a fairly good grasp of anatomy to be certain that you're stabbing the heart and not just cutting off part of the lung. One of the problems with firing squads is that it sometimes take two or even three volleys to kill the prisoner. It's very hard on the executioners, who have to listen to the condemned prisoner groan or cry while they take the time to re-load, re-aim, and re-fire.
Even getting shot in the head is not a guaranteed way of killing someone. The skull is notoriously hard, and there are many cases where the skull deflected the bullet and the bullet didn't go where it should have. (I'm thinking of one notable case in WW2 where they brought in a guy that had been hit. When they got him to the aid station and saw that the bullet had hit him in the head, they were just going to take him out to be prepped for burial when the guy sat up and wanted to know where he was! Turns out the bullet hit his skull at an angle, and traveled under the skin around the head, exiting at the back of the head.) Shooting a person in the head is also very messy and can be dangerous. Again, with the skull so hard, the bullet may exit at a different angle than it entered and injure or kill a bystander; if the shooter is close enough to make sure the bullet penetrates the skull then there is the risk of "blowback" from parts of the skull around the entry wound, and if the shot is successful, then it's very, very, VERY, veryveryvery messy to clean up.
A properly done beheading, on the other hand, can be much easier to clean up (if you place the plastic carefully) and there is abso-blumin'-lootly no way the condemned can survive a beheading.
2) Beheading is a very powerful form of psychological warfare. The opposing side knows the victim is dead -- there is no hope. It also tortures the victim more because death is usually not instantaneous. During the French Revolution, a doctor did experiments with the people who were executed on the guillotine. He found that immediately after execution, the person's eyes would look around, they would respond to their name, and would sometimes try to speak. These responses diminished gradually over a two or three minute period.
So as evil grows, so does the use of beheading as execution.
Nitey-nite, children. Sleep well!
<><
Jeff, good to hear from you although, perhaps, not under these circumstances. I will keep you in prayer. Please let us know how things go from time to time - have faith in the Lord!
Kathy,
Wait a minute. I thought we were going from front to back. Gen-Rev.
If we start skipping around we'll dance in circles again. Do-C-Do!
Or back to front. (That's how I read a mag.)
Lisa
Jordan's Legal Jihad
The Erosion of Free Speech
Just thought that since some of you were talking about beheadings right before going to bed last night, and that really cracked me up when Jim said “nighty nite children,” that I happened to find some interesting stuff out there last week and will try to paste it here since I dont know how to do the link thing. First off, there is a conference coming up in Florida. http://www.noahidenations.com/ Also, check this out:
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/126662 and
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/90646
Anyone here of this before? Strange stuff but feel it has a lot to do with implementing the noahide law. Here is a little of what I found: The Seven Noahide laws are general commandments with many details. Transgressing any one of them is considered such a breach in the natural order that the offender incurs the death penalty. Apart from a few exceptions, the death sentence for a Ben Noach is Sayif, death by the sword / decapitation, the least painful of the four modes of execution of criminals (see the Rambam's Hilchos Melachim 9:14). (The four methods of capital punishment in Torah are: S’kilah - Stoning; S’rifah - Burning; Hereg - Decapitation; Henek - Strangulation.) The many formalities of procedure essential when the accused is an Israelite need not be observed in the case of the Noachite. The latter may be convicted on the testimony of one witness, even on that of relatives, but not on that of a woman. He need have had no warning from the witnesses; and a single judge may pass sentence on him (Sanhedrin 57a, b; Rambam, Hilchos Melakim 9:14).
Rememeber what it says:
Revelation 20:4
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Also what G. H. Bush said:
A new partnership of nations has begun, and we stand today at a unique and extraordinary moment. The crisis in the Persian Gulf, as grave as it is, also offers a rare opportunity to move toward an historic period of cooperation. Out of these troubled times, our fifth objective—a new world order—can emerge: A new era—freer from the threat of terror, stronger in the pursuit of justice and more secure in the quest for peace. An era in which the nations of the world, east and west, north and south, can prosper and live in harmony.
A hundred generations have searched for this elusive path to peace, while a thousand wars raged across the span of human endeavor, and today that new world is struggling to be born. A world quite different from the one we've known. A world where the rule of law supplants the rule of the jungle. A world in which nations recognize the shared responsibility for freedom and justice. A world where the strong respect the rights of the weak.
This is the vision that I shared with President Gorbachev in Helsinki. He and the other leaders from Europe, the gulf and around the world understand that how we manage this crisis today could shape the future for generations to come.
And also:
The U.S. Congress officially recognized the Noahide Laws in legislation which was passed by both houses. Congress and the President of the United States, George Bush, indicated in Public Law 102-14, 102nd Congress, that the United States of America was founded upon the Seven Universal Laws of Noah, and that these Laws have been the bedrock of society from the dawn of civilization. They also acknowledged that the Seven Laws of Noah are the foundation upon which civilization stands and that recent weakening of these principles threaten the fabric of civilized society, and that justified preoccupation in educating the Citizens of the United States of America and future generations is needed. For this purpose, this Public Law designated March 26, 1991 as Education Day, U.S.A.
The seven Noahide laws, by which Gentiles are bound according to Torah law and which are being accepted by increasing numbers of non-Jews, are the following:
1. Belief in one God; No idol worship
2. Respecting God; Do not blaspheme His Name
3. Respec for human life; Do not murder
4. Respect for family; Do not commit immoral sexual acts
5. Respect for others rights; Do not steal
6. Creation of a judicial system
7. Respect all creatures; Do not eat live animals or be cruel to them
Bottom line is the preferred method of punishment concerning the breaking of the above laws, is beheading! I have not read too deep into all of this, but you might find some very interesting things that will bring in the OWG in mho. Your thoughts.
-Jeff
Sorry, it looks like that conference has already taken place at the end of last month.
-Jeff
7. Respect all creatures; Do not eat LIVE animals or be cruel to them.
SAY WHAT????
Was there really that big of a problem with this, they felt the need to command NOT to do it?
Oh yuck! :-O
Jeff - looks good, will check out the links when I get a moment.
Thanks,
Jeff,
Just this morning I started in on these "Noahide" laws from someone who mentioned them on Joel R's site. Then I saw your post!
Here is more on the Noahide Laws Note that the "Freemasons" are involved as well. They just keep poping up don't they?
I've been reading a Jewish prophesy book and the written and oral Torah is mentioned quite a bit. Then This Link explaines the difference between the Scribes and Pharisees well.
And-I also was not aware of the "Hebrew Roots Movement." The unification of all religions-and how this could be done-as Jews view the Gentiles & "Righteous Gentiles" as one lump group if they follow the Noahide laws.
So the temple being for all religons- the Jews & Gentile Noahides-is starting to make some sense here.
"Judaism maintains that the righteous of all nations have a place in the world to come. This has been the majority rule since the days of the Talmud. Judaism generally recognizes that Christians and Moslems worship the same G-d that we do and those who follow the tenets of their religions can be considered righteous in the eyes of G-d. "
Hereis someone who has pieced this together already.
Kathy
I'm sorry but I don't think the some of the verses actually support your contention eg The Ephesians verse talks about salvation being a gift of God not faith-the "it" grammatically does not refer to faith but salvation. I have also never heard that verse interpreted by any preacher or commentator ever in any other fashion. That the it refers grammatically to salvation and not faith is based on the fact that salvation is based on grace not works. The subject of the whole sentence is salvation and the means of salvation not faith.
some of the other verses I do suggest that our faith initally comes from God however some of your verses could only be used to support your contention vaguely such as the acts phillipians verse you quote. i would need to see each in the context of the rest of the verses I think to come to the same conclusion as you.
We have "faith" in a lot of different stuff-physical laws of gravity, that the lights will come on when we flip the switch etc so I don't think you'll ever convince me that man is not capable of some faith apart from God. Many have faith in false gods such as Allah and Buddha and contrary to the popular song of the Imperials-many have given their lives for a lie. They also have faith albeit a false faith. So if mankind is not capable of any faith where does their false faith come from?
The Romans 3:10 verse I more interpret that we are incapable of doing anything to earn our salvation as none of our works will ever measure up to what God decrees works should be to earn salvation. I do believe man is unregenerate from birth but I don't know that I'm completely sold on the total depravity of man. The bible says our righteousness are as filthy rags in God's sight which i would take to mean that we ARE capable of doing righteous things it just isn't enough to merit God's favor.
One of the notions that I find interesting is that people seem to forget that mankind was created in the likeness of God. We are currently imperfect beings, fallen in nature but I don't think that means that we don't currently possess still some facets of our likeness to God.
Hoppin down the bunny trail-Hippty Hoppity-Here I go Again!
(There is alot of info on this site)
Jim C
you are one sick twisted freak as Glenn Beck likes to say. Good thing I didn't read that last night I would have had nightmares.
Lisa
what I find interesting about the oral traditions of Judaism is that some of them appear to be contrary to actual scripture. For example Jews take great pride in the fact that they think God wants them to be argumentative with Him I think in part based on Abraham and Job but the I think the scripture clearly says that obedience and a humble heart are preferred by God.
That they can believe Allah and Jehovah would likely be consistent with their past history of following after other god's other than Jehovah and forgetting that He is a jealous God.
On a side note. I am just finishing my inital read of Dr Frucht's footsteps of the Messiah and one of the things that I have come away realzing is that viewing God as a God of wrath based on the OT is wrong. I am reading the section on Israel's regeneration based on different covenants and many of the verses used in conjuction with the prophetic implications and fullfillment of the various covenants are about the fact that God loves Israel so much that even though He is going to punish them He will not forsake them and will eventually restore them. Each and every passage refers to how much God loves His people and not just once either.
Jib,
I hesitated about putting in the Philippians reference. I think the other references give overwhelming evidence as to the origination of faith.
Everyone exercises faith, the ability to believe or trust in something. I understand saving faith, the ability to believe the gospel message and submit to it, as part of the gift of salvation. Men are required to believe for salvation, even that faith is part of the gift of God which saves and cannot be exercised by one’s own power. Spiritual deadness requires God’s power to believe in the gospel message and submit to it. Why do I include submitting to the gospel message as part of faith? It’s because of what Paul told the Romans…1:5: “through whom (Jesus Christ our Lord), we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles, for His name’s sake…” Paul refers to “obedience of faith” at the end of his letter to the Romans also. Faith that does not manifest itself in obedient living is worthless. (James 2) I really like James MacDonald’s definition of faith. You’ve already heard it from me before. “Faith is believing the Word of God, and acting on it, no matter how I feel, because God promises a good result.”
Lisa,
After we are finished discussing faith and where it originates from I think it would be good to go to Genesis and look at the call of Abraham.
Gotta run...
This is probably the best utube clip re: Miracles happening from Evil Sources posed as Christian.
Great testimony.
End Times Deception
More on Bentley
This site has great Utube clips but be sure to watchIs mocking the Holy Spirit with foolishness funny? and make sure you have the tissue box handy.
Jib, Shalom! What can I say: My dad shared coroner duties with the other two doctors in town. This is nothing compared to the discussions my dad had with my two brothers who were finishing medical school. I remember watching murder mysteries with my dad and having him say, "Oh, that's not right! If that person had really been killed that way he would have had this and this. And if you REALLY wanted to kill someone you have to do that in this way."
And Lisa: Puh-LEEEASE! Police Forces In Iowa Are Reported To Be Breaking Into Homes Using Flood Disaster As The Pretext! (From your "Here I Go Again" link -- which, BTW, is headlines only. YOu have to buy a subscription to read the articles.) Oh, for the love of Mike! The closest anything like that to happen was the one guy in that one photo. People were expecting to be able to get into their homes, but overnight they discovered toxic chemicals in the water in that area, so the city withdrew the permission. People were frustrated, and one guy decided to force his way in with his pickup truck. When the police tried to wave him off, he started "bumping" the police with his truck. I don't know about where you live, but in Iowa that constitutes assault with a deadly weapon. In that case, the police are REQUIRED to draw their weapons and use whatever force necessary to remove the guy from the truck before he can hurt anybody. As for breaking in without a warrant, there was a mandatory evacuation order involving areas beyond the 500-year flood plain. People simply didn't believe they were in danger, even though the floodwaters were only 100 feet away and getting closer. The police could either use force to move the people out, or let them stay in danger and then risk several people's lives rescuing them later.
<><
Shalom, all! With all the seriousness going on lately, I wanted to lighten things up a little. This is a real Coke commercial, but I don't think it aired in the US.
Catholic Coke
<><
Jim C.
Then your going to love this one:
They are going to x-ray your clothes off at the AIRPORT
Jim C.
Thanks alot for that Catholic Coke commercial! I just had to repent!
(That priest was toooo sexy.)
Interesting videos on Answers in Genesis
Jim
you wicked wicked man!
Sorry Kathy
I think you're still off base with the Ephesians passage because faith is not the subject of the sentence-salvation is. Salvation is by grace through faith and a gift not of works-the verse grammatically doesn't refer to faith as the gift in question.
So your position is that people can have enough faith in their beliefs to the point of death and killing others because they think they will be rewarded for it by their god, a faith that obviously isn't of the true God, but that it is completely impossible for someone to have faith in the true God without God giving the faith to them? Where do the people with the wrong faith get their faith? I would think that if people can have the capacity to believe so wrongly in something to the point that they are willing to die or be killed solely from within themselves that people should also have the capability to believe truth as well.
I don't think infant baptism saves and don't approve for lack of a better word but given our recent debates on predestination and Calvinism I was really struck at our pastor's daughter's infant baptism at how much infant baptism is in some ways a logical outgrowth of pure Calvinism. The Presby church doesn't believe that baptism saves but confirms the child's place as one of the elect. They still believe that the child needs to make a personal decision for Christ at some point but that the infant baptism begins a life long process of salvation. Their feeling is that if the child is part of God's elect then the timing of baptism is not relevant since they are part of the elect. I don't happen to agree but that's a different story.
Lisa and Jib;
I just LUV the expression on the girl's face when he turns around wearing his Roman collar! He is what Catholic girls call "Father What-A-Shame"!
<><
Jib,
Here is some more info on where infant Baptism originated-In Babylon
(The one postive about being a JW is that I had studied Babylonian practices quite extensively-It's starting to come back to me now.)
Jib,
Yes, that is my position. 2 Cor. 4:3,4 tells us the gospel is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ...
Those outside of Christ are spiritually dead and the gospel is veiled to them because Satan has blinded their minds. Under those circumstances, how can someone believe the gospel unless God sovereignly moves in on their behalf and gives them the power to believe the truth? Isn’t that exactly what He did with Paul? He granted salvation to Paul when Paul wasn’t even seeking Him. And it was Paul that wrote so many times about being chosen by God, that none seek after God, that the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, and that we are spiritually dead in our trespasses and sins. People believe in false gods and kill for them because they are blinded and deceived by the very god they think they are serving.
Some might not be as bad as others but we were all just as bad off, until God sovereignly moved on our behalf, bringing about the circumstances for us to hear the gospel and then granting us the power to believe.
Peter wrote: “…seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness…”
Everything is one of those 100% words…it would include the power to believe the gospel, wouldn’t it? Just two verses prior to this one Peter says he’s writing “to those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
Wishing everyone a Happy 4th.
thanks for the info on the origins of infant baptism! I have often wondered where the practice came from. I was baptised as an infant as were my children. Of my five grandchildren, only one was baptised as an infant, the others were 'dedicated'. I can't find scriptural support for infant baptism, and never knew how it started.
Jamie
It is with great sadness for me to report that the little girl I asked for prayers about the other day was found dead.
The sick details about it all have been emerging and people in this state are just sickened by it all.
The alleged killer could get the death penalty, if convicted.
He had been in jail before, and in my opinion should never have been let out, as society has to be protected from certain people.
God allowed this all to take place for some reason.
Maybe to show people what a terrible world this is...and that there is a better world ahead.
I hope and pray he softens people's hearts and leads them to Him and I hope He comes back soon...like now!
c
To my American brothers and sisters,
Have a very happy 4th of July and may G_d bless you all and your country!
Yours in Christ
jeri.
Here are two really good talks from Perry Stone if you have not seen them.
One is the "Rebirth of Maranatha.(Maranatha is the name of my CA church) The main points of interest are HOW the "Kingdom Now" belief and "Replacement Theology" started and WHY. Very,Very,Good!
He touches on the "rapture, catching up" but it was not clear to me whether he was referring to pre-trib or just the 2nd coming. (I thought he was pre-trib but from the speech I couldn't tell.)
The 2nd video:” The Mystery of Gog the Invader"-really clears something up for me since I kept Gog in my mind as an "actual person." But then @ the end of Revelation "Gog" shows up again & we know from the details it's not the same war.
Perry shows you why he believes Gog (meaning "darkness) is a "prince and principality" ruling that area. Since he is one of Satan's commanders-he is able to eventually return for another round.
Lisa
1-while I don't disagree that infant baptism is not found in scripture the "doctrine" of the age of accountability isn't scriptural either.
2-As I stated, infant baptism as a MEANS of salvation IS NOT TAUGHT in the Presbyterian church-they believe it confirms the child as one of the elect but make it VERY CLEAR that the child STILL must make a PERSONAL decision and confession of faith. It is in effect a logical conclusion of strict calvinism.
3-With the exception of Baptists, Brethern, Amish and Mennonite nearly all other denominations practice infant baptism. The whole infant baptism thing appears to be courtesy of the RCC (sorry Jim). There have been some folks who feel that some of the practices of the RCC are rooted in Babylonian Paganism so it wouldn't surprise me to learn that infant baptism would come from there as well.
So Kathy
Yes Satan blinds people to God's truth so that they can't see that they have FAITH in an error. Where do these people then get their faith or their ability to have faith in an error?
I still submit that logically if people can have such faith in error there must be an inherent ability to have faith in the unseen in people.
I have never been a member of a church that practices infant baptism. I do know that many folks who don't believe in infant baptism also don't understand or appreciate the perspective of those that do. I know some Presbyterian denominations (there are different denominations that refer to themselves as Presbyterian) practice infant baptism and others don't.
I think the following explanation is done with grace and is worth reading no matter which perspective you or the fellowship you currently attends practice. Be sure to check out the outline I linked to at the end
Infant Baptism
Occasionally Christians will discuss baptism and confidently proclaim that infant baptism isn't a biblically valid concept. This may or may not be the case, but what concerns me most about the topic is not so much whether a person believes or disbelieves in infant baptism. The concern is that those who condemn it often do so in such a way as to show little grace and in their condemnation they inadvertently aid in bringing division in the body of Christ by encouraging a subliminal or even deliberate negative reaction against infant baptism and those Christians who hold to it.
Those who say that they know infant baptism is not true because it is not recorded in the Bible, have made a potentially fundamental error in biblical examination. The doctrine of the Trinity, as an example, is not explicitly laid out in the Scriptures, yet Christians believe in it. Why? because it is systematically arrived at. Now, let's look at the possibility of infant baptism. But first understand that I am not trying to convince anyone in this paper that infant baptism is a biblical truth. What I'm trying to do is convince you, if you don't believe in it, that there is a sound reason for accepting infant baptism (not for salvation but as a covenant sign). I am concerned more with a person understanding the argument, and if they disagree, fine. But, they should outright reject it without first hearing a defense of it. This is important because it helps bring unity in the body of Christ when we see that others we disagree with have rational reasons for their beliefs. Furthermore, this opens us up to the possibility of being wrong ourselves on a position and encourages us to be more gracious with those who disagree with us.
I have produced an outline laying out an argument for infant baptism. If you want to understand the argument quickly, than just read the points in bold.
Outline of doctrinal and theological basis for infant baptism"
Also, be sure to read his closing remarks about why the author thought it valuable to post this.
Jim G.
Lisa, Shalom! Thanks for posting the VOE links. This entire past week every time I've tried to access their site I'd get a message that they were having site problems, and I couldn't download anything. I need to take the time to review the prophecy update videos, then watch the latest two.
Jib, Shalom! FWIW, the early Church (which WAS the RCC) didn't practice infant baptism. IN fact, in the early church (before Constantine's Edict of Tolerance), baptism wasn't performed until the catechumenant had been a believer for several years. The Church leaders wanted to be sure the new Christians had fully rejected their pagan upbringings and were willing, ready, and able to lead Christian lives. This sometimes lead to people being martyred who had professed Christianity but were not yet baptized. The result of this lead to the doctrine of the three forms of Baptism: Baptism by Water, Baptism by Fire (martyrdom), and Baptism by Desire (covering those who had professed Christianity but died of natural causes before they could be baptized.)
There had been several declarations of toleration by previous emperors which were usually revoked upon the emperor's death; however, the Edit of Toleration by Constantine was reinforced by his mother's conversion (St. Helena) and by his own baptism on his deathbed. Within a generation, persecutions by the Imperial Government had ceased, and Christians were openly practicing their religion and even taking over old governmental buildings for their churches. (The traditional layout of Christian Churches comes from how these Roman government buildings had been constructed.) With the growth of a Christian (Catholic) culture, the majority of Christians didn't need to worry about being martyred for their beliefs, and you had the growth of Christian families, where the children were born to Christian parents, who in turn had been born of Christian parents. In this culture, where the children could be guaranteed of being raised in a Christian environment and where there was a high infant mortality rate, the practice of infant baptism became more frequent until it became the norm.
Also, the "age of accountability" is implicit in Scripture, in the Bar Mitzvah ceremony. Being Mitzva'd means being declared a man, which meant being responsible, or accountable, for your actions.
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I think every church I have attended has practiced "baby dedication". I'm not opposed to this. I was dedicated as a child and my wife and I had our precious son (the handsome boy in the pic) dedicated Father's Day 2007.
I think it is good to publicly commit to raising our children according to the ways of the Lord and to ask for the prayers and support of our brothers and sisters in Christ. The only Scriptural basis that I have ever seen for "baby dedications" though is the example in the Bible of Hannah. She brought Samuel to the Temple and dedidicated Him to the Lord.
I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD." And he worshiped the LORD there. 1 Samuel 1:27-28
I've always found it a bit of a stretch to conclude that this Scripture means we should practice baby dedications today. As I said, I believe that baby dedications are good. I also think they may stem from a desire that folks had to have some sort of spiritual ceremony or sacrament for these precious one's the Lord entrust to us.
I also like the idea contained in both practices (infant baptism AND baby dedications) that these children are being acknowledged as part of the family of God. We are our brother's keeper and both the parents and the child need our support as we endevour to encourage one another in the Lord.
Jim G.
Happy 4th of July!!!
God Bless the USA
This news is a few months old but still worth reading. Very brief but thought provoking:
Andrew Strom is Leaving Us—Not Having Seen the Revival Come
Jim G.
Jim G.
I was just reading Samuel last night & this very passage!
"I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD." And he worshiped the LORD there. 1 Samuel 1:27-28
She REALLY dedicated her child to the Lord and I mean-after he was weaned she LEFT him @ the temple to be taught @ rasied there.
This was the promise she made if God would grant her desire of having a male child. Then He blessed her with I think 6 more children after that.
We also "dedicate" babies @ our Church & start to baptize @ around 6 yrs of age & up.
In fact I'm going back to SD in Aug because Lorraine wants to be baptized in the ocean-she's 7. I also decided to get re-baptized w/her because I was origionally baptized as a JW. I don't know if it really makes a difference & thought quite a bit about it-but why not. At least it shows I'm re-dedicated & sets a good example.(Those friends of mine & my daughter are coming too!)
On another point of infant baptism.
I don't have harsh feelings regarding it one way or another.
I can tell you though from my personal childhood experience being raised around a Catholic & Lutheran influence-I was never baptized & had a dreadful fear of going to hell if I died-because of that very doctrine. My parents were not Christians but sent me to a Catholic school for 1yr & Lutheran school for 4 years. I was always the "outlaw". The one who was not baptized and whose parents did not attend church. Yet thankfully through this Christian influence I grew a deep love for the Lord.
That being said, I do have a grave concern for some of the traditions of men which have been brought into our Christian Churches.
Especially when it steams from pagan sources whether ancient or contemporary.
The bottom line is I find that God HATES these pagan-Satanically inspired rituals mixed into the worship of His body of Christ. Just as He hated it mixed into the worship of the Jews under the Law.
God's nature does not change. If you know He doesn't approve of something and considers it an abomination-would you continue to practice it or even over look it?
How much He hates it- I fear to find out.
If you read about the church of Thyatira(Continual sacrifice) in Rev 2-Jesus is out to judge (His feet like fine brass)this Church which has adopted pagan inspired doctrine into her Christian doctrine. He has so many good things to say about her:
works,love,service, faith & patience. You would think this Church is set-no problems. But come to find out-unless they repent of this pagan influence-He is going to cast her into a sickbed (Hell) and those who go along with her will have to endure the Tribulation. He mentions many have not practiced these doctrines from Satan so He tells them to hold fast until He comes. And the others who overcome (during the Trib) and keep His works (what is acceptable to Christ) until the end will be saved & blessed.
I don't have a personal animosity toward Catholic,Lutherans,Presby,
and the general Body of Christ.
I'm just telling you what I fear to be truth. Which is God's nature does not change and He will not accept Babylonian pagan inspired doctrine, New Age doctrine, or any other demonically inspired influence. It ticks Him off.
If a church adopts some of these things God is patient and gives some time to repent. If they don't find their error (which I'm sure He sends warnings) then watch out-your going to get it.
And personally I don't want to be in that category so as far as I'm concerned-the simpler and more Biblically based (non man-tradition) Church you can find the better. And if you can't find one then get out & have a house church or worship solo if you have to.
With all the crazy doctrine and bizarre teachings infiltrating our Churches right now-it's a wonder there is something left to attend.
I wish I could skip around 'fa,la,la' on the daises and not worry about it. My conscience is telling me otherwise.
Am I the ONLY one here who feels led to follow Him @ the root level and stear away from man's tradition inspired/pagan inspired doctrine?
If I am then maybe I am certifiable. (That means loony bin material)
This is a heart felt burdon that I feel an unction to share.(So far I've been repressing it as I don't enjoy upsetting anyone.)
Look, I'm no different than anyone else. Here I'm contending with Rick Warren, The Shack, and Blast your ears out-repetitious worship. The basic Sunday message is still Biblically based-but how long do you think that will last? If they don't turn around and repent -He will give them over to their desires of this subtle New Age message & it will eventually affect all this Church's teachings.
I'm just waiting for the Holy Spirit to tell me to leave. Why I have not sensed that I should yet? Don't know. Is it for Hubby? Someone else? Me?
All I can tell you is that I'm trusting in Him to tell me when-and when He says it-I'm gone. Maybe I'm suppose to stay until we move back to CA.Just don't have the answer-yet.
Do I hate this Church? No.In fact I really like the pastor. But- I also God does not look favorably upon His shepherds when they mislead the flock. And when the shepherd goes down-most of the flock will go down w/him.
Joel's July 2, 2008 includes the following quote taken from an ABC News story by Jonathan Karl:
...The second red line is connected to when Iran acquires the SA-20 air defense system it is buying from Russia. The Israelis may want to strike before that system -- which would make an attack much more difficult -- is put in place.
If Israel does this, can anyone see how Russia and Iran might want to gang up on Israel? Don't get me wrong, I can see why Israel should be extremely concerned about a nuclear armed Iran and would want to act preemptively in self-defense.
Jim G.
Lisa,
I appreciate those thoughtful comments. I really appreciate and am inspired by your passion to serve the Lord with your whole heart and not to compromise. I think He asks that of all of us.
I do think the Lord judges our hearts more than outward actions. So, for those who practice infant baptism and are ignorant of any potential pagan origins and they do it with a clear conscience, I think the Lord is gracious and merciful and will not hold things done in ignorance against them.
Of course, ultimately, He reveals himself to us through nature if nothing else. All who fail to yield to Him will be held accountable for that failure and refusal to acknowledge their Creator.
One comment you made that does concern me a bit is where you wrote:
And if you can't find one [a church that teaches and practices what the Bible says] then get out & have a house church or worship solo if you have to.
I don't see any Biblical basis for worshipping solo (at least not in the NT). I think the Lord makes it very clear that we should not forsake regular fellowship (Heb. 10:25). That's a dangerous road to go down. We learn from one another and we need one another.
Anyway, like I said, I love your passion for the Lord. It is inspiring and He definitely speaks through you among others here at the cave! God bless and keep those words coming, especially when you feel the Holy Spirit leading you to say something.
Jim G.
"Am I the ONLY one here who feels led to follow Him @ the root level and stear away from man's tradition inspired/pagan inspired doctrine?"
Lisa - you are not the only one. I do not attend church for this very reason.
Jib,
Every person lives by natural faith. What do I mean by that? We trust our water is not contaminated when we turn on the tap. We trust our money is safe in the bank. We trust the bridge will not collapse that we are driving across. We submit to a surgeon’s scalpel by faith. Life is a constant series of acts of faith. The capacity for faith is created in each of us. Spiritual faith is very different from natural faith. Natural trust comes by natural birth. Spiritual trust comes from God. I think it is incorrect to say those outside of Christ exercise true, spiritual faith. They have a belief system they follow, whether it be in themselves, in Buddha, or in Allah, but they do not exercise true, spiritual faith. According to Ephesians 2:2, those in the state of spiritual death, the only walking or living a person can do is “according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.” Those outside of Christ follow the leadership and design of Satan. Paul says in Eph. 2:5 that when we were dead in our transgressions God made us alive together with Christ. How does God make the spiritually dead person made alive? Eph. 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.” Our response in salvation is faith, but even that is not of ourselves. It is the gift of God. I do believe this verse is saying our faith is a gift. Faith is nothing we do in our own power or by our own resources. We don’t have adequate power or resources in the first place! God doesn’t want us to rely on our power anyway. Then we could boast.
The president of the flagship seminary of the Southern Baptist Convention is providing a Christian response to the four leading proponents of atheism.
Universalism -- the end of Christian influence
Kathy,
If we look at how the word "gift" is used most everywhere else in the NT, it doesn't ever appear to refer to faith being a gift. It seems to be used in reference to the gift of God, the gift of grace, the gift of the Holy Spirit but not the gift of faith.
Lexicon Results for dōron (Strong's G1435)
See also
Lexicon Results for dōrea (Strong's G1431)
Salvation seems to me to be the gift to which Scripture refers so often. The root word means "a present."
From my perspective, you interpret this passage to essentially be saying that God gives just some a present (faith) so that those can obtain another present (salvation) and that man's free will nothing to do with any of it. Wouldn't you agree that the most precious relationships are not forced commitments. I think a much more straightforward and unstrained understanding of Scripture is to see faith as something that God asks all people to exercise. He wouldn't demand of dead people something that they can't produce. God is compassionate and just. If faith is arbitrarily dispensed by God to some and not to others, that does not seem to align with Jesus who had such compassion on all and died for the sins of all.
Faith (as opposed to works) is the means by which salvation (the gift or present) is received.
To be honest, before I dug deeper tonight I always assumed that the gift that Ephesians 2:8 was referring to was faith. I simply assumed that it was a capacity that God granted (and it may be) but that we could choose to use it in response to the Holy Spirit convicting and revealing truth or we could let it sit idle.
That may or may not be true but that does not appear to be what this passage is talking about when it refers to the gift of God.
Ephesians 2:8 says that the grace of God is the gift. God's grace is evident everywhere in our lives. It precedes us exercising faith and it continues to operate in our lives even after we enter into relationship with Christ. Remember how the Lord told Paul "My grace is sufficient for thee." The problem Paul was struggling with when the Lord said that to him was not salvation.
Amazing grace. How sweet the sound. Not amazing faith, how sweet the sound.
Jim G.
I found these Scriptures (and commentary) posted elsewhere. They're on point IMO.
“When the righteous turneth AWAY (free will/choice) from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he LIVE (OSAS??) ALL HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT HE HATH DONE SHALL NOT BE REMEMBERED: IN HIS TRESPASS THAT HE HATH TRESPASSED, AND IN HIS SIN THAT HE HATH SINNED, IN THEM HE SHALL DIE.” Ezekial 18:24
EZEKIAL IS NOT “OLD TESTAMENT LAW! OR ONLY FOR THE JEWS.” EZEKIAL IS ONE OF GOD’S PROPHETS THAT CAME BEFORE!
“HEED THE PROPHETS THAT CAME BEFORE.” 2 Peter 3:2
Jim G,
I see faith included as God's gift when He saves us. It is obedience that He desires after we've been gifted with faith. And when we choose not to be obedient He has a way of dealing with it! Read chapter 9 of Romans and tell me if you then see man as having free will. I don't see it. As I said before, I couldn't have chosen Him because of my deadness. Having been gifted with faith and now understanding all the blessings bestowed on me, I praise God He made me alive. My heart leaps with joy! I don't look at it as forcing but as His wonderful mercy and grace. I can't thank Him enough!
Jim G,
I need to turn in. Big day tomorrow. A wedding shoot and my anniversary. I probably won't be checking back in till Monday.
I'll have to pick this up with you then.
Have a great weekend.
Kathy
WHAT IS THE "GIFT OF GOD"?
A Study of Ephesians 2:8-9
I just posted on my blog a link to an excellent teaching video I stumbled upon dealing with OSAS.
Jim G.
Kathy,
Happy Anniversary!
I'm getting ready to go to sign off as well. Before I forget to ask you though...
You wrote:
Having been gifted with faith and now understanding all the blessings bestowed on me, I praise God He made me alive. My heart leaps with joy! I don't look at it as forcing but as His wonderful mercy and grace.
Is it your position that there are some people that Jesus did not die for and that God does not want to save?
Jim G.
Justification by Faith and Justification by Works DID JAMES CONTRADICT PAUL?
DOES REGENERATION
PRECEDE FAITH?
Lisa, Alesia - I feel the same way about the church I've been a member of all my life. Last year I began worshiping at Harvest Bible Chapel, where the Truth is preached every Sunday.
Jamie
I have an update since my last prayer request, I can never keep it short and simple :-). Concerning Deanna, I am irritated to no end about her making contact with my daughter. I somehow wonder if I want any type of relationship with Deanna after all. And to tell the truth, knowing the things that I do, wonder if anyone can see it the way I do or get my youngest to either. You all may think I am harsh, and would love any of your thoughts, but feel that allowing her to come back in my life may not be the best thing right now. Somehow having a relationship behind my back with my youngest, but can't seem to communicate with me, just does not seem right. I will try to explain. I have always thought that her thinking patterns have been off from day one. Her boy friend at the time diagnosed her as having BPD-Borderline Personality Disorder (unofficial I might add). Over the last 2 years, I have studied up on mental illness from everything from BPD to socialpathic tendencies, to MPD(multi-personality disorder as with her mom-8 in all), to Narcissism. As I look at this families lifestyles, replies, comments, reactions and their dealings, I can't help but to ask myself where do I fit into all of this. I felt God has allowed this to happen for one reason only, to share the gospel with them and reach out to them with the truth. The mental illness is one thing, but try to couple this with an occult background, as with her and her boyfriend at the time, and I feel that there is a perfect storm brewing in the disguise of a major satanic attack on my family.
I have tried to sit my youngest to help her see it my way. She wants me to reveal to her all the things that have happened surrounded by the things that may have led to a relationship that has come to nothing. I don't think I have to reveal anything to my youngest at all, but only want her to trust me on this one. I want my youngest to drop all contact with her, as my oldest has already messaged her three times so far. I suggested to my youngest my thoughts as to how she might want to respond to Deanna, but she does not agree with me. She said she would not respond to her messages, but don't know if she will be telling me the truth. I don't know if I can do anything legally. Deanna, has kept her where abouts a secret along with her boyfriends last name, and her pregnancy. After doing an investigative search for his last name and their address, I'm almost ready to send my last letter with material, in which it will be truthful, loving, and I also want to expose some of things that are going on in the world as to the end time scenario's with Damascus, gog ma-gog, signs of the times stuff. I also feel that we are close to the rapture and want to send along some survival infor as to what to expect. Does anyone know what words I could use without coming across rude or harsh to help Deanna know, that it is not good to continue to reach out to my youngest at least at this time? I'm sorry for this long post too.
My son has been fighting our discipline with him all along with his stubbornness and prideful attitude towards us, his parents. We took his computer away and all his fireworks (he bought the fireworks with his own money), but up until last night, we all came to an agreement in which we got him to sign it and hopefully abide by. We then gave him his fire works back. The agreement is that he is to watch 10 hours of “they sold their souls for rock and roll”, along with a few others like “the pale blue dot” and some of Pastor Steve Hadley's stuff concerning signs in the heavens, and a few others. (i am such a mean dad!) Has anyone ever heard of any of these things? (very good stuff) I feel that these things would impact him I hope from someone else than to hear it from me. Please pray for him as we go through all of these dvd's and have an impact on him toward the things of God. Perhaps he will turn his life over to God? He also knows that in the agreement, if we find drugs again, he will be force out of our home. Anyway, I am sorry for such a long updated prayer request and again appreciate all of your prayers.
-Jeff
Mac
the article on what is the gift says it all-fabulous article, well written. Truthfully, I had never heard that there was another view other than salvation being the gift of God until this conversation. They also feel that man has the capability for faith intrinsic in him.
Kathy,
My own experience is that devout people of other faiths do have a real spiritual faith even if it is erroneous. One need only look to Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses to see that. As a doc I have to deal the with latter and the latter are pretty adamant about no blood products even to save their lives and they really mean it. I have seen JW's die from something they didn't need to die from because they wouldn't take blood. I saw a Hindu student of mine say a prayer to one of his gods (don't remember which) before a meal. We have muslims blowing up people of other faiths because they think they get an extra reward from Allah and virgins in paradise if they do so. They have a real faith it just doesn't happen to be in the right direction. The article Mac posted about what is the gift talks about man being commanded to believe-which would mean that we already have that capability. For my part I think it is a created capability which we then apply and live out. Satan uses this for his benefit in directing it in wrong directions.
Jim C
Interesting that you should bring up the point about the Bar Mitzvah. I really truly expected Dr Frucht is his reply on what happens to kids in the rapture to bring this up as a scriptural example since he is a Messianic Jew and teaches at Dallas Theological. He didn't. In fact he is one who says that there is absolutely no scripture that supports an age of accountability doctrine. how odd.
Jim G
we had our son dedicated-the Presby pastor at that time would do either. It was essentially the same ceremony without the Baptism.
Lisa
I agree-do not forsake going to church. I did for a time because I had this wonderful foundation, didn't need to be faithful and go and ended up straying really far from God. on another note-no Christmas tree, presents, Easter bunnies at your house? nearly all of what we do at Christmas and Easter for celebrations is based to an extent on the pagan.
oh and Kathy
happy anniversary and many more!
Kathy, Shalom to you and yours! May the rest of your years of marriage be happier than the ones before!
(That's either a hope or a blessing; take it as you please!)
:-)
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Jib, Shalom! You wrote:
Interesting that you should bring up the point about the Bar Mitzvah. I really truly expected Dr Frucht is his reply on what happens to kids in the rapture to bring this up as a scriptural example since he is a Messianic Jew and teaches at Dallas Theological. He didn't. In fact he is one who says that there is absolutely no scripture that supports an age of accountability doctrine. how odd.
Not really. Dr. Frucht is going by sola scripta, and there is nothing in Scripture that explicitly talks about Bar Mitzvah when the male becomes thirteen years old. It's an adulthood ceremony, not prescribed by G_D in scripture, but obviously a major part of Jewish culture. Non-scriptural sources from years before the birth of Christ mention it or describe it. It's such an ingrained part of Jewish faith and life that when Luke describes Jesus staying behind at the Temple after the feast of Passover, Luke makes a point of stating that Jesus was twelve years old. Before the age of 13, kids (including boys) were under the mother's care. After being mitzvah'd at 13, the boys become the father's responsibility. When traveling in groups, the men and the women (with the children) walked separately. At age 12, Jesus could have been traveling either with the women or the men -- that's why they didn't realize he was missing until they stopped for the night.
So while the mitzvah ceremony wasn't prescribed in scripture, it was certainly traditional and so traditional it was assumed that the readers would know and assume it would happen.
(See?! This is why Catholics don't hold with "sola scripta"! A whole set of cultural and religious activities that are summarized in calling someone "a faithful Jew", yet since everyone knows what that means no one writes it down! Centuries of Torah commentary on being mitzvah'd, commentary that Jesus would know and work into His sermons either to support or reject, which are rejected because the commentary isn't part of scripture! Oy, veh!)
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Shalom, all! A little something for people who may feel discouraged from time to time about G_D's love:
GOD'S DIVINE PURPOSE IS NOT JUDGEMENT - DONT LET SATAN DISCOURAGE YOU - its a lie!
The meditation is on the first reading for today, Amos 9:11-15. My favorite quote from the meditation:
His real purpose for us is not judgment but restoration.
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Jim G.
I definitely agree t/this:
"I do think the Lord judges our hearts more than outward actions.” as that is what the Bible clearly states.
I don't have the answers as to whether or not He is so displeased if one attends a church w/infant Baptism that He would want you to seek another Church for that reason.
But if it's eventually brought up to your heart-the best thing to do is ask in prayer what direction He wishes for you to take.
We are supposed to gather for fellowship as you stated. The Chinese trying to meet in house churches & small gatherings & are being arrested and threatened. (As in other countries)
So although it not the "ideal" to go solo- imagine your self living in Babylon- Did Lot & his family worship w/the others because there was nothing else available? Or do you think they were solo? Eventually God told them to leave the city.
If your in America & located in a rural area (or not to rural) & there is no actual Church available which worships in Spirit & truth-then what do you do? Do you move? Or get together w/like minded believers?
Again-prayer and seeking His direction is in obvious order.
Thank the Lord for our fellowship on this Blog & the internet. We can find like minded believers. (At least for now-I wonder if we won't be shut out @ some point)Unless something radically changes-which if we are close to the end times as we think- it's only going to get worse, more deceptive, & apostate.
Jib,
The JW's were very anti-Easter,X-mas,B-days,etc..(I always thought that whole eating "blood" idea (by transfusion) went too far) And those holiday traditions do stem from Babylonian practices. Some Christians (non JW) don't feel good about them either.
Again-Just don't have an answer as to the extent of refraining from "anything" tainted with paganism. But-do you think we will carry on these traditions into the Millennium?
I know Halloween is really an obvious one and pagans love it to this day. This childhood “tradition” draws me to take the kids trick-or-treating. I remember how much I loved getting the candy as a child. Now I like to see the adults-especially grandmas & grandpa’s faces light up when the kids come by. Then in the Christian preschools they usually do some type of non-monster dress up parade as well. I guess it’s so the kids don’t feel left out of “society” & it’s cute to see them in their costumes? (I had an idea this year we could hand out “biblical tracs” and be pro-active as we went door to door. I think they make some especially for Halloween.)
It’s seems we as humans have a built-in need or desire for traditions & celebrations. God certainly provided quite a few Jewish Feasts and traditions. Then Christ came and what happened? The Gentiles & Jews didn’t have to follow the old law anymore. The Lord’s Supper was instituted. The Christians evangelized, spread out, and adopted with that many pagan rituals & doctrines along the way.
I’ve been going through the book of Judges & it says “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Kind of like humanism & what pervades our society today)
Throughout the book of Judges the Jews cried out, repented, God sent a judge (or leader) then they went back to idols & God left them. Over, and over, and over in continual generational cycles.
Chuck Smith has a good view on it.
“This man Micah collected gods for his house. Whenever we see idolatry, it tells us two things about the person. First of all, a person who collects idols has lost the consciousness of the presence of God. A person who lives in the consciousness and awareness of God doesn’t need an object to worship. Second, a person who collects idols inwardly desires the presence of God, which he has lost. His is trying to capture something of the reality of God.”
“Thus, people today who try to find meaning in the acquisition of material things are demonstrating their lack of awareness of God’s presence and their hidden desire for God’s presence. Sadly, they don’t realize what they are actually missing.”
(Although after all this study on Todd Bentley’s shenanigans and where is lead to Hindu, New Age, and other pagan sources- they ARE getting some “spiritual experiences” out of it. They don’t have the awareness of YHWH in their lives but they do have the presence & awareness of the god of this world. Which many Christians of course mistake it for the real thing.)
So do I celebrate Christmas & Easter along w/most unbelievers, pagans, & Christians? I do now. (Not when I was a JW) Am I thrilled with it? No. I do stress the biblical aspects to my kids as much as possible. (And have to explain away “Santa Claus” and Christ was not really born in December.) Will I continue to go with the flow? I don’t know that either. God usually doesn’t pounce everything on us all at once but rather molds us gently, gradually & lovingly. So there may come a time I’m convicted to go against the grain in the arena of these holidays.
Mac,
That James & Paul comparison was very good! Enlightening even!
Plus the Regeneration article. It aids to explain where this "gift of faith" before you can "believe" in Christ comes from.
If one just simply reads the Word I don't see how anyone could come up with such a conclusion. On the otherhand if someone has been taught to think this way-then I can understand how this could come about.
To me- there is just so much more motivation,optimism, and hope to know that "anyone" who opens the door when the Holy Spirit knocks can be convicted and saved & become a new creation in Christ.
I'm not walking around thinking to myself who's already been pre-chosen and "regenerated" or "faith gifted" @ some point in their life & my attemps to witness to the lost is one big crap shoot.
Am I speaking with an "elect" or am I not? If I'm not then I'm wasting my breath so I guess it's the chance I must take.
Bah Humbug.
Rev.Timothy Wright- Gospel Singer Car Accident
A comment from the link:
"My husband had JUST been with him at the AIM Convention in Detroit, so this was mortifying for me to hear about this, this morning.
His grandson that was traveling with them is currently brain dead, and their son David who was traveling in another car about 1 mile behind them on the road, pulled over when he approached the accident and ended up having a heart attack himself when the police informed him about his Mother and father.
Please keep them and the church family that they pastor lifted in prayer, the Gospel music world is in shock right now."
Tablet Ignites Debate on Messiah and Resurrection
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Obama's real religion
Quote from article:
"But if Obama gets the whole ignorant-of-history-and-world-affairs vote, he'll win by a landslide.
No, what troubles me most is what he said right after that, while campaigning in Oregon: "We can't drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times ... and then just expect that other countries are going to say OK."
"That's not leadership," Obama declared. "That's not going to happen."
What's not going to happen? Us continuing to drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes at 72 degrees? Or other nations saying OK? ......"
I've just been thinking about what may really happen after he gets elected. I don't want him elected but for some reason I think he will be. Mc Cain has not come on strong enough it doesn't seem.Obama may coast right into office unless we get bombed & people get scared & want a stronger U.S. presence.
Jim C.
Good article. Did you see the last statements?
Mr. Knohl said that it was less important whether Simon was the messiah of the stone than the fact that it strongly suggested that a savior who died and rose after three days was an established concept at the time of Jesus. He notes that in the Gospels, Jesus makes numerous predictions of his suffering and New Testament scholars say such predictions must have been written in by later followers because there was no such idea present in his day.
But there was, he said, and “Gabriel’s Revelation” shows it.
“His mission is that he has to be put to death by the Romans to suffer so his blood will be the sign for redemption to come,” Mr. Knohl said. “This is the sign of the son of Joseph. This is the conscious view of Jesus himself. This gives the Last Supper an absolutely different meaning. To shed blood is not for the sins of people but to bring redemption to Israel.”
What? You would think the lightbulb would go off. Instead we get this? "To shed blood is not for the sins of people but to bring redemption to Israel.”
Jim G.
I just read that Andrew Strom article.
Doesn't he realize the revival did come? It's just not the one he was envisioning-it's the Lakeland False Revival he's now written a book about.
It's like the Jews looking for Jesus as coming as a "King" but they found Him as a "Commoner" and would not recognize Him because it's not what they wanted to see.
Ok, you've got me started, and have to give my 2 cents worth about Obama. Militarily speaking, he not strong enough to lead this nation. We have no idea what he will do if things heat up in the ME. We all know what McCain would do or assume that we do. Especially with our nation or the world on the brink of war breaking out in the ME with Iran being a major threat, Obama is not the man for leading this nation through a military strike against Iran. He's all over the board as far as his thinking is concerned and a bit wishy washy from being brain washed by Wright. I feel something is up very soon as far as taking out Irans nuke facilities before Obama gets elected. Perhaps, if there is any hope of McCain being elected, then there might not be any pre-emptive strike at all, and will let McCain take care of it. I don't think Israel is willing to wait and take that chance but feel they are a little edgy about this whole thing. Either way, I am sure the USA will know exactly when Israel will go for it as it would be very dangerous for Israel to go at it alone.
-Jeff
The Olivet Discourse ... Luke's Version
Text on ancient stone describes a messiah who rises after three days-
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/06/world/middleeast/06stone.html?hp=&pagewanted=all
Jamie
Sorry Jim, didn't realize you posted the link!
Jamie
Morning, all,
Very interesting article on the stone tablet/messiah.
As I read it, I was amazed to see how those opposed to Christ of the Bible (speaking of Knohl - he was disappointed that his 2000 book didn't "shake the world of Christology") will take anything and try to shoe-horn it into their belief that Jesus wasn't who he said he is.
And also, I remember someone (John, I think?) saying many months ago that just because something is recorded doesn't make it true. It seems that everything that gets dug up these days is first considered to be absolutely 100% factual, especially if it contradicts the New Testament and second, if it's doesn't directly contradict the NT, it's interpreted to do so with a few carefully stated insinuations and loaded words.
Interestingly, one of my regular prayers is that the Lord will bring more and more hidden artifacts to light so that proof for His story can be seen and examined by those who are skeptics (I have a branch of the family who are hard-core anthropologists/atheists). But just bringing them to light doesn't mean the scales will be removed from their eyes, as is evident from this article. I need to adjust my prayers a bit and pray for a one-two punch!
Blessings,
Jen
Jen,
I love your prayers about that! I think & hope about it often but you've got the right & effective plan going-prayer!
More on Biometrics
"If Iraq and Afghanistan were a proving ground of sorts for biometric watch-listing, the U.S. government is moving quickly to try to build a domestic version."
(They say it's for the bad guys but you know it will be spread to everyone. Oh yeah-true Christians-who spread the message no one wants to hear-we'll be the "the ones to watch" regardless.)
See how our troops celebrated Independance Day in Bagdad. You won't see this on the MSM.
http://www.bobkrumm.com/blog/?p=1930
Jamie
Lisa
I don't know that I'd worry about the holidays so much. We can't get people to even agree if Christ as born in springtime or fall-I lean toward spring :-) We don't even celebrate Easter on the right day either. The day that Christians celebrate as Easter isn't Easter-if we really wanted to celebrate Easter on the appropriate day we'd celebrate it after Passover. Plus, Christians can't seem to agree on what day Christ actually died-Wed, Thursday or Friday. It appears as if there might have been more than one holy day observed as passover when Christ died at least according to some which would drastically alter the timing of His death
We stress both aspects to our son-he probably has more books on the actual meanings of Easter and Christmas than any other kind. It's tough btw to buy age appropriate books with a good message on Easter and Christmas. Now we also buy classics like the peanuts and grinch but that's a whole other story.
God appears to be a big believer in commemorative days so I think if it's done with the right heart and right motivation ie remembrance and observance it's not an issue.
I see Halloween as a night to have fun and get candy. I am aware of the pagan influence as well as the old Christian influence of all hallow's eve. Plus when you get right down to it-the churches who are having a harvest festival are doing nothing more than "dressing up a pagan holiday with Christian overtones so that their folk doesn't stray or feel too guilty" which is exactly what the very early church did in relation to Christmas and Saturnalia/Mithras. ah precedent. gotta love it.
The whole blood thing is a major annoyance since they try to sound like they know what they're talking about and they haven't kept pace with current practice in medicine since oh the late 80's. We stopped giving blood as a volume expander (unless there is massive loss going on and then sometimes not even then-it's lengthy to explain) but we give blood for a lot more reasons than that-for which they have no answer the last time I tangled with one of them over it.
Jen
I strongly think that we will have more such discoveries given the times in which we live-some for good purposes and some not.
It would be interesting to see what would happen if say the dome of the rock disintegrated and the Ark of the Covenant suddenly appeared under that spot would it not. Think of the hoorah the actual noah's ark would make.
However don't bet on it helping scales from from anyone's eyes. There is an interesting study from Dr Frucht that I read a little of on the 3 Messianic miracles. Apparently Jewish tradition and rabbinical law held that there were 3 miracles only Messiah could do and there was this whole laundry list of things that were supposed to happen when a potential candidate came on the scene. Frucht says that Christ of course did all of them and in such a way as to leave no doubt in the minds of the rabbinical leadership that He was the Messiah. One has to purchase the whole lesson to read it all which I do intend to do but deliberately doing 3 miracles for that purpose brings up all sorts of interesting ramifications. But it is also an example of not seeing what is true in front of your face.
2 requests
my brother tore cartilage and ligaments in his chest due to vigorous coughing. he's in a lot of pain and has 3 very active kids who just don't understand. his wife essentially is going solo with child care etc due to his pain so he need healing as quickly as possible
hubby was doing computer work and left the side of the tower off the computer down on the floor and my foot ran into it-guess which one. yup the broken one in the spot where it is broken. it hurts all over again and it was just starting to feel better.
Hi jib,
Yes, I agree that more discoveries coming forth won't convince some people, no matter how airtight the evidence. At that point, I think pride becomes the major stumbling block....not wanting to admit faulty thinking or seeing that everything you've built your life upon is mere sand. I see that happening already with the global warming stuff. More scientific people are coming out against it, but a diehard group is still marching forward with the agenda.
When I read that stone tablet article, I immediately thought that it was going to be presented as strong evidence to support the case for Christ (ie. support for the prophecies that speak of the messiah suffering and being ressurrected after 3 days.) I was dismayed then to read the scholars who said, 'See, this is evidence that the idea of a suffering, resurrected messiah was around for a hundred years before Jesus. He was just copying what was already out there in the Jewish culture.' Oy vey!
Oh, and about the holiday celebrations...I penpal with a man in prison through the Prison Fellowship program (over 10 years now!) He's a relatively new Christian and he doesn't recognize any of the holidays. I found out once when sending him an Easter card and he replied that he celebrates the resurrection every day, not on one day set aside for it. The thought was new to me at that time. I guess in my mind, even if there are pagan roots, as long as the focus stays on Christ and our celebration of Him, it's like redeeming something that was broken and flawed, same as we are redeemed by Christ out of our brokenness and flawed nature.
Just my thoughts...
Blessings,
Jen
Jib & Jen,
Re:comments on our Christian pagan Holidays-that's pretty much been my take on it so far.
I have a really good book detailing where the signs/symbols origionated from in Babylon. It's boxed up somewhere but when I run across it I'll post a tidbit of info now & then.
Meanwhile I thought you all would find this intriguing:
In reading the book "Prophecies for the era of muslim terror", by Rabbi Menachem Kohen- I got to the part today where the Oral Torah actually prophesied the actual year/date/and general time frame of 9/11.
Up until this point it mentioned the general prophesies re:Israel we already know about. They were listed in both the written & oral Torah.
Here are the passages from both Oral & Written-but 99% is from the Oral Torah re:"The mountains that fall.":
The mountains are mountains of copper (Z'charyhah 6:1)
Every mountain....will be brought low. (Isaiah 40:4)
The(humanly constructed)towers will fall on a day of many deaths.(Ibid, 30:25)
Then a long paragraph in Hebrew from the Oral Torah (Zohar III,212b & ibid, II 8a&8b) But he paraphrases it-this is not a literal translation.
It says three very tall towers will collapse on the very same day, on the 23rd day of Elul.
The towers are located in a predominantly Christian country.
The collapse of the 3 towers will be accompanied by a thunder-like sound & pillar of fire.
The disintegration & devastation caused by their falling will be so massive smoke will darken the entire area "before noon: and daytime will be transformed into night.Nothing will be visible.
The loss of life will be enormous & people all walks of life will parish.
People will believe that they will never survive the imminent disasters.
(The date provided in the prophesy, the 23rd day of the month of Elul in the year 5761= September 11th,2001.)
On that day, three very tall towers will fall...and (a 4th blg) a building associated with power will be struck. (Ibid, III 212b)
Behold, four craft were emerging from between the two mountains and the mountains were mountains of copper. (Z'charyah 6:1)
(So we had 4 airplanes hijacked-2 hit the twin towers, the third hit the Pentagon (bdg assoc.w/Power) and the 4th hit the dust!)
So what do you think about that????
Then he mentions:
From all the Almighty has said, not even one utterance will go unfulfilled. (Babylonian Talmud,Sofrim 13:11)
Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.(Isaiah 46:10)
Now this is my first encounter w/the Oral Torah. One set of Jew looks at both the Oral & Written Torah & and another set only looks at the written Torah. So the view is divided on that subject of what should be considered.
But-never-the-less as you can see here this prophesy was predicted and literally fullfilled not too long ago & it was from the Oral Torah.
I'll have to do some more research on this Torah debate. Obviously all we need is the Bible but I suppose it's possible God has a purpose to give the Jews the Oral Torah as well.
The "Babylonian Talmud" I'm not so sure about. I believe it is a "mystic" type of writing- and "Babylonian?"-immediate antenna action here.
Hey Lisa,
Reminds me of the Nostradamus stuff that's associated with 9/11. They're not the same, are they? He mentions stuff about towers falling, too. But very general so that lots of things could be attributed to it.
Blessings,
Jen
if you all want to read a really good thriller-well written with intriguing suppositions read the Last Patriot by Brad Thor
it talks about a "lost" revelation of Mohammad.
Alesia, I know your going to switch to a new thread-so I may repost this.
But I think everyone here should look at this Romanian Prophet I watched all 11 videos & this type of man I can believe has a message from God.
(If @ some point you click on the video & it say's it's not available then just click on the Heading. It will reload & will play. I had to do this a few times to watch all of them)
Then look @ This Write-up as it has more detail.
***And Kathy-I think you'll especially find the Pre-trib/Pre-wrath view quite intriguing. I sure did!
Lisa
If no one is on dial up, I was actually going to allow the posts to go a little over 150. Maybe review the new post time? Please give feed back.
Hi Folks
Just checking in I'm about ready to hit the hay but will read Jack Kelley's article mac sent us the link for earlier...Luke's version of Sermon on the Mt.
Mac, I have no idea what you mean about reviewing the new post time (?)
Nite....but good morning to you, Mac!
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Donna,
I think what Mac means by "review the new post time" is reconsider whether we want more than 150 comments before it is "time" for a new post.
Jim G.
P.S. Mac, I like 150 posts or so. I am on high speed though and could do more if everyone thinks more is a good idea.
I will put up a new post soon. I was just wondering how many readers were still on dial up and if it affected them if the posts went much over 150.
Another Beheading in Florida
New post is up.
I don't have a shofar but I do have a bull's horn. I wonder if that counts.
Trumpet blasts to Jesus: 'We're awake' on Earth - Worldwide wave of horns, shouting planned in time zones across planet
Jim C.
I think you like dreams & visions?
Here is a link that the Romanian Pastor's son is now continuing.His Grandfather Dumitru died in 1997.
Hand of Help Ministries
But what I find important is that most of their dreams/visions are meant for America specifically.
The 1st one "The Dream" is pertinent and so all of them for that matter. One is a message for Catholics but I forgot the name of it.
These dreams & visions posted are not great suprise to us-as many Christians have given similar warnings re:America & her downfall.
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