Tuesday, October 20, 2009
2 Peter 1
1:5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 1:6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 1:7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 1:10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall,
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154 comments:
Hi, nice post and I'm #1
Shotgun!
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God Bless this baby girl, I just want to bite her!
Hannah's prayer
Her poor father, trying to sleep, is the most patient human being I've ever seen or maybe he's drugged!
coming in at number 4
nice post I agree. I'm getting ready to get back into Frucht's commentary on Peter
Facing Tomorrow the annual global conference initiated in 2008 by President Shimon Peres will take place a second time on October 20-22, 2009 in Jerusalem and will bring 3500 participants together with top economic, political, intellectual, and technological leaders from Israel and abroad.
The statesman participating this year include U.S. Ambassador to the U.N............ and former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair
The news is up!
Man's Hour of Darkness is God's Hour of Power-Wilkerson Sermon Strom sent this out today.
On the Human Stature of Christ
(aka "Jesus was NOT a wimp!)
An analysis, based on Scripture, of what Jesus must have looked like and how He was seen by the people around him.
BTW, can anyone tell me where the clip at the end of the blog comes from? I think it's "The Jesus Film" but I can't be sure.
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Jim, it was from The Gospel of John great version..
Maranatha..
Mike
Jim:
Your assessment of Mary is quite correct, but the application of asking Mary to intercede with Jesus on our behalf is a bit puzzling. As Mary is completely human, with no divine part, she must be limited in her ability to multi-task. Perhaps, if she is not directly consumed with some big discussion in heaven, or in the middle verse of a worship song, she might possibly listen to three or four prayers of people on earth at one time. It is hardly likely that she would be paying particular attention to you or me, so on her part, the prayers would go unheard, therefore no intercession. What happens to the millions of prayers that are sent her way every day?
I know that Jesus hears when people pray to Mary, and I am sure that he will answer appropriately, whether or not they are addressed to him, but why not pray directly to Jesus? This honors him, rather than dissing him by assuming that his most honorable mother is more compassionate and understanding than the creator himself.
In no way do I dishonor Mary, but even if one believes in immaculate conception (which I don't), she is still human in every way.
God bless,
Wayne
Wayne, Shalom! Yours is a point that many people bring up. What you are forgetting is that, being in heaven, Mary (and all of the saints) are living outside of time. Heaven has no beginning and no end. There is no "multitasking" -- she (and all of the saints) can listen to each petition personally and directly. (Each petition then gets placed in a censer to be offered to G_D -- see Rev. 5:8 and Rev. 8:3-4.)
Catholics do NOT believe that Mary is "more compassionate and understanding than the creator himself." To do so is Mariolotry. Nor do we believe that honoring Mary "disses" Jesus or G_D, any more than showing "honor and respect" towards your friend's mother "disses" you. We believe that Mary is more than "simply" human -- she is the perfect human. Jesus Christ is True God and True Man, together in one, in the hypostatic union. Mary, on the other hand, is simply the True Human -- she is what all of us would have been had Adam and Eve not sinned.
Mary is also the New Eve. Just as sin was brought into the world through the choices and actions of the first Eve, it would be removed from the world through the choices and actions of the New Eve, Mary. This is one reason that we believe in the Immaculate Conception -- the teaching that Mary was preserved from the stain of Original Sin. Since the first Eve was created without that stain, it was important (if not essential) for the New Eve to also be without that stain. (In addition, if G_D cannot be in the presence of sin, how could Jesus have spent 9 months being carried inside Mary if she also carried the stain of sin?)
So, as a True Human, who shows us what we could have been and what we could still be if we but say to G_D "Totus Tuem!" -- "All for You" -- Mary becomes the perfect confidant, the perfect adviser. Mary spent her life following G_D's will. She was pregnant, gave birth, raised a son; she experienced the death of her husband Joseph; traveled with her Son when she could and supported Him; stood by Him while He was tortured, and was with Him when He died, and beyond. She is listed as one of the people in the upper room when the Holy Spirit descended at Pentecost. How could she live through all that and not have some advice on how to get through situations in our lives? In her example, we have a northern star, one that we look to not to worship but to be directed to the goal, which is Christ Jesus, her Son.
Thinking about it just now, I realized that I pray to G_D or to Jesus in adoration when I need the spiritual strength to get through a situation. I pray to Mary or the saints in veneration when I need to know HOW to get through a situation. Just as we ask our friends, loved ones, and even complete strangers to help us by praying for us, we ask the saints in heaven to also help us by praying for us. (Personally, at times I think I'm trying to fill up a censer bowl all by myself with my prayers -- still have a ways to go!)
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I'm perturbed!
My college is having "Euthanasia Day" today - what the ...?
Then I read that our college: receives $3.7M in stimulus grants:
"The Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing will use the money to, among other things, establish a center for end-of-life science"
I am not happy about this! hmph
btw -
HI! Mike & Wayne.
The Overt Spiritual Attack
"end-of-life science"? Hmmm...it's all happening.
Hyde, Shalom. Reading that "Overt Spiritual Attack" link (really good, BTW, Mac) struck me with that end-of-life science. Coming from a medical background, I don't have a problem with "end-of-life science" in general. That's been a valid area of study for the last few years, focusing on hospice care, keeping patients comfortable, etc. Then I read this point in the "Spiritual Attack" article:
Spiritual deceivers often incorporate some of the truth of God’s Word to give their message an air of legitimacy.
Things are reaching the stage where "end-of-life science" will no longer mean respecting the dignity of the patient, and move to methods of ending the patient's life.
Creepy.
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Mr. Carroll,
I carefully read your comments on your post @1:16, and I do not think any of them can be found in the Bible.
Would you mind posting the biblical scriptures supporting your comments.
Thanks,
A Berean
Jim: I guess we will just have to disagree on this point. I believe that thru man, sin came into the world and thru man sin has been passed on down to every person who was born of man. That includes Mary, but not Jesus. He had Mary's egg, but no man's sperm. This point can quite easily be argued thru stem cell understanding.
The Catholic viewpoint appears to be to start with a conclusion, and then work backwards to find a form of proof. I agree that honoring Mary does not diss Jesus, but praying to her is of little value.
I guess that is one of those things we will get to discuss when we get there.
God bless,
Wayne
Jim, last night I dreamed I was conscripted in a war. I remember thinking in my dream that I hadn't heard of any local military conflict. Funny thing is that Alesia and I have been talking about spiritual warfare lately. Anyway, I accidentally came across that article this morning - it seems to tie in to spiritual warfare.
I like the following point:
In spiritual warfare, our chief concern is for the name and person of Christ, even at the expense of ourselves. The solution we should be seeking is something that vindicates and holds up God’s name rather than our own.
If the enemy cannot achieve total destruction, it will attempt to render us ineffective by choking our resources. People who cling to God in spite of the circumstances experience the fact that He is greater and can overcome them. God’s remnant is always enough to fully carry on His work and is never therefore rendered ineffectual as long as its faith remains intact.
Hi all;
I found this video posted on JRed's blog and thought it might be something interesting. It is from J R Church's site, "Prophecy in the News". I have heard about these two men he mentions, but did not hear the full story about the second man. I wonder how credible the story is?
I'm sorry about it not being a blue link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FanFR2C5ZOA
I do think it is worth a listen. Feel free to comment. This coming from a Gov. source might be important?
Maranatha!
Wayne,
Are you saying you don't believe in Jesus' immaculate conception or Mary's?
TRUSTING IN HORSESBy Coach Dave Daubenmire
Strom sent this one out today as well- where he find all this good stuff!
I don't know what the Dr.s in the house think of this but it was sent to me today so ?
Regarding Swine Flu: The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In A global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming
into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions.Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.
While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1
infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very
simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):
1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).
2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any
part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).
3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you
don't trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the
throat/nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms.
Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful
preventative method.
4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day
with warm salt water. *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*
5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin
C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption -- be careful & don't take too much zinc per day -- there can be side effects
6. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can.
*Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the
reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.
can't hurt i guess
my personal doc thinks the swine flu is hooey but intends to get the vaccine. go figure. there is a nasal vaccine for swine flu but only if you are under 50. not sure what they offer for the over 50 crowd.
On the Canonization of 5 Saints
"The Virgin Mary Is the Star That Guides Every Journey of Sanctity
(End of article:)
Dear brothers and sisters, the Virgin Mary is the star that guides every journey of sanctity. Her “fiat” is the perfect model of adhesion to the divine will and her “magnificat” expresses the Church’s song of exultation. Already on this earth the Church rejoices in God’s mighty deeds and in heaven praises his glory eternally. We turn to the Mother of Christ with filial confidence, asking, through her intercession and that of the newly canonized saints, for peace and salvation.
(Just for the record- I only pray through Jesus Christ-no saints & no Mary- and He does provide answers for ALL of my concerns. Both spiritual strength & how to handle situations. So I don't know why anyone would have a desire to look elsewhere.)
Testing to try a blue link since the other didn't work.
click here
Maranatha!
Wow!! I got it! Doubt if I can do it again however.
Maranatha!
I'm home again and have just a moment to comment. No further contact with the kind Jewish woman, but she will be in my prayers for some time. I believe the Lord used me, though, based on the number of times her eyes welled up with tears or darted away uncomfortably.
I came away from the conference with quite a few people to pray for, one of them a very sweet and brave Afghan woman who taught girls secretly during the Taliban years. She prays that the US troops do not leave because she is certain her people will be massacred. She does not distinguish between Taliban and Al Qaeda.
Bless you all for your kind words of encouragement and I'm certain you were praying for me. Thank you!
Oh, and Jib, no machine guns but lots of security!
News is ready. I will not be posting until Monday. We are taking a slew of High School students camping. Would appreciate prayer for good weather and softened hearts.
Congratulations on your successful blue linking, GT!
That was a very sobering group of messages about an attack on DC.
Will be praying for all!
Alesia:
my apologies if there was any confusion. I most definitely believe in the immaculate conception of Jesus. Perhaps I am wrong, but I believe that when this "immaculate conception" term is used, it is almost always applied to Mary.
Mary is most blessed among women, not only that she is the mother of the messiah, but also that she was the one who was privileged to fulfill the dreams and desires of all women from within the covenant community. However, to believe in her immaculate conception really does confuse the issue of human depravity and salvation. For this RC logic to flow, she would have to have remained sinless prior to the birth of Jesus. In the desire to honor her and solve one problem, a thousand other scriptural problems are created.
However, as I stated before, Jesus knows and hears all, and he knows the hearts of those who choose to go thru a different mediator to get to him. If that heart is right, then I believe that the prayers will be answered.
Jesus is truly my very best friend, and I love talking directly with him.
God bless,
Wayne
Sitting out in middle of nowhere on beeline hwy with flat tire... Packed tight... Canoe & all. Please pray for favor & fresh tires in okeechobee
We're back on the road almost to Okeechobee. :)
(Here is the continuation from last week's Koinonia House)
WHO EXPERIENCES THE DARK NIGHT? -
We have all experienced dark episodes in our lives, times of discouragement and disappointment and loss. We have all had times when we've faced the natural painful consequences of our own foolish mistakes. There are seasons, though, when people who love God – who are serving Him faithfully – go through extremely difficult, dark times. When that happens, it is easy to question whether the God we serve truly loves us, or whether we are really in the center of His will.
As we noted last week, the Lord allows the dark night to happen to His beloved children, and especially those who are the most faithful, the most loving, the ones who want all of Him. Again, remember Isaiah 50:10, "Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness and hath no light?"
Great Christians are made by great trials. Pain, sorrow and failure are what produce men and women of God. Those with the greatest dreams are often the ones who receive the greatest trials. Eternal lessons seem to require hard places. As Scripture declares, the way we are made "perfect," or whole or complete, is by suffering or by barring ourselves from sin and self (Hebrews 2:10). First, God must take away all our external and internal supports other than Himself, then He can strengthen our inner man, enabling us to experience His fullness – that fullness of Himself we so desperately long for.
The dark night of the soul happens to people who have already accepted the Lord; those who have already given their lives to Him; those already filled with the Spirit; those who have already dedicated their lives to Him; those who have already asked for intimacy; and those who have already been set aside for God's purposes of ministry. Yet, like Job, people who are truly serving God and are in the center of His will can go through very dark times.
Why Does God Send the Dark Night?
There seems to be three things that God is looking for in each of our lives: our salvation, our conviction, and our sanctification.
God wants to prove us, to demonstrate our true heart. Will we be obedient in all things? (2 Corinthians 2:9) Will we obey Him, even when we can't see Him or feel Him? Will we hold on to His truths even though we don't understand what He is doing? Peter writes:
cont...
"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:" -1Peter 1:7
Can we all catch that? The trials of our faith are precious. They are never empty or meaningless, but are destined to have great value both in our personal lives and in the Kingdom. The Lord wants believers who have faith like Job, and who can utter like he did, "Though You slay me, yet will I trust You."
When Job sought the Lord to know why the bad things were happening to him, he got no answer from God. And it's often the same with us. God only tells us that He does have a plan for our lives and, even though we don't understand what that plan is or how it is going to work out, we must trust that He always has our best in view.
When seasoned believers enter this dark night, they are no longer in the beginning stages of learning about the reality of Christ's love and power. Those foundational bricks have been already laid. When dark nights come, we must learn to rely upon our Savior in spite of our circumstances, in spite of our logic and in spite of our human reason. We must trust that only God knows what is best for our lives; therefore, whatever He allows into them He will use it for our good.
God is teaching us that all that matters in this life is knowing and loving Him. He wants us to love Him and rely upon Him regardless of what we desire, regardless of what our intellect is saying and regardless of what we are feeling. He wants us to be able to echo what Paul declares in 2 Corinthians 4:8-11:
"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh."
For those who love Jesus and are dedicated to Him, to have His life manifested through us is the greatest thing that could be asked of our lives; it is worth any temporary suffering or difficulty or dark time that God puts in our path. And even during these terrible trials, when things look so very dark, we can still "rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory," (1 Peter 1:8) because we know that even then (and especially then), God is doing wonderful, precious work behind the scenes.
"My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name."
"When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the vale."
"His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay."
"When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne."
(Refrain)
"On Christ the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand."
Hallelujah
Late Night Lisa,
You said:
Here is the continuation from last week's Koinonia House)
WHO EXPERIENCES THE DARK NIGHT? -
I did not remember reading this article, so I did a search on all Nan's articles on her series "The Dark Night," and the search came up empty.
Did you find it on the khouse website or in one of their mailings?
I thought maybe it was something that Chuck had written so I searched in the article section, - nothing came up with that title.
Thanking you in advance for any help you can give.
Charlotte
Thanks Donna. Doing blue links, quite a victory (for me).
Anne;
It sure sounds like the Holy Spirit is working on the Jewish womans heart. What a wonderful thing!! You may have been the only one she would have listened to because God set the appointment for you to be there and say the things she needed to hear! Seeds were planted!!
Maranatha!
gotquestions.org explains the RCC Immaculate Conception teachings clearly.
gotquestions.org explains the RCC Immaculate Conception teachings
Here's parts of it:
Question: "What is the immaculate conception?"
Answer: Many people mistakenly believe that the immaculate conception refers to the conception of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ conception was most assuredly immaculate…but this concept does not refer to Jesus at all. The immaculate conception is a doctrine of the Romans Catholic Church in regards to Mary, Jesus’ mother. An official statement of the doctrine reads, “…the blessed Virgin Mary to have been, from the first instant of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of Almighty God, in view of the merits of Christ Jesus the Savior of Mankind, preserved free from all stain of original sin.” Essentially the immaculate conception is the belief that Mary was protected from original sin, that Mary did not have a sin nature, and was, in fact, sinless.
Berean, Shalom. I wrote many things in that reply. For me to explain everything would take far too long; it would take a couple of books. In fact, there are a couple of books I could recommend to you on the subject, if you're interested.
If you are upset because Scripture does not EXPLICITLY say these things about Mary, then you need to learn to look for teachings that are IMPLICIT in Scripture. For example: one of the titles we give Mary is "Ark of the New Covenant", since she carried Jesus, whose death was to be the basis for the New Covenant. One of the reasons for giving her this title comes from Luke, chapter 1. In the story of the Annunciation and Mary's Visitation to her cousin Elizabeth, Luke tells how Mary "...set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth." In 2 Samuel 6:6-12, it describes how the ark of the covenant, on its way to Jerusalem, at the threshing floor of Nodan, was diverted to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.
To us, that doesn't mean much; but to an Israelite at the time of Jesus, the meaning would be clear. Since Zechariah was a priest, everyone would have known where he lived, which was in the region of the threshing floor of Nodan. Mary's visit to Elizabeth would have been foreshadowed by the ark having been kept in that region. How long did Mary stay with Elizabeth? "Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home." (Luke 1:56) How long did the ark stay with Obed-edom? "The ark of the LORD remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite for three months,..." (2 Sam. 6:11) after which it returned home (which was Jerusalem). In other words, to the Jews of the time, Luke was drawing a clear parallel between the ark of the old covenant, and Mary. The purpose wasn't to glorify Mary, it was to emphasize that the old covenant (represented by the ark which carried the manna, the budded staff, and the 10 Commandments) was being replaced and fulfilled by that which was carried by Mary, Jesus.
In this way, we have a teaching that is not explicit but implicit in the way Scripture was written.
And Wayne, two things: That bit about Original Sin being a sex-linked trait (since Jesus was not conceived through male sperm, Mary could have had Original Sin but Jesus wouldn't) strikes me as a bit of theological fancy footwork. Original Sin is a spiritual condition, unrelated to the genetics of man (which in the original scriptures, was generic, i.e., not related to gender, but what we might call "mankind").
As for Mary having remained sinless prior to the birth of Jesus, that is exactly what "Immaculate Conception" means: that G_D preserved Mary from the stain of Original Sin, just as Eve was created without that stain. Think of a road with a sinkhole in it. All these people walking on the road fall into the hole, and through Jesus, they get pulled out. It is Jesus who saves them. In the case of Mary, rather than falling into the hole Jesus carried her around the hole. It is through Jesus and His Sacrifice that this happened.
And Lisa, there is nothing in the Catholic faith that requires anyone to ask Mary or any of the saints for help. We are saved by the blood of Jesus and nothing more is required. Likewise, you can build a barn all by yourself if you want to. G_D gave you the strength and the knowledge to do it by yourself. It goes a lot faster and easier, though, if you have your friends and family around to help. Likewise, the prayers and encouragement of the saints are graces that G_D makes available to us not because they are necessary for salvation, but because they make the road a bit easier to travel.
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Would you please join me in prayer for my DW. She's really struggling and just feeling like a failure. It's a combo spiritual, emotional, and physical attack. Thank you.
And Donna, just because she was sinless does not mean she was INCAPABLE of sin. Not having a sin nature, she was not drawn to sin. However, G_D didn't take away her free will. She COULD have sinned; she COULD have said "No" to G_D at the Annunciation. It was this question about "what if Mary said no" that started this entire conversation!
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Jim, lifting your DW in prayer, calling on the blood of Jesus to cover her, and asking that the spirits attacking her are bound to the foot of the cross.
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Here's some Obama bumper stickers. They came from a thread on CAF about "The collapse of 'Obama marketing' – and the rise of anti-Obama merchandise":
Bumper stickers are doing a brisk business. As seen in traffic lately;
Don't blame me, I voted for the American.
"Sorry Yet?"
If you're not outraged you aren't paying attention
-with the Obama flag.
You voted for him you fix it
Chains we can believe in
- with the Obama Flag
Because everyone deserves what you worked hard for
- with the Obama Flag
Somewhere in Kenya a village is missing its idiot
CHANGE!
Because it takes a Carter to get a Reagan.
If you think Health Care is expensive now, wait until its free.
HONK! If I'm paying your mortgage
I was Anti-Obama before it was cool
Not the change you were looking for huh?
Please don't tell Obama what comes after a trillion.
Work harder. Millions of people on welfare are counting on you.
Re-defeat Communism in 2012
Welcome back, Carter (with picture of Obama)
HOPE....he fails (parody of the ubiquitous campaign poster)
Sucker! Drank the Kool-Aid, didn't ya? (with picture of laughing Obama)
No thanks, I already have a Messiah
Scoialists: spreading the wealth since 1917 (with pictures of Marx, Engels, Lenin, Stalin, Mao, and Obama)
God and Obama have one thing in common: neither of them has a birth certificate
And on the sixth day, he took over the auto industry
If you can't say anything nice about Obama---sit next to me
Obamacare killed more people than my gun
Ten out of ten terrorists support Obama
Hitler made good speeches, too
MY wife is ALWAYS proud of America
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Can't remember if someone has already posted a link to this. It's got a lot of stuff about the 11:11 that keeps popping up all over the place.
Witness Watch
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Jim C.
I know you think it's easier to travel on the saint and Mary laden roads but my "Jesus Only" path couldn't be working any better.
Have you tried it? Going direct that is without the middle man/woman?
Commit for two weeks- Jesus only- and then see what you think. At least give it a test run. (Even if you've done it before-try it again & see what happens.)
I finally found a website that posts the dreams/visions that Andrew Strom sends out. FINALLY!
Here it is Prophetic Central ("Vision of the Sword & the Serpent" was good too.)
Charlotte,
If you subscribe to their weekly email list - it comes that way.
I really wish that they would all post the articles they send out via e-mail somewhere on their websites because I much rather link it then past & copy.
If you want to sign up Here for K House e News- the newsletter is dated Oct 20,2009 w/the Dark Night article in it.
"Can't remember if someone has already posted a link to this. It's got a lot of stuff about the 11:11"
Oh, not again!!! The last time this was mentioned I kept seeing those darn numbers.
Well I'm off to take a hammer to all the clocks in the house.
Jim G, joining in prayer for your DW. I'm convinced that we are all experiencing this to varying degrees. I pray for us all as well.
For all the saints
"For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest,
Alleluia, Alleluia!
And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia, Alleluia!"
For All the Saints
William Walsham How (1823-1897)
So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God's holy people. You are members of God's family. We are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We who believe are carefully knit together, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him you Gentiles are also joined together as part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.
Ephesians 2:19-22 NLT
A hero of the faith
"In 1864 Bishop William How wrote this hymn for All Saints Day. He cited Hebrews 12:1 in his original title, but he drew on all of Hebrews 11 for inspiration. That's the famous "faith chapter," which praises the faithful deeds of a score of Old Testament heroes.
Jim G;
Joining in prayer for your DW. Asking the Lord to draw especially close to her right now and that she will continually look to Him for her help.
Diana
Hi Late Night Lisa,
Thank you so much for your posts lately and the one on the 22nd at 11:39! It really spoke to me, especially this part:
"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:" -1Peter 1:7
Its been almost two weeks since the passing of my dad, and I was lead to put together something about the basic truths of scripture as it pertains to being saved. I was able to finish it the day of the funeral and have posted it on rr but will email you a copy if you want to blue link it here as I have the know how of how to blue link it on my computer but have never made that giant step as of yet. Thanks again for your posts!
-Jec
Mr. Carroll,
No, I did not want your rationalization of scriptures, just scriptures that states all those opinions that you listed in all the paragraphs you wrote. If the remarks you made are true, you should show the scriptures that states those beliefs.
For example, I can state emphatically that Mary was a sinner because of the following verses:
Eccl 7:20 For [there is] not a just man on earth who does good And does not sin.
Rom 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
1John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
Mark 10:18 So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one [is] good but One, [that is], God.
Luke 18:19 So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one [is] good but One, [that is], God.
A Berean
Jim C
you must have the patience of Job.
while I don't agree with the doctrine of the Immaculate conception nor praying to Mary and the saints you seem to be the convenient whipping boy so to speak since you are the only Catholic here.
Praying for your wife, Jim G.
JEC please accept our condolences on the passing of your father. It certainly is not easy for those of us left behind.
Jec - sorry to hear of your dad's passing.
Jim G - Will pray for your lovely wife. Feeling a bit of the same, myself.
~sigh~ I agree with Jib and I think the Mary discussion has run it's course.
Jim C. is our brother & shouldn't have to feel in defense mode or under attack - not here.
If you've read all the comments, you'd know he's going through a rough time in life right now.
Show compassion & cut him some slack!
Jim C. love ya, brother. I am looking forward to the time when we can stand face to face, and one of us can say "I told ya so"!
God bless,
Wayne
Alesia
you said that ever so much nicer than I was going to say it :-)
Wayne
I expect there will be a lot of that going on.
Jec, may "the peace of God that surpasses all understanding ... guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:7) My sympathy and prayers are for you and your family.
<><
Jim C. does a very nice job of explaining how the Catholics think about some of the topics that are disagreed upon.
I have to admit-although the reasoning does not convince me to change my views- every time we go over (even the same subjects) I come away w/understanding him & the Catholic thought process a little more than before.
If there is anything good that comes out of these tense discussions for me it would be that. I'm now more patient & understanding w/Catholic issues & don't get as instantly fired up over them.
It's easier to do relate to another in disagreement when you have a greater understanding of "how" they come to their ultimate conclusions.
Anyway- not that I get some sort of enjoyment out of the bantering but God does work all out for our individual good-even if we cause or get grief in the interim.
**That I have witness to in action especially here over the years! (:
(That's probably why we we're all brought together in the 1st place-God has some ultimate plan in mind for us all. Perhaps beyond the testing & refining. Wonder what that is? Hummm.)
Jec,
I'm so happy that post spoke to your heart. It always lifts our spirits to know that we were used in some way to assist another.
The Lord chooses to us broken cracked up vessels- continually works in mending us up & all the while He pours out His blessings though us to others.
As for me He really picked the ultimate "crack pot". I've seen Him use me "because" in some areas/things I'm totally clueless.
The world perceives at what God can use for His glory as a negative trait while He sees it as a positive one.
How can we not fall so deeply in love with a God like that?
**My prayers are with you also. I lost my father a couple of years ago & the Lord stood by me @ every step of the way.
Berean, Shalom. This blog is filled with notes of Scripture and links to articles that explain the meanings of different parts of Scripture, placing them in historical, literary (i.e., drawing parallels), and linguistic context. Why are those acceptable, yet when I use those same techniques to explain the Catholic view, I am "rationalizing Scripture"? (sigh)
Quick replies, and then some links:
Eccl 7:20 was written in pre-Christian times, and is a generalization. The point of the writer would not have been made if he had included some exception for the future Messiah, since that was not the goal of the document.
Rom 3:23 is also a generalization. Paul was drawing a comparison between those who depend on adherence to the law and those who depend on the redemption brought about by Christ: But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, though testified to by the law and the prophets, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction; all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God. They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus,... (Rom 3:21-24) It was not meant to be "all-encompassing".
A strict interpretation of this Scripture would have to take into account Rom 9:11, where he describes Jacob and Esau before their birth as not having done anything "good or bad", i.e., they had not sinned. Children and those who are incapable of knowing what they do is wrong are not considered to have sinned, since sin requires a conscious and willful disobedience to G_D. Therefore, Paul's statement in Rom 3:23 cannot be considered as "all encompassing".
Same reasoning goes for 1 John 1:8.
Be VERY careful with Mark 10:18 and Luke 18:19. There were early Church heresies that taught that Jesus wasn't born the Son of G-D but was made the Son of G_D through His sacrifice on the cross. These lines of scripture were some of the lines that were used to justify their position. (It was these heresies that resulted in the Council of Nicea, which lead to the definition of the hypostatic union and the development of the Nicean Creed -- "Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; God from God, Light from Light, True God from True God; begotten, not made, one in being with the Father, from Whom all things were made.")
If you wish to take this debate off-board, that would be fine. Before that, though, please read the following links. They sum up the Catholic position perfectly, and they are the ones I'd be using in any discussion with you:
Immaculate Conception and Assumption
Has a brief but thorough discussion of the Greek word kecharitomene, which traditionally is translated as "full of grace". Many modern translations say "highly favored daughter." This is incorrect since there is nothing in the word that implies "daughter" or any form of gender.
Ark of the new covenant
This covers the ideas of Mary being sinless, the fact that Mary still needed a savior, and the foreshadowing and parallels between events in the Old Testament and Mary.
Mary: "Full of Grace"
These are quotes from the Early Church Fathers, those who were either taught by the Apostles, or who were taught by those who were taught by the Apostles. There are also quotes from non-canonical scripture that shows attitudes and beliefs at the time they were written. Even as early as 70 and 80 AD, Christians were writing about how Mary was sinless. To quote the article, "We will all one day be rendered immaculate (sinless), but Mary, as the prototypical Christian, received this grace early. God granted her freedom from sin to make her a fitting mother for his Son."
<><
Mr. Carroll,
I am not going to continue this discussion any further. I may not have upset you, but apparently quoting scriptures upset the others.
I will say this though, I can not explain away God's Word given by the Holy Spirit by use of mere man's thoughts.
To all of you who thought I was being onery and uncaring, I apologize to all of you.
In Christ,
A Berean
Strong Earthquake Causes Panic in Indonesia(another one)
Seismic Monitor
Jib, Thanks! If indeed I AM a "whipping boy", then considering the trials of Peter, Paul, and a number of others I can think of, I am in good company!
And yes, the debate has run its course. When I first posted that link to the article, "What if Mary Had Said 'No'", I had not intended to start debates over Marian doctrine; only to encourage thought over how we in our own lives have such power: not only to say "no" to G_D, but to say "yes". And if we say yes, are we saying "yes" or are we saying "YES!!!"?
<><
Lisa, Shalom! I found that report VERY interesting. Apparently there was a rumor going around that the Indonesian equivelant of the USGS had issued an earthquake warning for Jakharta and the region, saying an 8.0-8.5 earthquake would hit the region on Saturday, the 24th. The reports were so prevelant that the agency had to issue an official denial. I had to run the denial through Google Translate, but it appears to be saying that they don't issue earthquake predictions, and if they DID it wouldn't appear the way the initial report did, and they don't see any chance for an earthquake around Jakharta, esp. not one that size.
Well, that tumbler was over a thousand miles east of Jakharta and it wasn't 8.5, but initial reports listed it as 5.8. Interesting...
<><
Shalom, all! I know that Halloween is a controversial subject for many here. Nonetheless, for the artistic among us I want to provide a link to a site with "Saint-O-Lanterns"; pumpkins carved with crosses and other religious symbols. There's even a "pro-life pumpkin" on there!
Saint-O-Lanterns
If you scroll down, you'll find ideas for a treat called "Bones of Eliseus", based on the story in 2 Kings 13:20-21.
<><
Berean - not sure why you would think any of us here would be upset by someone quoting scripture.
Sorry, but the mere thought seems pretty ludicrous.
And no, my comment was not directed to you exclusively. :-)
Does this strike anyone else as a bit ... extreme?
Pastor to Host Halloween Bible-Burning Event
Pastor Marc Grizzard claims the King James version of the Bible is the only true word of God, and that all other versions are "satanic" and "perversions" of God's word.
On Halloween night, Grizzard and the 14 members of the Amazing Grace Baptist Church will set fire to other versions of the scripture, as well as music and books by Christian authors.
<><
Jim C - I saw that article last week.
It's upsetting to see because of how unbelievers tend to lump all christians together & this will be a point of ridicule.
However, I got a fit of giggles while reading the original article. It stated they were having a chicken barbeque whilst bonfiring the books!
Jim C.
Well- that is some interesting insight. Keep us posted on the real truth of the matter. Sounds kind of fishy-doesn't it? I wonder if someone is fooling around w/things (I know it's my conspiracy mind at work) but did you see how in China they had some special event & scattered something in the clouds to keep it clear w/sun shine? It was just over a portion of the city. After whatever they sprayed up there wore off the clouds came back. Now we have this HAARP stuff-CERN & countries bombing underground in who knows where.
Everyone seems to be trying to fool around w/God's natural design of things.
And the Baptists burning bibles & Christian literature? Some strange off shoot from the main line I'm sure like that Westboro Baptist Church.
Someone just wrote a good article on the King James proponents- now I forgot who it was.
All I can say is that God is not limited to one edition of His word & can use any one or any thing He pleases to save a lost soul. My favorite is the New King James Version & it's worked out just fine and I like reading & comparing the other versions as well.
KJV Only movement? Is the King James Version the only Bible we should use?
A Berean
nor was I specifically referring to you but an attitude in general of many on this blog toward Jim C. Jim C has noted recently that he gets the impression that a few on this blog consider him damned to hell because he goes to an RCC church and he couldn't possibly be a Christian and I think that's very sad and quite wrong. We know our brothers and sisters by their fruit.
One of the things that used to puzzle me growing up was the attitude of Baptists (and yes I realize not all Baptists felt this way but a substantial portion of them did and do feel this way) that all Christians should go to Bible believing churches (ie Baptist church only) or they couldn't possibly be true Christians. Who provides the witness and the guidance to the true way to Christ if all the denominations are abandoned and everyone goes to a Baptist church.
Quite frankly not a single person who reads or posts on this blog goes to a church or is involved with a denomination that does not have doctrinal error within the context of it's teachings else we would not need to be Bereans so amongst brothers and sisters in Christ I think it is particularly prudent to keep that in mind.
As I noted to Wayne, I think there will be a lot of I told you so's in heaven and I think some of them will surprise us.
Jim C brought up a decent point in that it is fairly common to expand meaning beyond context even in protestant circles e.g the 7 churches in Revelation I have seen expounded upon as actual angels and not applicable to the churches, those 7 churches only, written to the pastors of those churches, typography of church ages and typography of church types throughout the ages.
Lisa
wish it weren't true but many do feel, most especially Baptists (which is very ironic actually) that the KJV is the only inspired version of scripture. They essentially feel that the actual translation of the scripture by those scribes was God breathed. and no they aren't the Westboro nutcases either.
The irony is that many of these same people revere and honor the Puritans who would have felt that the KJV was an abomination. They used the Geneva translation.
An oldie...
I was walking across a bridge recently. I spied this fellow who looked like he was ready to jump off. So, I thought I’d try to stall him until the authorities showed up. “Don’t jump!” I said. “Why not?” he said.
“Nobody loves me.”
“God loves you,” I said. “You believe in God, don’t you?”
“Yes, I believe in God,” he said.
“Good,” I said. “Are you Christian or Jewish?”
“Christian,” he said.
“Me, too!” I said. “Protestant or Catholic?”
“Neither,” he said.
“What then?” I said.
“Baptist,” he said.
“Me, too!” I said. “Independent Baptist or Southern Baptist?”
“Independent Baptist,” he said.
“Me, too!” I said. “New Evangelical/Moderate Independent Baptist or Conservative Independent Baptist?”
“Conservative Independent Baptist,” he said.
“Me, too!” I said. “Calvinistic Conservative Independent Baptist or Lose-Your-Salvation Arminian Conservative Independent Baptist?”
“Calvinistic Conservative Independent Baptist,” he said.
“Me, too!” I said. “Dispensational Premillennial Calvinistic Conservative Independent Baptist or Historical Premillennial Calvinistic Conservative Independent Baptist?”
“Dispensational Premillennial Calvinistic Conservative Independent Baptist,” he said.
“Me, too!” I said. “Against Women in Ministry Dispensational Premillennial Calvinistic Conservative Independent Baptist or For Women in Ministry Dispensational Premillennial Calvinistic Conservative Independent Baptist?”
“Against Women in Ministry Dispensational Premillennial Calvinistic Conservative Independent Baptist,” he said.
“Me, too!” I said. “Unashamed Fundamentalist Against Women in Ministry Dispensational Premillennial Calvinistic Conservative Independent Baptist or Strict Separation of Church and State Against Women in Ministry Dispensational Premillennial Calvinistic Conservative Independent Baptist?”
“Unashamed Fundamentalist Against Women in Ministry Dispensational Premillennial Calvinistic Conservative Independent Baptist,” he said.
“Me, too!” I said. “Pro-Disney Boycott Pro-Life Unashamed Fundamentalist Against Women in Ministry Dispensational Premillennial Calvinistic Conservative Independent Baptist or Anti-Disney Boycott Pro-Choice Unashamed Fundamentalist Against Women in Ministry Dispensational Premillennial Calvinistic Conservative Independent Baptist?”
“Pro-Disney Boycott Pro-Life Unashamed Fundamentalist Against Women in Ministry Dispensational Premillennial Calvinistic Conservative Independent Baptist,” he said.
“Me, too!” I said. “KJV Only Pro-Disney Boycott Pro-Life Unashamed Fundamentalist Against Women in Ministry Dispensational Premillennial Calvinistic Conservative Independent Baptist or Modern Versions Pro-Disney Boycott Pro-Life Unashamed Fundamentalist Against Women in Ministry Dispensational Premillennial Calvinistic Conservative Independent Baptist?”
“MODERN VERSIONS Pro-Disney Boycott Pro-Life Unashamed Fundamentalist Against Women in Ministry Dispensational Premillennial Calvinistic Conservative Independent Baptist” he said.
“Auugghh!!! You heretic!” I said. And I pushed him over.
ROFL hydieho. priceless and about sums it up. I grew up in that mess and it is one of the reasons that I choose at this time not to go to a Baptist church-I've had my fill.
the other point to consider is that in the coming days what is going to be more important to you as a Christian-a Christian that believes in the actual fundamentals of the faith-inerrancy of scripture, substitutionary atonement/Christ is the only way, inspiration of the scripture etc or what particular thought they have on a non essential doctrine? Bad days are coming for us as Christians and we owe it to ourselves to have a different attitude to those who are true Christians because we may be totally dependent on them for food, shelter, fellowship or other. Probability theory would say we have had a large enough group over time that one of us likely will not go up in the Rapture and I wouldn't bet on it being Jim C.
Jib, just to clarify: I wasn't talking about anyone on this blog in my initial post.
And speaking of the Geneva translation, does anyone here have a copy? And has anyone tried studying the Peshitta? (Bible written in Aramaic. There's some evidence that some of the original scriptures were written in Aramaic before they were translated into Greek.)
<><
wasn't sure Jim C so thanks for the clarification of that point but it is a frequent thought at any rate as a knee jerk reaction to Catholics.
I believe that there are several who have the Peshitta Campsmore being one I think but I don't recall any having the Geneva but I have thought of buying it myself
or maybe it was Angie who had the Peshitta.
Africa bishops speak of Obama in religious termsArchbishop Gabriel Charles Palmer-Buckle of Accra, Ghana said Wednesday that there was "a divine plan behind" Obama's election.
"It's like the biblical story repeating itself," he told reporters, citing the Old Testament figure Joseph, who after being sold into slavery in Egypt ends up becoming a top official."
(Gag, spit, barf, pass out- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -..................ZZZZZZZ.)
This is a new NIV version I won't be reading Evangelicals prepare gender-neutral Bible
I'll tell you about my Perry Stone experience tomorrow. Right now I'm signing off for the night. I have to go log into the GMO Online Missionary site & check in on my replys.
One person from India had a supernatural experience w/a white light as he was sleeping in prison.
After some conversation back & forth I'm coming to the understanding that since he believes he went to heaven & back- I have a hunch that he is about tell me that he is actually Jesus or something.
Oye Vey!
Now I'm just coming to realize what a missionary has to deal with & what I'm doing is only on line.
I think that most of us can assume that if the topic of praying to Mary or the saints, etc. comes up, that someone is going to express concern over it.
It should not come as a surprise to anyone.
Well, I might be the token Baptist here and I think I'll just sit this one out and watch what happens! :)
This is not my Perry Stone experience but I just listened to this & any of you having trouble w/spiritual attacks right now watch this Satan's Counterfeit Feasts
Hi, I haven't posted at all in a long time, but have been keeping up with the prayer requests, discussions and news. I have both the Peshitta and the Geneva Bible. I haven't studied out of either of them, but use them for comparison purposes.Lamsa, who translated the Peshitta, has some books- O.T. light, and Gospel light- that give some backround on how idioms used in Scripture are understood in the Aramaic culture.
My church, Harvest Bible Chapel, has begun a year long study on Revelation. We're up to the church in Philidelphia. I have skipped ahead to the fourth chapter, which led to a study of the seraphim, and then a study of the cheribim and Ezekiel 1, 10. THEN I understood that the cheribim represent the constellations, and what Ezekiel saw was the whole universe. the wheels in wheels being the eliptic of the Sun and the paths of the planets ect. I know virtually nothing about astronomy but little by little I'm understanding how the universe works. One thing is leading to another and this is one of the most facinating studies I have done.Does anyone here have some insight on this?
Keeping all of you in prayer- Jamie
Anne
don't worry as much as I joke, I am still Baptist at heart and much of my theology is Baptist I just don't go to a Baptist church. in fact I drive my Presbyterian pastor up a wall some times. I think he said once I give him a headache :-) (I tend to ask obscure questions I guess that make him think)
Jaime
good to see you again. I knew there was at least a couple of people that had the translations Jim talked about. Interesting insight on Ezekiel's wheeled vision. to add further interest to your topic, I do believe I've heard or read the dna molecule being compared in physical structure and construct to our own milky way.
Donna
I don't know what to say
I just love the Baptist and Pentecostal churches. They add so many good anecdotal jokes and contrasts. I am personally, at this time E Free, and there is nothing funny about us at all.
(except perhaps the name: you have caffeine free, sugar free, msg free, and Evangelical free).
Wayne
tooo funny.
now that is a denomination that I haven't heard of. got a website? curious.
Anne
I think the joke about the Baptist was more meant as irony and satire and certainly fit with the discussion last night (although for me there is a large grain of truth in there having been raised in the Baptist denomination).
Evangelical Free Church of America
Evangelical Free Church of Canada
We are similar to Baptists, just free.
I believe that every truly born-again person is free, yes free indeed.
I am surprised to hear Wayne (LW) say that he belongs to an Evangelical Free church though.
His blogger address used to be ukrainianvatican.... and so did Jim Carroll's. So, I surmised that Wayne was connected to the Vatican in someway. Although, I could never find any information regarding "Ukrainian Vatican" anywhere.
And, you may find this funny Wayne, but I always thought you might possibly be a Messianic Jew.
You handled the old testament scriptures in such a unique way, very midrash like.
Now, I have no idea if you are the original LW who posted on Joel's old blog or not. You do not appear to be one and the same person, but I may be wrong. I'll keep looking for LW in your comments.
Are you pastoring a church in Canada now? Have you left the Mission field completely?
I still have you in my prayer book, praying that God will keep you healthy and strong. And, I'm still praying for your "daughter," that she is continuing her walk with the LORD.
I've just periodically been reading and not commenting on this blog, as I don't know anyone anymore. And, it appears that Joel's work is hardly even mentioned anymore. And there are a lot of people who are not very friendly to those that quote the WORD.
Shalom,
a.r.
a.r. it is good to hear from you. I am still looking forward to that cafe with the thousands of cups of coffee that need to be drunk (I believe it was by endtime). I missed your voice of reason. My blog is still titled LW. The vatican part is connected to my most eminent of family names. I have been a Pope far longer than anyone of those Roman guys. (Eat your heart out, Jim)
We left Ukraine in sept. 07, I worked for a year in construction beating boards rather than students, and now am pastoring near Edmonton in Canada. since leaving Ukraine, I have started to use my regular name as I worry less about censorship.
Thank you for your prayers for "my daughter". It has been a long time since I heard anything from her.
God bless,
L. Wayne
Anne, please forgive the joke. Jib is right, it was meant to be ironical. In fact there are several versions of it using different denominations, all meant to convey irony.
a.r., Scripture quoting is welcomed here. Great to hear from you!
I personally refrained from getting involved with the Mary topic because it (and the relevant Scriptures) has been raised several times in the past and was just looping around again. I agree with Alesia’s and Jib’s comments.
I also have relatives who pray to Mary etc and have “discussed” this at length with them. It’s a given that we must quote Scripture but, IMO, after a certain point we have to let it take seed, pray about it and leave the door open for further discussion. I sometimes struggle to find a balance in doing that.
Hello? Did I hear a call for scripture?
:-)
Hebrews 10:24-25
24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
2 Peter 3:14
14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;
1 John 3:2-3
2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
Romans 15:7
Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.
1 Peter 4:10
10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Romans 12:13
13contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
11Therefore encourage one another and (A)build up one another, just as you also are doing.
Romans 14:13
13Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this--not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way.
Ephesians 4:32
32Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Romans 14:19
19So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.
Galatians 6:1
1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness
John 15:17
17 These things I command you, that you love one another.
Mac, I laughed out loud at your joke! Jib, and others, I really wasn't offended and just meant to be cute. :) Maybe Jim C appreciated the spotlight off him for a little while?
I promise I took no offense.
Late Night Lisa,
Thank you for your response. I am subscribed to the weekly e-news.
I can't imagine why we are not getting the same one. Others in my church got the same one that I did too.
Well, I'll contact Nan and find out what's going on.
Thanks for your help anyway.
In Christ,
Charlotte
I think it's time we had a big fight about the.......wait for it.....drum roll....
Preeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-trib rapture.
hahahahahahahahaha
Hyde! Bite your tongue!
Hyde;
"I think it's time we had a big fight about the.......wait for it.....drum roll....
Preeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-trib rapture."
Yeah, Lets go for it, that will be fun! LOL
Lisa;
Regarding the post about the African bishops who think BOO is like a biblical figure. Here is the other side of the coin. This person thinks he is pure evil and maybe the AC.
here
Maranatha!
Speaking of the rapture, here is a post about one of the other "favorite" hot topics, wait for it...... OSAS!
In all seriousness though, I post this one tongue in cheek. The author really gets upset with non OSAS people. I don't like his harsh view toward others who disagree but I have never heard this topic presented this way before. Review this one with care.
here
Maranatha!
ah, I see GT has the blue thingy down pat.
Good job!
:-)
Oh my, we've gone from Mary to rapture timing to OSAS!
Can we go back to Mary?
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Alesia;
Thanks, I will try and stick with it, "practice makes perfect". LOL
Maranatha!
Or.. maybe we can find a new thing we can all argue about, wouldn't that be more fun! LOL
Maranatha!
GT;
Toilet paper over the top or from the back?
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Fold or scrunch?
Allright now- I remember that we ALREADY argued over the proper toiletry arrangement.
Is there ANYTHING new under the Sun?
Here is the "Scrip-ture" quote:
Eccl. 1:9 "What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing new under the sun"
Hey- is this new? We can all debate over who consistantly quotes & who doesn't seem to appreciate the quoting of scripture!
(LOL!!!!! You'll have to forgive me-it's almost midnight & past my bedtime.)
Here's something for you:Obama declares swine flu national emergencyOrder could speed up treatments by waiving certain medical standards.
How about double dipping?
hydeyourmoneyunderamattress,
you're weird! ;-)
And poor Lori was stuck out in the middle of some weird named place.
Lori let us know if you survived your weekend!
Quote of the Day
When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and I could say, "I used everything that you gave me."
- Erma Bombeck
Alesia, Lori was NOT "stuck out in the middle of some weird named place"; she was in a well known and quite lovely "Lake Ogre-chobie", which is very close to the Kiss-Mee River. I would just advise her to be wary of the spelling bees.
<><
au contraire - it's weird!
hate to see what you DO think is weird sounding.
Jim C;
Most definitely over the top!! LOL
Maranatha!
1Pe 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1Pe 1:23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.
1Pe 5:6-7 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.
Rev 1:12-16 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands; and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash. His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength.
I got a lot out of watching this Pastor Chan video. I recommend it if you have time.
Select “Texting God”.
Pastor Chan
You all saw this right-PALESTINIAN VIOLENCE FORCES ISRAELI POLICE TO STORM TEMPLE MOUNT
Regarding Israel, here is more news from Jerry Golden. He thinks a war could start at any time.
Just waiting for the order to pull the trigger
Maranatha!
Try again...sigh;
Just waiting for the order to pull the trigger
Maranatha!
well well AR how the heck are you?
I have thought of you and some of the others quite a lot. Where did you disappear to any way? I don't recall that you were going on a long dig but perhaps my memory is at fault. As I recall you and others like Ryan Hunter stopped posting long before we started the cave as a respite from the flame throwers at Joel's. I'm impressed that you found us unless you became a lurker? lol.
Mac's comment pretty much says it all. we were rehashing tired arguments which have been made before on more than one occasion which results in nothing other than hard feelings, divisiveness and people leaving the blog etc. as to not wanting or liking people to post scripture sorry you got got that impression but nothing could be further from the truth.
and no one mentioned starting up talking about tongues? I'm shocked. that was our most divisive subject yet.
oh dear
Congregational baptists? Wayne how interesting.
oh and Jim
loved the quotes. brought a smile to my face. He is one of my favorite authors although I never did read all of that particular series (might have to re-read the ones I do have though). Did you read any of his other series?
kidding Alesia-I have zero desire to go there
fyi
Joel has an Epicenter team on facebook that you can comment on
Does anyone know of any good sources for current events as it pertain to Bible Prophecy? I'm looking for three categories: last 30-120 days; 3-6 months; & a summary of September 2008 to present. I appreciate your input.
-Jec
JEC
specifically what are you looking for?
Lion and the Lamb, Rapture Ready and the prophecy blogspot not to mention Joel's weblog would all be pretty good places to start depending on what you're looking for.
Dr Frucht has some teachings you can purchase and there are some free faq kinds of things. Hal Lindsey and or Perry stone's site might be of interest. for other faq kinds of things Grace through faith might be good.
Jib,thanks for all of the information you gave me. Can you imagine if you were to condense everything that you mentioned into a summarized report with all of those resorces in a understandable way how that would be an eye opener? That's what I am trying to do! I have been so overwhelmed by all that is going on, but it looks like I have a lot to study to catch up on these thing to come up with an update of some kind to finish a letter I wrote a couple of years ago and just want to update that section of it. It blows me away to see how far we have gone down hill in such a short period of time since our new potus. Thanks again, it looks like I will be reading quite a bit and bring everything to gether under a one page summary. -Jec
Wayne,
It is hard for me to believe that so much time has passed since we started posting on Joel's website.
I haven't thought of the "cafe" in a long time. "Endtime" does ring a bell or two in my head, but I thought I recalled you, Marge or Daveschatology or his brother (the one who had that large music fest back in Virginia annually) with making that suggestion.
A lot has happened to me since mid 2007 when I became deathly ill due to some parasites and nasty bacteria I managed to pick up while doing some work in the Amazon jungle. I was first diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease, but it turned out to be a false diagnosis. But I was one sick lady. But God was faithful and restored me to health.
We no longer live in my beloved Texas. My husband was transferred to Nebraska, then Scottsdale, Ariz, and now we make our home in Colorado. My father is now awaiting our arrival in Glory, and my Mother now makes her home with us which has been such a blessing.
I have been given opportunity to be on some very special digs in Israel, which I can't expound on, or I'd have to kill you. But it has been fabulous. The last two years, have been so wonderful, getting to do what I love and spending so much time in Israel.
My husband is getting a lot of contract work in Israel also, and my Mom and son have been able to come and spend time with us there too. We joined the King of Kings church in Jerusalem, but we go and visit a lot of Messianic churhes also. You would not believe the growth of Messianic believers in the State.
Whenever the Joshua Fund folks are in Israel, I've been blessed to be able to take off work for 3 or 4 days and help out.
Which brings me to how I found you guys again. I did hear about the crash of Joel's site, and I got word of a new site, but I kept forgetting to write it down and truthfully I did not have much time to put a lot of time into it.
Rumors were not very good about the site either.
Do you remember Allen from Baruch HaShem in Dallas? I think he told me that he started posting near the end of Joel's original blog. He came to our church in San Antonio several times and we became good friends. Then, I met him again in Israel. Well, one day when we were working with the Joshua Fund folks, he asked me if I had posted on this site, and I told him that I had made a couple attempts to find it, but had not been successful, so he wrote the website address down for me and I stuck it in my pocket. He told me that I would not recognize very many people but that there were a few that I would remember.
I had heard the rumor that an LW imposter was posting. So, I didn't really know what to think when I saw you had posted. So, the last couple months, I've been peeking in to see if I could find any old friends.
I am returning to Israel next week with my son and Mom. My husband is leaving in the morning for some work in the UK but will be joining us in about a month. My son has been able to attend school in Israel in a type of Hebrew immersion class and speaks like a native now. My husband and I are not doing as well, probably our age.
So LW, I truly believe that we will congregate at that heavenly cafe very soon. It will be good to reunite with our old friends from Joel's.
Your Sister in Christ,
a.r.
Shalom and Maranatha.
L.A. Marzulli mentioned this topic has been floating around for awhile-I guess it is another "wait and see". Official disclosure of extraterrestrial life is imminent.An official announcement by the Obama administration disclosing the reality of extraterrestrial life is imminent. For several months, senior administration officials have been quietly deliberating behind closed doors how much to disclose to the world about extraterrestrial life....
Will this end up the "great delusion?" I don't know but I'll continue to keep my eyes on it.
Jib, Shalom! You asked, Did you read any of his other series? I've only read a few books from the Xanth series (by Piers Anthony). I enjoy the puns, just as I've enjoyed watching my daughters muddle through the Adult Conspiracy. My ex-wife had almost the entire series, but I'm afraid of getting sucked into things like that. First, I have to read all the books that came before, then I have to read everything that's come after.
The only other series I've enjoyed (and been tempted to follow) is one my middle daughter introduced me to: Discworld, by Terry Pratchett. It takes place on a disc that is carried on the backs of four elephants, who in turn ride on the back of a great sea turtle swimming through space. As you might guess, it's chock full of British wit and more than a few puns.
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Lisa, of course they've been debating about how much info about "alien life" to release to the public, because once they do, that will explain the problems with Obama's birth certificate.
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Wow, it was a hot weekend. But we had a total of about 25 high school students some which have never camped. It was good. We were able to buy a tire for the trailer in Okeechobee (long o's O-key-cho-bee) lol at a Walmart for $60 on the rim. No one in town had a tire not on a rim. The one we had was not just flat, but shredded. I never saw that before.
There are a slew of articles linked at Off The Wall News today. Take your time, but make sure you get to see the railroad and the the "lighter side." Smell them roses!
I love my bed.
I've been struggling, lately, with feeling I should be doing more, feeling disobedient because I'm not doing more, what is my gift, etc., etc.
I was reading a John MacArthur book last night & came upon this paragraph that made me stop & read it, at least 4 times and then I finally wrote it down, as well.
Thought maybe it would be good to share here:
"God entrusts different levels of responsibility to each person, depending on our giftedness. God knows intimately our abilities because He is the one who has sovereignly gifted us for service
(1 Cor. 4:7) and He graciously assigns our responsibilities accordingly".
I'm very thankful because although I have been struggling with a few things, I see all around me where the Lord is pointing me in the right direction He wants me to go.
Hey dudes and dudettes,
I've been lurking today. Long time, no speak.
Good to see you here Wayne (maybe you've been here for a while, but I haven't). I agree that we attenders of E-Free churches aren't very funny at all.
Nice to see AR too! I think of the Cafe every once in a while, especially the meatball subs. I hear they're very good there.
See you all there soon. I know when the rapture is going to be, so every get ready. It's on a tuesday....probably.
During the day or at night? I lead a bible study on Tuesday nights and was wondering if I should keep preparing.
Actually, my prayer was that the rapture would take place right as Jeremy Camp closed out the show at this year's Awakening Festival so we wouldn't have to clean up. I guess that means that as believers, we still have some work to do.
Thanks for the honorable mention AR. I hadn't been to this site yet. It was pouring down rain the whole day at this year's festival. So...we had to praise God in the pouring down rain with about 11,000 of our closest friends.
I got online and placed an order for a meatball sub at the cafe. I'll just have to wait until tomorrow to eat it. It will be delicious.
God Bless all,
Mike
Hey Davescahatology, would that be considered 'day' setting? :-)
Good to see so many of the 'old folks' popping in! Hope you hang around.
A rendevous at the cafe is something to look forward to.
Oh boy- the rapture on Tuesday- I can't wait!
Jim C.- That was great- hadn't quite thought of Obama in light of
his "Alien" residency. There may be some foreign DNA mixed in there for good measure.
Jib,- Now that you just mentioned "Tongues" I remember what I was going to tell you all.
Oct 9th I had this dream about Perry Stone. (1st one-kind of strange to have.) He was in charge of this large ship & I was there for a job interview. The ship was bustling w/people and the interview was for some type of management position.
I recall looking at the beautiful glossy stained wood trim that this ship had.
But as I was being interviewed all I could really think about in the back of my mind was that I probably could not accept this position since it required the ship to leave port & I had the responsibility of the kids to care for @ home.
So that's the end. It's one of those strange dreams which sort of hang in your thoughts & bother you.
Then-last Friday I'm sitting in the parking lot of Lorraine's school waiting w/the window down reading a Perry Stone book on Angels.
I notice parked beside me is another Mom waiting for her kids as well. After a little while she asks me if the book I'm reading is good.
I say- yes it's been great- it's about Angels. When she looks at me w/an inquisitive expression I hold the book up & say - it's by Perry Stone.
After I said that-her jaw sort of dropped open & she said "I love Perry Stone!" She mentioned that she did not bring it up much around the people she meets @ the school because of the various conservative views on gifts of the Spirit.
She began her testimony by stressing how conservative her views used to be and that she was formerly a Catholic. That was until a friend of hers invited her to his small bible study group. (I didn't ask her the denomination.)
She said that she went into this strange setting & during the study one of the people had "a word" from the Lord & gave a description of this person's issues.
She knew it was her but did NOT want to speak up. He kept pressing that the Lord would not release him until this person spoke up- so since that was the case she did & told them it was her.
He then asked if they all could lay hands on her & hesitantly she agreed. (Thought this was totally & utterly bizarre!) They all began to pray- some in tongues & some in normal English.
Suddenly a warm to hot feeling started to well up in her shoulder. When they were done she asked if someone had put a hot press on it (although it felt like it was coming from within her body) & that's when they all began to joyfully praise the Lord & he told her that they didn't have a compress but it was the Lord & that God had just healed her!
She was healed that day & this experience just set her on fire for the Lord. She was so enthusiastic that she just couldn't figure out why we even need hospitals anymore! (Later on she calmed down though.)
So now she spends quite a bit of time reading & what her special interests are is healing(of course)and deliverance.
I concurred w/her spiritual gifts sentiments & told her that the gals @ my Bible Study think I'm the wild child because I do believe there are still prophets/prophetess
today & I'm the only one who asked God for the gift of tongues & who prays that way.
cont...
So the bottom line of meeting her was it appears to me that the Lord had us meet for a purpose. I don't know if it's more than just becoming good friends but this is the 1st "live" (in-person) soul who I can speak with about these things in agreement.
I have many really neat Christian friends I love but they just don't seem to be on the same page w/a couple of these spiritual subjects.
Hey- maybe I should invite her to give her testimony & our small group study? That will get them all goin!
What I've been wanting to recommend to our small group leader is after the Ruth study to find a Spiritual Gifts study.
In my immediate circles rarely does anyone know what they have been given to use for Kingdom purposes.
When I asked another group of ladies in a different study they kind of looked at me w/a "huh?" look. Nobody wanted speak up & say anything.
Jesus did tell us the story of the "talents" & explained how different people reacted to them. One person hid them. One person used them w/a medium return. (Used occasionally perhaps?) And another used what he had & produced a great return. (Used often?)
We should make our best efforts to seek the Lord out so that He will reveal what our spiritual ministry gifts are so we don't inadvertently bury them like the first talent hoarder.
We may not all have as many gifts as the next person but what we have been blessed with should be put to use. And- if we don't know what they are-well I suppose someone could be using them w/o even knowing it but it does seem better to find out what they are.
If the small groups all knew what each is gifted w/it creates a unique opportunity to really work in unity under the power of the Holy Spirit.
In fact I just relied upon the Holy Spirit today in order not to get issued a speeding ticket since I just got a construction zone violation last week. (I prayed-please not another one- not two in a row.)
I am one who is typically a courteous driver & who does not get tickets at all & now within two weeks I get pulled over 2x's.
Today I asked the cop if he was a Christian- he said no-so help me pray for him too!
What was that old show w/the motorcyle cops? Chips? or ? He looked like the smaller Hispanic guy w/the dark rimmed glasses.
Now I'm wondering if there is a reason why I'm getting to know all the cops in my local area- is this for a future Marshall law bust or what?
Only the Lord know but He sure does work in mysterious ways!
I just ran across this movie which is playing on SyFy channel and wondered if anyone has seen it or knows about it (from 1991)? I take it from reading the review that it is a secular take on the rapture and a slam against fundamental christians. I had not heard that there was a secular movie on this subject before.
The Rapture
I was not going to watch it because I am tired of the worlds' interpretation of these things, they always slam what they don't understand. They can't seem to deal with something without a bias. I guess there should be no suprise there!
Maranatha!
GT - I saw that movie years ago. It is pretty risque, I wouldn't recommend any Christians to watch it.
The 2 main characters start out pretty shady (won't go into it here) they then become born again Christians.
They start going to a church that talks about end-times & this boy preacher tells them the rapture is coming soon.
The husband gets killed & the wife takes her daughter out to the desert to wait for the rapture.
She ends up killing her daughter & while in jail the rapture comes but because she's ticked off at God for the rapture not happening sooner, killing her daughter, her husband dying - she floats up & doesn't go to heaven.
That about sums it up - without mentioning a whole lot of sex scenes from the beginning of the movie.
Hi AR, nice to see you found us again. I lurk a lot too, and then post sporadically.
Alesia, I know what you mean about wishing you would be used in a big way, but you are right, He puts us just where we belong with the right tools for His work at the time.
Speaking of which, my job is in some flux and getting more unstable weekly. I'd appreciate pray for me to hear His guidance on what to do here to stay here or where to go if He's telling me to move, which could be hard because it would entail a short separation from my family until the summer.
Judging by the spiritual warfare I feel on all fronts, world, national, local, personal, I'd have to agree we have to be very close to the finish line. See you all soon.
Armor up.
In His Grip,
Scott
BIG HELLO to all the folks who've popped in.
Very exciting to see you all!!!
On another note,
check out cryptome.org for some interesting intelligence news.
In His Grip
Scott
Wow, so many names from Joel's old blog!! Good to see you all stopping in! Now where is Angie,Boatman,Child of the King,DuceBeabLilBugFess,Dibdabdeb,forgiven daughter,Grany,IowaGal,Kinderquilt,Marcie,Nate Lewis,Overcomer,Sheila and Stacey. I'll stop there because the next one on the list is the infamous "T". And thats just a partial list of the old crew, how many came and went...I can't forget to mention Josh though. May God bless you all wherever He has taken you!!
Maranatha!
Lori, of course the tire was shredded. You must have run across an ogre at the lake...
Revealed: The breakfast cereals saltier than crisps and with more sugar than a doughnut
("Crisps" = potato chips)
Get ready, America: Great Depression 2.0
Author who predicted current crisis shows why it's 'only the beginning'
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Alesia;
I can see by the review I posted that they slam christians and use belief in the rapture in a negative way and say that it messed up the peoples lives. I just wouldn't have thought that they actually portrayed that the rapture happened in the movie. But that would be a slam against God that it didn't happen when the main character wanted it to happen and she lost her salvation. I guess it could also be a slam against the left behind series. There is so much confusion on christian subjects, to be expected for sure.
Maranatha!
Jim C., We passed close to Lake Okeechobee (means big water) but we not able to see it, only the birm, which is high. We stay on private property directly on the Old Kissimmee (Kiss-em-mee, means heaven's place) River which is a short kayak trip to the newer dug out Kissimmee River. The property is gorgeous and looks like a scene out of Lord of the Rings. It has old Florida oaks everywhere and sometimes the alligators come up on shore to sun near the campsites. We've seen wild turkey, ibis, all types of heron, vultures, hawks, opossum, armadillos, bobcat and wild boar. It's a great place to camp to experience real Florida.
Some of the pronunciations here are tricky. Up near Gainesville is a town called Alachua (short A-latch-u-long a) which is in Alachua (all short a's) county. Alachua means "sweet water."
We live pretty close to Loxahatchee (locks-a-hat-chee, river of turtles) and not too far from the Wakodahatchee Wetlands, a lovely place to spend a few hours watching natural wildlife (free).
Some of these words are Seminole and some Caloosa so there might be a slight deviation in meaning.
well drat, this will likely get lost in the shuffle of posts.
AR
I truly am glad to see that it is you as I couldn't figure out how you had found us and it really be you. I kept going to your blogger site just after you quit posting hoping there would be away to get in touch with you to find out how you were doing. I kept a bunch of blogger sites in my favorites-like Press i.em yours, ryans etc for the longest time-even wrote Ryan but he must have quit going to his site.
the digs sounds like you had a great time (after being so sick). Marge doesn't post here so you won't have any one to debate old or new earth with :-)
all other points aside we did really have a rather big blow out about tongues so there are a number of folks who you might remember from Joel's who felt lead to go elsewhere.
if you will recall the folks at Joel's thought we were both men lol!
Sorry, Jib, I went and done a new post.
New post is up.
God Evening to all! Just a note to say Hi to A.R. and glad she filled us in on how things have been going for her. I must admit I am with you A.R. on the Wayne thing and I had trouble with the same things you see. I still keep in touch with Lisa's family and they are all doing well. Blessings to all....
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