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Do you see a difference between criticism and condemnation? If not, what is "criticism" in your eyes? Just curious.....

there's likely to be increased hysteria amongst many Christian groups... "it's an evil holiday" "witches will snatch your children" "don't let your children participate in that pagan holiday!!" etc etc etc Actually, people, October 31 is a day. Like any other day. It assumes importance only to some (not all) pagan groups, and brings increased power to those who practice the Craft. It's not, I repeat, NOT a day set aside for evil people to infiltrate or subvert Christianity. It's a holiday brought to you by the candy makers, costume designers, and pumpkin patch gardeners. It's a day for kids and adults alike to imagine "what-if's," and dress up in costumes to pretend they are their favorite real or fictional character. It's a time for down home parties and innocent spooky stories, designed to delightfully enchant and hone the imagination. It's actually a chance to turn a commercial day into one for a gathering of friends for a fun evening. (Caveat: there will ALWAYS be those who will use the day, as with any holiday, as an excuse to be stupid.) Yes, All Hallow's Eve was originally a high Sabbat for witches and many other pagans. But it's only a day. If the Christians who preach against the modern day holiday of Halloween would stop and think, they would realize their children are not participating in Samhain rituals, brandishing their athames to invoke spells, or calling up the dead. They are out trick-or-treating -- collecting candy that will give them stomachaches and a hyperactive "high"! Halloween is not a day for which to be afraid. Unless you happen to be a witch and have made the goddess angry...

Yes. Good post. Christians should not fear Halloween.

another way (but not the only way) to look at criticism is whether it was asked for, either explicitly (such as asking for a critique of a book or an outfit), or implicitly (such as posting a view or remark on a forum)... unasked-for criticism of a person or idea, unless it relates specifically to oneself, is often just a rude remark that adds nothing to understanding...

I rather suggest that judgment, in a negative sense which is condemnation, only affords one a blanket of disgrace with no resolute of probation to rectify oneself as to repentance. Criticism, on the other hand, if it is meant to reprove, to rebuke and to reaffirm, must be constructive by nature, which is healthy, versus one of destructive complexity, which would only instigate a negative effect upon both sides, the critic and the subject of curiosity in contention, that which brings no healing nor moral and social responsibility. Nonetheless, criticism(s) must be conveyed with compassion and deep sense of humility so as not to subjugate the subject, thereby reducing oneself of his or her self-worth; all in all, it's got to be Christ-centered.

(even funnier, because I've done the same thing)

I was amazed to see a new bright star in the sky early this morning, amazed because I could see it even without my glasses on. I put on my glasses for a better look: turned out to be a reflection of the little light on my smoke alarm.

That appears to be inconsistent with God's grace and mercy afforded those that have not had all the benefits of those with healthy beginnings, even those aborted, which amounts to: www.mccl.org/us-abortion-statistics.html The latest available abortion statistics show that the abortion rate is falling across the United States, there are still over 1 million abortions each year. The person who sins is the one who will die. The child will not be punished for the parents sins, and the parent will not be punished for the child's sins. Ezek 18:20 NLT "Father forgive them, for they know not what they are doing." Luke 23:24 These are quotes out of context. However the principles are always the same. God is Love! Jesus saves!

Sis Rachel; You said: Our Lord Himself said "All". Here: NIV John 5:28-29 28 "Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when All who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out-

Sis Rachel; You said: God's "wrath" was unleashed several times. These were NOT the 7 last plagues, but they WERE called God's "wrath". You are right. But the COMPLETION of the wrath of God is the 7 last plagues: NKJ Revelation 15:1 Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete.

From selling all the dolls she made over the years....

"Now is the accepted time" FOR those hearing this message. But there are millions of folks who NEVER HEARD the "message of reconciliation". For THEM "the accepted time" will be WHEN they HEAR the message. The can't hear it today - because they are DEAD. The will hear it when they are resurrected at the 8th millennium.

It will be interesting to see if they have made any changes or updates - to match the changes in technology since those days.

Dying well must be in the eyes of the remaining family/friends. If there is friction and dissention in the air at the end of a person's life it is not dying well. So it behoves us to have our relationships in order so there will be no regrets when we are gone.

One thing for sure that Obama has done to Medicare is that it has really become almost impossible to get a doctor.

So to you prosperity means flaunting wealth? I've known some wealthy people who, other than the car they drove on special occasions, lived no differently than a middle class person who lived within their means and were saving for their retirement. It wasn't until I got to know them pretty well, and I was a poor man whom they accepted as an equal, that I began to understand just how wealthy they were. They were very prosperous. They just didn't flaunt it. Being wealthy and flaunting wealth are two different things, and your example conflates them. Flaunting wealth is ego driven. Being wealthy can be nothing more than being in the right place at the right time and working hard to capitalize on the opportunity.

Obama has the kids paying for us old sick people, and for benefits they, and we old people, will never use. How many single young men need birth control pills or pregnancy coverage? How many couples past their 50's are ever going to need those same things? However, everyone pays for it whether they will ever use it or not. From talking to the nurses and doctors at the clinic I use not a one of them like Obamacare. All of them think it is going to really affect the quality of medical care, and not for the better. For example, my insurance carrier forced me to change my short term insulin. Why? I don't know and neither does the diabetes specialist I see. She says she's had this happen before. Some people are forced to change from A to B and others are forced to change from B to A. It seems just be the insurance companies now forcing people to change just because they can.

What!!! You don't see a connection between artic melting and pope's?? I 'm shocked!

LOL whbae, Good point!!!

It is strange to me that those who oppose women in leadership based on the Bible principle have nothing to say about women being leaders in other field beside ministry. There are a lot of women school principals under whom there are a lot of male teachers. Do you suppose these male teachers would not obey their bosse's order because it is coming from a female? There are a lot of department heads yet, no one complains about it. According Paul women should not teach in church, yet there are many SS teachers including superintendent position. Nowadays, I do not see women covering their heads in church yet no one complains about it. If one argues about order of creation, thus men are above women, consider what was created before Adam. These are ridiculous ideas to rationalize their own thinking. My mother said once Bible is like this, if you want to make an ear ring out of the Bible verses you can do it. If you want make a nose ring out of the same verse you also can do it. If you read "Daughters of God" by E.G. White she states that women should cultivate God given talent without restrain. Think about this statement. She did not say there is some restriction such as no leadership talent. Wbae