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Attending services on Saturday is not hard at all, but giving up employment because of Sabbath issues -- that is a huge hurdle for many.

Consider that perhaps God leaves complete victory out of lives to frustrate and refute the heresy of perfectionism. Is He perhaps saying, "I have told you before, and repeatedly shown my people throughout history that the victory is not theirs, It is mine." Human victory over sin is impossible. We have victory only through Jesus Christ. But many of us still have to be shown the truth of that by failure. There are many things that remain as they have from the beginning. They will not be changed this side of the Second coming. In a twinkling of the eye, we will all be changed.

“If you plant for a year, plant grain. If you plant for ten years, plant trees. If you plant for a 100 years, plant men. If you plant for eternity, plant the word. ” - Unknown?

Jackson: God will see the Adventist Church through NAD President encourages leaders to trust that God controls the future of His church Daniel R. Jackson, president of the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, shares his sermon titled "Frowning Providence, Reverence & Faith" on Sabbath November 1. (Photo by Dan Weber) November 1, 2014 | Julio C. Muñoz | Silver Spring, Maryland Daniel R. Jackson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America (NAD), said we serve a sovereign God who created the universe, reigns supreme, and is a God of forethought, designs, and plans who will see His church through any issues humans have generated. Jackson, preaching a sermon entitled “Frowning Providence, Reverence & Faith,” challenged delegates and guests at the 2014 North American Division Year-End Meeting Sabbath program to look at the character of God and see how He utilizes providence to bring about His plan for His people. Noting that there are some voices that want to convince members that the church is about to be destroyed by apostasy, Jackson said that it is imperative to remember that God is in control. That is significant to the Seventh-day Adventist Church, he noted, as we prepare for 2015 General Conference Session. “I have come to believe that, in light of all we face, we will either have to trust in the intervening hand of God or ultimately deny our faith,” Jackson said to the more than 500 guests in attendance and those watching live on The Hope Channel. “Either God is at work in the church—sometimes moving openly, sometimes moving almost imperceptibly—or the church is just an organization of human invention controlled by politicians and political hacks.” Jackson went on to say that the Church has come to give “too much credence to human power, ingenuity, and stealth.” And that many have come to believe that issues that humans “have generated can actually break apart the Church, as though somehow God is inept—or God is unable. No human has the right or authority to put God into a box!” Jackson illustrated his theme with the story of Pharaoh Thutmose III, the ancient Egyptian leader who held the Israelites in bondage and refused to release them. By defying God's command relayed through Moses, the ruler was trying to “thwart God’s plan for His movement on earth.” Jackson said that while God’s character can be difficult for us to comprehend, there should be no doubt that He is a God of forethought—a God of designs and plans. He is not sitting by, wringing His hands as He divines a solution to problems on earth. The life of Jesus is an example of God’s plan for the salvation of His children. “God’s love compelled Him to give His only begotten Son for the eternal well-being of mankind,” Jackson said. “All men are a part of God’s plan to redeem! Whatever failure we make in our lives.” Jackson stated that we must remain obedient to God’s heavenly vision. God will not stand by idly and watch mankind destroy His plans for the world and for His Church so long as we keep our eyes on what matters above all—Jesus. “There is only one true north for the church and his name is Jesus!” Jackson said to a strong “amen” from the audience. “How blind we become when we reject following the light given to us!” Jackson concluded by emphatically stating: “I love the Seventh-day Adventist movement. It. Will. Not. Fail.” The sermon also included two important themes for Jackson and the delegates of the NAD Year-End Meetings, young people and transformation evangelism. On the former he said, “The future of God’s work is dependent on our children. They are so precious.” On the latter he let people know that evangelism was alive and well, but perhaps the way in which it was carried out was not too effective. “You can’t go into a field with a harvester if you haven’t planted any seed,” Jackson said. Jackson began his sermon with a moving tribute to his wife, Donna Jackson, who was also on the stage. He related events from earlier in the day, when he was looking for his wife and could not find her. “I almost panicked this morning. I couldn’t find my wife. I was asking some of you, ‘have you seen my wife?’” Jackson said, suddenly becoming choked with emotion. “I just wanted to tell her, ‘I love you.’” Unable to continue, he stepped back to where Donna was sitting, and hugged her, continuing, “This beautiful woman.” He then asked everyone who was sitting next to their spouses, or soon to be spouses, and tell them, “I love you.” Jackson was introduced by G. Alex Bryant, executive secretary of the NAD telling the audience: “I believe that God still has more work for this Division under the leadership of Daniel Richard Jackson in the years to come.”

Survival Foragers laud Cattails for various uses which I am vaguely aware of in my internet travels. Yet I just learned that cattails aka bulrushes are, and I quote: "Cattails are wicked efficient at keeping their water source clean. The plant is an incredible filter. But the toxins are then left in the plant. IBM has been using cattail ponds to clean runoff water at many of the nastiest super-fund cleanup sites with great success. Before harvesting Cattails, make sure the water its in is clean." I can't help thinking God had either designed these systems pre-fall, or foresaw what man would do, so then implemented them to counteract the evils that follow. Or some combination of both. "Satan is the destroyer; God is the restorer.{MH 113.1} "The desire of God for every human being is expressed in the words, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” 3 John 2.{MH 113.3} He it is who “forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies.” Psalm 103:3, 4.{MH 113.4}" http://www.eattheweeds.com/cattails-a-survival-dinner/

But this can be used to sway those not firmly grounded. It is actually quite effective as those that cannot be swayed by elaborately theologically complicated ones. are the problem

Your inability, or perhaps your desire, to reason is once again showing, Robert. Jesus treated us exactly the same way He would have wanted to have been treated if His and our positions had been reversed. This isn't rocket science, Robert. It's simply applying Christ's own words to His actions.

I fail to see how this topic is related to how the Lord may use women in ministry. There are both Biblical and historical precedents for the Lord using women in serving Him- Deborah, Ellen White, women church leaders in China, early Adventist pioneers, etc etc. The question is whether they should be ordained in ministry. There is precedent for former homosexuals becoming active in the church- Paul says so also were some of you. I have friends who are homosexual, both current and former. I believe we should pray for and witness to homosexuals in a kind way. But there is no record in the Bible of the Lord using practicing homosexuals in his work. We are all sinners and seek a better country but church order demands that those who wilfully continue in open sins of this nature not be in regular standing in the church, similar to those living in adultery embezzling from the church or selling drugs.

Jesus said: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17"For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him." Is this "God" mentioned by Jesus one person only or one unity of three co-eternal persons? Jesus said: "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." Is this "God" mentioned by Jesus one person only or one unity of three co-eternal persons? Jesus said: "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him." Is this "God" mentioned by Jesus one person only or one unity of three co-eternal persons? Did Jesus ever teach us to worship or pray to a "GOD" that is a unity of three co-eternal persons - God the Father, God the Son and God the holy spirit?

Where did I say that we can eat multigrain bread or wear multi-fiber clothes? I am merely pointing out the context of Lev 18:22, if I recall correctly, you were the one who brought it up. I was pointing out some if it's sister texts from the same section and how the law that you pointed out here also has other applications with in this section, and was wondering if you keep this law or only sections of this law. Here I'd like to get your understanding. Do you take the whole package that Lev 18:22 is a part of or are you only picking and choosing the "I'll take this part but not that part" and your rational for your picking and choosing.

I think you are missing the point, Gerry. Context is important to understand what is really being condemned. By narrowly focusing on just one proof text one can miss the greater meaning, other equally important elements, or even the true message being given in the whole story. Ezekiel is a great example of that. The Ezekiel bread is not described as some healthful multigrain bread as marketing geniuses now would have us believe by narrowly promoting it based on one verse from a Biblical Prophet. A natural reaction - "It must be a perfect God ordained recipe for bread!!" But... It's very much different if you read the full context. God was using Ezekiel as a living demonstration of the the abhorant and disgusting fate of the people if they didn't mend their ways. Here is your fate. In your captivity will have to eat bread scraped together from remnants of what grains are left over and bake it over a fire fueled by your own dung. And then there is the modern twisting of the story of Sodom to have but one narrow take away from one poorly understood verse taken out of the whole context to teach that homosexuality is so evil that God destroyed a whole city because of it. From that we get the modern era word for gay sex - sodomy. Forget that the mob of sodomizers was actually all the people of the city, young and old, men and women. Ignore the abhorrent alternate solution offered up by Lot himself of handing over his own daughters rather than his honored guests. And ignore the real reason God did what he did to Sodom as the prophet Ezekiel explains. It really was their arrogance and disregard for the needs of others.

I will have to try that for our herd of deer. A few years ago we selected a number of new plants that were supposed to be deer resistant. They can't resist them. In fact they seem to prefer them over plants that are normally deer bait.

That's interesting about using fishing line, that deer won't try to jump something they can't see, and they are spooked by it. They can tear it down if they accidentally run into it at any speed, but if just walking along, it seems to keep them at bay. I didn't like the idea some had of stringing the line high above a regular fence, because it would just catch the deer mid-jump and could cause it to hurt itself and/or the fence below. I wouldn't want to be cruel to the critters. This idea seemed useful: "Ideally a line set at 6 inches (to catch their ankles) and 3 feet (to catch their chest) freaks them out and keeps them from being able to get around it.' I'd have to put up a short fence for the rabbits, and then the line for the deer. Something worth considering. Thanks!

Why?

So God does not give me victory over cheating or pornography or whatever, to show how imperfect I am? I don't need God to do that, my wife does a very good job of that already!

In post # 9, I recommended that she appeal to the Conference. I wish to withdraw my suggestion. I made the suggestion thinking that the Conference would be more reasonable. I do not now think that she should appeal to them.

Then why do you keep sinning?

Sabbath, Creation & Redemption: In Creation, God made the Sabbath holy. NIV Genesis 2:3 And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. In Redemption, God made man holy. NIV Hebrews 10:10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Sabbath was the sign of God's finished work of Creation. It is likewise the sign of God's finished work of Redemption. This is why the Sabbath is the perpetual sign that it was God Who made men holy. NIV Ezekiel 20:12 Also I gave them my Sabbaths as a sign between us, so they would know that I the LORD made them holy. God made the Sabbath holy: we are enjoined to keep it holy. God made man holy: we are enjoined to keep ourselves holy.

At least half of the people who come to the Adventist Church where I attend are not members. This church leads the conference in Baptisms. On the Sabbath issue, it is of interest that some of the mega-churches have multiple services to accommodate the numbers they are reaching, including services on Saturday. Willow Creek for example, in the Chicago area has services on Saturday and Sunday. While I haven't attempted to verify it with certainty, I once did a rough estimate comparing their attendance numbers and concluded that Willow Creek likely had more in attendance at their Saturday services than we have Adventist members in the Chicago area.

Dr Brown has another interesting comment some in here might like, - "I have a question for you. I began my article on the Bible and homosexuality with this paragraph: "One night I was reading the stories of people who had left the church because they thought God hated them simply because they were attracted to the same sex. I was so overcome with emotion that I put the book down, got alone in another room, fell to my knees and wept. The pain of these men and women for whom Jesus died was palpable and heartbreaking." In response, someone wrote on my website that I was lying and that this never happened, a response I've heard numerous times before. So, my question is: Why do people have such a hard time believing that you can be filled with compassion and love and still not affirm their position? (You can read the rest of the article here:http://www.charismamag.com/life/culture/21316-what-the-bible-really-says-about-homosexuality.)"

She has the right to appeal to the Conference. I wish that she would do so.

It's not my call, Gerry, it's God's. God looks at our hearts, not our behavior. Salvation is totally independent of behavior. Behavior modification comes by the power of grace (not your power) AFTER you are saved - not before. Do you acknowledge your sinfulness and your need of a Savior? Is Jesus that Savior? Do you have a relationship with Him (as opposed to a relationship with the church)? Do you want to be God's son and live with Him for eternity? I don't know you, but from reading your posts, it appears that you could answer "yes" to all of these questions. If so, by my understanding of scripture, you are most certainly in. But, I'm not God; only He truly knows your heart.

That's a sorry thing to do. This type of control and intimidation is exactly the type of stuff that turns me off to denominationalism in general. While they're at it, why don't they disfewllowship everyone who uses prescription pain meds, tranquilizers, sleep aids, and cough syrup? Even most OTC cough medicines have alcohol. Prescriprion pain meds and trancs are far more dangerous and debilitating that cannibis. No one has ever died from an overdose of weed. Millions have died from overdoses of the other drugs mentioned. Many people who are disfellowshipped eventually turn their back on God, as well. If this poor woman does that, may the guilt fall on the church's head. May Jesus bring comfort and spiritual healing to this poor soul. The church sure won't.

i believe we need to be in the community, and the community in our church services. i don't like a sermon that is merely preaching to the choir. those who are new and those who have been in awhile all need to hear and live the gospel. the love of God for the lost never gets old, the promises never wear out. God's word is fresh and life giving and we all need it every day.

"When God specially calls your wife to the work of teaching the truth, then should you lean to her counsel and advice, and confide in her instructions. God may give you both, as possessing an equal interest iin and devotion to the work, equal qualifications to act a promient part in the most solemn work of saving souls." 1T p. 710

I was bringing home a group of girls for not only lunch but Bible study and fellowship. I would do it more except our dogs have well-nigh messed up our furniture, walls and floors. We need a major renovation! A couple of us have health issues, too. But when starting the group I purposely chose women who are believers but who don't talk much about faith. They really enjoy our times together. There are a few reasons why I don't entertain more than I do, so I leave that to other households.

Mammam is a problem for both sexes. The problem will not go away because a woman takes office. In fact a new set of problems will be added.

ESV | ‎Mt 19:4 “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, ‎5 and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? ‎6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

(as copied from a trusted friend on facebook ) OPEN LETTER TO AL-BAGHDADI FROM THE WORLD'S LEADING MUSLIM LEADERS AND SCHOLARS Executive Summary 1- It is forbidden in Islam to issue fatwas without all the necessary learning requirements. Even then fatwas must follow Islamic legal theory as defined in the Classical texts. It is also forbidden to cite a portion of a verse from the Qur’an—or part of a verse—to derive a ruling without looking at everything that the Qur’an and Hadith teach related to that matter. In other words, there are strict subjective and objective prerequisites for fatwas, and one cannot ‘cherry-pick’ Qur’anic verses for legal arguments without considering the entire Qur’an and Hadith. 2- It is forbidden in Islam to issue legal rulings about anything without mastery of the Arabic language. 3- It is forbidden in Islam to oversimplify Shari’ah matters and ignore established Islamic sciences. 4- It is permissible in Islam [for scholars] to differ on any matter, except those fundamentals of religion that all Muslims must know. 5- It is forbidden in Islam to ignore the reality of contemporary times when deriving legal rulings. 6- It is forbidden in Islam to kill the innocent. 7- It is forbidden in Islam to kill emissaries, ambassadors, and diplomats; hence it is forbidden to kill journalists and aid workers. 8- Jihad in Islam is defensive war. It is not permissible without the right cause, the right purpose and without the right rules of conduct. 9- It is forbidden in Islam to declare people non-Muslim unless he (or she) openly declares disbelief. 10- It is forbidden in Islam to harm or mistreat—in any way—Christians or any ‘People of the Scripture’. 11- It is obligatory to consider Yazidis as People of the Scripture. 12- The re-introduction of slavery is forbidden in Islam. It was abolished by universal consensus. 13- It is forbidden in Islam to force people to convert. 14- It is forbidden in Islam to deny women their rights. 15- It is forbidden in Islam to deny children their rights. 16- It is forbidden in Islam to enact legal punishments (hudud) without following the correct procedures that ensure justice and mercy. 17- It is forbidden in Islam to torture people. 18- It is forbidden in Islam to disfigure the dead. 19- It is forbidden in Islam to attribute evil acts to God . 20- It is forbidden in Islam to destroy the graves and shrines of Prophets and Companions. 21- Armed insurrection is forbidden in Islam for any reason other than clear disbelief by the ruler and not allowing people to pray. 22- It is forbidden in Islam to declare a caliphate without consensus from all Muslims. 23- Loyalty to one’s nation is permissible in Islam. 24- After the death of the Prophet , Islam does not require anyone to emigrate anywhere.