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Very short video on the origin of races and skin colours beginning with Adam and Eve, through to Noah and his family and the rest of us today!

http://spectrummagazine.org/node/6882/

Thank-you!

I ran an outreach ministry to gays and lesbians for three years while in college. There is a lot we do not know about it. We do know what the Bible says. Before we condemn homosexuals too much, let's put the issue in prospective. Very few people live out God's plan for their sexuality. What do I mean? How many heterosexuals never have pre-marital sex? How many people never look at pornography? How many never lustfully gaze at an attractive person they are not married to? So yes, we can talk about the Bible's condemnation of homosexuality but let's understand that sexuality itself is an area where most people fall short of God's plan. Homosexuality is complex. There is not one cause for all homosexuality. Some people seem to have been subject to a pre-natal condition, while in the womb, that caused them to be more prone to being homosexual. Others have been subject to circumstances as a child that caused them to develop into being gay. And some do simply choose the lifestyle - especially now that much of the social stigma has been removed. As a result of the varying causes, the success rate of those trying to get out of the lifestyle varies. It has been said that homosexuals and alcoholics are cousins of sorts. I refer to both of these conditions as disorders. Both have varying causes and the success rate of those trying to leave is not impressive in either group. Leaving the lifestyle is a lifelong struggle for most - both alcoholics and homosexuals.

First, my prayers are going up for what you are experiencing. As far as your question, I really think it depends on the age, temperment, and sensitivity of the young ones. My parents were ill for a very long time and my kids had to go with me to many ambulance calls, hospitals, doctor's offices, and labs, etc., frequently as I cared for them while my husband worked. I took them with me because I had to and explained in simple terms what was happening and why. We did a lot of talking and the explanations got more detailed the older they became. The result has been young people who are not afraid of helping those who are ill and who look different, but rather the opposite: they rush to help. However, although they were allowed to see their grandparents while they were still alive and even extremely deteriorated, I would not allow them to see a viewing. A funeral? Yes. A grave-side service? Yes. A viewing? Not until they were older and expressed a desire to do so. I would let them watch the service and approach the closed casket with them when they were old enough to understand. It was not until their teens that they expressed a desire to see their grandparents after they had died. That was okay for my older son, but difficult. The younger son was much more sensitive and wanted to follow his brother's actions out of loyalty and his tender sense of obligation. He saw the open casket from about 100 feet away and paused. We saw that he was unsure, so we talked with him and told him we were making the decision for him not to view the person at his age. It took the pressure off of him. Several years later, when he was more mature, he was able to go to a viewing of a close loved one although even that was tough. It was tough for us as adults. So, I think it depends on how old the child is and what they understand and want. Ultimately, each family has different traditions and no one answer will work for all children. Just follow your heart and their promptings with much prayer for guidance.

I'm pleased to see our church proclaim where it stands on this issue.

No, don't hand out refreshment. Just send me money for the legal services that I have provided here. No, that would not violate the law. However, if any of you wish to send me such money, I will pledge to make a contribution to Stan for the expenses of running the website.

June 26, 2015 Statement on Supreme Court Decision on Same-Sex Marriage The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday, June 26, released its decision legalizing same-sex marriage across the United States. Even with the Supreme Court’s decision, the Seventh-day Adventist Church maintains its fundamental belief that marriage was divinely established in Eden and affirmed by Jesus to be a lifelong union between a man and a woman. While the church respects the opinions of those who may differ, it will continue to teach and promote its biblically based belief of marriage between a man and a woman. The Seventh-day Adventist Church believes that all people, regardless of race, gender, and sexual orientation are God’s children and should be treated with civility, compassion, and Christ-like love. More information on the Adventist Church’s belief on marriage can be found athttp://www.adventist.org/information/official-statements/statements/article/go/0/marriage/30/ follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend read or subscribe to NewsPoints online

OK, so now I have that. The problem I'm having is I did a search on all the Jewish websites, and nowhere do I find the word "chaçed." So that's why I ask. So I'll ask it this way, where did you see this word? Because as far as I know, the way your spelling it, it doesn't seem Hebrew to me. With that little squigly(sp) under the second"c!" No Hebrew words have that, as far as I know.

This article was sent to me by a friend who owns a health food store. Thought folks here would appreciate it. My husband and I gradually left off eating meat a few years ago. Seemed like it just didn't taste good any longer. Now I realize WHY. Smithfield Ham & other Bad food!! Nasty stuff ---------- Some good news to cheer you up on a cold night on how we are helping our friends in China : Food for thought... Smithfield Farms, the largest pork producing farm in the USA was sold in September to China with the unanimous support of its stockholders!! The hogs will still be raised here, but slaughtered and packaged for sale there before being sent back here. This includes labels of: · Morrell · Eckrich · Krakus · Cudahy · Premium Hams · Cook's · Gwaltney The same with many chickens. They can now be shipped there, but when they come back all that needs to be labelled is that they WERE RAISED IN THE USA . Not that they were processed in China !!! Our great FDA at work again. The chickens will be all processed and most sold to fast food restaurants for sandwiches, along with schools and supermarkets. The China slaughter and processing are not nearly equal to the requirements here. *BAD FOOD.* We recently learned that Starkist Tuna is now owned by Korea , and is in big conflict with the U.S.concerning quality, safety, and records, which Korea refuses to produce. Read several articles on Google about this, and even one that was defending the eating of tilapia said to avoid the fish that came from China ? Also, I had just returned home from buying Albertson's 4-day special of 4 bags of frozen tilapia for the price of one? Sure enough, on the top of the bags, it read "farm raised", and on the bottom in small print it said, " China " read all the way to the end..... Recently a Food inspector on TV... said he had lived overseas and he had seen the filthy conditions their foods are raised and processed in. It is enough to make you throw up. Some foreign workers have to wear masks as they work in these places, because the food is so rotten and filthy, it makes them want to throw up. Many of their fish on Fish Farms are fed raw sewage daily. He said he has seen so much filth throughout their food growing and processing that he would "never" eat any of it. They raise this filth, put some food colouring and some flavourings on it, then they ship it to the USA & Canada for YOU to consume and feed to YOUR families. They have no Food & Safety Inspectors. They ship it to you to buy and poison your families and friends. Imported food we eat and the junk we buy: · Green Giant frozen vegetables are from China , · and so are most of Europe 's Best. · Arctic Gardens are OK so is · Birdseye. *Never buy the grocery store garlic unless it is clearly marked from USA or Canada *, the other stuff is grown in people poop (even worse than chicken poop). China is the largest producer of garlic in the world; U. S. is next. *Buy only local honey*, much honey is shipped in huge containers from China and re-packed here. Cold-FX is grown and packed in China and is full of fecal bacteria. Doesn't work anyway, big scam. If the country of origin is not clearly marked beware. If produce, ask an employee. Watch out for packages which state "prepared for", "packed by" or "imported by". We don't understand the lack of mandatory labelling, especially the produce. The country of origin should be clearly shown on the item in the store. Go to the local farmers' markets in season and keep a wary eye open the rest of the year. Please read this very carefully, and read to the very bottom. It's important for all of us. How is it possible to ship food from China cheaper than having it produced in the U. S. or Canada ? FOR EXAMPLE THE "OUR FAMILY" BRAND OF MANDARIN ORANGES SAYS RIGHT ON THE CAN 'FROM CHINA '. - SO, for a FEW MORE CENTS, BUY THE * LIBERTY * BRAND. *GOLD BRAND or THE DOLE IS from CALIFORNIA *. Beware, Costco sells canned peaches and pears in a plastic jar that come from China ... ALL "HIGH LINER" AND MOST OTHER FROZEN FISH PRODUCTS COME FROM CHINA OR INDONESIA . THE PACKAGE MAY SAY "PACIFIC SALMON" ON THE FRONT, BUT LOOK FOR THE SMALL PRINT. MOST OF THESE PRODUCTS COME FROM FISH FARMS IN THE ORIENT WHERE THERE ARE NO REGULATIONS ON WHAT IS FED TO THESE FISH. *Recently The Montreal Gazette had an article* by the Canadian Government on how Chinese feed the fish: They suspend chicken wire crates over the fish ponds, and the fish feed on chicken s..t. If you search the internet about what the Chinese feed their fish, you'll be alarmed; eg: growth hormones, expired anti- biotic from humans? Never buy any type of fish or shellfish that comes from these countries: · Vietnam · China · Phil ippines Check this out personally. Steinfeld ' s Pickles are made in India - just as bad! Another example is in canned mushrooms. No-Name brand came from Indonesia . Also check those little fruit cups. They used to be made in Canada in the Niagara region until about 2 years ago. They are now packaged in China . Most sold in Aldi stores. While the Chinese export inferior and even toxic products, dangerous toys, and goods to be sold in North American markets, the media wrings its hands! Yet, 70% of North Americans believe that the trading privileges afforded to the Chinese should be suspended. Well, duh ! Why do you need the government to suspend trading privileges? SIMPLY DO IT YOURSELF, CANADA and the U. S. Simply look on the bottom of every product you buy, and if it says 'Made in China ' or 'PRC' (and that now includes Hong Kong ), simply choose another product, or none at all. You will be amazed at how dependent you are on Chinese products, and you will be equally amazed at what you can do without. THINK ABOUT THIS: If 200 million North Americans refuse to buy just $20 each of Chinese goods, thats a billion dollar trade imbalance resolved in our favour ... fast! The downside? Some Canadian/American businesses will feel a temporary pinch from having foreign stockpiles of inventory.

Thank you for your thoughtful response, Deaconess, and welcome to the board :)

ESV | ‎Je 13:23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then also you can do good who are accustomed to do evil.

Islamic clergy, as well as Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Protestants and others will not be required to perform the marriages of homosexuals, unless they have established a public business for such. The U.S.. Constitution protects clergy in regard to the Sacramental services provided to their congregations. It may not protect commercial transactions.

Obviously not, since it takes a man and a woman to create another life!!

I have been an SDA my whole life. Were I to count all the pronouncements of "The End of Time has begun"......well, Peter and the Wolf comes to mind! People, the time of the end began at the first apple eating party and finger pointing. Our focus should be about what Christ has done and what can be done to enjoy eternal life. Out focus is in the wrong place.

Franklin Graham 2 hrs · Edited · The Supreme Court of the United States has ruled today that same-sex marriage is legal in all 50 states. With all due respect to the court, it did not define marriage, and therefore is not entitled to re-define it. Long before our government came into existence, marriage was created by the One who created man and woman—Almighty God—and His decisions are not subject to review or revision by any manmade court. God is clear about the definition of marriage in His Holy Word: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). I pray God will spare America from His judgment, though, by our actions as a nation, we give Him less and less reason to do so.

I have long believed we should be tolerant of homosexuals, just as we extend tolerance to people who use tobacco or alcohol and adulterers (all these can be forgiven--even the polygamy of Biblical patriarchs). We must still, of course, point homosexuals to the Scriptures which plainly show their behavior to be judged by God as sinful, and urge them to receive therapy for what is in fact an aberrant behavior. But what God cannot be tolerant of is a direct challenge to His authority, when people presume to redefine what marriage is, defying God's definition. If same-sex unions were called unions, or partnerships, or anything other than marriage, there would be no problem. But daring to defy God's authority in one of the two divine institutions God established in Eden, before the Fall of Mankind, can only lead to the significant removal of divine protection from our nation and from our world. Today's Supreme Court 5-4 split decision is the real and true beginning of the end for America. The troubles that will now come on America in the form of natural disasters and man-made disasters, will eventually lead people to be willing to enforce a Sunday Law, where everyone is required to go to church for "moral instruction" on Sunday. If you have ever wondered what would lead to America accepting a national Sunday Law, this is it. The End of Time has begun.

God is so Good

We once had an Airdale who loved to sleep on the sofa when we were gone. but, the dog knew that we should not catch him there. So, soon we never did. But, we knew. So, we put mousetraps on the sofa when we left. The dog quickly learned to set them off and move them out of the way and then sleep on the sofa.

Refusal to discuss anything unless it's by one's own rules is arrogant. Anything anyone writes that doesn't meet with such "rules" gets mocked and the rule-maker ends up looking like a pompous ninny. [Note I did NOT write that that the person is a pompous ninny - I wrote that is how it makes that person appear.] BL's rule is that he will only want to discuss something that has "scriptural authority".... that's nice. But my point is that not everything in today's theological world has "scriptural authority." God gave people brains to use, to think with, to mull things over. The absence of scriptural authority do not make all theological debates moot. The scriptures are silent on some subjects, and only mentioned in passing on others. If ordination of women (or of men) was such a critically vital component of a church's belief and operational system, why wouldn't it be so noted in scriptures? The fact is, is isn't. The best, scripturally, either side of the debate can give are only scriptural nuances, which can, of course, be debated, but there is nothing about ordination that was written in stone. Now, a reply can be presented in a pompous, overbearing manner [which I wouldn't advise], or a response can be given in a civil manner, or no response may be made. THAT is one's choice.

When I read this, I wonder how on earth people can ignore the Old Testament, saying that it is full of violence or that it is the Old Covenant? Apparently the Old Testament people had an understanding of grace.