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"where are you from" is a good conversational topic and a question. One may ask in different ways of asking to find out where they came from. The other evening we were having a dinner at a restaurant in Boston area. The couple sitting next table start to talk to me, then he asked me "do you live here"? I told him "no' and I mentioned the name of town where we live. We just found out they live next town over. A nice conversation we had! Was he aggressive? No, not at all.

So after the close of probation, Jesus ceases to be my Savior? That I will then be left alone to make it to heaven on my own? You might want to look at what sin is again, before you advance the thought that you can live a totally sinless life. What does that say about a God who demands total sinlessess from a person who was "conceived in sin", who lives in a "body of sin", whose every "member" is "indwelt" by sin, to now live sinlessly on his own? That is NOT good news. That is contrary to the 3 angels' messages which are supposed to be about the righteousness of Christ, and NOT about me standing on my own righteousness. Also, bear in mind that after probation closes, the judgment is OVER! The saints will have been vindicated and no further charges can be brought against them once the verdict has been pronounced!

Gerry passed away today. He was my friend for over 50 years, ever since he gave the Week of Prayer for my grade school. I'm going to miss him...

So far Bravus, it seems people would much rather talk about Homosexuality than love.......very interesting and perhaps telling. Homophobia-80 comments, 749 views Love-15 comments, 109 views

ISIS did not block out the sound from their video of the beheading of 20 Coptic Christians. Those men died shouting "JESUS!" They died well. Here's a link to a program by "Voice of the Martyrs" https://soundcloud.com/the-voice-of-the-martyrs/muslims-finding-christ-im-sick-of-killing In this program you will hear of Sunni Muslims coming to Christ BECAUSE they are "sick of the killing". Sunni Muslims have NEVER before come to Christ. No missionary could reach them. But the terrible persecution by ISIS has CAUSED many to rethink Islam.

First of all, great to "see" you back with us. I was just wondering about you a few days ago. I too would hate for this to keep coming back.The difficulty of this vote as with each one before it is that it is not directly a vote for or against WO if those who vote read the proposed action carefully. It is more about who gets to decide and if it is OK now for some to go forward on the issue without everyone else doing so. The implication of past votes was similarly a vote of "Not now" or No you can't do if the rest are not ready for it. There has not been a Session action of any sort specifically on WO since 1881 when the resolution in favor of WO was voted and and referred to the Executive Committee. I think that until they have simple yes or no vote on WO, it will keep coming back. The problem was the lack of strong consensus on WO by the GC TOSC. The proposed action to be voted on Wednesday acknowledges that sad fact. The action is framed reflecting the honest differences on the issue and that because Scriptural support for or against it is not conclusive, the real consensus by a very clear majority of TOSC effectively favors allowing for diversity of opinion and practice on the issue of WO. What has disheartened me and many others is the persistent effort by those decidedly against WO to reframe the proposed action as only about WO, as if a yes vote is a vote for WO for everyone and a no vote is a firm and final vote of nor to WO for everyone for all time.

The 666 belief is problematic. To "get rid of it" does not get rid of any other belief about the Pope, Rome and last day events. We should move on to other issues. Folks, it is problematic to base our position on one, article that is 100 years old. It is less than honest to do so knowing that the author of that article admitted that it was based upon a factual error.

June 27, 2015 To The SDA Church, RE: General Conference being held in Texas I have been observing the church for 5 years through the controversies and have come to a conclusion that I would like to share with you: The major issues that you are voting on are moot points right now. They are distractions from the true salvation of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. For example. The ordination of women. If they are or aren’t being ordained is irrelevant. If people follow women as leaders, and believe wholeheartedly that they are doing the will of God then let them, the Holy Spirit will convict them of their wrong path. Church salvation starts with self, and by focusing on these issues, we are crippling our walk with Christ as a church. After 7 years of practicing the 12 steps in my life, I have realized how unsuccessful, unreal, and disconnected my idea of salvation was. I became whole through clearing away my addictions (sins we cannot let go of), and realized that when our sides of the street are cleared, God enters your life in a manner that allows you to see clearly what is truly going on around you, and you find focus in the things that really matter, and that is making yourself right with God and to strengthen your faith and love in Him. Theoretically, if you were to see that the world were to end in two years, would you look back and say, well at least we dealt with the issue of ordination? Or would you look back and say, what did I do to ensure that people had the tools to release themselves of the bondage of sin and spiritual darkness? Please give light to the NAD’s 12 step group taken from Steps to Christ and rebuilt this church on a firm foundation and we can meet these issues when we are healthy as a church. Anne Isaac Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

High salaries + early retirement = TROUBLE

It would be a silly over-generalization to say that every time the question is asked that it is meant to be racist. It depends on the context and how it is asked.

Busted!!!!! God is Love! Jesus saves!

I think the offensiveness of asking someone where they are from depends on the attitude in which the question is asked. If it is asked in friendly curiosity as a conversation maker, it's probably okay. If it's asked with an attitude of "what planet did you come from?", it's another story. It's probably less offensive face-to-face where you can read the asker's face and body language than it is to ask over the internet. Some people are more sensitive than others.

This is the sure result of massive governmental debt. You keep on spending money you don't have and you go broke. There's no way around it.

Regardless of what one might think about VFD and 666, one should not use an argument that is generally regarded as factually in error. We should not base our doctrinal understanding on one thing that is clearly problematic.

Tonight I watched James Nix of the White Estate online at General Conference and he told of a vision Ellen White had but she could only hear the voice of the man it was about and not see his face. Then she and her husband went to an Adventist camp meeting and when they walked in the tent, she recognized the voice. She walked down to the front and told him he had no right to be speaking on that platform, that he was a bigamist. He left the platform and the tent quickly. His brother was also present and backed up the testimony, but said he had been sworn to secrecy. So even though she did not need this right to demonstrate she was ordained. she did in a sense have the power to hire and fire. There were other instances where God gave her a vision regarding a church officer that needed to be immediately removed. One was a local church treasurer who was embezzling funds. I am sure whoever hired him for that event was not about to continue that professional relationship. She said she saw the voice of the General Conference in session as the voice of God, not just the actions of a few at the head of the work. Today, there are female as well as male delegates- not sure about then, so going to Australia was listening to the General Conference but not because their leadership was exclusively male. By the way, soon after that SMI Henry, a woman, was General Conference treasurer, a role women can no longer hold because one must now be ordained. Ellen White wrote of her work, formerly with the Women's Christian Temperance Union, favorably Ordination was not a requirement in Ellen White's time for conference treasurers as far as I know.

Thank you for this post. I was taken aback by this topic because I have considered it as a way to show an interest in a new person and how to get to know them better. You can learn so much about a person that way. Last evening I heard Pastor Jim Gilly say that he is enjoying GC so much because he is asking so many people "where are you from" and listening to their stories. I thought, "Oh my dear sir, you are being aggressive"

NKJ Psalm 110:4 The LORD has sworn And will not relent, "You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek." (Psa 110:4 NKJ) NKJ Zechariah 6:13 "Yes, He shall build the temple of the LORD. He shall bear the glory, And shall sit and rule on His throne; So He shall be a priest on His throne, And the counsel of peace shall be between them both." If Jesus will be "a priest FOREVER" and will sit as a "priest on His throne" when He is also King, then His priesthood does NOT STOP at the Second Coming. Those who are "filthy still" are those who have knowingly REFUSED the covering of Christ's blood. Just like those Egyptians who refused to take shelter inside the houses painted with the blood of the Passover Lamb. I believe the process of our recovery from the infection of sin, will take a very LONG time. And of course, I also believe that "the rest of the dead" will be those who lived and died in ignorance, - who did NOT knowingly refuse the blood of Christ. The redeemed from the Second Coming, will act as "priests" for those raised after the 1000 years. It will take 1000 years of rehabilitation to prepare for that priesthood.

Put a little "HOT SOUCE" in souerkraut, you will make Korean "Kimchi" out of German food. Actually, the souerkraut was originated in China, I think. When some asked me where I am from I am delighted because I feel he is interested in knowing about me. It also makes me feel good when someone asked me if I ever gone back home as this starts a whole new conversation and let him be educated about what Korea was and is. I wish more people ask me these questions.

I'm willing to accept the decision of the world church in General Conference in the matter of women's ordination. Let it be settled there, finally, in 2015. I'd hate to see it put to a vote at every GC if one side or the other does not get the decision they want.

Total sinlessness, Bob? A total useless pursuit of a chimera. It is a subtle Galatianism, imho. Starting with the Spirit while Jesus is still at work as a Mediator and then ending up with the flesh when probation closes? "By faith are saved by grace...." a "process that begins by faith and ends in faith," "looking to Jesus the author AND finisher of our faith." The perfect righteousness of Christ is our only ticket to heaven, yesterday, now, and after the close of probation.

Early in my career when I was younger and more foolish, this happened IN the hospital when smoking was still permitted. I met one of my colleagues who was puffing a cigarette near the nurses' station greeted me, "Good morning, how are you today?" I said something like, "I'd feel so much better if I didn't have to inhale cigarette smoke." You should have heard the vitriol I received!.

I think people are a little too sensitive in nowadays as the sensitiveness of racial problem is escalating. There are many who are just curious about you because you are not a typical caucasian or talk with slight accent, I do not consider this any offensive way. When some of my patients come to my office with a slight accent I like to ask them "where they are from" in turn they ask me where I am from. Once a park entrance, an attendant ask me "what other language do you speak?" I said Korean. She said you have a slight accent in English. No one ever asked me this way. I guess she did not offend me by asking "where are you from" , a typical way of asking. Actually, I do not mind at all about asking me "where are you from" as I am proud of being Korean. No offense. You guys may ask me any time "where are you from as your English grammar is off a little".

It may appear that some folks mock the light that God gives by their speculations. But when honest questions or proposals are given, it requires an honest investigation. IMHO it is not a matter of the old being right or wrong. Present Truth changes. For example: circumcision was Present Truth from Abraham until Christ. When Christ fulfilled the law regarding circumcision, the Present Truth was that it is not required now. The papacy fits the 666 scenario. That was Present Truth when it was discovered. But does light stop there? " Others were careless and did not cherish the light and it moved off from them... And I did not see one ray of light pass from Jesus to the careless multitude after he rose up, and they were left in perfect darkness." {DS, March 14, 1846 par. 1} "That God did abundantly bless the students in the school and the church, I have not one doubt; but a period of great light and the outpouring of the Spirit is quite generally followed by a time of great darkness. Why? Because the enemy works with all his deceiving energies to make of none effect the deep movings of the Spirit of God on the human subject." {1SM 130.2} "Satan will present his temptations until the light will appear as darkness, and many will reject the very truth that would have proved the saving of their souls. Those who walk in its rays will find it growing brighter and brighter unto the perfect day." {RH, September 3, 1889 par. 16} "'The path of the just is as a shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.' The Christian's life is one of progression. He goes forward from strength to strength, from grace to grace, from glory to glory, receiving from Heaven the light which Christ, at infinite cost to himself, made it possible for man to obtain. But the Christian cannot let his light shine properly unless he receives, day by day, an increase of the divine illumination, corresponding with his growth in the knowledge of Bible truth. It would be as inconsistent to expect to be sustained on the morrow by food eaten today, as to depend on present light and present blessings for future strength." {ST, February 10, 1887 par. 14} The light on the papal 666 was Present Truth for yesterday, yesterday's meal. It is true and it had its purpose, but if we stop there, how will we understand what we need to know as the coming of our Lord draws near? Surely if we take the attitude that that is all there is, we will stunt our growth. "Accountable beings must walk in the light that shines upon them. If they fail to do this, their light becomes darkness, and their darkness is great according to the degree that their light was abundant. Accumulated light has shone upon God's people. Many have neglected to follow the light, and for this reason are in a state of great spiritual weakness." {RH, August 31, 1886 par. 3}

Unfortunately, GOD's way of declaring the Jubilee to wipe away debts will never be accepted in this world -- the only thing coming close to it is when people file for bankruptcy. Back in 1981 I worked for BofA, and while I was there I was impressed with a solution to the banking system. See my website: www.TheBankingSolution.com Yes, it's controversial -- but even now in 2015 I am convinced that it really is the one and only 100% benign solution (even though it will probably never be enacted)!

I believe that God showed us how to deal with this, and unfortunately our current systems would never go for that, because than greed would have to be cut out.

This is becoming a real problem on these forums. Posting innuendo, half truths and outright misinformation in support of some opinion. Is this how SDA's want to be known? Truth does not seem important to many, especialy when it comes to peoples agendas. Rather sad isn't it. I don't buy the excuse that people don't know what they are doing when posting such, it is just plain lying!

To those who try to silence this movement with delay and diversionary efforts to change the subject, the wisdom of Gamaliel from Acts 5:38-39 always comes to my mind - "For if this counsel or this work is of men, it will be overthrown. But if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow it, and you would be found even to be fighting against God!"

I hope that the people at the conference will realize that whatever decision they are going to make on this topic will divide the church and many will leave. I vote for a Deferral until we as individuals and as a church are in a better place to make a decision like this. The women in our church are already accusing the church of being sexist and now I've heard that people are refusing to listen to Doug Batchelor/Stephen Bauer, etc etc. because they now think that they are probably wrong on all issues because they "know" they are wrong on this issue and how can they be wrong and right at the same time in their ministry. Dont shoot yourselves in the foot just yet anyway. It's the perfect distraction from the fact that this world is toast. Donezoooo. It's over man...

Where did that come from? You’ll be amazed at how many everyday phrases are straight from the Bible, particularly King James of England’s popular 1611 translation from the original Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic. You probably quote the Scriptures several times daily! For example, A drop in the bucket, meaning an insignificant part. The source? Isaiah 40:15, which is describing Almighty God: “With whom did He consult and who gave Him understanding? And who taught Him in the path of justice and taught Him knowledge and informed Him of the way of understanding? Behold, the nations are like a drop in a bucket, and are regarded as a speck of dust on the scales.” Read more at http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Galleries/Did-You-Know-You-Quote-the-Bible-Daily.aspx#imfEISVXFP23PqX5.99

There are a lot of folks that could use some quality time with the Bible. When things that God says are important do's and don'ts: they are important. But when God's dietary laws are tossed out as if they do not matter, it is easier to throw out other instructions that are equally important or more so. A selected messages mentality picks and chooses personal preferences.

Wow! Even pig-eaters! Well, I know some cows that say we should eat more chicken. If I were to give my opinion of the biggest sinners in that group list above, it would be gossips. Satan is the accuser of the brethren. Proverbs has a lot to say about tale-bearers. Ezekiel 28:16 states that Lucifer's merchandise resulted in him being filled with violence and sinning. What was Lucifer selling? Since we know he is the father of lies and the accuser of the brethren,,, perhaps what he was selling was a juicy story. So gossip could be one of the original sins right next to pride. Most certainly, it has little to do with love.

Those "other things" In addition that hasn't been a massive effort to get anyone to celebrate or accept those "other things" as normal and good. Has there been parades claiming pride in thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers and a demand for a national law to make it fair and equal

Yes He did; but that is encouragement; not condemnation. I wonder how many people that he said that to actually succeeded in never sinning again?

Homosexuals do not have a monopoly on sin any more than heterosexuals that stray from the path of right doing. All people that choose to leave the straight and narrow path that leads to eternal life are in danger of hell fire. The political ramifications of the Supreme Court's recent gay decision are troublesome since God's word is clear on homosexuality and man has judged himself to be wiser than God. Thus man has opened the door for gays to force acceptance of their lifestyle upon those who believe that it is sin, It is one thing to invite others to voluntarily join in sinful behavior or to request that they condone it, but it is quite another thing to compel folks to be accessories to that which they view as sinful. Man has laws about being an accessory before, during, or after a crime. And it would be foolish to think that God did not have them too. As I see it, the Supreme Court has declared independence from God, and God will not be mocked. When the nation's cup is full, God will remove His protection from the nation.

Hebrews 2:8 "You have put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him." 1 Corinthians 15:27-28 "For He [the Father] has put all things under His feet. But when He says 'all things are put under Him,' it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him [the Father] who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all." (NKJ) God speaks of those things which are not yet - as if they already exist. All things are NOT YET in subjection to Christ. And Christ has not yet received "dominion". He will receive the dominion at the conclusion of the "court" scene, described in Daniel 7:9-10. NKJ Daniel 7:14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed. If - as you say - Christ was given dominion at His resurrection, then the Daniel 7 court scene took place at that time. The events on earth, WHILE this judgment sits in Heaven, would suggest otherwise. The events transpiring on earth, suggest this "court" scene will take place at the very END of this age. I believe the "dominion" is taken from Satan, and proclaimed to be Christ's, at the sounding of the 7th Trumpet. Revelation 11:15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" (v. 18) "The time has come for judging the dead [the wicked raised at the SC], and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your people who revere your name, both great and small-- and for destroying those who destroy the earth." (Rev 11:18 NIV) Christ will judge the wicked DEAD, when He resurrects them to face judgment AT His glorious return. (Daniel 12:2-3) On that SAME DAY, Jesus will reward His own servants, and those who destroy the earth will be destroyed WHEN the earth is consumed by the 7 wrath plagues (which begin on that SAME DAY). AFTER Christ receives "the dominion" THEN He will judge, and He will execute judgment. I do not believe that the redeemed will decide what punishment each lost person will suffer in the "lake of fire" (an EGW statement). NO way!! "All judgment is committed to the Son." I do believe the redeemed will be able to ask questions, and receive answers concerning just WHY the LORD judged as He did, but it is the LORD JESUS who will judge human beings.

It just can't get much plainer,no matter how many"christians" twist and turn the words. (2) HOW DOES THE BIBLE DEFINE HOMOSEXUAL BEHAVIOR? Let's read what the Bible says about homosexual behavior and see how God feels when we turn our backs on His laws and embrace an "anything goes" attitude: Romans 1:24-28, "Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves, who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the women, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly (shameful), and receiving in themselves the recompense of theirerror which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient." Here the Bible shows us that homosexuality is defined as something that is unclean, a dishonoring of the body, a vile passion, something that is against nature and unnatural, shameful, something that occurs when you have a mind that has sunken to a place away from God. It is an act that people engage in when they do not retain God in their knowledge and when they have changed the truth of God for a lie.

Was there there any homosexuality in the original creation prior to the fall? If that had been a part of God's plan why did He make Adam and Eve, wouldn't Adam and Steve have been more appropriate to address your musing? Or Eve and Arlene? But in either scenario neither couple would have raised Caine, because they would not have been Able. Lately common sense just isn't as common as it used to be.

I read that the other day, pretty interesting stuff. Won, I believe he has already brought a number of churches back to the fold and a few more are thinking about it.

This is an interesting passage in consideration of the gay movement and WO and the claim that WO will bring the homosexual movement into acceptance within the church. While the text is not specifically about Sodom, it is comparing the wickedness of the people and the flaunting of their sins like the people of Sodom and to make matters worse, in judgment, women will become their rulers! Isaiah 3:9-12New International Version (NIV) 9 The look on their faces testifies against them; they parade their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it.Woe to them! They have brought disaster upon themselves. 10 Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds.11 Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them!They will be paid back for what their hands have done. 12 Youths oppress my people, women rule over them.My people, your guides lead you astray; they turn you from the path.

Like this Come on, Bravus, read your Bible. Dust it off....

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.

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

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.

Humans, as far as we know, never laid hands upon EGW in a public ceremony. That is why.

I see the ordination paper of Ellen White, however, why do I hear some say that her grandson denies Ellen White ever ordained ?

As I grow older, now pushing 60 years of age, I remember other members when they were my age and now gone....all of us wishing to be changed in an twinkling of an eye...and I feared death then but not so much now....I now remember someone saying that they welcomed death because they were old and frail and the body was aging and giving of problems...Getting older is a reminder of younger days "when I could....." grip harder, walk faster.poop faster/without pain, hug harder, see old friends more often, attend to family....but now they may attend to me....or not....Old age is an inconvenience not to be missed....

Many of these are beautiful testimonies. My mom died of bladder cancer about 1.5 years ago. As her children hovered around her, she often apologized for being such a bother. About 2 weeks before she passed, she quit apologizing and just thanked us for being there; and told us each seperately how much she cherished and loved us. She relived precious memories of our childhood family life - vacations; successes, overcoming defeats, etc. On the last day of her life, after we all had left the room for like 1 minute; she died. It's almost like she chose to die while we were gone, so as not to "upset" us. She had assured each of us of her love for us; and we for her. She died well. For me, I see 3 ways of dying well: 1. A massive combination heart attack and stroke in the middle of deepest sleep 2. Being martyred (but not slowly in pain, I hope) while screaming "Jesus is Lord!" 3. (Preferred) Not dying at all - just being changed in the twinkling of an eye!

My wife of 47 yrs and I are facing this right now, so this is a very timely question. She woke up with near total paralysis from the waist down Wed. CT & MRI showed metastatic dz (primary unknown at the moment). She had been wanting to die for several yrs because of severe pain. We had a little insight on dying well when our cat of 21 yrs died 2 yrs ago. The cat started lying on Marge's abdomen or chest when my wife's health deteriorated 5 yrs ago, even sleeping there through the night. One morning we woke up with the cat dead on her abdomen. To us dying well is dying in the comfort of one's home pain-free, and the last images one sees are the faces of those you love, not those of strangers in a strange place like a hospital. Hopefully, I'll be able to take her home and do just that.

I did lose my friend, Lester Zombie, this week. He was an online friend, and that wasn't his real name, but he said he felt like the undead when he survived some major illnesses a few years ago and got a second shot at life. In the end his body just gave up, but he was surrounded by admiring friends and family, both in the room and online, and faced his end with courage and calmness.

I like this: the death of the ego. Being willing to be a servant leader.