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I wonder whether it would help if the title of the thread were changed to 'Asking people where they are from can be aggressive'? It's completely possible to ask in a spirit of friendship and inquiry... and it's also completely possible to ask in a spirit that implies that people are lesser human beings because they are not from around here, or that you wish they would go back to where they came from. It's about tone and intention and context... and it's possible that the asker might feel s/he is doing the former, but experience and context and communication differences might mean the asked experience it as the latter. The course was intended to get people to think about how they communicate, and better communication between people is a good thing.

It comes down to two points... and yes that is all. If Yes Female Clergy will be able to organize new Churches (companies) and If the majority of delegates at conference session, believe that if a specific women is gifted and talented and called, to lead out in a Conference/Union they may vote that. That is really the summary.

Brian Zahnd - " I've received a lot of positive feedback from my Sunday sermon: Perfect Theology Once we understand that Jesus is image of God, the exact imprint of God’s nature, and the only perfect theology, we can answer some important questions about God that in the past we humans have often gotten wrong. Does God send the storm? No. He calms the storm. Does God cause famines? No. He feeds the hungry. Does God inflict sickness? No. He heals the sick. Does God shun sinners? No. He welcomes them. Does God condemn the guilty? No. He saves them. Does God blame the afflicted? No. He shows them mercy. Does God resent human pleasure? No. He turns the water to wine. Does God take our side in our hostilities? No. He humanizes the other side. Does God kill his enemies? No. He forgives them. Does God return with revenge on his mind? No. He comes with words of peace. " http://wolc.com/watch--listen/sermon-archives/perfect-theology/ for audio of sermon 35 minutes long

Voting has finished. The count of the vote is being made.

Wonder if we could use the word "translator" (one who facilitates communication when two persons do not speak the same language), or maybe diplomat. Jesus was always saying, "I speak the words that the Father gives me to speak." The Son of God has ALWAYS been the one to represent His Father - to the created beings. The CROSS was a message in "God-speak". "THIS is how much I love you." "THIS is what evil does." The word "atonement" MEANS "reconciliation". The priest makes "reconciliation" on the petitioners behalf. We "have been given the ministry of reconciliation". Right? Can we - as believers - reach "perfection" before the return of Christ? CAN we stop "sinning" ? 1. We ARE perfect - in the eyes of God, because Christ covers us. 2. "Perfect" means complete. "you are complete in Him" (Col 2:10 NKJ) 3. My "perfection" will be the work of Christ IN me. It will NOT be my own work, that will bring it about. My "job" is to ask for it, allow it, and to get out of HIS way (by working at it myself). I just don't worry about, or think about my "perfection" any more. I used to worry about it - a lot. Jesus will bring about my "perfection" when I'm NOT looking - NOT looking at me, just looking at HIM. I TRUST Him to do that for me. "He who began a good work in you, will complete it" (Phil 1:6)

You said "proscribe." Did you mean "prescribe?" I am a bit confused. The two words differ in meaning.

Sometimes it is prudent to know who walks into your world. Some years ago Terry McVey, the Okla City Boomer (USA) stopped for gas in his rented yellow Rider truck. US177 is not a heavily traveled road, which is I am sure why he chose that route. When he stopped for gas he stopped at a little station which also served coffee etc. As he walked into pay for it all the little old men who were there drinking coffee and solving the world's problems nearly fell out of their booths to see who the stranger was who just walked in. Would it have made a difference if they had said, "Hey Sonny boy what are you doing in these parts?" I have viewed the tapes, it is obvious that he was very nervous, and just as obvious that they locals were busting with curiosity I think we should make a point of knowing those peoples who come into our circle. Believe me, every time I have moved or spent at least a bit of time in a new place someone will ask who I am, what am I doing here and where I come from. It's a way of getting to know folks and also a way for communities to protect themselves.

As we diligently continue to study the scriptures and practice their basic principles, then, when we stand accused before judge and jury for our beliefs, the LORD will speak through us to bring the truth and conviction upon our listeners. In this day and age, and notably on this website, there are too few who can agree on anything, but during the Last Days that Christ spoke about there will be unity among his followers.

i do not struggle to show kindness and gentleness, either i am tuned to Jesus and have His Spirit or i don't. And the Spirit is wooing and speaking to every soul at all times and in all place to draw them to know God, and turn from themselves and live. And there is no patience like the patience of God, no Love like His love, nothing in this world compares to His glory and holiness, and purity of kindness and love and graciousness. Ps 147, "God is gracious in all that he does." Humanity is not gracious. Without God's grace there is no graciousness. Everything that proceeds from the Holy Spirit is Holy, everything that proceeds from our flesh is fleshly and polluted, and impure. Everyone falls short of the glory of God. Everyone's a sinner by nature, inclusively, everyone. I have no idea how anyone here really personally relates to sexually involved gays in gay relationships, that really is not my issue here. i would place the interest of the love of God above every other agenda. It is not complicated, it speaks for itself. i don't think politicizing spiritual issues is helpful. i would not encourage or support that. I let the Holy Spirit do the work of sin conviction, i am just not very good at that. thanks for your candid thoughts. i can imagine how you came to some of your ideas, but i don't think that i feel that way about anyone. i really don't know how anyone is relating offline, just kind of responding to this very flat world of text communication. 90% percent of communication is nonverbal and that is generally all missing in this kind of forum.

Sorry. I'm still learning how to be gentle. Didn't mean to offend you. When I hear or read about people calling EGW names, I often feel a pinch but I try not to be too shocked about it. Its not welcomed but its expected, so I try not to take it personal. Francis still seriously makes me uncomfortable though. EGW never caused me to worry that she would some day achieve world domination.

Did Martin Luther ever keep the Saturday Sabbath?

The point. The drcisions made at the GC are often highly political.

Scripture is pretty clear that no one is righteous - not even one. That was written after man had already been around for thousands of years. Except for Jesus, I doubt that anyone has been "righteous" over the past 2,000 years either. I still maintain that having an intimate, trusting, loving relationship with our Saviour trumps perfectly conforming with the Law. If we would quit focusing on ourselves by continuously wondering if we're overcoming sufficiently and digging for more sins to try and overcome; and focus on what Jesus has already done (salvation) and what His grace will empower us to do (overcome), we will have less time to focus on temptations and more time to focus on Him. All we have to do is trust that He did a good enough job at Cavalry to save us; and don't resist the Spirit's leading and encouragement. I say "all we have to do is ...". It may be simple, but it ain't easy.

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.

i cannot take any responsibility for other's self deception, but i have heard a small voice behind me saying, "this is the way walk in it." i cannot concern myself with all the voices other's may hear, some will say, Jesus is in the desert lets go hear him. I have heard the warning to not go. When the word of God speaks and anyone hears, and knows it is the voice of God saying, Behold it is I who stands at the door knocking, whoever opens the door and lets Him come in will live.

I have had things happen to me that could ONLY be by God's leading. Many times I don't even realize it until I look back on it in retrospect. I'll sometimes do or say things that are very atypical for me; and wonder why I am doing it. Later, I'll see the benefit and think "Hmmm; I wonder if God led me to do that?" I will readily answer "YES!" and give Him the glory and thanks. I'd rather just assume that it came from God rather than think how wonderful I am. Keeps me humble and keeps God in control.

What is the probability of one having a "body of sin" or a "body of death" living a sinless life? Zero, zilch, nada.

Didn't Ellen's death before the time of trouble began remove her from consideration?