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For me its honesty. Some of the people I enjoy being with the most have many differences. Some even non-christian! I trust them, what you see is what you get. I enjoy 'real people' the most, no matter what they believe or look like.

My daughter is looking to start a new entry-level job in the actuarial field. She graduated with her Master's degree in May, but has been having a rough time finding employment and is starting to get discouraged. Please pray for her situation to improve, for an opportunity to open up and for her find that job. When my husband lost his job in 2011, I waited for a year to ask for prayers from other people. (I know others were praying, but I never asked.) The very next day after I'd asked here online, he was offered a job! I'm hoping to have learned my lesson the first go around and am asking now for my daughter. Please pray for God's will in this situation. Thank you!

Lessons abound from Jesus Mathew explained Jesus knew what he needed to do to save mankind. He had to go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the scribes, chief priests, and elders. “From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.” Lessons abound from Jesus’ journey to the cross and on the cross. Read more at http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/Galleries/What-Jesus-Taught-Us-While-Nailed-to-the-Cross.aspx#Ph8IlU1k64ebJw9T.99

I find it easy to accept people who want to be friends and get along with others. I find it difficult to accept those that like to criticize and are generally negative people.

Hard to say. I think he is probably a nominal Christian or Universalist who believes all paths lead to the same God. Whatever he is, God loves him and is just as concerned with his salvation as he is with yours or mine. I'm also reminded of a scripture that says God puts leaders into place and deposes them. I must constantly remind myself about that. Obana is my least favorite president of my lifetime.

I accept people with an inviting, non-abrasive personality; and I dismiss those with a superiority complex--especially those who insist on correcting others, pointing out the errors of their ways, and ridiculing them for it. (And I should probably add--when I'm met with a person with characteristics of the latter, I'm likely to "answer" them in kind.)

I wish I'd never started this topic. OF COURSE, Ted should defend himself if he was attacked!!!!! OF COURSE, if he was in danger, he should have armed protection!!!! OF COURSE, there are nut cases all over who might try to harm people. **sigh** I give up. Really. I do...

Yes, Aubrey I have prayed for your daughter and will keep her on my prayer list

I very much like the idea that Christ's "mediation" is God the Father, pleading with men - through Christ. Jesus will END that pleading mediation, because no one else can be won. The REASON - because the last "witness" has been silenced. I personally believe this will happen when the last "witness" is either dead, or imprisoned in solitary confinement- condemned to death, or hiding in fear. The message has been silenced. We have only been speaking here of adults - of those who can make an informed choice concerning God and Christ. Most of you know that I believe that children, the uninformed, and the mentally handicapped will be resurrect to continue their lives at the 8th millennium(as the rest of the dead), so that THEY can also make an informed choice. Many infants and children drown during the flood of Noah. They did not REFUSE to get on the boat. And many children will die during the Trumpet judgments, and during the 7 wrath plagues.

We'll be praying, with these promises in mind. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.....Philippians 4 16 .....Bread will be given him, His water will be sure....Isaiah 33 God is Love! Jesus saves!

I'm on it, too!

The Constitution guarantees the right, I don't necessarily believe in personally exercising that right.

Anne: What you see is the shaking of the S.D.A church. This is when the "sheep and goat" or "Sabbath and Sunday keepers" will be separated. This is what needs to happen and is predicted. As for you, the most important thing to remember is to keep your relationship with Jesus strong, obey all of his commandments, seek forgiveness, make amends to those you've hurt and peacefully and with a light heart await for his return.

When you think about it...some of "our" churches do something similar. Members are expected to pay tithe to be members in good standing. Though only the stewardship leader and the treasurer have access to the actual dollar amounts, they can be called on by the nominating committee to give an account of whether a member is in "good standing". Their account may be taken into consideration for future leadership positions within the church. So, it's sort of similar--pay up, or get out.

When I saw the title I asked myself "Woodrow" or "Ted". When I saw the thread was started by Gregory Matthews I thought, "must be Ted".

LifeHiscost..well sure! Oh dear, I must go back to my childhood when I first heard this scripture (among many). umm.. ok It is by memory so forgive me if its not word for word.. For God so loued þe world, that he gaue his only begotten Sonne: that whosoeuer beleeueth in him, should not perish, but haue euerlasting life. John 3:16 Forgive me for my old rusty English sounding so old and rusty English. other old English Scriptures will be provided upon more requests (others are welcomed to chime in) We might have to have a Holy Bible Study on this scandalous doctrine. #God is that inclusive, All people born in our world are accepted. We might have to have add this to the 28 Fundamental Beliefs. BTW I have said this before here..somewhere "God is much more inclusive than our Church." You can quote me. Always enjoy your posts.

My criteria Rudy is more simply how I feel at the time. I make decisions based on feelings and some of my decision processes are perhaps irrational to other people but make perfect sense to me. What I will say is that you do not have to hold the same political views or theological views as me to be my friend. I can deal with not having to try and control people and surround myself with carbon copies of people that share my views on any given subject, i am okay to agree to disagree with people. Still there are people that I don't accept. People that are overbearing or who I feel are seeking to control me in some way usually get shown the door pretty quickly. I can handle the company of an Atheist if we agree to disagree, but I cannot handle the company of an Atheist who has to go on with it in a militant fashion after I have asked them to leave it be. I don't have a great deal of time for the 90+ % of people that are unable or unwilling to take responsability for their own actions, I let a friendship go after I got so tired of this person making stupid decisions and constantly whinging and blaming everyone else for what had happened to him. Interestingly, I learnt as a child that if my grandmothers Rottweiler / Shepherd cross did not like someone then I generally did not like them either and I hold by that today with my own dog. Not that it happens very often but if someone comes to my home and I get the sense that my dog dislikes this person and is pensive then I wont invite that person back. Perhaps it is irrational, but to me it makes perfect sense!

option 1 is correct. options 2 and 3 seem to skip over the details in the entire discussion. 2 assumes that 1 means "without Christ's power or the power of God". 3 assumes that 1 means "without the indwelling power of God/Christ". Position 1 does not say either of those things - it says no more atoning sacrifice, no more blood to cover sins, no more pleading the blood of Christ for newly committed sin... no more covering for newly confessed - newly committed sin.

The National Park Rangers are advising hikers in Glacier National Park and other Rocky Mountain parks to be alert for bears and take extra precautions to avoid an encounter. They advise park visitors to wear little bells on their clothes so they make noise when hiking. The bell noise allows bears to hear them coming from a distance and not be startled by a hiker accidentally sneaking up on them. This might cause a bear to charge. Visitors should also carry a pepper spray can just in case a bear is encountered. Spraying the pepper into the air will irritate the bear's sensitive nose and it will run away. It is also a good idea to keep an eye out for fresh bear scat so you have an idea if bears are in the area. People should be able to recognize the difference between black bear and grizzly bear scat. Black bear droppings are smaller and often contain berries, leaves, and possibly bits of fur. Grizzly bear droppings tend to contain small bells and smell of pepper. Sorry, couldn't resist! Uhmm, back to the thread ...

Gerry, I do have cans a spray designed to make a bear change his mind about eating me for lunch. Frankly, a face full of such spray would likely make most humans think of leaving the area quite fast. I came to this position a few months ago when a person attempted to gain entry to my home under clearly fraudulent purposes. I consulted with law enforcement personnel whom were involved in this event and this was the advice that I was given. Frankly the 6+ ounces of spray that is in one of my containers would likely cause the person to seek for emergency clinical help and therefore come to the attention of the police. Now, you ask what about any spray drifting back on me. As I have formal military training in the use and deployment of such, I am willing to take that risk.

http://thesovereigninvestor.com/exclusives/stocks-economy-on-verge-of-collapse/?z=385647 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.....1 Thessalonians 5 God is Love! Jesus saves!

I'm glad you mentioned this. I hadn't thought of this for quite a while, but I recall Maxwell's fondness for John 15 I think it is: "I say not I will pray the Father for you, because the Father Himself loves you." No need for mediation (in this sense) because the Father is just as (great, nice, loving, merciful ...) as Jesus.

In an ideal world, we should accept everyone. Sorry; I don't live in an ideal world. I "try" to like everyone; but I fail to like some people. This sounds shallow; but I generally accept people who accept me. I am very quirky; and some people can't deal with it. If they get to know me and CAN handle my eccentricity; I'm usually happy to accept them as well. I have a difficult time accepting people that have a need to "fix" me. I'm OK with folks telling me I'm full of a noxious brown substance, I know I am. I am willing to temprarily reign in certain objectionable aspects of my personality to fit in with certain groups (like church and work); but eventually the real me comes out - the Jesus-freak, potty-mouthed hippie with no filters who hangs out with the wrong crowd. It's one thing to give feedback to someone on things that push your buttons; it's an entirely different thing to insist that someone change for you so you don't have to change for them. I recently read a book called "True-Faced" by Bill Thrall, Bruce McNicol, and John Lynch. It's premise is that it's better to be yourself and absorb the collateral damage than to try to be who you think everyone wants you to be. (This includes our relationship with Christ) I try to follow that philosophy. It has cost me some "friends" (were they really friends to begin with?). People can tell when you are putting on a front. I can usually tell if someone is putting on a front. One of the things that I find annoying (if not downright unacceptable) are most people (usually church folk) who claim that everything is OK and they are continuously blessed. Call me "jaded"; but everyone has issues. I am more accepting of people who are honest, and willing to talk about the issues in their lives and show an interest in my issues. I am less accepting of people who tell me how awesome their life is and how I would be so much "better" if I would live and think like them rather than like me - especially when they have some of the same issues that they are trying to change in me. I can usually tolerate weirdness and dysfunctionality from honest people. What I find hard to accept is weirdness and dysfunctionality from people who pretend that they are not weird or dysfunctional. I'd rather deal with a "real" dysfunctional person that an"fake" normal person (whatever normal is).

I would like to add a "2a" to this above list. While at Atlantic Union College this was basically taught, it was not until I was at Andrews and walked into a Sabbath School class taught by Dr. Deteren (spelling) that this really clicked. Dr. D lecture included that the Roman Catholic understanding of mediation is that man reaches out to his priest, who reaches out to the saints, who reaches out to Mary, who reaches out to Jesus, who reaches out to the Father for us. When Protestants came they had this structure and what they did was remove the middle men, and had us reach out to Jesus who reaches out to the Father. However in the Bible (such as in Exodus 19:5 and in Revelation) we find that Biblical mediation runs in the opposite direction from Catholic/Protestant mediation. God reaches out to us through Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit through the angels and the Bible to God's people who are to reach out to the world around us. After hearing Dr. D. and talking this over with Graham Maxwell who agrees, there is another understanding of standing without a mediator. God has been reaching out to us. After the close of probation God's relationship with us changes. He no longer has to plead with us to accept him. Those who have accepted him are firm in our relationship. Those who have not never will. Yes we still come to the Father through Christ, but that means we come to the power of God through our friendship with him. Mediation is trying to call us into this relationship. Mediation is no longer needed. Both Elder D. and Graham Maxwell said (and I believe this is consistent with what I learned in college) is that we tend to read into this quote the traditional Catholic/Protestant version and direction of mediation, rather than the Biblical version and direction.

Nothing wrong with that!!!!

Pluto is one looking planet.

I address the GC President as President Ted for the following reasons: 1) It is an honorable position and title. 2) The duties of the GC President remove the President far from the relationship that a congregational pastor must build with the members. 3) If God calls one to serve as GC President, then take both the position and the title. Do not asume the title of a position one has not been call to take--a congregational pastor.

Very nice graphics. Standard SDA interpretation.

Would all those folks (including the pastor) who were killed in SC a while back be dead if there had been armed security at the church? There have been several instances of churches being shot up all over the world - including this country. I have been to several large conferences where armed security is on site and visible; I'd imagine there was invisible as well. The shootings at New Life Church (Ted Haggard's old church) in CO Springs was stopped by armed security at the church. Christians have as much of a right to protect themselves and their leaders as any other group. TW having armed security at an event with more that 10,000 people is prudent; not faithless.

A source tells me that each guard was carrying one hardback copy of EGW's Faith and Works and an extra-hard hardback copy of The Impending Conflict to use as weapons.

This is an interesting topic. I spent many hours thinking about this topic and have produced a short study on this that some may find a blessing. Take a look and let me know what you think. ...Art https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Hmr--ZYLgA

That was Naomi. She made some very salient points, not to mention important for a happy and balanced life with a Friend and Brother in the Kingdom. Oh! And did I mention, also the King of kings. God cares!

I don't believe God destroys as I believe it is contrary to His nature. God recovers, heals, restores. Sin and sinners destroy.

Quote: Even more frightening is knowing that He will bring out our private motives ... we(I) need to give prayerful consideration to our/my words,& deeds I'm supposing it's always worthy of consideration, but I can't help but believe Jesus has you (and anyone else who accepts His promises)covered, without fail, Naomi. "He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”"Acts 5:30-32 NASB "For you are all one in Christ Jesus. And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you."Galatians 3:28-29 NLT I'm satisfied submission to Jesus is a key to our heavenly home. "When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am."John 14:3 NLT God cares, with His beautiful promises.