Leaderboard

elsewhere on the forum, the question of whether C/A has a women's group was brought up... So as not to detract from that topic, I just wanted to note that, although I'm a woman, I have a decided distaste for "women's groups," private or not. I find them to be saccharin-laced, and boringly fraught with whining and descriptions of potty-training children, as well as off-color jokes about men and sex (not obscene, just "off-color"), and I'm not interested in such classless humor. In the one and only SDA Women's Retreat that I attended, the primary topic under discussion was belly dancing lessons, and how the men loved it and what it *did* to them. **bleahhh** I left early, as I had better things to do with my time. I much prefer a group having both male and females. It gives a lot better overview of topics. And I generally favor the company of men, to the company of women. (yes, I understand I'll never be invited to C/A Women's group! )

I agree that some issues (like some of those above) are usually best discussed with the same gender. OTOH, there are advantages to talking with the opposite gender about certain things for the educational value. Sometimes, when I'm talking with my female friends, I hear about some of their issues with the men or children (is there a difference?) in their lives. Sometimes, their complaints are some of the things my wife could say about me or our kids. So I learn how to better treat my wife from listening to what "bugs" other women. They have sometimes thanked me for the insight I give them on a man's POV. If people want to have a gender-specific discussion or prayer group, they can go for it. I regret not supporting the men's prayer group more than I did.

I went down to the valley to run errands and to get a badly needed haircut. My regular barber lady was not there and her co worker went at it. I think there was communication problem. I told her the usual and she must have thought I said I wanted to look like one of the Three Stooges! I'm wearing a hat now! let the topic flow

well today we both will be with the elderly man meeting with minister and elder. Pray that we bring HIS SPIRIT not ours! ....... i have prepared a one page letter to read if so inclined

Most read the words "this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached to all the world" and "then the END will come" - and understand the "end" to be the Second Coming in glory. All the world - at that point in time, must have heard the Gospel. What about all those who lived and died WITHOUT ever hearing the Gospel?? Aren't those people part of "all the world" ?? That is why I believe that all of those who died in ignorance will be resurrected at the 8th millennium, then taught the things of God, then allowed to CHOOSE. Only THEN can "the END" really come. To me - "the END" will be the final END of sin itself, along with Satan and His evil forces. This END is not the Second Coming.

We use the expression, "he has paid his debt to society" when a man completes he sentence in prison. But the man did not literally pay money or goods to someone else. He PAID with time served. When we use the expression "he paid the ultimate price" for our freedom, we're not saying the man somehow paid money TO another party. The expression is a way of saying that "he did what was necessary" in order to recover freedom, or protect freedom, and he lost his life in the process. Jesus also "paid" the ultimate "price" for our freedom from the dominion of Satan and death. The "price" that He "paid" was perfect obedience to His Father's Law - "even to death on a cross". "He was obedient unto death, striving against sin." Incarnating into human nature and form was also part of the "price" that He "paid". Dominion of earth was LOST through disobedience. The dominion is recovered through perfect obedience - Jesus' perfect obedience. When we talk about someone carrying a LOAD, that LOAD can be something intangible - like guilt, or a great responsibility. We use the expression, "He took it upon himself, to accomplish the task." That expression does not mean the man is literally "carrying" or "pulling" a large object. Jesus "took upon Himself" - the great task of recovering the dominion of earth, and all of those who were willing return to God. He did this voluntarily. When Satan is ultimately judged guilty of ALL the sin which he has caused, that judgment will be laid ON HIM. He will not be able to get rid of it. He will "carry it" to the "uninhabited place" and finally to the lake of fire. He will NOT carry this "load" voluntarily (this judgment of guilt or ultimate responsibility). The Bible uses so many of these metaphors. Like "debt to the law", "carried our sorrow", or sin being "black" and forgiveness making us "white"- like "washed" of, or "cleansed" from sin. All of this language is trying to explain something intangible to human beings who tend to understand things in a tangible way.

The focus in that group is primarily spiritually and ministry-focused.

Topics that I prefer talking with other women about: Marital issues, parenting problems, mother/daughter/grandmother relations, pregnancy, breast cancer, menses, menopause...stuff that women deal with and have personally experienced.

All religions and denominations were created by and are populated by sin-plagued, erring humans. As I see it, all of these competing groups are more like clubs, just take your pick of which club that you like their rules, then join it. My experience with Separatists has not been pleasant. After joining a separatist group, my wife and children and I went through some horrible, traumatic experiences. Perhaps not every separatist group one might join will result in the same experience, but one thing for sure, the separatist's main message seems to be separation. That message definitely resulted in a separation between me and the LORD for many years. I believe the word for Pharisee in Greek means "separate". The Pharisees thought themselves too "holy" to mingle with the unenlightened masses so they avoided the "impure" for fear of "contamination". Contrast that with the ministry of Jesus Christ who ate with sinners and mingled with outcasts, much to the horror of the religious elite. Our main mission on Earth is to do our best to love and obey our Creator, then next, to encourage others to do the same, not by bullying or ostracism, but by a kind and sympathetic spirit. We can do this with or without denominations and churches. I might not be welcome in a Reformed SDA Church because I don't eat or drink they way they do or wear the clothes that they do or talk the way that they do or read the right books, the red ones, or the right Bible, the KJV. Those restrictions can happen with any church or denomination, too, because it's human nature to decide who the bad guys are and make ourselves out to be, of course, the good guys. Fortunately, the LORD knows our thoughts and sympathizes with us, and understands all the problems we have to deal with, and will reward the honest seekers of truth. If we look at the path others are taking and the mistakes they are making, we may stumble off of our own path and find ourselves on the rocks or in the ditch. We should serve the LORD as Christ did, to be a blessing to all mankind and brighten the lives of others, rather than create walls of separation by our particular lists of rules. Jesus Christ had his list of rules, but they were for himself, to internalize, not to use as weapons against others. If we can't get along in this life because of the rules we wish to impose on others, we may not be very happy in the next. Ultimately, though, when Self is gone, we will all be as one with our Creator, and his rules will all be programmed into our minds.

Does that mean that there will be a lot of competition for the 1st Resurrection, that of the 144K? After the 2nd Resurrection, during which the whole world will be informed as to what the Kingdom of YHVH is about, if we wish to join, we must forgive all who have harmed or wronged us, even if they murdered us or our family members or stole our possessions. Even those who are diligent students of the scriptures have a limited understanding of what the Kingdom is. Our religions create clouds and smoke so that we have an even more difficult time trying to understand the Kingdom. The times and events of the future are already set, and we cannot change them. I don't believe the LORD is delaying or hastening his return for anything such as SDA's who wish to somehow purify themselves.

I frankly cannot think of a topic that I would only want to discuss with another woman... other women may *understand* more about an issue, but that doesn't mean that male input about the subject wouldn't be helpful or insightful.

Like Wanderer, neither would I care to post in, join or attend men-only groups or retreats. I like the counter-balance that women provide, but have no interest in topics like belly dancing, sex, or off color jokes. I try to keep focused on the Kingdom.

I am finding genuine friendship in the CA women's group, and great sharing by our deeply spiritual members. If any women are interested please message Gail.

Oh No!! Once my son asked for a military style cut and his usual stylist was off that day, the "new" girl gave him a bald spot. When he got home, I took him back and got our money back, but he has never returned to that salon again. I hope your hair grows fast. ((hugs))

Don't feel bad...I prefer mixed company also! (opps this for women only)

Sin is both a verb and a noun - like "look" or "party" or "visit". Jesus bears our sin in the sense that He carried the burden and guilt of our sins on the cross. Satan will ultimately bear our sin in the sense that he will pay the ultimate penalty - eternal death.

First of all, neither Jesus nor Satan literally bear sins as a sin is not a "thing"; a sin is a concept, which represents actions, such as thoughts or bad things that one does. So whether we are talking about Jesus or Satan, we're dealing with metaphors. A verb is not something which can be literally born, like a noun could be born, by literally carrying it. We can bear sin in a sense like we are weighed down mentally. When one speaks of Jesus bearing sin, usually the penal substitution idea is what people have in mind, where Jesus is paying a price so that God has the legal right to forgive us, or some variation of this idea. When people speak of Satan's role, the idea I have heard, is that the metaphor represents the responsibility that Satan has.

An heavenly diet will be wonderful! One thing will be sure--I won't have to worry anymore about whether or not my diet is "right" with the Lord, and "right" with what my body needs for optimal health.

I have read the news articles. If they are accurate, l support the right of the school to withdraw the job offer.

whether or not the temple was still being used for pagan purposes is irrelevant... the Palmyra Temple was an extremely important archeological treasure, and what ISIS did to it is inexcusable...

I think it's art and a wonderful piece of history. I think it's horrible that they are destroying these things.

Geometry joke. Love it. Really acute example.

I remember the movie that this is from, watched it with my dad. Also loved the song, "They Call The Wind Moriah". Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

I am confident that Bill was not picking sides in that debate as an objective of this article. Perhaps your discomfort with the editorial is that you think he was and was only targeting your POV. Either side of that debate or any divisive element in the Church needs to take a lesson here. I do think that we are in an era where fringe elements so easily have a platform and voice that greatly exaggerates their standing in the community. The impression is given because they are loud or produce much media material that is spread far and wide on the internet that they represent a far greater number and have far greater importance and validity than they really deserve. The bullies need to be called out.

The woman caught in adultery is a very important story/example. Why is it that a very crucial ending to that story is always left out? What do you suppose the reaction to this story would be if it ended with the woman telling Jesus it was only a cultural thing? It would take biblical scholars to determine if she was actually sinning,regardless of what Jesus/scripture said. Or one of my favorites ,God meets us where we are at,which of course seems to stop there. Or we can keep our pet sins that are just to difficult to give up until Jesus returns and then all will be better. The bible is quite clear whether it is adultery,stealing,lying,or homosexual behavior what our final out come will be. It is up to Him to do the judging. It is not up to me to whack anyone upside the head with the bible when I encounter any of the mentioned.On the flip side of that it is not up to anyone to judge me or anyone else that believes what the bible says on the subject instead of believing it is simply cultural. I am not obligated to accept the constant criticism of biblical instruction to prove I am a christian and am not condemning someone else to hell. Nor do I believe that I need to gloss over what the bible says when confronted by those that continually deny what is clearly written. If that is the way someone chooses to live their life,their business, If they do not want a response or feel judged by those that do believe the bible means what is written,then quite hammering on the subject until you pound others into agreement or silence. You can't have it both ways They nuetralize love, they short circuit the very Spirit of mercy, and graciousness, and kindness is applicable to those that use every opportunity to push a certain agenda,trying to make all those that disagree less than they are. Whatever pet sin someone is dealing with,not my business to take care of it. Just don't demand the christians that disagree with you either be silent or prove they are christians by agreeing Constant criticism by those that choose to believe the bible is not entirely accurate towards those that do believe it to be accurate is applicable

There are sins that are not spelled out in the ten commandments, like the sin of neglecting your salvation, or the sin of ingratitude, or the sin of failing to pray for sinners, and the sin of self righteousness. There is the dreadful sin of gossiping, of bitterness, and unforgiveness, and sheer unbelief. These are deadly, and they are right or wrong. They not so glaring as murder and lying and adultery, but like coveting they are so insidious and they are matters within the heart that often only God sees and are dealt with between God and His creation. They nuetralize love, they short circuit the very Spirit of mercy, and graciousness, and kindness. There is something we recognize as the fingerprint of God, as it were the foot prints of God. It is a change that is left when someone was there, the mark of the living God who made all things, who is drawing all humanity to himself that he might touch them, and make them forever recognizable as His own. That sign is His character lived out, Divine Love for God and Divine Love for man, and a craving for God to be glorified in a world that is dying without Him. Yes the ten commandments spell out sin, but the Spirit makes known the depth of the character of God far deeper than the rightness and wrongness that the law can do. We can no longer live by how right or wrong, by correctness or incorrectness. It becomes, how much is God represented, or misrepresented. Where God is and where God is represented The Holy Spirit is there to bring conviction of all sin, and make it all known by contrast with His very Holy Person. And where God is making sin known, he is revealing Himself who is the very light that allows sin to be recognizable. Those who brought the woman caught in adultery were wielding the law, and wielding the rightness or wrongness, and slunk away when the presence of God made their condition so unbearable in His presence. My view of right and wrong, and my pointing my finger at wrong can never accomplish what the presence of God does. Everything of importance can be trusted to God to deal with in His children, and it is deeper that even words can go.

lol, what is this? An Encyclopedia Dramatica page? (Man... After reading this, you'd think the SDA church was Scientology 2.0!) This is probably the second most anti-Adventist, closed-minded, generalizing article I've seen here in my short time on this site. I don't see any problem with any of the things this person is complaining about. To me it just sounds like the person who wrote this had a crappy extreme experience, left (or is leaving) the church and is now running around trying to sensationalize the fact that the SDA church is [harmlessly] peculiar when people are only trying to find a way to keep their culture alive in a world that would otherwise be harder to live in if they had no one to relate to. I haven't even been brought up in an SDA family and this is insulting to me because I find the SDA church to be a group of very likable, gentle, open-minded people who have taught me a lot about the bible. To urge that they practically should not have a community is to want the church to shrivel and eventually cease to be. Sure, living a life like this could possibly produce some big-headed people who think only they will make it to heaven. And sure, there are some legit points here being made...but only in very specific cases! This person has no idea how the whole SDA church carries out their lives and mingles with the world in order to make friends, be decent citizens, have fun..etc. Seems like this person just wants to eradicate the church based on a highly subjective perspective and make it much like many of the other dying, hardly recognizable denominations of the 21st century: void of identity, void of doctrinal uniqueness and lacking in the ability to be noticed in this world.

Sounds to me like one disgruntled former Adventist!! Anyone know who wrote this article?? Personally the Sabbath does influence my life!! You know why?? Because the Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus Christ influences my life. I might not do a great job of following that influence, but if I put him at the center of it, than by extension, it most definitely should influence my life.