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Robert quoted this well-known EGW piece in another recent thread: Sorry, I don't have the reference handy. It got me wondering. Spiritualism - the Fox sisters and their hoaxes, table rapping, ouija boards and so on - is pretty much a dead force in the world these days. It still exists around the corners, but it's far from a massive influence with the power to lead the masses astray. Frankly, it's an historical artefact of the time when EGW was writing. It was a craze in 19th century America, but has since faded. The thing is, antiCatholicism is the same sort of thing: powerful in mid-19th century America, fading now, as Catholicism shows its face as simply one sect among many, albeit a large and wealthy one. I honestly think it might be time for SDAism to move on. The 'two great errors'... turn out to have been made by EGW, or at least by those who take her writings a century into the future and expect that they will still apply in the same way. It might be worth thinking about the great spiritual threats of now: my own nominee would be the conviction, despite Jesus' direct statement, that it's possible to serve both God and Mammon. What are your candidates?

Inmates Train Rescue Dogs And Reform Themselves In The Process By Emerald Pellot Charles Couch has been in prison for 3 decades. He is facing a life sentence, convicted for what he refers to as a crime of passion. “I caught my wife with another man together and I killed them both. And that was 33 years ago almost,” he told KATV. No one would expect a man like Couch to have a soft or compassionate side. But then he met Honey, a rescue dog in the Paws in Prison program. The Arkansas Depart of Correction prison is marrying prisoners with the pups on “doggy death row.” The rescues are each trained by prisoners, which will make them ready for adoption, and able to avoid being euthanized. Though it may sound unusual, unconventional methods to reach the hardened crowd of inmates have seen a ton of success. In some prisons, the inmates are reformed by training horses! “She’s taught me — I don’t know, to love again I guess,” Couch says of Honey. She’s the third dog he has trained but perhaps the most special to him. Unlike the other dogs he has trained, he lets Honey sleep in the bed with him. “When they come to us they’re getting their second chance. When they go to their new owner, they’re getting paroled, they’re getting clemency,” Couch says. Another inmate, William Bentley, is learning a lot about himself through the program as well. Bentley was convicted of aggravated robbery. “He’s taught me patience, responsibility. I’m not used to having to take care of anybody other than myself. On the street my mama was taking care of me so it taught me how to take care of something other than me,” he says. “I was anti-social and having him has made me social because everybody wants to pet the dog. Everybody wants to rub him and see him and talk to him and I have to deal with them also.” The Paws in Prison program has been shown to reduce violence in prison and turn the lives of these inmates around.

We know from Scripture that it doesn't separate us from God's love. More importantly is what sin does in our own hearts to separate us from Him.

Christian Bro, Are you implying that the "healing of the nations" may never be complete? That sounds more like palliative treatment than a cure. When Jesus healed people here on earth, their healing was complete - it didn't go on forever. Why would it go on forever in the Kingdom?

A few weeks ago I preached a two sermon series on gay marriage. The first sermon was to remind the heterosexuals about what God says about marriage. I'm convicted that we are where we are because heterosexuals have severely damaged the institution of marriage. This woman is ridiculous and has no credibility. She should save her energy and seek to preserve her own 4th marriage.

über-spirituality, where some feel that God doesn't wish for them to have any affinity for pleasure, have motivation to be comfortable and safe, or to take pride in themselves, their families, and their abilities. It includes the idea that one must only talk about spiritual matters and/or always talk/write in spiritual terms, using "Christianese," in order to be acceptable in God's sight..

Okay, I just can't find it in me to resist!!! Osteoporosis is reversed by sisoropoetsO. I deserve the rotten tomatoes for this one!

It is not a salvation issue, but at times those who try a vegan diet and have other nutrient restrictions or concerns need some help from a nutritionist to make it work. Otherwise they may not feel their best, and I have had times when I needed to use technical information about nutrition to make it work for me, and would not have been able to do it in the best way without that knowledge.For example I had chemotherapy years ago and osteoporosis as a result but as able to reverse it with the right lifestyle and nutrients including supplements so my bones are now normal.

I'll make it simple. No animal has to suffer and die to sustain my life, and I grew up and got weaned.

So glad to know there are none here who are offended by those of us who choose to eat meat. For my husband and me, our diet of fruit, veggies, grains and meats is better and healthier.

You usually do not receive enough Vit B if you are a vegetarian so the supplements are vital. Mother was not a vegetarian but had severe deterioration in her spine. As your father has found the B-12 Injections are awesome pain relievers. I tend to be always very low on V-D and find that taking the heavy prescription along with daily over the counter relieves much of my chronic pain.

I am really enjoying this discussion!! My father, aged 90, had severe back pain due to deterioration that no one is attempting to touch. He did have cortisone shots but now they give him a B-12 injection and it works so much better for him

One more thing to all listening to the sound of my tenor timbrels. This pic of God has done wonders for me relating to HIM. As God went to hell and back to ensure our Return to HIM .. To this GOD - it means the World to Him to see a man help feed a man even when he says NO to GOD! #exhaustive love

What should be noted is that conservative politicians say very little about being in long term, stable, committed heterosexual relationships. This is for obvious reasons. To jump up and down about gay marriage and ignore heterosexual divorce is called hypocrisy. Both undermine marriage as God intended. My desire is for a balanced view on these issues rather than one driven by political expediency.

The Amish clerk will only issue carriage licenses to anyone who isn't gay.

Gay: The report of the Amish clerk who refuses to issue drivers licenses is, as you probably knew, false. See: http://m.snopes.com/amish-dmv-clerk/

nobody is saying that God decides someone's salvation based on which "sin" a person commits... But I imagine there's going to be a lot of people in heaven who were gay on earth... to the chagrin of many...

I'm not saying EGW was wrong in general - she was a very spiritually gifted woman. I'm just agreeing with Bravus that she could be wrong about the error Bravus brought up in the beginning of this thread - that the doctrines of Sunday sacredness and the immortality of the soul will be chief contributors to bringing about end-time events. Time will tell. I have much respect for EGW - even though I don't blindly accept every word that came from her pen.

Let's examine Revelation 22: "And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. 4 They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. 5 There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever." Brother, I do not see any reference to your second sentence above. Please provide me chapter and verse, or state if this is an opinion of yours. Thanks!

who might God be happier with: a gay married couple committed to each other and their family, or a heterosexual couple who is dysfunctional and fights all the time? (not saying gay couples cannot be dysfunctional, and not saying heterosexual couples cannot be committed to each other)

Not sure if "wrong" is the right word. She was "right" in many respects for her times. I'm not willing to discount EGW's prophecies/statements on the future entirely. I hold a "wait and see" philosophy there...

Traditionalism is a problem, as is being overly complacent. There are many who are not willing to bring doctrine or prophetic interpretation up to the current reality. Like Bravus implied, could EGW have been wrong? For me, a question is "do other branches of Christianity "get" certain parts of scripture better than SDA's? I personally think being closed to any alternative interpretations is a bad idea. Many believers I speak to - especially in charismatic congregations - is that everything is "good"; and blessing and miracles are soon gonna break out all over the world; while ignoring the imminency of the tribulation which (IMO) will some come upon the planet. They don't even want to discuss Daniel and Revelation. Ask the Christians under ISIS or Taliban control whether or not they are in great tribulation.

You know that I believe those redeemed "first" (at the Second Coming) will prepare (during the 7th millennium) to "rule the nations" AS "kings and priests of God and of Christ" (during the 8th millennium). They will teach the Law, administer justice, and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And then the people will CHOOSE.

You have a vision, why not spend the present time doing research and putting together a business plan. Your prospectus will be valuable when you are in a position to approach the people with connections and money. It takes a lot of ground work to put together a business plan. There are those with ASI who will know what they are looking at when you present it ... and this time will give you the opportunity to present it as the professional which you are.

Samie, Pleeeeeze take your arguments on this topic (of just when human beings are/were "saved" or "forgiven") over to your thread on the Book of Life. I will not answer your posts on that topic - in this thread. This thread is about the SDA doctrine of the "close of probation" - that it will come some time BEFORE the Second Coming, and after it arrives, Christ will stop any ministry of forgiveness. Any sins committed after probation closes - even by the LORD's own committed people - will NOT BE forgiven. The question: Will there be such a time? Since Jackson seems to have left this thread, I'm not sure anyone will continue with this, but that's OK. There have been 3 or 4 threads going at the same time - all with Samie's arguments for his belief that "all sin, of every person, for all time WAS forgiven" before the foundation of the world. THIS IS CONFUSING. People responding, can't remember where they posted their comments, because there are too many threads going on with the SAME subject matter. The constant insertion of Samie's arguments into so many threads, which started out on different subjects - clogs the other threads, and prevents easy discussion. Folks try to ignore Samie's posts, and just follow the main conversation, but it gets difficult. And for newcomers - I think it confuses them. When I see this going on - I'm going to simply reply, "OFF TOPIC".

Gerry, My heart goes out to you for your loss. Take at least a little comfort in the fact that your beloved is no longer in pain; and sleeps with Jesus - unconsiously awaiting her reunion with you in the Kingdom. May God flood you with His compassion, comfort and peace. He will bring you through this.

We live in a society in which some decisions are made by majority agreement. I am required to abide by those decisions regardless of whether or not I think they are for me. People who know me will agree that I am independent in many ways. Regardless, I have to put my independence in check in many ways in order to live in our society today. It just might be that I thought that the "women's only" forum was just my cup of tea. Well, those women seem to have decided that they do not want to serve me that cup of tea. O.K. Living in our society today, I should respect that. I should not personalize it. I should not let it lower my sense of self-worth. That is life and I should respect their decision and neither attempt to intrude or complain about it.

You learn somethin' new everyday!

I took calcium citrate malate, which is patented because it is absorbed much better, (Calcimate Plus at GNC) 3 tablets 2x a day. Also vitamin D3, got adequate protein, exercised, and not underweight.

Aubrey B12 is indeed very important and was probably one reason Ellen White told a doctor she knew not to go vegan until the Lord prepared the way. He got sick twice when he did it. An unpublished study I heard presented about vegan Adventists showed that without B12 supplements about half of them developed early signs of deficiency in about 6 months (Just blood work, no symptoms) so while not everyone who is vegetarian may become deficient it makes sense to supplement. It is made by germs, and in a perfect world there would be no unfriendly germs to wash off- guess that is why most vegetarians need to take it now. If you have celiac disease it is even more important to take supplements because you are practically guaranteed to absorb it less efficiently. A lot of meat eaters over 50 need it anyway, according to the Framingham study of Americans. Most can do with 500 mcg. of sublingual B12 but for those who need more they can try a 3 way absorbed B12 in a higher dose- PM me for suggested brand if anyone needs. Side effects can be numbness tingling and foggy thinking. Meat eaters who are deficient get enlarged red blood cells but this seldom happens on a vegetarian diet due to the higher intake of folic acid, so if your doc wants to check for it he needs a Schilling test.

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 felt exhausted for years until they checked my b-12 levels. It was low normal, so I started giving myself prescribed b-12 shots and the difference it made was extraordinary!!!!! Apparently, I don't absorb b-12 all that well and they make a massive, massive difference. Some days, I would feel like I was 80 and could hardly move or stay awake.... When I started the shots, I was running around the house with so much energy, you would have thought I was 20 again. Then, ironically, I found I couldn't move for the next day or two because I was in so much pain for overdoing it on the active day! I have to stop and remind myself that I have to stop before I overdo it.... Apparently just because my mind and energy levels felt 20, didn't mean that my muscles and back got the same message....

Well I ate meat till I was 23 and don't miss it. Oh wait, there was the food poisoning I got the time I ate aged red meat. But I just don't have any nostalgia for that either. And there were the constant headaches I lived with for 2 years. But that was due to a dairy allergy (still have that once in awhile). Nope, don't miss it. I do enjoy food - Thai, Chinese, Italian and Hispanic especially. Interesting how all those groups have very tasty vegetarian alternatives.I guess they are.. creative and inventive.

I am a vegetarian because I think it is healthier and feel better, but would not be offended if others ate meat out.

I am a vegetarian, trying to follow the God-given Adventist health message as I understand it. I haven't been trying as hard as I should, but desire and plan to try harder. As my understanding increases, my diet will likely change. For now, I try to avoid eggs and dairy as well as meat, and to avoid other animal products, except for honey. I'm trying to avoid refined cane sugar/pure cane sugar, which is usually filtered through bone char, and to cut down on other processed sugar, even organic, natural, and raw sugar (except maybe honey, which I seem to be eating more of). Also, vinegar is being cut out of my diet, and I am trying to cut back on the salt. Except when I eat in the cafeteria here and they have white pasta, I eat whole grains, and am trying to cut spicy out of my diet, including cinnamon. Soda/baking soda/baking powder are also being cut out. Not meaning to go about as though I am trying to boast of merits or anything, but rather am explaining my diet. For those of you (if any of you) who have visited my website, this might also help you to understand the changes being made on my site. The Lord gives me the strength, provides the food, and I have actually been feeling healthier and functioning better most days. By the grace of God, I am able to do this, and my taste buds and appetite are changing to suit the better diet. No regrets in making the change. I was a meat eater as a child, and didn't believe I could accept the non-dairy diet and enjoy vegan cheese, but I do now. The Lord can bring about a change in our lives, if we stop making excuses, ask His help, cooperate with Him, and believe that He will.

Jimmy Carter has made some changes to his spirituality, it seems. Last night I read an interview with him where he said that he parted ways with the Southern Baptist denomination over its attitude toward women. Because of his advanced age he may be finding himself where Solomon was when he admitted that, "all is vanity." And because he is so old he has earned the right to say whatever he wants Old people do anyway.