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Red, it really sounds like you have an axe to grind about what you perceive is wrong with the church. I pray that God will open your eyes to see the good work and miracles that are taking place daily around you; and that God will break off the bitterness you feel, and fill you peace, love, and acceptance under all circumstances.

The answer from a professional counseling standpoint is: You do not attempt to answer the person. The list of their alleged offenses in not the central issue. Here is what you do: 1) You shut your mouth and you begin to listen to the person. 2) Listen for the hurt (injury) that has caused the break in the relationship. 3) You attempt to get the person to identify and acknowledge that hurt. Once you have done that you have reached a place where there is a potential for you to assist in the healing process. Here is the rational: 1) People seldom leave over doctrine. 2) People leave over relationships and spiritual injury. 3) When this is the case, getting into an intellectual argument over perceived wrongs (doctrine and policy) is seldom helpful. All such discussions confirm people in the harm that has been done to them. NOTE: My answer is specific to the question asked and the way it was worded. There is a place for a discussion of doctrine, policy, practice and life style. But, that discussion often should be limited.

Finally, I have my driver's license! It's amazing! Praise God! He protected us on the way there, provided the funds needed, and even provided the practice opportunities and people to help, a lot of practice within the last few years, but despite all that practice, I cannot boast of any special skills or training, for I made mistakes during the car inspection, it seemed at first and second as though the test would not even happen, and the test was so short I thought I might have failed. Oh--the suspense! But praise God! When they took my picture, that's when I was sure. God is so good. God is so good. I'm so happy! Praise God!

how do others see this? i have seen some quite beautful art- Hindu, Muslim and Buddhist- to me yes it conveys a message of their faith, but i see it just as art, like all art, to be appreciated and admired. would you consider it a graven image if you were to go into an exibiton, saw something ou liked striclty for its art value, and then bought a copy of it? I wold like to hear opinions on this. We shouldnt make a image of God, but these pieces of art arent neccesairly of their Gods. BTW i very nearly became a Hindu, felt the love and warmth, but something was not quite right. And i do respect all religions, and would hope they would afford me the same courtesy ( not always possible though)

Rachel Ginsberg called up a pet store and said, "Could you please send me ten thousand cockroaches." "What in the world do you want with ten thousand cockroaches?" asked the clerk. "Well," replied Rachel, "I am moving out of my East Side apartment today and my lease says I have to leave the place in the same condition I found it."

Should we be afraid of them also.....(pagan association)....

I understand where you are coming from. You thought it was funny. But, the fun part comes from mocking basic Christian values. In a sense this is the same kind of fun that people engaged in when White people played the parts of Black people and had the audience laughing at them. I grew up in a time when that was accepted. Thankfully, I have learned better.

There may be people who are not Christian friendly. But, in my opinion, you have used Club Adventist to mock basic ideas of revival in a Christian sense.

A figurine of Buddha or an icon of a Saint wouldn't be an idol for me. I would never be tempted to worship pagan gods, so such a piece of religious art would only have an aesthetically meaning to me. However, I still think there are compelling reasons to avoid religious art in our homes. The main reason for this is because it can be a stumbling stone to unbelievers. For instance, I once gave my parents a menorah I had bought in Israel. They had it on display in their window, and after seeing how conspicuous it was I to those passing by, I finally had to advise them to find another place for it. People with limited knowledge could be led to believe that adventists were some kind of Jews, (an allegation that I've personally encountered) and that's obviously not true. Likewise, someone who briefly visits your home might think your religious art is an indicator of your faith. Furthermore, for some people veneration of religious images is a quite serious thing. Some people could even be offended if we use art that have a religious purpose for decorative purposes. We should also remember that warning against idolatry is an important part of our Christian duty, and our testimony could be weakened if people saw our homes filled with figurines of various gods. It's going to be hard to convince a Catholic or an Orthodox to stop venerating religious images if I own such images myself. This is why I personally won't own religious art that have the potential of being misunderstood.

I assume that you are aware that some will consider the video to be offensive and mocking of Christians, revival and making a commitment to follow the leading of the Holly Spirit and Christ. NOTE: If you are aware of some of the other videos produced by the same people, you would not consider them to be Christian friendly.

I find it of interest that music acceptable in one part of the world may not be acceptable in other parts of the world. There are regional, ethnic and cultural differences. As the United States is becoming more multi-cultural SDA congregations are also becoming impacted by attendees who come form different backgrounds. This challenges and results in concern from our members who may be WASP and not accustomed to the worship style of the newcomers.

Wingnut If Christ died on a Friday or a Wednesday - it sounds like a non-salvation issue. But I find that even the very smallest truth or error can unlock or lock a much bigger truth or error. Truth and error form like standing dominos in a line. When one is knocked down a bunch usually follow. If enough domino's fall you might find out when the last one falls that you were never really following God in the first place.

The bigger problem lies with those who see themselves as "pure" enough to enable them to accuse others of apostasy. Accusing others of wrongdoing is nothing new since it's everywhere in this life, a trait basic to human nature. Unfortunately, we cannot get into the minds of others and instead must rely on our own limited sensory input which often leads to accusations of evil motives and practices. This type of behavior is a reminder of the parable of the two sons, where one has left the farm and wasted his inheritance while the other stayed behind. The hardliners may reject the worship services and beliefs of the "apostate liberals", but in the End, all who choose to bear the Mark of God and join the Kingdom will be saved, regardless of the religion, if any, that they belonged to. The son who left and returned ended up with a much greater appreciation of his father and an awareness of his own value than the other "pure" son who resented his brother's reward despite his "apostasy". A person can examine others' behaviors and beliefs with a powerful magnifying glass, but they should be looking in a mirror, instead. What other's do and say and believe is nothing compared to what we, ourselves, think, say, do, and believe. We can raise our voices and accuse and condemn others for their "apostasy", but then, we are worse.

If Christ died on a Friday or a Wednesday - it sounds like a non-salvation issue. But I find that even the very smallest truth or error can unlock or lock a much bigger truth or error.

Would they have to be Jewish cockroaches?

Maybe that is the solution. Ban all music. We dare not make even the slightest misstep....

Amen, Tom. I am a leader of a contemporary praise band at a local SDA church; and I clap and raise my hands and dance (albeit clumsily) when I lead music. Many in the congregation do the same. Speaking for myself, I am not doing this to simply put on a show or "shake my booty". Personally knowing the character of the Godly women in our congregation, I highly doubt that they're doing it, either. They would be greatly offended if they were confronted about doing such. When I look at scripture, I see the following: You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. (Is. 55:12) "Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, 15 while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets. 16 As the ark of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart. (2Sam.6:12-14) Also see Rev. 4 and 5. It sounds more like a charismatic praise service than the somberness of a traditional service. I have no problem with either traditional hymns or contemporary praise music. It's all about whom I am worshipping; and in a proper frame of mind I am blessed either way. We mix hymns in with contemporary music; but we play them on guitars and keyboards.

thing about harvest time, though, is *who* is the "harvester"?

Tremendous insight! Comparing where our individual minds go to with broad statements regarding music and correlating it food!. ..it is all personal taste and things we think of when someone describes something! I have two words ....FABU and LUS! Tom Wetmore post and me embellishing in Purple (please forgive me for having a lil silly put in..being the Holidays and all) It is like comparing the taste of our favorite food by just talking about the taste in very broad terms, but not really experiencing it or actually saying what food we are talking about. "Yummy" ( I think Chocolate Chip Cookies .. U think Candied Yams) "Oh that tastes too delicious." ( I think Oatmeal Burgers in Cream of Mushroom Gravy.. U think Pecan Pie with a dollop Creme Fraiche ) "The ingredients were of the best quality with high nutritional value." (I think of Baked Organic Brussels Sprouts .. U think Candied Yams with a Brown Sugar Sauce )" "That was a very well planned and well balanced meal, perfection on a plate!" ( I think Tues Special KFC Chicken and Corn and Biscuit Plate ...U Think of Hungry Man's TV Dinner) "The savory goodness of that bite was just exquisite!" ( I think of Special K Loaf .. U think of a Nut Spread on a Triscuit) "But the bite row that dish really left a bitter aftertaste." ( I think Vegie Lentil Stew with too much Vinegar added for "brightness" .. U think of My lousy Baked Brussels Sprout Dish when I didn't cook the sulfur taste out) "This lovingly prepared dish was my favorite." ( I think of My Grandpas baked Pisghettie with Artichokes U think of your Mama's Delicious fall favorite - Ratatouille ) "The presentation was appealing to the eye." ( I think of Filet Mignon with a Horseradish Green Apple Cream Sauce on a Bed of Red Potato Gratin lightly drizzled with a Parsley and Garlic Pesto Followed by a slice of Pecan Pumpkin Cheesecake with Spun Sugar .. U think of a Gooey Plate of Delicious Nachos with a Glob of fresh Guacamole and black olives spread out generously Followed by a Lil Debbie Snack Cake with Spun Sugar ) " The texture was perfectly balanced with the flavors. And every bite was bursting with a symphony of flavors that delighted my palate from start to finish..." ( I think of a fresh Mediterranean Pizza Pie ..U think of Tofurky Pot Pie with Mashed Potatoes under a sea of Cashew Gravy and a Green Bean Casserole and my Baked Brussels Sprouts cooked to crispy Perfection and the Dreaded Candied Yams with Rainbow Colored Marshmallows) Did you really understand or even know what kind of food I was talking about? Could you tell anything about the actual food that would help you enjoy it, plan and prepare it for yourself, or pick it out of a vast array of food? Pretty much meaningless, isn't it? .......................... . Bedlam of Noise? ( I think of an Organ Grinder with a Screeching Monkey wearing a Hotel Bellhop Hat doing tricks ..U think of a dude with a tambourine? ) # we are truly making God in our own Image when we think our preferences are God's Preferences

Get real, Red! Did I say that? NO! I said your salvation depends on your relationship with Jesus Christ. Is it reasonable that someone who is worshipping at the church of satan would have a real relationship with Jesus? I think not. Getting back to the subject, I appreciated Gregory's advice, as did you. The point I was trying to make in the above statement is that - at least from my experience - there is no "perfect" church. We can always find things that are "wrong". As a faithful watchman, you see areas of darkness at your church. I have seen those in every church I have ever frequented. You may be the only moderating influence in your church. If you leave where you are, it may become an even darker place. Dark places need light. Maybe God has placed you in that church to shine a light into the darkness. You may not need that particular congregation; but they may need you - whether they perceive it or not. After all, the body of Christ is to be a refuge for sinners as well as a sanctuary for saints. When you view it from a spiritual perspective, you carry your home church with you - in your heart - for you are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Wherever you are, you are at your home church. You carry it with you wherever you go. Blessings and peace to you. May the peace and love of Jesus Christ soothe your soul and remove your pain and discouragement.

Just as a matter of fact, there is very little known about the ancient Druids. Much of what is now associated with Druids and the religions of ancient Celts is simply guesswork. There is no evidence that "Muck Olla" was a Druid god. In fact, Muck originated in folks stories from Yorkshire, England. To avoid bonfires, apple bobbing, pumpkin carving, or wearing costumes simply because "evil" Celts supposedly used them in religious ceremonies is giving too much significance to *speculated* occurrences from hundreds of years ago. I don't like Halloween / Samhain -- because it has more meaning to me than it does to most here. But it doesn't have the capacity to infiltrate a Christian's armor of God. Folks should be more concerned with the popular medieval festivals that are so common nowadays.

I would say that your salvation is not dependent upon your chosen denomination; it is dependent upon your relationship with Jesus Christ. All denominations are man-made constructs of what some person or group decided what was "truth" in their own interpretation of scripture. Salvation has nothing to do with getting every single doctrinal point in scripture or the writings of EGW 100% correct. If you are unhappy with mainstrean Adventism, there are plenty of ministries out there that will cater to you - for example - Hope International, Steps to Life, the Reformed SDA Church, Amazing Facts, Messianic Judaism, Shepherd's Rod. You will likely be unhappy with them after a while when you realize their people and organizations are just as flawed as everyone else - just in different ways. Salvation comes from loving and believing in the Lord Jesus Christ and letting His Spirit change you from the inside; and studying the Scripture for guidance into what is right. It does not come from the Adventist (or any other) denomination. It only comes as a free gift (i.e., no strings attached; nothing we "earn") from Jesus Christ.

My favorites of art from other religions would be that of Native American, Celtic, and the Chinese Buddhist works. Some of the Jewish art is beautiful as well. I see nothing wrong with owning a piece as a work of art.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntLsElbW9Xo

Read about this here: Another Vatican scandal

The Supreme Court ruled that gay marriage can’t be banned by the states, and deemed it unconstitutional in the 5-4 decision on June 26th. Read more at http://www.beliefnet.com/News/Articles/Gay-Marriage-Tramples-on-Religious-Freedoms-Say-Critics.aspx

BELGRADE – As Serbia has signed an agreement with Moscow to buy Russian weapons, Serbian soldiers are preparing to participate in US-led NATO drills. Serbia’s policy of balancing between Russia and the West is due the country’s doctrine of military neutrality adopted in 2007. However, experts say that sooner or later Belgrade will have to choose a side. http://inserbia.info/today/2015/11/experts-serbia-will-have-to-choose-between-russia-and-nato-soon/

Russian Nuclear Units On The Move, Non-Essential Civilians Told To Leave, Putin’s Ready To Nuke ISIS!! MindyT October 31, 2015 In response to the purported downing of a Russian civilian airliner in the Sinai in Egypt, the Kremlin is now poised for a nuclear strike on sites controlled by the Islamic State. Citing its right to protect its people and interests in Russia and abroad, Intelligence officials have anonymously reported that Russia is moving its tactical nuclear units closer to its international boundaries and its frontier with other hotspots within Russia, such as the northern Caucasus region. The Russian military have been called up to help evacuate Russian nationals within these hotspots and have ordered non-essential civilians to leave Syria, Iraq, the Gulf states and other nations in the Arab world. Although Russia’s poising to use its nuclear weapons on ISIS, Russia held a secret meeting with NATO, reassuring them that Russia has no intentions on using nuclear weapons on either Georgia or the Ukraine, citing that attacking either of them would invoke a nuclear strike from NATO. Also Russia had consulted with the Syrian government as well as the governments of its allies in the region, who in turned told the Kurds and other allied militias of a possible nuclear strike, warning them to move allied civilians from areas that might be struck by Russia’s nuclear weapons. A meeting of allied nations and Russia was held in Teheran within hours of the downing of the civilian passenger airliner in the northern Sinai- in which media reports have said that there was no in-climate reported at the time of the crash and witnesses on the ground claim a line of smoke went from the ground in the direction of the airliner before the ground to air missile hit the airliner. SITE has reported that a video purportedly made by either ISIS supporters or ISIS themselves that shows the downing of the airliner. The White House has declined to make a statement about this incident and the Kremlin’s use of nuclear weapons. However, the Kremlin says the use of nuclear weapons is justified to protect its citizens and its interests, namely helping to sustain the government of Bashar Al-Assad and keeping the its allies in power in Iraq and Iran, which are considered allies to Russia. Their common interest in destroying ISIS motivates them to work together. However, the US has stated its fears that deploying nuclear weapons near the region would spur an nuclear arms race in other nations in the region, namely Saudi Arabia and the nations within the Gulf Cooperation Council, a group of Sunni Muslim nations located in the Persian Gulf region, which have aided in the creation of ISIS and continue to support it like the way they supported Iraqi insurgents during the Iraq War (2003-2011). Both the US and the UN are concerned that the conflict in the region could lead into a wider conflict, possibly a world war. (multiple intel reports concerning the downing of the Russian civilian airliner in northern Sinai, ISIS’ purported claim of responsibility and Russia’s official response). Read more at http://consciouslyenlightened.com/breaking-russian-nuclear-units-on-the-move-non-essential-civilians-told-to-leave-putins-ready-to-nuke-isis/

And why is it necessary for me to know that when God is the Father, God is the Son, God is the Holy Spirit, and God is One. While it is true Their responsibilities are significantly "seemingly allotted" (for want of better words), except where it is made very clear by definite Divine counsel, such as how we are to pray (our Father Which art in heaven), They are equal and never need question each other as to the advisability of what, where or when they will be doing something. Part of that Divine protocol seems way beyond our feeble efforts to fathom and seems less than useful to exert effort on, especially when the children of God find it so difficult to fulfill what is easy to understand, like Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel and then shall the end come? I'm of the opinion that They have a working relationship that does not want to be independent of each other, unlike much of fallen humanity who listen to the accuser of the brethren for their orders. Just asking. God is Love! Jesus saves!