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Nope: it wasn't a 140 year old record, it was the hottest year in the 140 years for which records exist. The second hottest year was 2014 (not 1875), and 15 of the 16 hottest years on record have occurred in the past 15 years. It simply is far, far hotter globally than it has been in human history, and getting hotter at a rapid rate.

Wingnut, For someone who believes we don't need extra-Biblical sources, you sure refer to a LOT of extra-Biblical "rocks". You use the extra-Biblical sources when it suits you, and call us ignorant for citing history, when it doesn't agree with your view.

GLOBAL WARMING QUESTION: From what is being said, we broke a record for global warming in 2015. Something like 140 years old record. My question is this, what made it get that hot 140 years ago? Yhey had no smog etc etc, or if they did, I suspect nothing like today. Thoughts? Please NO science bashing or religion bashing...

Very sad situation!!

You have far too much faith in the translators. They don''t have some magic way of knowing what the original context was. Paul's letters give us only one side of a conversation. The translators have to reconstruct the other side using clues from history and Scripture, along with the explanations they've heard, such as the ones that Kevin H keeps giving us (without any documentation). They naturally filter out any of the context that doesn't agree with their own theology or philosophy. If the translators imagine the early "church" to be a proto-Protestant religion, they're going to translate Paul's writings in that context. But the early congregations were not proto-Protestant-- they were still a part of Judaism during the whole time that the New Testament was being written.

All your "science" - so called.

I live to amuse you.

Clean vs Unclean — For me, those terms generally refer currently to food items. Unclean = pork, shellfish, catfish (scavenger fish), etc. Clean = beef, chicken, fish. Weren't the "clean" vs "unclean" laws of the Bible there to protect the people against diseases? I would have an issue with the Biblical injunction of referring to people with contagious diseases as being "unclean" in this day and age. "Holy" vs "Unholy" — I know the common definition of holy would be something dedicated to God. But I don't think that's accurate. Too many things that were originally dedicated to God have been adulterated, and would no longer be "holy"... are church buildings holy? I don't think so. What about a Holy Bible? Is the book itself holy, or is it the meaning we give the words in our minds the thing that's holy? I dunno. I'll be interested to see what thoughts others might have. Great topic!

Isn't that a song that Pathfinders, Scouts, and other kids' groups sing? (now I've got the words and tune going 'round and 'round in my head! lol )

“Who is the happiest of men? He who values the merits of others, and in their pleasure takes joy, even as though t'were his own. ” - Johann von Goethe

I'm not the least bit interested in your propaganda. Paul was handpicked by God the Father and Christ, our Savior, to expound the gospel - especially to the Gentiles - the good news of salvation "in Christ". To diminish Paul's writings is to draw off disciples unto yourself. Shall we follow you, Wingnut, or the writings of Paul? ..

Paul's comments about women were written to specific churches with specific problems: Corinth was a city with only a small native population. Most of the people there were sailors and business men who have moved there for a few months to a few years to conduct business then return to their homes. Often these business men brought their families with them. Now unless you were a Jew, most people were illiterate. The men knew their own language and Greek and did business in Greek and some Latin as well. The wives would have only known their local language. In church the people could either try to translate into all the many languages there, or have services in Greek and then after church the husbands could give a translation of the message to their wives. But meanwhile the poor women had to listen to a talk in a language that they could not understand. It would be so easy to get into sub discussions with their friends who spoke their language, and church could get very noisy. The context of the verse for women to be quiet in churches are things that brought disruption to the meetings. Paul was not talking about woman pastors like Pricilla and her assistant pastor Aquila. As for Timothy: When Timothy was in Ephesus there was a woman's movement going on based on uneducated women seeing themselves as superior to the educated and to men. They were going into public meetings and worship services (including Pagan worship services) and was demanding the males to submit to them and demanding to each everyone in the city with their anti-education and anti-male beliefs.

Wingnut, when you are reading Galatians, you are reading mail that wasn't written to you. It was written to the believers in a particular time and place. There was context. And Paul didn't just write his letter spontaneously out of nowhere. Paul was responding to a particular situation, where people had been using particular words and phrases to promote something that Paul opposed. Those words and phrases in that context may not have been referring to the same things we would use those words and phrases for today. I suspect that the original readers of Paul's letter understood exactly what he was saying and they apparently thought it was a valid and worthwhile message, otherwise they probably wouldn't have saved the letter for others to read later. When you say that Paul's analogies and metaphors are not clear, you're just admitting that you don't know the context. Of course, none of us today know that context as well as Paul and the original readers did. And we may seriously misunderstand the context due to changes in thought, language, and culture in the nearly 2000 intervening years. That should caution us to refrain from interpreting Paul in a way that would make Paul's writings disagree with Scripture that was written earlier, especially since Paul himself claims to believe and teach in agreement with Old Testament Scripture.

Wingnut, it's no wonder you have a hard time understanding Paul, when you can't even read a plain factual story without twisting it and adding to it in order to misinterpret it. The story of Nicodemus (John 3) doesn't tell us what Nicodemus was thinking. If Nicodemus was thinking he was okay, he probably wouldn't have been consulting with Jesus, he would have been at home watching television (or whatever the entertainment was at that time). Nor does the story tell us that "Nothing in Nic was worth keeping." If nothing was worth keeping, then it seems God went to a whole lot of wasted effort to save sinners when he could have just destroyed the sinners (in which there was nothing worth keeping) to "start over" with new non-sinners. Apparently God thinks there's something worth keeping. You need to go back and understand God's covenant with Israel before you start contrasting it with the "new" or renewed covenant that God makes with Israel and Judah. You seem to be simply regurgitating the man-made traditions of those who followed neither the example of Jesus nor the example of Paul. And your contrast seems to depend entirely on a shallow interpretation of Paul (which would break your own guideline for establishing doctrine). The Bible does not actually say whether "Nic and the RYR left without a belief in Jesus" or not, so your assertion that "both left empty" is just an empty assertion. If the RYR did not believe what Jesus said, he probably would have just wandered away unconcerned, playing with his iPhone or whatever. The only reason he would be grieving about Jesus' answer would be if he had faith that Jesus was teaching the truth. Later in the story Nicodemus shows up doing things that a believer would do (see John 7:50 and John 19:39), which casts some doubt on your assertion that he left empty.

It sounds like you copied this from somewhere. Not too many on CA would wear a Versace gown and obviously this is satirical. And no Paul is not a misogynist. This is written almost like an unbeliever not like someone who has a clear understanding of the text. Shamefacedness is modesty or a lack of inapppropriate boldness. Broided hair had strands of gold elaborately woven in. And not to judge but personally I find a nice tankini with shorts more appropriate than a bikini. Some say women at times were interrupting the service with questions. Paul also commended Phoebe an early church leader and spoke of Priscilla. I am also not sure if some of the details of behavior were cultural. Paul did say he thought he had the word of the Lord about remaining single in that day and time but said it was him saying it. Paul also told Onesimus to return to Philemon his master.

Ali, I like the connection you make between being treated with kindness and remaining in the church.

this is fascinating!

I read this article in LATIMES today. And David Geelan is correct. It has to do with record keeping. The article indicated that they thought it was the hottest year ever. Period.

Around 20 years ago I was in a Mormon Family Center doing work on my genealogy. The woman that was working there was having a conversation with one of her friends about someone that had left the LDS church. She commented: "They know the truth and one day they will return." I had a ahhh haaa moment. The light bulb lit up. I could have been in a SDA fellowship hall...or a Catholic or Methodist or and one of the dozens and dozens of religious organizations or churches around the world. It really opened my eyes. I had grown up SDA. Church and School and this during the 40's - 90's when this occurred. I had spent a long time out of the church... all through my 20's until I was re-baptized during my 40's. I had not left the church because of doctrine. I believed everything I had ever been taught or had studied on my own. I was the prodigal daughter. The one that still loved to read her mother's Reviews and to discuss religion and the church with other back-sliders in one of the local gathering spots. One of the things that sent me on a quest to understand my church was when one of the men I discussed the events of the church with...told me that the pastor at La Sierra church had told him that he could come back...that Ellen White was not an issue and that she had been discounted. WHAT?! I couldn't believe this and thought this the craziest thing I'd ever heard. What could the Adventist church be without EGW? It sent me on a discovery quest. I landed up in the Heritage room at the LSU library and in discussions with the librarian there. I learned a lot. About why one of my girlfriends had joined up with the Reformed SDA group that came out of Australia via Germany and what that was all about. I learned so much of SDA history and then when I stopped at the College Store I'd find books that were anti Ellen White (The White Lie). I couldn't wrap my head around it. I had never had a problem with Ellen White's writings (and still don't). I didn't understand that the church that I had left years ago had been going through a lot of changes. When I was re-baptized I discovered that this church was not nearly as judgmental as the one I had walked away from all those years before. One thing that happened is something I'll never forget. I was attending Arlington SDA church. The one that I had grown up in. During the Aids scare there was a young man that was attending as often as he was able. He was gay and had Aids. But he had been converted. I witnessed how the members of the church welcomed him and his partner. How he was treated with such kindness. He lived in LA and would drive out on Sabbath morning and then back home. Several times I invited him and his friend to my home for lunch after church. He was such a sweet soul. When he died his father would not have anything to do with burying him or attending his service. Arlington stepped up to the plate and paid for everything. They had a memorial service that was well attended. This was Christian love in action. I'll never forget it. I have many stories that are examples of both sides of the debate. The harsh, unmovable and unkind remarks from members. The loving, kind, forgiving care from others. I remember one time when a new person that had been brought to church by The It is Written videos....came to potluck with her fried chicken...a woman took it from her with a "We don't eat this."....tossed it into the trash barrel. So do you think that newcomer ever came back????...... We have a long way to go to answer the angel's declaration of: "Press together. Press together." And when that happens what do you think Jesus will say? The problem as I see it... IS this... Those in high up positions of power through out the years have hired people that may have talked a good line about being faithful and toeing the line...but were not kind. Found fault. Resorted (in schools) to dismissing or kicking out students that even looked like they were heading out the door toward "the world". I have a friend that was kicked out of La Sierra Academy because someone drove by the Arlington movie theater and he was standing out front... I think he said he was waiting for someone. So do you think he is in the church today???? I had a 7th grade teacher that was as mean as a snake. And come to think of it...the 2nd and 4th grade teachers were of that same caliber. But I had teachers that were so loving and kind. I know a man that still remembers the first grade teacher that I thought was wonderful... beating his legs with a hose. He hates her to this day and she is long dead. I had a class reunion at my home many years ago and we had people that attended that said if it had been at the school they would never have come. We are talking of people in their close to elder years. They still have grudges and wounds from a Christian school! And no one had anyone that had contacted them to return!!! Why is that????? What I have found through the years is that people in positions of leadership do not want to acknowledge that our schools and SSchools have had people that should never have been teachers or persons in charge of children. Because if you trace it all back...it is into the Sabbath School room...the school room where the anger and fear began. Having people that really didn't like children to begin with were in charge of them...and the seed is planted...Jesus said something about children and those that abuse them...and deep water and millstones... The unkind Elders...the rushed and frustrated teachers...unkind words...pinched arms and ugly mean looks. That is what has caused these deep feeling of separation! This should be admitted and acknowledged and perhaps the wounded would come home! And I nearly forgot. The evil of bullying is alive and well and has always been there in SDA classrooms and out on the playground. That comes from the home life of the bully! This should never have been allowed to happen and I hope it isn't as bad as it once was.

“Only those who dare to fail greatly can achieve greatly.” - Robert F. Kennedy

“The Christian message is what sets Christian music apart. We've got hope, and we’ve got to be upfront about that hope. ” - Rebecca St. James

“Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” - C.S. Lewis

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless. ” - Mother Teresa

“Life is not separate from death. It only looks that way.” - Blackfoot Indian proverb

“Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better.” - Albert Camus

You misunderstood me. The devil and his angels no longer have access to heaven and since the death of Christ have no power to tempt for their character is fully exposed. Tne sophistry was fully exposed and thus has lost it's power. That exposure answered any and all doubts that they may have held for it fully vindicated the character of God. The entire universe other than the planet earth understands that the devil is a liar and a murderer and always has been.

I filed my taxes for many years online. I got my returns within 7-10 days. State took a little longer.

“Nothing great was ever done without much enduring. ” - St. Catherine of Siena

“It's funny how dogs and cats know the inside of folks better than other folks do, isn't it?” - Eleanor H. Porter, "Pollyanna"

“It is a funny thing about life: If you refuse to accept anything but the best you very often get it.” - Somerset Maugham

“Caring for orphans in the same way God cares for us is a privilege; it is an invitation to join God right at the center of His heart as the Father to the fatherless. ” - Steven Curtis Chapman

“Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died.” - Erma Bombeck

“Life's unfairness is not irrevocable; we can help balance the scales for others, if not always for ourselves.” - Hubert Humphrey

“The greatest gift I ever had came from God; I call him Dad!” - Unknown?

“It's not the honors and not the titles and not the power that is of ultimate importance. It's what resides inside.” - Fred Rogers (submitted by mandmfamilia)

“Human freedom and God’s law are not in opposition; on the contrary, they appeal one to the other. The follower of Christ knows that his vocation is the freedom. ‘You were called to freedom brethren’...” - John Paul II

where ever we can find fellowship... in the church or outside God wants us to find healing in Community. That is what we are fashioned for as Social Creatures. #God made us this way!

Jesus in Every Book of the Bible (original author unknown) In Genesis, Jesus is the seed of the woman. Exodus, he is our Passover lamb. Leviticus, our high priest. Numbers, the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. In Deuteronomy, the prophet greater than Moses. In Joshua, Jesus is the captain of our salvation. Judges, he is our judge and lawgiver. Ruth, he is our redeemer. I & II Samuel, he is our trusted prophet. Kings and Chronicles, he is our reigning King. Ezra, he is the rebuilder of our broken down walls of our lives. In Nehemiah, Jesus is our restorer. Esther, he’s our Advocate. In Job, Jesus is our ever-living redeemer. Psalms, he’s our shepherd. Proverbs & Ecclesiastes, he’s our Wisdom. Song of Solomon, he’s the lover of our souls. In Isaiah, Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Jeremiah, the righteous branch. Lamentations, the weeping prophet. Ezekiel, the glory of God. Daniel, the everlasting God. In Hosea, Jesus is the forgiving husband. Joel, the giver of the Holy Spirit. Amos, the builder of the city of God. Obadiah, our savior. Jonah, the firstborn of the dead. Micah, the ruler of all ages Nahum, the avenger. Habakkuk, the God or our salvation Zephaniah, our savior. Haggai the restorer of the kingdom. Zechariah, the Priest on the throne. Malachi, the son of righteousness, with healing in his wings. In Matthew Jesus is the king of the Jews. Mark, the servant. Luke, the son of man. John, the son of God. Acts, the giver of the Holy Spirit. In Romans Jesus is the righteousness of God. I Corinthians, the giver of gifts II Corinthians, the triumphant one, giving victory. Galatians, the liberator of our souls.. Ephesians, the head of the church. In Philippians, Jesus is our joy. Colossians, the head of all things. I & II Thessalonians, our hope. I Timothy, our faith. II Timothy, our stability. In Titus, Jesus is truth. Philemon, our covenant friend. Hebrews, the messenger of the new covenant. James, the Great Physician. I Peter, the cornerstone. II Peter, our purity. In I, 2, and 3 John, Jesus is love, light and truth. Jude, the one who is able to keep us. Revelation, the King of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus is the first and the last, beginning and the end; He is the keeper of creation and the creator of all. He is the architect of the universe and the manager of all time He always was, he always is, he always will be, unmoved, unchanged, undefeated and never undone.

The suggestion that this star was some natural astronomical object, isn't a new one. Several suggestions has been made to explain this, such as planetary conjunctions, a supernova, and now, a comet. There are some theological difficulties here, though… First and foremost, the Bible explicitly tell us to avoid attaching any significance to natural astronomical events: “This is what the LORD says: "Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in the heavens, though the nations are terrified by them.” - Jeremiah 10:2. The ancients were especially afraid of comets, which due to its shape (a comet resembles a sword) was interpreted as a sign of impending war or death. Secondly, the link between history, chronology and ancient astronomical events is a lot more shaky than most people realize. It's impossible to conclude that the Star of Bethlehem was a comet without making multiple assumptions. So, my personal opinion is that this theory is tenuous at best, misleading at worst. Explaining away the miracles in the Bible won't make it easier for seculars to believe, either... Finally, Ellen White's take on this is very interesting. She denied that this star was a natural event, instead she claimed that what they saw were of a supernatural origin. “The wise men had seen a mysterious light in the heavens upon that night when the glory of God flooded the hills of Bethlehem. As the light faded, a luminous star appeared, and lingered in the sky. It was not a fixed star nor a planet, and the phenomenon excited the keenest interest. That star was a distant company of shining angels, but of this the wise men were ignorant. Yet they were impressed that the star was of special import to them. They consulted priests and philosophers, and searched the scrolls of the ancient records. The prophecy of Balaam had declared, “There shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel.” Numbers 24:17. Could this strange star have been sent as a harbinger of the Promised One? The magi had welcomed the light of heaven-sent truth; now it was shed upon them in brighter rays. Through dreams they were instructed to go in search of the newborn Prince. {DA 60.1}

Somtimes one has to wonder what people actually read, or if they read it or if they understand the topic or....... I read Paulien's articles and found them very interesting, waiting for more.

discrimination in the past is not a reason to discriminate in the present [in my opinion — which means absolutely nothing to the church hierarchy] ...

I am still puzzled at why some ex-SDA seem so vindictive after they have left the denomination. I would think that once they were gone they would be happier... Regarding passing out "other" literature- it is not surprising to see this clamped down upon. I have lived long enough to see movements come and go, each time and each one pulling out members with them. In one case I knew a family member of a Shepherd's Rod who related to me how a family friend, now a Conference president, rejected his boy because the boy was traveling around to Camp meetings trying to recruit sympathizers by showing them supposed errors of the church leadership. Spreading division and confusion doesn't accomplish much for Jesus. To me it seems like wasted energy.