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Establishment of a religion and preference for a religion: What this means is that if government takes some action that seems to favor a religion it must also allow other religions to have the same. E.G. The government in the military and in civilian institutions employs chaplains as I was in both the military and in the Department of Veterans Affairs'. Once it began to employ Christian chaplains it became obligated to give Jewish Rabbis the same opportunity. That has now been expanded to other religions and we now have Islamic chaplains and others. The issue includes that of treating all fairly and alike. The does not mean that the government cannot have standards as to whom they employ. It does not have to accept just any person who asks to be a chaplain. It means that the standards need to be the same for all. E.G. At one time LDS clergy could not be military chaplains due to a failure to meet the standards. Once the LDS denomination began sending clergy to the military that meet the standards, they were accepted and I have worked with several. But, they were people who met the standards. One of the standards for being a governmental chaplain is that there be an identified group of people who were of that faith and desired a chaplain. It was that issue that caused the SDA denomination to begin allowing its clergy to become military chaplains. In those early years a couple of senior Army chaplains, from the Pentagon formally met with representatives from the General Conference and pled with them to allow SDA clergy to become Army chaplains so that they might meet the needs of SDA personnel. NOTE: Some religious groups have as part of their beliefs a belief that their membership should be secret and unknown by people outside of that group. Those groups do not have governmental chaplains as they do not meet the standards and do not want to do so.

My satellite dish was not working for awhile, but now it is back on, praise the Lord. During the time it was out I watched adventist tv on the PC, and on Roku. Apple TV would be great if it had adventist tv channels and content. Roku does, and it is not a bad alternative.

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray with these others, to be with our sister Femster. Guide the surgeons' hands. Let your will be done, in Jesus name, Amen

Father in heaven, I thank You for Your great love for Your children, and that it never fails. In You, Lord, lies a great future and death doesn't faze You one bit. Our sister Femster has to undergo this medical procedure and we lift her up to Your safe hands. We know that she will awake from this general anesthetic, either to continue her earthly journey or by Jesus Himself to be with Him. With You she is safe. May Your name be glorified in this situation and I ask that she be at peace. In Jesus' name- amen

Father in Heaven I lift Lyn to you asking that you give her peace, comfort and confidence in the medical procedures and personnel's ability to determine the issues that she is facing and to effect a cure. These things I pray in the powerful, precious name of Jesus. Amen

Just one of those fun polls...

The following two abstracts from scientific papers indicate that increased levels of the amino acid leucine, which meat and dairy foods supply in high amounts, can increase aging (reduce lifespan) by a molecular mechanism called “TOR Signaling,” as well as enhance the development of adult onset (type 2) diabetes and obesity. Please note especially the highlighted passages. Someone among my email contacts to whom I sent the above has expressed the wish that my previous mailing were “written in English.” ☺ I tried to keep it simple and understandable by only using the abstracts that introduce and summarize the papers. I had to include some technical detail, because I also sent this same mailing to a number of technically trained people, including my doctor. Maybe I can explain it in "English." Proteins are comprised of amino acids. There are nine amino acids that we have to have in our diet. One of them is leucine. However, extensive research over the past ten years has revealed that if there is too much leucine, it increases something on a molecular level in the cells in our bodies called "TOR signaling," which has been shown to contribute to the development of adult onset (type 2) diabetes, and also to obesity. Further studies have shown that this same mechanism also causes more rapid aging--shortening lifespan. There are certain chemicals in plant foods ("plant-derived polyphenols and flavonoids") that help to inhibit the kind of TOR signaling that causes diabetes, obesity, and accelerated aging. It is believed that by avoiding meats and dairy products, which supply leucine in high amounts, the result also will be prevention of diabetes, obesity, and rapid aging--thus resulting in extended lifespan. So the vegans are right--we need to avoid all dairy products, as well. Of course, we have known these things have to be true, because of the famous government-sponsored study of Seventh-day Adventists, which showed that vegetarian Adventists live seven years longer than Adventists who eat meat, and that vegan Adventists who also eat no dairy products, on average live 12 years longer than Adventists who eat meat. We always assumed that this was because of various general undesirable characteristics of meat and dairy products, like increased disease, cholesterol, etc. But now, for the first time, we have the actual, exact biochemical mechanism identified which explains why these things are so.

Romans 8:10 "However, if the Messiah is in you, then, on the one hand, the body is dead because of sin; but, on the other hand, the Spirit is giving life because God considers you righteous. (CJB) There's an IF in this verse. "IF Christ is in you" . . . then God regards you as righteous. If Christ is "in you" - then you are spiritually "alive". The "spirit of Christ" is giving you life. Before Christ can ENTER the heart, the person must open "the door". And yes - that's an ACTION - at least of the mind. It is a RESPONSE to Christ. It's not done in a vacuum. It's done because of Christ. Revelation 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." The person has the power, the ability - to "open the door" - to believe. God has given that ability to us. He protects us from the power of Satan (who would take over our minds, thus preventing us). But even the demoniac cried out to Jesus. The wrong words came out his mouth, but Jesus "heard" his heart cry. We are "born of the spirit" WHEN the spirit of Christ comes "in" to our heart/mind. (John 3:6&8). Jesus said, "You MUST be born again." This wording does NOT support the teaching that every human being was "born again" or was "in Christ" from the moment Christ died on the cross, OR from eternity when His death was promised.

Romans 6:3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. A person who is baptized "into" Christ, is then "in" Christ.

For me, the verses that were enumerated by jackson tell us, in a nutshell, to overcome evil with good. Doing spiritual things like believing, repenting, deciding to be baptized, etc., are deeds, spiritual deeds, doable only by those who are already spiritually alive, by those who are already "in Christ". AS the physically dead are not able to do any physical act, SO the spiritually dead are not able to do any spiritual act.

Club Adventist! I've been MIA, but this forum fills a void in my way of thinking like other forums can't. Re: Ben Carson. I've been critical of his campaign from the beginning. He is not a lawyer and lawyers make the best politicians. They know all the nuances of what and when to say this or that. Dr Ben said a lot of quirky stuff. A lot of it has to do with his adventist background and way of thinking. Some of it has to do with him. The Young Turks did a hatchet job on Dr Carson via youtube video. It talked about how Carson believes that the USA will team up with some marxist group (catholics) and persecute sabbath keeping adventists and others. It is not all that far fetched. If you open up the reuters app it shows Obama and the Pope walking side by side. The RCC has a history of promoting persecution. it is not that far fetched at all.

1) SDA policy generally requires that a baptism be conducted by: a) An ordained SDA pastor. 'b) A Commissioned pastor who has been authorized to baptize by the local Conference. c) A local congregational Elder who has been authorized to baptize by the local Conference. 2) In the SDA Church, baptism generally only takes place at a time when the person has decided to become a member of the SDA Church. There are exceptions to this but these exceptions are generally considered to be outside of normal SDA practice and when done may or may not result in advice to refrain from doing so in the future. 3) The decision to baptize rests with the pastor. However, as the decision to accept one as a SDA member rests with the congregation the pastor generally coordinates with the congregation. 4) The SDA Church considers valid baptisms that have been conducted by immersion (and is Christian) regardless of whether performed by an authorized SDA person. However, probably most people coming from another Christian group join the SDA Church by baptism. So, a Roman Catholic, if baptized by immersion (The RC Church does allow baptism by immersion.) could join the SDA Church by what is called Profession of Faith (POF). E.G. There have actually been some stories told of people baptizing themselves and that baptism being accepted by the SDA Church. 5) In the United States, every recognized SDA congregation has an assigned ordained pastor in charge. It would be a major exception for such a pastor to have more than three or four congregations. So, every recognized congregation in the U.S. should see a pastor on a regular basis. 6) I once lived in a country where it was common for pastors to be in charge of 13 congregations. In that country every congregation saw a pastor every few weeks. I cannot imagine a local congregation that needed to wait for many months or years. However, there may be some exceptions. E.G. The SDA Church, as I understand it, does not now have a regular pastor assigned to Pitcarin (sp) Island. Whether or not a local Elder is recognized to do such, I do not know. But, the story of Pitcarin Island is a complex and a sad one, which is longer than needs to be gotten into in this thread. I realize that this response may not respond to your exact question. I have wanted to explain in greater detail what it is that is actually done in the SDA Church.

Queen of the Philistines: Trude Dothan (1922–2016) Biblical Archaeology Society Staff • 02/02/2016 Trude Dothan, the doyenne of Philistine archaeology, passed away recently at the age of 93. A pioneer in Israeli archaeology, Dothan was a world-renowned expert on the Philistines. She excavated at Athienou (Cyprus), Hazor, Ein Gedi, Tel Qasile, Tell ‘Aitun, Deir el-Balah and Tel Miqne (Biblical Ekron). The excavations at Tel Miqne, which she codirected with Seymour Gitin between 1981 and 1996, unearthed evidence that proved to be dramatically significant to our understanding of Philistine history and culture. Read more:http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/archaeology-today/archaeologists-biblical-scholars-works/queen-of-the-philistines-trude-dothan/?mqsc=E3825172

The issue of nativity scenes is not whether the govern bans them or not. It whether they can be specifically displayed on government/public property, such as courthouse lawn. Any one can display them on private property, on church property, etc.. In fact the 1st Amendment specifically prohibits the government from banning it on private or church property.

I thought it was interesting! Not sure I agree with a everything that's trying to be said!!

Father God, In the name of Jesus I declare your peace and rapid healing over Fem; and wisdom and skill over Dr. Gerahty as well as on the anesthesiologist. Give Fem a calm settled stomach, waking up from surgery like she just woke up from a nice refreshing nap. Amen.

There is plenty of different kinds of flotation devices in the sea. ... how about a raft? ... a Lifeboat? ... a tugboat? ... an aircraft carrier? ... a Jet Ski? # where two or three are Gathered in My Name ..I AM there

Can you put all of the above?

Read More Daily Jesus Scripture: Luke 23:24 Starting Question: What is the most important thing you have ever prayed for? A Prayer of Life and Death Two men, separated by hundreds of years, marched willingly to their deaths. Both stories are told in the Bible. One in the Old Testament. One in the New. Both were promised by angels. One used this to prove he was special. The other chose to live a humble life. One did everything his parents told him not to do. The other followed His Father’s instructions perfectly. One died to bring death. The other to bring life. One brought hell to his enemies. The other brought Heaven. One made up riddles about himself. The other fulfilled scripture about Himself. Both had super-human strength. One used it for himself. The other used it for everyone else. The last moments of Samson’s life were spent planning how he could, once again, kill as many people as possible. He had killed hundreds in his life, with his death he killed thousands. Judges says he killed more in his death then he did during his life. Samson had been blinded by his enemies for the many things he had done against them. When they shaved his head to remove his strength, they gouged out his eyes to remove his vision. They thought this would stop him. But, his hair grew back and his vision for killing his enemies also achieved a new height. They brought him out as entertainment during one of their religious festivals. As they all stood inside and on top of the temple to Dagon, Samson asked for his hands to be placed on the supporting pillars in the centre of the temple. They were drunk. Samson was sober. He prayed for strength and pushed with all of his might. And the pillars collapsed. And the building imploded. And everyone died. Jesus also prayed before He died. But, his prayer was very different. He looked down at the men who had just nailed him to a cross and saw them playing a game - to win His clothes. And he prayed, “Father forgive them because they don’t understand what they’re doing.” His prayer wasn’t just for the soldiers at the foot of the cross. It was for the men hanging with Him. And the people watching from a distance. And those who couldn’t bear to watch. And others, like you and me, who were not even born yet. “Father, forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing.” And then Jesus died. But, unlike Samson’s story, Jesus’ prayer brought life, not death. The building didn’t collapse. The world didn’t come tumbling down. In fact, things got better. In the death of the one man, Jesus, the Scriptures were fulfilled, The Father’s plan was finished, The Devil lost his power, Hell was defeated, death lost its sting and the doorway to Heaven was thrown open. And everyone was invited in. Reflection Question: How can we show forgiveness when we are treated badly? What prayer can we say? Prayer time: Before you pray together, ask: What would you like to say to Jesus today? Further Reading: The Spirit of Prophecy 3:152-154 -x-x-x-x-X-x-x-x-x GET ONE OF DAVE'S BOOKS, FREE! Support this project by clicking here and pledging a small monthly amount. View the full article

The only practical way to have the idealistic form of honest constitution-abiding government about which you are fantasizing is to fire them all and start over. (Wait - that's not practical!) Our current form of government exists to feed itself and not the people; and "we the people" don't have the intestinal fortitude or sacrificial spirit to go through the national pain it would take to correct course. Let's say "Gentle" Ben gets elected. Where are his Washington contacts? Do you really think a gentleman like him could control a totally polarized and paralyzed House and Senate? Nobody owes him anything. On the other hand, he owes nobody anything, either; which could be a positive. Revelation talks about an unholy trinity (three unclean frogs). I believe this unholy trinity is a marriage of politics, economics, and religion which all come together to form the beast power out of which will come the AntiChrist. I also see this trinity "coming together" all over the world right now. The Chinese market takes a dump and the DJIA hemorrhages. The top governments of the world get together and decide that global warming is a more existential and imminent threat that jihadi Islam. Hillary's email and Miley Cyrus' latest naked escapade eclipse the civil wars in Syria and Yemen in the media. ISIS is already here in the U.S.; and our president's biggest concern is taking guns away from law-abiding citizens - which only makes us less able to defend ourselves. Do you REALLY think that the world can get back on a level playing field without divine intervention? Do you really think that an honest, caring man like Ben Carson can change that? I don't. For that matter, I don't think any of the current candidates will be able to fix things. It would indeed be great if we had a bunch of honest politicians full of integrity and selfless concern for the American people rather than self-enrichment. But the fact is that we don't. We have a coin operated government where the golden rule reigns - he who has the gold gets his way. God's word says that this system will crumble into rust; which tells me that until Christ comes, we will not have the idealistic government of which joeb (and I for that matter) dream about.

The problem is, he's not cutout for politics! He needs to do more trash talking, not to be so nice and soft spoken. He should've taken a look at what happen to Colin Powel, or at least spoken to him. Unfortunately he says things and than has to take his foot out of his mouth.