Leaderboard

We repent and seek to grow in grace to be delivered from sin. This applies to all of us. We also repent of the sin of judgement. It is no-one's business but mine, my wife's and God's what, if anything, goes on in my bedroom. The same is true for everyone in the world. Don't assume, don't presume, don't even think about it. It's none of your concern.

Here's Jack Sequeira's comments on homosexuality: I want you to notice is, what does God do when people turn their backs to Him? Does He push them in the fire? I’ll tell you what He does, because in this passage—he says in [Romans one] verses 24, 26, and in verse 28, three times—he tells us what God does when men turn their backs to Him. And you will notice he uses the same expression. Verse 24: Men turn their backs to God and want to enjoy sin. God says, “Okay, go ahead and see what happens.” He gives them up. Verse 26: And, if you look at the context of verse 26, it’s concerning homosexuality. He says, “You want to practise it, go ahead, I will not stop you. And see what happens.” And we know what happens, AIDS comes along. Verse 28: Please notice where the problem is, “They did not like to retain God in their knowledge”. What did God do to them? In other words, God is love. He will never force salvation upon you. If you turn your backs to God, He’ll say, “Go ahead and see what happens.” And when man realizes that without God he can’t live, then something says to him, “I better turn to God.”

First of all your comment is confused. Yes, by the time of the KJV most Christians were Sunday Keepers. However we are talking about the ancient manuscripts that the KJV translators used and the manuscripts used by say the Revised Standard Version and other translations that Elder Wilkinson, and others who support the KJV only, criticizes. What we have since learned, which was not known in Wilkinson's time, about the creation of those ancient manuscripts is that the KJV translators used manuscripts that were made by groups who had very quickly given up the Sabbath for Sunday. And the creators of the manuscripts that Wilkinson is upset about and that the KJV only people are upset about was created by ancient Christians who at the time of the creation of those manuscripts were still keeping the Seventh-day Sabbath. The reference where this was pointed out is: George E. Rice PhD. Contemporary Issues in Prophetic Guidance Volume 1 Sponsored by the E. G. White Estate, sold by American Christian Ministries http://americanchristianministries.org/index.php/prophetic-guidance-contemporary-issues-cds-21087.html I hope this is useful. I have to admit I am feeling bad now because while I can't think of any other way of wording this, yet I feel like giving a strong reference like this is something that comes on too strong and it is causing a pain in my heart that this may hurt some people's understandings and beliefs. . I want to apologize for my critical spirit. Please keep me in your prayers.

okey dokey... David has just become "Luster Gig" in my mind now... or backwards, it would be something like "Giggles" lol

Glad to hear someone else who likes the New Living Translation. That's the version I'm using in reading the Bible through this year. I have lots of other versions, and I like comparing them when studying. I love our Bible; it's God's gift to us to take us through these troublous times.

People should be offended by abuse. They should be very offended.

Every person is a creation of God and of value. No one has to tolerate abuse, especially in the name of Christ.

According to EGW, at the peak struggle of Christ, which happened in the Gethsemane garden where He sweated blood, it was because of the fear of being seperated eternally, with the chance of never to reunite again with His Father.. And if not wrong EGW added that that was how offensive sin is to God.. I guess what else if not to emphasize how trully Christ felt scared of that possibility.. Now from logic's perspective.. If Christ the manifestation of God's supreme perfection did indeed experience that fear then it's clearly an act of lack of faith or disbelief, even though how fleeting these thoughts maybe.. Rendering Christ imperfect.. Now aside from simple logic, one can also ask upstairs on this matter. And what really happened was not fear but simply from not used or not accustomed to.. There was totally no fear or the reflection of doubt in Him. In opposite to what EGW emphasis about sin's offensiveness, the turmoil that bear blood instead is the reflection of how deep His bonds are with God the Father.. Soo soo deep that it shook his physic to sweat blood but but but clearly in the TOTAL absence of fear. What example can i come up with.. Ok, children are very very dependent beings and if left in unfamiliar environments (even though promised will be fetched again), like among strangers, strange things, or unfamiliar settings will suffer from mild to severe reactions.. Sort sorta crudely like that.. But basically (unnecessarily) without fear, more to simply unaccustomed.. Or maybe for those never slept outside there home, their first nights outside in unfamiliar settings are guaranteed to be sleepless.. These 2 examples are of only mild undesired reactions.. Which shows Christ's bond is extremely far deeper then the bond with a home and bed that's never been "left".. I remember stories of bonds forged in the fire of war and great turmoils, begat greater "life and death bonds". I guess Christ's bond with God the Father is beyond our comprehension because it deals with infinity in time, power, and everything..

I don't handle abuse well at all. I fight back, verbally or physically however you attacked me I will give back. I also don't tolerate abuse of others if I see it. I wish I could remember that a soft answer turns away wrath, but my mouth is always about two sentences ahead of my brain.

Never bring a knife to a gunfight.

Read More Daily Jesus Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:18 Starting Question: Have you ever been caught doing something you knew was wrong? How did it feel to be found out? Caught In the Act Jesus made His way through the pre-dawn streets of Jerusalem. Having spent the night praying on the Mount of Olives, He was rejuvenated and ready for the day. He anticipated his early morning teaching session, hoping He would draw a significant crowd before sunrise. The streets hummed with the low murmur of a city waking up. Candles, visible through the windows of many of the homes, revealed busy families. Jesus arrived at Solomon’s Temple and sat in a visible place half way up the staircase. Two large white-marble columns towered behind Him. He looked at the Mount of Olives in the distance. It was the perfect location for today’s lesson. People began to gather, greeting Jesus, “Shalom, Rabbi.” “Good morning!” Jesus repeated many times as the people, ranging from the homeless to the pious, arrived and found places on the landing below. Jesus lifted his eyes to the crowd. He paused for a moment, ensuring that all were listening, “Where does light come from?” He asked slowly, “And what does it reveal?” The people loved a good question. They mulled it over. A Pharisee in the back hazarded an answer, “Light is God’s gift to us, revealing His perfect will.” Jesus smiled and opened his mouth to respond but was interrupted by a raucous group emerging from the darkness. Rather than passing by, the unruly bunch headed toward the temple stairs, forcefully dragging a woman. She fought, screaming. The men, firmly grasping her wrists, brought her between the crowd and Jesus. It was clear to all; she was naked. “This woman,” one of the men spat, “was caught, just now, with another woman’s husband—in the very act of adultery!” Jesus stood to face the men. “The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” ** Continued in Light of the World tomorrow ** Reflection Question: Imagine being the woman in this story. What do you think she expected? How does today's text give a hint as to what, knowing Jesus, we can expect when caught in sin and thrown at the feet of Jesus? Prayer time: Before you pray together, ask: What would you like to say to Jesus today? View the full article

The 144,000 have the Father's NAME on their foreheads. Having the Father's name designates one as part of the Father's kingdom. Right? Is it also true that one will NOT receive the Father's name IF one accepts the "mark" of the Beast - in the forehead? Is taking "the mark" a sign that one worship's the Beast? Rev 14:9-10, makes it seem so. The way it reads, those who receive the mark - either in forehead or in hand - will suffer the last plagues. Revelation 14:9 "Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 "he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb." (NKJ)

Is AIDS God's plague sent to punish homosexuals, lesbians, and other promiscuous people? I would think not, because little babies and others who bear no responsibility for their disease are also suffering. But consider this: If a person chooses to leap off a ten-story building, he will die when his body crashes to the ground below. It is inevitable. Gravity was not designed by God to punish human folly. He established physical laws that can only be violated at great peril. So it is with His moral laws. They are as real and predictable as the principles that govern the physical universe. Thus, it should have been obvious with the onset of the sexual revolution back in 1968 that today's epidemics would come. That time is here, and what we do with our moral crisis will determine how much we and our children will suffer in the future. [James Dobson]

Very easy to say when your sexuality happens to be the 'default' that people will assume if they don't know. You are in effect suggesting that those disadvantaged by societal prejudice should be quieter and accept their lot. Those same kind of arguments were made about race during the civil rights struggles. We each have the right to define our own identity as we choose, and the dominant culture does not get to dictate.

On the subject of different Christian responses to gay marriage, there was a debate about a year ago on the UK christian radio station Premier Christian Radio, a debate in the Unbelievable programme between Prof Robert Gagnon advocating the traditional biblical view and Jayne Ozanne, the director of Accepting Evangelicals who came out as gay earlier this year. https://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/Saturday/Unbelievable/Episodes/Unbelievable-Does-Scripture-forbid-same-sex-relationships-Robert-Gagnon-vs-Jayne-Ozanne It's a subject they tackle from time to time, trying to give an even hand to both sides of the topic. The debate part finishes about an hour in, the rest of the programme is feedback from past shows.

An answer to the presence of sin. 31I affirm, brethren, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.....1 Corinthians 15 God is Love!~Jesus saves!

Read More Daily Jesus Scripture: Ephesians 4:4-6 Starting Question: What does this verse reveal about God and His desire for the World? What can we do to make it a reality? John's Baptism ** Continued from John's Message yesterday ** “What should we do?” a young man at the front of the crowd shouted. “If you have two coats,” John lowered his hands, showing the stones to the crowd. Then he threw one into the middle of the river, “Give one to someone who needs it. Do the same thing with food. Share. Have you been guilty of hoarding? Change. Be baptized today for the repentance of your sins!” A few people stepped forward and John baptized them. A well-known tax collector stepped into the water. People hushed. “I wish to be baptized, what must I do?” John placed his hand on the man’s shoulder and said, “Only take what is allotted to you. Do not steal.” Then he lowered the man into the water. Vast hoards of people flocked to John, being baptized. Each asked what they must do and each left the water repentant, cleansed and challenged. John addressed the crowd again, “There is one coming whose sandals I am unfit to remove! I baptize with water, He will baptize with the Spirit of God!” A young man in a plain robe stepped into the water. John’s voice wavered and cut off. Everyone watched in silent wonder as the man waded out to John. “I wish to be baptized,” the man said. “I need to be baptized by you!” John whispered. “This is right, all must be fulfilled,” the man said. John nodded, placed his hand on the man’s head and lowered him into the water. As the man came up from the water a voice boomed through the air, “You are my Son! I love you and am deeply pleased by you!” A dove swooped down from the sky and rested on his head. A gasp of recognition rippled through the crowd. John turned to the people, “Behold, the Lamb who comes to take away the sins of the world.” Jesus smiled and walked into the crowd. Reflection Question: God loves the world so much that the Father sent his Son to save it and the Spirit continues working on people’s hearts today. How does this affect the way you interact with the world? Prayer time: Before you pray together, ask: What would you like to say to Jesus today? -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

Read More Daily Jesus Scripture: Matthew 27:39-42 Starting Question: What does the Cross of Jesus mean to you? The Cross Symbols are important for identity and community. They tell me who I am and us who we are. Such is a flag and such is the cross. The flag connects us to our nation and the cross joins us to our King — a king who was lifted up on a cross to separate us from death. Thus the cross became the Christian symbol for victory. Death was swallowed up in the cross. The grave has lost its sting because Jesus absorbed sin's penalty upon the cross of Calvary. So crosses were placed on top of churches — where Christians meet; and at the front of sanctuaries — where Christians kneel. But, due to the symbol being overused and misunderstood — to the point of worshiping the cross instead of the resurrected Saviour — some Christians removed the cross from public display but not from their hearts. The heart-to-heart connection to Jesus due to the victory on the cross is deep within the heart of every Jesus follower. The symbol of the cross was taken over by armies as they emblazoned it on their shields, swords and helmets. It became a fighting standard rather than a standard of freedom. Millions died facing the cross on an approaching enemy soldier. Ironically, the entire point of the cross was that only one need die — God for humankind. The cross became a feared symbol, rather than a cherished one. Today, the cross is again misrepresented as it is laced with diamonds, placed with pearls and worn as jewelery. The cross is the symbol of Christ's victory, not the prize itself. As many pay a high price for a cross to wear around their neck, they pass by the invitation to shoulder the cross of Christ. “Take up your cross and follow Me,” He says. His is wooden. His is bloodstained. The symbol of the cross holds no power in and of itself. The cross was a device of torture and death, and was used by ancient governments to kill thousands of people. But Jesus, the God of the universe, willingly died upon a cross so we mortal creatures might be free once again to choose to follow Him. And thus the cross became a symbol of freedom rather than fear. Jesus turned death on its head, turned fear on its face and turned you and I toward Him. All on a cross. Christians love, honour and cherish Jesus. He is our Creator and our Re-creator. He created us as His friends and designed this planet as our home. Then, when sin marred both the planet and the people, He returned to reclaim both. He died on a cross to pay fully the wages of sin — death is no longer our master. And He returned to life to guarantee us life eternal with Him — the way He originally planned. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are the foundation of all that Christians believe. Without them, our faith is nothing. Reflection Question: How can we 'wear the cross' in our words and actions? Prayer time: Before you pray together, ask: What would you like to say to Jesus today? Further Reading: What Was Secured by the Death of Christ -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

There's a whole discussion to be had around, *even if we assume that homosexual acts are sinful*, is it sinful to be tempted? Everyone is tempted, and if all sins are equal (in terms of salvation, if not in terms of their consequences here and now), then all temptations are equal. None are worse than any others. But I'm not sure I see the use in it.

Does anybody in this forum live in Paradise, Ca. and can tell me what life is like there.? I have an ulterior motiove... Nuff Sed

Christ is risen!: Every Spring, Christians everywhere celebrate this living truth…though it is one that surpasses any one season. With the glorious rising of Jesus, victory over death was assured. Christ Jesus, crucified and risen again, is the lifeblood of... View the rest of this great article

I used to be very "meek and mild" when abuse came my way....and I suffered horribly because of that. I don't tolerate it anymore. But I have to be careful, especially in what I say, as it's not nice to engage in verbal combat with unarmed opponents...

If I read scripture correctly, this occurs AFTER the millennium reign; not at the Second Coming.

Matthew 19:8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. From the beginning, this is were we are to look at this question from. It is like a believer in evolution saying, "Look how it is, this proves the past," but we know, because of Scripture, that from the beginning it was not so. To look at it another way, just because I agree to let you steal from me if you agree to let me steal from you, it does not absolve the crime/sin of theft, we would still be guilty. Even if we declare to do it with the most loving feelings for each other it will still be sin, because, this was not how it was to be from the beginning. It all revolves around from the beginning, how God first wanted it and how it will be when we get there. If we are not striving by HIS strength to be like it was from the beginning now, we will not be like it then. From "the Sanctified Life" "Peter's admonition to abstain from fleshly lusts is a most direct and forcible warning against the use of all such stimulants and narcotics as tea, coffee, tobacco, alcohol, and morphine. These indulgences may well be classed among the lusts that exert a pernicious influence upon moral character. The earlier these hurtful habits are formed, the more firmly will they hold their victim in slavery to lust, and the more certainly will they lower the standard of spirituality. {SL 28.1} "Bible teaching will make but a feeble impression upon those whose faculties are benumbed by self-gratification. Thousands will sacrifice not only health and life but their hope of heaven before they will wage war against their own perverted appetites. One lady who for many years claimed to be sanctified, made the statement that if she must give up her pipe or heaven she would say, "Farewell, heaven; I cannot overcome my love for my pipe." This idol had been enshrined in the soul, leaving to Jesus a subordinate place. Yet this woman claimed to be wholly the Lord's! " {SL 28.2) I, and many others know about these things very intimately. Beware the lusts that war against your soul.

Read More Daily Jesus Scripture: Matthew 28:19 Starting Question: God wants us to join in the task of taking salvation to the world. What commitment does this verse challenge you to make? John's Message Day after day the people came to see the man standing in the river. He stood there every day. And yet, it wasn’t his standing in the river that drew the crowds. It wasn’t the way he was dressed—a camel hair cloak held together by a leather belt. It wasn’t even his diet—honey, locust and water from the river—which drew the crowds. It was his words. “John,” someone shouted, “Are you the Messiah we are searching for?” “Messiah?” John shouted back with a laugh, “I am certainly no Messiah. I am just a voice. A voice shouting in the wilderness, calling you to get ready!” “Ready for what?” another voice asked. “Prepare ye the way of the Lord!” John shouted, “Make his paths straight.” “Are you saying the Messiah is coming soon?” “Soon!” John shouted with gusto, “All flesh shall see the salvation of God!” A finely dressed man stepped forward, placing a tentative foot in the water, “Since the days of Abraham we Pharisees have been maintaining readiness!” “Oh, you!” John pointed a bony finger at the plump fellow, “You swarm of snakes! To be ready is to be repentant. Don’t sing, ‘Father Abraham has many sons, and I am one of them!’ Stop your self-righteous singing and start saying sorry for your sins! Prepare ye the way!” The man looked truly offended. “I say!” he turned to the audience and shouted, “How rude!” Turning back to John he continued, “Know this, pond scum, when the Messiah comes he will come to Abraham’s descendants!” John stuck his face and hands into the river, coming up moments later with two fist sized stones. The religious leader squealed and ran into the crowd, clearly believing John meant to throw the stones at him. He lifted the stones high in the air. “From these stones,” John shouted, shaking the water from his bearded face, “God is able to raise children of Abraham. Don’t think you are so precious! The axe is swinging my friends! The trees not showing fruit will be cut down!” ** Continued in John's Baptism tomorrow ** Reflection Question: What do you think it would have been like to listen to John the Baptist? Would it be a joyful time? Scary? Prayer time: Before you pray together, ask: What would you like to say to Jesus today? -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

There was a popular children’s book that I remember as a kid. It was called “Something From Nothing.” The teacher read it aloud to my second grade class, but I never understood the meaning of the title. Watched the play... View the rest of this great article

Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. David Smith has been elected to serve as president of Southern Adventist University. He will begin on April 4 as president elect, and as president on June 1, replacing Gordon Bietz, who is retiring. Smith served in the English Department at SAU for 17 years and then at Union College as president before returning to SAU as senior pastor for Southern's campus church. MORE A request for prayer has come from Faith for Today/LifeStyle Magazine's Speaker/Director Mike Tucker. The Tuckers learned recently that Gayle, his wife and ministry partner, has pancreatic cancer that has spread to her liver. She has had several strokes in relation to her cancer. MORE Anniversaries: It Is Written is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. MORE The North Pacific Union Conference (NPUC) was organized 110 years ago on Feb. 19, 1906. MORE Oakwood University is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year. Southern Adventist University is marking its centennial year in its Collegedale, Tenn., location. Next year it will celebrate its 125th anniversary. MORE Monique Monroe: Disaster Volunteer SWAU's Shaw guest lay speaker at Holy Week Services How the Seventh-day Adventist Church Gave You... William Miller: The Other Farmer from Upstate New York... Local church broadcasts Christian radio in Libby St. Helena Hospital completes region's first new heart surgery... Florida Hospital Physician Group Welcomes New Colon and... A conductor keeps the Sabbath HPU to Bring Free Over-the-Counter Medicine to Community Amputee Soccer Players Receive Prosthetic Legs How to Eat Better Monday, March 28, is early bird registration deadline for the 2016 ACS Nonprofit Leadership Certification Program (NLCP), Session 1, for pastors, church administrators, and nonprofit leaders, NLCP will be conducted Apr. 18-21, in Norcross, Ga. NLCP focuses on three major learning outcomes; a) leadership skills; b) improvement of management knowledge; and c) changes in attitude of social dimensions of evangelism. MORE Faith Community Nursing (FCN) training to be at Southern Adventist University, June 10-14, is designed to provide the registered nurse with a basis to start a Faith Community Nurse program in her/his congregation. FCN is a specialty nursing practice combining professional nursing and health ministry. The philosophy of this curriculum embraces four major concepts: The Spiritual Dimension, Professionalism, Wholistic Health, and Community. Watch the video. Register. Early bird deadline: Mar. 31. An Adventist Church Connect (ACC) Webinar will be conducted Thurs., Mar. 31, at 8:00 p.m. EDT. Learn the basics of upgrading your Adventist Church Connect website to a new theme. ACC's new themes automatically adjust to fit screens of all sizes, and provide users with a lot of options for customization. Register Faith For Today’s 2016 season of Lifestyle Magazine is now airing. Mike and Gayle Tucker and their team of experts interview guests Ed Asner, Quinton Aaron, John Salley, Deniece Williams, and more. Topics range from autism to human trafficking, surviving strokes to vegan lifestyle, Alzheimer's to bullying, and many others. Lifestyle Magazine is broadcast weekly on networks such as Trinity Broadcasting Network, Sky Angel, the Hope Channel, and the National Religious Broadcast Network — to name a few. For local airings and times in your area, check your local listings or go to www.lifestyle.org. NAD Children's Ministries is offering this short, 1:15 instructional video for creating a model of the empty tomb, to remind children that Jesus is now alive, His tomb is empty, and that we will see Him when He comes. Watch it on Facebook or on YouTube. Revelation Today – The Mysteries Revealed is a comprehensive 19-DVD study series that focuses on the prophecies of the Bible. Based entirely on the Word of God, Revelation Today lets the Bible speak for itself! Presented by It Is Written Speaker/Director John Bradshaw. MORE "For 44 minutes we think we have all the time in the world — but five minutes later, it’s over! ...Think about it. All it will take in this country is a major crisis of crippling proportions — economic (a national financial collapse igniting urban violence and social meltdown), ecological (a killer quake or an errant asteroid with tens of thousands dead), political (a terrorist “dirty bomb” that destroys a city), military (a geopolitical misstep into World War III), etc. One debilitating crisis and this nation will be on her knees, led by religious leaders, pleading with God to withhold further judgments. Now factor in social research showing that when faced with a choice between personal security and constitutional liberties, people choose security first. One crippling crisis and suddenly the apocalyptic endgame of Revelation 13 and The Great Controversy, state-mandated false worship, is not only possible — it is probable! Martenson’s point — the last five minutes are critical. My point — you can get there from here. Rapidly." — Dwight Nelson in his Commentary for the Adventist Review.Read the entire article. REACH the world with Hope and Compassion WGTS 91.9 listeners stepped up to sponsor kids and impact the lives of children around the world with a Compassion fund drive. By the end of the morning drive on Friday, listeners had sponsored a station record of more than 860 children, primarily in Haiti and South America. “When I think of my kids, I can’t imagine putting them to bed crying because their tummies hurt from hunger. When I think about what all our listeners did through Compassion the last couple days, I think about the parents who now have the assurance that their child won’t go to bed hungry tonight,” said General Manager Kevin Krueger. For more than 60 years Compassion has been working to release children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty. They work in 26 countries to empower today’s children to be tomorrow’s responsible and fulfilled adults. [Photo: Left to right: WGTS 91.9 Morning Show Host, Jerry Woods; General Manager Kevin Krueger; Midday Host Becky Alignay; ShareMedia’s Bill Scott; Morning show-co-host, Blanca Vega and ShareMedia’s Dave Kirby celebrate a successful Compassion drive.] March 24, 2016 Special Days: March Focus: Women in the Church Mar. 26, ARM Safety Sabbath April Focus: Stewardship Apr. 2, Missionary Magazines (Signs, Message, El Centinela) Apr. 9, Stewardship Sabbath Apr. 16, Literature Evangelism Sabbath Apr. 23, Education Sabbath Offerings: April Offerings Apr. 9, Christian Record Services Apr. 30, NAD Evangelism Helpful Special Day Websites and Resources Sample Offertory Readings (in English, Spanish, Portuguese and French) Apr. 2-4, SONscreen Film Festival Apr. 7/8, Prayer Call Apr. 2-9, La Voz de la Esperanza NET via Esperanza TV (in Spanish) Apr. 3-8, Tour de Youth, "The Big Easy" Apr. 16/17, Day of Hope and Compassion April 17, Oakwood University, Inc. Board Meeting, Huntsville, Ala. Apr. 18-21, Nonprofit Leadership Convention, Session 1 April 22-24, Children's Leadership Conference, "All God's Children Got Shoes" Apr. 24-27, HR Conference & Secretariat Council, Minneapolis, Minn. Apr. 27-30, Your Best Pathway to Health/Los Angeles Apr. 28-May 1, Church Planters Boot Camp Apr. 29-May 1, Oregon Men's Summit May 13-16, World Congress for Deaf & Deaf-Blind May 23-24, NARLA Religious Liberty Summit July 21-23, Adventist Conference on Family Research and Practice Aug. 3-6, ASI 2016 Convention Sept. 7-10, Adventist Community Services Convention Sept. 28-Oct., Health Summit Canada Oct. 10-13, Nonprofit Leadership Convention, Session 2 Oct. 13-15, Society of Adventist Communicators Convention Nov. 18-19, HE SAID GO Missions Conference 2017: Jan. 8-11, 2017, Adventist Ministries Convention, Tucson, Ariz. Adventist World/ NAD Edition March, 2016 NAD Feature: Your Best Pathway to Health Goes to LA-LA Land, by Andrew McChesney, p. 36 NAD News: New NAD Health Ministries Director; Faith for Today Celebrates 66 Years, p. 11 NAD Update: Emotional Wellness Summit Convenes, p. 14 NAD Perspective: What Adventists Can Do After an Extremist Attack, by Gabriela Profeta Phillips, p.17 Daily Prayer Guide Months of March/April 2016: Pray for the Columbia Union, in which there are 711 churches and 144,207 members; and for the Lake Union, with 499 churches and 86,609 members. Mar. 27-April 2 – This week please pray for the Indiana Conference, with 68 churches and 8,258 members. Bible plus Spirit of Prophecy Reading Plan 1st Quarter, 2016 South American Division Watch DVD Youth & Adult Mission Quarterly Children's Magazine Share This Newsletter Breath of Life TV Faith for Today Jesus 101 NAD Media Ministries It Is Written DIRECTV ch. 368 Glorystar ch. 104 Hope Church Chan La Voz Experanza LifeTalk Radio Voice of Prophecy follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend NewsPoints Archives

I often wonder this as well. I grew up SdA. I was a spiritual child. Prayer and Bible study were part of my daily routine. God was real to me. When I sinned I felt great guilt and felt the hurt I believed I inflicted on Jesus. In my mid-20s I read through the Bible and noted for the first time the plethora of contradictions, internal inconsistencies and pure nonsense. My faith was shaken and it never recovered. Back then, there was no internet and I didn't have Biblical research materials at hand. My Bible and a Strong's concordance was all I had. I felt like I was the first to have discovered these problem texts in the Bible. By age 30 I realized I was an atheist. From age 30 to 40 my life was filled with ups and downs, modest successes and monumental failures; anxiety and depression were never far away. My marriage was strained. Yet despite all the problems I got myself in, a solution often appeared, often through no extraordiary effort on my part. It was as if someone, something was watching over me (and then I wonder, why me? and not someone else; why would God favour me, after I turned my back on Him, while others suffer? Has divine favour smiled on me, or am I just lucky). At age 40 I returned to church. After a few years, my marriage was back on solid ground, my children were growing up happy and healthy, life was better. I still doubt, but I practice my religion - I study, I teach, I preach, I pray, I tithe. I still have lingering doubts and I wonder if my renewed faith is but a psychological coping mechanism for me. I love our church, our church members and our community of faith. But I cannot help wondering if it is not a delusion. So my prayer remains - Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.