Leaderboard

Henry, at this pace, you will run out of time within Obama's term as president. Just get to the point of explaining how you see how anything in Daniel the connects to Obama's term as president. You have boldly predicted that Christ will return while Obama is president. What makes you believe that? If Daniel give a clue that leads to that specific of a prediction, it should be more than a hunch or rank speculation.

And Jesus is still doing that... Sometimes people want to do that job for Him.

I realize that there are some Christians who hate gays. This is wrong. And some gays, through legislation. insist that others accept their lifestyle. This is also wrong.

It can be flipped, true, but who are the ones who are called by Jesus to take up their cross daily? The Christians are to have persecution and "count it all joy". This world is not our home. If the bakers stood up for their beliefs and were persecuted for them then their reward is waiting for them. Those who oppress have no such reward from whatever side they are on. If they are without Christ then this world is the best they will ever have. And even then we are to treat them well, for we are to love even our enemies.

Aubrey, good point, I think. But in the trying, results should matter. A number of surveys/studies have suggested rather strongly that Christians aren't succeeding all that well at being so different when it comes to a significant number of ills and defects that plague humanity. We have often heard that the marriage failure rate for example is no better and perhaps a bit worse than the rest of the population. I think there are a number of other social ills with similar statistical results. We as Adventists have mistakenly assumed that our success in overcoming such things should be better with our superior grasp of the Truth, being God's peculiar people and all that. But that is not so. But more to the point of the OP, one would think this a far more simple cause and effect result of living by the creed of the One from whom we derive our religious ID. Love one another. Even our enemies. Turn the other cheek. Go the extra mile. The golden rule. Exercise humility. Be kind. Especially to those who need an act of kindness or that really can't pay it back. This sort of behavior is so much in our control to make it happen. Do we eventually at least miss the mark less often?

It took me 30 years to shake off that automatic assumption. To me now, the assumption is a Christian is aware of the dichotomy between good and evil; he aims for the good while often missing the mark.

This topic WAS discussed at some length. In any case we are called to show mercy. James 2:13, HCSB, says that, "mercy triumphs over judgment." Pastor Harold shows why WE need to get this lesson and we need to show mercy to those who have been oppressed here: We need to show compassion for our own conversion He relates a story of a gay person's experience in one of his former churches. But I like the message: God wants us to show compassion to others because doing so converts us to love as God loves.

Read More Daily Jesus Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:2 Starting Question: Have you ever known that you could help someone and yet you were not asked to help? How did that make you feel? Revenge vs Respect ** Continued from Confessing Brokenness yesterday ** As Naaman and his military parade rushed through the outer towns of Israel, mothers hurried their little ones indoors. Men hid in the shadows of thatched roofs and watched the shimmering chariots, bedecked soldiers and a fluttering white flag held high by the lead horseman. The Armenians made a bee-line for Israel’s capital. Surely the Israelite people wondered, What is the meaning of this most unusual, broad daylight display? What kind of trick is this? Arriving at the lodging place of the king of Israel, Naaman’s men were met by the royal guard. They waved the truce flag high and presented the letter from the king of Aram. It was addressed to the king of Israel and was hastily delivered. When God’s king opened the letter, it read, “With this letter I present my servant Naaman. I want you to heal him of his leprosy.” Israel’s king tore his clothes—an unthinkable act for God’s leader—and declared, “This man sends me a leper to heal! Am I God, that I can give life and take it away? I can see that he’s just trying to pick a fight with me.” Not for a second did Israel’s king consider this an opportunity to represent his God and demonstrate His power. The king, in his moment of distress could only see this letter as a fight waiting to happen—clearly the king of Aram was taunting him. Luckily, someone in the royal court heard the content of the letter and ran to prophet Elisha’s house to tell the prophet all that was happening in the King’s palace. A messenger showed up with a message for the king from Elisha—the prophet of Israel’s God. The servant given the task of reading the message to the king must have trembled as he read it aloud. It was a rebuke from the prophet, followed by a solution: “Why are you so upset? Send Naaman to me, and he will learn that there is a true prophet here in Israel.” Elisha saw the situation for what it was—an opportunity to represent the Almighty God to an honest man seeking healing. The king rejoiced, consoling himself that any revenge from Aram would now be directed at Elisha rather than himself. But, in the end, it was respect rather than revenge that was directed toward God’s prophet. Respect from leaders in both countries. For there was, indeed, a true prophet in Israel. ** Continued in Facing Yourself tomorrow ** Reflection Question: Just like the king of Israel, We have a letter from God written by not just one, but many prophets and people of God. When you read it, what impact does it have on your plans and purposes? Prayer time: Before you pray together, ask: What would you like to say to Jesus today? View the full article

Leon, that was a very helpful warning about email-phishing dangers that you posted. Thanks a lot. Personally, I tend to keep myself at a distance here on this Forum. Mostly because of the conflicts of the past hurting so many members causing so many good posters to wander off for more gentler communities. All in all a gender mixed Forum of so-called religious persons gets very aggressive at times. Having been in two different Forum places of exclusively ladies I tend to relax and trust more. The interaction is fun and informative.

It is the better part of wisdom to recognize that present truth never contradicts that which was true in the past. It needs only to be applied to its' proper setting. …7Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.… Hebrews 13 31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."... John 8 "Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?" 6Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; .....John 14 God is Love!~Jesus saves!

_________________________is it the opposite of Love. I think not! 31 Thou shalt not do so unto the Lord thy God: for every abomination to the Lord, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.....Deuteronomy 12 22 Neither shalt thou set thee up any image; which the Lord thy God hateth..... Deuteronomy 16 7 Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows..... Psalm 45 15 Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the Lord God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph...... Amos 5 8 The Lord God hath sworn by himself, saith the Lord the God of hosts, I abhor the excellency of Jacob, and hate his palaces: therefore will I deliver up the city with all that is therein..... Amos 6 24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon...... Matthew 6 So what is the opposite of Love? This below is a good clue. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love...... 1 John 4 Says a lot about a person's spotless character. God is Love!~Jesus saves!

The basics that I presented thus far seem like no brainers, but are we all still on the same page? In a few posts, tradition is going to be put to the test. What then? Will God's word prevail? Or will something learned in SS many years ago that has been echoed from the pulpit until it is etched in stone (even though it may not be completely accurate)? Since light is to increase until Jesus comes, are we going to follow that light? Or are we going to stand fast and let the light move away from us until we are in total darkness?

I would say no!! The reason I say no, is that we have not yet brought "Sunday Laws" to the forefront. The Pope has started to head in that direction!

Please let me be clear, LHC has been on this forum quite a long time and in that time I have never, not, had respect for him and his comments. Nor, in any way, have I had any concerns with him being a part of this forum or questioned his faith in God. I have prayed for his wife when the request was made. My post was in response to him making a post responding to me. I merely made a statement of my personal concerns and beliefs, not a challenge to anyone else's reasons for their choices. If I am allowed to make a personal statement of my beliefs: I believe that if a person uses their name and picture (at least no aviator) that many will be more conscientious of what and how they contribute. It is also my belief that if you have issues that you would not stand in the middle of a busy store and discuss it loudly perhaps you might want to consider not discussing it on the world wide web.

Pam, I will attempt to use the kiss principle (keep it simple saints) and I as everyone who replies to this thread to do likewise. Long posts make things so complicated.

I had a nice, uplifting post all ready that disappeared when I realized I was not signed in. Wow- you really put yourself out there when telling of this recent experience! Thank you for your trust in us I remember reading somewhere in SOP that even with people who had not accepted Jesus that we should treat them well, as this world is the best they will ever get. I am not saying that is you at all, but that we as SDA have not excuse to treat another soul badly. I don't know how I would ever look that up... I realise it would be cruel for you two to break up the friendship you have now, especially when it involves life and death as it did a month ago. Jesus will keep changing things for the better. In heaven there will be no gender issues. That we will instead be like the angels might be harder for we marrieds to swallow. But I trust that whatever Jesus has for us will be better than anything we know here.

I was going to say 'I don't see sexuality', but I think that's a bit like 'I don't see skin colour', in that it can lead to blindness to our own privilege. I have quite a few gay friends, and they're friends first. They're whole people with complex sets of qualities, of which their sexuality is only one, and often not the most important. I'm an ally to people who face challenges due to attitudes on the part of others, whether that be due to age, social class, gender, race, height, sexuality or anything else. I realise that I have it easy and others have it harder, and that's not their fault.