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This had never occurred to me before. I have always had more friends outside of the faith than in it, as well as some from other denominations. But the other day, after a visit with joyous fellow believers, I realised how happy I was to be in their company. It was a peaceful place, a sort of respite from the negative so prevalent out there today.

Thanks for explaining this to me. While I respect your view, as a Christian I (obviously) give as much authority to NT writings as I do the Torah and the Prophets. Paul said that "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2Tim. 3:16) He was a Pharisee among Pharisees. I'll grant you the point that when He said this, the only scripture that existed was the Torah and the Prophets. Many modern Christians discount the Torah and the Prophets in favor of the New Testament; which allegedly put an end to OT Law. This is a mistake. The Torah and the Prophets contain the all of tenets of the NT; including the concept of grace and salvation. Even Job believed in a coming Redeemer: "I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. (Job 19:25) I ask you this next question out of pure curiosity (not a challenge) - How do you as a Jew interpret Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12? Isn't this a perfect description of Jesus - coming as a suffering Messiah (to pay the penalty for the sins of mankind) and receiving a reward of the authority and power over everything (the King Messiah)? As a Christian, I think Jesus is both. I believe that He is also the Redeemer of Christians, Gentiles, and Jews. In fact, I believe that Christians (in a way) owe their salvation to the Jews. Paul says that we as Gentiles were "grafted in". You, as a Jew, are part of the original vine or tree. Jesus was a Jew to the end. There was no such thing as a "Christian" until after Jesus died.

For me, I felt exactly the same way until I found the truth of temperaments. For me understanding that helped me to understand that just because my entire family sees me as faulty and worthless because I was born different in temperament I am still valuable in the eyes of God. I may never feel as if I'm a part of any family here on earth, but I know God accepts me and cares for me. That means I'm a part of something more wonderful than any earthly group. You're a part of that too if you've accepted Christ and made Him first in your life. People will always let you down. God never will. So, I guess what I'm saying is don't worry about feeling like you don't fit in if you are accepted by God. That is worth far more than any acceptance from human beings, and more than makes up for being rejected by humans.

ESV | ‎Mt 5:22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. 3474. μωρός mōrós; fem. mōrá, neut. mōrón, adj. Silly, stupid, foolish, from which the Eng. word “moron” is derived. Used of persons meaning morally worthless (Matt. 5:22). It is a more serious reproach than raká (4469), raca, which scorns a man by calling him stupid, whereas mōrós scorns him concerning his heart and character. Used of things (2 Tim. 2:23 “foolish and ignorant questionings” [a.t.]; Titus 3:9). In Matt. 5:13 and Luke 14:34, it refers to salt that has lost its flavor, become tasteless (mōraínō [3471]). Deriv.: mōraínō (3471), to make dull; mōría (3472), foolishness as a personal quality; mōraínō (3471) in the causal sense, to make foolish, in the pass. sense, to become foolish. Syn.: áphrōn (878), foolish, a fool; anóētos (453), senseless, one lacking understanding; asúnetos (801), without discernment; ásophos (781), unwise. Ant.: sṓphrōn (4998), of sound mind; sunetós (4908), sagacious, understanding; phrónimos (5429), thoughtful, prudent; sophós (4680), wise. Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers. Well?

In no way was I intimating that I do not associate with those of other denominations or unchurched. However, for those friends with whom I consider close friends I find most often they are of the same faith. It is just more relaxing, easier to share and communicate

What does it mean to be in the world, but not of the world? To what extent, and to whom, will we be an effective witness if we do not have any friends who are not converted, godly people?

Thank you for saying that! hmmmm... When i was a young man I didn't understand how anyone can leave our church after anyone reading Desire of Ages or the Great Controversy. For many reasons I totally get it now,

Absolutely agree!! I often wonder what attraction there is with ungodly friends. Their interest are usually contrary to our interest, even their language. As for being more relaxed after being in the company of Christians, I believe that it is because it is so nice to have fun, laugh, relax and know that it is good clean fun that we could invite our Lord to join in .... and that has to carry out in our routine when we are alone. Heaven would be the same train-wreck that we have here if sinful natures are allowed .... thoughts are things, words are thoughts brought to fruition.

I never understood that passage either until I lived in a Buddhist country. When I met many "Seventh-day Buddhists," then I understood. The sins get passed down, generationally. It is hard to truly convert a family before at least a generation or two have passed. Cultures don't change overnight.

I love finding sources that say better what I fail to convey

“Assemble the people, the men and the women and children and the alien who is in your town, so that they may hear and learn and fear the Lord your God, and be careful to observe all the words of this law”Deut. 31:12 The alien is expected to assimilate to the culture and laws of the host country. Not to demand that the culture he/she is fleeing be honored in the country they chose to come to. Odd how those in favor of open borders and unlimited immigration,legal or illegal run to the OT and parade this "command" and deny so much of the other commands of the OT There is no single biblical command to accept any and all ,regardless of their intent towards the citizens of the country. While christians have responsibilities towards all those in need,those in need have responsibilities towards those they "DEMAND" help them. It isn't just the radical alien that is bent on doing harm that causes reservations. When the alien sues honest hardworking businesses because their specific beliefs aren't taken into account that is abuse. To provide sanctuary cities to those that have committed crimes is a twisting of the "city of refuge" of biblical times

When one strays away from Scripture, then just about any theory or doctrine is possible.

My God is a God of love, but His love is not a love based in sentimentalism, but rather in principle. That means His love is based in justice and right doing. Love like that cannot exist without justice for to exclude justice is to exclude love. There is no love without justice, is another way of saying it. That means He holds all of us accountable for what we do. It also means there is no forgiveness without repentance and forsaking the evil we did. This calls forth love, loyalty, honor and respect from me for it means He will treat us all justly. It means no one has an advantage with Him, nor will He ever play favorites. It means I can safely rely on His word, and trust fully in Him.

They were just here, like last month. I am not sure if she was already having strokes, but then there was the announcement of her illness and a couple weeks later she was gone. SO SAD!!! They were supposed to return later this month, so I have the feeling that all was sudden. I thank God for His promises and for her faith. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

What a shock! She worked side by side with her husband Mike Tucker right up till the last. They had a great ministry together.

"God calls us to hold one opinion of each other and ourselves. God's beloved and of unsurpassable worth. It will literally free up your thoughts. Your stress level will go down. Your gratitude will go up. You will see more clearly God's awesome goodness. You will love God even more. You will love yourself even more. You will love on others even more. Thus fulfilling His Law! And the need of the Mediator will diminish. For you have seen beyond the Veil into God's Own Heart." GayatfootofHISWonderousCROSS # casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself above the knowledge of GOD and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of CHRIST - 2 Cor 10:5