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Please I want to make it clear, there are places to discuss theology etc etc. and everyone should be be able to have a voice. but the "I TALK AND EVERYONE BETTER LISTEN" attitude done by drive by shooters etc. just does not go over well. No one is afraid of new light, and reviewing it. Let's discuss, just be civil about conversations.

If Donald Trump is elected President, it will be the first time in history that a billionaire has moved into public housing from which an African American has just moved out.

And to the point of this sub-forum, can there be reasonable regulation of religion? The answer is simply "yes". Limited. Balancing the interests and rights of everyone. If my religion calls for me to physically punish, whip, or even stone sinners, is it reasonable to draw a line that regulates, or even prevents the exercise of that religious belief so that it cannot be practiced? The old adage pertains - "Your rights end where my nose begins." Does my right to praise God, to "make a joyful noise" to Him give me unfettered right to do so anytime, anywhere, or by whatever means I desire? Of course not. Somehow that reasonably gets regulated. (Remember, "time, place, and manner"?)

The quarrel, even by the author's apparent reasoning, is not with regulation. Clinton was correct that all Constitutional rights are indeed subject to regulation on at least some level. The quarrel is over the word "reasonable". Nobody seems to be able to agree on what is reasonable. Any law, no matter the issue, that stands in the way of one person's actions, is inherently unreasonable to that person, without regard to reason. Everyone myopically sees it only from their own biased self-interests, as if my personal opinions, ideas, desired actions, and perceived rights just naturally should trump everyone else's. The author's final paragraph speaks of the very regulation of the freedom of speech - "time, place, and manner" restrictions. That is regulation. It is the standard pronounced by the US Supreme Court by which any governmental regulation is to be measured. It defines what the court would see as constitutionally acceptable, yes, reasonable. Free speech is only free within the bounds of such reasonable time, place, and manner regulation. One cannot tread on others fundamental rights just because they may feel a need of exercise their freedom of speech. No carelessly yelling "Fire!" in a crowded theater. No marching up on private property and protesting the actions of the property owner in violation of trespass laws and regulations. No loud performance of ones Freedom of Expression through music, in the middle of the night in a residential neighborhood. No freedom of expression through performance by dancing naked through the streets. Why is it that when it comes to the Second Amendment no regulation is deemed reasonable from the perspective of the powerful gun lobby interests? Why have we totally disregarded the simply truth that is contained in the language of that very Amendment? It is contained in the root word that seems so much in contention. Indeed it is in the opening clause, the preface, the foundation for what follows - "A well regulated Militia..." What would be the need of a well regulated Militia? Not just simply "regulated", but a well regulated Militia. Well, the next clause tells us - "...being necessary to the security of a free state..." The framers assumed some element of regulation as necessary that would inherently effect, without infringing, the right of the people to keep and to bear arms. It was not just simply a private keeping and carrying weapons. It was a means to the prefaced objective. Those in charge of the Militia charged with the protection of the free state would need to insure some amount of disciple and training for the effective and safe use of the available arms. The "keep" part, within that period of history not only implies a verb form of the word, but the the noun form - the "keep" within a castle where the weapons were in fact kept. An inventory was reasonable to know what was available to defend the castle. Why is it unreasonable for the government dependent on the citizenry for its defense, to make sure those who have guns be known, how many guns are available and where they are kept and that those who have them be qualified and competent to use them?

@ Musicman1228 and Rick Sterling: Why don't you fellows start your own thread on a topic you'd like to discuss, rather than take over this one? And hopefully that topic will be one where the Adventist church is not denigrated, made to look foolish, or otherwise disrespected.

Sad :(...Are the parents in support of your grandson or the school system? (You don't have to answer if it's private or if you don't want to.). I hope the boy is encouraged and strengthened by God to continue. May God bless him. Yeah...it does seem that way. We're getting there... We will never know until we get to Heaven just how the Lord has used these or how many lives He has touched through them. May God bless you as you continue to work in His strength, letting Him work through you. May God be praised and may God bless you.

The purpose of this forum does not include providing an free audience so that others can try and make them non-adventist.

Sometimes we just have to laugh at ourselves. The life of a caregiver is exhausting, rewarding, fulfilling, draining and time-consuming! There are days when it's hard to recognize which way is up, which way is down, what the time is or where we're going. I'm starting this thread for people like me who are 24/7 caregivers of loved-ones: spouses, children, elders, relatives and non-relatives. I hope you can use this thread to share funny experiences that might brighten the day of someone else in your shoes (or at least in your socks).

How many times???????????? Samie, you take what was addressed to BELIEVERS (born again people), and apply it to the entire human race.

Set apart (That's what sanctified means.) does NOT mean "born again". All of Israel was sanctified (set apart) as God's own people. That certainly did NOT make them righteous. Jesus said, "You must be born again." If one is "born spiritually alive" - then why the need to be "born again from above" ?

If you read Luke's account of the same account, instead of AoD, here is what he said of Jesus' words, O Mt 24:15“So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. O Mk 13:14“But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. O Lk 21:20“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. 21Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, It seems clear to me that the AoD refers to the Roman armies that surrounded Jerusalem before its destruction in 70 AD. The Christians took that to be the sign to flee Jerusalem and no Christian suffered the tribulation that came to Jerusalem. There are other tribulations in Scripture, one being before the parousia.

Because whether saint or sinner - ESV | ‎Col 1:17 ".... in him all things hold together." ESV | ‎Ac 17:28 for “ ‘In him we live and move and have our being’;" Every breath, every heart beat, is because of the merits and direct sustaining power of Christ. He makes His sun to shine on the just and unjust. Whether sinner or born again, one cannot do anything without Christ. Even Satan and his army are all still alive because Christ's power is still keeping them alive. The sinner cannot repent or save himself without Christ. So Christ has truly stated the truth when He said, "Without me, you can do nothing." That's why we need a Savior.

Happy Sabbath everyone. May you have a blessed day. For whatever reason, which I do not understand, when I got up this morning, I thought that it was Sunday. So, I went about preparing for what we had planned for Sunday. When my wife got up, later (I always get up before she does.) she had to bring me back to reality and that today is Saturday/Sabbath. She is hoping that my mix-up is not a portent of what is happening in my brain. I think it is funny and I am laughing at myself.

My wife is wondering if that is what is happening when you turn 75!

I don't agree that "self-dependency" is the closest definition for "sin". In my understanding the closest one word definition would be "rebellion". I'm sure there is a long discussion on that theme somewhere at this forum. I personally DO believe that rebellion (in some form) against the expressed will of God the Creator, WAS inevitable - given an eternity of time, added to "free will". Anyone who has spent much time around a two-year-old, knows that humans find using the word "No!" to be an affirmation of one's identity. I think most believers don't understand what REALLY HAPPENED when Adam ate of the fruit which the LORD had expressly forbidden. God gave mankind dominion over the earth and everything on it. The only way for Adam and Eve to maintain dominion was for the LORD to PROTECT that dominion. That PROTECTION was conditional. The condition was loyalty (obedience). Satan KNEW THAT. If he could get Adam to disobey the one command, then the LORD would be forced to withdraw His special PROTECTION. Without the heavenly protection, Satan could just take over. And that's what he did!! Satan took over dominion of the earth. Satan has been messing things up ever since. Satan's dominion over earth will not be taken away until the judgment - described in Daniel 7. We currently live within Satan's dominion. We do receive special protection from the LORD, when we seek to obey Him. But even with that protection, there are times when the LORD allows Satan to test us. WHY? Is it because the LORD wants to give us bigger rewards? Is it because our faith needs to be demonstrated either publicly on earth, or to unfallen beings, or even to our individual selves?

I was under the impression vaccines are something you take to PREVENT diseases, but am seeing more and more that people take one to cure what ever illness... Here is a story today, and I know Cuba has some fascinating medical breakthroughs, but vaccines are now used to stop diseases? http://www.cbc.ca/news/thenational/cuba-s-cutting-edge-pharmaceuticals-1.3622481

Yes, but I'm glad Dr. Berlinski is there. He is an example how God can use men and women, still not totally convinced, to advance His name. When the time comes I believe folks like Dr. Berlinski will no longer be sitting on the fence post.

That's okay- we're all heading there eventually!

And a delicious irony, all things considered!

I strongly disagree with the quote below. Each of us has formulated in our minds what it takes to convince us that something is true. Regardless of whether or not that formulation is a good one, it is what we judge by. When one comes here and presents a thesis, we use our formulation to judge that presentation. Whether or not that presentation fits a previous paradigm may be of some interest but it may not be of major importance. What you, or any other, must do, is to meet us on the level that we are and present (argue) your position within the framework of our formulation of what we will accept as a valid argument. As we here in CA are a collection of individuals, anything you present may be convincing to some, but it is unlikely that it will be convincing to all. In any case, whether or not it is accepted will likely depend more on the Holy Spirit than on you

Thank you Pam for the clarification. What my intended point is the critical importance of recognition. The religious establishment in Jesus day recognized Him as a wolf, why, because He did not fit the paradigm of their expectation. Here on this forum the perception of another on this forum will depend solely on whether or not they fit the standard accepted paradigm. Jesus informed the scribes and Pharisees that the reason they could not "hear" (understand Him) was that they were not His sheep (see John 10:25-30). I am not judging anyone on this forum or anywhere else, it is not for me to judge. My point is this, we are all sheep, and as such belong to one of two sheepfolds. One fold belong to the Good Shepherd, and the other to the wolf (devil). It is the clothing that makes the difference. The clothing the words that proceed from the mouth of the shepherd. This is why Jesus said "My sheep hear My voice, and behold I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hear My voice...". The post on this forum are words which convey thought and understandings: the only way one would know if there is a wolf in disguise is what the words convey. Jesus testified to the truth, and His testimony is the way one determines whether a wolf or a sheep is posting.

Recently the fireflies have been quite active. Grandma keeps pointing them out so I can see. Oh what fun it is to catch them when we are kids! Tonight, God gave us a treat! One flew in the house and grandma caught it! She didn't even have to get out of her La-Z-Boy! What a great sense of humor has He!

Answer:B. Human Think you're not cat people? Including identical areas in the brain responsible for emotion, cats' brains are most similar to human brains. Source: various web sites.

Many SDAs, probably, do the realize the extent to which Adventist chaplain minister. Presently the denomination has Chaplains serving in hospitals (both SDA and non-SDA), the military, SDA Colleges and schools and prisons. These are the ones that are most commonly known. The Church is expanding its chaplain ministry to non-SDA universities, to corporations and to employees working in secular environments. In addition, Adventist chaplaincy outreach is rapidly exp0anding to countries outside of the United States, and sometimes in ways that are new to us. AS part of meeting the needs of this expanding ministry, ACM (Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries) publishes a 32 page magazine, quarterly, named THE ADVENTIST CHAPLAIN. If you wish to read that magazine, it is on the Internet and you may access it at the following URL. Simply click on the issue that you wish to read. Over time this publication covers a wide range of Adventist chaplain ministry. http://adventistchaplains.org/index.php/adventist-chaplains-issues/

Good advise for everyone....

Dennis: I commend you for telling us exactly who you are and where we can access your teachings on the Internet. In my thinking, that is a positive. To me, the manner in which your have presented yourself in approaching Stan, is a negative. This is both on a personal basis and on a general basis. You challenge us to be willing to consider "new truth" and willing to learn. Yet, you come across as having truth and no need for you to learn. There are also some other negatives that I could mention. NOTE: I do not remember you. I have not visited your Internet sites at this time, however I probably will do so. In any case, my comments here have noting to do with what you teach. They are simply based upon my reaction to what you have posted here.

God does take responsibility. Jesus says that God sends the sunshine and rain (sunshine indicates famine and other hard parts of life, and rain the showers of blessings) on both the just and the unjust. God is the God of milk and honey (these were agricultural terms in the ancient world. Honey or preserved food, came from areas with a lot of growing food, we make preserved food or honey from the leftovers after we ate our full. A life that is predictable, easy and exciting, but where invading armies would eventually come through. Milk came from mostly goats, out in the desert, sometimes having a lot to eat other times just a little. Not knowing if you will eat from your garden or plow it under. Moving around a lot looking for food for the goats to eat. A life very unpredictable, hard and lonely. ) In Job the behemoth is the beast of Revelation 13, representing human history. The Leviathan is the great sea monster the dragon of Revelation 12, the ancient world's understanding of Satan. The 4 friends represents worldly solutions to the problem. The first friend is the typical secular mind who understands that there is something awesome out there, does not deny God's existence, but does not see God as his friend but a great being that he hopes does not notice him because no matter what we do God will find fault with it. The next two friends are the religious people. One telling Job that he is just not trusting God enough, that if only he would trust God then God would bless him, and his distrust of God is what is causing God to do the bad things to him. The other one says that Job need to not only trust but obey. It's job's disobedience that is causing the problems. The fourth person gives the friends a chiastic structure as he basically repeats the arguments of Job's first friend. They all suggest ways of controlling God. That if Job does this than God has to do that. Job is saying that if doing was what was needed he's doing all that needs to be done. But for some reason God has chosen to treat him this way. He does not like what God has chosen, he wished that he could talk with God about the choice, but God has freely chosen and he will respect that God has chosen. God comes in the wind telling that yes he is all full of power, that if power was the issue he could cast Satan to the ground as easily as tossing a pebble to the ground. But using force and external control is not what is going to solve the issues of human history (the behemoth) and the issues of Satan (the Leviathan). The events need to play out and people need to make their choices based on the evidence. With a promise that God will more than make up to us for all our suffering.

"Those who are really seeking to perfect Christian character will never indulge the thought that they are sinless." SL 7. "We feel sad to see professed Christians led astray by the false and betwitching theory that they are perfect, because it is so difficult to undeceive them and lead them into the right path." SL 12 _________________ These statements are needed and they are priceless but they do not infer that it is impossible for one to live a righteous life. If we keep reading from SL, p.12 and 13, we read the following words which shed more light on the subject: "A healthy man, who is able to attend to the vocations of life and who goes forth day after day to his labor with buoyant spirits and with a healthy current of blood flowing through his veins, does not call attention of every one he meets to his soundness of body. Health and vigor are the natural conditions of his life, and therefore he is scarcely conscious that he is in the enjoyment of such a boon. Thus it is with the truly righteous man." SL 12,13. In other words, the overcomer (Rom.8:37) will be the last to parade his goodness for "The truly righteous man is unconscious of his goodness and piety. Religious principle has become the spring of his life and conduct, and it is just as natural for him to bear the fruits of the Spirit as for the fig tree to bear figs or for the rosebush to yield roses... His life is hid with Christ in God, yet he does not boast of this, nor seem conscious of it." SL 13. Like the apostle Paul, the truly righteous man will always confess himself to be as the "chief of sinners" (1 Tim.1:15) and yet this man is overcoming through Christ by the Spirit. This is the spirit of the Gospel.

lol .... don't be too hard on LHC... you'll get used to what appears to be his out-of-context scriptures .... lots of the time, they don't seem to jive with the topic or comments, but they *do* to LHC...