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while the conference might be interesting, in reality it seems to me like a colossal waste of time and money... the various factions of the world church (individual members, conferences, unions, divisions, etc) are going to do what they want to do, regardless of what some "Diversity Conference" decides to proffer. Nothing like taking the focus off of the gospel itself and putting it directly on church politics and whether the *messenger* is male or female. Really, it's hard to fathom how so many people have gotten sucked into what shouldn't even be an issue. I've not interviewed him lately, but I think Satan is rather pleased that the role of women and the attendant issue of "diversity and unity" has become such a millstone around the neck of the church.

Well, it was good enough for our early leaders, to include EGW. If you want to throw out that history, O.K. But, where do you draw the line. On a personal basis, I consider the baptismal 13, to be sufficient. The so-called 27/28 have a place, but not to determine who either is or is not a SDA. The 27/28 was never intended to be a creed and that is how it is being used by many today. There is ample Biblical support for the idea that at some point we wait upon God and God will work out what has not been given to us as our task.

In the early days of our developing denomination it held a group of what are often called "Sabbath Conferences," as they included discussion on the Sabbath. Out of these conferences we agreed on five (5) central beliefs. Not 27+. In no particular order of importance these five were the doctrine of the: * Sabbath: Is the 7th day of the week and is valid in NT times. * State of the dead: The dead are in a grave, rather than going to either heaven or hell upon death. * Sanctuary: Is the idea that "end time" is now and Christ is preparing to receive the redeemed to live with God in eternity. * Soul sleep: Upon death, no human part remains conscious until such a time as consciousness is restored by God. * Second advent: The return of Christ to Earth the second time is sure and certain at which time the redeemed will live in eternity with God.

People are different individually. What may be good for one person may not be good for the other person. I am a very strong introvert. My wife has had to realize that such is just me. It is my personality and the way that I am. At the same time, my wife is more extroverted than am I. So, that has required some adjustment on my part. I a personal basis, I am more likely to feel friendship with a female than with a male. It does not mean that I do not see males as friends. it simply means that I am more likely to see a female as a friend. I will suggest that it is very important for individuals to be honest with themselves as to what their preference is. That is the first step in taking control of one's life. A second step is in making a conscious decision as to boundaries. One of the boundaries that I have established is that my wife will be informed as to how I am relating to any female with whom I have any kind of regular contact. So, if I get an e-mail, or I have a telephone conversation, that is shared with my wife. E.G. Some 45+ years ago, my then wife and I were close to two young girls. Within the past couple of weeks, they have been in contact with my ex-wife and I. My present wife has been a part of all of this. This brings about a second boundary that I have established: Any woman whom I look upon as a friend will be expected to relate in a positive manner to my wife. There are other boundaries that I have established as to relationships that I might have with females. But, the points that I want to make include: * People are different. We are not all alike. What is good for one may not be good for another. * Boundaries must be established. * Those boundaries include fitting the spouse into the relationship. * Individuals must be honest as to what is going on with them in any relationship.

I believe women can have platonic friendships with men, and men can have platonic friendships with women. I generally get along better with men than women. However, I would have reservations about a married man or woman going out on the town alone with someone of the opposite sex. I think that's inviting trouble.

Sure they "can" (as proved in your original post). But here's a question: why NOT try to have more friends of the same gender? You say women "generally" have broader interests than just sports, money, and sex--why not try and challenge the men around you to being interested in other things. I think you're short-changing your life experiences by going the "easy" route of having friendships with a majority of one sex over the other. For the record, I don't have personal friendships with men. Non-romantic friendship *doesn't* work for me. Maybe I'm just too attractive to the opposite sex! My marriage nearly fell apart because of it. So, for the past 15 years, I've always shunned relationships with men outside of "family" relationships. It's been a real challenge for me, because, as your second daughter says, "men are just easier to get along with". I took on that challenge though--and my life is so much richer for it! Also have to add...I have one grandmother in her 90s who has for years (30+) insisted that relationships between men and women CAN be "just friends" and that anyone who doesn't believe that is wrong, wrong, wrong! Well...guess what. After 30 years, I finally *caught* her and her "just friend" in a compromising position. She was mortified--having lived that lie for so long!

Having been involved in Adventist Community Services for some time and other charitable types of service, I have seen some things that kinda of make you sad for the way people treat less fortunate people. Especially when you ponder the chapter in the Desire of Ages regarding those less fortunate than oneself. “The Least of These My Brethren” When you doled out the pittance of bread to the starving poor, when you gave those flimsy garments to shield them from the biting frost, did you remember that you were giving to the Lord of glory? All the days of your life I was near you in the person of these afflicted ones, but you did not seek Me. You would not enter into fellowship with Me. I know you not. Many feel that it would be a great privilege to visit the scenes of Christ’s life on earth, to walk where He trod, to look upon the lake beside which He loved to teach, and the hills and valleys on which His eyes so often rested. But we need not go to Nazareth, to Capernaum, or to Bethany, in order to walk in the steps of Jesus. We shall find His footprints beside the sickbed, in the hovels of poverty, in the crowded alleys of the great city, and in every place where there are human hearts in need of consolation. In doing as Jesus did when on earth, we shall walk in His steps. However, the ill treatment can go both ways and even the Apostle Paul in 2 Thess. 3:10 wrote "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat." On church outings to feed the homeless, street people would complain they couldn't eat anymore because there were so many organization out feeding the homeless. Newspaper articles would wonder if we were enabling people to live the homeless life by feeding them so much. However, I do know that many homeless are mentally unable to function in society. And that is not really what I am most concerned about. I find it amazing the stuff people will donate to charitable organizations for sale or to give away for needy people. I don't even want to get started on Goodwill where the CEO makes in excess of a million dollars a years to run a charitable organization. And locally, many people cannot even afford to buy clothing at Goodwill prices. The clerks at the Good will store told me they have people coming in all the time who cannot even afford to buy much clothing in their store. At our community center, it is amazing the garbage people think someone else will really want or even use. I throw away a lot of stuff that covered in mold and who, even poor, would put that stuff (shoes) on their children's feet. We had one family donate stuff which came in filthy, although usable, and sad fact of the situation was, they have a pair of expensive washer-drier machines! One bag of clothing was saturated with cat urine. It was the ultimate "piss on you" to the poor. (Sorry, but that word is in my Bible) So, I no longer feel I am doing anyone any favors when I donate clothing. I fear for those who really believe they have done something good for someone after that kind of behavior in the judgement day. Often times we get a lot of clothing donated that has original tags on the item. A lot of boredom shopping seems to be going on with people buying just to feel good and when they get home the item goes in the closet until donated. I believe this is one fulfilment of the prophecy that in the last days there would be surfeiting.

Tell me what does Obama, who I felt was call by ELOHIYM, and a great President and a man who is a puppet Trump; have to do with the Three angels message! What is this????? Blessings!

The Majesty of God's Rule. The LORD is king, he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed, he is girded with strength. He has established the world; it shall never be moved; your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting.The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring. More majestic than the thunders of mighty waters, more majestic than the waves of the sea, majestic on high is the LORD! Your decrees are very sure; holiness befits your house, O LORD, forevermore. - Psalm 93

Acts 17:30 talks about God winking at man's ignorance, IOW He takes it into consideration. It then goes on to say that He is now calling people to repentance. We cannot expect people to repent if they are ignorant (not knowing). And even healthy people can do things in ignorance. But this verse is telling me that when one becomes convicted one needs to follow up in God's direction. To avoid doing so would be rejecting the Holy Spirit. God is FOR us. Sometimes that means that if we don't believe that we are forgiven after bringing our sins to Him, say, if we can't forgive ourselves, we can trust in Him and take Him at His word.