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As we approach Memorial Day, I consider it appropriate that we consider the role that females may now have in the military and to respond to the charge that some make that females do not have to meet the same standards as do the males. NOTE: My first example is of a female in the California National Guard. As a point of information Reserve Component standards may not be the same as those for people on active duty. Fourteen years ago, SSGT Cindi Baltezore enlisted in the California National Guard. At that time, she wanted to enlist in a job position serving in tanks. But, that was closed to women. So she enlisted in a Military Police positon. In 2009 she served in Afghanistan and in Iraq in 2010. While working at a military prison in Kabul, she was personally involved in a detainee riot in which the females were attacked as much as were the males. With the 2015 order opening most job positions to females Baltezore applied to transfer from a Military Police Position to an Infantry position. As part of this process, she was required to pass a physical proficiency test, which included, as it did for the males, dragging a 270 pound dummy, a 12 mile march while carrying a 100 pound pack and working with grenade and rocket launchers. She was one of three (3) females to pass all requirements and to be approved for infantry training. NOTE: Yes, I am aware of and I have myself, taken a 25 mile road march. But, the actual requirements for a unit member are different than the initial requirements to begin the training. On the active duty front: * Two female infantry captains are assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. * One female officer has joined the 75th Ranger Regiment. * A number of females are assigned to tanks and heavy fighting vehicles in the 4th Cavalry Division. * 18 females recently graduated from enlisted Infantry training at ft. Benning. * Female bomb disposal technicians have worked in combat. NOTE: Present Army policy is that a unit must have at least two (2) female officers and NOCs before it can be assigned female enlisted personnel. NOTE: I served in combat, with a coed unit. Yes, there were issues that we faced. In general, I found the typical female soldier to be of higher quality than many of our male soldiers. The reason: they had more obstacles to surmount.

This is Memorial Day. We should remember the men and women who have served our country placing their lives on the line for what we have here in our country.

As to the 18 females who graduated, last week, from infantry training, the final test for both males and females included: * Throwing a grenade 35 meters. * Dragging a 268 pound dummy 15 meters. * Running five (5) miles in 45 minutes or less. * A twelve (12) mile road march carrying a 68 pound pack.

By Roger Hernandez:

been through all four steps here... great fodder for personal growth.

Mark 12:30-31 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

I think there is a bit of misuse or a lack of a clear understanding of the word "prophet." While Ellen White did not claim the title of prophet, she did claim the title of "Messenger". Looking thru the definitions of prophet, you could make the case that she was a prophet, regardless of her not claiming it herself. In fact, I suspect that any student of Scripture and who has an abiding relationship with God could be called a prophet. All you really need to do is read the word of God, be taught of the Spirit, and make a statement about the future and you are a prophet! In fact, nearly every person I meet today and discuss the world situation prophesies that the end is near! In the days of Elijah in Israel, there were schools of prophets. What is a prophet but one who speaks for God. I suspect that every pastor who gets up and preaches on Sabbath morning is a prophet. Unfortunately, and that is beyond the scope of this thread, some are false prophets. The Apostle Paul even stated that one should especially desire the gift of prophecy. Note how his statement is handled by several different translations: So, it is time to lay the "was she" or "wasn't she" a prophet to rest. One of the definitions of "prophet" is a person regarded as a prophet. And it is quite obvious that many in the SDA church consider Ellen White to be a prophet.

Scripture IS Sacred Tradition, that was written down.

Any of the above is pure speculation, which is likely to occur due to the fact that so little is stated. Perhaps, it is none of the above? Sometimes it is better for all to simply stated the actual facts. It could be something quite simple. That does not mean that nothing wrong was done. I have seen management attempt to discipline employees, to include firing them, for all of the following, and more: * conducting personal business while on the clock. * Accessing the Internet for reasons not related to the job. NOTE: I did not say accessing porn. * Posting something on Facebook. * Using the telephone for a personal conversation. * Arriving at work late. * Sleeping while on the clock. NOTE: I was been able to work with management to identify the justifiable reason for which the above was happening and to develop a plan of action that resolved the issue and caused the employee to not only become a valued employee but to serve until the employee was eligible to retire. Folks sometimes things are simply not what they seem to be.

Dude, Why do we need to study EGW's writings for a proper perspective of the end times? Isn't scripture good enough? Although I don't agree with Samie on certain things, he and I have most certainly and independently arrived at a common POV on eschatology. No dissing EGW here - I believe she had the visions that she claims to have had. She just interpreted the visions incorrectly. The spiritual gifts of interpretation and discernment are not the same as the gift of prophecy. Her historicist/preterist POV does not make sense in light of scripture, which definitely places seals, trumpets, beasts, etc. in the future. Whether or not Samie's chart is his own creation or that of other post millennial eschatologists, I have seen similar charts by many evangelical and fundamental Authors. They make more sense from both a scriptural and a logical standpoint than the scenario presented by Mrs. White. I will always choose scripture over any denominational sentiment.