I don't think I will be an SDA member

[OzarkWoman]

Originally Posted By: OzarkWoman

This just happens to be something he believes in with all that he is.

That's important then, that he follow through with his beliefs. Else, what kind of spiritual leader would he be?

I'm glad to know that you do not think he or his wife is horrible. I'm glad to hear that you have complete respect for him. I hope that you can work things out.

I threw all of my cigarettes out just a couple of hours ago. Going to give it another try again.

[M. T. Cross]

Good luck!

[phkrause]

I threw all of my cigarettes out just a couple of hours ago. Going to give it another try again.

Go for it.

[Dr. Rich]

Look at all the money you will save.

[Gustave]

[Woody]

Gustave - well all know that none of us measure up. That's why we need the Robe of Righteousness to cover our sins.

[Gustave]

Gustave - well all know that none of us measure up. That's why we need the Robe of Righteousness to cover our sins.

Yes, thus the twisted theological rubric which told this woman she couldn't be baptized...

...Without terminating her smoking habbit.

I would lay money if Christ were standing in the religious community that was said in...

...He would have said for the person without sin to come forward and baptize the woman.

...No one would have come forward so Jesus would have had to do it.

...And he would have done it.

[Woody]

Originally Posted By: Woody

Gustave - well all know that none of us measure up. That's why we need the Robe of Righteousness to cover our sins.

Yes, thus the twisted theological rubric which told this woman she couldn't be baptized...

...Without terminating her smoking habbit.

I would lay money if Christ were standing in the religious community that was said in...

...He would have said for the person without sin to come forward and baptize the woman.

...No one would have come forward so Jesus would have had to do it.

...And he would have done it.

I've already told her that I will baptize her is she wants.

[Dr. Rich]

Gustave - well all know that none of us measure up. That's why we need the Robe of Righteousness to cover our sins.

LOL, as IF God is blind and can't see sin through it. I wouldn't bet on that Woody quite yet, as the 144k will have overcome sin and they will then totally measure up. May not be there yet, but it will not be long. Actually, not sinning is simple, just don't do it.

[Woody]

Originally Posted By: Woody

Gustave - well all know that none of us measure up. That's why we need the Robe of Righteousness to cover our sins.

LOL, as IF God is blind and can't see sin through it. I wouldn't bet on that Woody quite yet, as the 144k will have overcome sin and they will then totally measure up. May not be there yet, but it will not be long. Actually, not sinning is simple, just don't do it.

How are you doing along those lines Dr. Rich?

[OzarkWoman]

Originally Posted By: Woody

Gustave - well all know that none of us measure up. That's why we need the Robe of Righteousness to cover our sins.

LOL, as IF God is blind and can't see sin through it. I wouldn't bet on that Woody quite yet, as the 144k will have overcome sin and they will then totally measure up. May not be there yet, but it will not be long. Actually, not sinning is simple, just don't do it.

So, you are saying that you are perfect and never sin?

[Dr. Rich]

Don't ask me, ask God. I tend to think of it like taking flying lessons with a flight instructor. Only he will know when the time comes for him to tell you to taxi up to the gate and then step out and tell you to go ahead and take off and fly a pattern and then land ON YOUR OWN. And boy, what a rush that was my friend!

[OzarkWoman]

Don't ask me, ask God. I tend to think of it like taking flying lessons with a flight instructor. Only he will know when the time comes for him to tell you to taxi up to the gate and then step out and tell you to go ahead and take off and fly a pattern and then land ON YOUR OWN. And boy, what a rush that was my friend!

I much prefer diving, especially in the ocean.

[Woody]

Don't ask me, ask God. I tend to think of it like taking flying lessons with a flight instructor. Only he will know when the time comes for him to tell you to taxi up to the gate and then step out and tell you to go ahead and take off and fly a pattern and then land ON YOUR OWN. And boy, what a rush that was my friend!

I pray for your sake that God is blind.

[OzarkWoman]

Originally Posted By: Dr. Rich

Don't ask me, ask God. I tend to think of it like taking flying lessons with a flight instructor. Only he will know when the time comes for him to tell you to taxi up to the gate and then step out and tell you to go ahead and take off and fly a pattern and then land ON YOUR OWN. And boy, what a rush that was my friend!

I pray for your sake that God is blind.

Well, off to bed for me. Night all.

[Tammy]

I will pray for you, Ozarkwoman...that you will find strength to resist the temptation. God is able, if we are willing...

[OzarkWoman]

I will pray for you, Ozarkwoman...that you will find strength to resist the temptation. God is able, if we are willing...

Nice to say but I am tired of people always saying sayings to make it like the person never really tried or doesn't really want the change.

TY for your prayers though.

[Q.E.D.]

Movie stars quit smoking to keep their faces from shriveling up like prunes so that they can keep making the big bucks.

Atheletes quit smoking to increase their stamina and endurance so that they can win medals.

Politicians quit smoking to be politically correct so that they can win elections.

BUT it is virtually impossible for Christians to quit smoking so that they can enter into the Gates of the New Jerusalem. . .

[Woody]

Originally Posted By: Tammy

I will pray for you, Ozarkwoman...that you will find strength to resist the temptation. God is able, if we are willing...

Nice to say but I am tired of people always saying sayings to make it like the person never really tried or doesn't really want the change.

TY for your prayers though.

Yeah. When I read that it kinda stung me. Were you aware OzarkWoman that so far you have not been willing? Wow. Do we really read what we read before we press the Submit button?

What about all those who pray to God and instantly never again have a desire to smoke again. I've heard many of these. Were these people willing - but OzarkWoman isn't?

Hang in there OzarkWoman. I am amazed that you can still hang around with some of us and hear these kinds of comments.

[Stan]

Originally Posted By: Tammy

I will pray for you, Ozarkwoman...that you will find strength to resist the temptation. God is able, if we are willing...

Nice to say but I am tired of people always saying sayings to make it like the person never really tried or doesn't really want the change.

TY for your prayers though.

It is easy to quit smoking, I must have quit 300 times.

[Woody]

.

[olger]

[olger]

To that list I would add:

1) Trimming nosehairs with chainsaw in back of pickup truck going down bumpy road.

2) Clamping red-hot vice grips on the butt of a Bull Elephant.

[Woody]

Let's just say that accusing someone of not being willing when they have stated all along how hard they have been working and willing ---- in my book is Spiritual Abuse. I'm very sensitive to spiritual abuse as I have seen far too much of it. And this smells ripe as to the kinds of statements I've heard in abuse cases.

[JoeMo]

I've read through all 13 pages on this topic with both interest and amusement. The funny thing is, I think pretty much everyone is right. For those who think "Pleasing God" is the way to heaven, Jesus respects your free-will choice to work to sufficiently impress God with your righteousness that He will award heaven to you. He seemed to be willing to go that route with the Pharisees during His lifetime; because that is how they chose to obtain salvation - by keeping the whole law. The thing about taking the "Pleasing God" route is that you never really know if you're being "good enough". You quit smoking? Good for you! What about all that second-hand smoke? Oh ... you didn't quit smoking? Better not share that with the other saints that are "Pleasing God". You see, they did quit (or never smoked in the first place); so they are spiritually superior to you (and they will let you know). You quit drinking? Awesome! What about all those prescription pain meds and sleeping pills you take? You've never looked at another woman? Bless you brother; what did you think about that woman you never looked at? You never ate pork? Better check those Jello and Oreo labels before you make that claim (I'm sure many have already done that). Even if I passed these and other "righteousness tests", how do I get around "There is none righteous, no, not one"? (Rom. 3:10)

Me - I'd rather take the "Trusting God" route. He told me that "whosoever believeth shall not perish but shall have eternal life". John the Baptist proclaimed "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world". He also tells me in Romans that I am now fully reconciled to God. I can be comfortable in that. If I trust fully in God's Word, I don't really need to worry about my salvation - it's assured. It seems like that's how Jesus related to the masses (including His disciples) related to Jesus; they loved and trusted Him, so He accepted them where they were. I'd like to think Jesus accepts me right where I am, too - smoker's breath and sometimes with the smell of wine on my breath, too!

(PS: I've been an Adventist for 35 years; and the only time anyone ever tormented my about smoking was 35 years ago - before my baptism).