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Over the last few months before Jim had his surgery - in my grief now - I had forgotten. In Jim's prayers, that I heard, he often dwelled on his home in heaven and distinguished it from his home in heaven and his home on earth. To most people that may not mean anything, but for me, it told a lot. He had never really done that before a few months ago. Now that he is not waking up, the doctors have their reasons why. His brain is severely damaged by the stroke. If he did wake up it is likely that he wouldn’t be able to see, speak, feed himself, or breathe on his own. He has also developed an infection (Pneumonia) in his lungs. But I think there is an added reason - he doesn't want to wake up. He really has nothing to look forward to, he hated what the neuropathy was doing to him and it was getting worse, to the point that at some point he wouldn't have been able to do anything but sit in his chair and wait to die, which he felt he was already doing. I really think he was ready to go months ago, long before he knew about his heart problem. Even though he did have great hope that he would recover from his surgery and feel better and have more energy. I also feel he was torn between the desire to die and leaving me a widow. But there is also that he felt trapped in his body. So I have decided that I will let him die peacefully. I think he has a few more days before he has to have the stomach feeding portal installed. I have told them not to. It will also be at that time I will have them remove his ventilator so he can pass peacefully. There really is no hope he will recover, but even if there was - recover to what? To continue his neuropathy deterioration? I really think he doesn't want that, and is one reason he hasn't woke up. I am sorry, so very sorry. Not just for me, but for him, his family, and his close friends. I don't know the exact date they will do this, but it will happen soon. I will go and see him one last time tomorrow and say my goodbyes. I cannot bear to watch him die. This is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. But he would not want to live like this, and I am abiding by his wishes. Please know, my heart goes out to you. Linda, his wife

Here is the latest: "As I said last night I spoke with the Neurologist yesterday. The neurologist had another CT scan performed yesterday afternoon. The results show that he experienced several strokes to various areas of his brain during surgery. What the Doctor does not know yet is the extent of damage done to those areas of the brain. The neurologist cannot evaluate the brain damage until Jimmy wakes up from the coma. If he does wake up, then the Doctor will have a better idea of the extent of brain damage. I wish I could give more concrete answers but we just don’t know yet. The Doctors said his condition is very serious but we can only wait to see if he wakes up to know more. I won't be sending any more updates until we actually know more than this. Linda"

I want to share some changes we've made to our software to keep our community safe. It's all about reporting content that might have nudity or explicit stuff in it. Here's the deal: If you come across anything that contains nudity, you can now report it as nudity. When only one member does that, the software will automatically hide that content from public view. Our Mods will then take the necessary steps for banning . This change is all about making sure our Online Baptist family-friendly and faith-centered environment stays that way. We really appreciate your help in keeping our site clean and suitable for everyone. Thanks for being a part of Online Baptist and helping us make it a place where we can all grow in our faith. If you have any questions or concerns about this update or anything else on our platform, feel free to let me know. Thank you to everyone who reported the latest member. This new tweek will remove the content even faster now. God Bless. It's sad that we even have to have this conversation. ?

I would like to ask for prayer from my OB family regarding my upcoming triple heart by-pass surgery. There is no firm date for this surgery, but it will happen soon. Last week the docs tried a procedure to put in stents, but it was unsuccessful, so a triple heart by-pass is needed. Please pray with and for me.

I will state this as well: Just because God does not qualify a person for the pastoral position does not mean they are "uneducated" or incapable of doing the job. God set it up where the pastor is a "husband of one wife" (1 Tim 3:2). God distinctly made males and females different, both physically and mentally. God chose pastors to be men, and I can't give birth because that's not how God made me. There are some ministries that God called people in our church to do that I probably can do better, but God did not call me for that ministry like He did them, and I'm okay with following God. The women in our church play a role just as important as mine in our church. I will not sit back and let people disrespect women and the roles that God has given them in our New Testament church.

I rarely post now but this has me incensed. And as with the few other posts I have made over the last few years, I almost certainly will not respond here. I have here following discredited the misuse of these Bible passages, and unless there is biblical evidence against my statements there is no reason for me to respond. I will not be arguing about this. Gen 2:7 (7) And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Eze 37:7-10 (7) So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone. (8) And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them. (9) Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. (10) So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army. Ecc 11:5 (5) As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all. Let’s look at this…… explanation…. Of this man’s opinions from an actual Biblical perspective. “Dr. Robert S. Morley (Here's my post without the examples of how Ecclesiastes 11:5 is translated in the ESV and NAB, which some might find displeasing. I've only used the KJV and have included Clarke and Benson as examples of how others interpret the KJV.)” First thing to note is that this man has been told to use KJV as it is this site’s rule to do so. He has been informed of this officially by at least one Mod, so this is a deliberate and knowing breach of forum rules, showing that he has no respect for the forum rules or the mods. “I believe early abortion is a solution for incest, rape, and other unwanted pregnancies that avoids "killing" human beings.” What you “believe” is irrelevant – what does the Bible actually say? And it is interesting that he not only uses the very rare situations of “incest, rape” but then extends it to the far more common “unwanted pregnancies”. These are his words, and as such he obviously believes in abortion for any reason. He includes the limiters of “incest, rape” to make it seem like he is reasonable, but he then removes the limits by making it “”other unwanted pregnancies” without limitation or definition. This is deceitful presentation. “The creation account of Genesis 2:7 and the reassembling of human life in Ezekiel 37:7-10 show a two stage process where the physical precedes the soul. They read as follows: "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul" (Gen. 2:7 KJV).” First instance is the original special creation of the first man, Adam, not the natural birth process. This is in no way a representation of “normal” pregnancy and birth. There is no womb mentioned, there is no conception mentioned, there is no pregnancy mentioned. This is not in any way a normal natural pregnancy, and as a result of it being unique and special in every way, this passage CAN NOT be used in the way that this man is using it. It is simply not relevant to the argument. “"So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone. And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them. Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army" (Ezek. 37:7-10 KJV)” This also is in no way speaking of the natural and normal way of birth. This is a miraculous re-formation of people – if this man’s theory is correct then we also MUST accept that tehw ay a body is formed follows every aspect of this account. That means that a baby forms in this order – the bones first, then the sinews, then the flesh, and then the skin forms over it, and ONLY then the breath comes upon that child FROM THE FOUR WINDS……. Clearly this is not true, and therefore neither is his premise that the creation of a child is a two part formation. This account ahs NOTHING to do with the creation of a child in the womb. “Ecclesiastes 11:5 reads, "As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all" (KJV). Some commentries on this verse suggest the possibility of a two-phase process in human formation. For example, Clarke's commentry reads, "thou canst not tell . . . how their soul is united to their body, how it came to inform that body, or how the child was formed in the womb of its mother." The Benson Commentary of Ecclesiastes 11:5 interprets the KJV similarly. It reads, "As thou knowest not the way of the spirit — Of the soul of man, how it comes into the child in the womb; or how it is united with the body; or how, and whether it goes out of the body."” Ecc 11:5 (5) As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all. Where does this in any way indicate a “Two stage human formation” – if anything it indicates that the spirit is not a part of the physical formation of a person, but it doesn’t indicate in any way that such formation is done in two separate stages. This is in my opinion a deceitful misuse of this verse as there is simply nothing in it which indicates what is represented by this man. Even Benson in his commentary does not suggest what this man is suggesting. He talks of the soul of man but not of a separate timing of it being joined into the physical form of a baby. To suggest otherwise is twisting the commentators words, let alone the Bible itself. “If the biblical accounts that show two stages of human formation are a template for how human life develops, which some commentators of Ecclesiastes 11:5 suggest possible, then ensoulment occurs some time after conception. Consequently, a human zygote would not have a soul and would not yet be a human being.” But the Biblical accounts simply DO NOT show this. The first is an event of special creation, not even a pregnancy, the second is an account of special re-formation not normal birth and again not pregnancy, and the third makes note only of the spirit as being distinct from the physical, and nothing at all of the separate formation of these things or of the timing being separate in any way. There is nothing in these verses that indicate a separate “ensoulment” (not a biblical term by the way), and absolutely nothing that indicates that some sort of “ensoulment occurs some time after conception”. This is 100% this man's theory based apparently upon his ideas that he has imposed upon certain verses that CLEARLY don't say what he is telling us they say. Since these three passages are erroneously used, and they clearly do not say what this man suggests they say, his conclusion is obviously incorrect. A human Zygote – which I will note has everything that it needs to grow into a full and complete human being, including a protective environment provided by the Lord – as far as I can see has a soul as soon as it is created. There is no verse that this man has shown that would indicate otherwise. “Furthermore, “the 1 in 2 loss of zygotes, spontaneous abortions, and the human response to them, may corroborate that a gap exists between conception and personhood” (Preface – Abortion and the Bible: Can Pro-life and Pro-choice Both Be Right?).” This last phrase comes from a man who has no idea of what he is speaking. My wife and I have suffered 5 miscarriages, and to call them spontaneous abortions, whilst medically correct, shows that he has no compassion for those who have suffered such. The loss of a child through natural sin affected means is not the same as a deliberate act of ending a life, but it is still a devastating event in the life of a couple. So this one instance of a “human response to the loss of a zygote” disproves emphatically your last paragraph. You sir are not qualified to teach the Bible, and that is obvious by your travesty of the misuse of these three passages at least, and corroborated by your absolute lack of compassion for those who have suffered in this way. And in any case, if someone has no apparent response of loss and grief, that doesn't mean there is any gap between personhood and conception. People respond differently to different events, but a different response does not change the event.

Linda, my heart is so burdened and heavy for you. I'm so glad that you have our Lord Jesus, the Spirit--our great Comforter. I'm just over on the other side of Mt. Shasta from you, and it was our church that helped to put the roofing on yours just a short while back. One of the fellas that attends your church has a brother that goes to our church. I will share with our Pastor and ask for prayer for you and for the family and friends and your church. I'm lifting you up in much prayer.

I'd like to wish all of the Fathers here on OB a very blessed and happy Father's day. I was only a foster father way back when. But that was rewarding enough. Cherish your families, especially your children. They truly are a gift from God. Blessings. BT

Administration note: God gave us all a free will to believe what and who we believe. I trust everyone reading this will take the time and read what the Bible says rather than what man says. In the past man has got things wrong in the church (every denomination and non-denomination) when they listen mans opinions, but God's word never changes. Trust God's Word over man and you'll never be wrong. Beware of people that point you to more of what man says rather than God. That's what cults do. God is the one we are accountable to. Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Without wanting to argue with this guy - there is no point arguing with a man such as this - I will point out a few things: After my initial post in this thread, where I stated that Bible truth is truth, He refused to acknowledge that the Bible has absolute truths but instead manoeuvred around the point to state that all sorts of groups believe what they follow is Bible truth. In doing so, he promotes the point of view that the Bible has no absolute truths, but only perceived truths. This aligns with his presented "bible studies", which are all about perception and "interpretation". Then after my second post he first states only his opinion (and the opinions of others) that Junia is a female name. He is relying on the convention in Greek that male names end in a consonant and female names end in a vowel. But this is the ONLY evidence that can be presented and it is not a 100% certainty. As displayed by for instance.... Aquila.... who is married to Priscilla. Act 18:2 (2) And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. Apparently, because of the surrounding language Aquila is a man ("His wife"), but if we insist that the regular convention be 100% consistent then this couple would fit right into today's societal redefinitons. (He will probably use this in his next book as a proof of alternative lifestyles being promoted in the Bible). Further, he discards the word "kinsmen" as being generic and non-gendered, because it suits his argument, however the Bible uses two words, and these are clearly used according to whether only men are referred to or more generically, a group of people which could include women. Luk 2:44 (44) But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. Luk 21:16 (16) And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. The only use of "kinsman/men being in dispute being this one referring to Junia, which is only in dispute because people WANT Junia to be a female name, WITH NO EVIDENCE of such. He also admits that husband and wife are inherently masculine and inherently feminine but the sidesteps that entirely to force the verse to be irrelevant with a side argument which is not relevant to the discussion. In doing so, he makes the Word of God to none effect with humanistic reasonings, again emphasising the point that he has no regard to what the Word of God actually says. This man has constantly and consistently ignored what the Bible actually says in order to redefine, re-understand, reinterpret, and simply outright ignore what the Word of God actually says. He does this in every thread he has posted or participated in (as far as I can see), and he has come onto an Independent Baptist forum to make merchandise of the Lord (he promoted his books aggressively until he was told he was not allowed to do so here), and to try to sway anyone who comes looking for Bible truth away from Bible truth. Bible truth which he believes is entirely relative to who is reading it, as I pointed out in my first statements on this post. Finally, anyone who disagrees with him he proclaims to be dishonest, mean spirited, and not acting according to the directions of the Lord, or in a manner aligning with a "Good Christian character". To that I say only: Tit 3:9-11 (9) But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. (10) A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; (11) Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. and: Rom 16:17-18 (17) Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. (18) For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. It is indeed Biblical to mark out men such as this man, who has posted foolish questions designed to sway people from the simplicity in Christ, and who has by his actions before he was stopped, shown that his purpose was to swell his own belly by the merchandising of his own thoughts as he promoted his own writings, the whole while twisting and ignoring the Word of God, claiming that it is not the Word of God as it is written. My advice to anyone reading OLB at this time, is that where you see this man's name on a post, you need to be aware that this man does not value the Word of God as the Word of God, he has no desire to reveal the truth of the Word of God, but only his own perceptions and interpretations of the Word of God, and the god that he follows is simply not the God of the Bible. And finally, none of this is an unfounded personal attack, as the facts that I state are clearly seen in his own posts and answers to other people's posts. I am not angry, other than to be offended at the blatant misuse, mirepresentation, and wresting of the Word of God, and disguised evil intent to draw people away from biblical truth. I am not attacking the man, but what the man has said and presented on this forum. It does however indicate the character of such a man and as such he will no doubt cry "ad hominin" to it.

The c*vid plandemic caused our nursing home ministry to come to a screeching halt. However, just recently we were able to schedule a monthly service at an assisted living center - where one of our members lives. The first service is tomorrow afternoon. It won't be until late afternoon, so that means staying all day...long day, for sure. But we are so thankful we are going to be able to begin ministering in this way once again.

Some "dress to impress;" others "dress to respect." The outward appearance may be similar for both, but the heart attitude is definitely different.

A bit earlier this morning, my pastor Randy Hoxie (Faith Baptist Church in Chilliwack, BC) had a heart attack and is undergoing surgery in a hospital in Vancouver right now. Please pray for the blockage to be removed and for the Lord to heal his heart (with no complications). Thank you in advance for any prayers.

The arguments given here against Calvinism are profound, and scripturally true. But I am a simple man and to me it all boils down to a very simple argument and verse. If Calvinism is true, then God deliberately creates THIS person for Heaven and then He deliberately creates THAT person for hell. 1 John 4:8 tells us that God is love. I'm sure that person that the Calvinistic god deliberately created for hell sure sees the Calvinistic god as love. I just cannot cross over that very simple hurdle. And no Calvinistic argument can change my mind. God is love. And He wants to share that love with whosever will. My loving God has NEVER created anyone for hell. If that is where you end up it was entirely your choice.

If she was teaching a class to other women and/children (or teens), that is okay - but not if she was teaching a class with men in it. This is referring to a political leader specifically, but when women and children lead a country, it is a sign of judgement of God on that nation. Isaiah 3:12 As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.

I don't frequent the site very often anymore. So, I want to wish everyone the very best Christmas and a great New Year in the Lord.

So a gentleman came to church last Wednesday while still sick with C*vid. Saturday my son got sick and still is. By Monday another man in the church tested + for it (I don't know if that's what Josh has). Monday night I got sick, Tuesday my mom did, now Asher has a fever, and another man in the church is getting sick. Tonight my husband is at church alone. Because too many people are sick. Please pray for us.

I'll take "Things I don't care about" for $200 Alex

Sadly, I've just caught up to Jim's passing on to glory. Dave W has summed up anything I could possibly add. I'll see Jim again one day because of Jesus and for His sake.

So this is the third year in a row that we've been able to take a trip for our anniversary. First year we took an extended trip around the Olympic Peninsula (an 8 hour drive stretched over 4 days). Last year we were able to go to CA to see the Redwoods. The drive down the Pacific Coast Highway was beautiful. This year, we are going to north central WA, to Okanogan County. There is a church there that is hosting a fellowship meeting for the independent Baptist churches of WA. We thought we'd go and then head to one of the ghost towns in that area. Then back this way to spend the night in a town we stayed in on our move out here. Then on to church at a friend's church and home. Gonna be kind of busy, but we're looking forward to it. However, there is a fire burning in that area. So I don't know what's going to happen once we get there.

Linda, I understand completely the heart-wrenching decision you have made. My mom and I had to make this same decision for my father just a few years ago. My dad went by Alan on this site and often spoke favorably of Jim when we had in-depth discussions about topics and conversations from this site. I am sure my father and Jim will be rejoicing together that they finally get to meet each other in Heaven. I will continue to pray for you and your family as I know these days and the days to follow will be very difficult. May the Lord bring you peace during this time of decision-making and grief.

The power of prayer, as Linda said. Thank you, friends, for lifting our brother and his wife to the Lord. It means more to her (and to him) than we can really know (unless we've been in that situation).

Some good news: "I talked to Jim's nurse a few minutes ago. As of this morning they have him on a C-pap. He is breathing on his own, and the oxygen is just for back up. Linda"

Just a note to let folks know that I will not be online for an unknown period of time. I am scheduled for triple bypass heart surgery on July 14rh. They have not told me how long I will be hospitalized, so, I'll let folks know when I am back online. Be good an play nice while I am gone ? :roll:

Excellent! This guy does a good jobat that too.

I'd be on welfare then

Roses are red, violets are blue, I'm a schizophrenic and so am I.

In honor of all fathers, here are some dad jokes. If you have one reply here. Why don't skeletons fight each other? They don't have the guts! Did you hear about the restaurant on the moon? Great food, but no atmosphere! What did the grape say when it got stepped on? Nothing. It just let out a little wine! Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything! How do you organize a space party? You "planet"! Why did the scarecrow win an award? Because he was outstanding in his field! What did the ocean say to the beach? Nothing, it just waved! How does a penguin build its house? Igloos it together! Why did the bicycle fall over? Because it was two-tired! How do you catch a squirrel? Climb a tree and act like a nut! I asked the librarian if she had any books on paranoia. She whispered, "They're right behind you!" What did one wall say to the other wall? "I'll meet you at the corner!" Did you hear about the mathematician who's afraid of negative numbers? He'll stop at nothing to avoid them! What's brown and sticky? A stick! Why don't oysters donate to charity? Because they are shellfish! I used to hate facial hair... But then it grew on me!

We need to find a way to keep these predators from being around our children/wives.

It's not my rule, it's how God set it up. The only way to support woman pastors is to quote more people than Scripture.

Lets quote the verse itself and see what it says about Junia...... Rom 16:7 (7) Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. I don't know, but it seems to me that it says KINSMEN......... You can talk about naming conventions, but your decision to make it female is an ASSUMPTION that is not borne out by the verse itself. This is a ridiculous argument. You conveniently neglect to quote other verses: Act 18:2 (2) And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. Act 18:26 (26) And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. 1Co 16:19 (19) The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. By placing Aquila's name ahead of his wife's in these passages, Paul (OK Luke in two of these) appears to esteem him ahead of Priscilla as a co-worker. Finally, I don't know, how about: 1Ti 3:2 (2) A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; And don't even try to say that this should be "Partner of one Partner". The Word Husband in this passage is inherently masculine, whilst the word wife is inherently feminine. Even in the Greek if you choose to go there. And to argue that it was acceptable culturally to do this, is to say that God doesn't know enough to write His Word they way He needs to, and that He is bound by cultural ideologies. Not the God that my Bible describes, although apparently your god is restricted by culture. I am just a dumb bloke who chooses to understand what the Bible says in the way that it says it. I hope I never become intelligent enough to figure out that the Bible doesn't mean what it says. Like you.

Four years ago today my little sister LeAnne went home to be with the Lord after a valiant, three year battle against breast cancer. During those three years she had so many wonderful opportunities to share the gospel with those around her, and many came to know the Lord. I miss my sister a lot. She was one of the three in my family that I had no problem talking to and spending time with. I know that I will see her again when I also go home. Praise the Lord for salvation, and for his unfailing goodness to us. BT

My son was separated from the Coast Guard after 11 years of service, because he refused to take the jab. Here is his poem. The Sea I’ll miss your sounds, your salty breeze, Your unforgiving ways. Your soothing calm, your angry tease, Your glorious crashing waves. It’s been bittersweet my gorgeous mistress, Though often unforgiving. I’ve seen your rage, embraced your kiss, I offer my humble thanksgiving. You have my blood, my sweat, and my tears, Still I’ll offer one last treasure. Calloused my hands, helped conquer my fears, Now my boots are yours forever. Your soothing rock, through trough and crest, Have been my sweet lullaby. I’ll miss you my love, I must confess, My final teary-eyed goodbye. We’ve had our fun but it seems it’s time, I must leave your side. It’s been my joy, though a taxing grind, Thanks for one last ride!

I come and read on occasion, but unless there is something I think is worth my time I don't post. And certainly there is no point replying to false teachers with attitude, which is the majority of false teachers who come here.... They don't really come for discussion or to learn, but to push their books and/or their agenda. That was proven to me again with my last post. The other main option seems to be baiting....... This probably makes about 5 posts in the last two years...... and two in the last month or so.... I'm on a roll.

As for myself, I must contend that our Lord Jesus Christ started the New Testament church, NOT John the Baptist.

Wearing a suit when I preach reminds me of the need for humility and surrender in my role as a pastor. I recognize that the pulpit is not a platform for personal acclaim or self-promotion but an opportunity to humbly serve God. For me it is more of an act of surrendering my own preferences, seeking to align my appearance with the reverence that God deserves. Other pastors can dress how they please, but for me, I'm not going to dress better for weddings and funerals than I am when I'm delivering God's message.

A further thought - If one were to consider the predominant position during the time of the Old Testament prophets, a great deal of the time the predominant position was the position of the false prophets and false teachers, NOT the position of the true prophets of God. In addition, if one were to consider the predominant position during the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ, the predominant position was NOT on the side of our Lord. Yet I am quite certain that the true prophets of God and our Lord Jesus Christ were the CORRECT position. Finding the "majority" position in the conflict of true doctrine versus false doctrine really does not move me much, when I consider how often the true servants of the Lord our God are in the minority.

Well, tomorrow is the official due date for our grandson. I am so excited my tummy hurts. lol. I cannot wait to hold the little booger. If you think about it, could you pray for a safe delivery and health for both mommy and baby? Thanks in advance.

Merry Christmas to all, wherever you are. Praying you all have a blessed day. Spanish – ¡Feliz Navidad! French – Joyeux Noël! German – Frohe Weihnachten! Italian – Buon Natale! Portuguese – Feliz Natal! Romanian – Crăciun Fericit! Russian – Счастливого Рождества! (Schastlivogo Rozhdestva!) Swedish – God Jul! Norwegian – God Jul! Danish – Glædelig Jul! Finnish – Hyvää Joulua! Icelandic – Gleðileg Jól! Polish – Wesołych Świąt! Dutch – Vrolijk Kerstfeest! Croatian – Sretan Božić! Czech – Veselé Vánoce! Japanese – メリークリスマス！ (Merīkurisumasu!) Chinese – 圣诞节快乐! (Shèngdàn jié kuàilè!) Korean – 메리 크리스마스! (Meli Keuliseumaseu!) Latin – Felicem Natalem Christi! Irish – Nollaig Shona!

The Bible refers to them as Magi, which in it's literal form is talking about men who read the stars. The magi, as a widespread group, were often advisers of kings, linked to royalty in other ways, and oftimes were politically active. They were also considered wise men (Daniel and his three friends were wise men, added to the magi of the king...actually a commonplace occurrence in that part of the world - the east - at that time). Point of fact that is interesting: in Esther 1:13,14, the king's wise men were called princes. (did you know that Baalam was referred to as a "magus" or wise man...this was in the first century, not the Bible but is indicative of the common usage of the term in that area) One thing that those of us with western minds don't realize is that "kings" in various places of the earth didn't necessarily mean the same thing as what we think of as kings. Example: the ancient kings of Ireland, Scotland were chieftains - leaders of tribes. Some of them grew their influence, some didn't. So as to calling them kings - I can't find any evidence that the Catholic church renamed them kings (but, of course, the RCC uses it a lot). I don't know when or who gave them names, but I know Ben Hur names them. Oftimes the wise men, magi, were men of money and influence, and this could have been where the title "king" came from. But there were most likely many more people than just 3 men...in that day, it was dangerous to travel distances due to highwaymen. So most travel was done in large groups. (and did you also know that it was likely Arabian horses they rode rather than camels? ). It's quite likely that there were a number of magi, their servants, and their pack animals carrying the necessary rations, the gifts, etc. When they entered Jerusalem, the Bible tells us that the city was troubled along with Herod. Were they simply three men who came to see the king, it's not likely the whole city would have heard about their search for the one born king of the Jews. Also, most folks say that the wise men followed the star from the east to Bethlehem. But they didn't...the Bible clearly tells us they saw the star in the East...they knew a king was born (remember they studied the stars - and it is believed by many that these men knew of the prophecy of the Scetpre that would rise out of Judah - a very special king of the Jews) and they came to the place they believed the king of the Jews would be born, the common sense place: Jerusalem. The Bible then tells us that when they left Jerusalem to head to Bethlehem they saw the star again. And THEN is when it led them to Jesus. Lots of interesting tidbits that have been re-invented about the entire birth of Christ. A study of OT prophecy of the coming Messiah and the NT verses about His birth can really clear up confusion, though. And I think it's a fascinating study. And since the wise men were not at the birth, we don't include them in any nativity scene.

The last one

My niece had her beautiful baby boy yesterday, after a very hard labor and having to be induced. Leaving out the gory details, it took them 4 minutes to get him breathing on his own. This morning they were very concerned about his low oxygen. This hospital does not have a NICU, so they have airlifted him to University of Washington Hospital in Seattle. PLEASE pray for my grand nephew. And please pray that each person involved will allow God to do the work in their lives that He wants to (salvation for several of them). Thank you from the bottom of my weeping heart.

The “saints” in the first 3 1/2 years of the tribulation are those individuals who got saved AFTER the rapture. At the point of the rapture, ALL saints living and dead UP TO THAT POINT are caught up to meet the Lord in the air - and therefore there are NO true believers remaining on the earth, until new believers get saved during the tribulation period.

I'll upload the message to youtube this afternoon in case the link doesn't work.

Not so good news... "I am sad to say I misunderstood the nurse yesterday. He isn't on a C-pap. it is just a setting on his ventilator that they have set. I am sorry for giving the wrong information and getting everyone's hopes up. There really isn't any change. Linda"

Nothing, You do not need the approval of your old church for a transfer of membership. This is not a hostage negotiation and they have no say where you transfer to. If I was your pastor I would have already had the church vote you in.

Except that the title "virgin" is used with the gross misunderstanding that she was a perpetual virgin. She was not, and would likely be unhappy to know that she is known to so many as "virgin Mary." God did choose her...but remember that she was told she would be blessed AMONG women. Not ABOVE them, as the rcc has extrapolated. Interestingly enough, Deborah WAS listed as blessed ABOVE women. If we were to use those prepositions as basis for importance, Deborah was more important than Mary. Just so you know, my husband does preach about Mary - when God leads him to do so. I have also taught about her, just as I have many other ladies that are mentioned in God's Word. Mary was privileged to be the channel through which Christ came physically into the world. Yes, that was an honor. But we need to remember that she was humble enough to know that SHE was not the important one.

Women as Pastors The qualifications for a bishop, elder, and deacon. Here are the qualifications of a bishop and a deacon. Read the whole passage in your bible, because I have omitted the parts not pertaining to being a man as a condition of candidacy. I shoot with a rifle not a shotgun. The shotgun approach is used, not for context, but for introducing confusion by those who wish to prove that women can be pastors. That is the truth of it. 1 Timothy 3:1-16 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, … 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 8 Likewise must the deacons be … 11 Even so must their wives be grave, … 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. Titus 1:5-12 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: 6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, … Women in the church. 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. 35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. 1 Timothy 2:12-14 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Isaiah puts shame on women ruling. Isaiah 3:12 As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths. The passages above are clear and plain. Read it. Stay on topic. The office of Apostle is not the same as the office of pastors. The idea that Junia was an apostle, is disputed by Wesley, John Trapp, Matthew Poole, Ellicott, Coke, Adam Clark, Albert Barnes, and John Calvin. Some of their comments are listed below. Romans 16:7 … who are of note among the apostles; were well known by, and in great account with the twelve apostles, though not of their number; they might be converted by them, and be followers of them in Judea… John Gill Who are of note among the apostles; i.e. they were well known to the apostles, and were in good esteem with them: not only the twelve, together with Paul and Barnabas, but other teachers are sometimes called apostles, or messengers; see 2Co 8:23; Php 2:25. Some have thought these two, Andronicus and Junia, were of the number of the seventy disciples, who are mentioned Lu 10:1. Others, that they were of the one hundred and twenty, who are mentioned in Ac 1:15; or of those that were converted by the first preaching of Peter, and the rest, Ac 2:41; 4:4. By what follows, it appeareth they were of considerable standing in Christianity. … Matthew Poole Ver. 7. Andronicus and Junia— Or, Junias. Diodati thinks that by apostles in this verse are meant the evangelists; and that the meaning is, that these persons were noted messengers of the churches; but it is more probable that they were some early converts, who had been known and much esteemed by the apostles before the dispersion occasioned by the death of Stephen: and if so, St. Paul perhaps might once have been active in persecuting them, and have learned their names at first with an hostile intent of hunting them down to destruction. See Craddock's Apostol. Hist. Diodati, and Doddridge. … Coke … Adam Clarke Who are of note. The word translated of note, (epishmoi) denotes, properly, those who are marked, designated, or distinguished in any way; used either in a good or bad sense. Comp. Mt 27:16. Here it is used in a good sense. Among the apostles. This does not mean that they were apostles, as has been sometimes supposed. For, (1.) there is no account of their having been appointed as such. (2.) The expression is not one which would have been used if they had been. It would have been, "who were distinguished apostles." Comp. Ro 1:1; 1Co 1:1; 2Co 1:1; Col 1:1. (3.) It by no means implies that they were apostles. All that the expression fairly implies is, that they were known to the other apostles; that they were regarded by them as worthy of their affection and confidence; that they had been known by them, as Paul immediately adds, before he was himself converted. They had been converted before he was, and were distinguished in Jerusalem among the early Christians, and honoured with the friendship of the other apostles. (4.) The design of the office of apostles was to bear witness to the life, death, resurrection, doctrines, and miracles of Christ. Comp. Mt 10; Ac 1:21; 22:15. As there is no evidence that they had been witnesses of these things, or appointed to it, it is improbable that they were set apart to the apostolic office, (5.) The word apostles is used sometimes to designate messengers of churches; or those who were sent from one church to another on some important business; and if this expression meant that they were apostles, it could only be in some such sense as having obtained deserved credit and eminence in that business. See Php 2:25; 2Co 8:23. Albert Barnes.

We like Spurgeon and Matthew Henry. Knowing their beliefs helps us not to accept any calvanistic teachings.

Tony, I have seen first hand what a bad pastor can do. This guy was also a Hyles-Anderson grad. He divided families and eventually killed the church altogether. There used to be 2 good IFB churches in Jesup, GA. They each ran over 100 at one point. Now there is 1 IFB church left and we run less then 60. Many of my personal friends will talk to me, but will not attend our church, because of all the damage done. Some drive to another city to church and others go to SBC churches. I stay IFB, because I believe in the worship, the Bible we use, and the hymns we sing.