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Just a little taste of the beauty of rural Missouri. The tree in the background is a, "Flowering Cleveland Pear Tree." The pond is just one of the many thousands that dot the landscape of Missouri.

There is a difference in telling the truth in boldness and being sarcastic/rude. Jesus was never the latter.

"Not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Hebrews 10:25 Yes, 360Watt is correct. Some churches are sitting farther apart in the sanctuary, some are assembling outside on chairs, some churches are meeting in drive-in theatres, some have loudspeakers on the outside of the church, some are creative in other areas, some have put up a tent; but all are assembling. Have you noticed that all of the news media are focusing on only Christian churches in the religious realm. Not one word, at least on the main media, or on the front page, is focused on what the Muslims, or Buddhist temples, are told to do. Only the churches, so it seems, is forced into an internet setting. the politicians, as a whole, will not mention putting any restrictions on the Muslims nor the Buddhist Temples. It almost seems like the politicians are forcing churches, or bullying, or intimidating, churches to go on a online setting. Do you know that a lot of small churches cannot afford an church web site? do you know how much money a website costs to start? to maintain? Or, they are fearful of Facebook? I do not care for Facebook nor neither do a lot of other saints care for Facebook. I am not against Facebook, nor any other technological setting, but folks are using the internet to forsake the assembling together and the politicians are using the virus situation to force, or bully, or intimidate, churches from assembling. I did create a YouTube Channel, and a website for our church in Taiwan, and am now in the process of creating another website for my books, So, I am not against these technological advances for the ministry; but, I do not want that to replace the saints "gathering together."

That's what I preached on last Sunday, my first week going streaming for the first time, so we were...separated!

I'm a Baptist. I've been teaching my daughters social distancing from boys for a long time time now. lol

I was watching the news the other day on my computer and the they were explaining that we need to keep a safe distance, six feet, from other people (... six feet ...) . So, I moved my computer screen six feet away from me.

Well, I do not believe tithing is a NT principle in the first place, but giving definitely is, so I will approach from that perspective: As far as, should Christians keep giving? Absolutely! As we are prospered, so we ought to give to God's work. Of course, those out of work, on furloughs, laid-off, etc, well, see to your family first; many are out of work so they cannot be expected to continue. Church expenses should be a bit down for buildings, in power usage and without normal activities, but I also know utility companies and mortgage companies are being told to give breaks during this time, as well. This is also a good time for believers to practice helping one another, as those who are still working should help see to the needs of those members who cannot right now. This is also a basic Bible principle. Brethren in need, don't hide your needs from those who are still doing alright-we need to know your plight if we are to help. Brethren who are still working, time to put basic NT tenets to work! Don't be stingy with what God prospers you with.

Did I miss something?

My granddaughter who is 11 on April 1st, has had to cancel her birthday party and asked if we could have family conference call on WhatsApp instead. My sister who will be 80 on 7th April has had to cancel her celebrationsas well.Her eldest son . He has written: As many as possible bring cakes with candles on and between them we could have 80 candles for mum to 'blow out' - feel free to do that if you can/want, and at the end we can all sing happy birthday, As many as possible to send me photos in advance - these need to either include a photo of mum or a picture of an event that took place during her life time - the critical thing is that you must know the year of the photo/event; you don't need to tell me but we will use the photos for a quiz on the day so then you can reveal the year once we have all had a chance t guess it. He hasn't said what platform he would be using . We usually use Messenger or WhatsApp. We stopped using Skype because the others give a more reliable service.

My wife and I, driving down the road the other day, observing the speed limit, albeit sitting close together (we are still in love ), when I was stopped by the local Mayor (in these trying times the local officials, governors, etc... make the rules), and he gave me a ticket, and a scolding, for not enough distance between my wife and I!

Not allowed, eh? That right there concerns me a whole lot more than any health danger. Our governments are using this as an excuse to test severe restriction of liberties, and the people are letting them.

Even if one holds to a "tithe principle", $0 x 10% = $0. So, at $0 you've still tithed. Offerings and alms - there's another story. If the Lord leads - it doesn't matter what financial wisdom dictates (just like pre-COVID or mid-employment times) This post is intended to approach from the side of any who may hold to a NT "tithe" in an effort to avoid the thread from being sidetracked into a tithe fight.

OK, if you must know the truth , I was joking.

One of My favorite Preachers Pastor Phil Lydick of Bible Baptist Church, in Spokane Valley, WA: https://www.facebook.com/pg/biblebaptistchurchsv/posts/?ref=page_internal My sending Pastor Steven Zantjer of Green Meadow Bible Baptist Church in Kalamazoo, MI. They don't live stream but they upload a day later after personal information is edited out of the recording. Some good special singing. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuftG-mE0HPfnEQ7CoBWMNA I also like Pastor James Knox of THE BIBLE Baptist church in Deland, FL. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFZPl1MeGSxe2ocXZPgbsfw One other one to recommend is Pastor Bob Gray II of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Longview, TX: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxOSWjezO3uPo8jAuTRKzOQ/featured

I have long disagreed with the view that a divorced man is disqualified to be a pastor. The idea comes from the phrase "The husband of one wife" He is to be the husband of one wife. I get that and I agree with it. However, does that reference divorce? If so, then it must also refence a widower, for in both cases, they are married to only one wife, but they HAD been married to another wife at one time. In the question of divorce, it would be dependent upon, I suppose, the circumstances of the divorce. As Jesus said, fornication, (not adultery), is the acceptable reason for divorce, so in such a case, the man should be free to both remarry and pastor a church. In other cases, we see Paul speak about if a believer is married to an unbeliever, and the unbeliever departs, let them depart, the believer is not under bondage, (bonds of marriage) to them. Therefore, that man should be free to both remarry and be a pastor. After I had accepted the call to preach, but well before I became a pastor, my wife left me, (an unbeliever), not wanting anything to do with that life. I wonder, when God called me, was He surprised that happened? No, He knew, and I believe it was part of that call, because she would not have been conducive to that work. No different than when Ezra commanded the Israelites to divorce the strange women they'd married while in captivity.

I don't think they should be forcing churches not to meet, but I also believe that ew ought to be considering our areas and what the possible dangers might be. The rain falls on the just and the unjust, and so does illness. We are small and meet in a small place: if we met in a place large enough that we could be separate, physically, spread out, as it were, then we would meet as normal. We also need to consider the lost of our communities, to whom we are called: If they see us as being reckless and acting in a way that might cause a greater spread of sickness in our community, (not understanding that we act in faith, because they cannot understand that), this could greatly hurt our ability to reach them once this is all over. We are in a time of great technological capabilities, that we CAN gather, virtually, for a time, if need be, if the church would take it as seriously as they do the regular assembly. Get up at your normal time, put on CLOTHES, preferably church clothes, have your Bible, look up verses, pay attention, sing along with the songs you know, BE there, in spirit. This last week, and for the time being, I am preaching via Live stream on Facebook, from a camper at my farm, which I have set up for the purpose. Sunday I stood, (I usually sit as it is a small trailer), and showed that I was wearing my full suit, not a shirt, jacket, and sweat pants. And my wife wore a nice church dress and did the music there with me, rather than watching me from home. And interestingly, I am having people listen to my services that do not come to our church-I have twice the attendance virtually, than I do physically! Sunday night I preached a pure gospel/salvation message since I am getting people who I believe are not saved watching. But yes, I pray this will be temporary, but I will use it to God's glory while we can. As for Resurrection Day, I may resort to our usual building and do a presentation of Christ In the Passover. I need more room than I have at the camper.

I do not pastor a church, but I would sincerely hope that most, if not all, IFB churches, would continue on with business as usual. Hebrews 10:25 (KJV) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Acts 5:29 (KJV) Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The governments, both Federal and local are themselves breaking the supreme law of the land, The Constitution of The United States of America, which states: Constitution of United States of America 1789 (rev. 1992) PreambleArticle IArticle IIArticle IIIArticle IVArticle VArticle VIArticle VIIAmendment IAmendment IIAmendment IIIAmendment IVAmendment VAmendment VIAmendment VIIAmendment VIIIAmendment IXAmendment XAmendment XIAmendment XIIAmendment XIIIAmendment XIVAmendment XVAmendment XVIAmendment XVIIAmendment XVIIIAmendment XIXAmendment XXAmendment XXIAmendment XXIIAmendment XXIIIAmendment XXIVAmendment XXVAmendment XXVIAmendment XXVII "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." I remind the reader, as well as government of the response of Daniel, when the King made a law stating that no one would be allowed to pray to their God: Daniel 6:10 (KJV) Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

I hope DeBlassio and the State of New York gets hit with 20-40 law suits PLUS a class action suit with at least 200 named complaintants.

There is a lot of misinformation, fear and panic mongering and irrational response to the Corona-19 Virus, on a worldwide scale, never seen before. Our Bibles warn us that times like these will come shortly before the return of Jesus. I am providing the following link to a video for informational purposes only. I cannot endorse this man and have no idea of his religious standing. So I provide this solely for informational purposes. It is always wise to hear all the information available, rather than just a one sided, agenda driven account. Covid-19 Scam

South Carolina has stated no groups over 3 people, Alaska has said no gatherings in any locations (including the woods) for religious activities, Bill DeBlassio (NY) has said the police will stop services in churches and synagogues and has threatened to close offending places PERMANENTLY (even after COVID elimination). DeBlassio is also using police to enforce distances between people in public (he didn't say if that included couples or parent/child combos walking together). Kansas declared church and religious services as essential business just as grocery stores, and Georgia declared alcohol dealers as non-essential (unlike most states).

Yes I agree with you.

When dealing with the difference between 'God sovereignly decided, before the foundations of time, who would be saved and who would go to hell', and then commands them ALL to be saved or go to hell' as opposed to 'whosoever will', THAT is doctrine-in fact, it covers a few doctrines, like the sufficiency of the sacrifice of Christ, whether man has free will to choose to follow or reject, and such. That is doctrine.

That's probably because they are not rude/sarcastic BroMatt. Jesus was firm in His denunciation of the Scribes and Pharisees and their legalistic doctrines, as well as their rejection of Him. But then again, I am not Robycop, so I should probably bow out and let him explain if he can.

Brethren, In mainland, or Communist, China, the communist government is using the Conoravirus situation to further crackdown on churches. If you read the article carefully you will notice that after the churches started to broadcast their services via the internet the crackdown intensified. Also, you may want to notice that the videos, and the recorded messages, werre used against the speakers and even the members of the congregations. Quote, "Religious freedom watchdogs say the Chinese Communist Party is using the coronavirus outbreak as cover for further persecuting religion, tearing down some churches and using cameras to carefully monitor others. The Voice of Martyrs (VOM), a non-profit group that helps persecuted Christians throughout the world, reported that Chinese officials have been trampling religious worship during the COVID-19 lockdown. “China is now holding itself up as a model for fighting the coronavirus,” VOM spokesman Tom Nettleton told Fox News. “But fighting the pandemic hasn’t stopped communist officials from persecuting Christians.” End of quote. Here is the link to the article. https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/asia/item/35258-china-uses-coronavirus-panic-as-excuse-to-crack-down-on-churches One of the results of the current conoravirus situation is that national and local government, in the U.S. and the nations of the world, is now in the position to curtail church services, force, bully, or intimidate church services on the internet, and quite possibly, in the future, control the messages of the church and then to prosecute those messages deemed inappropriate to the government.

I listened last night...what a blessing it was. I know of the Bickford's from when they were in Maine. I don't know if they still are there or not.

I wonder... when people go online to worship together.. are they assembled? I would have thought physical assembly would be a church assembly. Not dismissing that conference calling online is a good way to still talk to and teach each-other still- but I don't think that is actually assembling.

I'll have to listen to it when I get home. So sad to hear stories like this.

True...and when you preach on separation.

I have noticed through the years, that a lot of Baptists become experts at social distancing as soon as they're baptized.

We wont be doing anything tonight, but I am going to try to record some type of message for Sunday and (hopefully) be able to upload it to youtube and then send the link to everyone. I dont know what else to do.

Yep, I wouldn't want my computer to catch anything I had either, no viruses or bugs to make it sick. Should I wear a mask while using my computer?

According to a reliable source: the whale died of indigestion. The SPCA arrested Jonah and was fined for cruelty to an animal.

Few years ago, had a coupla Mor(m)ons come to the door, a coupla not-so-pretty young women. I showed'em, from my anti-Mor9m) on kit, some skinny about their two big kahoonas, Joey Smith & Brigand Young. And I asked them to compare their "Joseph Smith KJV with a REAL KJV that'd been around long before Joey was. And, of course, I showed 'em the Gospel. And I advised them about some homes in my 'hood to avoid, such as my next-door neighbor, who had 5 pit bulls inside his fence, and a dope house a coupla blox away. And I said, not wanting to be a male chauvinist, but there were other places around here that young women should not go on their own. Cultists or not, I wanted no harm to come to them, and who knows whether the HOLY SPIRIT caused the Gospel to take root in them? However, I've not had a JW or Mor(m)on come to my door for a few years now.

Matthew 23 (Most of the chapter) Matthew 3:7 Matthew 12:34