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My wife and I went for a drive in the country the other day to a place called Dwellingup, stopped and had lunch near the river, and saw these couple of guys. No Idea what the first guy is as I am not a birdwatcher (after some searching it is a Scarlet Robin), but everyone here knows what the other one is: a Kookaburra. They are a kind of kingfisher, but have a distinctive call, which sounds a little bit like maniacal laughter when they get really into it. They are not a cautious bird at all, well known for stealing food from the tables while people are eating there. In fact, one of them flew right in between my wife and I facing each other at the table. He didn't get our food though, because we were quick enough.....

On Saturday, August 10th, 2019...my Dad passed away from this life into the loving rest of Jesus Christ. This was also my dear wife's birthday. Though he hasn't known who I was for several years, he still had the same loving and happy disposition as before. I count myself blessed to have been the son of this great man. He was my teacher, my inspiration, and my hero...he was... ...my Dad. Dear Lord, thank you for allowing me to be his son.

Why do so many people quote heretics just because they say something 'nice' or cute? I have been forced onto facebook (long story but it is necessary...) and it amazes me the number of quote memes posted that are from men who teach false doctrine but who happen to have said something cute or nice. Do people not realise that quoting such men gives your approval to them, and promotes them before others? You are in effect promoting them, their ministry, and their false doctrines.

For what? God has a plan for funding His churches already.

Isn't it funny that the Bible often upsets what people want to teach?????

I just know that certain names seem to pop up regularly when you see "Conference preaching" advertised, and I thought his was among them.....

I do hope that the piano hymns are a blessing to your heart. The music and the scenes of Colorado are the courtesy of Kaleb Brasee May God bless all of you. Alan

“Independent Assemblies” Philippians 4:15 The apostle Paul is now on his second missionary journey that he and Barnabas started in Acts 15:36. “Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.” Philippians 4:15 & 16 The apostle Paul is commending the Philippian church, or local assembly, for helping him with his physical necessities. Three Locations Mentioned 1. Philippi. The city where the current church, or assembly, is located. We will also take note that the accepted time of the writing of the book of Philippi was in 64 A. D. Also, according to Acts 16:6-12, while at Troas, Paul received the Macedonian call. So, instead of travelling to Asia, the East, the Lord directed Paul and his companions on the first missionary effort towards the West, the Roman province of Macedonia and Europe. 2. Macedonia. The Roman Province that Philippi and Thessalonica is located. 3. Thessalonica. A city further south from Philippi. At the time of the writing of the epistle to the Philippians, 64 A. D. , the church at Philippi had know of the events that took place at Thessalonica, Acts 17:1-9. The book of 1 Thessalonians was written in 54 A. D. So, since the distance between the two cities was not great, and there was an church in both places, and as Paul clearly indicates that the the two churches were in close contact with one another, both of the churches had fellowship with one another but there was no other ties between the two churches nor with the other churches in the area. Map is the courtesy of BibleStudy.org I would like to bring to mind that at that time the apostle Paul mentioned only one church, or local assembly, was giving towards his necessities as a missionary. Later on in his missionary journey that situation changed. In 2 Corinthians 8:1-4 we read, “Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering of the saints.” Different Churches not a Universal Church “… no church ...” As led by the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul clearly differentiated between the church at Philippi from the other churches in any other city, region, or location. In this passage, Paul mentions the church, or assembly, at Thessalonica. Therefore, the saints at various locations, when they assembled together, constituted a local church and were independent of other local churches, or assemblies. Independent Assemblies “… communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.” The church at Philippi knew the brethren at the church at Thessalonica. The two churches, and probably more churches than we know, had close fellowship with one another. But, besides fellowship, there was no denominational binding of the assemblies together. Even though Paul had stated other churches, only the church at Philippi gave toward his necessities. So, it is plainly evident that the local assembly makes the decision to use its funds, or time, or other goods, or any other decision, without the authorization of any other assembly. Every church is a local entity, independent, from other local churches, or assemblies. There is no ecclesiastical authority, or hierarchy, above a true, New Testament, local church. As with Paul the Apostle, when it comes to missionary effort, if a church wants to support a missionary, or any other decision affecting the assembly, than they make the decision. In the New Testament, let me repeat that, in the New Testament, there is no denominational board, nor is there any religious hierarchy over the church, making any decision. All, as in every one, of the churches in the New Testament were independent from one another with no denominations, or a religious hierarchy, binding them together. The New Testament Bishop We had previously looked at Philippians 1:1, “Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.” Even though the church at Philippi was in close proximity with the church at Thessalonica, and with other assemblies in the region of Macedonia, the bishops at Philippi did not, repeat, did not, have any authority over the church at Thessalonica nor in any other assembly in the region of Macedonia. In the New Testament, the bishop was the overseer, or the pastor, or the elder, of only the local assembly. The concept of a bishop being the overseer of a region, or in an ecclesiastical hierarchy, over numerous local assemblies, is foreign to the scriptures and a man-made position.

His methodology, ignorance of established scientific fact and determination to persist, tend to discredit both his person and his work.

Brethren, Our next study on the local church will be on Philippians 4:15 Alan

None of the references submitted above are scriptural evidence that the 10 Plagues as written by Moses in the book of Exodus was world-wide. Forgive me for being blunt, the information concerning the Amalekites, legend of the Pawnees, Persian legends, and other north American Indian legends are not proof of any kind.

Est 3:1 After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him.

My phone camera didn't do justice to the beautiful sunset last night! I turned to the left to get a view of the fading light in the clouds, and now you can see the pineapple field. There are pineapples in the top photo as well, but the lighting is too dark over the fields.

I am a married Christian who is being abused on a daily basis and am physically handicapped with migraines and hip pain. Please pray that God will daily remind me of His love, presence, will give me the strength to endure and health so I will be able to get a sit-down job, and be able to serve somehow in my church...& pray for my husband-He may say he is a Christian, but his actions, anger, and words shout the total oppiset! Thank you! God can do anything and I believe in miracles \ answered prayer

All staffing is set now at Umpqua Valley Christian School.

Having a short break away for the week, in a house in the South West of Western Australia - mid winter here, so a light rain, around 18° C, so cool but perfect for sitting on the verandah, and retreating to the wood fire when it cools more. (I hope the short video works) 20190724_090703.mp4

Well, this is a thread about the beauty of creation, right? My guys are pretty handsome, and there are some nice trees in the background. This was taken on Father's Day. The second year in a row we've been able to spend it with our son, after many years without him.

Print I have heard from many people who doubt their salvation, and I always try to take time to reply to those e-mails in the midst of the deluge of mail that I receive. Recently I received the following. I have removed specific references to people, places, churches, and schools for the sake of anonymity. ________ Dear Bro. Cloud, I am writing to you to help me clear up some things in my mind. For many years now I have had extreme doubts about my salvation. So much so that it cripples me at times. I am newly married with one toddler. These doubts cause me to shrivel up, and become useless to my husband and baby. I spend many days crying and reading my Bible, and begging God to help me. The thing is, I have had many professions of faith. About five, and have been scripturally baptized. The last profession I made, I haven't been baptized, because I wasn't sure if God gave me assurance that I was already saved, or if I had just gotten saved. But the last profession is the one that was the most real to my heart. At that time I was in college and a preacher came by to preach in chapel about this very thing. About how he had doubts, and would have many professions and still no peace. He finally realized that he must trust Christ and his shed blood no matter if he was lost or saved. I knew I had to talk to this preacher, so I went up to him after he preached, and he explained salvation to me that was the most clear I have ever heard. It was exactly what I have been hearing all along, but on that day it made the most sense. Maybe it was the Holy Spirit that was helping me understand? Anyway, he said that regardless if I was lost or saved, I needed to risk my soul on Christ's blood. Trust my most treasured possession to His care. He then showed me in the Bible that only Blood can cleanse away my sins, and I was guilty before God with my sins. When Christ died, rose again, and offered HIS blood on the mercy seat, God was satisfied for the payment of man's sins. After we talked, I went to my dorm room and thought about all he said. He said a whole lot more, but this is what stuck in my mind. Finally I realized that if God was satisfied with Christ's blood sacrifice for my sins, then I knew I could be too. So I told the Lord just that. That I knew I was a sinner, but I believed that Christ's blood was sufficient to cover my sins, and I trusted Christ to save me by His shed blood. At that moment I had a very still quiet peace, and knew I was accepted as God's Child. Then why am I doubting? Well, for one thing, there is a link on your web-site to a church where they have testimonies about people who thought they were saved, but were really lost. View the full article