heartstrings

Sorry, you must have missed this passage:
Judges 15:20 And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.
Verse 16 indicates it was Samson that was in view here.

It's kind of like the word "saved". Same basic word meaning, but It can refer to different types of "salvation" in different contexts.
 
Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
 
Exo 14:30
¶ Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore. From Egyptians

When you "believe", it is called "faith". All the rest that they did simply demonstrated that faith. They believed enough to take action.
The actual "repentance" occurred in their hearts the moment they "believed God".

The way I see it Biblically, I would suggest that women get help from Godly women counselors, and that men see only Godly men. That should remedy the problem.

Our Sunday sermon, yesterday, was from Luke Chapter 14
15And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.16Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 17And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 18And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 19And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. 
21So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. 22And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 23And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
Did the man actually invite those who gave the excuses?
Did those who made the excuses know that they were being invited?
So, if the man originally wanted them to come, why did they end up with no supper?

The liberal central government in Canada is imposing additional gun control completely opposite to the will of many of the people. You know what happened the last time they tried to make a long gun registry? Everyone simply chose not to comply. ? So they finally scrapped it, cause it wasn't working. But now they're putting it in sideways by trying to require everyone to register when they sell or purchase a firearm.

Don't copy Canada. Our government are idiots. Actually , cancel that. They're not idiots. They know exactly what they're doing to create an environment where they can exert total control over the populace. Covid gave them a marvellous excuse to start really enforcing socialist laws. Do you know that, as an unvaccinated citizen, I am not allowed to board a train or airplane in Canada? That I'm not allowed to work for the federal government, and a lot of other businesses too? But they're bringing in unvaccinated Ukrainians by the planeload, and the illegal border crossing at Roxham Road is still allowing in illegals from the US.
For anyone reading this who might actually support gun control, just remember two things. Bad guys don't follow the laws. And no matter how you feel about guns, you should educate yourself with the historical truths of disarmed populations (quote borrowed).
 

.  I don't have any more answers, although I think you did miss my point, whatever that was.  God bless Brother Scott.
For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified
1 Corinthians 2:2

Robes? Yeah, nature would if we lived in a culture which wears robes. You know like; Eskimos all wear "parkas: but Eskimo dudes where dude parkas and eskimo ladies wear lady parkas? It would appear that "nature itself" should teach people to strive to distinguish themselves as members of their own sex by their attire..... in their own culture. I mean, even the LGBT's(did I leave a couple letters out) have the basic discernment enough to recognize distinction in attire:  Because they call their perversion of that distinction "cross dressing".  What was your point?
 

Here's a verse which was always intriguing to me:
14Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? 15But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. 16But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
If "nature itself" teaches us things like this are a shame, pertaining to how the respective sexes should look, why wouldn't seeing some guy in a pink dress do the same? God made us male and female: we should look like, dress like,  and act like the sex we belong to. To do otherwise is just confusion.

Well, let's see. We have a country where it's been fashionable to "come out of the closet" and proudly proclaim that you're "gay" for a few decades now.  But just 5 decades ago, when I was learning to read,  Janet, Mark and Spot had a "gay" old time and it meant they were "happy". Now, Girls are going out, hunting bears with bows and arrows, fighting in combat and boys are now dainty little sissies. We DISHONOUR and emasculate our men, deeming them worthless buffoons, take away the things associated with manhood and give them to the women. How did we get here? Little baby steps. For one thing, we gave them our clothes. Women began dressing like men a loooong time ago and now the men have relented, we have little left.  Bruce Jenner, the once mighty athlete is now "Kaitlin Jenner" wearing a dress..  Y'all do what you want, as for me and my house, my wife and daughter wear dresses and and are not the least bit interested in deer hunting. 

Here's a verse which was always intriguing to me:
14Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? 15But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. 16But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
If "nature itself" teaches us things like this are a shame, pertaining to how the respective sexes should look, why wouldn't seeing some guy in a pink dress do the same? God made us male and female: we should look like, dress like,  and act like the sex we belong to. To do otherwise is just confusion.

A pastor can give advice, or counsel, but I believe there is a limit in what he can or should do within the confines of a pastorate. 
I'm not a pastor, but I do work in ministry with ladies and children. Several years ago I was teaching a ladies Bible study when a lady privately asked for counsel. I quickly learned that what she needed was a doctor, and I was not and am not qualified to counsel someone with that level of needs. Unfortunately the situation ended sadly. This taught me to always be very careful with the advice I give and to understand when I am at my limit and the person needs professional help, not spiritual help. I would hope every pastor knows their limits and to know when to advise the person seek a medical professional. 

Through the years, I have given Biblical counsel, even during my time as a supervisor at the Gospel Mission. There was never a "you need to do this" approach, but always "here is what the Bible says on this issue, these doctrines, etc." - attempting to show them where certain principles, precepts, etc. were in the Bible, and to exhort a person to apply them. Then there is no line crossed as far as what is said goes - I just taught Bible principles, and showed them where to find them themselves, as well as encouraged them to seek the Lord and dig further into the Bible for guidance. I do agree that any pastor or "Christian counsellor" that uses psychological methods or tells those they are counselling how to live (ie. as a kind of dictator in their lives) is doing wrong. A pastor (and any other minister in a similar situation needing counselling) is a shepherd, who is to guide, lead, teach.

I have met Stacey Shiflett. He was at our church many years ago.

The way I see it Biblically, I would suggest that women get help from Godly women counselors, and that men see only Godly men. That should remedy the problem.

The way I see it Biblically, I would suggest that women get help from Godly women counselors, and that men see only Godly men. That should remedy the problem.

The way I see it Biblically, I would suggest that women get help from Godly women counselors, and that men see only Godly men. That should remedy the problem.

Read the book Wolves Among Lambs by Stacey Shiflett. It is a very well written book about sexual abuse and things like counseling...he sets out some ideas in how to avoid the pitfalls of it. One of those is something that my husband and I have already discussed: never be alone with someone of the opposite sex. ESPECIALLY behind closed doors. And in a counseling situation? When the emotions are involved? Alarm bells! Anyone who thinks they can withstand temptation is simply deluding him/herself ("Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall"). 
I see no problem with pastors counseling folks. And, really, just because the Bible doesn't say something like "thou shalt counsel" does not make it wrong to do so. However, biblical principle needs to be applied in that area as well. Wisdom as to just how much counsel the pastor (or pastor's wife) can/should give needs to be sought from the Lord. Heart, I think your caveat "as it is practiced today" is important...there are changes that must be made.
I've known folks who've gone to Christian counselors - licensed, "professional" - whose lives were ruined as a result. So there is no guarantee there, either. Bluntly, I would rather receive counsel from someone who is immersed in the Word of God and not the world's view of psychology (and, yes, I do know that's what Christian counselors study...I was on that path myself, so I am aware of the things they need to learn). I'm not saying that it's not a good idea to know how the human mind works; it is dangerous to take the world's philosophies and "Christianize" them, which is what many Christian psychologists (not all, so no attack) do. There are some good ones out there, but they do need to be carefully vetted before going to them for counsel. And one must realize that, no matter how "professional" any counselor is, the possibility of temptation is still there. While it is not as popular, currently, to talk about the abuse perpetrated on patients by counselors, it is there. When counseling is involved, the emotions are involved, and that is where the temptation can begin. (again, not saying Christian psychologists are bad, just saying one must be as careful of them as any other counselor)
Is it any wonder that Christ asked if He would find faith on the earth when He returns? Woe to the pastors that scatter my sheep, God says. And there's an awful lot of scattering going on. ? 

The most controlled "no weapons" place in the U.S. is in prison -- 129 homicides in 2018 and multiple non-fatal shankings every year.

Canada has nothing to do with what's happening here in America re: guns. Simply put, gun "laws" are there to hurt the lawful gun owner (name one gun criminal that obeys gun laws...just one - can't be done). Every single state has protection of the God-given right of arms ownership by citizens written into their state constitutions, just as it is written into the federal constitution.
The term "infringe" means to encroach...and the term encroach means to take another's rights gradually or stealthily.
Our founders knew that, and they knew that the fallen nature of man leads to the exertion of power over others...and they knew that oppressors STEALTHILY STEAL RIGHTS...aka infringe.
The cry right now, amongst silly, emotion-driven "do-gooders" is that nobody needs military weapons. They have no conception that AR-15s are NOT military weapons, but even if so, they are ignorant of the intent of our founders: our founders KNEW that if a government had better arms than the citizenry there would be no liberty. Because of the nature of the power hungry. Hence the specific wording of the 2A.

 
The reason for the "mass shootings" at its core is that we are now a society that worships death...and it began in the 70s with the legalization of abortion. Isn't it interesting that some of the same folks who are crying for gun control also are frothing about the possibility of Roe v Wade being reversed. Talk about inconsistency. But, hey, liberalism is a mental disease...

Yes ma'am --- wish I could "like" that post about 35x

Interesting.  Iconoclast, you did not provide a single reference of Scripture to support your statement.  You just provided your own emphatic declaration -- "period."  If we take this statement at face value, then we would have to accept it upon your personal authority.  Yet true doctrine is NOT founded on ANY man's authority.  Rather, true doctrine is founded upon the absolute authority of God's Holy Word.  
So then, let us consider God's Word.  Do we find the phrase "godly line" or the phrase "ungodly line" anywhere therein?  While we certainly DO find the words "godly" and "ungodly" employed in God's Word to describe particular individuals and groups, we NEVER actually find either the phrase "godly line" or "ungodly line" in God's Word.  Now, when the word "line" is used in the context of humanity, it generally means "lineage; the descendants of a common ancestor."  If such was your intended usage for the term in your declaration, then it would have been better to use actual Biblical terminology, such as that there are two spiritual families -- the children of God and the children of disobedience.
So, in Genesis 3:15 the singular seed of the woman is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ.  Furthermore, through faith in Christ believers may indeed be called Abraham's seed (as per Galatians 3:29).  However, this still does NOT mean that believers are the seed of the WOMAN in Genesis 3:15.  Indeed, Genesis 3:15 has nothing to do with a "godly line."  Rather, it has to do with a PROMISED SAVIOR.
 

James 3:13-18 -- "Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you?  Let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.  But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.  This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace."

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Luke 13:34
Interpretation? God's will was for them to come to Him, to believe on Him but they didn't want to. What is the 4th petal of the "tulip"? Isn't it "irresistible" grace? They resisted His grace. People will not accept anything if they don't want to....kind of like you're doing now.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Luke 13:34
Interpretation? God's will was for them to come to Him, to believe on Him but they didn't want to. What is the 4th petal of the "tulip"? Isn't it "irresistible" grace? They resisted His grace. People will not accept anything if they don't want to....kind of like you're doing now.