282Mikado

There are soooo many great hymns.

The first that comes to my mind is Abide With Me, especially when play on the strings.

I need Thy presence every passing hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r?

So true.

It Is Finished is also right up there.

I've been listening to Charles Lawson lately and like him real well. Unfortunately, as time passes we are leaning more and more toward the Cleveland, TN area. Any recommendations in that area would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the recommendation to date.

We are in the early stages of considering a move to the Eastern Tennessee area. We just returned from a vacation at my son's in Cleveland, TN during which time we surveyed areas from Knoxville to Chattanooga. From this we have decided on two likely areas for us to settle in. These are the Farragut to Maryville area and the Collegedale to Cleveland area. Does anyone know of a solid Independent Baptist KJV church that has an active youth program within reasonable driving distance of these areas? Preferably a church that is not too large, although that would not be a killing criteria.

I've always liked bluegrass music and have been to a number of big name festivals, so when I got saved it was just natural that I would turn to Bluegrass Gospel. Unfortunately, "gospel" music in just about every genre often preaches "another gospel".

The first time I ever heard this song it was recorded by the Statler Brothers back in the '90s. It was written by Don Reid's son, Langdon. 

We (Christians) are an often untapped market in the music world. We have money that these groups want to exploit so these secular "artists" compose lyrics about that which they have little to no knowledge. Even the Statler Brothers. Sad.

Attached is the chapter on Mormonism that I have been developing for a Bible study. It is not complete as yet because I have gotten sidetracked by various other concerns, but it gives a good background of the religion, their beliefs on critical doctrine and then the Biblical truth regarding those doctrines. It is not complete but close. I realize it is a bit long (33 pages), but you must understand the enemy to properly defend against him. Hope this helps.

3 - Mormonism.pdf

Please pray for the Hanson family: https://www.gofundme.com/5sf4as3e

James Hansen was my son's LPO and friend aboard the USS Kearsarge. He and his wife often opened their doors and shared their family with those in his division. I don't believe they were saved (that is the most critical need), but they were a giving and caring family.

This is not a plea for donations, this is a plea for prayer. Please place this young family before the Lord...; God will take care of the rest, amen?!

Thank you.

Regardless, what they gave and how much they actually gave was all by individual choice. Nowhere is it mandated that a Christian must give all they have to the community chest.

Another interesting reference is:

Acts 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. 

The word used for weak here is astheneo which means feeble, diseased, impotent or sick. It is not socialism to care for these types of people, it is common decency. Notice, we are ALL to labor for those who cannot labor due to some circumstance beyond their control. Not those who won't labor. Taking care of those who are capable of taking care of themselves is clearly against all scripture.  

Two of the most obvious scripture references I see that refutes the socialism view are:

1 Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

Most every time I hear the "Jesus was socialist" argument it usually stems from Acts 4:32. Of course if you read this carefully and in context you can easily see that this was not a directive from Jesus, nor was it even a mandate from the church leaders. It just explains how these people happened to do things at this time. Chapter 5 then tells of some of the problems that stemmed from this socialistic approach.

Thank you for the updates. Continuing in prayer.

Praying. I gather he is saved...

Traditionalist

Connie cannot be released until tomorrow. The surgery went fine and she was out of recovery at 4 PM, but she is not improved enough for a release tonight. It will be nice to have her home again. Thanks for all the prayers. God is good!

Connie is being prepped for surgery now (1226) and is expected to be through surgery and recovery in 3 - 4 hours. Will let you know how she made out when I find out. Thank you again for the prayers!

That is the plan as of now. Thank you for the prayers!

...and not just because she's married to me.

I don’t see how this question can be answered by anyone other than the actual person faced with the two opportunities.

1.       We do not specifically know your capabilities and limitations
2.       We do not know what each opportunity is or how you do or do not qualify for each.

The most obvious thing that should be done is to earnestly pray about the situation. Ask to be provided godly counsel through God’s word and God’s people.

Following and along with prayer, get in the word. It’s amazing how God can grant an answer through scripture we’ve read countless times before.

Seek counsel through your pastor(s), and true Christian friends and family.

Proverbs 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellers there is safety.

Proverbs 15:22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellers they are established.

I don't think any of these three things should be left out. I have reaped there benefits many times.

As for the "still small voice", I don’t put much stock in listening for that. As you said, that all sounds nice and spiritual, but I believe that Satan is just as capable of using a still small voice. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. _{(2 Corinthians 11:14)}

People fail to remember that before Elijah heard that still small voice he fully experienced “a great and strong wind”, “an earthquake”, and “a fire”. I suppose if you were to experience all three of those things and a “still small voice” were to follow, you may then be able to attribute that to God.

I was all of 1 year old when you got married and I've had a hard enough time living with myself for that long. Isn't it amazing how God can place us with just the right person that will overlook all our shortcomings and key in on that little bit that is pleasing in their eye (I'm speaking of my wife looking at me). Little is much when God is in it.

Congratulations! It sure is a sweet blessing from God to be in a godly marriage. Enjoy each moment!

Ezra was during the Dispensation of the Law of Moses which did allow for divorce (male or female) for limited reasons; those given in Ezra not being among them. But then we must look at what the Word (Jesus Christ) says on the subject:

Matthew 19:3-9 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? 4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? 8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

Bottom line, divorce is not at all what God intended or ever wanted. The problem always comes where sinful man enters into the mix. Jesus, God in the flesh, the Word incarnate is pretty adamant here about His position on divorce. His position does not match the law, it does not match Ezra, and it does not match what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians. Who is right? I side with Jesus and yet this does not match what was allowed in three separate areas of the Bible.

Salvation can be a huge road block in a marriage. It can lead to many difficult, onerous, and even violent situations in the life of the one saved. I am merely stating (not dogmatically) that God may not be as antithetical in this area as many would wish to believe.

This is true, but the reference in Ezra has the believer departing from the unbeliever.

Consider Ezra 10. Several questions always come to my mind that kind of muddy the waters of the divorce/remarry/adultery question.

1.         We see that these people were married to “strange wives of the people of the land”. Could this not be likened to people who are married prior to being saved?
2.               Ezra 10:11 says: Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives. Divorce seems to be mandated here. Now I realize this is during the time of the law, but this certainly cannot qualify as a Levitical dictate. This is clearly a problem because God’s people (today’s church?) are married outside the faith to people of the world that seem unwilling to become a part of God’s people.
3.       Ezra 10:44 then points out: All these had taken strange wives: and some of them had wives by whom they had children. Doesn’t this even further complicate the question?

My brother became a Christian after he had married and his wife adamantly refused Christ. Not only did she refuse, but she soon became involved in some VERY repugnant behavior. He tried desperately to save his marriage, but she would have none of it and eventually filed for divorce. This whole thing tore my brother up, but he had no recourse.

My brother is the type who really cannot be alone. He needs to have someone at his side. After several years he found a woman with whom he was much more compatible and remarried. Is he now in adultery? I look at Ezra 10 and have my doubts if God looks at it that way.

I believe Bill Watterson best illustrated the reason for the rapid decline of America in his cartoon Calvin and Hobbes, with Calvin speaking as the average American today.

"Some people are pragmatists, taking things as they come and making the best of the choices available.

Some people are idealists, standing for principle and refusing to compromise.

Some people just act on any whim that enters into their heads.

I [today's average American] pragmatically turn my whims into principles."

That's funny right there!

I'm glad you posted this. We haven't had outside t.v. reception for years (cable, satellite, or aerial). Our total experience is either Netflix, DVDs from the local library, or an occasional Redbox movie. After a little over a year of Netflix the material worthy of viewing is getting pretty scant.

I started looking into Pure Flix last night and it looks like it has potential. My wife will look into it today and we will discuss. I really dislike spending money on something I use as little as the T.V., but there are some days, especially after a long hard day, that I only feel like vegging in front of the screen.

Isn't it a shame that we have to work so hard to find a service that offers only morally clean content? You would think that every parent would want to have nothing less for their children (not to mention for themselves). We certainly have witnessed a steep decline in values over the past 50 years.

Filled up yesterday (Western New York), regular unleaded @ $2.73.

My wife used to work for a fuel oil, gasoline distribution company some years ago. You want to see the main reason for the disparity in gas prices look at the taxes each state charges. NY fuel taxes are very high (as are all our taxes). When traveling across the PA border you see an immediate drop of $.20 per gallon. That is not cost of delivery driving up the prices there.

Back in the 90's after 14 years active duty Navy I considered cross-rating to Religious Program Specialist (RP) and serving my remaining 6 (or more) years in the reserves. That idea quickly dissolved when I learned that the chaplain corps is not about true faith at all. Regardless your personally held faith, as a chaplain or RP you are required to cater to those of all faiths as if you were of their faith. This includes performing religious services, counseling, etc.

Could you imagine being a chaplain or RP in the Navy, (as a true and faithful Christian) and having to council someone from the Qu'ran or the Sutras? Neither could I and so I remained out. The retirement idea came at too great a cost.