farouk

It's interesting that for centuries sailors would often wear earrings: the idea being that, doing sometimes hazardous work overseas, they might die and so the earring - often gold - was intended to pay for what was regarded as a Christian burial. In other words, the earring was actually an oblique identification with Christianity. I'm not a legalist myself, or an independent baptist; I just respect customs, including independent baptist ones. PS: I have a male cousin who has worn an earring for years and no one even comments; and he used to bring his son to Sunday School: I guess the question I would ask is, What is deemed more important; having families come and hear the Word of God, or enforcing independent baptist culture?

Hi Ms. @SherylFirst of all, I'm deeply sorry about your experience. That 1 Corinthians 7 passage is very clear, isn't it? about either remaining as she is or being reconciled. It's also in keeping with what Paul also says in Romans 7 about the remarried woman in the lifetime of her first husband. One is not responsible for the misdeeds of the erring spouse. But here is where the wondrous, sustaining grace of God comes in. It's easy to say this. But I'm strongly guessing you have proved this also...

@HappyChristianGreat photos! seems like you guys had a great trip! ?

"For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall." (Isaiah 25.4)

Great, searching verses there... ?

1 Corinthians 10.32 says: "Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God". I'm all for modesty. But there comes a point when a local church can become so legalistic, it is as if they have paraphrased 1 Corinthians 10.32 to say, instead: "Give offence, both to the Jews, and to the Gentiles, and to the church of God" if everyone from all those dispensational categories is driven away even before the service starts... Generally speaking, the equivalent for neckties for men is widely acknowledged as earrings for women, right? I wonder if that same local church kept a box of earrings for any woman who "dared" come in without earrings in.. (So what would you think of such a "rule", @HappyChristian? ? )

Well, Protestant Christians often used to say that the Bible is self-authenticating; and so Scripture really can be our starting point. Luther said he would not waste a word with someone who did not believe the Bible is the Word of God. I guess he meant that all other reasoning is ultimately circular.

It's about recognizing that the Bible is true. (What it says about God and His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ; what it says about us).

I love Philippians! the Epistle of Joy indeed... ?

There is a blessedness in being able to say from the heart, 'Thy will be done'. We may remember that the Lord Jesus - crucified, risen, glorified at the right hand of the Father - 'ever liveth to make intercession' (Hebrews 7.25) for His blood purchased people.

"Looking unto Jesus..." (Hebrews 12.2)

Hi, Rebecca; it's such a light update that they didn't even call the KJ21 a version. I have a copy; and one of the features is clear print.

I love the Psalms; my wife and I are going through some Psalms together these days.

Well, you must know your nephews...:) At the small, local, conservative independent church that my wife and I attend probably a majority of the young men and boys that attend sometimes, have worn earrings; it simply is a widespread custom now, after all, and has been for years.

Hi HappyChristian, My wife had a b-day recently and we have been thinking about how blessed we are to have had the Lord lead us over the years. It's wonderful... ?

Couldn't see where else to put this, so put it here... ? I do love this text from Philippians, ch. 4, v. 8: 'Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.'

I love Psalm 46.10, which we have displayed in our house: "Be still, and know that I am God".