Oldtimer

I went hunting to see if I could find an example of what bother's me about cartoon characters being used to teach our children. Decided to search VBS materials since those will be coming up soon at many churches.

Take a look at this link that features cartoon figures and music, too. http://youtu.be/AoXyk5AFAvs

What's your opinion?

Does this glorify God and His commandments?

PastorJ, just a quick note, as I have to run.

If this were simply a downturn in the housing market, I'd agree with your accessment 100%. My question is where can you find stability today within the overall (global and/or US) financial system? How much longer can bandaids be put in place before the entire system collapses and resets itself? The US cannot sustain/maintain the debt load it has now, forever. It used to be that countries could insulate themselves, somewhat, from financial disaster that befell other countries. That's not the case anymore.

All I'm saying is to wait a few months and build up an emergency fund, if you will. Wait a while to see what actually happens to the economy in the next year. Watch to see if the EU problems stabalize. Wait and see if China calls in the US debt. Wait and see what happens to the price of food and gasoline (two items not included in the inflation index, BTW). If we are on a genuine road to recovery, there'll still be time to buy a home. Sure, interest may be a point or two higher, or a particular home may cost $5,000 more. However, if this "recovery" isn't genuine and a 1930's or worse depression is ahead of us, then, I'd rather have a sock under my mattress with that 20% down, instead of it being invested in a house with monthly payments I can't make.

AHHHHHH really? That was a nice liberal talking point, there!!!!! ;-)

The rich aren't getting richer and the poor aren't getting poorer as a general rule. That's what the media says and everyone parrots it.

I'm a conservative and I agree with Jerry. We're dealing with a lot of smoke and mirrors where the media is concerned.

First, the middle class is disappearing as people are being shifed into two classes - the haves and the have nots. Already about half the population of the US is on some type of government program. Many of them are already firmly entrenched in their side of the class war being waged. What remains of the middle class is gradually being pushed down with the media hype against the "rich". Many of the "rich" are the people in the upper quadrant of the middle class.

What many people don't realize is there's a "class" of super rich, power hungry, people who are pulling the strings. Their goal is to be kings of the land and the ordinary, average, middleclass, Joe will be their serf, just as it was in the past, so many times. About half of this country are already in serfdom with their reliance on the government to put food on their tables.

The war the media is waging isn't against the "super rich". It's against the upper middle class and the lower upper class income folks. (The media is a the weapon being used in this war.) They are portraying that these groups of people are evil and are harming all those below them in economic status. The super rich already have their monies in safe harbors and are thus insulated when the cries for "tax the rich" are heard.

Those in control want me to be mad because we can't drive around on Sunday afternoons the way we used to do. Those in control want me to be mad everytime I go to the grocery store. They want me to be mad everytime my IRA takes a hit. They want me to be mad when WalMart jeans cost more than department store jeans did a few years ago. I'm supposed to be mad when my neighbor can afford to buy a new car and I can't.

The powers to be want me to be in debt up to my eyeballs. They want me to envy my neighbor, regardless of how hard my neighbor worked and saved to take a vacation I can't afford to take. The more angry I become at my neighbor, the more likely I am to support laws that punish his success. To bring my neighbor down to my level, even if I'm where I am is because I sat in the shade of my front porch and watched my neighbor sweat for what he has acquired.

My recommendation to the OP is to stay out of debt for as long as you can. Since you are in the military (I think), save your money. To the extent you can, make house payments to yourself, each month. I don't have a crystal ball to see the future. But, what I suspect is that the "signs of a recovery" are just that to lull people into thinking the worst is over. That is until the elections in November. Gas prices going down in summer? Why? It's not the norm. Major points of ObamaCare don't kick in until after the 2012 elections. Why? That's just 2 points of many that could be mentioned.

Stay out of debt for the time being, to see how the chips fall in 2013. Will the props, holding up our economy, either fail or be removed, post November 2012? How much longer can the EU hold things together, over there? How much longer can the major financial institutions continue to hold their toxic assets? Another one just released their bad news, as they couldn't prop up their problems any longer.

Stay out of debt. Get out of debt, as much as possible. I'd rather sleep on a rented bed with a sock stashed under the mattress than to have someone take my bed, mattress, and the house where it resides. While leaving me standing on the sidewalk with empty pockets.

KJV'>Amos 8:11
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:

-- A few days ago I read Separatism and Its Collapse. http://www.wayoflife.org/free_ebooks/

-- For a couple of weeks now, my DSL carrier has being doing upgrades and they don't have all the buggs worked out. Thus connection to the Internet has been problematic, to say the least.

-- At a recent yard sale held at our church, I was surprised, in a sense, at what came in for donations to the sale. Especially the Bibles and biblical reference books that people pulled from their bookshelves. "Since I have a computer I don't need them anymore."

FWIW, in my former life, I've been involved in the "behind the scenes" aspects of the computer revolution. And, have often had hands-on, hair-pulling, experience with what it takes to make all this stuff work. First, punch cards, then EIGHT inch floppy disks for the mid-range computer system that I managed. I was there when everyone was wishing that personal computers could "talk" to each other. Have had to deal with the built in obsolecense of computer equipment and operating systems. Have watched so much of the latest, greatest, fastest end up in landfills (or equivalents).

What do you do when you have nothing that'll play your collection of 8-track music tapes?

As I was reading the ebook, mentioned above, first I missed the ability to make notes in the margins and pull out my trusty yellow highlighter. Couldn't stick a piece of paper between the pages to mark my place when I had to do something else. While reading online is easier for these old eyes (adjust font size), like others have mentioned, I enjoy having a printed book in my hand. One that can go with me to a doctor's office waiting room. (No I don't have one of the new ebook reader gadgets.)

Anyway, all of the above came together to pose the questions in my OP.

Are we as a society moving too far away from paper, especially with printed books? Are we beginning (already) putting too much reliance on someone (something) else to give us access the the Word of God? Online backup systems, thumbdrives, CD's and DVD's, etc. are becoming / have become the norm, along with reliance on the Internet.

What do you do when your computer crashes and the replacement can't read your backup storage media?
What do you do when a local ice storm takes out the power for two weeks and you can't recharge batteries?
What do you do when the batteries die in your "gadget" and you can't get replacements to fit it?
What do you do when a natural or man-made disaster disrupts power and communications on a major scale for a LONG time?
What do you do when political forces finally manage to totally control Internet access, as is now being done in some areas?

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing (reading) the words of the LORD:

Like most politicians, especially the more liberal ones, they believe the people are uneducated and incapable of making right decisions. They think it's their job to force liberal-socialism upon the masses "for their own good".

It also grows tiring hearing the great State of Mississippi attacked and denigrated time and again.

She didn't run for re-election this year. She saw the handwriting on the wall in terms of her chances to be voted back in for a second time. Her true colors are coming to light, since she's not playing the get elected game anymore.

BTW, the great state of Mississippi got a round of applause this morning in our Sunday School class.

Is your reliance on electronic media leading you to discard the use of paper?

Are you putting your physical books on yardsale tables because you've moved to ebooks?

Do you ever print an ebook for future reference?

If you use a daily devotional, do you read it on line instead of subscribing to the printed version?

Is your relationship with this couple formal or informal? That is are you a lawyer or a representative of a bank or other financial institution, and are "required" to assist them? Or, are you a friend who's simply lending a hand? In other words, are you in a position to back away from this and let someone else handle it, since it's apparently challenging your beliefs?

I'm not an estate planner. That said, as a general rule (laws will vary by state), documents can be drawn up to specifiy exactly what is to be done with what a person leaves behind on this earth. With a capable attorney, I could leave everything I own to my neighbor's cat with detailed instructions for the cat's care. There are various types of Power of Attorney that can be granted to someone else. This person does not have to be a relative by blood or marriage. Trusts can be established with specific guidelines on utilization. Property can be co-owned - ie survivor gets the car if something happens to me.

If this is a business relationship with this couple for estate planning, it's no different, in my humble opinion, than that of an auto mechanic, contractor installing a patio, or a house painter. These are human beings exchanging monies for services. If I could not tolerate (does NOT mean condone) their lifestyle, and treat them with respect as humans beings, then I would not do business with them. If their sin (whatever it may be) polluted my faith, then I would not do business with them.

Look at it from this standpoint. If I hire a Jewish, Amish, Morman, Catholic, JW, Hindu (or any other belief system other than my own) to install an air conditioner, I do not expect them to try to convert me to their religious beliefs as a part of what they been contracted to do. Nor do I expect to push my beliefs onto them. Yes, I'll witness, if the opportunity presents itself, as the Holy Spirit leads. However, if I try to force my beliefs onto them, regardless, I'm afraid the end result would be to drive them further from Christ. I know, if they tried to force their beliefs on me, I'd quickly terminate the AC contract and send them on their way.

Lastly, would I help a gay couple plant a garden in their backyard? Yes. Would I help solely as a way to "lecture" them about their lifestyle. No. The grey area in between, lending a neighbor a hand and using the opportunity to witness for the Lord, would have to be handled on an individual basis. If my help is portrayed as approving of their lifestyle, NO. If my help is portrayed as the honorable thing for a professing Christian to do, YES. Giving blankets to a neighborhood drunk (we have one in our area who lives in an unheated shack) is the right thing to do. Giving him money to go to the ABC store isn't.

In closing, I can't offer specific scriptures to back up this opinion, other than the two greatest commandments. If I find myself in a situation where I can't do that, then I need to remove myself from that situation.

Hope this makes sense, as I'm writing from straight off the top of this feeble head, before I head back outdoors to get back to work.

Watch "Storage Wars" to know how easily those locks can be removed.

Amen! The Word of God can only be truly and fully understood by those who are born again in Christ, having the Holy Spirit within them to teach and guide them.

Another Amen!

Proverbs 2:3-6

King James Version (KJV)

³ Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
⁴ If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
⁵ Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.
⁶ For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

Coupled with:

2 Timothy 2:15

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁵ Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Same here.

Go to Lifeway and take a look at the children's study materials. There's a big difference between simple drawings to illustrate points from the Bible and what's being done today. Much of what I've seen there parallels secular "cartoons" both printed and electronic.

The word "comics" didn't appear in the 1828 Websters Dictionary. Here's the definition of comedy.

Quote:
COMEDY, n. A dramatic composition intended to represent human characters, which are to be imitated in language, dress and manner, by actors on a stage, for the amusement of spectators. The object of comedy is said to be to recommend virtue and make vice ridiculous; but the real effect is amusement. http://www.1828-dictionary.com/d/search/word,comedy

"But the real effect is amusement."

BTW, I noticed this thread has been tagged with "Christain comic books, comic book, superheroes".

Today's "superheroes"??? - all media outlets from comic books to video games to recent movie releases -

I'm sorry, but I'm having a hard time with this. How do you elevate Christ, in the eyes of a child, when "comics" are full of characters with capes and superpowers? Yes, I understand teaching the difference between comic strip "A" and strip "B". That difference doesn't have to be taught when Christ isn't brought down to a level parallet to a caped crusader which requires explaination to a 5-6 yr old.

I don't have the exact figures handy, but believe there's about 30 states with laws/constitutional amendents that ban same sex unions. And around 7-9 that support same sex marriage. I'm sure someone will correct me if these figures are off base.

It isn't so much that she didn't "stay in her place" as it was that she chose to be receptive of all that satan offered her.

Jerry, I don't know for sure, but I suspect that hardware/software upgrades and migrations have taken their toll on the database over all these years. I'm surprised, in a sense, that any thread would have survived this long. That said....

Suspect there's quite a few, just hanging around, till they get their reward, as we'll all winners in Christ. I kinda like the idea of this thread, as it symbolizes marking X's on a calendar, counting down the days till.......

either He calls us home or He comes to get us.

In the meantime, there's mo grass to be cut, taters to be dug, and maters to be tasted as this summer moves along.

Here, we're blessed with a beautiful early summer day with almost perfect (in human terms) temperature and humidity. A day to enjoy, for all it's worth, before the reality of most summers in NC sets in to stay awhile.

News this morn is filled with Obama's newly stated pro position on gay marriage. Along with American Idol's Clay Aiken (from NC) comments. BTW, Clay only revealed his preference AFTER the Idol competition ended.

Jerry, I'm sure you're right. As we move closer to the end of times, "tolerance" is being transformed into "condone". We are no longer to love our neighbor and find their sin to be unacceptable in our own lives. We are to love our neighbor and honor their sin, as well.

Yesterday, North Carolina held primary elections. On the ballot was a state constitutional amendment that defines marriage solely being between a man and a woman. In effect it bans gay marriage on a constitutional level that reinforce laws already on the books. Thus, removing the power of judges to overturn the laws. (Yes, there will be suits filed to void the amendment, if passed.)

This has been the focus of this primary, overshadowing everything else that was on the ballot, including the national elections. Gay rights activists have pulled out all the stops to try to get this amendment defeated. I even received a robo phone call from Bill Clinton requesting my support.

There have been marches and demonstrations, along with tear jerker TV ads about people who would suffer so much harm if this passed. One I remember was an unmarried woman in an abusive relationship with a man. Supporting this amendment would cause her even more grief. More ads about the harm it will do when children can't get insurance and everything else supporters could throw at the wall and hope it would stick. Regardless of how deceptive the concept was in relationship to reality.

News media kept reporting on how close the vote would be on this. Lots of coverage of the gay supporters. Especially, when the big names in society and politics expressed their opposition to the amendment.

The people have spoken!

Election Results:
For the amendment - 61%
Against the amendment - 39%

Obama is "disappointed" according to the news this am.

BTW, 21% of the Democrats chose No Preference instead of Obama for president.

I didn't vote, as movie watching is a thing of the past for me. One exception is a couple of them that have been shown at church. The last one was Courageous. And, I'd rather have been in a 2 hour Bible study session.

Even watching TV is becoming a thing of the past, too. Although I've been up several hours, haven't bothered to turn it on to get the local morning news and weather. About the only thing I do watch with interest, these days. Plus, even having it on for "background noise" is going away, as my preference for the solitude of a quiet house is growing. It's easier to hear the quiet voice of the Lord, when He isn't competing with ..............................

Ever hear people say they don't have time for daily devotions because of their hectic schedules? Then, in a later conversation hear them discuss football games, Dancing with the Stars, or the lastest box office hit.

Quote: According to one theory of human thinking, the brain processes information using two systems. The first relies on mental shortcuts by using intuitive responses — a gut instinct, if you will — to quickly arrive at a conclusion. The other employs deliberative analysis, which uses reason to arrive at a conclusion. http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-sci-religion-analytical-thinking-20120427,0,5374010.story

In my humble opinion..... more junk science. Another theory to cast doubt. Another study to get name recognition via media outlets. Another "game" satan is playing for those who take this "stuff" (polite word) seriously.

Whether I can or cannot correctly answer a "trick" math question has no bearing on whether or not the Holy Spirit dwells within me. My views of two sculptures doesn't either. Nor, how small the print may be in a printed document.

Are they suggesting that the Holy Spirit is "gut instinct?

The Temple Mount

If I could share the gospel with anyone, who would it be?

Anyone who is willing to listen.

If you could be a hymn, this mornng, which one would it be? What was it yesterday?

For some reason thoughts of the crusades have come to mind while reading these replies.

History repeating itself.

Wars and rumors of wars ......

Of course I agree we should use discernment as much as possible when giving but I imagine that your mother will still get a reward for giving because her heart was right about it. I mean, in the NT when Jesus praised the widow for giving her two mites, all she had, who was that money most likely going to? Probably to a lot of the same wicked and undeserving priests/scribes that later supported the Crucifixion of Christ... Food for thought...

It is good food for thought....

I have no doubt my Mom will be rewarded because she did without to try to help others. She not only gave to TV preachers, she gave her time and money for her local church ministries, too. And, no doubt, there was probably some undeserving there, too. With 20/20 hindsight, I've seen that happen at our church. Assistance given to others in good faith, only to learn later the rest of the story, as Paul Harvey used to say. The act of giving in good faith is what results in rewards in heaven.

Since I can't know what was in my Mom's heart when she mailed all those checks to TV preachers of the 1970's, I'll switch over to myself for the rest of this post. Back then, and today, I feel that it is wrong to knowingly keep Tammy Faye Baker, for example, supplied with makup (or other equivalent). Especially, when knowing, also, there's a truly needy family down the road who can't pay their electric bill. That was the core of my disagreement with my Mom and how she gave to serve the Lord. Mom said Tammy's makeup didn't matter, as long as Mom knew at least a little of her offering went for God's use.

The Promised Land...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlQ5oFVdEao&feature=related

If Christ comes with the morning sun, what would you have for supper tonight?

We've probably all heard many professing Christians say they would like to read their Bible but they just don't have the time. They have the time to watch their favorite TV programs, to follow their favorite sports teams, to eat their meals, brush their teeth and sleep but they claim to be unable to find even 10 minutes to read some Scripture.

I often think about this in our Sunday school class. It's apparent that most of the people there have NOT even taken the time to, at least glance at it a bit. The reason why it's so apparent is they never disagree with the opinion of the author of the lesson materials. Lifeway uses the Holman Bible, thus there's a disagreement with the KJB scriptures. The current quarterly's author(s) then go off on their tangents with.... possibly this means, it's likely, according to the Greek, it appears, (all the speculation they can muster). It's very rare for anyone else to speak up and challenge the focus/content of the lesson.

And, what's worse, in my humble opinion, for some of these folks who have been in this class for 50 years, it appears that they haven't read the Bible. Period. I'm trying to get the beam out of my own eye for many years of neglect, too. My feeble excuse is that I wasn't in church and Sunday school classes. These folks were. I should be able to look to these folks to teach me. It's lonely in there when no one else says "The Bible doesn't say that!".

Oldtimer, I don't understand, those we've mentioned, that will hold some TV in such high esteem, actually knowing little about him, never seeing what kind of life he lives before men, who will not visit them when they're sick, who probably would not even say hello to them if they met them on the street, never visit them when a loved is sick or has died.
--------------------
I'm not going to risk supporting a charlatan with the money God has trusted me with.

That was a message that I could never get through to my Mother. She'd faithfully send in her $5-$10, because that was all she couldn't actually afford to mail each week. When I tried to get her to look at their fancy clothes, lavish homes, private jets, etc. here's her reply. Something along these lines..... "It doesn't matter. If only a little bit of what I send in goes to do the Lord's work, that's what counts". She never did *see* that her dollars would have been better spent for the Lord by giving locally.

Jerry, we have a church member that does the same thing. Faithfully attends Bible study with a well worn and marked Bible. Yet, she frequently references a certain TV preacher in a way that indicates she clings to his every word. (sigh)

Also the same with our local Baptist bookstore. It seems that whatever is the newest, latest, and most popular is heavily promoted. It seems that almost anything labeled "Christian" that has the potential to make a buck is there. It also seems inclusion of secular themes is growing, too. I stopped by before Easter and the store was filled with "seasonal" merchandise of bunny rabbits and Easter eggs. About the only difference between them and WalMart was their bunny rabbits had a token reference to Christ.

Prayer for you.