BrotherTony

From what we find in Scripture, God only hardens hearts when individuals have hardened them first. Such was the case for Pharaoh for example.

It won't be so much hardening their hearts as it will be blinding their eyes because they had already rejected the truth.

Tonight we had a concoction that we used to eat when we had our two foster sons Timmy and Kyle. Vivian had a pack of Ramen noodles, one pound of hamburger, one onion, Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce. We also had a can of green peas. We let the boys have an adventure and help decide what to do with it all. After all was cooked and combined with the boys directing the whole way through, we came up with something they loved and we loved as well, and something we ate quite often while they lived with us. We felt a bit nostalgic tonight and Vivian made this delightful dinner, along with a wonderful yeast roll. There's enough left for tomorrow night as well! YUM!!!

I couldn't Brother. Baptists are closer to the Bible than any denomination I've been in. You're correct that these things also happen in other groups, but I can only relay my own experiences. I know many good people who were associated with the aforementioned men. God raises good people up from all these groups. Thank the good Lord for that.

"Independent" Baptist churches, which they all are in polity, being autonomous , are great. But, to be what the moderators and administrators here consider *true* Independent (big "I," little you) Baptist churches, which I was raised in growing up, there was an atmosphere of man-made rules considered to be as important as the Bible, an abusive approach to everything and everyone who asked them to back their personal views with the Bible, and an inability to realize that they aren't as*Independent*as they believe they are, especially in light of the facts that they have to refer others to churches who are of like faith and practice, and who associate with one another in church camps, evangelistic services, and many other things. The only thing that separates them from Baptist churches who are in an association or "convention" is the fact that they separate their missionaries independently instead of by combined resources. That being said, many of the churches inside these groups still independently support missionaries apart from their respective groups. The abuse my family encountered, and that others encountered in groups that worshipped people like Jack Hyles, John R Rice, Curtis Hutson and the like, was abhorrent and detrimental to our spiritual, emotional, and physical well being. I still believe in Baptist values, attend and teach/preach in the Baptist churches, and will most likely always do so.

Thank you for the link. I'll have to do some more research on the Fair Tax. What I read a few years back on it wasn't as clear as what you've stated.

To some degree I can see your point. I myself am on SS Disability, and it's not one fifth of what I would be making were I able to work. My dad and mom both worked and owned their own business... they paid taxes for years, but when dad was diagnosed with colon cancer and could no longer work and had to apply for disability he was denied and has to fight for it finally receiving a paltry amount too live on just a few months before he passed away. I myself ended up losing my house, cars and side business when I became disabled. What I had paid into the system for 20+ years got me very little. Now as far as taxes go, I am not sure that the kind of tax you're proposing would work. There would be, as you yourself have said, would be many kinks to work out. In today's economy and with the IRS having been weaponized by Mr. Biden, anyone making less than $100k could hardly survive if they had a family. I know his economic policies have eaten through our emergency fund, savings, retirement accounts, and my wife's settlement from an auto accident several years ago. Our checking account has been within just a couple of dollars of being overdrawn several times this year, something we haven't had to worry about in over 23 years. In some respects I can see how a flat tax could possibly benefit us and many of our friends.

Believing and proving are two separate things. I'm going to be blunt here; if this isn't happening in the church you are a member of, it's really none of your concern, and you're sticking your nose into something that's not your concern. This is called rabble rousing. Some of us really hope that you'll get the picture and start posting some legitimate concerns as well as some POSITIVE posts about things. I truly think that you can do this. If you need help in doing so I'm always willing to help you in any way I can. I truly believe you have a good heart and care about a lot of things.

This was a great debate when I was going to high school, and has been raised again time and time again since. Would the citizens of the United States benefit from the dissolution of the IRS and the implementation of a National Flat Tax instead of the current graduated tax system and thousands of IRS agents? Would it be fair to everyone, or would it just be another benefit for the wealthiest one percent? Our neighbors to the North have a National Flat Tax, or something similar? Do you believe it has benefited them? Please give your reasons for the position you hold. Thanks.

I have never heard of this being done. If it is being done, it has to be with the "employees" blessing. What exactly are you referring to when you call these people employees? Pastoral staff? Secretary? Janitorial staff? Again, this seems like it's something you have little or nothing to do with unless YOU are employed by such an institution.

Hillary didn't do well at all, especially in light of the facts that she wasn't in the debate and that she's not a Republican. LOL

Yes, there are plenty of scammers in this world. I was approached 3 times just this week with scams like this including one that was allegedly a Sr pastor and evangelist out of Ohio. All these were looking for info on my Cash app or debit card accounts. I had to make several preachers aware of these scams and even posted a notice with a copy of one of the contacts messages to me on Facebook. Very sad indeed.

It seems like when it rains, it pours...we had sad news this past weekend. Our niece in Pittsburgh received a visit from the Pittsburgh Police department on Sunday morning. Her ex was killed in a motorcycle accident, and another man was severely injured. Our ex nephew in law died at the scene. There was no alcohol involved on his part, and toxicology hasn't been released yet on the other man. My niece has remarried and their daughter uses the new husbands last name... she's only 10...but, she's taking her father's death exceptionally hard. He was not saved. So, it's doubly sad all around. My niece and her family are not saved either. We've been praying that this, combined with the loss of her parents a month apart last year will open their hearts to the gospel. Please keep them in your prayers.

Nope. We don't have local or national news available. We stopped watching two or three years ago to protect our health. It was far too irritating for both of us at the time.

Most churches, even the small ones have a treasurer who handles the money. I've never been a member of a church where the secretary handles it. I'm not saying there aren't any, but I find it unlikely in the majority of cases.

And if the congregation is blindly following.

The will to live is engrained in every human being. Even with the promise of a heavenly home people are still going to have that nature. There's nothing wrong with that... but, as Christians we should remember Paul's words when he said, For me to live is Christ, but to die is gain.

There's nothing to prevent her from being the church secretary. I've been a member of three churches where this was the case. Some churches are so small that this is bound to happen. You state you believe it leaves a window for a pastor to do whatever he wishes. Care to give an example of that happening? I have never seen it happen, and it's quite unlikely to happen because the congregation has input on things that go on in the church. It could possibly be a conflict of interest in some cases, but that would rarely be the norm.

When most are referring to "easy believism," they are referring to the 1 2 3, pray after me prayer that so many people use for the purpose of creating numerical increase in their churches. So many hurry to the prayer with no signs of belief from the participants. Jesus then, for all intents and purposes nothing more than a fire escape. Nobody's saying it shouldn't be easy to accept Christ, but noone should be allowed to say a prayer when there's no signs of repentance and realization that they're a sinner.

Are you calling them good in respect to their manner of delivery, or in what they say? If they're "good" they would be delivering the whole counseling of God, and that includes Hell. I've never heard any of the good preachers I've listened to shrink back from the subject. I'm thankful for all those here who are truly saved and are sharing the Word with others, warning them of hell.

Pastors are to instruct and guide those under his care in spiritual matters. He can give his opinion regarding physical things, but, when he goes as far as to twist scripture to fit his own ideology, and tries to force his opinion down his congregants throats, he's overstepped his authority. I have little respect or regard for such preachers.

Just because it was seen on Facebook doesn't make it fake news. A person needs to check it out before JUMPING to that conclusion. Crazy or not doesn't make it fake.

I've noticed people in court rooms and outside being both. It just depends on the people and the setting. It's only to be expected that in a recreational or game type setting that people would be louder than when in a funeral home or a library.

Sorry, TGL, but God can hear above the noise. Your continued use of hypotheticals and opinion on things like this aren't really helpful.

There's nothing wrong with people talking in church, loudly or not. Some people's voices are naturally loud. Being overly quiet may seem reverent but it might seem creepy to anyone visiting.