BrotherTony

I take it to mean that the world will distort what we are. Makes clear and perfect sense to me.

I don't necessarily agree with your point of view, and I've made this clear. It's sort of disengenuous for you to imply I do. I believe that, even though the terminology you want isn't specifically mentioned in the way you want, it is clearly implied. Implication is just as good as the "right words."

If you read the Bible and study where the churches first met, it was in the homes of the believers. They would meet in the homes to study, preach, teach, break bread, to take the Lords Supper, and anything else that would benefit their members. Let's not be blind to what really went on. It was to uplift and undergird the lives of it's members in the Lord. There's nothing whatsoever that should stop this in secular ventures as well. And to be frank, many of these practices have been going on for many years. I am in my 60s, and the "karate" and other martial arts were in the churches at that time. So were carnivals, and trunk or treats/fall festivals. I think many are making "much-ado-about-nothing" where many of these things are involved. Trying to shame, overrun, or force anyone to accept someone else's convictions is abhorrant. Let the Holy Spirit be the one to convict. It isn't beneficial if it's our belief coming out of someone else's mouth and heart.

Many businesses, and even some churches within various denominations are starting to use these pronouns as not to offend those with weak minds and seared consciences. Yet we know that our Lord and savior Jesus Christ has the power to break these chains and change these people's lives. Troubled times or not (remember, the Apostles lived during a "troubled" time under the rule of Rome) God is still on his throne.

Please prove that allegation or retract it.

They look interesting. I'll have to watch them over the weekend when I have a bit of time to do so.

I know in the church where I grew up, we had several martial arts people come to our church. Also when I was in college there were several IFB people who were black belts in the martial arts and they were separated and living for the Lord. That's why I say, I'm finding that many like to throw out the baby with the bathwater, make "blanket" statements. If that's what people want to do, it's their opinion and they're definitely entitled to it.

And yet, some throw out the baby with the bathwater. There are many things in this world that can help people in ways we can't comprehend. Karate can be taught/learned without learning about Hinduism or Zen. I've seen it successfully done in many churches, Christian schools, and even secular workplaces.

Thanks for posting the links. On "Way of Life," I don't usually frequent Clouds site, as my interactions with him in the past have been not only abrasive, but his blatant dishonesty in his "research" at times, as well as his inability to admit when he's made a mistake, is more than I care to deal with. I'm not saying that a lot of his material isn't good, because it is, but when a persons accusations against another are wrong, he should admit it and apologize. With that said, I will look at his input on this. I fully believe it's possible that LBC/WCBC could have slipped in their standards. Many churches are these days. I usually get most of my input on music from a former college classmate, Kent Brandenburg. His mother used to be my boss when I worked in the kitchen at Maranatha Baptist Bible College in Watertown, Wisconsin. I've found him to be not only honest and reliable, but a very humble servant of God. https://kentbrandenburg.com/

There is a huge difference between showing reverence to a teacher and worshipping someone. You're promoting a false narrative here, and I find that reprehensible.

Rando, Abraham tithed to Melchizedek, and it wasn't just the "agriculatural" that went. The principle is clear, even if it's not spelled out 100% before the law given to/by Moses. Giving above and beyond, including from ones own financial gain, has been taught throughout Scripture. You're always welcome to your opinion, my friend, but on this I tend to disagree with your assessment.

Seems to me that once again you're focusing on negative things, Morales. Would LOVE to see you post something positive for a change. As I stated, there may indeed be some petty, childish adults in church who would say something like you posted. It would just go to show that they're more concerned with their own comfort than reaching others.

I've only been in two churches that had members like this.

Could you clarify what exactly you're looking for? Christ did say that it was hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven because many hold their wealth in higher regard than Christ. Yet, it's not a given that all who are wealthy put their wealth first. I know many, as I stated before, who don't hold their wealth before Christ...most I know are giving far more than others, and are being blessed.

There may be some who do as you suggest...but I believe a majority if those who are truly followers of Christ tithe as the Bible says. It's a Biblical principle that has always been blessed in my family, and I will continue to do it. I know most of the wealthy people I know, and I know many, tithe, and give above and beyond that. The ones I know who don't tithe are unsaved and live in the worldly ways they love so much.

I can only go by what I've known of Chappell in the past...back in the 1980s and 90s. I know nothing of the church there allowing the infiltration of CCM, or of his sons alleged "rock-n-roll lifestyle." Guess I'll have to check out his sermons online and do some research. If all you say is so, then the people I know who attend there, or have attended there within the last 15-20 years seems to be lying.

Yes, the Mormon influence is clear, and was even admitted in the program that Kirk Cameron has. It's truly a shame that he is linking up the Mormon's here, calling them "Brothers." Their religion IS NOT and NEVER WILL BE Christian.

Most of the "mega-churches" that I know of from my time growing up in Illinois, have declined greatly oer the last 50 years. Faith Baptist, the church I grew up in only had about 400 people going there when my family joined. Five years later in 1976,t he church was averaging over 1,500 in the Sunday morning services. by 1978, that was hitting 2200. Another church in the area, Averyville Baptist was running around the same. If you were to visit either one of these churches today you'd find there re only 200-300 people, if that! And yes, you're correct, most IFB churches would feel the need for more IFB churches to be around instead of continuing on as a mega-church.

Sp;anking can be done without anger. I've seen it done many times. I've also seen, as I spoke of in my earlier post, how anger can affect how discipline is viewed by not only the world, but, Christians as well. Too many Christians today are using the "spare the rod spoil the child" mentality to justify their beating of their children. There's a huge difference between discipline and child abuse (beating a child in anger). To be frank, TGL, the Gospel (kingdom building) IS our mission. The presentation of the gospel should reflect in all areas of our life.

Though spanking is entirely appropriate in spite of what today's societal norm has become calling it "child abuse," there are other appropriate methods of discipline that work. I know that in my family, spanking was used on a regular basis for infractions of the rules. Yet, spanking didn't work on me. It only made me more rebellious, as it did with at least two of my other siblings. One sister, all it took was a certain look and she would fall in line. For my youngest brother, it was the threat of losing privileges, belongings, etc., that worked. For me, it usually was just a simple talk, reasoning together. I've heard many preachers bring the subject of spanking up in their sermons. One reason the "world" calls spanking "child abuse" is because many parents do it in a moment of anger, and the tool designed to be used scripturally becomes a mode of abuse. It's appropriate when the parent can spank without being abusive. I know growing up when my father would spank us kids, he would do so in anger. I often had serious welts across my face, arms, back, and legs to the point of the administrator of our Christian school noticing and wanting to contact DCHS in our state. I convinced him not to do so, as it would only aggravate the situation in our home. My mother often acted out in anger as well, but, not to the degree that my father did. As they both grew older, and we kids grew older, the frequency of these episodes declined, and both parents learned through experience that spanking isn't to be used in an abusive way, or at all if something else worked better.

Jacob and Naomi Beres. Sad to say, but they're separated now. Jacob moved back to Indiana leaving his son and wife in Illinois with my best friends. We're praying for a reconciliation. Jacob is having doubts about things, both spiritual and material.

Heather Sorenson is a very accomplished composer and musician. He father, Dr. David Sorenson, was my youth pastor and the Associate pastor of the church I grew up in in Illinois. I've been listening to a lot of Heather's music lately interspersed with my classical music regimine. What a blessing to hear such great, Christian music and have it available. I hope you enjoy this worship song as much as I have today.

Brother Chappell is a good man, and a strong preacher and defender of the Gospel! My best friends daughter and husband both attended Fairhaven.

I heartily concur!