BrotherTony

Tonight I made a meatloaf, green beans, and black-eyed peas! We have this at least twice a month. We've got neopolitan ice cream for dessert. Tomorrow I'm planning on making taco potatoes.

I'm a layman/licensed preacher. When I was pastoring, if I didn't know the answer I always would tell the person to give me a few days to researcht the subject and what the Bible says. They were almost always willing to do so with very few exceptions. When they wouldn't wait, we'd study the subject together for a few hours. This seemed to work out quite well for me, and for them as well. Over the years, though, I have tried to study as much as I could on subjects that most pastors have mentioned that they've been confronted with. I would NEVER try to tell a congregant that I knew it all. It would be dishonest, and if they wanted an immediate response, they'd possibly, if I didn't know anything or very little on the subject matter, be getting an incorrect response.

Most? I haven't seen this, or known this to be the case. Blanket statements like this aren't productive OR honest!

Care to be more specific??

Though I've stated here that I used to be KJVO growing up, and now am KJV preferred, I don't limit what version God can use in making his disciples, and in bringing people to the saving knowledge of himself. To say that "this version is wrong/not a Bible" is, in my opinion, tantamount to saying that the Holy Spirit is making a mistake in having people come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ through its use. I'm not saying these other translations are the best, but I am saying I, personally, am not going to be the one to tell a preacher which way he believes the Holy Spirit has led him in which translation to use. Others here are free to do so if they wish...that's between them and the Lord.

You were lucky. In Illinois, at least in the town where I was raised, the public library was issuing playboy and other magazines, even to those under the age of 18. Most jr. high schools in our town were introducing the philosophy to their students of "trying sex with different people, male and female" to help find their sexual identity. It wasn't EVERY teacher, but, there were many who were pushing this tripe, especially those from California and New York who came to our area.

Tonight we are finishing up a roast that Vivian made on Sunday afternoon. We would have eaten it yesterday, but we were at the doctors office until nearly 3 PM. Then we had to grocery shop. The doctor told me that they hadn't ruled out TIA's, but that they will know more within the next 30-60 days. They want MRI's on my neck since I was supposed to have some of the vertebra fused together back in 2015, but wasn't able to because of Vivian's near fatal accident. The doctor also placed me on Lipitor as a precaution since it's so hard to accuratelyl diagnose a TIA, and my cholesterol was within a point or two of "crossing over" into the bad area.

True....and so has pedophilia. I don't understand why many in Christian circles are afraid to address this subject. I know of many cases over the past twenty years that still haven't been addressed publically by the churches, though the acts were publicly tried in court. It's frightening to see ANY of these sexual inroads into the church.

Many things bring down family values, not just the LGBTQ community and their lifestyles. I was raised in a home where my father regularly cheated on my mother. I have many siblings that we have an inkling about, and some we have proof of being my fathers. There were several other men in our church who also lives similar lifestyles whose families had to endure being "outcasts" to some degree, and who had to suffer the consequences of their parent's actions. Let's not try to make sexual sin the king of all sexual sins. If there WERE one to be listed as the worse, I believe it would be pedophilia as it attacks children and ruins many iives before they've begun.

These people have been corrupting children in the public schools for a long time now. I know that in the public schools in Illinois in the 1970s, we were consistantly bombarded with sex in our classrooms by the incoming teachers from the colleges. In our study hall while we were listening to records while studying, the monitor/teacher was telling us how wonderful it was to be "sexually free" and able to have relations with anyone...male or female. This was so prevalent that my parents took me out of my last year of Jr. High and put me into a Christian school.

I have three cousins that are involved in the LGBTQ community, actively participating in their lifestyles. One cousin is married to another woman. I had one cousin die of AIDS in California back in the 1980s. His boyfriend died shortly afterward. I know that at least one was brought up in a Christian home and has rejected Christianity. The others were raised in very permissive, socially motivated situations. They all know where my wife and I stand on the issue, and know what the Bible says, but they still reject what it says. We can only plant the seed. Do I associate with these cousins on a regular basis? No. Do I reject seeing them altogether? No. If my wife and I dont' continue to present/represent Christ, who will?

We don't have to accept gay marriages as Christians. They're against the Scriptures which is our final authority in faith and practice. We DO, however, have to accept people, and the fact that they are sinful in nature. We should love everyone as Christ would have, but that doesn't mean accepting their lifestyles if they violate that final authority. Any "Christian" that accepts and condones sinful lifestyles that violate the Biblical standards needs to be searching to find out if their salvation is real.

We dropped our cable after it had gone from $64.00 to $129 in just 3 years. We went to internet television, and we've not paid for television since. We use the internet for our telephone calls on our cell phone when we're hom (wifi) and our television. We've saved quite a bit of money doing this. The Bible tells us that during the last days, there will be a huge increase in knowledge...and this has proven to be so. Why did he let man get so advanced? To fulfill his plan, just as he allows everything else to happen.

May I ask for the application of this to this particular conversation? Maybe I've overlooked something.

For us this evening, it will be a Mexican casserole. Vivian said this morning that she has been wanting me to make another one. It wasn't too awfully long ago that we had one, but I always enjoy making and eating them. Must be in my blood. ? When I make one it usually last for several nights and helps to stretch the food budget. That's always a big plus. If we were able to be in church on Wednesdays I would be making per chance, hamburgers, fries, sliced tomato, and possibly cole slaw! As it is, Vivian doesn't get off until nearly 5 PM now that they've changed her hours again, and she drives 1 1/2 hours home from the Northern part of the state to Southern Middle Tennessee. So, she won't be home until after 6:30. Church starts at 6. I dont' drive much, but, the pastor is here mowing my lawn this afternoon since it's not raining and the yard is dry. I'm thankful for all the church does for us, and am praying that I can do more for them this summer as far as helping kids go to Bible school, camp, etc.

I agree. I have never believed in apostolic succession, and believe that apostleship ended with the appointed apostles. Many use the scripture on spiritual gifts (he gave some apostles) as a continuation of these gifts, along with the gift of prophecy, etc. I've never understood how they could overlook the scriptures that state "when that which is perfect has come"....it is hard for people of the apostolic faith to answer that particular scripture without twisting it. Even many of the non-denom churches that believe in apostolic succession can't answer many of the questions brought before them about this and other gifts that are allegedly being used today.

I know of very few churches where the preaching MUST END ON TIME! @E Morales, you do seem to be speaking for all churches, Baptist or not. I truly believe it shows a frustration on your part...or at least the way you present these kinds of posts does. Again, if you're truly not frustrated or disgruntled, maybe you should try a different approach in your presentation of subject matter. Just a suggestion. I think it would be much more beneficial to you, and to us as well.

I've never seen anyone do this. I'm not saying it's not possible, as we still are all sinners, just washed in the blood. But, I do know that the Holy Spirit will not let a person live for extended periods of time in sin. He can't. If the Holy Spirit dwells within a person, and they turn to sin, they are grieving the Holy Spirit of God who lives in them, seals their salvation, and who convicts them of sin, righteousness and judgement. (Eph 4:30, John 16:8) If these alleged "Christians" can live in sin without any chastisement from the Lord, then it's pretty obvious that they are not any of his in the first place. (Hebrews 12:5,6; Proverbs 3:11)

I wouldn't do a ceremony for cohabitating couples without first knowing whether or not they are saved, would agree to discontinue their cohabitation and submit to premarital counseling. To be honest, I HAVE attended the ceremonies of several friends who were in "common law" marriages but who wanted to make it sanctioned by the church/God (their terminology). Many of these didn't last more than a year. I still might consider going to the ceremony for people I know who are wanting to take some responsibility in their lives whether they are saved or not. It's always in inroad to witnessing to them.

Morales, many of your "observations" lately are so far off the mark it's crazy. No TRUE Christian can live the gay lifestyle...FACT. The Holy Spirit would be convicting them of this, and God would be chastising them. I don't know where you get your theology, but I know it's pretty messed up if you truly believe what you wrote. I have a cousin who is a lesbian, and she claims to be a Christian. She shows NO SIGN of being saved...has nothing to do with the Bible, church, or God. I could live in a garage and call myself a car, but this wouldn't make me a car. People can call themselves whatever they like, but, as stated, it doesn't necessarily make it so.

I have been watching a thread in another venue, and the subject of apostleship has come up. The people in this group are 99% Baptists, some IFB, some SBC, and some Free Will Baptists....The are also people from other churches invovled in this group. This subject has come up many times, and I find that there are some who believe that the Apostleship that was afforded those whom Jesus had called during his ministry, and the Saul, who became the Apostle Paul aren't the only apostles. Does the Bible teach that apostleship ended with these men, or is there apostolic succession taught? Are there apostles today. Can you back up your view with Scripture, please. I know what I was taught in two Bible colleges and in Christian school during my Jr. High and high school years. Interested in hearing others ideology on this in these forums. Thanks in advance. BT

I don't know of many pastors who feel like it's "clocking in and clocking out." I truly don't understand your negativity concerning the Baptists. You want really structured services? Go visit a Presbyterian church....one full of wealthy congregants. That will give you an idea of "structured." Why take the offering at all? Why not just have the congregants make their contributions through an internet program, or have a box in the foyer like so many churches are doing since the pandemic began? These are very minor things you're trying to "complain" about...and yes, to some of us it does seem like you're complaining. Is there a reason for it?

Tonight we'll be having a nice pork shank, potato salad, green beans, and neopolitan ice cream for dessert! This is our usual tradition on Resurrection Day! ?

I always love this time of year....a time to reflect on what the Lord Jesus Christ did for us, and how our salvation was provided by his death, burial, and ressurection! I pray you all take time to reflect on his love for us, and for all the he provides for us in this life, and has provided for us in the next.

Tonight I'm making a Mexican casserole! We have this several times a month, and it seems like a good time to have it now since the temperatures have started falling again and it will be cool for several days. This casserole will last at least two days. I love making it, and we love eating it. Go figure...with a hispanic background, I guess I SHOULD love it! ?