Napsterdad

Once again, I’m a simple man and there are just some very simple hurdles I cannot get over to carry me into a Calvinist mindset. Throughout the Bible following God and salvation are given as choices, not a foregone conclusion already settled by God; and I’m not even touching on all the “whosoever” verses that infer choice. Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. From the very beginning Adam and Eve were given a choice. They did not have to eat that fruit. Unfortunately man has been making poor choices ever since. Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:22 And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses. YE have chosen??? Huh. Not God has chosen? That’s odd if it’s all predetermined. 1 Kings 18:21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. Here is a choice between two opinions. Elijah asks them to choose. Psalms 119:30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me. David chose the way of truth. Interesting. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Trust in the Lord, or lean on our own understanding. If we trust in the Lord He will direct our paths. That is a choice we must make. Matthew 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Why did Jesus mention a choice of two gates if it was already predetermined which gate each person would take? Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. IF???? How could Jesus possibly say IF if our salvation status is predetermined. Why would God’s word make so many references to our choosing to follow Him if it is all predetermined? Is God deceiving us? I can’t, and won’t, believe that; so I must believe that we do indeed have a choice. We can choose the straight gate of salvation, or the wide gate of destruction. Sounds pretty simple to me. My oldest son is 33 years old. For a good part of his life (since he was five until he went in the Navy at 17) he had gone to solid Bible believing churches and been fed sound doctrine there and at home. Early on he professed to be saved, but it was not true. It wasn’t long into his Navy life that he came home and told us what we already surmised: he was not saved. Since that time, he went to college and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in chemistry. Obviously, being in the sciences, he was inundated with all the evolutionary arguments and led away from any possibility of a creation account. That along with his philosophy courses and a period of time when he deliberately read nothing but books that spoke against there being a god (Dawkins, Nietzsche, and others), has made him someone who on the surface seems an Atheist. But is he, or is he just kicking against the pricks? For one, he knows the Bible better than many Christians I know. He also knows the Quran quite well and has these two, along with other spiritual books, prominent on his reference shelf at home (right among his science books). He has a strong Christian ethic and behaviors. I often refer to him as the best unsaved Christian you could ever meet. Train up a child in the way he should go… His ex-wife went off the deep end and left him 1 ½ years ago and for a short period of time he went to his counselor's 7th Day Adventist church hoping to find peace and comfort. He could not continue with that because he knows the Bible too well and couldn’t buy what they were selling. He has rejected offers to come to our church. My personal belief is because he knows he’ll be brought closer to God than he is ready for. I say all this first in the hopes that many here will pray for my son, Jacob. That he will choose Christ and get saved. Secondly, to show that God has been calling my son and he has been rejecting that call. Jacob is obviously searching to fill a spiritual hole within himself, but has been choosing to spiritually go the way of the world. I do not believe he is predestined for hell or for heaven. I believe God is calling him. The CHOICE is his. Please pray with me that he makes the right choice before it is too late.

If Biden ever even references a Bible it is probably Das Kapital.

The arguments given here against Calvinism are profound, and scripturally true. But I am a simple man and to me it all boils down to a very simple argument and verse. If Calvinism is true, then God deliberately creates THIS person for Heaven and then He deliberately creates THAT person for hell. 1 John 4:8 tells us that God is love. I'm sure that person that the Calvinistic god deliberately created for hell sure sees the Calvinistic god as love. I just cannot cross over that very simple hurdle. And no Calvinistic argument can change my mind. God is love. And He wants to share that love with whosever will. My loving God has NEVER created anyone for hell. If that is where you end up it was entirely your choice.

We’re hoping to but we have a heavy load this year and it may not be doable. One of these years I HAVE to make it. Preferably before my son graduates from there in two years.

Just returned from the New Manna Youth Rally '24. What a blessing. Ridgecrest was packed out and the worship and preaching did not disappoint. SO powerful. Kenny Baldwin on Friday night, Tony Shirley on Saturday morning and Brother "Chaalie" Clark on Saturday night and Sunday morning. You can find all the meetings on YouTube if interested. NMBCMedia - YouTube. If you have a youth group and would like to see them spiritually moved this is the place. They say it is for the youth, but all ages are blessed. It's like a Summit light for those familiar with that (my wife's words). Can't wait for next year.

Didn't say you were. I said "anyone". That's a global reference.

To be fair, my last two pastors are also the administrators of their schools. Since the school is considered a part of the ministry I lumped that into their pastoral duties. In my mind 1 Timothy 5:17-18 is a good guide to go by: Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. Elders that rule well are certainly worthy of double honour. I could not do that job, and anyone that would criticize should walk a mile in their shoes before casting aspersions.

Every Pastor of churches I have been a member put in far more than 40 hours a week. Most pastor's I've known you usually had to make an appointment weeks in advance to get an opportunity just to have them over for dinner. Had these pastors gotten paid an honest hourly wage for all the hours they actually put in a week the church probably couldn't have sustained them.

You know it!

It's nationwide. I am still suffering with a lingering bronchitis that I have had since first getting sick in mid-November. Another cold in mid-December, followed by another in early January and here I am, still coughing up a lung. My wife does Pre-K4 at our churches school and she can't keep a full class. Serious stuff for the little crumb-crunchers too. Covid, Strep, Pneumonia. They're getting it all. It just keeps recycling. Every time my wife or I go to the store for cold meds there is always someone else there grumbling that they or a loved on just can't break it. The school just had the week off, due to a lingering 6" of snow and some icing, so hopefully the isolation will have helped to put an end to the infections. On the lighter side, being from Buffalo, NY I still get a kick out of how paralyzed they get here with a little snow. We went to Walmart the day after the "storm" hit and it was empty. I'm glad it was open at all. It was the most enjoyable Walmart experience I ever had. The roads were nearly deserted, and they were really pretty clear of ice.

A church I went to in New York would take the Sunday School hour to let loved ones come up and relate what made their parent/spouse special to them. I always enjoyed that. I can never say enough good things about my wife; and to have a captive audience... It was nice to hear others extol the virtues of their loved ones as well. Sometimes your eyes get opened to unseen aspects of a person's character and what they are, or have been, going through; and the strength and compassion they truly possess. At my church here this past year they did Moms and muffins, and Dads and doughnuts. The lobby was filled with a wide assortment of each on the relevant day for all to share and fellowship around. (you know...Baptists and food).

Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

We had lasagna on New Year's Day too. I love my wife's lasagna. Leftovers were all gone yesterday . My birthday is coming up. Maybe I'll ask her to make some more for that.

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas to all, wherever you are. Praying you all have a blessed day. Spanish – ¡Feliz Navidad! French – Joyeux Noël! German – Frohe Weihnachten! Italian – Buon Natale! Portuguese – Feliz Natal! Romanian – Crăciun Fericit! Russian – Счастливого Рождества! (Schastlivogo Rozhdestva!) Swedish – God Jul! Norwegian – God Jul! Danish – Glædelig Jul! Finnish – Hyvää Joulua! Icelandic – Gleðileg Jól! Polish – Wesołych Świąt! Dutch – Vrolijk Kerstfeest! Croatian – Sretan Božić! Czech – Veselé Vánoce! Japanese – メリークリスマス！ (Merīkurisumasu!) Chinese – 圣诞节快乐! (Shèngdàn jié kuàilè!) Korean – 메리 크리스마스! (Meli Keuliseumaseu!) Latin – Felicem Natalem Christi! Irish – Nollaig Shona!

AMEN! Too bad all salvations and baptisms weren't listed in the news.

Good to hear from you again. Have a blessed Christmas and New Year.

It's not just Colorado. Even in NY, where the democrats have a lock in federal elections, they are now at war on the state level. N.Y. Court of Appeals sides with Democrats, orders redrawing of congressional maps - CBS New York (cbsnews.com)

In this we see the foundational difference between the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) and most evangelical churches (most notably IFBs). Evangelicals typically (although many are starting to fall away) hold to the truth that the scriptures, as we have them in the Bible are the sole authority for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. (Granted, many denominations open the door to corruption by using the phrase "in the original manuscripts", but I am speaking generally). Verses like the following are meaningless to the RCC: Deuteronomy 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. Revelation 22:18-19 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. The RCC believes that the Scriptures along with the tradition of the Church are dual authorities over doctrine and practice. What an open door for corruption! For proof just compare the KJV 10 commandments (Exodus 20) to the 10 commandments in the Roman Catholic Catechism. See if you can find anything that resembles Exodus 20:4-6 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. The RCC removed this 2nd commandment and split the 10th into two: Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife & Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods. Of course, y'all probably already know all the above, but if the RCC is willing to corrupt this most foundational commandment, written in stone by the Lord's own finger, can it really surprise anyone that they will open the door for ANY kind of corruption? When I see articles like that in the OP I typically just shrug my shoulders, say "that's no surprise", and then perhaps wonder what they'll cede to the devil next.

Although it is very rare that I need to use my phone for Bible reading I have downloaded a few for those occasions where I need my Bible but am not in a place where I have it on hand. Of those I have downloaded I favor the Blue Letter Bible as it is very easy to use and has a concordance, which is about the only add-on I need when on the fly.

I don't care.

I just couldn't pass this by any longer. 1st, as mentioned above, raffles are gambling. Last I checked that was only okay for Catholics. Then there's the quote: "The church said the flamethrower is a "powerful tool" that can be used for "self-defense, hunting, and other purposes." Really? Self-defense? The only place this would be practical would be in your home and the resultant property damage would pretty much take away the practicality. Hunting? Hunting what? That comment was just plain stupid; which is what this raffle is. A church is supposed to be a place that reaches out to the community with the Gospel and feeds those with an ear to hear. Firearms and flamethrowers just don't resonate as an adjunct to Jesus Christ. Given the current spiritual and political environment there are many that just salivate at stories like this to discredit Christianity. Stupidity like this does nothing but hinder the Gospel from being received. Just a few more doors slammed in the face of a door-knocker. Sad.

I work in military communications and have instructed armed forces around the globe how to operate and maintain our radios to the component. Radios far mor complex than any smart phone. I never said I could not figure out how to use an iPhone. What I did say is that, compared with Samsung, Apple makes "everything a bit more complicated, more invasive, and more expensive". I don't find any of those three attributes positive reasons for me to want to stay with an Apple. TGL, you need to work on your reading comprehension. At least three times in as many weeks I have had to point out obvious errors in your understanding of my words. Perhaps there is a YouTube video for that.

Because we all know that if Google says it, it has to be true. The Gospel of Google. My cell phone is purchased and maintained by my company. They started me with a Samsung J3 back around 2016/7 and I loved it. I got upgraded to a S9 a few years later and loved that even more. Then a couple years ago they transitioned us to an Apple XR I would rather go back to my J3 then be stuck another day with this. I don't use my phone for much if I can help it, but when I do ease of use is paramount. To me it seems that Apple just makes everything a bit more complicated, more invasive, and more expensive. If my company does not go back to allowing Android phones before I retire one of the first things I'll do upon retirement will be to get a Samsung. Google that!

Being in Athens, TN our church has a number of young adults that go to Crown and our pastor was a friend of Pastor Sexton. We have been closely watching and praying over his condition from the beginning. While not unexpected, it still brought a great amount of sadness within our church. But this is where the blessing of our hope comes in. Pastor Sexton is suffering no more and this year he gets to spend Christmas in the physical presence of Jesus Christ Himself. There is a great deal of comfort to be taken from that thought.