Napsterdad

Happy New Year all! Starting this year off the best way one can: in church for Sunday School and services. No major plans for the year. I made a New Year's resolution back in my early 20's to never make any more New Years' resolutions and I have been able to keep that resolution for about 40 years. Don't plan on messing up the streak now. ?

Same here. That church had the American and the Baptist Flag both on the podium to either side. I don't recall anyone ever giving them (either one) even a thought.

Can't say I understand the thread's title "Liberal's Bane" either.

Belated Merry Christmas to all. Hope you all have a blessed 2023!

You have to be careful when dealing with JWs. They have an intensive training program specifically intended to make their members recruiters. JWs take this training very seriously because they believe it is their ticket to salvation. If you are not equally prepared in your understanding of the Bible they will most likely catch you off guard and easily confused as they expound their doctrine using the same terms and phrases we use as Christians. Always Be Ready Ministries has a decent site on how to answer JWs (this is not an endorsement). But know that one website will not fully prepare you to take on a competent JW. They do take their training seriously. If you are not equally prepared you will quickly become confused with their corrupted use of Christian terms and phrases, which will likely make you nothing but frustrated, and potentially angry, with them. I know; it has happened to me (sadly I have a low boiling point). Not a good testimony. In the US it is against Federal law to put anything in a mailbox on which no postage has been paid. I also don't know if it is the best of testimonies to pull their material and replace it with yours (there are always eyes watching). Perhaps a better strategy would be to just add your literature with theirs and let the recipient judge on their own between the truth and the tripe. This could also be a useful conversation starter on a return visit.

This is a troubling article. The word of mouth I have heard of West Coast was always favorable. Even what my son has heard at Vision has held West Coast in high regard. Very sad.

I wasn't referring to your reaction. TGL gave his own post a "LOL" reaction. THAT is sad.

Reacting to your own post?!

Happy Veteran's Day to all that served and also to those with loved ones who have served. This veteran is grateful for all of you. May God grant you all fair winds and following seas!

I don't care what the Republican Party accepts or doesn't accept. I am not a Republican. Tony has it right when he said, "Republicans and the Democrats are one party...two sides of the same dirty coin". I am independent. I vote for the candidate who holds to or has performed closest to the Bible. If that candidate is not a part of the 2-party system, that doesn't bother me; neither am I. No candidate will ever meet all criteria, but you have to vote for someone, or as I said earlier, you're part of the problem. As to this question, I have been to many countries through my military and civilian careers and, of those, America is still the best.

For me this is not a tough question. I always vote. I always vote for the candidate whose stand on the issues is closest to representing the Biblical perspective. Since I've been a Christian (1981) that has never been a democrat. I do not always necessarily vote the two-party line. In 2008 I voted for Chuck Baldwin because I could not stomach John McCain (RINO) and Obama was definitely out. This was a write-in vote because New York refused to put Mr. Baldwin on the ballot. Quite a few people told me I just threw my vote away, but my conscience is clear. If you do not vote, then do not complain about the results as you are part of the problem IMHO.

I have never been a Trump fan. To me he has always been the the lesser of two evils on the ballot. I wish he would just go away, but doubt his ego will let him do so. He will do nothing but reduce those who would otherwise vote Right.

"The first apostles"? Were there more apostles than those identified in the Bible? I believe the days of the apostles are over (for over 1900 years); therefore, no one is an apostle today. Was Matthew 28:19-20, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen, written only to the apostles? Or perhaps only to the apostles and those "readers that are in high places. Hopefully they’ll have convictions and take actions"? Do you have no convictions? It seems apparent that you at least have convictions enough to point out what is wrong with other Christians. Don't you have convictions enough to help them see, and hopefully correct, their errant behavior? Remember that when your one finger is pointing out error in others, the other three fingers are pointing back at you. You may not have a large sphere of influence, but God's sphere is boundless. Edward Kimball ("just one man") shook the world for Christ when he went to buy a pair of shoes (see D.L. Moody).

TGL, you seem very good at pointing out the negative aspects of Christian individuals, groups and associations, and even seem rather proud of that as implied in another thread "Thank you Jim, I know that my posts many are not things we would like to talk about, and some are very negative, but somebody have to speak out and share the negative". Identifying the negative is definitely necessary for correction, but aside from just pointing your finger at the problems what are you proactively doing to fix the problems. You say Christian Colleges are not doing their job, and I doubt you'll find any here that will not acknowledge the liberal shift in many of the Christian Universities, but what are you doing about this to make it better? In fact, what are you proactively doing to fix any of the multitudinous negative issues you bring to this forum? Knowing what the failures are is meaningless if you are not making an effort to fix those failures.

Roman emperors were not elected. They gained office either by inheritance or by a military coup, with a small few attaining emperor by Senate approval.

I'm sure they know each other. It's a small school and Isaac is very outgoing and fun. Isaac loves it there. The education is solid, and they keep the kids busy with a wide variety of ministry options and fun activities. I can't wait to see where the Lord leads Isaac through his time there.

If you like Heather Sorenson you should check out Abigail Miller. Very similar. We used to go to church with the Millers some years ago. She is very talented. One of my wife's favorites.

Yes sir. We now live in Athens, TN and go to Fairview Baptist. Loving it here so far.

Our youngest son (17) is in his first year at Vision Baptist College which is on the other side of the country; Berlin NJ. Only 10 1/2 hours from our home here in TN so not quite as far apart as you are. He is loving it. They keep them very busy, which is just what our son loves. We sure do miss him, though. He fills up a room (in a very good way). He is currently considering being a Youth Pastor, but is leaving his options open to the Lord's leading.

Asking if a Christian can be a liberal voter is really a rather inane question. A Christian can be whatever he/she wants to be. The underlying REAL question that is foundational to all such questions is: "Can a Christian be a sinner?" The answer is yes. That doesn't make it right, but it is true. Post-election polling data seems to verify that even among "Christians" (the term has to be taken loosely when documented by the MSM) how a person votes is heavily impacted by demographics, not the Bible. In this past election white evangelical protestants went heavily for Trump/republican. As you start looking at the various minorities the numbers swayed significantly to the left. Catholics were near an even split between Trump/Biden; but Biden identifies as a Catholic and Catholics are nothing if not loyal. You can see this going all the way back to Kennedy. So, while Christian numbers may favor the right to a degree, they essentially follow the same pattern as secular voting. According to the 2020 census 70% of Americans identified as Christian, yet only 30% claim to attend church regularly, and only 17% have a Biblical world view. We have to remember that just because someone identifies as a Christian, that does not make them a Christan. And, if most of those so-called Christians are not going to church regularly and even fewer really believe the Bible; is it any surprise that "Christians" vote liberal? Even in my fundamental circle I have seen a small number who have crossed over to the left in their voting. All of whom are elderly and/or poor and are looking for the "promised" liberal" handouts to ease their burden. Doesn't make it right, but as we see all too often (even in the pages of the Bible) a person's earthly burden will often cause them to steer away from God's heavenly promises.

I agree, Jerry. Unfortunately, I have also run into a good number of professing Christians that use multiple versions and claim the Holy Spirit leads them to which version is most correct for a particular passage. Typically, when I claim that the Holy Spirit has led me to the KJV for all the same passages the conversation typically sours and becomes fruitless: especially with regard to verses and/or context that are omitted from their modern preference. Pastor James Knox once had a number of people stand on stage, each with a different version, and all read from Psalm 23 at the same time. Such a well-known and beautiful part of scripture sounded like nothing more than a cacophony. 1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. This is not only true with Bible versions. There are those (and not a few) who will claim the Holy Spirit's leading for any number of their preferred deviations from the scripture.

I hope you realize I was joking (some get their knickers in a twist pretty easy around here). I happen to love Spam. Been eating it since a child. Along with the afore mentioned sandwiches my grandfather got me hooked on, It is very tasty in my wife's Potato Salad and also goes well in a Potato/Cheese casserole she makes. Good stuff to have around. Can't say I've ever felt the need for 30 cans at a time though.

I love me a fried SPAM sandwich on Rye, but 30 cans!? Sounds like hoarding to me. ?

Had the conversation been of a sensitive nature I likely would not have made it public, but since it was not, and within that very conversation I stated how I thought it should have been a public conversation, I do not see an issue with its posting. However, if this is a standard tactic by TC to instigate privately among the forum members, I do believe it should be brought to the fore. Many bad things have happened within Christian circles by people with subversive intent operating behind the scenes.

Have any here besides me ever received a leading/probing question from TrueCompanion (TC) in your messages? While I have not been all that active on this forum in a while, I did receive one from him back on 9/12 (we have never corresponded before). While the question was innocent enough (I guess) the feel I get from the whole conversation leads me to believe that TC is looking for some hole in the armor or weakness to exploit. Here is the content in full: TrueCompanion Started conversation: September 12 Dear Napsterdad, Do you pray on behalf of others? Awaiting your reply, L.G. Napsterdad Replied: September 12 Should not all Christians pray for others? TrueCompanion Replied: September 14 "Greetings!" -James 1:1. While I am "thankful" for your reply, I can't answer a question when I am awaiting an answer to my question. -Colossians 3:15. If I did, we would go back and forth in a flurry of "foolishness" with no one giving an "answer." -Proverbs 26:4. Please try answering my question so as to "let all things take place decently and by arrangement." -1 Corinthians 14:40. Thereafter, I would glad to follow up with dialog. "May your peace grow great!" -Daniel 4:1. Napsterdad Replied: September 14 I did answer your question in an off-hand type of way. Regardless: I do not pray "on behalf of" others, I am no ones representative. Each person is responsible for their own prayers. I do pray for others. Of what interest is this of yours? I am no respecter of foolishness either and see no reason for you to be opening this dialog with me alone. Why not start a thread in the forum and let all participate? In fact, why don't you ever participate in any threads in this forum? But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. Titus 3:9 That's it. TC never responded to my last message; even though he has been on the forum regular since. This leads me to believe he wasn't really interested in an honest discussion about prayer. But if he was, why not open it up to the whole forum? In fact, why has TC NEVER participated in any topic on this forum (he has been a member since 11/2017), but yet he will probe individuals. Having said this, it could be an interesting topic of discussion: Praying on behalf of, or for others. Personally, I do not believe we can pray on behalf of others. That infringes on the personal relationship of prayer between the individual and God (makes me think Catholicism). Praying for others is absolutely essential.