Napsterdad

I had to give this one a bit of thought. Off the cuff I thought of Joseph. What a testimony and type of Christ. But to be truly inspirational I think I have to choose a character that I can more closely relate. I was never, in any way, shape or form, a Joseph. Unfortunately, through my years I have been a shoot from the hip, loose cannon kind of guy. Not my most redeeming characteristics. For this reason, I have to go with Peter. I can relate to him and his impetuous behavior while under Christ's tutelage, and I am encouraged by how God was able to use him after Christ's death. Even loose cannons can have a place in God's ministry.

I actually agree with this quote, TGL. As for regrets, I've had regrets with everyone that has achieved office, whether I voted for them or not. I would likely end up with regrets even if I ever held an office. No one ever gets it right all the time. We have to pull for that one we believe will get it most right.

According to a 2022 article from the PEW Research Center “As recently as the early 1990s, about 90% of U.S. adults identified as Christians. But today, about two-thirds of adults are Christians.” Now we all understand that the term Christian is pretty loosely used but I think we can safely assume that most of these so identified would be of a more conservative leaning. Let’s set the stage. I think we have to agree with Romans 3:23 and say: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. So, we’re all sinners, but when was the last time you can recall that we have even had a true Christian run for the office of President. Not in my lifetime and I’m 63. To be fully forthcoming I have seldom seen anyone running for any office (local, state or federal) that I could truly identify as a Christian. Now let's imagine the 66% - 90% of America’s population that identify as Christians took the same position as TGL and Bro. Mark and did not vote because none of the candidates were truly Christian and they were all sinners. I believe it is safe to assume that I would never have seen a conservative in ANY office in my lifetime. Now, where would that put our country? Remember that when you vote for president you not only vote for that one person, but you are voting for the person that could potentially replace him/her should they die or be proved unfit to serve. You are also voting for every cabinet position. Every Supreme Court Justice that may be appointed during his term, along with the justices appointed in lower courts. You are also voting for the overall platform of the party the President represents including their vision and general values. And this holds true for every lesser office as well to a lesser extent. If this was true for just my 63 years, where would our country be? First, I don’t believe we would be free to even have this discussion on a public forum. I have little doubt Christianity would be much more persecuted and absolutely silenced in the public forum. Not only would there not be a current debate about abortion, I believe that abortions would likely be mandated in many cases should Christians not have voted in the past. The left has already done great damage to our healthcare system. Imagine what it would be like if they had complete control. Don’t rule out mandatory euthanasia for those deemed unfit or too old. Home-schooling would be forbidden, and private schools would be mandated to follow strict liberal education policies. Common Core and Critical Race Theory would have nothing on the swill that would be coming out of our educational system. I could go on and on, but I believe the point is made. So, you say you won’t vote because the candidates are sinners. That’s your choice. That is what an election is, a choice. By choosing to not vote you are making a choice. You have voted. You have voted to not support either person, or their party, or the subordinates they may place under them. But think on this: James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. As we saw in Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. So according to James we are all guilty of all. Voting is a choice. Have you chosen to go to a church? Do you realize there are sinners in that church? Do you understand that the Pastor in that church is a sinner? Do you tithe? Do you realize you just chose to attend a sinners’ church, run by a sinner, that you are supporting with the money God gave you to be a wise steward over? Are you choosing to buy products from the store? Do you realize that most of those products come from corporations that are run by wicked, evil people that often promote wicked and evil causes? Seems to me that you are “literally participating in their evil”. Well, I guess that is your choice.

You say, "I'm not going to be a part of it". Was that Jesus's attitude while on this earth. I believe He was very much a part. Are we not to follow His example? Someone once said, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing". How fitting. By your position of not being a part of the process and yet complaining about the process you sound like the life-long welfare recipient that argues about how to fix the economy.

Just know that by "not voting" you essentially are voting for the candidate with the least Christ-like agenda, as that is one less vote they have to overcome, And the left will have far less compunction about voting for their anti-Christian candidate, regardless how inept and/or controlled she may be. I don't like Trump for the reasons you cited and so many more. Yet he is still a far better choice than the alternative. And please, if you don't vote, stay out of the political conversation. You ceded your voice.

Well, praise God they are willing to have a KJV IFB church operate out of a public school. Any step towards God is a step in the right direction.

That helps explain it for me. A more conservative area. I believe my current area in E. TN would be equally accommodating.

Do you mind telling us in what state that may be? Having lived in both New York and California I can't see that freedom being tolerated in either of those states.

Altar calls at the end of service for salvation, nearly every week. As for baptisms, three weeks ago. Baptisms are a regular occurrence here. Probably at least one per month. You better not come here. Too much positive here for you.

TGLs Theme Song

Greetings! Great to have you here.

She'll do exactly what she is told to do, just like Joe Biden. Each are inept, Joe because of his age, Kommie because, well, because she is inept. She is the perfect candidate for those running the Democrat party. Rest assured TGL, nothing will be done to stop the illegal immigrants from flooding over the border and taxing our economy and social programs. That should make you happy.

Well two can play that game, Tony: MOST of TGLs posts are negative and painted with a broad brush, and NEVER does he offer a positive solution. Nor does he EVER tell us what he is doing to alleviate the wrong. How'd I do? Unfortunately, this is how I see TGL.

You are correct. Ever since Lucifer wanted to be like God this type of behavior has existed. People wanting something that is not rightfully theirs. And not only do these illegal aliens try to be Americans without going through the proper channels they bring all their crime and diseases with them. TGL, if these people are so great, why don't they stay in their own countries and try to stabilize and make them successful instead of coming here, straining our infrastructure, depleting our resources and adding to an already onerous debt and tax bill? Here's an idea for all you ILLEGAL immigrant lovers. Open up your homes to one or two of their families. YOU pay for their lodging, their food, their schooling, their medical expenses and any other essentials they may need. In exchange you alone can reap the benefits that these ILLEGAL immigrants bring to the country and specifically to your home. I won't ask for a cent of the increase you are experiencing for your largesse to these ILLEGAL immigrants. But don't ask me for a cent to help. The US Government stated themselves, Illegal immigration presents a net fiscal drain of $68,000 PER PERSON!

So thankful for Livestream. I was able to watch every morning and evening service. Tony Shirley gave an excellent closing sermon. If you ever get a chance, you should get some of your youth together and head down to his New Manna Youth Rally in April. So powerful (and it's not really only for the youth). Now that I am in TN and only 3 hours away, I hope to never miss that again. Right now, the plan is to be at Summit next year. I look forward to meeting you as well. For all of you that didn't take the opportunity you can still watch the videos on YouTube: Solid Rock Baptist Church - YouTube You won't be disappointed.

Several problems here. First, it appears that your question to the AI is based on legal immigration. I don't think anyone here has a problem with LEGAL immigration. The problem is ILLEGAL immigration. Second: The problem with AI with regard to questions like this, however, is that it is slanted to the liberal woke crowd. Third: My statistics came straight from the US Governments Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee. from January of this year. They show the lie of your AI answer when it is ILLEGAL immigration that is the focus of the discussion. ILLEGAL immigration is not good for America.

So having illegal aliens do these more menial jobs is worth the $68,000 per person fiscal drain. How about an alternative be work fare instead of welfare? If you are able (physically, mentally, etc.) in order to receive your welfare check you must work for it in one of the capacities you list above (or others). The farmers (etc.) would pay a smaller minimum wage (keeping food costs down for example) and that would be supplemented by a workfare check from the government. Perhaps that would motivate people to better themselves and get off the government dole.

That's all you ever seem to see... big problems. How refreshing it would be if every now and then you would offer up a positive solution.

According to the Center for Immigration Studies (Jan. 11, 2024): Illegal immigrants are a net fiscal drain, meaning they receive more in government services than they pay in taxes. The fundamental reason that illegal immigrants are a net drain is that they have a low average education level, which results in low average earnings and tax payments. It also means a large share qualify for welfare programs, often receiving benefits on behalf of their U.S.-born children. Like their less-educated and low-income U.S.-born counterparts, the tax payments of illegal immigrants do not come close to covering the cost they create. Illegal immigrants make extensive use of welfare. Based on government data, we estimate that 59 percent of households headed by illegal immigrants use one or more major welfare programs. In addition to consuming welfare, illegal immigration makes significant use of public education. Based on average costs per student, the estimated 4 million children of illegal immigrants in public schools created $68.1 billion in costs in 2019. Use of emergency medical services is another area in which illegal immigrants create significant fiscal costs. The costs of providing care to them likely totals some $7 billion annually. Illegal immigrants do pay some taxes. We estimate that illegal immigrants in 2019 paid roughly $5.9 billion in federal income tax, $16.2 billion in Social Security tax and $3.8 billion in Medicaid taxes. However, as the net fiscal drain of $68,000 per person cited above indicates, these taxes are not nearly enough to cover the cost of the services they receive. Illegal immigrants do add perhaps $321 billion to the nation’s GDP, but this is not a measure of their tax contributions or the benefits they create for the U.S.-born. Almost all the increase in economic activity goes to the illegal immigrants themselves in the form of wages. You can find the entire study here: The Cost of Illegal Immigration to Taxpayers (house.gov) A net fiscal drain of $68,000 PER PERSON! Legal immigration can be beneficial as a large portion of those immigrants are better educated and quickly find employment as medical scientists, software developers. college professors, engineers, mathematicians, nurses, doctors and dentists. (G.W. Bush Institute 2016). These LEGAL immigrants provide near immediate social and fiscal benefits to their communities and the government, unlike their illegal counterparts.

Nice to hear. Who knows, maybe God can use that meeting in some way. Hopefully next year I can go, and we can meet up. Some serious preaching yesterday. Never heard of Ed Loney before, but he brought a fantastic message. Johnny Pope's graphic details of everything Christ went through before and during the cross was a gut punch. That is never easy to hear. We are so unworthy. Looking forward to today. I have been praying that you are thoroughly blessed being there.

Great! I told him you might.

Yes sir

Great start to the Summit with Pastor Charlie Clark Jr. and David Gibbs back-to-back. Definitely convicted. Of course there is always great music at Solid Rock. There is a Livestream @ 0900 today and tomorrow as well as the main services @ 1830 both days. Preachers are always a surprise, but I saw Pastor Shirley there in the crowd. Hopefully they'll have Kenny Baldwin back as well. Pastor Matt, If you are so inclined my son is there and it would be nice if you could meet him. While mostly focused on the Rochester, NY area because of familiarity, he does have a heart for all the Northeast and you two meeting could be good for your networks. I've already heard "I know a guy" from him on SO many occasions. And who knows, maybe he could be an asset to you some day in the future. He's on fire for the Lord and is great with kids. His name is Isaac. Last night he was singing in the front row of the choir a little left from center (not politically ) between two gold jackets. He is one of the few young men there with a beard. No pressure. I know it is crazy busy there. But if you happen to pass nearby perhaps you could give him a shout. You may recall that he knows your daughter from Vision last year, too. Regardless, enjoy your time at the conference. Should be a great time of focusing and recharging.

The Summit starts today at 6:30 PM! While my son is there, we could not make it. I hope you were able to go Pastor Matt. Maybe next year we can meet up. For those of you that can't make it you can watch it on Livestream at Northeast Vision | Strengthen, Support & Start Churches You won't be disappointed.

Where would we be if we did not have TGL to point out the obvious negatives? TGL - going forward I think it would be good if you were a bit more forgetful on the negatives. I did notice that you forgot to answer any of my questions.