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Yep, it happens. Sometimes even among "members" of a congregation when they want their way. Being a minister of the gospel of Christ is a wonderful and challenging life. I would not change a minute of it. Well, some retraction there. There have been times when I wanted to resign, just stay at home and not see one of the members. Even on Sunday morning there were times I had rather be painting near a beautiful waterfall. Especially when there were congregational meetings over things that just didn't matter. But... I was there anyway. The spirit of Elijah is wrong and sinful, but its real. And until we learn that it is not the love of preaching, not the love of religion, not the love of the compliments and praise that comes from a job well done, but the sheer love of Jesus that compels us to preach, minister, and evangelize with passion that our work becomes a loving spring of water to our life. In ministry now for 53 years. 1. My rights are constrained, controlled, and maintained by my love for God. 2. My rights should not cause another person any harm to them, spiritually, physically, emotionally, or give them a false impression of their secutiry. 3. My rights should never bring a person down, but should lift the individual up. 4. My rights should never be imposed on another when they bring that person into a slavery of another person, substance, a group, or myself. 5. My rights should help the other person reach their goals and dreams.

ISIS has nothing to do with religious zeal whatsoever...it is a made up tool to reach political and monetary ends, period. please see my above post for clarification. Read more: http://dinarvets.com/forums/index.php?/topic/205759-why-the-isis-threat-is-totally-overblown/#ixzz3gl6zz5d0 Religious zeal for the Arabs tribes, whether Shiite, Sunni, is not "made up" but very real. To even think that religion is not a part of these activities is to not understand the nature of the ISIS Muslim. There is no doubt that ISIS is using religion to foster its aggressive activity. And many of those fighting for ISIL could care little about the religious elements. Nonetheless those religious elements are front and center. There are some articles that say that this war is nothing more than a secular war built on secular ideologies and that jihadists are modern people with modern political concerns, they just wear medieval religious disguises. But they are misleading articles or the writers are misled. But it has been stated by Baghdadi, their “religious” leader that they are committed to return civilization to a seventh-century legal environment based on Mohammad’s teaching and the Sheria Law. In statements made in the past by the leaders of ISIS it is their commitment to govern by the precepts that were embedded in Islam by the Prophet Muhammad and his earliest followers. There speech is laced with statements that confuse the westerner, but is perfectly understood by someone who knows religious references. They call for “smashing the infidels head in with a rock,” or “destroy his crops, or calling John Kerry an “uncircumcised geezer,” which is all metaphors from their religious teaching. In fact when they are in battle and it is time for their prayers, they take turns fighting and praying so that they can continue their religious practices. They are hoping to bring in the apocalypse! The point is, ISIS is very Islamic. Certainly their zeal and ideology and propaganda has drawn large groups of the disaffected populations of the ME and Europe, as well as psychopaths and thugs from the US, but their leaders are Muslim to the core and speak from long hours of studying and interpreting the faith of Islam. To say that it is not a religious, millenarian group, with theology that must be understood is a mistake, and a dangerous one.

"In short; one person’s rights end when they affect another’s." ATHIM, just a caveat to your quoted statement: "In short; one person's rights end when they affect negatively on the rights of another."

There is a big difference between ISIS and the rag tag groups is that they are not just responding locally against a political system for which they disagree. There are literally hundreds of cases of "terror" recorded where the participants have a beef against the government, the political part or a personal rival. But none of them have the drive that ISIS has obtained with their religious zeal and political ideology. Their goal is not local, yet that is part of the aggressive plan, but regional countries and global expansion. Their religious zeal is the power behind their political agenda and all who oppose them are targets. The western culture, specifically the USA, is the main target of annihilation (elimination and removal). That is why they are different from other "terrorist" situations. If anyone is interested they can go to the latest updated list of terrorist attacks at this site: http://www.johnstonsarchive.net/terrorism/wrjp255i.html Worst terrorist strikes in the United Stateshttp://www.johnstonsarchive.net/terrorism/wrjp255us.html

Trump is expressing the frustration of the country and they like it. Is the man presidential material? Don't know yet. But if you want to get something done, want someone to standup against the thugs of political rhetoric, someone who will cut the billion miles of red tap to get something done, someone who speaks his own mind and not the "party line," then he's your man. Leading is not making everyone happy, pacified, and comforted. Leading is taking one through the dangers, apathy, stagnation, and swill of a pig sty to get us to the green pastures of self reliance, productivity, and respect of others for a job well do. Hard work, drive, aggressiveness, and hurting for awhile? Yes! Political correctness and status quo? NO! Stir away Mr. Trump! Blow your trumpet and blast away; clear the air for a better day!

Agree!! But here is the thing....some people are not taught how to respond to authority; ANY authority! Some people, ignorant of the law, ignorant of any decorum or guidelines as to how to handle confrontative situations, they respond with screaming, kicking, and using profanity. None of that helps, but only escalates from bad to worse. Blame is tacked to the arresting offices in order to take the spotlight off the ignorant. I am truly sorry that she lost her life, but so far it looks like it all falls on her shoulders.

Tragedy for the country. We don't need anyone in office that will purposefully lie, hide, or say nothing when ask a question. Her policy and pass achievements cannot be found (?). So far we know nothing of what she intends to accomplish. Her words can be construed to mean anything you want them to mean (which may be her agenda), and she has little respect from either side of the isle. She capitulates to the crowd in front of her, thus promising anything they want, which they will not get. Popular vote? Maybe. Smart voters? None are going to support her. So far I haven't heard anything coming from her campaign to which I can support. She gets a lot of support from the Dems. because there is no competition among the democrats. Not enough qualified to run for President.

Patience is a virtue. Get it if you can. Seldom in a woman; never in a man. hummm.

Not enough interment camps to hold everyone. Unless we have a change of government, we are going to see a civil war. What a sad day that will be. I use to think that we were to intelligent, to enlightened to allow that to happen. Now. . . I'm not so sure. We have to many rouges that think that violence is the only way to change things . . . a generation raised on violent confrontations as the means to win an argument . . . a generation that thinks strength is in themselves and the weapons they posses . . . a populous brought up to view kindness as means of manipulation, humility of weakness, but justice is to "snuff them out!" We don't need another Nazi administration nor a civil war. We do need change for the better . . . and I can't see that until we get back the honesty, honoring one another, and trusting what a person say, does, and is. I want to be able to leave my door unlocked at all time, be able to walk down the street without being confronted by thugs, leave my car with the keys in it and know that no one will take it. I want to be able to live where there is respect for who a person is, what they think and believe, and how they live. I want entertainment that is "blush" proof when I am with my kids are the opposite sex. I want politicians that know what an honor it is for them to be in office and to stop acting and ranting like we worked for them and they for us. I want drugs and prostitution gone forever: among other terrible things, drugs steals ones brain and prostitution steals ones morality. I'm tired of the racism from every race shouting how superior they are over the other races. Dumb, really dumb. I'm tired of attacks against biblical faith by people who cut and paste stupid arguments they have read or hear, but know nothing about true faith in God and who know nothing about the Bible. I want the RV to come soon, very soon. I want to be financially well off so I don't have to worry about where the next dollar is coming from, and I can give to missions, schools, and to those who need it. I ready for the Lord to Come so I can go home. Maranatha.

Yep. Bad structure in the sentence. Should read "But by July 20 it was already being reported that ..." (Either that or he was a "ghost" writer.

I hope not. That would be as big a tragedy as electing Obama for another term.

It is interesting that the article stated that "As of this writing the gunman, Mohammod Youssuf Abdulazeez, has not been linked to any designated terrorist groups." But by July 20 Abdulazeez had sent out several text that had terrorist implications, had traveled to the ME for a connection with terrorist, posted Koran verses statements used by terrorists on the internet, and was following the suggestions made by ISIS. If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, swims like a duck, eats like a duck, and looks like a duck, the logical conclusion is that this bird is a duck! Terrorist? Yes. Lone terrorist? So far, yes.

ISIS has always looked for the "bird brains" to carry their bombs. Nothing new here. However, I would think the "chickens" were smart enough not to fall for the ISIS propaganda. Can you imagine trying to herd a flock of chickens into town, all strapped with bombs? What a sight. Feathers are really going to fly on this one.

' "ALL LIVES MATTER!!!!!""ALL LIVES MATTER!!!!!""ALL LIVES MATTER!!!!!""ALL LIVES MATTER!!!!!""ALL LIVES MATTER!!!!!""ALL LIVES MATTER!!!!!""ALL LIVES MATTER!!!!!""ALL LIVES MATTER!!!!!""ALL LIVES MATTER!!!!!""ALL LIVES MATTER!!!!!""ALL LIVES MATTER!!!!!""ALL LIVES MATTER!!!!!""ALL LIVES MATTER!!!!!""ALL LIVES MATTER!!!!!""ALL LIVES MATTER!!!!!""ALL LIVES MATTER!!!!!""ALL LIVES MATTER!!!!!""ALL LIVES MATTER!!!!!""ALL LIVES MATTER!!!!!""ALL LIVES MATTER!!!!!""ALL LIVES MATTER!!!!!""ALL LIVES MATTER!!!!!""ALL LIVES MATTER!!!!!""ALL LIVES MATTER!!!!!""ALL LIVES MATTER!!!!!""ALL LIVES MATTER!!!!!""ALL LIVES MATTER!!!!!""ALL LIVES MATTER!!!!!""ALL LIVES MATTER!!!!!""ALL LIVES MATTER!!!!!"

Nope. They are just giving the person "a listen." They will make up their mind when it comes time. "Don't jump the chasm until you know you make the jump and live."

ROFL!

Texas use to be a Blue state until the Democrats went crazy. Most of the state wised up and went Republican, but if you did a survey, most of them will NOT vote down party lines. They vote because they like the policies of the candidate. That's why most are leaving the Democrats.

Interesting site. More of a "let's find something wrong with everything" site. I read about four "reports" and everyone of them were presented in a negative spin with ONLY the information that would create suspicion and "finger pointing." So I guess you could say . . . "one sided" or "one sited" or "one slighted" site. I don't doubt that the story concerning the Apache historic site being desecrated by mining operations being passed because they were "riders" on a bill that was destine to pass. That is a standard procedure for politicians . . . Obama administration is well known for their getting bills passed in this way. There favorite trick is to tell people not to read it until it is passed. ROFL.

You cannot overcome the flesh (desires of the soul) by the willing it to be so. Once you decide, because of what you understand about God, you begin to come closer to Him. But total commitment is necessary. One must "crucify the flesh" by dying to yourself. Paul wrote concerning those trying to be justified (made righteous) by their nature received at birth (Jews or Gentiles) that it did not come by works, but by faith. ". . . nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law (anything that a person does to try and get right with God) but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the Law; since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified (doing good and trying to balance the scales between good and evil never brings about righteousness). But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners (A person who by faith is trusting in Christ, still has to fight sinning, but that does not mean that we are unworthy. We still need to give ourselves over to walking after the Holy Spirit, or God, who dwells within us.), is Christ then a minister of sin? May it never be! For if I rebuild what I have destroyed (when one becomes a Christian), I prove myself to a transgressor. For through the Law I died to the Law that I might live to God (It is no longer trying to work to receive justification). I have been crucified with Christ (when I repented of sin and unbelief and through faith was baptized into Christ); and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me (Christ puts His Spirit within us, which gives us the power to overcome our ego or human spirit); and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me (by His death, burial and resurrection). I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly (if I try to be righteous by my own power and works, then I nullify the grace of God in my life). I wan to encourage you to read the first 8 chapters of the book of Romans. Especially Romans 6, 7, 8. It will clear up many questions. Keep this in mind. Humans are made up of body, soul, and spirit. All three make up every person that is every born. We do not have the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, or the Spirit of Christ dwelling in us unless we come to Christ in faith and we repent and are baptized (Acts 2:37-41; 5:32; 22:16; Mark 16:15-16; and the Romans chapters 5-8). Once the Holy Spirit comes to live within you He will work to mould you into the image of God, the Spirit (2Corinthians 3:17-18).

Good morning Peace. I'm glad you are intellectually struggling with trying to understand who you are, who God is, and what He has provided for you through Jesus Christ and His Spirit. We (as humans) are complicated and emotional people. We have been created by God with an image like His; a spiritual image that desires to know God and what He wants for our life. He, God, gave us the ability to make personal choices concerning all of life's decisions, and sometimes that is confusing, scary, and challenging. When it comes to knowing who we are and who God is, we have one source of instructional information, the Bible or Scripture. I can know there is a God and that He is powerful and wonderful when I just look at the things He has created. But when I want to know more about Him and what He has planned for my life I must God to the Bible, for that is how He has communicated to us. Remember that the Scripture is not authored by men, but Authored by God through the Holy Spirit. It is God revealing God. But it also reveals information about me, us, you. We can start guessing about who we are and how we are formed, and others have certainly done that. They also do that about God. But to really know we MUST read and study the word of God. It is the only source of truth and information. The philosophies and "think-so" feelings of mankind will take you away from the knowledge of God.

Thank you for answering Fly. It is always helpful to know where someone is in their “belief system” when discussing the Scripture. It might help you to know where I am in my belief as well. As you quote me, a “belief system” is made up of bible teachings designed so to spiritually mislead the world, a system put into place so mankind can easily fallow and participate in false worship without ever being conscious of this fact. (2Cor 4:4) And not, founded solely on accurate knowledge of God’s inspired word the bible, which are the only teachings Jehovah’s Witnesses are dedicated, “whose will is that all sorts of people should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus, who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all sorts of people—this is what is to be witnessed to in its own due time.” (1Tim 2:4,5) I’ll not debate about the definition of “belief system” other than to say that the reason it was in quotes is to use something that you might understand since you are fond of using such a system. Nor will I try to defend my study of the Scripture, since you know nothing of my life given to understanding the word of God. My study has been independent and eclectic from several schools of higher learning. By “independent” I mean that there is no particular doctrinal position from a religious organization to which I must uphold. My studies and beliefs are mine learned from a study of the Scriptures over the years. So try to discredit it you must, but that is really just a waste of your time and mine. When anyone makes a claim that Christ is not God, that He is just a created spirit being, that Jesus is only a man, that He is not eternal, challenges the belief and faith of the saints of God. And, such a belief is born of a false understand of God and Christ Jesus, and is either being mislead by other “teachers” are is one of the “teachers” committed to prove that Jesus is not God come in the flesh. I don’t think that you are unaware of what you have stated, but knew exactly what you were stating. Such statement do not harmonize with the Bible. I will address that in this post. God’s Word is the spirit’s “sword” (Eph 6:17), revealing what a person really is, exposing hidden qualities or heart attitudes and causing him either to soften his heart and conform to God’s will expressed by that Word or to harden his heart in rebellion. (Compare Heb 4:11-13; Isa 6:9, 10; 66:2, 5.) God’s Word therefore plays a forceful part in predicting adverse judgment, and since God’s word or message must be carried out, the fulfillment of that word produces an action like that of fire on straw and like that of a forge hammer in smashing the crag. (Jer 23:28, 29) Let the prophet who has a dream relate the dream, but the one who has my word should speak my word truthfully.” “What does the straw have in common with the grain?” declares Jehovah. “Is not my word just like a fire,” declares Jehovah, “and like a forge hammer that smashes the crag?” (Jer 23:28,29) I think these are great passages that all interpreters of the Bible need to put to memory and apply. Accept in the passage in Jeremiah refers to those “lying prophets” relating a message from dreams that God had not given to them. I will be using only the word of God and I would hope that you would do the same. What limitation? Did he not feed the hungry, calm the wind storm, cure the sick and raise the dead? The limitations were self-imposed by Christ when God was making the plan to save mankind. While He was God and with God (Jno 1:1-2) He shared all the “glory” (Jno 17:2) with the Father, a glory that was His as God. Those whom God had created could not achieve the redemption of mankind; they had proved by their inability to remain holy that it was not within their power to do so. God knew that even before the creation (2Tim 1:8-11; Ep 1:3-14; Phil 2:5-11) It is during the time that God became man that Jesus’ self-limitation was necessary in order to be just like man for the purpose of bringing about man’s salvation. Man was tempted to desire, to have what God had forbidden, to know what God had not revealed, and to be what God had not intended him to be. Paul makes it plain that “as by one man sin entered into the world and death by sin, so death passed on all men in that ALL men sin” (Rom 5:14). The universality of sin is seen throughout Scripture. “There is no man that does not sin (present, active, indicative)” (1Kg 8:46); “in thy sight no man living is righteous (Ps 143:2). No clearer statement can be found than that of Romans 3. Quoting from the Old Testament, “There is non righteous, not even one; There is non who understands, There is not who seeks for God. All have turned aside, together they have become useless” (3:10-12). Again in verse 23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” And in Galatians Paul writes, “the Scripture has shut up all things under sin” (3:22). John, the apostle, writes, “if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1Jn 1:8). Thus, there is a condemnation that rests upon all who have not accepted Christ (Jn 3:18, 36; 1Jn 5:12, 19). This pollution by sin has disqualified any human being from being the source of salvation. God is holy and all individuals stand guilty and unholy and cannot approach a holy God. With the entire human race polluted with sin, a special envoy must be dispatched from heaven to be both a man (human) and God (deity). This was the plan of Deity from before the beginning creation. Jesus, being both God and man is the means of the removal of sin. He was born of woman [a virgin] (Gal 4:4), confirmed by the virgin birth (Mt 1:18-2:12; Lk 1:30-38; 2:1-20), that Mary was a virgin and that Isaiah 7:14 in the Synoptics is confirmed by the Gospel writers. He was of the seed of Abraham and David (Mt 1:1; Rm 1:3) through the linage of Mary, while being of the seed of Israel through Joseph (Lk 3:23; Rm 9:5). This was in direct fulfillment of the seed promise discussed in Gen 3:15 made to Adam and Eve. When the Christ became flesh by being born into this world from another, heaven. He had all the elements of the human being: body (Heb 10:5, 10; Jn 2:21; Heb 2:14), even after the resurrection (Lk 24:39). He had a human soul (Mt 26:38; Jn 12:27; and a human spirit (Mk 2:8; Lk 23:46; Jn 13:21). He was “like as we are…”(Heb 4:14-15). As a human being, Jesus, could get weary (Jn 4:6), and sleepy (Mt 8:24), hungry (Mt 21:18) and thirsty (Jn 19:28; 4:7). He could desire authority of leadership (Mt 4:8-9). He could be limited in knowledge (Mk 13:32) as to the judgment upon Jerusalem, not the end of the world. He could lust (Jm 1:14) and be tempted with all the temptations of humanity, yet without sin. The very nature of being human made Him vulnerable to sin (Jm 1:12-15). The nature of Jesus as a human being with all the limitations of the flesh and bone body is liable to be tempted. The point is, He may be placed into certain positions where He is forced to make a choice between doing what is wrong and pleasing the desires of the flesh or of choosing the way of faith and obedience. If this were not the case, he could not have been tempted to sin. He was tempted to sin in one of the most vulnerable points as a human being, His trust of the Father. Mt. 4 Jesus faced the temptations of Satan in the wilderness to temp God, and Jesus’ trust in God. “But we do see Him who has been made for a little while lower than the angels, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God He might taste death for every one. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through suffering. …Since then the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death that is, the devil and might deliver those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. . . . He had to be made like His brethren in all things, that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” (Heb 2:19-10, 14-15, 17-18). This limitation was only during the time that Christ/God was in the world incarnate as man. He was God in eternity, during Old Testament period, and the God-man while on earth during His lifetime. His power to perform signs and do miracles was from God, the Holy Spirit. He only spoke what the Father gave Him to speak. He prayed to the Father, and all of this was during the time that He was on earth and before the resurrection and ascension. There are many scriptural points required for building a solid foundation of strong faith, why do you say? “it will do no good in discussion other points of biblical teaching.” Who go to heaven what will they be doing there, who is the little flock, who are the great crowd out of all nations, who are the other sheep, what is God’s purpose for mankind and the earth how is this to be fulfilled, what is the importance of the divine name how does it relate with the issue involving all mankind today I certainly agree that there are many things that need to be discussed. In fact, all the Scripture needs to be taken into consideration as disciples grow in the faith. That is axiomatic. But all those can be studied after a person comes to faith in Christ. It would not matter if a person had a strong commitment to do good, be kind, and could manifest all the fruit of Spirit, unless one believes and trusts in Christ as LORD and Savior none of that matters. Good works and abundant knowledge will not save and cannot save a person. It is Christ and what He did at the cross. Jesus said, “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am, you will die in your sins” (Jno 8:24). So unless we come to a decision of who Jesus is, it really doesn’t matter about the other teachings. Now some of the things you listed my overlap into a study of Christ’s Deity, but the point will be . . . Who is Jesus? Is He the “I AM”? “Therefore, everyone who hears these sayings of mine and does them will be like a discreet man who built his house on the rock. And the rain poured down and the floods came and the winds blew and lashed against that house, but it did not cave in, for it had been founded on the rock. (Matt 7:24,25) Persons desiring divine approval need to know whether certain representations are idolatrous or simply decorative, ornamental. One who cannot discern just what constitutes an idol would have difficulty in heeding the Bible’s commands: “Flee from idolatry.” “Guard yourselves from idols.” (1 Cor. 10:14; 1 John 5:21) This could be disastrous for the individual concerned. Why? Because idolaters are specifically named among those who will not inherit God‘s kingdom.—1 Cor. 6:9, 10. “Go in through the narrow gate, because broad is the gate and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are going in through it; whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are finding it.” (Matt 7:13,14) Good passages all and worthy to be studied, but not until one comes to faith in Christ. Once Jesus is “lifted up” by the gospel these studies are important. But not as important as who He is and what He has done for mankind. I very much respect all faith in the scriptures my hope is sharing in the building of such faith using Gods inspired word correctly. Although when one’s untrue beliefs are brought to question even when using scriptures, a defensive position is taken believing it to be a challenge of their faith and a threat aimed at them personally. “For the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but powerful by God for overturning strongly entrenched things. For we are overturning reasonings and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God,” (2Cor 10:4,5) For those honestly seeking to know God’s true will for them, such powerful emotions can be overcome. “However, we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the power beyond what is normal may be God’s and not from us.” (1Cor 4:7) I will address your comments to Markinsa and address the preexistence of Christ this evening after I return from classes.

It is sad. Lots of prayers going up for the city. However, the city, police, FBI, Homeland Security, were quick and effective in handling the situation. The area where the first shooting took place was close to where Danomite and I live. The other on Amlacola HyWy is a little further from us, but you can get there in just minutes. Actually, I was not watching the news and didn't know anything had happened until till I got a text from a police officer friend who works across the road from where all the deaths took place. He just sent a text that said: "I am good. I may be busy for a while though. (name)" My response: "Ok. Did I (my pocket) text you." Officer: "No." "Go to CNN.com" I went in to the TV and saw what was going on. (2:46 pm) and everything was over by that time. They were about to have the first news conference. Shocking. He is in two of my Bible classes, and his son is my "god-child." He retires in just 3 weeks. Be glad when that happens. By the way, he is waiting for the RV as well.

I guess not.

He still needs to do his evaluation before he makes a decision.