I recently read The Making of a Man of God by Alan Redpath which is a series of homilies drawn from the life of David. Now to be fair, Redpath says in his introduction that the Bible doesn't flatter its heroes, and he does make frequent reference to the life of the much greater Son of David i.e. Jesus in the gospels. Each homily is preceded by extracts of accounts in 1 and 2 Samuel, but as I read these accounts I started to think more and more that David was not so much an example to be followed but in many ways an example to be avoided.

Fee and Stuart make a good point in their How to Read the Bible for all its Worth that the OT narratives are not intended to be moralising but as an account of God's dealings with his chosen people (which is still profitable for us).

A good example that shows the difference between David and Jesus is

As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” 1 Sam 18:7

An odd verse since it follows on from David killing Goliath and the Philistines fleeing. So at this point we only know that David had killed one person not tens of thousands, though that one person's demise led to many other Philistines dying as they fled the scene. Maybe we can take this as exaggeration by the women of Israel - the point of which is to start the theme of Saul's jealousy of David.

Contrast this with:
So when they came together, they asked Him, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:6-8

The disciples could well have added "as in King David's time". But it is clear that Jesus' idea of the kingdom is very different from that of his disciples. But surely the disciples' idea of the kingdom follows on naturally from the accounts in the OT - their view is reasonable in that context, but shows they, as yet, hadn't fully grasped the significance of Jesus' life and teachings.

There are other examples in David's life which are certainly not to be followed by Christians today but I'll leave those for later.

FDA signs off on updated Covid-19 vaccines that target circulating variants​

The US Food and Drug Administration on Monday gave the green light to updated Covid-19 vaccine booster shots from Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech. The updated vaccines are each approved for people 12 and older and are authorized under emergency use for individuals 6 months through 11 years old. As part of the FDA’s update, the original bivalent Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccines are no longer authorized for use in the United States.

The mRNA vaccines have been updated to teach the body to fight the XBB.1.5 Omicron subvariant of the coronavirus and other closely related strains that are circulating.

Both vaccine manufacturers have said that testing shows that their vaccines are effective against EG.5, the currently dominant strain in the United States.

After the FDA’s go-ahead, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a group of independent experts that advises the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on its vaccination decisions, will weigh the safety and effectiveness of the updated vaccines and make recommendations for their use. After the CDC director signs off on those recommendations, the vaccines can be administered.

Under the Affordable Care Act, most insurance plans are covering the full cost of vaccines, without co-pays. So most insured people will be able to get the updated Covid-19 vaccine at their doctor’s offices or pharmacies, such as CVS or Walgreens, at no cost.

I'll take one question at a time or I will be overwhelmed with questions, Posting is a slow process for me as I had a stroke a year or so ago that left me with me left hand crippled up enough I can no longer touch type and make all kinds of typos I have to fix or my posts would be unreadable.

Also today is my birthday and my wife is taking me out to dinner this evening. I turned the big 30 today. Just kidding. I turned the big 70 today.

IN MEMORY OF RICK RESCORLA

“My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins…James 5:19-20.”

Today is the 22nd anniversary of 911. Long before the September 11th tragedy, Rick Rescorla, the 62-year-old head of security at the Morgan Stanley Bank, developed an evacuation plan for the bank. Rescorla was convinced Osama Bin Laden would use jet planes to try and destroy the World Trade Center. The bank's offices were situated high up in the South Tower at the World Trade Center and were extremely vulnerable. Rick’s plan and its preparation were hugely unpopular with the Morgan Stanley staff, many of whom thought Rescorla was mad.

On September 11, 2001, American Airlines Flight 11 hit World Trade Center Tower 1 at 8:46 a.m. Rick Rescorla ignored building officials' advice to stay put and began the orderly evacuation plan of Morgan Stanley's 2,800 employees on 20 floors of World Trade Center Tower 2, and 1,000 employees in WTC 5. Rescorla reminded everyone to "be proud to be an American ... everyone will be talking about you tomorrow", and sang God Bless America and other songs over his bullhorn to help evacuees stay calm as they left the building. Rescorla had most of Morgan Stanley’s 2800 employees and people working on other floors of WTC 2 safely out of the buildings by the time United Airlines Flight 175 hit WTC 2 at 9:07 a.m.

After having reached safety, Rescorla returned to the building to rescue others still inside. He was last seen heading up the stairs of the tenth floor of the collapsing WTC 2. His remains were not recovered. As a result of Rescorla's action, only 6 of Morgan Stanley's 2800 WTC employees were killed on 911, including Rick and three of his deputies who followed him back into the building.

In tears, Morgan Stanley Bank employees were later praising and acknowledging Rick Rescorla for saving their lives from total destruction that day. Many felt so guilty and apologetic they thought Rick foolish to keep preaching and standing for what he believed would happen if they were not ready. Those later interviewed said they would never forget Rick Rescorla. He was their hero. This dear man left behind a widow, Susan Rescorla, and two children that day. Since the events of that terrible day, a memorial stone was erected in Rick’s hometown of Hayle, Cornwall, to commemorate his life and the sacrifice he made to save others.

The Word of God says in James 5:19-20, “My brethren if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.” Christians must have a “Rick Rescorla Attitude” toward others. Rick was convinced people entrusted to his care would perish if his plan of escape was ignored. He stayed the course even when unpopular and ridiculed because he believed what he was doing would save lives from certain destruction.

God has left us here twenty-two years later as His Beloved Children to rescue the perishing by sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ so that whosoever believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Remember Our Good Shepherd left the ninety-nine sheep and went after the one that was lost.

As we remember the 22nd anniversary of 9/11, let’s be ready to make a defense for the hope within us to anyone who asks, yet with a spirit of gentleness and reverence. There are many lives at stake that need us to share the Good News. One day with tears in their eyes they will thank us in heaven that we cared enough to show them the way.

IN MEMORY OF TODD BEAMER

“Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith…Hebrews 13:7.”

“I don't think we're going to get out of this thing. I'm going to have to go out on faith.” It was the voice of Todd Beamer, the passenger – and Wheaton College graduate -- who said “Let's roll” as he led the charge against the terrorists who had hijacked United Flight 93, which crashed in the Pennsylvania countryside twenty-one years ago on September 11th.

The world must never forget how brave Beamer and his fellow passengers were on September 11, 2001. We learned more fully after that heroic day what buttressed that bravery: Faith in Jesus Christ. Todd died as he lived, a faithful evangelical believer. In an article titled “The Real Story of Flight 93,” Newsweek revealed gripping details from the actual transcripts of the recovered cockpit voice recorder. “Todd had been afraid,” Newsweek relates. “More than once, he cried out for his Savior.”

After passengers were herded to the back of the jet, Beamer called the GTE Customer Center in Oakbrook, Illinois. He told supervisor Lisa Jefferson about the hijacking. The passengers were planning to jump the terrorists, he said. And then he asked her to pray with him. As Newsweek relates, Beamer kept a Lord's Prayer bookmark in his Tom Clancy novel, but he didn't need any prompting. He began to recite what was already in his heart, and Jefferson joined him: “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.”

As they finished, Beamer added, “Jesus, help me.” And then, Beamer and his fellow passengers prayed a prayer that has comforted millions down through the centuries -- the prayer that David wrote in a time of great anguish: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want --- Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.”

And then the famous last words: “Are you guys ready? Let's roll.” We know from the cockpit voice recorder that Beamer and other passengers wrestled with the hijackers and forced the plane to crash into the ground, killing them but foiling what was believed to have been the hijackers' plan to fly Flight 93 into the Capitol or the White House.

The Bible speaks of such people as Todd Beamer in Hebrews 13:7: “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.” Little did Todd Beamer know twenty-one years ago, that he was speaking the Word of God to millions and that his conduct along with the other brave passengers on that plane would serve as an example of faith others could emulate. Todd was just a man with feet of clay; a sinner like you and me saved by the grace of God. He loved His Lord, loved his life, loved his wife, and loved his family. Todd was simply trying to right a wrong situation in which he found himself on that tragic day; that day that changed America forever.

The Apostle Paul says, “Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.” (Philippians 3:17) So often those examples the Bible speaks of are not pastors or teachers or renowned spiritual leaders but ordinary people through whom God does extraordinary things. Todd Beamer wasn’t looking to be a hero that day or a model of faith others would grow to admire. He wanted to prevent further evil from occurring and to make sure his family knew he loved them. Yet, on this 21st anniversary of 9/11, the leadership of Todd and the other brave passengers of Flight 93 continue to inspire many to give their life to Jesus Christ, their service to our country, and their hearts to the walk of faith by which those who possess it overcome the world. (1 John 5:4)

The writer of Proverbs 14:32 tells us: “The wicked is thrust down by his wrongdoing, but the righteous has a refuge when he dies.” (Proverbs 14:32) Such was the case of what happened that day on Flight 93. We stop to remember and join in giving thanks to the Todd Beamers in the world and place our faith and trust in the words of The Holy Scriptures which assure us: “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39)

I was shocked to hear on the news today there are still unidentified bodies? So sad. Bless all the victims and their families. What a trial they have gone through!

.

In the past, I followed a vegetarian lifestyle plan. Then it morphed into veganism and then raw food. I wasn’t too strict at times when I craved meat or some kind of cheese things of that sort, but then I would basically go back to sticking to my commitment to those lifestyle plans. I did give up milk and I have not drank it in over 20 years. I followed these plans strictly for health. I was not doing it to lose weight in fact, I’ve always been a bit underweight since I’m very petite. Overtime I found that they were completely unhealthy for me especially raw food. I had even ventured into the zone diet.

For the last three years, I’ve been eating whatever I want except for milk. I read all the labels to make sure that I’m not eating anything that is fake, gmo or unhealthy with added chemicals and I try to eat everything that is natural or organic. Lately I have not had an appetite and there is nothing physically wrong with me. I just don’t have an appetite because I keep reading about what they’re putting in our food and what is going on with that. I have lost my appetite completely. I have no interest in food anymore. The pleasure of eating has gone out the window.

When I do eat, it’s more of the Mediterranean type food plan and that’s not even on purpose that’s just how it is but I still don’t really feel satisfied or full. I just wanna make sure that I’m eating real food but then again, I think what if companies are just lying about real food and it’s really fake. I’m just paranoid over this. Everything is just so messed up and I don’t wanna eat lab grown anything that is absolutely disgusting plus I don’t wanna eat other things with chemicals in it that will cause medical issues down the road. I am healthy and I want to stay that way.

So I guess my issue is that I’m barely eating now and I miss food to a point but I can’t get myself to eat it because I’m a afraid to eat and I see how messed up that is but I still have this issue. Can anyone else relate to this? I can’t be the only person. For the last two weeks I have not had any type of appetite and even though I’m starving right now as I type this out I just don’t have a desire to eat. I usually eat something very small In the morning (around 7:30) so that I can take my herbals but then I don’t eat anything the rest of the day. I think it’s due to the fact that I’m afraid to eat food because of what could be in it and also because I’ve had a lot of anxiety that has come out of the blue lately for reasons unknown to me.

So, just as a heads up, this is going to sound like an unusual relationship. LOL So, I am going to try and only give a short run-down of my story before getting to my question so my question will make a little more sense. LOL

So, I am about 5 months into being divorced. For the last 3 or 4 weeks I have been talking to this good christian guy that I like. (he has mutual feelings) We met each other thru some mutual friends. We were both at this friends for a holiday celebration. (and we both are pretty sure these friends of ours are trying to set us up to become a couple)

Anyway, we met for the first time this past May 2023. We had some good conversations that day with each other. But then we didn't see each other again till June or July. For that we went on a motorcycle ride to a city about 1.5 hours away (I rode with him on his bike). We both had a great time...even tho it rained soooo hard that day. . Then again, we didn't see each other again until August to a fair then on another motorcycle ride that same day. That day we did exchange numbers. (all of these get-togethers were with our mutual friends)

When we got together for our first hang out with each other, we both decided that since we barely know each other, we will NOT date each other until we have been friends for a while first. Yes it is unusual to do it this way, but we also both agreed that I am still too knew into my divorce. So we want to make sure I am healed more before getting into a new relationship. Also, if things don't work out to even date, then it wont be as heartbreaking for us to just say this isn't going to work for us to move to the next step in the relationship but we can continue being friends.

As of right now, we have been talking pretty much every day by text and a couple times by phone. He has told me early on he is not a fan of being on the phone but he is ok with talking to me , With that, I have come to realize through these conversations we have been having, that he is a really shy person. I am a shy as well but not as much as he is...which is fine. BUT I also doesn't like to start conversations or come up with things to do together while talking on the phone via text or talk. I have always been the one to do so....which again, I am ok with because I have also noticed that when we get together in person (which has been several times now since switching numbers and talking) that He asks A LOT more questions about me. So that to me showed how much he hates talking on phones. LOL

Anyway, now that you have general idea on where our relationship stands, now to the question...
I am running out of things to talk to him about on the phone. I do have things I want to talk to him when we meet in person again because some things are just better to ask in person. But I am going longer and longer without talking to him because a lot of the questions I ask don't continue as conversations. He just gives short answers. I try to get more out of it but I have not found it easy. I know this is not a typical relationship (I don't even know what name to put to this...Pre-dating? LOL) but when you have been thru a marriage like mine (I'm sure there's been worse) that your standards for finding someone makes you pretty cautious on your next relationship. I do NOT want another divorce...and he doesn't want one either. So w want to make sure that my next marriage will be my last and will only be the one that GOD has chosen for me. We do meet up again this weekend for another bike ride and the weekend after for dinner and a christian concert. So I know there will be quite a bit of talking then. But what can we do over the phone now and thereafter? THANKS!

Hello, I believe this would be useful because the Hebrew is just extremely hard to read and it doesn't necessarily need to be that way. In fact, there is a long history of Jews writing in the Arabic script because it's easier on the eyes like Maimonides ( Judeo-Arabic too); I don't really understand why they can't do this for seminaries or just lay people because there is a long history of Arabic to Greek and Greek to Arabic translation. There's also probably a billion people worldwide who use the Arabic script such as Urdu people, Sudanese, Pakistanis that would be able to read it more easily than trying to learn the Hebrew alphabet. For my own study in particular, if I can look up a word in Arabic, notice it's a cognate and compare it to Greek, it's way faster than checking if I'm reading it right in Hebrew as the letters are so similar they are almost indistinguishable. For example, the CPH commentaries would be orders of magnitude easier to study as a layperson and look up words etc.

When I go for a walk and talk to Jesus I used to talk to Him about everything as if I needed to explain everything but now I talk to Him knowing that He knows everything, all the depth behind what I’m saying.


It's really nice to know that Jesus knows all things, He knows my intentions and knows exactly what I mean. I apologize if I’m overdoing it with this but it is awesome.

Please share what God is doing in your life or any new thing you feel comfortable sharing about your relationship and walk with Jesus

Dear Lord,

We pray for those who lost their loved ones due to the horrifying event of September 11, 2001. Please let them know that millions around the world are thinking of them and pray their spirits find comfort through you.

Lord, I also would ask that you send comfort to me as I am flying to see my family for the first time in 15 years due, partly, to the above event. I put my trust and faith in you that I will have a safe journey to and from so that I may be reunited with my family before and after.

In Jesus name, Amen.

The scroll gives the main tribulation points - beginning, middle and end.

I have set out the details of the chapters according to where they come - beginning, middle, end.

(NOTE: all the Gt. Earthquakes line up for the end of the tribulation.)

What are your thoughts?

Hi everyone- a question. What do you do when you want to cast a thought down? When I want to cast a thought down I say in my head "I cast that thought down in the name of Jesus". However doing that has stopped working, it doesn't work any more. I must be doing it wrong. What do you do when you have a thought you want to cast down? Thanks!

I’m so happy to have found your forum. Looking to connect with other Christians who feel as I do. I’m a homeschooler of 2. Many times I feel very alone without any others who share my beliefs. With everything that’s been going on in the world I feel society as a whole is very lost. It seems it’s getting worse every single day. Everyone needs Jesus like ASAP. Looking forward to chatting with you all!

Over two years ago there was a thread looking at statements by Ellen White regarding the Israelite diet. This thread is a more focused part 2, looking at one aspect--the claim that meat eating weaken's moral powers.

Here are the statements:

The Signs of the Times, January 6, 1876, Art. A


Councils for the Church, 228


As can be seen from the above, Ellen White indicated that eating meat reduced moral power among the Israelites. She indicated they departed from the plan appointed for their diet, and suffered loss, not reaching God's ideal of character or fulfilling His purpose.


However, these claims do not match up with Scripture

God indicated the Israelites may eat meat, according to the blessing of the Lord.


God said that if they were faithful He would bless the Israelites with grass so that the Israelites might eat the livestock and be filled.


God required the Israelites to eat meat in the Passover.


God gave regular portions of the sacrifices to the priests.


God outlined the peace offering which involved eating meat from the animal.


God provided Elijah meat.


Jesus provided fish to His disciples, and to the multitudes.


Jesus ate the Passover, and had His disciples arrange for it, and eat it with Him.


Jesus fed the multitude with fish.


Jesus called a fish a good gift, which it would not be if it weakened moral powers.


It is unbiblical to claim that Jesus would give food to people that weakened their moral powers, and had "evil results."

As a Christian, are we to listen to worldly music, especially the music we grew up listening to? I know the Bible isn’t specific on this. I have a hard time with this one now & in the past. I have listened to music but recently I feel like I shouldn’t. I keep adding my playlist back on Spotify and then I delete them and then I just keep repeating the whole cycle over. I keep going back-and-forth. I obviously don’t listen to anything that is making me feel bad. I feel like I can’t help that I like the music I grew up listening to as well as some modern music out today but I feel like I shouldn’t be liking it? I feel like it’s a trap.

As for Christian music the only time in the past that I find Christian music to be good is when I’m in a Christian church. I’ve been to many so I’ve heard a lot of Christian praise music but to listen to it outside of church I just can’t get into it. I guess that chalks it up to being in the moment.

Suggestions? Thanks!

I'm gonna open a thread on the gifts of healings since there have been so many threads on that subject here lately. I don't think people really understand how GOD utilizes the gifts in most situations and they revert back to just trying to get answers through prayer. GOD has provided more than just that.

First the ruleset:

Use this tag for any thread where you just want to share chit chat or discuss a topic with other like-minded members. There should be No debate at all, it is strictly fellowship in nature. The OP of these threads can report their own thread if it crosses the line into debate and staff will assist in a thread clean up (please see above for a definition of debate).

If something is posted which you do not agree with, please make one post only and state, "I do not agree with the topic or viewpoints shared in this thread. I have opened a separate thread to discuss my point of view. The thread is located here." There should be no further points made. The members who are participating in the fellowship thread should not respond to the post because the opposing member is not allowed to reply again in the thread. If anyone thinks a rule is being violated in the fellowship thread they should report it. They should not state that they think the rules are being violated when they make their one post.

Second, I don't mind if someone wants to relate their experiences and such with the gifts of healings, but I'm not the least bit interested in anyone's hyper-faith ideas, I'm only interested in the divine healings available through this gift.

With that said, on with the subject.

I’m a Bible believing Christian. I would like to attend an actual church but I’m very confused on which one to attend since there are so many different denominations. There are a few different denominations in my area. What do I do? Can anyone offer me any advice? Thank you.

Let scripture alone be your final authority above all human authority and the final appeal is always to be made to the scriptures. This is what many believe. If you do believe it, is it serving you adequately? Is it adequate for a community? Can it serve for all?

Hello, my name is Ana Billigsley. I am the sister of Maria Billingsley who's been a long time member on here. Looking forward to engaing and chatting it up! I pray that everyone has a blessed day.

So, I'm divorced. He was heavily abusive and eventually I found out he cheated. Let's move on.

I've made my way through the grieving process and throughout that process I prayed multiple times every single day to find clarity and relive myself of these emotions regarding my ex. Every time, I would get these signs from Him that lead me not toward another man (good, honestly, I'm totally done with all that mess) but toward bigger and more complex outreach scenarios. I've prayed up on these things as well, and as far as I have made sense of things, it seems that my true calling is to create a super-specialized and hyper-niche non-profit the likes of which currently doesn't exist anywhere that I can find online.

I get the sense that I'm to do this sooner rather than later, as it has been set upon my heart as "urgent". The problems that stand in my way are: 1) I am big (taller than most men, and heavy) and not pretty owing to the loss and destruction of many of my teeth, 2) I am nowhere near anyone's perfect example of a business person and lack any formal education for such things (I have a GED and some trade apprenticeship knowledge, none of which would be pertinent to this application), 3) I am quite introverted and scared of speaking with large crowds (though I do enjoy the companionship of working together), and lastly 4) I have no money (like none, at all).

So my question is basically, what do I do with all of these spiritual shoves toward this endeavor? How can I even begin to start a process like this? And how do I find peace in the meantime with this knowledge that I must do these things fast, seemingly all by myself?

In Daniel 8, the little horn person stops the daily sacrifice. In Daniel 9, the prince who shall come, causes the daily sacrifice and oblation to cease.

Is the little horn person in Daniel 8 the same person as the prince who shall come in Daniel 9 ?