• Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.

  • CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.

Becoming a Christian

If you decide to explore Christianity, you might visit a Catholic Church and inquire with the priest or another leader about embracing the faith.
  • Pay attention to their recommended steps.
  • Engage with the literature they propose, such as the Bible and any guide to Catholic teachings they provide.
  • After a period of guided group study with a Catechist and fellow seekers, you'll be in a position to determine if Christianity resonates with you.
  • Remember, you're free to withdraw at any point, and the Catechist and priest will support you throughout your exploration until they believe you're prepared for baptism and confirmation.
In summary, that is the beginning; the remainder of the path is a lifelong communion with the Lord Jesus Christ and a faith rich in love and virtue.
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Why is Belief crucial?

Why, do you think, when all of Jesus' words seemed to emphasise action and behaviour, is belief so supreme in Christianity?

(I am considering starting a Theology degree. Most colleges I have approached insist on belief, some don't. )

For clarity, I am willing to accept and submit to Nicene theology, but I cannot force myself to believe anything, and I think this is a crucial question - the nature of belief, it seems to me, is not a choice.

No trust in the church singles population either

I saw this post from a pastor in his church, discussing an obvious problem that he's contending with. That one gender is not trusting the other in church, and the women have segregated themselves from the men there. That women in their church have already assumed the men there are lairs, cheaters, and objectifying them and have other odd ideas about them...and this attitude is keeping men from dating them. And at this point, their co-ed Bible studies and the young adults are only women now as a result.

He tried to have sermon discussing this issue, and all he gets from them is that "he's celibate and has never date" (the pastor hasn't). So that he has no credibility to discuss this issue.

He said he spoke with the men on this topic, and they tell him that they don't feel welcomed or safe there. He spoke with other team leads at the church, and it was discussed that some of the problem members should simply be removed from the church.

After reading this, I was really sad to hear this. Someone suggested the internet is giving these ladies these ideas about men, and thus...avoid the men even in their congregation.

Some mentioned that the Internet may have influenced their attitudes.

I have had women state that in their church, even if there are single men there...that they can't picture themselves dating any of them. They have this "brother/sister" mentality, and they keep it that way. It just would feel like they'd be dating a sibling if they ever attempted it.

So there's that. For whatever reason they may not find them attractive enough...and seek outside church among their secular peers.

Natural Immunity Versus Synthetic Biology

Quote - Geert Vanden Bossche did an interview with Del Bigtree and shortly after Del made this video. Amazing explanation on how and why natural innate immunity responses are SUPERIOR to the Specific Antibodies that The Synthetic mRNA produce.

Another Quote - This football analogy from Del Bigtrees interview of Geert Vanden Bossche made me understand the HOW and WHY humanity is in such grave danger from the global mass vaccination campaign. This explains the very basics of how non-specific and specific antibodies are completely different and should be at the very centre of any and all covid vaccine discussions. End Quotes.

This short clip has been around for a while now , I think it was made during the plandemic.
So why bring it up again now ?.........because it was relevant then , and it is relevant now , and if you had watched the clip , you now realize it's relevance in the future.

Houston , we have a problem!!

Football Analogy From Del Bigtrees Interview of Geert Vanden Bossche - The Highwire

Nearly got in big trouble sharing the Gospel- I'm shaken.

Over the past three days, I've been spending about an hour or two at the park sharing the Gospel with people. When I do this, I challenge people to see if they can name the Ten Commandments in 60 seconds to win some chocolate. It usually sparks a lot of conversations about faith which leads to the Gospel. I've been doing this regularly for a couple of years now.

Today started off okay. I talked to a bunch of adults and some kids, mostly between 10 and 13 years old. (Kids were in a group)
After about half an hour, while I was chatting with a lady and her kids, I noticed a big guy watching me from a few meters away. He kept staring as I talked. After I finished with the lady, I went over to him and asked if he wanted to chat. He spoke sternly, asking what I was up to. I explained the 60-second challenge, and he got really serious. He warned me to stop or else he and his grown son would hurt me badly. He thought what I was doing looked shady and said I shouldn't be giving out chocolates in the park because it makes me seem like a predator. I agreed to stop for the day out of respect for him but said I'd be back because sharing the Gospel is important to me. He threatened me not to return or he and his friends would handle it in a very bad way.

During our tense talk, I kept calm and explained how I've tried different ways to share my faith with not much luck until I started with the chocolates, which has been really effective. I also said I had to keep coming back, even if it meant risking getting beaten up, because people need to hear about Jesus.
After about ten intense minutes, I suggested we shake hands to show no hard feelings, but he refused. He then continued to rant at me but, eventually, he started to understand where I was coming from, though he still thought chocolates in a park with kids could be misunderstood. As he softened, he even shook my hand and told me not to go home but to carry on.
I was pretty shaken myself, so I only stayed a bit longer until the man left, then I went home.

I get where he was coming from though—it could seem sketchy for a guy to be handing out chocolates in the park while talking about God. But this method has let me share my faith with hundreds of people who are really grateful. So, I can't stop now. Please pray things don't get worse for me as this was very tense.
I am just glad that the man came to understand that I was genuine and that I love God and the lost.

Pray also for the man that he comes to a place of understanding.
NOTE: This has been my most intense encounter and it has knocked me. But I will continue.

Hi There!

Life long Christian; son of a pastor. I love a good theological discussion. I would describe my own views now a days as “Post-Orthodox.” Ever since Constantine called for the church the standardize its beliefs and practices the church has erroneously prioritized doctrine over praxis; and this error was doubled down on by many Protestants. And whilst I was raised Trinitarian, I have long since rejected it - there are better interpretations that follow biblical precedent and which don’t require reading Hellenistic thought into scripture. That said, it is good to start with a given tradition in your theological journey - there is much wisdom to be had. We just must be mindful that the Church Fathers were also humans who struggled with the scriptures. Ultimately what is important is that we manifest God’s love in this world.

Not From Man nor Through Men

“Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— and all the brothers who are with me, to the churches of Galatia:
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Galatians 1:1-5 ESV)

Questions:

• What is meant by “not from men nor through man”?​
• What is meant by “but through Jesus Christ and God the Father”?​
• What is the grace and peace being spoken of here?​
• What does it mean to be delivered “from the present evil age”?​

The apostle Paul was a messenger of God, called of God to open blinded eyes, “so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me” (see Acts 26:12-18).

The Lord sent him, not only to the Jews, but also to the Gentiles, to speak the words of God to them, and to share with them the truth of the gospel of Christ, of our salvation. And it was God who gave him the words to say to the people. He was not called of man, and he did not get his training of man in a seminary, and he did not go through some religious indoctrination into any particular church denomination or into their particular theology. But he spoke God’s words to the people as he was led by the Holy Spirit.

And that is our model, too, that we should all be called of God and led of the Holy Spirit in whatever areas of ministry God has called us to and has gifted us in. And this is not saying that we should never be subject to human authority, but that the authority for what we do and for what we speak or write should come from God, and from the Scriptures, as being led by the Holy Spirit, and not by the marketing schemes of human beings. For so many messages today supposedly of God are really of humans, instead.

Now we are to speak God’s grace and his peace to the people, but this needs to be biblical grace and biblical peace, and not this “light and fluffy” stuff that so many today are marketing to the world as having come from God when it is clearly not of God. For God’s grace to us is not just salvation from the punishment of sin and a free ride into heaven. And his peace is not absence of all conflict nor is it harmony (unity) with all people in order to not offend anyone with the truth of the gospel of our salvation.

For God’s grace, which is bringing us salvation, is training us to renounce (say “No!” to) ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives while we await our Lord’s return. For Jesus Christ “gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works,” the “good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (see Titus 2:11-14; Ephesians 2:8-10)

And the peace of God is peace with God, so it is absence of conflict with God in that we are not at odds with God but we are in harmony with him and with his purpose and plan for our lives, and so we submit to his authority. But that means that we will not be in harmony with all human beings, and thus there will not be absence of conflict between us and other humans if those other humans are against the Lord and against his design and purpose for our lives, because they want to live life their way, instead.

For God’s purpose in sending Jesus Christ (God the Son) to the earth, to ultimately be put to death on a cross, was that he who was without sin might put our sins to death with him in order to deliver us out of our slavery (bondage) to sin, if we will submit to his will and purpose for our lives. And not just to deliver us from slavery (addiction) to sin, but to empower us to live righteously in holiness and in godliness and in moral purity, and no longer according to the ways of this “present evil age.”

[John 8:31-32; John 10:27-30; John 14:15,21,23-24; John 15:1-11; Luke 9:23-26; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14,24; Romans 11:17-24; Romans 13:11; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 15:2; Galatians 5:16-21; Galatians 6:7-8; Ephesians 5:3-6; Colossians 1:21-23; 2 Timothy 2:10-13; Titus 2:11-14; 2 Peter 1:5-11; Hebrews 3:6-15; Hebrews 5:9; 1 Peter 1:3-9; 1 John 1:5-10; 1 John 2:3-6,15,24-25; 1 John 3:4-10,24; 1 John 4:19-20]

To Be Like Him

An Original Work / March 16, 2014
Based off Scripture


Crucified you are with Jesus.
To be like Him, oh, you’ll be,
Because He died at Calv’ry,
So from sin you’d be free.
Oh, what joy He brings into your life,
Giving life with Him endlessly.

Oh, what plans He has for your life.
Share the gospel faithfully.
Show the people He loves them.
Now His witness you’ll be.
Tell the world of sin about Jesus,
How He died for them on a tree.

Purifying hearts, He saves them,
Who believe on Christ, God’s Son.
Turning now from their idols,
New lives they have begun.
Jesus saves from sin; we’re forgiven.
Over sin, the vict’ry He won!

When He comes again to take us
To be with Him evermore,
There will be no more crying.
Gladness will be in store.
Heavens joys will now overtake us:
We’ll be with our Lord evermore.

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Baptist Schism: What Do You Guys Think

Hello folks. As a Catholic, who likes all branches of Christianity, I am wondering what you guys think about the Baptist Schism of SBC and it is sad how churches are getting split up over this woke stuff happening nowadays. Methodists broke up in 2022-2023, Lutherans are getting broken up, Presbyterians are getting changed. I am scared that this will happen with all the denominations over the next few years. Not an end times doomer here, but it does seem like we are close to the End Times. As your Catholic brother, I pray that the Baptist church keeps the woke stuff out. Even the Catholic church is slowly having some LGTV stuff seep in.

Prayers for both Protestants and Catholics, that all of Christianity stays true to the Bible, and is not swayed by modern ideologies.

Disclaimer: Love the Sinner, not the sin. We must try to turn these LGTV folks away from their sins.

Baptist News/Opinion Piece (2023):

Methodist Schism (2022):

Presbyterian Schism (2012):

Here are two prayers for the protection of churches for us Christians (first one is Protestant, second prayer is for Catholics, though we are all one in Christ)

Protestant Prayer: Dear God,

We pray for every leader in our churches around the world – give them your wisdom and discernment as they lead. We pray that their hearts would be directed first to you, that they would recognize where their true help and strength come from. We ask that you would guard their coming and going, that you would be their refuge and their peace. We pray that you would surround each one with wise counsel, that they would be humble and kind, patient and loving through their actions and words. We pray that their faith in you would be unwavering.

We pray for their families – give them great strength, protection, and grace for the days ahead. We ask that you would continue to pave the way for strong, faithful men and women to serve your people. We ask you for the outpouring of your Spirit to raise up those you’ve chosen to lead.


In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Catholic Prayer: O my Jesus,
I beg You on behalf of the whole Church:
Grant it love and the light of Your Spirit
and give power to the words of priests
so that hardened hearts might be brought to repentance
and return to You, O Lord.

Lord, give us holy priests;
You Yourself maintain them in holiness.
O Divine and Great High Priest,
may the power of Your mercy accompany them everywhere
and protect them from the devil's traps and snares
which are continually being set for the souls of priests.
May the power of Your mercy, O Lord,
shatter and bring to naught
all that might tarnish the sanctity of priests,
for You can do all things.
I ask You, Jesus,
for a special blessing
and for light for the priests
before whom I will make my confessions throughout my lifetime.

Amen.
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Mel Gibson to Archbishop Viganò: ‘You are a modern day Athanasius!’

Actor and film director Mel Gibson has written a letter of encouragement to Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò after the Vatican announced that the retired papal nuncio has been excommunicated.


(LifeSiteNews) — Editor’s note: The following letter from Mel Gibson to Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò appeared first at the website of Italian journalist Aldo Maria Valli. It has since been promoted by Archbishop Viganò on X. LifeSite has also received direct confirmation from Mel Gibson that he did write the letter.

~~~

lg.php

Dear Archbishop,

I’m sure you expected nothing else from Jorge Bergoglio.

I know that you know he has no authority whatsoever – so I’m not sure how this will effect you going forward. I hope you will continue to say Mass and receive the sacraments yourself – it really is a badge of honor to be shunned by the false, post conciliar church.

You have my sympathies that you suffer publicly this grave injustice. To me and many others you are a most courageous hero.

As always, you have hit the nail on the head regarding the illegitimacy of Francis. You express the core problems with the institution that has eclipsed the true church and I applaud your courage in expressing that, but more than that in maintaining fidelity to the true Church!

You are a modern day Athanasius! I have all respect for the way you defend Christ and His Church. I agree with you 100% that the post conciliar church of Vatican II is a counterfeit church. This is why I built a Catholic church that only worships traditionally. You are welcome to come and say Mass there anytime.

Of course being called a schismatic and being excommunicated by Jorge Bergoglio is like a badge of honor when you consider he is a total apostate and expels you from a false institution.

Continued below.
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Biden abruptly cancels meeting with German Chancelor - because it was his bed time.

For those possibly gaslighted into imagining that the Thursday debate June 25/2024 debacle is a sudden abrupt change in Biden that magically appeared on debate-night::

from 2022
MSN: Biden-didnt-show-up-for-an-early-evening-meeting-with-the-german-chancellor-because-he-had-to-go-to-bed-report
===================================
"President Joe Biden canceled an early evening meeting with the German chancellor Olaf Scholz at the last minute because he had to go to bed, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

"The newspaper reported that the event was an informal gathering in Germany amid the G7 summit in June 2022, and was meant to be a low-key meeting to discuss Ukraine.

"Two unnamed people who were there told the Journal that Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that Biden would not make an appearance because he had to rest."

"According to the report, the chancellor and his aides were surprised by Biden's absence and Blinken's appearance."
================================= end quote

Anyone not "new to humanity" is well aware that the 2022 ability of Biden demonstrated above - will not be "reproduced" in the remaining years of his 80's - rather that competence/ability will worsen as time drags on.

So here we see them admit to the obvious

MSN: opinion-democrats-are-staging-a-coup-by-the-elite-s-elite

===== quote from that link --

"t
ruthfully, what Biden showed on the debate stage with Trump was nothing Americans hadn’t seen or heard countless times in innumerable settings. And of course, there were the rumors (including his oral testimony to special counsel Robert Hur). On the debate stage, there were gaffes (Biden has called himself a gaffe machine) and shambling.

"But for most of us, like the children in the “Emperor Who Wore No Clothes,” the monarch was no more naked than we had seen him before. Our shock came from the benighted “adults,” Democratic elites, finally seeing it — or at least, finally admitting it.

"The true revelation of Biden’s debate was the unmasking of the Democratic elite."
================== end quote

Kat Von D covers tattoos during witchcraft to Christianity transformation

Tattoo artist and TV personality Kat Von D has recently opened up about her decision to cover her existing tattoos with solid black ink, a transformation she began last October.

In an interview with Inked Magazine, Von D revealed that her decision was influenced by her conversion to Christianity and a desire to move away from reminders of her past.

The former LA Ink star has been vocal about renouncing her previous engagement with witchcraft and the occult, seeking a cleaner slate both physically and spiritually.

During the interview she said: "I think I had been fed up with a lot of the tattoos I got over the years for a long time.

"Some people are fine with keeping these types of landmarks in time on them - I personally grew tired of waking up to them, and seeing those constant reminders every time I looked in a mirror.!

Choosing to work with Philadelphia-based artist Hoode Philly, known for his expertise in blackout tattooing, Kat Von D shared her satisfaction with covering the "messes" of her past tattoos.

Continued below.

Christmas in July?

I was relaxing in front of the TV and noticed that there seems to be an ongoing lineup of Christmas shows on at least two cable channels (You know the one especially that has 40 different titles, 5 actors, 2 writers and one plot line)

Got me thinking about my younger years, when my Methodist church would designate a Sunday in July as "Christmas in July " Sunday Complete with Christmas hymns and message....

Of course this somewhat conflicts with our current ecclesiastical year that I now foolw based on Catholic/Anglican order of seasons

BUT it got me thinking....Am I not the one on here who encourages people to live with Christmas values all year around?
To practice charity and giving on a daily basis? To practice acceptance, tolerance and Love not just in December but all the year through?

DO I not endeavor to live the principals best expressed in DIckens A Christmas Carol" by the character of Fred who states
“Christmas among the rest. But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round—apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that—as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!”

SO as much as I scoff at the Hallmark channel (of which I am not a fan) I think it is time to stop and remember the daily message of God's Gift to the world, and to meditate for a moment on the true meaning of Christmas and endeavor to live it year round

Non Expedit

Could the Pope expand the restrictions of the Non Expedit to other nations? So far in history its only precedent is when it was used to tell Italians to boycott the polls in the 19th century.

I don't think Francis would do this but if another Pope were reigning and with the recent news here in the US that the Republican party has removed the pro-life position and traditional marriage from its platform, could a Pope issue Non Expedit? That could be crippling even though I would guess probably 2/3 of American Catholics would either ignore it or not understand it.

Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO): "Some will say I am advocating Christian nationalism, and so I am.”

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) spoke at 2024’s National Conservatism conference — better known as NatCon — and made a bold declaration in support of Christian Nationalism.

Speaking from the podium during NatCon 4’s gala dinner on Monday, Hawley stated: “Some will say I am calling America a Christian nation, and so I am. Some will say I am advocating Christian nationalism, and so I am.”

From NatCon:

Where a Christian majority exists, public life should be rooted in Christianity and its moral vision, which should be honored by the state and other institutions both public and private. ... Adult individuals should be protected from religious or ideological coercion in their private lives and in their homes. [But obviously not necessarily in their dealings with the aforementioned state and other institutions.]

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Project 2025 is NOT the Trump plan - do not get mislead

“I know nothing about Project 2025,” Trump posted on his social media website. “I have no idea who is behind it. I disagree with some of the things they’re saying and some of the things they’re saying are absolutely ridiculous and abysmal. Anything they do, I wish them luck, but I have nothing to do with them.”


Trump has outlined his own plans to remake the government if he wins a second term, including staging the largest deportation operation in U.S. history and imposing tariffs on potentially all imports. His campaign has previously warned outside allies not to presume to speak for the former president and suggested their transition-in-waiting efforts were unhelpful.

You can also plainly see that the Project 2025 is not from the Trump Campaign nor is it from the Republican National Convention. Nor is Project 2025 endorsed by Trump nor the Republican Party.

It is the result of a think tank and not even all it's members agree with it.


Project 2025, organized by The Heritage Foundation, is a movement-wide effort guided by the conservative cause to address and reform the failings of big government and an undemocratic administrative state. The opinions of Project 2025 and The Heritage Foundation do not necessarily represent the opinions of every one of its advisory board partners.

Please - let's be intellectually honest .

10 Commandments: To keep or not to keep?

Exodus 20:

1 God spoke all these words, saying,
2“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
3“You shall have no other gods before me.
Keep #1.

4“You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Keep.
5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them.
Keep #2.

7 “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.
Keep #3.

8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates.
If you wish to keep this one (#4), I am not going to stop you. I do not keep the weekly sabbath.

12 Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
Keep #5.

13 You shall not murder.
Keep #6.

14 You shall not commit adultery.
Keep #7.

15 You shall not steal.
Keep #8.

16 You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
Keep #9.

17 You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.
Keep #10.

I keep everything except the weekly Saturday sabbath. I keep the true sabbath rest in Jesus 24/7.

In general, I am guided by the Paraclete.

You don't have any trouble!

RW Schambach telling the story... When he was young the ministry team was invited out to a wonderful dinner after church. Before they started to eat the host begins to testify. He said that some kind of sickness possessed him with paralyzing effects. The effects were so devastating that they called the priest in for the last rites. He knew the priest was giving him the last rites but couldn't flicker an eyelash. When the priest left the room another came through the wall. This one was dressed in pure white. He whispered these things into his ear... "You don't have any trouble! All you need is faith and God!" Story in the video below...

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Did the Spirit want Paul to go to Jerusalem in Ac 20-21?

Luke was with Paul in Miletus in Ac 20:

16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.
Paul wanted to go to Jerusalem. He arrived at Ephesus:

22 Now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit,
Paul felt the Spirit wanted him to travel to Jerusalem. He believed he was following the Spirit's leading.

not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.
He did not know exactly what would happen there, but he knew the Holy Spirit told him to expect harsh treatment from different cities.

25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again.
Paul had some inkling of what would happen in Jerusalem.

36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.
They knew bad things would happen to Paul in Jerusalem but didn't advise him not to go.

Paul and Luke arrived at Tyre in Ac 21:

4 And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.
The Spirit inspired the brothers at Tyre to tell Paul not to travel to Jerusalem. This was to test Paul's resolve to strengthen his faith and commitment. Paul insisted on moving forward.

Now, did the Spirit inspire Paul to go to Jerusalem?

I think so.

They arrived at Caesarea:

10 While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’”
Agabus quoted the words of the Holy Spirit to warn and prepare Paul.

Did the Spirit inspire Agabus to tell Paul not to go to Jerusalem?

No. The Spirit inspired Agabus to tell Paul what would happen to him in Jerusalem. That didn't surprise Paul; he knew it more or less (v. 23).

12 When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem.
Luke and the brothers in Caesarea urged Paul not to go.

Did the Spirit inspire them to urge Paul?

No. They did it out of their personal concern for Paul.

13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Paul insisted on going despite the hardship waiting for him there.

14 And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”
They resigned to the will of the Lord.

17 When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly.
The brothers in Jerusalem didn't tell Paul to run away.

Did the Spirit inspire Paul to go to Jerusalem and simultaneously inspire his friends to tell him not to go?

Yes and yes.

Was that contradictory?

No. The Spirit inspired Paul to go. That was Paul's mission from the Spirit. The Spirit inspired his friends to tell Paul not to go because of their personal concern for him and because God wanted to test Paul's resolve through his friends. This dual action allowed Paul to demonstrate his faithful character before the disciples so that they and we could learn from this series of oppositional events.

Is This Really A Difficult Question?

Would Biden or Harris get a high turnout of blacks, youth and suburban women in PA, MI and WI? Biden or Harris?
============
I suspect that a significant number of blacks, youth and suburban women will stay home if Biden is at the top of the ticket. This will make it more likely that the Republicans will win the House and the presidency. I focus on the 3 key states. If one candidate wins these three, that candidate would likely win the presidency.

Is it too late for me to be married?

I am not sure if this is the correct forum, but I had sex after becoming saved. I have repented and have been getting closer to God this year and He has done so much for me since. But I read somewhere that if you had pre marital sex after becoming born again then God won’t send you a husband (I’m a woman), because you disobeyed Him. Is this true? I have always wanted to be married and am so disappointed with myself for disobeying God and trying to control my situation. Now I’m afraid because I have wanted nothing more than to be a wife and mother but I’m afraid that it won’t happen for me anymore because I went outside of His will. If that is the case then I will accept my punishment, but would like advice from other believers. Thanks

Gay activists oppose state bill that would make buying sex with children a felony.



What kind of a country do we live in where gays can openly oppose a bill that would make buying sex with children a felony? They claim it will hurt the gay community.

If america had any sense of morals, values and standards these people would be arrested for opposing a bill that is against having sex with children. They should become registered sex offenders just for this alone.

Anyone that isn't against diddling kids has no place in a civilized society. It just goes to show how emboldened the gay community has become when they do this publicly and openly.

If they claim it will effect gays more then doesn't that tell us all something about gays? Maybe tells us gays will be impacted because the gays are having sex with kids the most?

May God help America, because we really could use his help.

Continuant’s Excess

Cessationism (gifts era has passed folk) has a portion of us full-Gospel who seem to forget the attack they levy, but in turn follow in some of their strengths. Foremost on that list is not to allow the full range ‘gifts” as described as it relates to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Is there such a thing as ‘spiritual excess’? Christians who maintain a rich knowledge of the word of God but are considered those ‘who go too far in their desire to embrace’ is striking a different cord if I am expected to welcome all who agree to the continuation of the Above.

We’ve seen it before, but I suspect it remains top of continuationism’s concerns. To resist by way of “decency”. Or another contender, ‘we tarried and tarried and so little headway’ impatience.

How long is it acceptable to cut off, praying or tarrying? Patience is one of those character traits that doesn’t really require that much, so long as we don’t turn aside in our mind.

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