"The Lamb Who is a Shepherd"

The Lamb on the altar
Will be slaughtered in blood
But does even this in peace
By doing what He should
He's betrayed with a kiss

The words in our own head
He numbers all our hairs
And we have to respond
By our inclinations
He's the all-knowing One

The devil of this world
He causes us trouble
And does so willingly
From lying and killing
He's assailed by the Lamb

The news of the Lamb spreads
He gives us the lessons
And we walk as He does
By His self-sacrifice
He's the perfect shepherd

Some maintain that God has an eternal plan that encompasses everything that happens in creation; this plan, sometimes called God's eternal decree, includes the final disposition of every creature, some to heaven, some to hell, some not mentioned specifically. Do the scriptures teach that God has an eternal decree, is it detailed and inclusive of the final disposition of every creation, and does it imply that God intends for some creatures to end up in hell and that God intended them to be hell-bound from eternity?

Hi all,
I have been in a serious relationship with my boyfriend for one year and three months. We both attend university, so half of the time we have a long-distance relationship, which we have made work. He is a Christian and a significant factor in my coming to faith, including my baptism a few months ago.
We have had our issues. He confessed to me about an issue with p*rn that he has struggled with, he hasn't been able to find any work over the summers, and in general is a lot less mature and independent than I am. My parents recently moved to a different continent and so I am experiencing a level of independence that most do not at my age of 19, basically a housewife. I have always had struggled with my mental health and am on 40mg antidepressants daily. I go to a no.1 ranked university and do my best to have a strong work ethic, whereas my boyfriend struggles with completing assignments on time, punctuality, etc. He games a significant amount.
We have had our struggles but I feel like I am leaving him behind. We've talked about marriage and children, down to even picking names. He is looking for engagement rings. There have been several times where I have felt that I just don't feel like I can keep things going. In addition, looking to the future, my prospects seem brighter, and could very likely end up being breadwinner in addition to a majority of childcare and housework.
He is sweet and a devout Christian, and I adore his family. I just don't know. So many times, I feel like I've been at a breaking point, outwardly telling him that I will need support, which I don't always feel like I receive.
We communicate well and have had these tough conversations in the past. I'm at a loss - are my doubts the result of the Devil? Or is God pointing me towards a different future? I don't know. I can't tell if I am selfish and envious.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read my post. Blessings be upon you <3

Hi I was wondering what the hell that most people would be going to would be like. Apparently with earthly torture "Going too far, too fast with torture can simply desensitize people". Could people also get used to the suffering in hell or is the point to be in an agony that you'd never get used to? I'm wondering what Christians believe the Bible says about this.

Along with taking part in “Cooking with the Saints” classes at his parish, Fernandes has offered a class on Goan cooking honoring St. Francis Xavier, the patron saint of Goa.

Recipe: Mai’s Chicken Curry​

Serves 4 to 5

Ingredients:

• 3 pounds boneless chicken thighs or chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1-1/2 large onion, peeled and diced
• 1 green chili, cut into pieces
• 3 large garlic cloves, peeled
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 large tomato, chopped
• 1/4 bunch fresh coriander, chopped
• 4 yellow potatoes, cut into quarters

Directions:

Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Sprinkle with the salt and set aside for at least half an hour. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat, and lightly brown the chicken pieces. Remove the pieces and set aside.

Sauté the diced onion until browned. Add the chili pieces, garlic, cinnamon, cumin, turmeric and cloves. Mix well and cook, stirring. Add the chopped tomato coriander and sauté. Add the potatoes and mix together well.

Add some water to the cookpot for making gravy, then add the chicken and the remaining ingredients. Cook over low heat until all the ingredients are well combined.

Continued below.

The month of "Elul" A time for self-examination, reflection, "Days of Awe" and time to ask ourselves "How is my relationship with God?"

It's time to STOP, TURN AROUND, and RETURN to the LORD!

The month of "Elul" started on the 18th of this month. Erev Shabbat. It is a time to think about God's mercy (Rachamim) his forgiveness, (Selichot) and grace (Chen). We are looking at and going through 40 days of "Awe" culminating on Yom Kippur, in the month of Tishrei (towards the end of September).

We should ask ourselves these questions: Is my relationship with God on the "up and up?" Is my family relationship good? Is there secret sin in my life that I have not confessed? Have I gotten off the straight and narrow road and now I am in the thorn bushes? If I were to die right now, would the LORD welcome me with open arms with the words "Well done my faithful servant?" or would he have a paddle in his hand ready to tan my fanny about 1000 times?

All these are questions we should ask ourselves including "Have I offended others and have not asked forgiveness?" We would probably have to answer yes to many of these questions. So, it is time for "Teshuvah" or "Shoov" which means "turn around, have a change of mind and go the other way" towards the LORD once again.

"Elul" has 4 letters, both in Hebrew and in English. the number "4" can mean the 4 corners of the world. All inhabitants of the 4 corners of the world should take time now and reflect on their personal relationship with Adonai. The Hebrew gematria of "Elul" is 67. This is also the gematria of the word "Binah" (understanding). We need to "understand" that our relationship with the LORD is real and if we are lacking, we need to make amends and return to our first love.

The word "Elul" also has the acronyms for the Song of Solomon 6:3 "I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine" "Ani L'Dodi V'Dodi Li"
If we are HIS beloved, then, if we have strayed away from the bridegroom, we need to come back. The number "67" in gematria can also be added up to "13" (6 + 7) This reminds us of the 13 attributes of Adonai, which include; mercy, forgiveness, and longsuffering grace. (Rachamim, Selichah, and Chen) (Exodus 34:6-7)

According to the great sage Rambam, there are 4 steps to "returning" (Teshuvah) 1. realizing our error (sin) 2. abandon our sinful ways 3. Confession of our sin to God, or to the person we have offended, 4. Resolve not to repeat our sinful act. The woman caught in the act of adultery is a good example. (In the New Testament).

Here are some good Bible verses to read during this time of "Elul" that speak of "returning;"

Psalm 27; Deut 30:2; Jeremiah 3:12-15; Joel 2:13; Hosea 14:1; Zechariah 1:3; Nehemiah 1:9; Job 22:23; Isaiah 59:20;55:7

Here are some good Bible verses that speak on "mercy and grace"

Proverbs 28:13; Psalm 145:8; Ephesians 2:4-5; Luke 6:36;

Here is something interesting about the Hebrew word "Rachamim" (mercy, merciful) it comes from the root word "rechem" which means "womb" The mother protects her child inside her womb, since the child is part of her, yet also, separate from her. So therefore, the LORD wishes to protect us within the confines of his WORD. And wants HIS Word to be part of us, yet wandering away from HIS Word, is to go beyond his protection. (the "ch" in Hebrew is pronounced like an "h")

So, be mindful of these days of "awe" yet we are free to "shoov" anytime, 24-7. God's heart is always open.

Shalom.... Ben Avraham

Ephesians 2:8-10 ESV


So, what is God’s grace to us? It is his kindness towards us, his favor. It is him leaning towards us to share his benefit with us. It is Jesus Christ freely extending himself to give himself away to people, freely extending Himself (His favor, grace), reaching (inclining) to people because He is disposed to bless (be near) them (source: biblehub.com interlinear).

And how did Jesus Christ extend himself to us to show us his favor? He who was God in the flesh (both man and God) willingly gave himself up for us by dying on a cross for our sins. For he who knew no sin became sin for us on that cross so that when he died, our sins died with him, so that by his grace, and by God-persuaded faith in Jesus Christ, we might die with him to sin and live to his righteousness, and that we might live for him and no longer for ourselves, and that we might now honor him with our bodies (our lives).

[1 Peter 2:24; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 2 Corinthians 5:15; Romans 6:1-23]

So, God’s grace to us is not just forgiveness of sins and a free ride into heaven, as many would have you believe today. For God’s grace, which is bringing us salvation, trains us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives while we wait for our Lord’s soon 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” (see Titus 2:11-14; cf. Ephesians 2:10).

And what is faith? It means faithfulness, belief, trust, confidence, and fidelity. So it means being faithful to God/Christ as a bride should be faithful (pure, unadulterated) in her relationship with her husband (and vice versa). And it means to be persuaded (convinced, converted, won over) by God (see John 6:44). And it is the divine persuasion of God’s will for our lives. And so what will he persuade us about? He will persuade us as to his holiness and righteousness, and of our sinfulness, and of our need to repent (to turn from our sins) and to follow him in obedience and in godly living.

And what else should we know about faith? Jesus Christ is the originator and the perfecter of that faith, and the faith to believe in Jesus comes from God, and it is gifted to us by God, and it is not of our own doing. So we don’t get to determine what that faith looks like. God does, and he reveals that to us through his written word. For he defined faith as obedience to him, and he defined disobedience as unbelief. And Jesus said if we would come after him that we must deny self, take up our cross daily (die daily to sin and to self) and follow (obey) him, for if we don’t, we will lose our lives for eternity.

[Hebrews 12:1-2; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 4:1-13; Luke 9:23-26; Romans 6:1-23; Matthew 7:21-23]

So many people are quoting only verses 8-9 and they are leaving out verse 10 which is critical to the whole meaning of this passage, as is the whole chapter 2 of Ephesians, and as is the entire book of Ephesians. And so they pull verses 8 and 9 out of context and then they teach a false doctrine of salvation from those two verses which is permeating the church here in America. For so many are being taught that they don’t have to do anything but that God does it all, and so they have the understanding that nothing really has to change in their lives, and so many are continuing in sin.

But God didn’t say no works are required of us. He said the opposite. What he said is that we can’t be saved by our own works of our own flesh. We can’t just do “good works” of our flesh and think God is going to accept them, which is what the Pharisees were doing. But we are saved to do the good works of God which God prepared in advance that we should walk in them, that these works of God should now be our practice. And obedience to our Lord and to his commands (New Covenant) and living holy lives, and not in sin, are required of God for our salvation and eternal life with God.

[Matt 7:21-23; Matt 24:9-14; Lu 9:23-26; Rom 1:18-32; Rom 2:6-8; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-14,24; Rom 12:1-2; Rom 13:11; 1 Co 6:9-10,19-20; 2 Co 5:10,15,21; 1 Co 1:18; 1 Co 15:1-2; 2 Tim 1:8-9; Heb 9:28; 1 Pet 1:5; Gal 5:16-21; Gal 6:7-8; Eph 2:8-10; Eph 4:17-32; Eph 5:3-6; Col 1:21-23; Col 3:5-17; 1 Pet 2:24; Tit 2:11-14; 1 Jn 1:5-9; 1 Jn 2:3-6,24-25; 1 Jn 3:4-10; Heb 3:6,14-15; Heb 10:23-31; Heb 12:1-2; Rev 21:8,27; Rev 22:14-15]

For, again, Jesus Christ did not give himself up for us on that cross just to forgive us our sins so that when we die we get to go to heaven. He died to transform our lives and to deliver us out of our slavery to sin and to empower us to live holy and godly lives, pleasing to him, in his power. Yet, if we don’t repent of our sins, and if we continue in deliberate and habitual sin, and we do not obey our Lord’s commandments under the New Covenant, in practice, and if we don’t walk in righteousness, then we do not have eternal life with God and heaven is not our eternal destiny. Please believe this!

We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations

By H. Ernest Nichol, 1896

We've a story to tell to the nations,
that shall turn their hearts to the right,
a story of truth and mercy,
a story of peace and light,
a story of peace and light.

We've a song to be sung to the nations,
that shall lift their hearts to the Lord,
a song that shall conquer evil
and shatter the spear and sword,
and shatter the spear and sword.

We've a message to give to the nations,
that the Lord who reigneth above
has sent us His Son to save us,
and show us that God is love,
and show us that God is love.

We've a Savior to show to the nations,
who the path of sorrow has trod,
that all of the world's great peoples
may come to the truth of God,
may come to the truth of God.

For the darkness shall turn to dawning,
and the dawning to noonday bright,
and Christ's great kingdom shall come on earth,
the kingdom of love and light.

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Impassibility describes the theological doctrine that God does not experience pain or pleasure from the actions of another being. God, in this divine attribute, does not feel sad. However, as an anthropomorphism, he does, Genesis 6:

6 the LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.

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Another example in 1 Samuel 15:

10 The word of the LORD came to Samuel: 11“I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me and has not performed my commandments.” And Samuel was angry, and he cried to the LORD all night.

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In terms of anthropomorphism, the LORD regrets.

29 And also the Glory of Israel will not lie or have regret, for he is not a man, that he should have regret.”

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In terms of divine attributes, he does not regret anything since he is omniscient.

35b And the LORD regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.

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Anthropomorphism again.

Does the LORD regret?

In terms of anthropomorphism, yes, he often communicates to human beings in a convention that we can understand.

Democrats such as Hillary Clinton, Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams and dozens of congressional lawmakers have long objected to state and federal election results and have attempted to block every Republican presidential winner since 2000.

No Democrat has been prosecuted for challenging election results.

Hi everyone, a question- is it scriptural to anoint an unbeliever for healing with anointing oil? I was thinking, if it is scriptural and the person agreed to receive it they might get healed and then come to Christ! I have some anointing oil myself and I have anointed myself with it and I felt something supernatural, I got a burning sensation. If an unbeliever felt that it might be enough for them to believe!

Excellent advice. Really hit home.

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I find it very common that if a person agrees with a position, they say nothing to affirm that position (whatever it may be). Conversely to that, I find it is very common that if a person disagrees with a position, they say something to say they negate that position (whatever it may be).

To me, and I don't know about you, this seems to be a problem.

Some people like to focus more on negative arguments rather than positive arguments. What is the difference between these? A negative argument is arguing against a position. Conversely to that, a positive argument is arguing for a position.

For example, almost all arguments against the existence of God are negative arguments rather than positive arguments. Conversely to that, almost all arguments for the existence of God are positive arguments rather than negative arguments.

For that reason, I see this as a general principle that we should strive towards.

Instead of focusing on "proving wrong" we should look to "prove right." Of course, this does not mean we cannot disagree with other people even in the form of negative arguments sometimes. But if we do that, the best way I can think of doing it is not straw-manning the other position and instead being charitable to the other view. Perhaps this charity would even mean arguing against the argument that puts the other position in the best possible light. This is called steel-manning, that is, to make the other position as strong as you can before arguing against that position. Not only does this make for a much more powerful argument, but it shows that your position has nothing to hide. There is this famous quote that goes like this: “Truth doesn’t mind being questioned. A lie does not like being challenged."

If someone asks you a question you can't answer, it is always best to tell them you don't know the answer instead of fabricating an answer to make yourself look good. It is dishonest to answer a question if you don't know if your answer is true.

As this is a Christian forum, most of the discussions on this board have to do with different views of Christianity. Oftentimes, people feel like an offense has been done to them when no such offense has been done. Be advised that saying, "I haven't thought about it that way," is a great way to gain respect from others and allows people to see you are more interested in the truth of a position rather than forwarding your own PoV (and we all have our own PoVs).

I leave you with the words of St. Augustine:

"Let me ask of my readers wherever alike myself he is certain, there to go with me. Wherever alike myself he hesitates, there to join me in inquiring. Wherever he recognizes himself to be in error, then to return to me. Wherever he recognizes me to be so, there to call me back, so that we may enter together upon the path of charity, and advance toward him it is said, 'Seek His face forevermore.'"

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A federal appeals court ruled Monday that Alabama can enforce a ban outlawing the use of puberty blockers and hormones to treat transgender children, the second such appellate victory for gender-transition care restrictions that have been adopted by a growing number of Republican-led states.

At least 20 states enacted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming care for minors.

John 12:32

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.

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Barnes explained:

All men - I will incline all kinds of men; or will make the way open by the cross, so that all men may come. I will provide a way which shall present a strong motive or inducement - the strongest that can be presented to all men to come to me.

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Jesus often spoke in poetic hyperbole to emphasize a deeper spiritual reality.

A report by the New York Times alleges that Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss was preparing to let Hunter Biden skate on all charges until whistleblowers from the Internal Revenue Service came forward to claim that political interference by the Biden Justice Department was preventing the president’s son from receiving an unbiased investigation.

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

Now, I know how triggering a post like this can be (for Protestants especially).

But there is more than one kind of apostle. There is the Apostle (the 12 and Paul) and there are other apostles (not part of that group).

What is my basis for this? The clearest example is that Barnabas was considered an apostles along side Paul seen here:

"But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out," (Acts 14:14)

Further, I see no Biblical evidence that the role of apostle has ceased. In fact, we can see that they exist until the Church of Christ has unity and it is no longer needed seen here:

"And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes." (Ephesians 4:11–14) (Emphasis mine)

The italics clearly shows that there is a point in time that we will not have apostles, but that time has not come yet since the Chruch of Christ is not "unified in the knowledge of the Son of God."

But wait, there's more!

Not only are there apostles today, but the Bible actually says that even during the time the NT was written that there were Gentiles who were apostles seen here,

"Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy... For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ." (1 Thessalonians 1:1a; 2:5–6)

Paul says, "Nor did we.. though we could have... as apostles." And we know that Timothy was a Gentile.

I cannot wrap my head around the difference in predestination vs double predestination.

My best answer is that in predestination God simply new beforehand who would believe, where with double predestination He actively makes the non elect reprobates. Is this right?

Can anyone spoon feed me this answer? For instance when someone says in predestination that simply means God passed them over…that seems equivalent to double predestination to me….

I don’t get it….

But it seems the early church fathers understood predestination as God foreknowing who would believe, so maybe this is the key difference?

Jesus spoke Aramaic in Matthew 27:

46 about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

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Wiki:

The language of Jesus and his disciples is believed to be Aramaic.[1][2] This is the common language of Judea in the first century AD, most likely a Galilean dialect distinguishable from that of Jerusalem.[3] This is generally agreed upon by historians. The villages of Nazareth and Capernaum in Galilee, where Jesus spent most of his time, were Aramaic-speaking communities.[4] It is also likely that Jesus knew enough Koine Greek to converse with those not native to Judea, and it is reasonable to assume that Jesus was well versed in Hebrew for religious purposes.[5][6][7]

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Jesus commonly spoke Aramaic. On religious occasions, he spoke Hebrew. On special occasions, he spoke some level of Greek.

That’s particularly troubling because those migrants are not always screened against criminal databases in their home countries before they are released into the U.S. Many have paid significant money to reach the U.S. and often are indebted to smuggling cartels.

“We know nothing — literally nothing — about these people other than what they told us. We don’t even know if they’re giving us their real names, and if they have a criminal record back home, they’re definitely not giving us their real names. So how are you going to vet people?” she asked.

“There’s a segment of the population who cannot vote and cannot carry a gun. Those are usually referred to as convicted felons,” Chief Farr said. “So, in essence, the DACA recipients have the same restrictions upon them that convicted felons do. So that ain’t right.”

New King James Version, Philippians 2:6

who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery [G725] to be equal with God,

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ἁρπαγμὸν (harpagmon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 725: Spoil, an object of eager desire, a prize. From harpazo; plunder.

BDAG (2000):

ἁρπαγμός, οῦ, ὁ (rare in nonbibl. Gk.; not found at all in the Gk. transl. of the OT; in our lit. only in Phil 2:6).
① a violent seizure of property, robbery (s. ἁρπάζω; Plut., Mor. 12a; Vett. Val. 122, 1; Phryn., Appar. Soph.: Anecd. Gr. I 36. Also Plut., Mor. 644a ἁρπασμός), which is next to impossible in Phil 2:6 (W-S. §28, 3: the state of being equal w. God cannot be equated w. the act of robbery).

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New King James translation isn't so good.

English Standard Version, Philippians 2:6

who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped [G725].

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BDAG continues:

② As equal to ἅρπαγμα, someth. to which one can claim or assert title by gripping or grasping, someth. claimed w. change fr. abstr. to concr. (as θερισμός Rv 14:15, cp. J 4:35; ἱματισμός J 19:24). This mng. cannot be quoted fr. non-Christian lit., but is grammatically justifiable (Kühner-Bl. II p. 272; RLipsius, Hand-Comment. ad loc.). Christian exx. are Eus., In Luc. 6 (AMai, Nova Patrum Bibliotheca IV 165), where Peter regards death on the cross as ἁρπαγμός ‘a prize to be grasped eagerly’,

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ESV translation is somewhat justifiable. Biblehub lists 22 versions using "grasped".

NIV plays it safe:

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage.

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the newly departed Tasiia .

I have just heard from one of our Community ,who is our first Ukrainian Refugee, that her mother Tasiia has just passed.
Tanya has been back in Odesa for the last couple of months caring for her mother Tasiia . Tasiia had cancer and was being treated in Odesa , but Tanya has been sharing her room in the Hospital for the last few weeks caring for her mother night and day.

Please prayer for Tasiia and those who loved her

The California GOP proposal — adopted by a party committee in late July — supports “traditional family values” and a “strong and healthy family unit.” But it removes language that says “it is important to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman.”

The draft also excises opposition to a federally protected right to abortion, while maintaining support for “adoption as an alternative to abortion.”

Longtime conservative leaders are appalled by the proposal — both over its content and its likelihood to foment division at a key moment before the state’s presidential primary.

The draft platform will be voted on at the state party’s fall convention [in Anaheim], which former President Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and other presidential candidates are expected to attend. If the party’s delegates cannot reach consensus, the platform debate may be shifted to their spring gathering.

“It’s a seismic shift but it’s a shift born out of practical necessity. Look at what’s happening not just in California but in much more conservative states, realizing antiabortion, anti-same-sex marriage stances are no longer tenable,” said Jessica Levinson, an election law professor at Loyola Law School. “I think it shows their acknowledgment that the sand has shifted underneath their feet.”

[77% of Californians, including 59% of California Republicans, support federal protections for the right to choose abortion. 71% of all Americans support same-sex marriage.]

That depends on your definition of salvation. Water baptism may enable you membership in a church but it does not guarantee eternal life.

Ephesians 2:8

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.

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No external ritual can universally guarantee eternal life.

See also Once saved, always saved?.

I'll be launching a ministry soon that helps to teach people relationship skills based on the Bible (like helping them work through anger, identifying their needs so they can share that with their spouses, helping them share deeper appreciations). Asking for prayer that God clears the path before me even more, and that He helps to make it more of the Heaven He wants. Thanks!