BCP1928 said:

Given the image of "manliness" presented here, I don't respect it, either.

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iluvatar5150 said:

I admit it was incomplete. Allow me to restate it:

lol, the guy blaming everything on feminism and weak men while continually stumping for a bunch of petulant and abusive serial philanderers complains about a lack of self-awareness.​

Is that better?

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Yes, using personal insults are always the best way to show you are winning an argument. Good job.

essentialsaltes said:

This means eternal emergency and eternal use of federalized troops in civilian matters.

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Thirty days, shmirty days.

As Guard deploys, Trump to seek 'long-term' federal control of DC police​

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he will seek more permanent federal control of the Washington, D.C., police force as he continues his efforts to ramp-up crime enforcement in the nation's capital.

Trump indicated at one point that he'd ask Congress for more funds to fight crime and to make repairs to Washington's streets and parks.

[Why didn't he ask them to do that before wresting control?]

Galaxy High

Family Guy

AV1611VET said:

Then why do people arc & spark when someone says science can take a hike?

If Biblical creationism and science are like water and oil, then where's the beef?

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From people like you.

seeking.IAM said:

"A new study published by Ipsos in partnership with The Episcopal Church as part of its Jesus in America survey shows that Christians in America have a perception problem." The article Christians say Christians are loving. Other people don't, survey says indicates Christians see themselves much more favorably than they are seen by non-Christians.

"People who identified as Christians described Christians as:

1. Giving — 57 percent
2. Compassionate — 56 percent
3. Loving — 55 percent
4. Respectful — 50 percent
5. Friendly — 49 percent
6. Honest — 45 percent
7. Humble — 42 percent
8. Sharing — 42 percent
9. Truthful — 40 percent
10. Judgemental — 19 percent

People identifying with other religions described Christians as:

1. Judgemental — 37 percent
2. Hypocritical — 36 percent
3. Self-righteous — 33 percent
4. Arrogant — 21 percent
5. Friendly — 20 percent
6. Giving — 18 percent
7. Unforgiving — 16 percent
8. Disrespectful — 16 percent
9. Compassionate — 15 percent
10. Loving — 15 percent

People identifying as not religious described Christians as:

1. Hypocritical — 55 percent
2. Judgemental — 54 percent
3. Self-Righteous — 50 percent
4. Arrogant — 36 percent
5. Unforgiving — 23 percent
6. Selfish — 23 percent
7. Disrespectful — 19 percent
8. Giving — 16 percent
9. Friendly — 15 percent
10. Compassionate — 12 percent"

I think this disparity between how we see ourselves and how others see us must pose a barrier to drawing other people to the faith. I think this is worthy of discussion here. Thoughts?

(I wasn't sure the proper place for posting this so I invite Moderator to move it if it fits better elsewhere).

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Since when does the opinion of secular non Christians matter to Christianity. Jesus said when you stand on my Truth you will be hated by the world.

So in reality the more Christians are hated the more Christlike they are. If a church is loved and is seen as good by secular non religious society then that church is not of Christ.

RandyPNW said:

I referenced Eph 1.19-23 because it agrees with your sense that at the Ascension Jesus approached the throne of Heaven. And that is found in Dan 7, where the Son of Man approaches the Ancient of Days in heaven.

So, I was hypothetically agreeing with you. My point was, I believe the reference in Dan 7.13, where Jesus approaches God's throne in heaven, is parenthetical...

Dan 7.13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence."

This may, hypothetically, be where Jesus ascended into heaven, following his resurrection.

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Hypothetically? I can't believe you're being serious here. It clearly is referring to His ascension. When He ascended to heaven He was placed at the right hand of the Father, so Him being brought to the Father in heaven lines up exactly with that.

RandyPNW said:

But it is placed in Dan 7.13 right before the coming of the Kingdom to show the *legal basis* for his establishment of God's Kingdom on earth. It may even be that Jesus begins his Coming with a quick visit to the throne room to reestablish the authority he had obtained at the Ascension?

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Him being given a kingdom refers to Him being given power and authority over all things, as He undeniably was when He ascended to the right hand of the Father.

When Daniel 7:14 says "there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom" that lines up with what Paul said was given him upon His ascension to the right hand of the Father.

Ephesians 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Do you agree that he was put in a position "Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named" with God having "put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church" when He ascended to heaven to the right hand of the Father? If so, how does that not line up with Daniel 7:14 saying he was given "dominion, and glory, and a kingdom" after describing Him as having been brought to the Ancient of Days (God the Father) in heaven?

AV1611VET said:

Only on paper.

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So says you.

The Emperor's New School

boughtwithaprice said:

The verses you quote, merely show that existence in hell is not life.

From the review of history and torture, it has been found that one of the most painful things that can be done to a man is to drill his two upper teeth without anesthesia. If one would be in a perpetual state of such pain, would you consider that life?

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Yes, the pain is as deep as any I ever felt in an upper tooth, passing kidney stones is right up there though different in nature, one migraine in particular surpassed all to the point of violence against my own self, but I was alive throughout all of it. Unquestionably conscious, excruciatingly and mournfully so, which would no doubt be the entire point of eternal punishment by fire I would imagine. Praise God no such thing shall be effected eternally.

Jud 1:6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. 7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

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They are not still burning today are they? No, the flames went out long ago, and Sodom and Gomorrha are no more. Praise the unending mercy of God. Amen.

boughtwithaprice said:

No one possesses immortality of themselves, we owe our whole existence to God, as we were brought about by His will, and we are born again not of ourselves.

Scripture tells us that the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. We are brought into existence by His will, and He will not repent of that gift. You said it right, God is not a liar

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No, He will not repent of the gift He has given us. Only we can deny or change the gift He has given. Which is pretty much the whole point. Choose you this day.

boughtwithaprice said:

It helps if we review the Greek

In biblical Greek, "eternal life" is typically translated as "zoe aionios" (ζωή αἰώνιος), which literally means "age-long life" or "life of the age". While often translated as "eternal," the Greek word aionios can also refer to the quality or characteristic of a life that is age-long or unending, rather than simply the length of time. The word zoe (ζωή) refers to life, particularly in the sense of spiritual or divine life, as opposed to bios (βίος), which refers to physical life, or psyche (ψυχή), which refers to the soul.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

• Zoe (ζωή):
  This word signifies life, specifically in the sense of a divine, eternal, and spiritual life, as opposed to merely physical existence. It is the life that God gives and sustains.
  
  
• Aionios (αἰώνιος):
  This adjective describes something as age-long, unending, or pertaining to an age or era. In the context of "eternal life," it emphasizes the quality and nature of the life, rather than just its duration. It can refer to both the present age and the age to come.

Therefore, "eternal life" in the Bible, as expressed by zoe aionios, encompasses not only unending existence but also a specific quality of life that is God-given, spiritually vibrant, and enduring. It is often associated with salvation and a relationship with God

Those that are born again and repent toward God are offered something much more than eternal existence, rather eternal existence with God, in the full light of His love. That is the beatific vision

Existence in separation from God is not life, as all hope, all love, all joy dies. Jesus tells us it is where the worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched
Jesus speaks of Judas that it would have been better for him if he had never been born, implying that his eternity is worse than not existing at all
If annihilationism were true, Jesus’ words there would have no meaning. The wicked could then curse God without fear because he could reason that the torment will eventually end and he can go out cursing God. That is not taught in the Bible. Hell is a place to avoid and the horror is that it is eternal

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Opinions are many and varied, truth they do not equal. The word of God stands forever.

Ps 37:20 But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.

Ps 68:1 Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him. 2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. 3 But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.

Ps 73:27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.

Ps 112:10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.

Isa 41:11 Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. 12 Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought.

1 Cor 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

II Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

2 Pet 2:12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;

2 Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Mat 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

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Pommer said:

They could, if they cowed enough women, vote themselves in and take over the governments of the states and the Federal Government as well then where would we be?

Better to nip this in the bud and take away the franchise from all women, lest the radicals take over!

The sky, it falleth!

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Show me exactly where I said that women shouldn't vote. Otherwise, do not put words in my mouth.

Hans Blaster said:

I'm not sure what point you are trying to make. The IPCC assessment were not driven by politics, but by science. I have no idea what this new thing is (the one in the OP). I haven't read it or seen a summary of it.

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My point? If the government is involved, assessments are going to reflect government interests. Just that simple. What science says is one thing; what government says is another. Government will use what it finds convenient to advance those interests and ignore the rest. That's the nature of politics. If government wasn't involved in this particular matter, government wouldn't have been able to remove previous assessments.

Ever since I heard about the "Clovis Police" decades ago in North American archeology, meaning those defending the then common idea that the Clovis culture were the first in North America, I've been a little skeptical about science as well. OF course, archeology isn't as cut and dried as particle physics, but I was once told that at some conference of physicists there was was once a running gag where someone would start ranting about string theory until carried away by men wearing white coats. The recent finding about fraudulent AI generated research papers is more than a little unsettling, but maybe that hasn't crept into physics yet.

Amo2 said:

Nor are the writings of Ellen G. White to determine scriptural teaching at all, but rather to be judged themselves by the same, as EGW herself identified them as the highest authority and final word over all others.

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Are there any instances where Ellen G. White gave an interpretation of the Bible you disagree with?

A New Dawn said:

I did nothing but quote the Bible to you.

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No, you also gave your own commentary on what you quoted and that is what I disagreed with.

A New Dawn said:

Genesis 3, that passage, clearly shows that the earth and all creation (including mankind) fell, they no longer walked with God (and neither did anyone after them), the earth turned to dust and man had to toil ALL BECAUSE OF ADAM it says. And BECAUSE OF ADAM, sin entered the earth.

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Yes, sin came from Adam, but each person is responsible for his or her own sins, not Adam's. Is this too hard for you to understand? When someone stands before Jesus at the judgment, they will have to give an account of themselves, not Adam.

A New Dawn said:

And Paul says in Romans that “as by one man sin entered the earth, and death by sin”. We are not paying for Adam’s sin, we are paying for our own sins.

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Right, we are each responsible for our own sins. That's what I'm saying.

A New Dawn said:

Adam created the conditions, we live in sin because of Adam, but it is our own sin.

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Right. It would've been nice if you had said this in the first place since I do agree with this.

A New Dawn said:

And because we sin, we are spiritually dead in our sins, BECAUSE OF ADAM.

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Only in the sense that we have a sinful nature that we inherit going back to Adam, but, again, we are each responsible for our own sins. So, since we are each responsible for our own sins, I don't know why you emphasize Adam's sin more than our own. What is the point of that?

Vambram said:

Democratic whistleblower told FBI that Adam Schiff approved classified leaks to target Trump

A Democratic whistleblower told the FBI that Adam Schiff approved leaking classified information to discredit Donald Trump, according to newly-released documents.

www.foxnews.com

If these allegations by this Whistleblower are true, then Adam Schiff has committed treason.

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I try to keep in mind:

Psalm 141:5
​

5 Let the good man strike me;
it shall be a kindness.
Let him rebuke me;
it shall be oil for my head;
let my head not refuse it.

Dexter’s Laboratory

The Barbarian said:

Tell that to the families who lost loved ones in the flood.

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While tragic, it doesn't have anything to do with FEMA. FEMA doesn't raise the dead. I've never seen FEMA hand out a hot meal. I've never seen FEMA provide emergency supplies. I've never seen FEMA replace a pole; string conductor; repair a washed-out road; or so much as cut a tree out of the highway. I have, however, received a hot meal from churches, the Salvation Army, and volunteers. I've seen electrical crews come in from out of state (and in many cases part of those crews were our employees). I've seen state DOT repair roads; I've seen locals with tractors and chainsaw take it on themselves to clear away trees that weren't wrapped in power lines. What does FEMA do? FEMA comes along later with a check. I've seen FEMA reimburse utilities after disasters. I've seen FEMA pay for contractors to remove debris. I've seen FEMA offer applications for assistance. And this week I saw FEMA supplied/paid for trailer connected about 319 days after Hurricane Helene came through.

Not quite what people think FEMA does, is it? Guess what: That's what FEMA is designed to do, courtesy of fears in the 1970s that revamping Civil Defense could make the Soviets think we were preparing for a first strike. It takes roughly three days for outside help to come into a disaster area, and to date I haven't seen FEMA among them.

On the off chance anyone cares (which is doubtful), this is what I have observed post Helene: First response comes from locals, followed by state. Daybreak following Helene had everyone assessing damage, and locals start doing what they could to clear highways. Power lines down everywhere made that difficult. I was only able to drive out after someone hit and broke a cable. From then it was trying to find a way in to check on a family member we couldn't contact due to the phones being out. God kept both of us safe through the night: the family member was in a pocket with minimal to no damage, and had no idea things were in such bad shape. From there it was trying to make it in to work. That was successful, though ended up driving on the shoulders of the road around trees a few times. Work was concentrating on restoring power to what little we could and getting outside help. When I made it home that day, think I'd put over 200-250 miles on the odometer, and I'd filled up the evening before and set it to zero. The number "256" comes to mind, and maybe that or close to it was on the odometer. That's how far I I'd had to drive and back-track that day.

That was Friday. By Monday I saw state people setting up operations and coordinating getting outside help in. The local churches that had frozen food thawing had already cooked it on gas or grills and distributed it. Saw church volunteers from elsewhere come in and set up. Know the Salvation Army was involved in some of it. Saw the National Guard come in. Saw literally hundreds come in from other utilities to help us restore power. Didn't see FEMA, but I didn't expect to see FEMA. That Monday or Tuesday, someone came by the house to let us know where we could get a hot meals and other donated items. I wasn't there so I can't say they weren't FEMA but I suspect they were volunteers. By but must likely before Friday, someone had put up portable bulletin boards made out of plywood make into an "A" frame with notices for where to get assistance. FEMA had instructions on one how to contact them for assistance. Note that assistance was funding (see the above about FEMA coming along afterwards with a checkbook). God blessed us with very little damage, so we didn't apply for assistance.

About a month after Helene had come through, two people identifying themselves as FEMA reps did come by, maybe to to make sure everyone who needed assistance knew how to apply for it. And FEMA, I was told, funded private companies clearing away debris. But it's also my understanding that those private companies were coordinated by the state and counties. FEMA also usually gives financial assistance to utilities. FEMA might pick up some or all the tab, but FEMA didn't do the coordinating.

That says something about instances going all the way back to Hugo where donated items were warehoused instead of distributed. This was attributed to FEMA but I suspect states and locals had more to do with it.

One thing I've noticed over the years is that FEMA seems to have more hoops to jump through, but the nature of the hoops has me suspecting it's to curb funding abuse. If you hear that FEMA sometimes requires three bids, that's true, and has been for a long time. I think it predated Katrina. After a while many of these storms start running together in memory. Power restoration doesn't work that way, but they allow/allowed you can have preexisting contracts and work agreements. As it happens, when practically everything is on the ground, assessment is about all you can start with.

All this is probably stuff no one wants to here, but is what I've seen and is the truth. The remains the truth whether anyone accepts it or not.