'Redneck Shop' Creates Dispute in S.C.

Oglefam »

Tue Mar 11, 2008 7:46 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

I also live in SC and agree this shop is racially motivated. While I would never shop there or even enter the shop, I have to ask where is the out cry when Louis Farrakhan or Jesse Jackson keep racial issues central in their words? There are too many racially motivated actions on both sides and hopefully someday Americans will have had enough of both and stop letting them have a platform.

'Prosperity' Preacher Moves to Sell Jet

Oglefam »

Mon Feb 25, 2008 12:21 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

jesus4me, Here's part of the problem which I experienced last week. For months I have been debating somewhat with the music director where my wife attends over these same issues. It is a PH church, also the one I grew up in but left several months back. Anywho, when he finally responded to an email of mine he had a comment that while didn't trouble me, let me know where his head is. The point of view in my debate with him has always been that believers today are too lazy to study Gods Word and quick to defend "my pastor" instead of checking scripture and holding him accountable as did those in Berea. The line he sent back to me was this: "I have learned in my Christian walk to not self question my beliefs." Until he "is" willing to test his faith he will remain blind following the blind.

This past Sunday I watched a bit of Mr. Osteen and he taught that those who did not step out of the boat were not stretching their faith. He said that in order to become what God had intended for them they needed to "get out of the boat". He never mentioned that stepping out of the boat requires complete faith and focus on Yeshua, without which one would sink into the waters of the world.

My Answer: Jesus' Methods Would be Up-To-Date Today

Oglefam »

Tue Feb 12, 2008 4:50 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

If there are "men" of God here today with the same faith as Yeshua had I have one question...Instead of performing miricales at "their" crusades, why not go to the hospitals? Yeshua healed the sick in gatherings, but also as he traveled and sometimes went out of his way to heal the sick. Yet today it has to be done in a crusade for all to see the "man?"

Haggard Ends Restoration Process with Overseers

Oglefam »

Sat Feb 09, 2008 11:15 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 1

John, I agree with what you say if the one claiming to be a celibate homosexual has repented in which case they, in my opinion, should not still be claiming to be gay. My rationale is that homosexual activity or thoughts are against the will of God. Knowing that God commands us to be holy: I cannot fathom God allowing someone to enter eternal life claiming both salvation and homosexuality. There is either true repentance and a turning away from the old life or great delusion and blindness. Claiming to be a saved homosexual is contrary to the character of our holy God.

I know the word homosexual is used a few times in this post, but this same principle applies to all sin that is not truely turned away from. In Gods eyes, sin is sin.

Haggard Ends Restoration Process with Overseers

Oglefam »

Fri Feb 08, 2008 2:50 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 1

I also do not hate gays, but the Word is clear concerning sin and its outcome.

Haggard Ends Restoration Process with Overseers

Oglefam »

Fri Feb 08, 2008 2:46 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 1

There will be no celibate homosexual "christians" in heaven. There will be no "in a loving relationship" homosexual "christians" in heaven. Those who choose to knowingly live in sin, "any sin" without repentancem a turning away from their sin, and turning to God through the narrow way he has provided will have only one destination and ice water is not availible there. Luke 16:23-26 "And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’"

Born Again Christians Favor Democratic Candidates, Says Survey

Oglefam »

Wed Feb 06, 2008 6:24 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

Sin is sin be it sexual, murder, drunkenness...God's Word teaches to repent and turn from it. The Word teaches the church is to take care of those within it's assembly who have need: orphans, widows and saints. Individual believers are to be the witness, hope and help to lost individuals outside of the church. Yeshua did not instruct the sinners he confronted to come to the synagogue in order to become saved, he ministered among the people, when in the synagogue he was teaching. As harvesters of His fields, believers can't continue to sit in the synagogues waiting for them to come in looking for salvation and hope. I've never known an ear of corn to leave its stalk, find its way to the barn, someone had to go and harvest it. Sitting in pews week after week will not bring in the harvest.

Rick Warren: Mainline Church Problems Need Evangelical Solution

Oglefam »

Wed Feb 06, 2008 6:07 pm Agree: 4   Disagree: 1

Brothers in Christ, take these words from 2 Thessalonians to heart…“not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter” and “Let no one deceive you by any means” because “the falling away comes first” in order that “the man of sin is revealed.” “Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?” And they are still true today.

“The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

This is why 1 John 2:27 states: “the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.”

Remember we have a teacher who teaches those who seek his will and way as their first love. Let those who are blind lead the blind and remember what our God has said: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.”

This is not to say we don’t “contend for the faith”, we must, but not to let those we contend with continue to consume our pearls. Jesus instructed his disciples thus: “If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.”

United Church of Christ Seeks to End Feud with Scientists

Oglefam »

Thu Jan 31, 2008 3:47 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

ebcdic
"To every question there is always only one correct answer." Are you sure? Many years ago the world was believed to be flat. At the time it was the correct answer. Many years ago the sun was believed to revolve around the earth. At the time it was the correct answer. Many "facts" thought to be correct have been changed over the centuries. Who is to say that in 100 years all of the correct answers now will have changed?

Exclusivity of Christ Still Controversial Today

Oglefam »

Thu Jan 31, 2008 3:33 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Just a few questions for the evolutioners': Since the earth is so old; where did the instrument used for carbon dating come from? Next: from where did the sample come from that is used to calibrate this instrument? How was it determined that this sample was actually that old? Also, who is qualified to make adjustments to this instrument? If the answer to any of these questions is either: A) aliens or B) man, then I have to wonder if the man made instrument was made in the USA or China? Quality is of great concern here.

Rick Warren Challenges N.Y. Pastors with Purpose Strategy

Oglefam »

Thu Jan 31, 2008 3:07 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 2

Concerning this line: “relevant to the culture” I am not sure of your meaning. It sounds like the meaning intended is this: the church needs to meld with the times in order to effectively bear witness to the gospel of Christ in a format acceptable to the world. If this is correct this sounds like compromise to me.

This line: “must go out into the streets and perform service and giving and charity” needs some tweaking as in perform service, giving and charity to whom? The lost? The responsibilities of the church are to teach the gospel to those in the assembly so that understanding is gained strengthening each individuals witness of the gospel to the world in which they live, i.e. “the streets.” From a benevolence standpoint, the church is to take care of: orphans, widows and those saints having need who are part of the church. This is where the apostles chose other men to handle the daily affairs of the church as there were certain churches complaining that their orphans and widows were not receiving what they needed through the church.

Now from an individual standpoint as part of our witness to the lost, responding to the needs of those crossing our path as we move through our daily life is good, noble and should be done. I would say however from my own experiences, discernment has to be part of the help provided.

Churches' Greatest Critics May be Their Own Followers

Oglefam »

Thu Jan 24, 2008 7:53 am Agree: 4   Disagree: 0

FullGospel

I respectfully disagree. In my opinion, which doesn’t count for much, is that the church as we call it is not what Yeshua had in mind. The assemblies that met during the apostle’s time were for instruction of scripture and testimony concerning the gospel of Yeshua as to his life, teachings and miracles. The assemblies were also providing help to orphans, widows and those saints who had need. The gospel of Yeshua and the calling of the Holy Spirit is what changed peoples lives, not the assemblies(church). I do not believe the structured church we tout today is Biblical. If so, what happened to holiness? I dare say many who believe they are Christian have no concept of holiness. Most churches today shy away from teaching holiness as it allows for the Holy Spirit to place conviction upon those still clinging to worldly pleasures, and seats can’t be filled or buildings built without the “sheep.” Worship is believed to be upbeat music stirring enthusiastic emotion from those attending preparing them to receive the Word. If believers need stirring to realize who God is, maybe they don’t really know him. I like the upbeat praise music, but it is not worship. True worship is when a believers hearts desire is to become transformed into the image of our Lord expressing his character through our daily life in clear view of those around us. Understanding this we live in reverence of who our Lord is. We are to strive to be holy, without spot and righteous as God commanded. We love to proclaim, “God knows I will slip and fall and lovingly grants me mercy and grace.” This is true, however do we use this as a crutch becoming lazy with this knowledge? I pray not. If we don’t go through each day longing to resist the temptation of sin, strive to become less so he can become more, I have to ask, why? God has always been real to us, it is us who need to be real to God.

Churches' Greatest Critics May be Their Own Followers

Oglefam »

Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:19 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

Gods timing we do not know, whether tonight or 50 years from now, no man knows. To me
2 Thessalonians 2 is where we are and knowing Gods truth, not mans version of it, is what matters.
The Great Apostasy
Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.

Exclusivity of Christ Still Controversial Today

Oglefam »

Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:37 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

POST 1 CONCLUSION
Nobody here answered the question "So Greg you mean to tell me that all six million Jews who died in the Holocaust woke up in the flames of hell because they rejected Jesus as their Messiah?"
I will answer this question. Those who cried out to Yeshua were saved, those who did not are in eternal torment.

“There's more than 4 billion non-Christians alive today who think Jesus was full of you know what, and every single one of them, according to Jesus, is going to hell, no matter how good their lives were, all because they were brainwashed to believe in the wrong god. They never had a chance, and they all face eternal torture, according to Jesus.”

This statement by you is accurate to a point, change “brainwashed to believe in the wrong god” to "Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand." Taken from Luke 8:9 & 10. God does as HE wills, not as man expects him to will.

Exclusivity of Christ Still Controversial Today

Oglefam »

Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:36 am Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

POST 1
BobCu
“why should a person say he has "beliefs" when he's really just accepting proven scientific facts.”
BELIEF: Mental acceptance of and conviction in the truth, actuality, or validity of something
ACCEPTANCE: the mental attitude that something is believable and should be accepted as true
FACTS: --something that actually exists; reality; truth
--something known to exist or to have happened
--something said to be true or supposed to have happened
Bob, whether you ever accept Yeshua and his teachings has no consequence to me, only to you. The Word states that: Matthew 24:14 “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” If there is a section of this world that has not had a witness (to see, hear, or know by personal presence and perception) of Yeshua I am not aware of it, although it is possible. By the definitions above whether you agree or not, you do believe in something. You may reject the word belief, but without belief in something you can have no acceptance. You accept your employer will pay you each week. If that employer tells you he will give you a pay increase you believe him. If you play golf and your buddy says he will meet you at the country club at 4 in the afternoon, you believe him. Belief and acceptance of words, reality or eternity are individual options afforded us by our maker. If my beliefs and acceptance in God, Jesus and his Word are in the wrong place then I will submit to you the life I live is without chaos due to the rest I receive from knowing I don’t need or have to figure out how the world works. I do strive to keep focused on the day presented me and let tomorrow remain in His hands. With what I am stating here I do not have any intentions or hope to change your mind, that is not my place. The Word teaches and instructs me to follow Yeshua. In choosing to walk this path I learn to be a better: man, husband, dad, citizen, neighbor, steward…you get the picture. The major plus? IF God and his Word are a lie, I am a better human. The fact that I believe and accept their truth adds to that, hope in promised eternal life with the one who redeemed me from certain death.

Cultural Architect: Why Churches are Declining in America

Oglefam »

Fri Jan 18, 2008 7:57 pm Agree: 3   Disagree: 0

I absolutely agree. Without truth there is no foundation. It saddens me to know that so many sit in churches and the only truth many know is what they hear not what they learn for themselves.

Cultural Architect: Why Churches are Declining in America

Oglefam »

Fri Jan 18, 2008 4:02 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

I agree with what you say O4H, but Pauls statements were an attempt by him to stop the splintering that was taking place in his day which continues to this day. Mara's point of believers not studying today is correct. Far too many believers today depend on the person behind the pulpit to teach them the truth when in fact that person could be: "of Paul" or "of Apollos" or "of Cephas". Just because there are different parts of the body, does not mean the hand or foot is separated from the body, to do any good it has to be attached, which means it will function with the body. This was the point I was trying to get accross. I am no great Biblical scholar nor am I one who has to be right, I am a disciple(a person who is a pupil or an adherent of the doctrines of Christ) seeking his truth as I mature in him. Some days learn, some days I teach.

Candidates Asked to Reject Divisive Religious Talk

Oglefam »

Fri Jan 18, 2008 6:23 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Hopefully God will place into office who America needs and not what we deserve, based on our growing lawlessness,moral and ethical decline. I believe our economy is going to be the albatross of our next president. I like Huckabee for his beliefs, but I prefer Romney and will vote for him tomorrow in our primary as I believe he is best experienced to deal with the economy.

As for whether God is real or not? I believe and know he is, if I placed odds on it, 50/50. If he is not real I have lost nothing. If he is real then standing in front of him on the Day of Judgement with an "oops" look on my face would not be good.

How Do Unchurched Americans View Christianity?

Oglefam »

Wed Jan 16, 2008 4:03 pm Agree: 6   Disagree: 0

I also believe that along this walk of faith following Christ it should also be a form of what I call true worship. By that I mean "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" in a sense. As I spiritually mature I find that this earthly life has less and less meaning and I more and more seek to have the character of my Father. For many years I often wondered how it was that one could pray without ceasing, now I wonder how I lived for so many years without it. The company I work for was purchased by a much larger company this past Nov. Yesterday the new company informed us they are closing our location putting approx 200 out of work. When I told my wife her responce was, we should call and get so and so to pray. I said, why? I am walking the path God has chosen for me and having to get "prayed up" is not necessary, I stay that way because my Lord is all I can think of and I talk to him nearly all day. He controls and has in place my life so I am not worried about tomorrow.

Cultural Architect: Why Churches are Declining in America

Oglefam »

Wed Jan 16, 2008 2:17 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 1

1 Corinthians 1:10 & 11
“Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you ALL SPEAK THE SAME THING, AND THAT THERE BE NO DIVISIONS AMONG YOU, BUT THAT YOU BE PERFECTLY JOINED TOGETHER IN THE SAME MIND AND IN THE SAME JUDGMENT. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you.”

If the “church” can’t overcome this section of scripture, what does coffee in church matter? You want truth? (that is not said in a mean way, but serious) I submit the church as in America is not the body of Christ. For all the good it proclaims and does do, there is to be NO division. Is Christ divided? Is the Holy Spirit divided? Will the bride of Christ be divided? Certainly not. The bride of Christ will have NO spots. There are no exceptions. I believe Matthew 7:22 & 23 will be such a rude and horrifying awakening to many on the Day of Judgment. Somehow it almost seems to me that although God’s Word states these truths, we don’t believe God in his mercy and grace will act on them. It’s like we expect God to say, “I didn’t actually mean there were to be no divisions within my church, don’t worry about it.” Gods mercy and grace truly abound to man, at the same time he is just and what his Word says is the only way it is to be. I believe many believers are sensing a call to become as our Father is, holy, righteous and without sin. Will we slip from time to time, sure we will, does this mean we give ourselves a pass? No, nor will God. When his chosen people would fall into idol worship he allowed them to turn, when they did not he handed them to their enemies. Do we think God will turn the other way when we know what his Word says and ignore it? He will forgive and cleanse our sin but expects us to be stronger, by his strength, when we stand and continue to become as he is. The company I work for was purchased back in November by a much larger company within the same business sector. Yesterday we were informed that our location was closing and being consolidated to their already existing location in Mississippi. As I type this I have no concern for what tomorrow holds. If Paul can sit in prison and still cling to God, if Yeshua can cling to the Father without saying a word, who am I to worry about a job? Yet churches in America will not yield to the Holy Spirit and become one body. What shame.