Why Pray?

jbnb31691 »

Fri Jul 03, 2009 10:33 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Echos an article I wrote in 2008.
http://womenintheword.wordpress.com/2008/08/20/god-can-you-hear-me-now/

Int'l Furor over Forced Abortion Case in China

jbnb31691 »

Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:47 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Why is the international communinity suddenly outraged when a Muslim is forced to abort? Christians have been forced to abort for decades, where was the outrage then?

Lawsuit Against Gay Marriage Ban Irks Christians

jbnb31691 »

Fri Nov 07, 2008 3:42 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Homosexual behavior is anti-evolutionary.

From Vampires to Jesus

jbnb31691 »

Fri Oct 31, 2008 1:16 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 2

"Anne Rice presents a different Jesus than the Jesus of the Bible. Her "Jesus" was performing miracles at age 8 but the REAL Jesus performed his first miracle at a wedding in Cana in Galilee when he was around 30 years old.

Beware."

Just because it is the first recorded miracle in the Bible does not mean that is was his first miracle. Don't read something that is not there. Rice's works are fiction and we can expect that she will be writing about events that only happened within her imagination. However, God has used other fictional works to challenge people to investigate the truth of Christianity. I suspect He can do the same with her works as well.

In Defense of Marriage – Part III

jbnb31691 »

Mon Aug 11, 2008 11:04 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

feet-
"my reason for disagreeing with those who would believe that homosexuality is a sin is because of the reasoning behind their belief."

OK, you have my attention.
Lay out your "reasoning" that homosexuality glorifies God or, if you prefer, that it is not a sin.

This ought to be good.

Episcopal Gay Bishop, Partner Joined in Civil Union

jbnb31691 »

Wed Jun 11, 2008 10:57 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

igh-
Rather than isolating yourself, you might benefit from studying scripture under the guide of a mentor to assist you in your understanding. You may be blessed by the fellowship as well.

I have to tell you that it concerns me greatly that you claim to hear God telling you who is and is not saved. Also that you quote scripture without inspecting the context, the original language or the biblical history. If you love God's Word as much as you say you do, maybe you would enjoy studying these things as well.

Episcopal Gay Bishop, Partner Joined in Civil Union

jbnb31691 »

Wed Jun 11, 2008 10:53 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Ireneaus-
It might also benefit us to remember that at the time Jesus was reproving these followers, they were still under the law. Not under grace as you and I are.

Episcopal Gay Bishop, Partner Joined in Civil Union

jbnb31691 »

Wed Jun 11, 2008 10:51 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Ireneaus-
Salvation is only mentioned in scripture as a gift, never as a meritorious reward. Refer to Rom. 6:23 Look for it in the original languages and in the enlgish. If you find a scripture, let me know.

You quote Christ from Luke 13 and this passage parrallels the passage I quoted from Mt. 7 very well. Let's look at the context of the scripture rather than haphazardly throwing out lines to support our belief.

In the text some people who had been following Jesus on his travels approach him with news of Pilate mixing the blood of the Galileans with the blood of sacrifices. Now, at that time there was a factious group of Galileans who were mixing the blood otheir sacrifices with the blood of the sacrificer in an attempt to make the sacrifice more pleasing to God. This particular group managed to anger Pilate and Herod and suffered for it as reported, the group reporting to Jesus apparently thought they got what they deserved.

The people reporting this incident to Jesus were expecting him to condemn the Galileans as they had. But instead He reproves the disciples as unrighteous accusers. “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."

Episcopal Gay Bishop, Partner Joined in Civil Union

jbnb31691 »

Wed Jun 11, 2008 9:17 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

igh-
Perhaps another time, then. My husband says it is time to put the kids to bed and I have a final on Bible doctrine in the morning.

Prophet-
Have a lovely evening. Until we meet again.

Episcopal Gay Bishop, Partner Joined in Civil Union

jbnb31691 »

Wed Jun 11, 2008 8:32 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 1

igh-
Yes as a matter of fact I would. Site the scripture that authorizes you to condemn me to hell.

Episcopal Gay Bishop, Partner Joined in Civil Union

jbnb31691 »

Wed Jun 11, 2008 8:20 pm Agree: 4   Disagree: 0

igh-
Only the Holy Spirit can testify to the authentic faith of another believer.

Jesus said, "“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Mt 7:1-2

The word "judge" here is judgement as to condemnation. He is not speaking about discerning truth or sin.

I am a stay at home mother of four and seminary student. How very grieved you must make the Spirit the way you attack your Brothers sand sisters in Christ. How quick you are to condemn based on a few posts on a website. I pray you repent for you will be condemed by the same measure. Only God condems and only God saves.

I know God and you, igh, are not Him.

Episcopal Gay Bishop, Partner Joined in Civil Union

jbnb31691 »

Wed Jun 11, 2008 7:19 pm Agree: 3   Disagree: 0

Prophet-
Excellent! Keep learning and praying. We are creatures in process and, as such, our sanctification moves us from err to truth. The reason Scripture is a progressive revelation is not because it is incomplete, but because our understanding is incomplete. As we move toward truth, God's glory is reflected in us. Our desire is that his glory would be reflected in every detail of our lives. Sadly we won't experience that beaty until we see Glory. And so we yearn for heaven and mourn sin, with the promise that we will be comforted.

Episcopal Gay Bishop, Partner Joined in Civil Union

jbnb31691 »

Wed Jun 11, 2008 5:55 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Prophet-
Please site scripture that differentiates between "sinning" and "practicing sin."

My comment in regard to considering one's self sinles was directed toward igh.

Episcopal Gay Bishop, Partner Joined in Civil Union

jbnb31691 »

Wed Jun 11, 2008 5:50 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

ireneus-
"You said yourself in another post that as Christians we have the ability and are obligated to exhibit God's grace; well, what fo those who do not oblige?"

We are obligated to remain true to the context of the scriptures. Prophet is quoting scripture without considering to whom the text was written and in which age. Because we are saved by grace through faith and cannot add to the finished work on the cross, our works are evidence of saving faith flowing naturally, not flowing necessarrily. I did nothing to earn my salvation thus I can do nothing to lose it. We test ourselves to see if we are in the faith according to Paul's letter to the church in Corinth. "'Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?"

The context is in regards to judgement of believers in view of rewards, not in view of salvation. Of those who do not oblige, they have to consider whether they are in the faith, if they are in the faith a lifestyle of repentance will follow. But they are not saved because they repented of their sin. The word repent means "change of mind." They are saved in accordance with their repentance of what they believe of Christ.

Episcopal Gay Bishop, Partner Joined in Civil Union

jbnb31691 »

Wed Jun 11, 2008 5:27 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

igh-
Might I remind you that no one is may be removed from the presence of sin until glorification.

Prophet-
I believe I made that very clear, everyone sins, believers included.

And I might also remind you that Christ reserved his harshest criticism not for the sexually immoral, but for the self righteous. Apparently you are under the misconception that you no longer sin.

Episcopal Gay Bishop, Partner Joined in Civil Union

jbnb31691 »

Wed Jun 11, 2008 9:43 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

Prophet-
You said that it is impossibe for unsaved people to shoose not to sin. This goes against human history. People quit smoking, drinking, cursing, clean up their finances, participate in ethical business practices everyday. And without the assistance of the Holy Spirit.

We all sin because we are sinners, we are not sinners because we sin. Those regenerated through the power of the Holy Spirit have been removed from under the authority of sin and placed under the authority of Christ. Christians have the ability and obligation to exhibit God's grace and wisdom for the world. We do not however have the power to condemn the world. We are commanded to judge sin. How else may we repent of ungodly behavior if we do not judge sin to be sin. No man is sinless. John wrote "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us."

Episcopal Gay Bishop, Partner Joined in Civil Union

jbnb31691 »

Wed Jun 11, 2008 9:03 am Agree: 2   Disagree: 1

igh-
"Gays that are celibate are not Saved."

Your theology is a bit scewed. We are saved by faith through grace alone, not by works so no man may boast of achieving his own salvation. You are requiring good works to add to the completed work on the cross for a man to be saved. This theology opposes salvation by through grace. Repentance of sin follows salvation and good works are evidence of faith, however neither are reqirements of salvation.

You are confusing justification with sanctification. Through justification the penalty of sin (second death) is removed and through sancitfication the power of sin is removed. Then in glorification the presence of sin is removed. We all bear responsibility in our own transformation; gays, gossips, and self righteous men included. You are correct that believers should never place themselves under the authority of men and women who knowingly surrender to a lifestyle of sin. But to say that gays cannot be saved is implying that the blood of Christ is not enough to cover sins against the body, what more then do you suggest Christ could have done?

Episcopal Gay Bishop, Partner Joined in Civil Union

jbnb31691 »

Mon Jun 09, 2008 6:07 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 1

troyg-
Christians cannot condemn the lost, for we are all condemned as enemies of a loving and perfect God. It is only by grace through faith that we are called "friend.' However, as believers we do judge sin and mourn sin. If we do not judge activity which is abhorant to God, how can we become sanctified through Christ and turn away from sin? You say that you love your partner, but if you love someone you do not participate in behaviour that will harm that person. Homosexual behaviour harms participants physically, emotionally and spiritually. Physically causing disease and cancer, emotionally causing depression (high rate of suicide among the homosexual community, and spiritually causing a brokenness in fellowship with God whom you offend through that behavior.

I Have No Interest in God

jbnb31691 »

Mon Jun 09, 2008 5:52 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

morons-
Those are big words coming from a man who can neither cause nor sustain his own existence. If you are right, my existence ends at my death. No harm, no foul. I can live an immoral life with no consequence. If Christians are right, you will find out how real God is at your death when you meet the Cause an Sustainer of your existence. Your antagonistic diatribe reveals your knowledge of God and your hatred of Him. You say that God is imaginary. How do you know? You say heaven is wishful thinking, how can you a mere mortal know difinitively this is true? Perhaps you are the one thinking wishfully.

Churches in All 50 States Protest U.S. Torture

jbnb31691 »

Sat Jun 07, 2008 9:52 am Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

Where are all the churches banning together to protest the worldwide torture of millions of Chritians?!