Egypt Muslim Council: Building of Churches is 'Sin' Against God

smurfdogg »

Mon Sep 07, 2009 8:29 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

There are amazing things happening in Egypt despite the Egyptian government condoning the influence that Islam has on the lives of believers. People are still coming to Christ , the media doesn't report it but it's better that way. The extension of God's kingdom doesn't require new church buildings , the believers in Egypt are the church ! Let's continue to pray for them and be thankful for the freedom we have.

Rick Warren Embarks on Follow-Up to 'Purpose Driven Life'

smurfdogg »

Sun Jul 26, 2009 12:27 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

Acushla ,

could you dig out this record you speak of to support your claim. Many thanks.

Evangelist Greg Laurie Reflects on Son's Death, One Year Later

smurfdogg »

Sun Jul 26, 2009 12:02 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Blessed are they that mourn , for they shall know the joy of being comforted.

Michael Jackson's Real Legacy

smurfdogg »

Thu Jul 16, 2009 5:20 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

BRIT72 ,

the Scriptures are clear on what is good and what isn't, if the Bible were to mention everything that is sinful, we'd need a bigger Bible.

That's just it ! We don't need another long set of scribal laws. Paul writes in 1Cor 10:23 - "All things are permissible but not all things are helpful". If your conviction does not allow you to dance to pop music then so be it. However , teaching it as being sinful from the bible is highly questionable.

You group all pop music as having ugly lyrics but any teenager will tell you that that's simply not accurate. Earlier you quoted Phil 4:8 , there is absolutely no harm in many secular love songs and songs dealing with social issues that have no suggestive lyrics.

In the gospels Jesus introduced a walk that had a practical approach and added value to the lives of people and promoted freedom. The Pharisees and Scribes chose to remain stuck in their legalistic approach that took away from the value of their lives.

Michael Jackson's Real Legacy

smurfdogg »

Tue Jul 14, 2009 7:26 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

BRIT72 ,

That's because there wasn't any pop music at that time, but these verses are more general and take in more than just pop music.

Under Judaism in Jesus' time the scribes wrote the scribal law , additional do's and don'ts to the original law to fit contemporary life. In modern times we see the same thing in Orthodox Judaism with people not turning on lights and answering their mobile phones on the sabbath. The same concept has crept into Christianity and all this does is bring confusion , guilt and a lack of understanding of the truth. You remind me of people in the church who teach and preach others to stop smoking and having a beer but they never say anything about good nutrition and regular exercise when the latter will actually kill them faster. It's important to teach young people the truth , the whole truth and nothing but the truth and not our standards or our church's standards. That is an individual aspect of walking with the Lord and the Holy Spirit will be the one to tell us what's kosher and what's not. If the bible is silent on an issue then we should be too until we hear from the Lord.

Michael Jackson's Real Legacy

smurfdogg »

Mon Jul 13, 2009 4:55 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

BRIT72 ,

I know most of those verses by memory but there is no compelling evidence in scripture that any of them refer to dancing to pop music.

Michael Jackson's Real Legacy

smurfdogg »

Mon Jul 13, 2009 8:28 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

Flagged as inappropriate. show BRIT72 , the writer of the article is expressing an opinion on Michael Jackson's achievements. By the world's standards MJ's accomplishments as an entertainer are outstanding , that is the point being made. It will be incredibly difficult to find anyone in the music scene to disagree with that. Are we idolizing him ? Idols are things in our lives that take the place of God. Dancing to pop music is a hugely controvercial issue across the Christian world in western countries. Your opinion on the issue is clear but do you have any scripture to support this opinion ? hide

Paula White Returns to Lead Ailing Megachurch

smurfdogg »

Mon Jul 13, 2009 8:02 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

darrellm ,

slight correction on previous post. Please submit scripture references to support your argument on women. Thanx.

Paula White Returns to Lead Ailing Megachurch

smurfdogg »

Mon Jul 13, 2009 7:49 am Agree: 3   Disagree: 0

Flagged as inappropriate. show darrellm , please submit give some scripture references to back up your argument. Many thanx. hide

USCIRF Calls for Justice in Egypt Following Anti-Christian Attacks

smurfdogg »

Sun Jun 28, 2009 5:58 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

Pharoah , let my people go ! Or else...

Taliban Strikes Christians with a Vengeance

smurfdogg »

Tue May 26, 2009 5:52 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

DelightntheLord ,

Issa is merely a variation of the name Jesus. Same as Jesus is a variation of His Hebrew name , Yeshua. No big deal , one name , different variations.

Taliban Strikes Christians with a Vengeance

smurfdogg »

Tue May 26, 2009 5:50 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

DelightntheLord ,

Issa is only an Arabic variation of the name Jesus. Same as Jesus is a variation of His Hebrew name , Yeshua. No big deal.

'Historic Night' Caps Week of Success for Joel Osteen

smurfdogg »

Sun May 03, 2009 1:03 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

wrhalver

I agree with your latest comment , 100%. False teachers and teachings are out there but I don't believe that the Lord has called us to be witchhunters. Whether Osteen speaks truth or not , he has his purpose in the grand scheme of things.

'Historic Night' Caps Week of Success for Joel Osteen

smurfdogg »

Sat May 02, 2009 8:03 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

wrhalver and djt ,

In I Corinthians 4 , Paul talks about this very issue and concludes the point in verse 5: "So do not make any hasty or premature judgements before the time when the Lord comes (again) , for He will both bring to light the secret things that are (now hidden) in darkness and disclose and expose the (secret) aims (motives and purposes) of hearts. Then every man will receive his (due) commendation from God.

Cheating on your wife is an irrelevent example in this case since this is a non-negotiable. Hence no judgement call is needed to ascertain it's worthiness. Scripture forbids it , this is an absolute. If I accuse another man of this sin (with evidence) and I'm guilty of the same sin , sure , this makes me a hypocrite. However , I'm not being judgemental but pointing out an absolute. Regardless of the circumstances , it will always be wrong.

The issue raised here by marks4real is Osteen's motives for his ministry. We cannot possibly know this !! Only God sees the heart.

Judgement : (definition from the Collins English Language Dictionary) - 2.2 THE ACT OR PROCESS OF DECIDING HOW GOOD OR WORTHWHILE SOMETHING OR SOMEONE IS.
This is what marks4real (and all the folks who gave him a thumbs-up) is doing.

'Historic Night' Caps Week of Success for Joel Osteen

smurfdogg »

Fri May 01, 2009 6:41 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 1

Do not judge and criticize and condemn others , so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves. - Matthew 7:1 (Amplified Bible)

Author: 10 Things I Hate About Christianity

smurfdogg »

Thu Apr 09, 2009 5:51 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

I dig this guy's approach. Just an honest account of his walk with the Lord , a voyage of discovery and the pursuit of truth. I hope that many believers (and unbelievers) who have the same issues will pick up a copy and read it. Who knows how God will use this book ?

Israel Ministry of Tourism Reports 40 Percent Increase in U.S. Christian Visitors

smurfdogg »

Fri Apr 03, 2009 7:16 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 1

Innkeeper ,
All the more reason for you to visit Israel so you can see and hear for yourself as to why these bombs are flying and why the hatred is there. Talk to the people on the ground , the Palestinians in the West Bank , the orthodox Jews in Jerusalem , the Israeli Arabs in Galilee and the secular Jews in Tel Aviv. So you can understand why things are the way they are over there instead of feeding on the sensationalism in the world's media. Oh and don't forget your credit card.

Over 100,000 U.S. Christians Express Solidarity with Israel

smurfdogg »

Sun Mar 29, 2009 7:44 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

wjneill - My comment had absolutely nothing to do with the USS Liberty incident. It was in reference to your statement about Israel "murdering" women and children in Gaza. You seem to use the term murder quite liberally , maybe you should look up it's meaning and realize that there's actually a war going on.

As for the USS Liberty incident : both the US and Israeli governments conducted inquiries into what actually happened and issued reports concluding that the attack was a tragic mistake , caused by the confusion of the identity of the USS Liberty. I'm aware that not everyone believes the content of these reports but logic surely has to prevail here. Israel had nothing to gain but much to lose if the incident was deliberate , it could only have been a tragic blunder. On December 17 , 1987 the issue was officially closed by the 2 countries. It's over , case closed , let it go.

Over 100,000 U.S. Christians Express Solidarity with Israel

smurfdogg »

Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:24 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 1

wjneill ,

would you have expected the US government not to respond after the events of 9/11 ? Likewise then , Israel has a duty to protect it's civilian population from a terrorist organisation who the people in Gaza voted for. What would you have expected the Israelis to do ?

Over 100,000 U.S. Christians Express Solidarity with Israel

smurfdogg »

Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:17 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

mfenemore ,

Israel's population is 80% Jewish. It has public holidays honoring Jewish feasts and sacred days. Jews around the world view it as an ancestoral homeland. Hebrew is the most widely spoken language. What's racist about that ?

I would not have used the term "real Jew" but child of God in the bible study you mention. Replacement theology replaces the Jews with the church , I don't subscribe to that stuff.