waterbuffalo

Happy Birthday, Onion Eater!!!

Question for thought: If you're staying with someone because you thought you had to because they said divorce wasn't an option, please ask yourself this: Since Jesus is bigger than any they and he says you're not under that law, then could it be when you think that way that you are actually putting yourself under the law? Believe me, I asked myself that many times when I was still in. Thank God I found the answer.

On this subject, I had read this section in Romans so many times and yet it did not register in my brain for the longest time that what it actually says is this (my paraphrase): the law says this about divorce, but remember we are now not under the law . Here it is (follow to the end): Ro 6:15 -What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Ro 7:1 -Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? Ro 7:2 -For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. Ro 7:3 -So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. Ro 7:4 -Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. Ro 7:5 - For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. Ro 7:6 -But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter [steve!'s old beer]. If we're delivered from the law, we're delivered from the law. We have to decide what is going to enable us to be able to serve in newness of spirit. It is up to us to decide. No organization can or should make that decision for us. And, certainly it is going to be one of the hardest decisions one will ever make, but it is the individual's to make. Period.

Gosh, well, he'll have a lot to think about in there, then, won't he?

Thanks everyone. I have THOROUGHLY enjoyed reading what all have said. I think we have lots of sane voices on gs and a wealth of talent to go around. This subject reminds me of something I read in Our Daily Bread for March 10th. It says "all rights reserved" in the front and has a copyright sign in the front so I hope its ok to post part of it. Here goes: Rabbits are timid creatures that pop out of their holes every morning, trying to avoid everything (except other rabbits), eat their food, and jump back into their holes in the evening. "Whew? We made it through another day," they'd say if they could talk. Rabbit-hole Christians are a lot like that. They eat lunch with other Christians at work and relate almost exclusively with fellow-believers in their church. They avoid socializing with unbelievers and wouldn't think of accepting an invitation to one of their parties. No wonder unbelievers equate being a Christian with a kind of aloof self-righteousness. No one could say that about Jesus. He actually invited Himself to the home of Zacchaeus, a notorious tax collector. His congeniality among disreputable people earned Him the title of "a friend of tax collectors and sinners" (Matt. 11:19). He reached out to such people because He knew He couldn't help them without becoming their friend. Jesus never said anything He shouldn't have said, nor did He laugh at off-color stories. He won people's respect by caring for them. Jesus has equipped us with the Holy Spirit and assured us that He'll be with us so we can follow His example. Let's guard against being rabbit-hole Christians. Herb Vandr Lugt Apparently this isolationist mentality isn't unique to twi and offshoot followers. Belle, I totally empathize with your friend because I used to live that way. Add me to the list of friends who are now praying for her freedom and recovery, however that plays out:-)

Ditto to all said above. Also, um, I really didn't think it was very, ah, all that nice considering the amount of money that was spent on it. And of course it will always stick with me that vpw said it wasn't appropriate to name a bldg. like that after someone who was still alive--that it was always done posthumously--but then they went ahead and did it anyway. At the time that puzzled me because he didn't seem to be in charge then and I suppose he wasn't after lcm took over.

Thanks, OAA! I may have to check that author out!

I like what Jesus said about marriage in Matt. 19. I was just reading it this morning and The Message version, made a lot of sense: 8Jesus said, "Moses provided for divorce as a concession to your hardheartedness, but it is not part of God's original plan. 9I'm holding you to the original plan, and holding you liable for adultery if you divorce your faithful wife and then marry someone else. I make an exception in cases where the spouse has committed adultery." 10Jesus' disciples objected, "If those are the terms of marriage, we're stuck. Why get married?" 11But Jesus said, "Not everyone is mature enough to live a married life. It requires a certain aptitude and grace. Marriage isn't for everyone. 12Some, from birth seemingly, never give marriage a thought. Others never get asked--or accepted. And some decide not to get married for kingdom reasons. But if you're capable of growing into the largeness of marriage, do it." Other versions say, "If you can accept this, accept it." It sounded like Jesus was letting us off and reminding us that we're not under the law in this area either.

Belle, I think Diazbro and Outin88 pretty much nailed it. They do serve their purpose and you'll know when it's time to move on. WB

Just do a search on "control freaks." I'm sure you'll come up with something.

I think what God probably said was He wouldn't even spit in LCM's direction and he was so surprised to actually hear from God, that he got it mixed up and forgot what He said and thought what the hey? Why not go for the gold?

Sudo, how right you are! because I believe SUGAR is the most addictive substance on earth (in addition to being the best tasting thing ever invented along with chocolate--hehe). You can do it Raf! It doesn't even come CLOSE to tasting as good as dessert--and you KNOW chocolate is one of the basic food groups!!!

You are welcome, sweetie.

I copied and pasted this in the doctrinal section. It had some good points and thought some of you would enjoy reading it. WB

I couldn't find a link to this teaching on their website, so here it in copy and paste form. I thought it had some good points about obedience and many times obedience to the Lord is leaving. Here it is: The Today Series Getting Off High Center and on to High Ground The amazing thing about Abraham was his instant recognition and response to the will of God. Most of us would have less heartache in life if we could learn to hear and obey God as readily as Abraham (Read Genesis 22:1-13). When God commanded the sacrifice of Isaac, there is no indication of hesitation on the part of Abraham, even knowing that it would cost him his promised heir. When ready to plunge the knife into Isaac, God said, "stop," and he stopped. God caused a ram to be caught in the bushes by his horns that provided a useful substitute for sacrifice. God was checking the character of Abraham's obedience. Consequent to his instant obedience, he was able to keep his heir as promised by God in His covenant, with that heir becoming the channel by which all of the nations of the earth could be blessed. What if Abraham had heard God the first time and had obstinately clung to his first hearing ignoring God's call for him to stop? He would have needlessly and foolishly slain his son when actually, God had made another provision. Oftentimes, our obstinacy costs us God's best for us. Most of us know how and when to begin a walk of particular obedience to God but have not learned to recognize when He says "enough," and to take a new direction in obedience. Hezekiah suffered from that malady when he came to the point of death. He pleaded with God and consequently God lengthened his life for a period of fifteen years. What a cost for Hezekiah, a Godly king, and to his people, as a consequence of getting his own way. His son, Manasseh, born during the fifteen-year extension of Hezekiah's life, was one of the most ungodly kings ever to rule over Judah, with the consequence of Manasseh's reign bringing great judgment to Judah. There are times that the Father will give us what we want to show us the fallacy of rejecting His plan. The inevitable result is, even if we get what we want, we reap decay and destruction of that we often desire the most. In Hezekiah's case, his obstinacy gave him life's worst. A third illustration is Saul, the king of Israel. At one point, since Samuel was late in arriving, Saul brashly pre-empted the place of Samuel, in offering sacrifice before they went to battle. When Samuel did come, he chastened Saul severely, informing him that, although he could have been the king of Israel forever, now, because of his disobedience, his kingdom was removed. We know the story of how David was privately anointed king in the place of Saul and how Saul relentlessly sought to find him in order to kill him. His sin had caused his to lose that he cherished the most and his hardness of heart caused him to refuse to listen when God spoke. Among other things, Saul's rebellion cost him his son. First it cost him Jonathan's love and respect, secondly it cost him Jonathan's loyalty, and finally, Jonathan was killed in battle against the Philistines. What a price to pay for stubbornness. Saul lost his anointing, his family, his rule, and finally his life because he WOULDN'T obey God. It is difficult to let go especially when we know that we have understood the will of God in the beginning. What we don't often realize is the consequences of the choices we make when we refuse to acknowledge His later will. Both Hezekiah's and Saul's attitudes of rebellion and stubbornness came at great cost to all that was important to them. The fourth illustration is that of Phillip. What a man on God! We can learn much from Phillip. Known as Philip, the evangelist, he was a man that God greatly used. Beginning as a faithful servant at the tables of the Grecian and Hebrew widows, God anointed him with His favor and sent him out as an evangelist. Philip understood when to stay and when to leave--even in the face of great blessings. Philip was up at Samaria in the midst of a great revival where multitudes were being saved when God led him away from the scene of great blessing down to a lonely road from Jerusalem to Gaza where he had the opportunity to preach to only one man. This was a strange man but one that he led to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. As it turned out, this man was the Eunuch to Queen Candace of Ethiopia, a man of great prestige and power. Tradition has it that he brought the gospel to Ethiopia. Amazingly enough, the obedience of Philip flowed down to his four daughters who were all prophets. Philips instant obedience, even in the face of what could have been disappointment, brought him great blessings, not only in his ministry but also in his family. The decisions we make in ministry affect so many people-our family, our friends, and people to whom we minister. While we much easier to find reasons to go to whatever place it is we feel called, we often don't have a frame of reference when the knowledge comes that we should leave. Too often we have all the wrong reasons that we use to prolong our stay. The following observations may be helpful. 1. We tend to find our sense of identity in our position rather than in Christ. To turn loose gives one the feeling of losing his sense of self-worth. 2. Since many are in vocational ministries, they struggle with expediency, i.e., how they will make a living if they turn loose. Amazingly enough, obedience has its own rewards, often bringing greater security than that we previously clung to. 3. The mistaken idea that the role we occupy is the same as the ministry that has been God-given. The ministry goes on even though the role changes. I have a retired friend that perfectly exemplifies what I am saying: After a successful career as a church starter, he, in his retirement still has the call of God on his life requiring him to further obedience. Now (without necessarily having an official role to play) he simply walks down the street knocking on doors, getting acquainted with people, and inviting them to a home Bible study. He is blessed in his obedience. His ministry determines his role. 4. The mistaken idea that we are so important that no one else can take our place. I heard that addressed by a preacher who said: "If you want to know how big a hole you will leave if you leave your ministry, get a gallon bucket, fill it with water, and stick your finger in it. Remove your finger and see how large the hole is that you leave! It is God that builds his church. A prolonged presence beyond the obvious will of God is often the greatest hindrance He has to doing His work. 5. Our ministry becomes our comfort zone. We are often more comfortable with the bad that we know than the good we don't know. 6. I often hear ministers declare that God hasn't told them to leave. Actually, He doesn't have to do so. If we cling to our work without any real evidence of God's favor on what we are doing it is time to go on to what God has next for us. We need to ask ourselves this question, is the work prospering in terms of substantial growth, financial growth, and favor with all the people, etc.? What should one do? That is the question that all of us have to face from time to time. I know that some ministers are in lifetime ministries but that is not necessarily a Biblical principle. Ministers in the Book of Acts obviously had varying tenures based on what they were sent there to do. Remember these things: 1. Faithful is He Who calls you, "Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it" (1 Thessalonians 5:24). 2. Seek first the Kingdom of God, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33). 3. God leads and empowers, "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). 4. God is not through with you, "For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance" (Romans 11:29). 5. He directs your steps, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way" (Psalms 37:23). Hopefully some will find this message to be fruitful in your life and ministry. When we "get stuck" in the ministry, it takes decisiveness and action to get back on solid ground. Jeff Jefferson H. and Norma R. Floyd, CO-directors Jubilee International P. O. Box 572 Noblesville, IN 46060 Copyright March 2005 by Jefferson H. Floyd. All rights reserved.

You've got it, sister! Welcome.

Cowgirl, how did you know? My FAVORITE! Now, my new wallpaper. Take care.

herbiejuan, ohmygosh! you are sooooooooooooo funny!!!

What the feek!!!!! These are lovely, dear Cowgirl!

Happy birthday, dear cyberspace friend. Hope we meet someday and congrats on the job! Any more openings down there? I'm still looking. Maybe I could be your water girl. LOL!

THAT just answered a question I've had for, um, years. THANKS for writing out your thoughts. They are good ones.

Me too!

omg! i remember it well!

Gosh! How wonderful. His life from here on is a gift, ya think?

Vickles, I agree with Laleo, the work environment sounds unhealthy. I would be looking for something better. Laleo, I think pea was trying to be funny in a twisted sort of way. Hope you got a laugh out of it Vickles!