• Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.

  • CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.

7 reasons for the trans conflict with Christianity

CF limits how much we can talk about this question, and I will aim to stay within those limits. But I want to say this much. The author's headline asks about reasons for the conflict over trans issues, and the article asks "why is there such aggressive hostility in some quarters". I think one of the reasons for the emotional component of the conflict - the "aggressive hostility" - is the attitude that the author displays in his article. I hear the author saying that he is confident that his opinions on this issue are identical to God's opinions, that anyone who disagrees with him is disagreeing with God, and that anyone who dislikes his views is elevating him to the status of a martyr for God's cause. This really is a frustrating conversation-stopper. If his message to people who disagree with him is "repent of your beliefs, so that you will agree with me and thereby you will agree with God", then we can't even talk to each other. I hope that, as a Christian, I wouldn't be aggressively hostile, but we would certainly be stuck in an emotionally-laden conflict, and reconciliation isn't possible if we can't even begin the conversation.
Upvote 0

Fleeing to Mars not of God

Wow, demonize much?
All he did was post a verse. Do you disagree with it?
Yes, definitely. Because it has no relevance to the thread whatsoever. And at least scientists don’t go bilking people out of their hard-earned cash because of a totally imaginary Rapture. Unlike some Christians. Better to have “unbelieving scientists” than snake-oil salesmen like Harold Camping, or that fake prophet in South Africa.
Upvote 0

My Testimony of Finding God - Would Orthodoxy generally Accept This?

Apologies if this is the wrong section to post my thread, but I specifically wanted to hear from Orthodox Christians since I'm already an inquirer at my 'nearest' church as well as inspired to join due to my online research from what I heard from numerous Orthodox monks and fathers who seemed to align with my experience(also forgive my grammar, I was unable to sleep last night). Without further ado, here is how I went from someone who grew up in his mother's new-age "Christian" church, left it for atheism, then "over night" became a Bible-reading, God-worshiping, Christ-believing Christian:

Like most, I've lived a DEEPLY sinful life(think male-St. Mary mixed with some St. Moses minus the m*rder) in addition with struggles with substance addiction. My atheist stint ran from around 12 years old to 37. My current living circumstances see me residing at my folks business miles away from all my hometown friends along with those I made from an out-of-state move. The last remaining friends abandoned me due to my toxicity, so I was alone regarding peers. Depressed due to isolation, living situation, no achievements, and not where I wanted to be in life neither local nor figuratively speaking. My old modes of thinking started to return along with foolish ideas-I understand some of this might be best saved for confession but omitting it will lead to narrative confusion about my story. The foolish ideas included s**cide via volunteering for the ongoing conflicts. Of course that wasn't the only misguided reason for such an insane choice(a desperation for purpose and inclusion among the seemingly growing Left-wing population of the U.S.), yet being well old enough to know what war actually entails and seeing the horrific footage coming out of said conflicts shook me from a irrationality and wreakless inhumanity.

I found myself looking out my bedroom window one evening(May 14 around 7pm) considering my life and the choices that lead up to such crushing loneliness and desperation. It all made me realise not only was I alone due to my inability to trust and love others, but my wanton life of sin that I was actually considering traveling overseas to commit the one last grave sin I managed to avoid-taking a life. I didn't want to harm anyone, in fact it went against some of my previous choices such as attending EMT school. Scared and desperate for an out was where I found myself. "I need a way out. I don't, I *can't* do this! What if I die there, then my parents will have one child left, and my nephews one less male figure in their lives. I absolutely can't do this"! The feeling felt like a literal weight hanging from my sternum(what I now realise was the weight of my sins).

Suddenly I heard what sounded like heavy vehicles driving over gravel. I wondered what in the world was my dad doing, was he having another truck come deliver gravel or dirt? It grew louder and louder until finally, He was upon me. It was like a heavy presence directly above me, and I can't tell whether I cowered in fear or if His very presence is what pushed me down. "What the **** is this? What's going on"? Then I heard, "I'm God".

"God? As in God-God? THAT God"?! I immediately bent over and began to cry because I knew I was in trouble. The guy who spent a good portion of his live being blasphemous, immature, budding criminal delinquent scumbag was about to be taken to hell by God Himself. It was then He suddenly flooded and encapsulated me with love. "You, you...forgive me?! But everything I've done! I don't believe this"! My legs buckled and I felt two arms(the sensation was similar to when a limb falls asleep but no prickly sensation) around my torso caught me, and there was an 'understanding' Jesus Christ was holding me up. Then a bunch of images flashed in my mind-most seemed to be ancient Middle Eastern cities or locales-but what further clued me in on the God I was speaking with was an image of an egg and sperm. Upon seeing that image I said, "sometimes abortion can save a woman's life so are their exceptions?" which I received a firm yet gentle "No". I then asked if it meant I have to hate non-believers, gay people, Muslims, feminists, ect, and there was an "understanding"(seems He doesn't always communicate with words or images) by the love and mercy He was showing me the answer was obviously no. It made me cry even harder while saying, "Oh my God, you ARE good! I'm sorry I was so wrong about you"! He then told me we are all His children, He hates all these wars(they deeply sadden Him), and He wants us to know Him.

Around this time Christ let me go and I paced around my room while he left me with his last bit of info telling me to tell others about Him and never stop believing in Him. The experience then abruptly ended and I felt an other-wordly bliss and sense of peace for the entirety of the week followed by other strange feelings such as intensely and distinctly feeling people's "vibes"(e.g. I could feel my mother's anxious nature and my dad's anger). It was very taxing both emotionally and physically. I'm now back at 'baseline', and have found an Orthodox church to begin the inquirer portion as well as a former Protestant convert(Calvinist to be specific) at the church who was accepting of my story. I plan to put this past my church father since I'm aware of what a prelest is(is it even possible for an atheist to experience prelest?), yet I feel...confident it was our heavenly Father who came down on me that day since much of what He showed me is in line with Scripture. Not to mention stepping into an Orthodox church was unlike any church experience I had before. The Holy Spirit is undoubtedly there; my first visit was like an assuring and safe presence washing over me, and the 2nd(after falling into sin) was like being under a microscope which felt like it revealed my sin to all others present along with cleansing me of said falls.
I sincerely hope this doesn't cause controversy(or at least too much) after all we are expected to be honest in our word and deeds, yes?

Who then can be saved?

How do you refuse to be saved?
You don’t come when He calls or draws, or answer the door when He knocks even though though no one has excuse (Rom 1:20). You prefer yourself and the world and the flesh to God, as Adam did, You remain in your pride and in your sins instead of in Him after entering and lingering for a time. You believe but the cares of the world as per Matt 13:22 or the fear of man as per John 12:42 end up superceding and choking out or thwarting that gift of faith. Or you may you say you're saved but fail to love and to forgive others, or to produce good fruit. You don't peservere. Etc

Once the will of man is totally removed from the "equation" then the gospel is pretty well eviscerated of its meaning-and revelation (informing man) really has no purpose for that matter.
Upvote 0

Fleeing to Mars not of God

I don't think that God is concerned one little bit with our going to Mars any more than He was concerned with the Wright brothers trying to fly. It's just our human nature to push boundaries. Which is why I'm actually proud of Adam and Eve for eating that apple. If somebody tells us not to do something, guess what we're gonna do. Sure, we do stupid things every now and then, but we're still here, and if perchance we someday die trying... I say good on us. Better to die on your feet than to live on your knees.
I agree with this entirely. If the Second Coming can be derailed by a mere detail like humans moving to another planet then that suggests that God is pretty pathetic. Which is absurd. I don’t think it makes the slightest difference where the human race ends up; I think the Second Coming, if it happens, will happen regardless of where human beings may be found.

I see absolutely no theological objection to going to other planets if it is possible for human beings to do so.
Upvote 0

Palisades Fire live updates: Wildfires spread in Los Angeles, prompting mandatory evacuations, as Santa Ana winds expected to intensify

The Lachman fire was reported about 12:17 a.m. on New Year’s Day in the hillside above Pacific Palisades by a resident whose home is about two blocks from the popular Skull Rock trail.
He who smelt it, dealt it.

Florida man ‘maliciously’ started Palisades fire, then tried to cover his tracks, authorities allege

Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, is accused of starting the initial fire on New Year’s Day that rekindled to become the Palisades fire days later. He was arrested Wednesday in Florida and charged with destruction of property by means of fire, which carries a minimum of five years in federal prison.

Among the evidence collected from Rinderknecht’s digital devices was a dystopian image he generated on ChatGPT depicting a burning city with people trying to flee, said Bill Essayli, acting U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, at a news conference Wednesday.

Rinderknecht called 911 to report the fire, then offered to help firefighters battle the blaze, according to an affidavit by an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Prosecutors accused Rinderknecht of lying about where he was when he made his first 911 call.

While some residents said they saw fireworks in the area on Jan. 1, authorities said they don’t believe fireworks were a factor in the initial fire, called the Lachman fire. Rinderknecht allegedly set the fire “maliciously” with an open flame — “likely a lighter” that ignited combustible material like vegetation or paper, according to the ATF agent’s affidavit. [I understand he had a long neck BBQ lighter in his car.]

He made “false statements” to investigators, prosecutors alleged, saying he first saw the fire after he left the Hidden Buddha clearing and walked down the trail toward his car. However, GPS data from his phone showed he was in the clearing when he first called 911.

Son of missionaries accused of setting destructive Palisades fire

They recall him as the shy and quiet son of missionaries, who could sometimes grow “bratty” or excited when challenged.

In the Hollywood neighborhood where he lived and worked as an Uber driver, one acquaintance described him as “a really nice guy.” Yet he was embroiled in an ugly legal conflict with a neighbor in his apartment complex that included accusations of abuse and drug use.

[Previously he lived in Palisades, near the fire's origin.]

The Skull Rock trailhead — which was cited in the government’s criminal complaint — was located just steps from their home, the old roommate said, and the pair would often hike the route.

In the fall of 2018 — before he lived in Hollywood — Rinderknecht and a girlfriend used Airbnb to rent a room in a San Fernando Valley home, according to the landlord, who spoke to The Times on the condition of anonymity for fear of harassment.

As the weeks wore on, however, the landlord grew concerned. She overheard Rinderknecht speaking to his girlfriend, and said he was disrespectful, even cruel. She suspected that he was using illicit substances and that he was damaging her home’s walls and window blinds.

The landlord said that sometimes, she would overhear the girlfriend crying, or saying that her family wanted her to leave Rinderknecht and fly back home.

“He disregarded all the rules. If I said don’t do this, he’d be very upset and talk back to me,” the landlord recalled. “I called Airbnb to kick him out.”

[After kicking them out, she had $2,000 in repairs to deal with.]

According to public records and posts on social media, the 29-year-old has roots in Florida, Hollywood, Pacific Palisades and the south of France, where his parents did missionary work.

Rinderknecht’s mother, Jennifer, is originally from Florida, according to Pastor Shawn Hurley with Meadowbrook Baptist Church in Lima, Ohio. His father, Joel, is a French citizen, and the couple live in France.
Upvote 0

Another look at the moon landing.

For one, nobody has walked on the moon & two, if nobody has walked on the moon how the heck have left all this so called paraphernalia on it.
Then how did the lunar reflectors that are there now get there? Remember the lunar reflectors are in use now so the evidence for their existence and presence there is factual and absolute.
Upvote 0

10/7/23 Anniversary Hamas Attacked Israel

"On October 7, 2023, the people of Israel endured their darkest day since the Holocaust. In a coordinated attack, Hamas terrorists crossed into southern Israel, murdering 1,200 civilians, abducting more than 250 hostages, and committing atrocities too horrific to fully describe.
For Christians, this day should never fade into distant memory. Just as September 11 became a defining moment for America, October 7 has become a watershed moment for Israel. It was not only Israel's tragedy but ours as well, since more than forty Americans were killed that day. Their blood was shed alongside their Israeli brothers and sisters." - CBN News.


Do you support Israel or Palestine's hamas?
I support Israel and Palestine. I don't support Hamas or Netanyahu.
Upvote 0

Hell doesn't exist and there is no eternal suffering, instead bad peolle just cease to exist

Reading the entire parable you would see this is a false statement. Mark 4:15 only applies to the ones that are by the way side-
No Word of God stops applying to everyone. Matt. 4:4, Luke 4:4, Deut. 8:3

ALL have sin. Romans 3:9
Sin is of the devil, 1 John 3:8

You continually refuse to see the context. And you continually ignore scripture all the while stating you accept every word.
You merely use context in order to eliminate God's Words from applying to YOU
We can accept every word of God all the while applying context to them.
UH, no. You only accept them as applied to someone else if you don't like them
Christ starts every verse in this parable with the words - "And these" There are 4 groups. So no, 4:15 does not apply to everyone.
All 4 groups apply to everyone
I do not let myself off the hook.

Well of couurse you do. You just did. ^^^

And you'll continue denying God's Words apply to you because that's what the tempter in people does
I'm not the one that ignores scripture. I take the bible as a whole. Something you refuse to do. And I'm sure after this post you will continue to do so.
I accept every Word BUT the tempter in me does not. It's no different with you but you just can't differentiate and dominate. Nothing personal. It happens with everyone

And p.s. you are not the better sinner or sinless I person who managed to avoid the facts

Fact remains you sentence your neighbors to eternal death but YOU get off the hook

Commonly known as religious hypocrisy
Upvote 0

Difficulties with finding a church

Sorry, I don't read Hebrew or Greek. Where did you get that idea? I mainly use the NKJV.
from your post that the KJV is different from the Greek and Hebrew, i'm aware that there are differnces , for one the English language is more complex and for most english speaking folks they are limited to only reading English, as far as i'm concerned the Kjv is the best we have and all other translations are somewhat watered down
Upvote 0

How does extreme sin exists along with a powerful spirit-filled ministry?

That's what I am driving at, I suppose. It IS possible for a person, even a prophet or apostle, to exercise the gifts of the spirit but with little fruit. There is a danger imo, (while others clearly seem to disagree) in labelling the whole ministry as satanic because it's basically carnality at work.
I know this from 30 years in co-leadership. A leader incredibly thin-skinned, had to be in charge, verbally controlling. Quite immature emotionally. His son called his Christianity his "hobby". BUT, the church benefitted from his years of preaching and faithfulness.
While I hesitate to go to the other side so to speak (aka the Calvinists) I do think they have an important understanding of this sort of thing. It is called the difference between Spirit Upon and Spirit Within. The best summary of it is in a book called Receiving the Power by Presbyterian pastors Z. Brad Long and Doug McMurry.

Quick summary: Spirit Within is for building godly character with wisdom and understanding; while Spirit Upon is for signs and wonders. That does not even require the person to be a believer. Example: Caiaphas truly prophesying that Our Lord had to die to save the nation. John 11:50-51
Upvote 0

"Under Title X of the US Code, the President has plenary authority..."

NG deployments have been due to Antifa and rioters endangering public savants.
Right, and how does that translate to plenary authority for the President? Especially given that the President himself is the source for both of those claims.
Upvote 0

Was listening to a program talking about mental health.

Was listening to a program talking about mental health. (My mental health issues Part #1)

Unlike other people with their mental disorders or disabilities, I can describe exactly what's going on with me, and it's not at all a mystery to me. When I'm around a bunch of different sources of noise, or people talking (including other people's televisions, and media and whatnot sometimes) (or when I'm around a combination of both actually) I am constantly picking up on everything and immediately applying it to something about me, or having to do with me, and applying it it all kinds of different ways all of the time and always, some of which are sometimes very disturbing, although not always disturbing always, but either way, me or mind makes it about me or something having to do with me, or something that I was just experiencing/doing, and it is something that I am not at all doing willingly. And with a lot of different noise/sources/voices around, it is constantly shifting, and changing, constantly and very, very, very quickly. I can shut a single source down almost immediately, but with a lot of different sources/voices, it is happening too fast for me to be able to keep up most usually, or shut them all down immediately or completely, cause the second I pick up on on one voice/source, and shut it down almost immediately, it changes to another one after that almost immediately, and it's too much for me to be able to keep most of the time, and almost always. And it's not ego either, or me willingly desiring to make everything about me, but this all happening/being done to me 100% completely involuntarily, as I've all but completely killed my own ego by now, almost 100% completely. If it's supposed to be some form of communication, then I don't think it is at all meant for us human beings. And even if it was some form of communication, or I could make some sort of sense of it (which I can't, but if I could) then how could I ever be sure of the source really? Like I said, I don't think it's meant for us human beings. But this is why I wear headphones and listen to something else when I'm out in public, and am out among a bunch of these different sources that very much act like a lot of very, very different, always constantly changing and shifting voices to me actually. It's schizophrenic in a nutshell basically, and that is what it feels like when I'm out in public actually. So it's a very great limitation/mental disorder/disability, and there seems to be no way of eliminating it or completely getting rid of the problem right now 100% completely, because it's not me doing it to myself willingly. And even though I say all of this, there are still some of you who are going to think that I am somehow making this up, or am being dishonest, or am lying, or that it's not as bad as I'm making it out to be maybe, but I 100% guarantee you that you can't make something like this up, and unless you personally have or experience these problems yourself always, then you just don't know how debilitating/disabling they can be actually.

God Bless.

Another thing that I probably also need to mention about this, which has been/still is a side effect from some of the times that this has been disturbing, is also having/developing PTSD from it now actually, which also makes me sometimes anticipate any and all, especially unanticipated/unexpected noises, as sometimes potentially disturbing or triggering, so headphones is definitely the way to go for someone like me, as they are like a lifeline for me. I apologize to all of you that I can't seem to deal with it or handle it any better or differently.

God Bless.

(My mental health issues Part #2)

I'm saving this and these for the next time I see my therapist here in a few weeks.

For example, when I was talking with you last time and you mention dogs sometimes, I sometimes identify with them sometimes in my mind mentally, and when you mentioned your church choir leader last time, I identified with that or him for a minute last time temporarily, as if I was him, or was like him somehow, or in some kind of way actually, or that someone or something was trying to tell me that I was in some kind of way actually, but I was able to shut them, or those thoughts, or those voices, down, almost immediately, and so, it wasn't a big deal really, and none of you even knew that that was going on with me and in my mind at the time mentally. But, when I'm around a lot, or a lot of different sources/ones going on/off all of the time around me, my mind is doing this with all of them all of the time and constantly, and very, very fast with everything, and it's always changing or shifting voices/sources very, very, very quickly, and it's hard to shut them all down immediately all of the time usually. And sometimes, something happens with what's happening on the outside of me that let's me know that something, or someone, knew, or always knows, just exactly what was going on with me, or was happening right then to me at the time mentally, or with what I was just identifying with and how I was identifying with it, actually. Which can feel like a very great violation sometimes of my privacy, which can sometimes be very, very intimidating, or scary, and can sometimes trigger me all of the time and constantly, so that I'm always triggered, or am always on edge all of the time mentally, until I am out of that situation again actually. It can't all be true, but when I'm around a bunch of different sources constantly, I don't have the time to try to discern truth from fiction, which is why I just try to shut them all down immediately. Discerning the truth from fiction can take a lot of time actually, so unless I actually have the time to get a break, and sit around and think about it, and can remember a lot of what was just happening, I can't most of the time actually. Over the course of my total amount of time living with this mental disorder, or disability, I've identified as almost everyone and everything over my total course of time having this, and so I don't think there is any kind of way that all of it can be true ever, etc. And if it ever was or is, then I don't have any kind of idea as to what to say to that or about that ever exactly, etc. It took me quite a while to even be able to know that this is what was going on, or happening with me, and those times we're very, very bad, because they were also very, very confusing, so at least I know now what's happening, and can now write about it now, or tell it to the rest of you now, at least somewhat clearly.

God Bless.

When you, or me, or anyone identifies with something, you first have to ask yourself if you are in any way like that person, place, or thing, or animal, or not, in this specific situation or circumstance, or this specific context or not, exactly? And then also how, or in what kind of way (or ways) (multiple or plural) exactly? If there is even any kind of truth in it at all exactly? Which takes at least some time at least to be able to discern that, or figure that all out exactly? But that you also don't have the time for at the time when there is a lot of it happening or going on very, very quickly like it always happens or does to or for someone like me when there is a lot of different sources to potentially pick up on all of the time exactly. So, there is really no mystery anymore as to just exactly what is happening or going on anymore exactly, but it's more just exactly which way should you apply it, or just exactly what you're supposed to do with all of it all of the time exactly? Like I said earlier, I don't think it's possible for all of it to be true, and so that means that at least some of it has to be false, but with the way it happens to someone like me with a lot of different sources to potentially pick up on sometimes, there is not enough time to be able to figure that all out ever, or ever dwell too long on any one thing, or one or more of those things as quickly as they are/it is changing/happening, until you can get back out of that situation once again temporarily.

God Bless.
As far as I understand we can only think one thought at a time, however with time the filter can be worn.

Though often in the form of flashbacks.
Upvote 0

law discussions belong in the law/sabbath area, or controvertial.

Randy says that there is goodness in all, in a delayed or unrecognised manner. That would be fine, but once the testimony of Christ was told to the world, the commandment to repent was given to all men, so the sin that became death was unbelief.
I don't know why you spend so much time gathering up passages of Scripture just to condemn Israel? What Israel experienced was an example for the world. If Israel backslid, and she did, then Christian nations have done the same.

The idea is to bring out another option--the option of Grace. When people repent by the Gospel they can escape the judgment that fell upon Israel and that now falls upon the world. That is what we should focus upon.

I don't think Israel or Jerusalem is the "Mother of Harlots" indicated in Rev 17. I think that role belongs to Rome, which was Christianized early in NT history. Rome has gone down the same path that Israel did, gradually and intermittently turning to compromise and gross sin. Certainly in the time of the Reformation Catholic abuses in Rome turned very ugly. And though things have improved over the course of the last number of centuries I think things may turn ugly again.

When Rome and Europe turns to the Antichrist the true Church will have to go underground for a short time. That will not just be an Israeli thing--it will be a Europe-wide thing, I believe.

Anyway, yes, I think all men were created with the capacity to do genuine good things. We see them every day. Even non-Christians can do good works--how can that be doubted?

But justification is what you mentioned, and I agree that despite all the good works men do they cannot be justified unless they turn to Christ for Grace. We are justified by faith in what Christ did and by faith in what he gives us by his mercy.

The environment in the world today has been breaking out in a fit of antiSemitism. Let's not involve ourselves in that ugly spirit. Why should we criticize the victims rather than the oppressors?
Upvote 0

Trump sends troops to the 'warzone' of Portland...

That's because we haven't had a president who has fully authorized them to do so. I know LEOs who were frustrated at them for NOT doing their job.

No he doesn't. Every single time ICE has used targeted enforcement. It seems you don't want them to go after illegals. They have done are doing legal enforcement activities. You just dont like it and want to tie their hands.
No, that's not true. They only do that when they want to put on a show raid, like recently in Chicago or that pot farm on Ventura. I don't know what they thought they were up to at the Hyundai plant in Georgia, arresting a bunch of millwrights helping American workers learn about superior battery technology. I guess ICE doesn't care about encouraging foreighn investment in manufacturing.
No surprised.
For many years nearly about half the illegals in the country have been visa overstays. This was ICE's main responsibility and they did almost nothing about it.
Upvote 0

Filter

Forum statistics

Threads
5,876,325
Messages
65,381,243
Members
276,267
Latest member
Johnb84