Upvote
0
-
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.
Upvote
0
Upvote
0
Upvote
0
Preservationists sue Trump for ballroom project reviews and congressional approval
- By Michie
- General Politics
- 0 Replies
President Donald Trump was sued on Friday by preservationists asking a federal court to halt his White House ballroom project until it goes through multiple independent reviews and wins approval from Congress.
Continued below.
www.pbs.org
Continued below.
Preservationists sue Trump for ballroom project reviews and congressional approval
The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a privately funded group, is asking the U.S. District Court to block Trump’s White House ballroom project, which already has involved razing the East Wing, until it goes through comprehensive design reviews, environmental assessments, public comments...
www.pbs.org
Upvote
0
Upvote
0
Are you interruptible like Jesus?
- By Michie
- Daily Devotionals
- 0 Replies
Are you interruptible?
As a dad of four boys, I have found that if I’m not interruptible, my boys will see me as someone they cannot approach at any time for any reason — and I want my boys to know they are safe to approach me with whatever is on their mind and heart.
One of the many things I love about Jesus in the Gospels is how interruptible He was (and is today).
Think about it. Nearly every major moment in Jesus’ ministry happened in the middle of an interruption. He was on His way somewhere, teaching something, or moving toward a purpose — and then someone stepped in, someone called out, someone reached out, someone broke through the crowd. And Jesus didn’t sigh, roll His eyes, or treat them like an inconvenience. He stopped. He listened. He engaged. He cared.
When the woman with the issue of blood reached out and touched His robe, Jesus halted everything and said, “Daughter … your faith has saved you. Go in peace” (Luke 8:48, CSB).
Blind Bartimaeus cried out from the roadside and the crowd tried to silence him, but Jesus stood still and said, “Call him” (Mark 10:49, CSB).
Parents brought their children to Jesus, and while the disciples rebuked them, Jesus corrected His own followers and said, “Let the little children come to me; don’t stop them” (Matthew 19:14, CSB).
When the paralytic’s friends dug through the roof, Jesus didn’t rebuke them for interrupting His teaching — He honored their faith and said, “Son, your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2:5, CSB).
Every interruption became an opportunity for Jesus to reveal the Father’s heart.
Continued below.
www.christianpost.com
As a dad of four boys, I have found that if I’m not interruptible, my boys will see me as someone they cannot approach at any time for any reason — and I want my boys to know they are safe to approach me with whatever is on their mind and heart.
One of the many things I love about Jesus in the Gospels is how interruptible He was (and is today).
Think about it. Nearly every major moment in Jesus’ ministry happened in the middle of an interruption. He was on His way somewhere, teaching something, or moving toward a purpose — and then someone stepped in, someone called out, someone reached out, someone broke through the crowd. And Jesus didn’t sigh, roll His eyes, or treat them like an inconvenience. He stopped. He listened. He engaged. He cared.
When the woman with the issue of blood reached out and touched His robe, Jesus halted everything and said, “Daughter … your faith has saved you. Go in peace” (Luke 8:48, CSB).
Blind Bartimaeus cried out from the roadside and the crowd tried to silence him, but Jesus stood still and said, “Call him” (Mark 10:49, CSB).
Parents brought their children to Jesus, and while the disciples rebuked them, Jesus corrected His own followers and said, “Let the little children come to me; don’t stop them” (Matthew 19:14, CSB).
When the paralytic’s friends dug through the roof, Jesus didn’t rebuke them for interrupting His teaching — He honored their faith and said, “Son, your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2:5, CSB).
Every interruption became an opportunity for Jesus to reveal the Father’s heart.
Continued below.
Are you interruptible like Jesus?
One of the many things I love about Jesus in the Gospels is how interruptible He was and is today Think about it
www.christianpost.com
Ellen White on the mark of the beast for those that worship on Sunday
- By Mercy Shown
- Sabbath and The Law
- 103 Replies
As I read through this thread, I was struck by how much of the discussion centers on moralism—either as a means to salvation or as something that somehow affects salvation. One side argues that obedience to the Ten Commandments is not required for salvation; the other insists that it is. One side says the Sabbath is uniquely Jewish; the other says it was made for humanity and predates the Jews. Yet, in different ways, both sides seem focused on moral observance.The writings of Ellen White, a prophet of the Seventh Day Adventist church, teach that those who worship on Sunday will receive the mark of the beast and will reject the seal of God. In other words, the vast majority of Christians are doomed for worshipping our Lord on Sunday instead of Saturday.
Here are her writings:
Reception of Mark of the Beast Future—The change of the Sabbath is the sign or mark of the authority of the Romish church. Those who, understanding the claims of the fourth commandment, choose to observe the false sabbath in the place of the true, are thereby paying homage to that power by which alone it is commanded. The mark of the beast is the papal sabbath, which has been accepted by the world in the place of the day of God’s appointment. Ev 234.1
No one has yet received the mark of the beast. The testing time has not yet come. There are true Christians in every church, not excepting the Roman Catholic communion. None are condemned until they have had the light and have seen the obligation of the fourth commandment. But when the decree shall go forth enforcing the counterfeit sabbath, and the loud cry of the third angel shall warn men against the worship of the beast and his image, the line will be clearly drawn between the false and the true. Then those who still continue in transgression will receive the mark of the beast. Ev 234.2
With rapid steps we are approaching this period. When Protestant churches shall unite with the secular power to sustain a false religion, for opposing which their ancestors endured the fiercest persecution, then will the papal sabbath be enforced by the combined authority of church and state. There will be a national apostasy, which will end only in national ruin.—Manuscript 51, 1899. Ev 235.1
When Seal of God Is Refused—If the light of truth has been presented to you, revealing the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and showing that there is no foundation in the Word of God for Sunday observance, and yet you still cling to the false sabbath, refusing to keep holy the Sabbath which God calls “My holy day,” you receive the mark of the beast. When does this take place? When you obey the decree that commands you to cease from labor on Sunday and worship God, while you know that there is not a word in the Bible showing Sunday to be other than a common working day, you consent to receive the mark of the beast, and refuse the seal of God.—The Review and Herald, July 13, 1897. Ev 235.2
As a Result of Disregard of Light—God has given men the Sabbath as a sign between Him and them, as a test of their loyalty. Those who, after the light regarding God’s law comes to them, continue to disobey and exalt human laws above the law of God in the great crisis before us will receive the mark of the beast.—Letter 98, 1900. Ev 235.3
Caution in Presenting the Sunday Question—[We are] not to provoke those who have accepted this spurious sabbath, an institution of the Papacy in the place of God’s holy Sabbath. Their not having the Bible arguments in their favor makes them all the more angry and determined to supply the place of arguments that are wanting in the Word of God by the power of their might. The force of persecution follows the steps of the dragon. Therefore great care should be exercised to give no provocation.—Letter 55, 1886. Ev 235.4
Let the Truth Do the Cutting—Satan’s efforts against the advocates of the truth will wax more bitter and determined to the very close of time. As in Christ’s day the chief priests and rulers stirred up the people against Him, so today the religious leaders will excite bitterness and prejudice against the truth for this time. The people will be led to acts of violence and opposition which they would never have thought of had they not been imbued with the animosity of professed Christians against the truth. Ev 236.1
And what course shall the advocates of truth pursue? They have the unchangeable, eternal Word of God, and they should reveal the fact that they have the truth as it is in Jesus. Their words must not be rugged and sharp. In their presentation of truth they must manifest the love and meekness and gentleness of Christ. Let the truth do the cutting; the Word of God is as a sharp, two-edged sword, and will cut its way to the heart. Those who know that they have the truth should not, by the use of harsh and severe expressions, give Satan one chance to misinterpret their spirit.—The Review and Herald, October 14, 1902. Ev 236.2
A Call to Enlighten the Masses—I have been shown that Satan is stealing a march upon us. The law of God, through the agency of Satan, is to be made void. In our land of boasted freedom, religious liberty will come to an end. The contest will be decided over the Sabbath question, which will agitate the whole world. Ev 236.3
Our time for work is limited, and God calls us as ministers and people to be minutemen. Teachers as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves must come to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty. There are many who do not understand the prophecies relating to these days, and they must be enlightened.—Letter 1, 1875. Ev 237.1
Evangelism
Presenting God’s last warning message to a doomed world is the “highest, greatest work” ever given to human beings. This comprehensive handbook on ev…egwwritings.org
Is Ellen White correct? Are those that worship our Lord on Sunday doomed to receive the mark of the beast?
Before anyone takes offense, I want to acknowledge that many here clearly understand where salvation comes from and how it is received. My intent is not to dismiss sincere faith, but to gently question the framework through which we are approaching the issue.
Some time ago, I became curious about Ellen G. White after meeting an ardent Seventh-day Adventist gentleman who quoted her extensively. Wanting to understand her for myself, I read through much of her body of work—a series of volumes that begin with creation and extend to the second coming of Christ. Setting aside the question of her prophetic authority, it is clear that her understanding of salvation was not static. Over time, her emphasis shifted from a more New England–style moralism toward a clearer, grace-centered understanding of salvation.
Historically, the Seventh-day Adventist Church emerged from William Miller’s eschatology, rooted in a misreading of the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation (cf. Matthew 24:36). Miller predicted Christ’s return in 1844, which sparked an urgent “get ready” movement. Understandably, this urgency led many to focus intensely on moral behavior. Yet such an approach placed an impossible burden on fallen humanity (Romans 3:10–12).
Around this time, Rachel Oakes Preston, a Seventh Day Baptist, introduced Sabbath observance to a group of Adventists who were already emphasizing the importance of the Ten Commandments. To their credit, and in pursuit of consistency, the congregation adopted Sabbath observance. This practice spread to other congregations, and in 1863 the Seventh-day Adventist Church was formally organized.
Given these origins, it is not difficult to see how a moralistic approach to salvation took root. Even after Christ did not return in 1844, the sense that His coming was imminent remained strong, continuing to foster moral urgency. In 1888, however, the message of righteousness by faith came with force, dividing the church theologically. By 1889, Ellen White’s emphasis had clearly shifted toward salvation by grace through faith, most notably expressed in Steps to Christ. The book was so strongly grace-centered that some even claimed it could not have been written by her.
All of this brings us to the question at hand. First, Scripture must be our final authority, interpreted through the illumination of the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16–17; John 16:13). Second, moral behavior does not save anyone—whether that behavior consists of observing the Ten Commandments or simply striving to be a decent person. Even our best works, apart from Christ, amount to nothing of saving value (Isaiah 64:6; Ephesians 2:8–9). Self-defined law-keeping is vanity. Christ alone is righteous, and if we are to be righteous, it must be His righteousness given to us as a gift (2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 3:9).
And God does more than simply declare us righteous. He adopts us as His children and makes us co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:15–17). If this astonishing gift does not awaken in us a desire to be like Him, then we have not truly grasped what has been given. Any moral behavior that has real spiritual value flows from a heart cleansed by Christ (Ezekiel 36:26; Matthew 7:17). Obedience is the fruit of salvation, not the means to it (John 15:5; Galatians 2:16).
For this reason, it is sobering to remember that there will be many who confidently point to their religious observances—Sabbath-keeping included—and yet hear the words of Christ: “Depart from Me; I never knew you” (Matthew 7:23).
In the end, it is not merely what we do, but why we do it (1 Corinthians 10:31). None of us is qualified to take Christ’s place on the judgment seat (Romans 14:4, 10–12). Our proper posture is humility before Him. The Sabbath should not be the central issue; knowing Christ should be (John 17:3).
Upvote
0
Nicaragua bans tourists from bringing Bibles into the country
- By Michie
Tourists entering Nicaragua are no longer allowed to carry Bibles. The restriction, which also applies to other printed materials and electronic equipment, is part of a growing list of prohibited items at the border and comes amid tightening limits on civil liberties and an ongoing crackdown on Christians.
Notices displayed at Tica Bus terminals in Costa Rica list Bibles, newspapers, magazines, books, drones and cameras among banned items alongside sharp objects and perishable food, according to the U.K.-based group Christian Solidarity Worldwide.
A representative from the regional transport company Tica Bus in El Salvador confirmed that passengers traveling to Managua are not permitted to bring “Bibles, newspapers, magazines, books of any kind, drones and cameras,” CSW said.
Continued below.
www.christianpost.com
Notices displayed at Tica Bus terminals in Costa Rica list Bibles, newspapers, magazines, books, drones and cameras among banned items alongside sharp objects and perishable food, according to the U.K.-based group Christian Solidarity Worldwide.
A representative from the regional transport company Tica Bus in El Salvador confirmed that passengers traveling to Managua are not permitted to bring “Bibles, newspapers, magazines, books of any kind, drones and cameras,” CSW said.
Continued below.
Nicaragua bans tourists from bringing Bibles into the country
Tourists entering Nicaragua are no longer allowed to carry Bibles The restriction, which also applies to other printed materials and electronic equipment, is part of a growing list of prohibited
www.christianpost.com
Upvote
0
Upvote
0
