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Author Topic:   When Will The End-Times Be And How Will We Know?
Phat
Member
Posts: 18262
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.1


Message 628 of 794 (888037)
08-30-2021 2:25 PM
Reply to: Message 625 by jar
08-30-2021 12:38 PM


Re: Tangled Up Hypotheticals
I'm figuring you guys will again jump to Matthew 25 as proof that many non-Christians will become Catholic and Apostolic by way of invitation. And who am I to argue with scripture. But that's Gods business
The outliers will meet Jesus soon enough.

"A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." ~Mark Twain "
***
“…far from science having buried God, not only do the results of science point towards his existence, but the scientific enterprise itself is validated by his existence.”- Dr.John Lennox

“The whole war between the atheist and the theist comes down to this: the atheist believes a 'what' created the universe; the theist believes a 'who' created the universe.”
- Criss Jami, Killo

“The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of a doubt, what is laid before him.” — Leo Tolstoy, The Kingdom of God is Within You
(1894).


This message is a reply to:
 Message 625 by jar, posted 08-30-2021 12:38 PM jar has not replied

  
Phat
Member
Posts: 18262
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.1


Message 634 of 794 (888051)
09-01-2021 1:39 PM
Reply to: Message 540 by Percy
08-25-2021 1:41 PM


Re: Gods responsibility for everything and the judgement of such
Percy writes:
Those holding false beliefs will always have an impact. Right this very minute we have major problems with people who don't believe covid is real or that the vaccine is a government plot to sterilize or implant chips or that Trump won the election or that everyone who's not white should go back where they came from or that Sandy Hook was a hoax or that the liberals are running a pedophile sex ring out of a pizza house and on and on.
The way to stop wallowing in false beliefs is to require evidence for what you believe and to say "I don't know" a lot more often.
Agreed. I really don't know what is true anymore.
I will say that I do resist government interference and control in areas such as how much a person could be allowed to withdraw from the bank or how many ways can legally be implemented to tax us.

"A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." ~Mark Twain "
***
“…far from science having buried God, not only do the results of science point towards his existence, but the scientific enterprise itself is validated by his existence.”- Dr.John Lennox

“The whole war between the atheist and the theist comes down to this: the atheist believes a 'what' created the universe; the theist believes a 'who' created the universe.”
- Criss Jami, Killo

“The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of a doubt, what is laid before him.” — Leo Tolstoy, The Kingdom of God is Within You
(1894).


This message is a reply to:
 Message 540 by Percy, posted 08-25-2021 1:41 PM Percy has seen this message but not replied

  
Phat
Member
Posts: 18262
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.1


Message 635 of 794 (888052)
09-01-2021 1:46 PM
Reply to: Message 615 by Percy
08-29-2021 12:25 PM


Re: Hypothetically Speaking
Percy writes:
Why would you believe in anything that has no objective evidence, particularly something that is so inconstant and that has been the target of flim-flam since the beginning of time.
Because I think and believe for myself and not for what some group of people tell me I should believe in. At least not your group of people. You guys have no problem with abolishing organized religion and letting what you would believe to be a fair and impartial government---be it national or even global---distribute from each according to his ability to each according to their need.
I think I am Libertarian.

"A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." ~Mark Twain "
***
“…far from science having buried God, not only do the results of science point towards his existence, but the scientific enterprise itself is validated by his existence.”- Dr.John Lennox

“The whole war between the atheist and the theist comes down to this: the atheist believes a 'what' created the universe; the theist believes a 'who' created the universe.”
- Criss Jami, Killo

“The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of a doubt, what is laid before him.” — Leo Tolstoy, The Kingdom of God is Within You
(1894).


This message is a reply to:
 Message 615 by Percy, posted 08-29-2021 12:25 PM Percy has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 636 by nwr, posted 09-01-2021 2:08 PM Phat has replied
 Message 658 by Percy, posted 09-02-2021 11:49 AM Phat has not replied

  
Phat
Member
Posts: 18262
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.1


Message 637 of 794 (888054)
09-01-2021 2:10 PM
Reply to: Message 636 by nwr
09-01-2021 2:08 PM


Re: Hypothetically Speaking
Percy writes:
We all, liberals, conservatives, and the entire spectrum in between, want our nation to be strong and prosperous, which requires that the individuals making up our nation also be strong and prosperous. Wishing some portion of our citizens ill only makes the nation as a whole weaker.
I agree. But I agree more with the libertarians than I do with the liberals.
Percy writes:
you've swallowed hook, line, and sinker the Republican story that treating other races fairly means that you'll suffer, and besides that other races are lazy, immoral, thieves who will rob the public coffers dry and then out-reproduce you to vote into office people who will make your situation even worse.
I am not a Republican. I agree that there is far too much Racism. My beef is with government control over my stuff, however. There is no way that Liberals and Libertarians will arrive at a consensus that I can see.
Percy writes:
traditionally the way governments reduce inflation is by raising interest rates to tamp down economic activity thereby reducing demand. This also tends to put downward pressure on wages and employment.
Based upon the opinions I follow, the Fed is trapped. If they raise interest rates, the interest on the debt skyrockets. Many of the Libertarians I follow say that they feel the interest rates will actually go negative.
Percy writes:
What we could do with less of is the claptrap someone's filling your head with.
Lets examine some of what I DO listen to.
The War on Cash Is Here, Gold Will Be the Only Road to Freedom Says Renowned Columnist
This Is How the Financial System Dies: Protect Your Money Now Urges Lynette Zang
The Great Reset And Your House
Neil Oliver: ‘The West is firmly in the grip, not of a virus, but of delusional madness’
Is The Dollar Going To Crash? Interview with @Peter Schiff

"A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." ~Mark Twain "
***
“…far from science having buried God, not only do the results of science point towards his existence, but the scientific enterprise itself is validated by his existence.”- Dr.John Lennox

“The whole war between the atheist and the theist comes down to this: the atheist believes a 'what' created the universe; the theist believes a 'who' created the universe.”
- Criss Jami, Killo

“The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of a doubt, what is laid before him.” — Leo Tolstoy, The Kingdom of God is Within You
(1894).


This message is a reply to:
 Message 636 by nwr, posted 09-01-2021 2:08 PM nwr has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 647 by nwr, posted 09-01-2021 7:16 PM Phat has replied
 Message 661 by Percy, posted 09-02-2021 12:52 PM Phat has seen this message but not replied

  
Phat
Member
Posts: 18262
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.1


Message 638 of 794 (888055)
09-01-2021 2:13 PM
Reply to: Message 636 by nwr
09-01-2021 2:08 PM


Re: Hypothetically Speaking
nwr writes:
You are spouting right-wing lies
Are the Libertarians Right Wing? If so, what's wrong with their philosophy? I do not want government control to be as overarching as it is becoming.
Look at my last post. Do you disagree that real interest rates could go negative? Do you disagree that it is inappropriate for the government/Federal Reserve to have such control over money and finance?
Edited by Phat, : No reason given.

"A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." ~Mark Twain "
***
“…far from science having buried God, not only do the results of science point towards his existence, but the scientific enterprise itself is validated by his existence.”- Dr.John Lennox

“The whole war between the atheist and the theist comes down to this: the atheist believes a 'what' created the universe; the theist believes a 'who' created the universe.”
- Criss Jami, Killo

“The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of a doubt, what is laid before him.” — Leo Tolstoy, The Kingdom of God is Within You
(1894).


This message is a reply to:
 Message 636 by nwr, posted 09-01-2021 2:08 PM nwr has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 639 by nwr, posted 09-01-2021 2:46 PM Phat has replied

  
Phat
Member
Posts: 18262
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.1


Message 641 of 794 (888058)
09-01-2021 3:36 PM
Reply to: Message 639 by nwr
09-01-2021 2:46 PM


Re: Hypothetically Speaking
nwr writes:
No, it is not becoming overarching. You are swallowing the bullshit propaganda that is being fed to you.
You ignored my questions. You are fixated on the idea that I am being fed lies. Do you want to hear a modern lie?
  • Inflation Is Transitory.
  • All Gods are characters in books or figments of our imaginations.
    The first one will be proven to be false within a year. The second one may take a bit longer.

    "A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." ~Mark Twain "
    ***
    “…far from science having buried God, not only do the results of science point towards his existence, but the scientific enterprise itself is validated by his existence.”- Dr.John Lennox

    “The whole war between the atheist and the theist comes down to this: the atheist believes a 'what' created the universe; the theist believes a 'who' created the universe.”
    - Criss Jami, Killo

    “The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of a doubt, what is laid before him.” — Leo Tolstoy, The Kingdom of God is Within You
    (1894).


  • This message is a reply to:
     Message 639 by nwr, posted 09-01-2021 2:46 PM nwr has replied

    Replies to this message:
     Message 642 by ringo, posted 09-01-2021 3:43 PM Phat has replied
     Message 646 by nwr, posted 09-01-2021 7:07 PM Phat has seen this message but not replied
     Message 662 by Percy, posted 09-02-2021 1:37 PM Phat has seen this message but not replied

      
    Phat
    Member
    Posts: 18262
    From: Denver,Colorado USA
    Joined: 12-30-2003
    Member Rating: 1.1


    Message 643 of 794 (888062)
    09-01-2021 3:50 PM
    Reply to: Message 642 by ringo
    09-01-2021 3:43 PM


    Re: Hypothetically Speaking
    ringo writes:
    And you've never been able to demonstrate that YOUR god is real.
    Well if you think i'm simply going to sell all that I have in order to prove it to you or anybody else, you will have a long wait.
    Besides I think I figured this out...you refused to pay taxes and justified it by giving money to your street friends. Then when the government came to seize the house...you justified walking away from it because you were listening to "the message". Problem solved. And now you want me to do the same thing if I had half a heart. Sucker

    "A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." ~Mark Twain "
    ***
    “…far from science having buried God, not only do the results of science point towards his existence, but the scientific enterprise itself is validated by his existence.”- Dr.John Lennox

    “The whole war between the atheist and the theist comes down to this: the atheist believes a 'what' created the universe; the theist believes a 'who' created the universe.”
    - Criss Jami, Killo

    “The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of a doubt, what is laid before him.” — Leo Tolstoy, The Kingdom of God is Within You
    (1894).


    This message is a reply to:
     Message 642 by ringo, posted 09-01-2021 3:43 PM ringo has replied

    Replies to this message:
     Message 644 by ringo, posted 09-01-2021 4:03 PM Phat has replied
     Message 645 by dwise1, posted 09-01-2021 4:57 PM Phat has seen this message but not replied
     Message 663 by Percy, posted 09-02-2021 1:47 PM Phat has seen this message but not replied

      
    Phat
    Member
    Posts: 18262
    From: Denver,Colorado USA
    Joined: 12-30-2003
    Member Rating: 1.1


    Message 652 of 794 (888081)
    09-02-2021 7:16 AM
    Reply to: Message 647 by nwr
    09-01-2021 7:16 PM


    Re: Hypothetically Speaking
    How do you know that all whom I listen to are conmen? Is it the fact that most of them sell investments? Is it simply because what they say is so out of line with mainstream economic wisdom? Is it because I also (as you claim) fall for the Christian apologists...who coincidently are also *all* seen to be conmen?
    And how do you know that what you are taught by mainstream economic wisdom is in fact accurate or wise? After all, if the US Dollar was "shaky" or unstable do you honestly think the Federal Reserve (or any other official source) would let the public in on it only to trigger a panic?
    I will admit that as AZ says, most of whom I listen to corroborate my gut feelings. I will tell you this much. I smell a rat in global finance.
    And I will also say that since I value your educated and informed opinions more than I would some source in mainstream media be they financial or prophetic, I listen to what you say to a degree.
    This all could be triggered by my metabolic health and mood swings. It could be psychological. I may be mentally unstable and off-base. (I doubt it, but how would I really know?)
    And dwise1, I saw and browsed that book from that skeptic and onetime fundamentalist who asked the ten questions regarding Jesus. (Of course) I totally disagreed with his premise. I honestly think we are in a spiritual war of sorts. My mission now is to lower my blood sugar and re-evaluate my mental conclusions once my blood sugars settle at a stable lower level. I need to rule out that I am being affected by my own mental stability.
    Edited by Phat, : No reason given.

    "A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." ~Mark Twain "
    ***
    “…far from science having buried God, not only do the results of science point towards his existence, but the scientific enterprise itself is validated by his existence.”- Dr.John Lennox

    “The whole war between the atheist and the theist comes down to this: the atheist believes a 'what' created the universe; the theist believes a 'who' created the universe.”
    - Criss Jami, Killo

    “The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of a doubt, what is laid before him.” — Leo Tolstoy, The Kingdom of God is Within You
    (1894).


    This message is a reply to:
     Message 647 by nwr, posted 09-01-2021 7:16 PM nwr has replied

    Replies to this message:
     Message 655 by nwr, posted 09-02-2021 9:25 AM Phat has not replied
     Message 659 by nwr, posted 09-02-2021 11:56 AM Phat has not replied
     Message 664 by Percy, posted 09-02-2021 2:09 PM Phat has seen this message but not replied
     Message 666 by nwr, posted 09-02-2021 2:31 PM Phat has seen this message but not replied

      
    Phat
    Member
    Posts: 18262
    From: Denver,Colorado USA
    Joined: 12-30-2003
    Member Rating: 1.1


    Message 653 of 794 (888082)
    09-02-2021 7:30 AM
    Reply to: Message 651 by AZPaul3
    09-02-2021 1:34 AM


    Re: Hypothetically Speaking
    AZPaul3 writes:
    More problematic is Phat probably chose these sources because they reflect his set worldview already. In order to find these guys, he must have listened to many others as well. They just weren't telling him what he wanted to hear. (...)But, down periods, modest and fleeting, some would even ask for often, are vital to reshaping, pruning, economies over time.
    Or so the doctrine goes.
    I have to wonder if these are still seen as valid in a global economic oligarchy.
    I honestly think that there is a war of sorts going on in global finance between the US Dollar crowd (the United States and other reserve currencies linked strongly to the dollar) and the rising influence of China (which owns 3 times the gold they are attributed to have) and who may want to replace the US Dollar in the global driver's seat. And is it any coincidence that COVID happened shortly after Trump initiated a Trade War against China?

    "A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." ~Mark Twain "
    ***
    “…far from science having buried God, not only do the results of science point towards his existence, but the scientific enterprise itself is validated by his existence.”- Dr.John Lennox

    “The whole war between the atheist and the theist comes down to this: the atheist believes a 'what' created the universe; the theist believes a 'who' created the universe.”
    - Criss Jami, Killo

    “The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of a doubt, what is laid before him.” — Leo Tolstoy, The Kingdom of God is Within You
    (1894).


    This message is a reply to:
     Message 651 by AZPaul3, posted 09-02-2021 1:34 AM AZPaul3 has not replied

    Replies to this message:
     Message 656 by nwr, posted 09-02-2021 9:37 AM Phat has not replied
     Message 665 by Percy, posted 09-02-2021 2:21 PM Phat has replied
     Message 667 by PaulK, posted 09-02-2021 3:23 PM Phat has seen this message but not replied
     Message 668 by dwise1, posted 09-02-2021 3:46 PM Phat has seen this message but not replied

      
    Phat
    Member
    Posts: 18262
    From: Denver,Colorado USA
    Joined: 12-30-2003
    Member Rating: 1.1


    Message 654 of 794 (888083)
    09-02-2021 7:57 AM
    Reply to: Message 644 by ringo
    09-01-2021 4:03 PM


    Re: Hypothetically Speaking
    ringo writes:
    It has nothing to do what I want. It's what Jesus wants.
    Why on earth would I listen to jar or you regarding anything Jesus wants when both of you believe that the stories are simply tales told round a campfire? You try and hold me to the book 100%. I will *never* limit myself to a static word-for-word interpretation.
    I may well ignore what He says and I note this and pray about what I should do. I like John Pipers interpretation that he voiced to a student calling him about the same basic question.
    John Piper writes:
    Well, Jesus was never ashamed to tell his disciples, or potential disciples, to liquidate their assets and give away all their cash first. This gives rise to today’s question, from a college student named Noah.
    (Noah) “Hello, Pastor John and Tony! I’m a Christian Hedonist at Stanford University, finishing my third year of undergrad. I just finished reading the chapter on money in Desiring God and I’m faced with a question: Why should I not give all (or a significant portion) of what I earn to the Lord?
    “Most teaching I’ve heard on money and tithing has pretty much said, ‘Give! And give generously!’ I want to give as generously as possible and invest eternally. But at what point does my giving to the Lord become irresponsible? Right now, I don’t earn very much. But I also don’t need much. Of the $10,000 I earn, I only spend about $2,000. After giving over 20 percent to God and investing the rest, I still can’t help but feeling like my reward would be greater in heaven if I gave more, which I’d happily do.
    “The problem is, I think I would feel the same way after giving 30 percent or 50 percent or 80 percent to God, too. But is that a problem? Wasn’t the widow commended for giving everything? Aren’t we told not to worry about what we will eat or drink or wear? Jesus said, ‘Sell your possessions and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old’ (Luke 12:33). And you said in Desiring God, ‘Jesus is not against investment. He is against bad investment — namely, setting your heart on the comforts and securities that money can afford in this world. Money is to be invested for eternal yields in heaven’ (193). So if God has given me a generous heart and blessed me beyond my necessities, why should I not give everything?”
    (John Piper)Well, I’m not going to tell Noah not to give away everything. I don’t know what God may be calling him to do. Jesus certainly called on the rich young ruler to give away everything. Jesus said to the rich young man, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me” (Luke 18:22).
    As Noah observed, Jesus commended the widow:
    And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:41–44)
    I don’t know what measure of sacrifice financially Jesus may call Noah or anyone to undergo. I don’t know. I’m not assuming he shouldn’t give away everything, but here’s what I will do. I will say that I cannot biblically tell Noah that this is his duty. I can’t say this is his biblical obligation from the Lord or that it is the biblical obligation or duty of Christians, in general, to give away all that they have. There are reasons, and I’ll just list seven.
    First, Jesus and the apostles never made giving away all our possessions a duty for all followers of Christ. The command to the rich young ruler was not a command to all.
    Second, Zacchaeus was commended for giving away half of his riches to the poor: “‘Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham’” (Luke 19:8–9). In other words, he saw in that kind of generosity — namely, 50 percent plus — that salvation has come. He’s showing he’s really saved.
    Third, Barnabas was admired as a son of encouragement in the early church. When the believers were selling their lands and houses to gather money for the poor, it says, “Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet” (Acts 4:36–37). So he gave one field — no doubt a very significant gift, but not everything.
    Fourth, when Paul was taking up a collection for the poor in Jerusalem among the churches, he said to the Corinthians, “Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come” (1 Corinthians 16:1–2). The idea seems to be this: to the proportion that you prosper, put more aside — not everything, just more for those who earn more, less for those who earn less. Put something aside.
    Work, Have, Give
    Fifth, Paul says, “Aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one” (1 Thessalonians 4:11–12). It seems that in the ordinary life of the church, day in and day out in the world, we should at least seek to have a stream of income that keeps us from lazy mooching. That’s what he says: “so that you will be dependent on no one, work.” That means you need to have enough to pay your bills. You don’t give everything away. You invest and create a life that keeps you from being dependent on others.
    “The normal pattern is to make a living, pay your own way, and turn your whole life into a ministry.”
    Sixth, Paul said, “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need” (Ephesians 4:28). There are three options here: (1) you can steal, (2) you can work to have, (3) or you can work to have to give. The assumption is that as the money passes through our hands into productive uses — whether for the poor, or invested in some way to help society — we are not dependent on others. Enough of our income is supporting us so that we can give and give and give as well as not be moochers off of others.
    By the way, that does not mean it’s a sin for churches to support missionaries. That’s another whole Ask Pastor John. We can look at how Paul, in fact, took money from churches in order to make it free for others. That’s a parenthesis, and I’ll just stop there.
    Seventh, Paul speaks of his own pattern of partially foregoing the right of support:
    With toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now, such persons, we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. (2 Thessalonians 3:8–12)
    The normal pattern in the early church — and in Christianity — for day-to-day life is to make a living, pay your own way, and turn your whole life into a ministry.
    Now, lots of other passages could be brought in to show that owning nothing and giving away everything was not, in the New Testament, the way Jesus and the apostles conceived of the ongoing corporate Christian life. I’ll just mention two things in closing that might give Noah some guidance against this background.
    First, don’t think just of percentages for how much you give away. Think of concrete people and concrete needs as you live your life, and see if your heart really loves people. Here’s what I mean.
    “Remember that all of your money is God’s, not just what you give to the Lord.”
    The good Samaritan was commended that he stopped and helped the wounded man on the road. He had some wine to give him. He had a donkey that he would let him ride. He had money for paying for his lodging (Luke 10:30–35). Jesus didn’t question him, saying, “Hey, why do you have a donkey? Why do you have wine? Why do you have money? You’re supposed to give everything away.”
    The point was, Do you love the person in front of you at a cost to yourself? Shift your way of thinking. Do not merely think, “What percentage can I get rid of?” but rather, “The people that I deal with and that I’m aware of — do I love them as I ought with my resources?”
    Here’s the second thing I would say: remember that all of your money is God’s, not just what you give to the Lord. This means that we should think of every expenditure in a kingdom-advancing way, not just what we give away. It is all Christ’s. He owns you. He owns it. Every single thing you spend and what you give is a ministry and should be designed to magnify Christ.
    Noah, I’m with you in the struggle just as much now, at age 73, as I was when I was 23. Let’s pray for each other that we not be taken captive by our possessions.
    Amen, Pastor John.
    Ringo and jar can defend the book as word for word literal, but until they start their day talking with the living Christ, the character in the book means nothing.
    Edited by Phat, : spelling

    "A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." ~Mark Twain "
    ***
    “…far from science having buried God, not only do the results of science point towards his existence, but the scientific enterprise itself is validated by his existence.”- Dr.John Lennox

    “The whole war between the atheist and the theist comes down to this: the atheist believes a 'what' created the universe; the theist believes a 'who' created the universe.”
    - Criss Jami, Killo

    “The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of a doubt, what is laid before him.” — Leo Tolstoy, The Kingdom of God is Within You
    (1894).


    This message is a reply to:
     Message 644 by ringo, posted 09-01-2021 4:03 PM ringo has replied

    Replies to this message:
     Message 660 by ringo, posted 09-02-2021 12:02 PM Phat has not replied

      
    Phat
    Member
    Posts: 18262
    From: Denver,Colorado USA
    Joined: 12-30-2003
    Member Rating: 1.1


    Message 671 of 794 (891140)
    01-19-2022 11:26 AM
    Reply to: Message 665 by Percy
    09-02-2021 2:21 PM


    Re: Hypothetically Speaking
    Percy writes:
    Why do you care how much gold the Chinese have? We think they have around $120 billion of gold. Let's say it's much more and that they actually have $500 billion. So what? Explain why you think it matters.
    It evidently matters to them. It is a fact that Central Banks own gold---lots of it. According to bullion star.com, central banks claim to hold 33 thousand tons of gold. As an American, I would feel more comfortable if we had more gold than China, just as they would feel more comfortable if the US dollar was *not* the primary Global Reserve currency. In fact, Russia and China are both now trading for oil and resources bypassing the US dollar altogether. You and I disagree on why it matters, and I am still trying to formulate a cognizant argument.

    "A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." ~Mark Twain "
    ***
    “…far from science having buried God, not only do the results of science point towards his existence, but the scientific enterprise itself is validated by his existence.”- Dr.John Lennox

    “A God without wrath brought men without sin into a Kingdom without judgment through the ministrations of a Christ without a Cross.”
    H. Richard Niebuhr, The Kingdom of God in America

    “The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of a doubt, what is laid before him.” — Leo Tolstoy, The Kingdom of God is Within You
    (1894).


    This message is a reply to:
     Message 665 by Percy, posted 09-02-2021 2:21 PM Percy has not replied

    Replies to this message:
     Message 672 by Theodoric, posted 01-19-2022 11:56 AM Phat has seen this message but not replied
     Message 673 by dwise1, posted 01-19-2022 1:40 PM Phat has seen this message but not replied

      
    Phat
    Member
    Posts: 18262
    From: Denver,Colorado USA
    Joined: 12-30-2003
    Member Rating: 1.1


    Message 674 of 794 (894560)
    05-21-2022 2:57 PM
    Reply to: Message 1 by coffee_addict
    06-23-2004 12:39 PM


    End Time Scenarios Are Possible
    coffee_addict writes:
    Could someone please enlighten me as to when the end-times will come and how you came to that conclusion?
    This is an updated response from all prior replies in this thread, based on how I see the world today.
    There are basically two ways that an end-times scenario could develop.
    1) Human-caused by either nuclear or biological war.
    2) Naturally caused through an act of nature such as a super-volcano.
    I suppose we couldn't rule out an alien attack though for all practical purposes I will not include that scenario.
    The Ukrainian War, though not yet a major war, has two nuclear powers involved. People these days tend to forget how powerful nuclear weapons now are, and any attempt to minimize or ignore the sixties conclusion of MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction) had best brush up on their homework! A limited nuclear exchange would also be quite dangerous due to the radiation and possible effects on the global climate. Putin is a terminally ill despot, and in my opinion, has more of a capability of a first strike than do our leaders. We are flirting with danger by playing politics around his borders. (Remember the Cuban Missle Crises?) That being said, I think that NATO has set the bar as to how involved they will in fact get in that conflict, and I am cautiously optimistic that Zulensky is right when he stated in the press today that Only diplomacy can end Ukraine war, says Zelensky
    For the record, I don't like this war one bit. Humans should have learned by now...

    "A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." ~Mark Twain "
    ***
    “…far from science having buried God, not only do the results of science point towards his existence, but the scientific enterprise itself is validated by his existence.”- Dr.John Lennox

    “A God without wrath brought men without sin into a Kingdom without judgment through the ministrations of a Christ without a Cross.”
    H. Richard Niebuhr, The Kingdom of God in America

    “The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of a doubt, what is laid before him.” — Leo Tolstoy, The Kingdom of God is Within You
    (1894).


    This message is a reply to:
     Message 1 by coffee_addict, posted 06-23-2004 12:39 PM coffee_addict has not replied

    Replies to this message:
     Message 676 by AZPaul3, posted 05-21-2022 3:47 PM Phat has seen this message but not replied

      
    Phat
    Member
    Posts: 18262
    From: Denver,Colorado USA
    Joined: 12-30-2003
    Member Rating: 1.1


    Message 675 of 794 (894563)
    05-21-2022 3:42 PM
    Reply to: Message 99 by ringo
    05-08-2020 4:27 PM


    Ringo/Phat Synopsis
    A more troubling comment that I found mentioned by Ratzinger is the fear of a globalist humanist "one world religion".
    ringo writes:
    I don't think he's afraid of "one world religion" as much as he's afraid that it won't be his.
    I will admit to being nervous over the possibility of a one-world secular manifesto.
    ringo writes:
    You refuse resolutely to discuss the idea that your apologists are liars.
    I will try and discuss it, but keep in mind that humans, in general, tend to lie. Look at today's politics. I would go so far as to say that in any diplomatic situation, lies and exaggerated falsehoods are usually involved by at least one party.

    "A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." ~Mark Twain "
    ***
    “…far from science having buried God, not only do the results of science point towards his existence, but the scientific enterprise itself is validated by his existence.”- Dr.John Lennox

    “A God without wrath brought men without sin into a Kingdom without judgment through the ministrations of a Christ without a Cross.”
    H. Richard Niebuhr, The Kingdom of God in America

    “The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of a doubt, what is laid before him.” — Leo Tolstoy, The Kingdom of God is Within You
    (1894).


    This message is a reply to:
     Message 99 by ringo, posted 05-08-2020 4:27 PM ringo has replied

    Replies to this message:
     Message 677 by Tanypteryx, posted 05-21-2022 3:57 PM Phat has replied
     Message 684 by ringo, posted 05-23-2022 1:09 PM Phat has seen this message but not replied
     Message 686 by Tanypteryx, posted 05-23-2022 10:36 PM Phat has not replied

      
    Phat
    Member
    Posts: 18262
    From: Denver,Colorado USA
    Joined: 12-30-2003
    Member Rating: 1.1


    Message 678 of 794 (894566)
    05-21-2022 4:02 PM
    Reply to: Message 677 by Tanypteryx
    05-21-2022 3:57 PM


    Re: Ringo/Phat Synopsis
    I have to ask, what is an exaggerated falsehood?
    When Jerome Powell says that the Fed has the tools to check inflation and that the economy and the dollar are sound.

    "A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." ~Mark Twain "
    ***
    “…far from science having buried God, not only do the results of science point towards his existence, but the scientific enterprise itself is validated by his existence.”- Dr.John Lennox

    “A God without wrath brought men without sin into a Kingdom without judgment through the ministrations of a Christ without a Cross.”
    H. Richard Niebuhr, The Kingdom of God in America

    “The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of a doubt, what is laid before him.” — Leo Tolstoy, The Kingdom of God is Within You
    (1894).


    This message is a reply to:
     Message 677 by Tanypteryx, posted 05-21-2022 3:57 PM Tanypteryx has replied

    Replies to this message:
     Message 680 by Tanypteryx, posted 05-21-2022 4:06 PM Phat has replied

      
    Phat
    Member
    Posts: 18262
    From: Denver,Colorado USA
    Joined: 12-30-2003
    Member Rating: 1.1


    Message 681 of 794 (894579)
    05-22-2022 2:41 AM
    Reply to: Message 680 by Tanypteryx
    05-21-2022 4:06 PM


    Re: Ringo/Phat Synopsis
    Yes. Just because the Fed says it does not make it automatically true or factual.

    "A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." ~Mark Twain "
    ***
    “…far from science having buried God, not only do the results of science point towards his existence, but the scientific enterprise itself is validated by his existence.”- Dr.John Lennox

    “A God without wrath brought men without sin into a Kingdom without judgment through the ministrations of a Christ without a Cross.”
    H. Richard Niebuhr, The Kingdom of God in America

    “The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of a doubt, what is laid before him.” — Leo Tolstoy, The Kingdom of God is Within You
    (1894).


    This message is a reply to:
     Message 680 by Tanypteryx, posted 05-21-2022 4:06 PM Tanypteryx has replied

    Replies to this message:
     Message 682 by Tanypteryx, posted 05-22-2022 12:32 PM Phat has replied

      
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