I am new here too...I was reading through all of your welcomes and found out you too have lost a child...I lost my daughter..She was 19 years of age...I look forward to getting to know you  through your postings...

Hey Sunset:

Thanks for the greeting.  I guess no parent expects to lose a child.  But thank God for His tender care.  I hope we DO become internet friend. 

The one thing the debating factions in this issue apparently fail to realize is that Christmas is not a biblically mandated holiday (and neither is Easter for that matter) so we are free to celebrate it (them) any way we choose or not celebrate it (them) at all.  The holiday means different things to different people.  For those of us who are followers of the Lord Jesus it's the celebration of His birth.  To others it's a warm family time.  Rather than criticizing the way others celebrate the season Christians should take the time to share what we celebrate and why.

The theory you advance is not supported by the Scripture you presented.  No where does God tell us we must "...put our lives on the line..." in order to forgive someone.  Forgiveness is a deliberate choice we make in obedience to Jesus command.

The divorce God hates is divorce in a marriage He has ordained.  Not all marriages are of God.  Simply because a couple decide to marry, run to the altar and invoke the name of God does not mean that marriage is of God.

The reason the divorce rate is as high in the Christian community as it is in the world is because so many Christians do not bother to ask GOD who they should marry (if He wants them to marry at all) but simply ask God to bless THEIR choice. 

In the United States the religious marriage ceremony has been replaced in many (if not most) cases by the State civil ceremony where the couple, the witnesses and the pastor performing the ceremony are required to sign a State marriage license and the churches have generally bought into the idea the a couple is not married unless they have had a State civil ceremony.  There is no Biblical support for making a marriage a State affair.

Thanks guys.  I'm looking forward to being a part of this ministry.     

Oh well, as they say, there's always next year.  At least the 'Hawks got off the "Never Been To The Superbowl" list.    

This year was a good one for the Hawks, I mean this is the best we've every been. Did ya'll hear about the Sonics possibly might get sold? that kinda upset me personally.

I'm not a basketball fan so it doesn't particularly bother me about the Sonics.  But I've been a 'Hawks fan since day one and really look forward to their dropping the Steelers.

I have a secular wife (of 21+ years).  I have witnessed to her - My current pastor has witnessed to her - she will go to church about twice a year if me and the daughter beg... but she still doesn't believe.  It breaks my heart.

Do any of the rest of you have this circumstance?  How do you deal with it?

You say she doesn't believe but has she DENIED God and His plan of salvation through Jesus?

We really don't know the heart of another person unless they come right out and tell us.

The best thing you can do is live a Christ-like life before your wife.  In the overall scheme of things "going to church" is not that big a deal.  Especially when it comes to being a "witness" for the Lord.  It's not the church's job to evangelize.  It's ours.

Just continue to love her and being the husband God wants you to be.  As has been said "You may be the only Jesus a person sees".  She could be won by your conduct (if she really doesn't believe).

Hey, I got them all but the Kennedy pony thing.  But that question and the Tony Bennett one are not that old.

Here's one:  What came in a sealed plastic bag with a color capsule inside that you had to break and mix with the product before using it?  And why did it come that way?

Hello Susie and welcome.  I'm kinda new here myself.

You have, and will, receive many answers with Scripture telling you that you need to do all sorts of things to become a Believer.  But the truth is becoming a Believer is very simple. 

The Bible teaches in John 3:16 that anyone who "believes" in God will be saved.  That word "believes" simply means "put your trust in" or "cling to".  So if you have been moved to join the family of God all you need to do is "repent" (that means turn from your old ways and follow God's ways) and put your trust in God.

God has made it possible by sacrificing His Son Jesus.  You will be told there are many things you must believe ABOUT Jesus to be saved.  But the truth is whatever you believe ABOUT Jesus has to do with your spiritual growth NOT your salvation.

Expect to be attacked by Satan as soon as you turn your life over to God.  And he may win a few battles.  But remember, God has already won the war.

If I can be of any help please feel free to contact me.

God Bless.

Our Catholic friends seem to think that the Rapture is not a Biblical teaching.

There's no doubt that the Bible teaches a "catching up" (rapture) of the Believers.  The big debate is when.  Sadly this non-salvation issue has divided the Body ever since it came into existence in the 19th century.

I wondered about the popularly taught theories for decades until, I believe, the Lord revealed to me what is going to happen (not WHEN but WHAT).

When the Lord returns He will establish His Millennial Kingdom here on this Earth.  For that thousand years those who have rejected God's plan of salvation and Satan and his demons will be removed from this Earth (Psalm 37: 9-11, 20, 22, 29, Matt. 24: 40-41).  I understand the Lord to say those represented in those verses are NOT the Believers.

At the end of the thousand year Kingdom the Believers will be removed and God will cast Satan, his demons and those who rejected His plan of salvation back down to Earth for the "Great Tribulation".  After that God will destroy this Earth and the Heavens and create a New Earth, Heavens and the New Jerusalem (See Rev. 21).  Our eternal home will be the New Earth (NOT Heaven as has been taught by many because Heaven is GOD'S domain, "headquarters" so to speak, where all the records and rewards are kept).  We have been taught that we will go to Heaven based on the Scripture where Jesus said He was going to sit at the right hand of God and that we would be with Him.  That is based on the erroneous assumption that Jesus never leaves Heaven and that is where He is preparing a place for us.

I know this view of the end-times will rattle some cages and perhaps even upset some because they have bought into one of the popular "Rapture" theories.  But you need to remember two things:  1. This is not a salvation issue and 2: I'm just the messenger.

Thank you all for your warm welcome.  I'm anxious to be involved, to fellowship and to help.  And yes Kevin, I do have nine children.  One went home to be with the Lord a year ago this month.  He was just 49 and studying at a college in Arizona.

I'll take the 'Hawks by two TDs over the Steelers.  GOOOOOO Seahawks!!!

Bob Allen
Kent, WA

I am a former theatre owner/operator/law enforcement officer/radio announcer and retail manager.  I am currently resident manager/chaplain (along with my wife of 36 years) of an adult care facility (it's been a busy life).  We have five grown children (I have four from a previous marriage).  I have had the privilege of pastoring several groups and currently do on-line counseling.  I am hoping to one day establish a film ministry in the form of a cinema.

I am here to fellowship and help my brothers and sisters in Christ where needed.

In His Service
Bob Allen