Sower,

Thanks Brother, I really appreciate the information. I was thinking that would be the case.  I really don't need them anyway since nearly all of my study aids are geared to the old KJV and Strong's Numbers. I also have an extensive work from Dr. Zodiates (SP) that is geared to the old KJV. Some complain about the old style English used in the KJV, but I would quickly state that language is beautiful, at least for me. It appears to have a flowing rhythm, much like poetry in many portions.

I have numerous ancient language translations, but I don't really enjoy ancient languages unless I have a specific need for them in my studies. They involve a lot of work, so maybe I'm just lazy.  

Love In Christ,
Tom

SincereHeart,

     Sister, You found the capital, but we have contests all over Oklahoma.    If I remember correctly, Beaver, Oklahoma is in Southeastern Oklahoma in the heart of the Quachita (SP) Wilderness and Mountains. They have to pipe sunshine in there, but it is a beautiful place. My wife and I would love to rent a cabin there and spend 3 or 4 days just enjoying nature. Fall is the perfect time after things cool down and the colors start to change. They also have some of the best fishing in the country. Beaver's Bend State Park is where we want to go. It was built by the WPA, and you can still rent a cabin there for about $40 a night, so poor people can still afford it, especially when the fourth night is free. They are set up with dishes, stove, refrigerator, cooking, and bringing your own groceries to reduce the cost even more. You can forget about TV because they don't receive any signals there, and the cabins are NOT equipped with telephones, so it's perfect for R & R. Rangers provide communications and heavily patrol the camp. Wildlife is very heavy around the cabins, and they have huge picture windows in the cabin to simply enjoy. Did I mention that the walls on the cabins are 1 foot + thick stone?  

There is a town fairly close that is popular for circus people to retire in, so we might not come back.    We would fit right in.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Brother Sower,

I think that "witness" is an excellent term to use when talking about ancient manuscripts. It is also important to note that the witnesses talked in the ancient times and many of them were scholars. There is a very logical reason why many ancient manuscripts were not included in the Holy Bible. Many witnesses knew the writers and spoke as actual witnesses. The use of the term "witness" is an interesting comparison if you use it in a court setting and consider the value of each witness. The testimony of some "witnesses" in a court of law have little or no value. In fact, some testimony in court is not relevant, and some testimony is false.

Brother, I would simply say that I'm not a scholar, and I'm glad that I don't have to make all of those decisions. I can't cross examine the witnesses, and I don't know many of the witnesses. For the above reasons, I choose the KJV as my primary Bible for study. I also make a distinction between the Old KJV and the new. I simply don't want to worry about distortions and omissions. I really don't know how good the other two translations are that I use from time to time: The Amplified Bible and Young's Literal Translation. However, I don't have to worry about it. I don't use them that often, and I use them in parallel with the KJV and KJV with Strong's numbers.

Brother, please give me your opinion of The Amplified Bible and Young's Literal Translation. I don't use them very often, but I would appreciate you sharing with me.

Love In Christ,
Tom

AMEN!! Brothers and Sisters.

It's amazing what Jesus can do with a yielded lump of clay, a vessel made fit for the Master's Use.

Love In Christ,
Tom

       Poor Hillary.

ROFL - Can't get up.

Thanks for that laugh Animation Guru! I had to save this one for another laugh later.

[Thanks be unto God for HIS unspeakable GIFT!!!KEEP LOOKING UP!!]

Felix102,

AMEN!!

God hears our prayers. I think one of the most important things to remember is our short journey on earth is just a blink of the eye. We are just traveling through, and our citizenship is in Heaven for eternity with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Thinking of everlasting peace and joy in Christ should help us remember that our trials here are nothing and just temporary. We can also remember that Jesus wants to walk every step with us until HE takes us home. Even in trials, Christians can and should say:

Thanks be unto God for HIS unspeakable GIFT!!!

KEEP LOOKING UP!!

Love In Christ,
Tom

Hello Jsmith,

I see this is your first post, so WELCOME!!!! I think that discussions over various translations has been going on for well over 1,000 years. There are many ancient texts that are not part of the Holy Bible, and there are some ancient texts that have been accepted by some and rejected by others as being part of the Holy Bible. It's a very complicated but important discussion. If you read the entire thread, you will see there are some pretty dramatic problems with some of the new translations. It's good to be informed, especially on some major issues that are either distorted or deleted completely. There are also some good links in this thread for more specific material.

I really hope that you enjoy Christians Unite.

Love In Christ,
Tom

I have been away for 10 days and this is the best you got?


SHEESH

Sister Reba,

Where have you been, and how are you? We have finally gotten to the heart of the matter in politics, bull and cow chips, so I thought we had cut through the bull (a little play on words).  I know - GROAN!!!!!!  

Give us Reba's words of wisdom, but I think that we are finally on topic.    We missed you.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Oklahoma Howdy to All,

       It's pretty easy to see politics as a comedy. Some comedians make their living in mimicking what politicians do. DreamWeaver posted some political jokes done by Jay Leno and David Letterman that are hilarious. It's great to have a good laugh every now and then, but our politicians give us laughs every day. However, it's sad that what they do will effect all of us for many years. For this reason and others, I think it should be a duty of every Christian to pray for our leaders every day, especially the ones we don't like and the ones we feel are lost or weak in Christ.

This thread made my day. Now, I think of politics as a giant cow-chip tossing contest.    YES!!, those do exist. I think our politicians from Oklahoma would have an unfair advantage, as many of them are expert at tossing cow-chips.  

UM???, good point about what to do with the lawyers. Maybe we could make a law that they could only represent or bring actions against politicians.    Maybe we could isolate them on a deserted island somewhere and make sure there was no communication with the outside world, including messages sent in bottles, etc. I can see it now - the world's largest composting operation.  

Love In Christ,
Tom

Oklahoma Howdy to All,

I love all of you. It's really been interesting to hear the honest thoughts of many Christians. Our political system is broken and corrupt, so let's just send Christians Unite members to run the country. We wouldn't have a chance unless the politicians were removed first.  

UM??? - I'm trying to think about what the politicians would be good at if they couldn't be politicians. I keep coming back to working with or processing manure in some manner.  

Love In Christ,
Tom

[GOOD!!!]

AMEN OneStarFisher and SincereHeart,

We already know that the devil has been busy and is holding many people hostage, in bondage to sin and death. The sin always involves great pain and suffering during this short walk on earth, but it also involves pain and suffering for eternity.

In short, it is cruel for a Christian to remain silent. One of the first steps to the LIGHT is realizing one is living in sin and is in desperate need of a Lord and Saviour. If a Bible Verse or a sign makes someone angry who is wallowing in sin, darkness, and death -  GOOD!!!  Maybe it will lead to conviction of sin and one step toward Christ.

It isn't pleasant for a Christian to speak up many times. There is nothing in the Holy Bible that says speaking the TRUTH and spreading the GOOD NEWS is pleasant. In fact, the Holy Bible states the opposite. Would anyone expect it to be pleasant to share a portion of Scripture with the devil? The devil doesn't want to hear it and will do everything possible to shut out HIS WORD, including the convincing of Christians to be silent. Christians are NOT given equal time to combat the devil, nor can they buy equal time to combat the devil.

I would love to see an America where the devil couldn't go around any corner without seeing and hearing THE WORD. However, many Christians oppose this - WHY? I would ask if there is a shred of evidence that suggests silence helps those who are wallowing in sin and death. We all know that the complete OPPOSITE is true. The devil is running rampant, seeking hosts to devour, and facing almost NO opposition. The last 50 years in America is a perfect example of what the devil can do when there is NO or inadequate opposition. The devil will be most certainly heard, but most Christians will remain silent and let the devil take what he wants, including their own children and loved ones.

UM? - Are there many families left that aren't being tortured by the devil in one way or another?? (i.e. alcohol, dope, pornography, alternative lifestyles, abortion, moral bankruptcy, Biblical bankruptcy, etc., etc., etc.). I think it is quite Biblical for a Christian to stand in the way of the devil, speak up, fight, and keep fighting. It's not easy, but we are called to do JUST THAT!!

I do wish to serve God in any way he calls me. I don't expect to be popular in HIS service, nor do I expect it to be easy. However, it wasn't easy for Jesus to die on the CROSS for me. Being popular with everyone, including the devil, is a clear sign that I'm not doing anything in HIS service. If those wallowing in darkness and the devil like you, you need to figure out who you are working for.

Love In Christ,
Tom

[ANYONE]

Oklahoma Howdy to Left Coast and Bronzesnake,

I don't have much doubt that both of you are brothers in Christ. I think that the disagreement and exchange of information could be beneficial if it could be cooled down some. It is more than certain that neither of you are going to change your opinions, and my opinion is set in concrete.

Left Coast, I have no problem in calling you brother, but I disagree with you completely on your doctrine. It is set in concrete that Jesus Christ died on the cross for ALL - EVERYONE who will believe, confess, and ask forgiveness to the LORD AND SAVIOUR for ALL who call on HIS Name as LORD over their lives. John, I know it makes you angry that I won't debate this with you, but I don't feel led to debate matters like this. I would simply tell you it is completely false doctrine that attempts to define and limit the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross for all. Anyone, and I mean ANYONE can hear the Word of God, believe in the GOOD NEWS OF THE CROSS, and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. There really isn't any mystery at all about predestination. Everything was and is an open book to Almighty God before the foundation of the world. HE knew the number of hairs on your head and whether or not you would accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour before the foundation of the world. Foreknowledge by ALMIGHTY GOD does not suggest that you were somehow commanded or created as a robot that would accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour.

If Almighty God wished to make such commands, HE certainly could, but he didn't. It is more than obvious that HE wishes all men to be saved, so why not simply COMMAND it or breathe it SO and DONE. There would be no need for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the CROSS, and there would be no need for pastors and sharing the GOOD NEWS. The simplicity is overwhelming - man was given the choice of good and evil and to believe or disbelieve. Man chose evil and disobedience with Adam. Man has been given choices to make from the very start, and ALL men are in desperate need of a Lord and Saviour. ALL men were offered a Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ on the CROSS. Men may accept or reject, just like Adam.

In conclusion, you are confusing the foreknowledge of God in ALL THINGS with a doctrine that says many men can't ask Jesus Christ for forgiveness and ask HIM to be the LORD over their lives. There no doctrine with any Biblical basis that says that only some men can accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, and all others will be rejected. Again, it is simply confusing foreknowledge with predestination. Any man can hear the WORD - The GOOD NEWS - and believe it and accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour. Anything less makes the CROSS in vain and makes the clear statement that there is no GOOD NEWS.

John, post all you wish, but I won't debate it with you. I have studied in detail everything you believe about predestination. I will simply say that you are a very confused brother in Christ. I love you brother, but the GOOD NEWS is for everyone. We'll simply have to agree to disagree.

Love In Christ,
Tom

DreamWeaver Said:

Tom I will help you on this. The prayer list is important for all Christians. I waited to see if anyone else, wanted to help.  Since you have had no offers, I will.

Brother, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I think that it's current through most of the first week of August. If you will include something about "Prayer List" in the subject, I will see it and make it sticky so it will stay at the top of the first page of prayer requests. It looks like the system will only take about 1 month at a time, even if the posts are condensed. I was hoping that many of our prayer warriors would print out the list on a regular basis and have it at home as a reminder about those requesting prayer.

Brother, your kindness just made my day. Thanks again.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Oklahoma Howdy to All,

I'm not a KJV only person, but I'm close. Further, I don't consider folks who refuse to use anything else a cult. I think that the cult statement is silly.

I primarily use the KJV and the KJV with Strong's Numbers. I love to use them, and they fit perfectly with the majority of my study aids. I'm addicted to a Bible Study package called e-Sword. It comes with numerous ancient language translations and a host of other translations. I sometimes enjoy using the Amplified Bible and Young's Literal Translation. I have a parallel area of e-Sword set up to use four translations at once, all on one page and side to side:  KJV, KJV with Strong's Numbers, Amplified Bible, and Young's Literal Translation. I can do the same thing with ancient languages, including some Greek translations with Strong's Numbers.

I would have to say that I see some massive problems with some translations that actually omit or change the meaning of important passages of Scripture. I won't argue or debate this, but corruption of HIS WORD is a serious problem. Now, I'll tell you that I have over 40 translations of the Bible to study when I wish to, but I don't wish to very often. I find that the KJV and the KJV with Strong's Numbers fills all of my needs 98% of the time, and I'm careful with the 2%.    So, I could probably be called an old stuffed-shirt, but I like being called that.  

Love In Christ,
Tom

[a.b.Agur3046AlfieAnnahavilAussie MumawBrokencountrycatEarly57FBI78geraldukJabezJemidon2004joyunendingKiwiChristianlinuxgeekLMarshmaryannamejbakerMr. 5020OldTimerPaul2PetroPhotogruntPilgrimpnotcpsalmistsingerrafterRomans8_1RoyosanjerleSaved_4eversmartinez1984sunodinoSymphonyTamaraTerritigerlilytony350WhitehorseWolfBrother]

Oklahoma Howdy to All,

I'm thinking about many regulars we haven't seen or heard from for awhile. Some of them probably need our continued prayers, and some may be very busy with life and other obligations. Please forgive me if my memory does not serve me very well. It's also possible that some are back to the forum and I don't realize it. I'm sure there are others, but these are the ones I felt led to mention:

a.b.
Agur3046
Alfie
Annahavil
Aussie Mum
aw
Broken
countrycat
Early57
FBI78
geralduk
Jabez
Jemidon2004
joyunending
KiwiChristian
linuxgeek
LMarsh
maryanna
mejbaker
Mr. 5020
OldTimer
Paul2
Petro
Photogrunt
Pilgrim
pnotc
psalmistsinger
rafter
Romans8_1
Royo
sanjerle
Saved_4ever
smartinez1984
sunodino
Symphony
Tamara
Terri
tigerlily
tony350
Whitehorse
WolfBrother

Dear Heavenly Father,

We know that some of the above people and others need our prayers. Lord, you know what their needs are, even if we don't. Lord, we know that many of them have health problems and many other major issues of life to deal with. We pray that you watch over them, heal them, and walk with them during their daily lives. For those with grief and tragedy, we ask for the peace and comfort that only YOU can give. For those who are serving our country or have loved ones serving, we pray that you watch over them, keep them safe, and bring them home to their families. For all of us, we pray that you will give us guidance and wisdom to walk a path that is most pleasing to you. Lord, help us with a heart of obedience and a life of yielding to YOUR will and purpose in our lives. Lord, we ask for peace, love, and fellowship on Christians Unite. Lord, give us hearts to uplift one another in Christian love and help the lost. We ask these things in the precious name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Love In Christ,
Tom