This happens because of the so called today's definition of "art". Solving this is actually as simple as banning all of them, not categorizing them or whether or not they have artistic value. Wasting people's tax dollars and time.
It is a popular fad nowadays for preachers and pastors to claim how many homosexual friends they have around them. This is to show how gracious they are, how open minded they are willing to be. Some made a practice of their ministry, showing the world what a peacemaker they are that you can find very few if not hardly any enemies against them.
To this, my response is Matthew 10:25: It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
Jesus didn't suffer for us to become successful peacemakers. He suffered for us to be courageous peacemakers.
I eat insects. Hope they will be in more places than just Thailand.
This is circulating on FaceBook, I am not sure of its validity.
Got a skin tag? Well, the hard fact to deal with is the older we get the more likely these things are going to appear on our body. In most cases, all a skin tag is a benign tumor that is harmless. This said, you should always consult with your doctor if something out of the ordinary shows up on your body. Once you determine that it is not serious, you can go about with these home remedies to remove skin tags from your body. This article will show you how to remove a skin tag naturally....And the best news is that you can do this from the comfort of your house...
3 Herbal Treatments to remove skin tags that actually work
I could go over the typical remove a skin with duct tape or fingernail polish and they do work but can be painful. Instead, in this article I am going to focus on herbal remedies to treat skin tags. The upside to herbal remedies is that they are less invasive than other "fast" remedies. The downside is that they take a little more time and consistency in order for them to work....
Tea Trea Oil- Tea tree oil works very well for removing skin tags as well as moles. In fact, tea tree oil is used on various skin disorders. To use this all you need is a little tea tree oil and a cotton ball. Soak the cotton ball in the oil and apply it directly to the affected area. Do this once or twice daily for up to 4 weeks or until the skin tag vanishes.
Castor Oil- Most of you are too young to remember castor oil but this oil was used on a wide variety of common ailments and can be taken both internally and externally. The good news is that you will be using castor oil as an external ointment (I still shudder whenever I think of drinking that stuff). Here is what you will do. Take a little baking soda and mix it with the castor oil to create a paste. I suggest you add some citrus oil as it will stink to high heaven. Apply it to the affected area and cover with a band-aid. The typical time it will take is 2-4 weeks before the skin tag vanishes.
Apple Cider Vinegar-Apple cider vinegar works very well for removing skin tags and the good news is that you can buy it in a grocery store for fairly cheap. Just like tea tree oil, you simply dab some of it on a q-tip or cotton ball and apply it directly to the skin tag. Unlike the tea tree oil, Apple Cider vinegar may cause a stinging sensation for a couple minutes after being applied. Typical time until the skin tag vanishes?....2-4 weeks.
Those are just 3 herbal treatments that you can use to remove skin tags. If you don't mind waiting a couple weeks and can discipline yourself to treating the skin tag at least once a day, then these will naturally treat your skin tags from your home.
A question about the order of regeneration and repentance prompted me to remind myself of the term Ordo Salutis, I first heard from R.C. Sproul, I think. He's a good teacher of theology.
In the Reformed camp, the ordo salutis is 1) election/predestination (in Christ), 2) Atonement 3) gospel call 4) inward call 5) regeneration, 6) conversion (faith & repentance), 7) justification, 8) sanctification, and 9) glorification. (Rom 8:29-30).
This should be used as a mean, not as an end.
I've been watching a few of this "What Would You Do?" experiments conducted by ABC's John Quinones. It is a reality show that takes on social issues people try to avoid.
In many cases, it is about discrimination. Mostly racism. In this case, it is about discrimination against homosexuality.
Not long ago, CCCNY held a workshop by guest speaker Alex somewhat pertaining (should we boycott Starbucks for supporting gay marriage) to this matter.
From Alex, Tim Keller, and many other Christians who wish to take a more understanding role, I sensed that they overlooked the fact that "homosexual is a sin" too easily, assuming everyone in the church believes that it is a sin. On the contrary, I believe that many believers say its a sin because they know that's what they should say, not necessarily what they believe.
Why do I think so? From statements such as "They can be gays as long as they don't bother me", "Gays should be accepted just as blacks dating whites are common these days", etc. However they would argue, my question is always: How then are you going to make a firm stand that homosexual is a sin? Ultimately, it just comes down to their own preference and how not to get into trouble with the church, the society. Nothing to do with if it's a sin against God or not.
Watching this video, I feel both delight and sorrow. Delight because there are people who boldly stood up for the victims, though many of their reactions came from a dark place that is not hidden from me: hatred, vengeance. Sorrow because of the liberals' opportunity for heroic act, where are the real Christians?
If it were me, I would stand on the ground that homosexuality is wrong, but when people just want to dine at a restaurant, I would not treat them like animals. But then, how could I shine as a Christian? The good Lord will give me wisdom as I keep my fear in the Lord in check.
I noted before, on how many Christians today think they are more loving than God.
Here is a second examination, the love test:
Can one's love for God be tested at all?
Logically, yes.
Assuming all have confirmed they love God MOST.
Let's observe 2 Christians:
1. Love God, love people. When friends despise God but do not despise one, one is okay with it, after giving a quick rebuke and a sorrowful gesture to the offenders. When friends despise God AND despise one, one breaks contact with offenders. When friends despise not God BUT despise one, one breaks contact as well.
2. Love God, love people. When friends despise God but do not despise one, one is not okay with it and carefully design a reconciliation as an option, but an option indeed. When friends despise God AND despise one, same thing, while checking to make oneself blameless. When friends despise not God BUT despise one, one does not break contact but struggle to fellowship with friends before one God.
Base on the reactions to men and to God, a simple table of friendship probability can be drawn for each candidate with fields "despise God" & "Not despise God" against "despise friend" & "not despise friend". And we can easily tell, whose choice is based regardless of friendship; whose choice is based regardless of people's attitudes toward God.
I seek fellowship with Case 2, not Case 1.
Though I no longer do this now, Leading an old folks fellowship has its challenging benefit.
Many will say, they (very old people) cannot receive any new messages, they are not willing to, there's nothing they haven't heard before, especially from much younger generation.
The traditional community, the Chinese culture influenced folks, tend to be satisfied with admiring how successful a young preacher, pastor or teacher has become. It is not surprising, if these folks care not of the messages brought by the youngsters, whether they are profitable or not.
How can one fulfill 1Timothy 4:12?
Praising the young, is the key of the folks.
I've noted before, that the Son of Man was only 30 when the whole world (both young and old) went after Him. This is the key.
Though it is principle, that young believers prove themselves in diligence, kindness, humility, responsibility, even achievements in life; That cannot be the focal point of biblical lesson. Should the young impress the old to the fullest of biblical intention, one must pray for others (ie. older folks) to see the presence of the Spirit of God with one. This supernatural testimony cannot be one's own making; nor can it be some creative superstition from the charismatics (If it truly be from God, we need not overreact against disbelief. Unless, our objective is not to glorify God, but the strange fire. Using God's name in this way is dangerously blasphemous).
So then, it is a tough journey. It is a journey one must truly walk with God. I pray for this journey.
